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Erathis laughed at the man's presumably projected bravado, but he dropped his hands at his sides all the same. His hand began toying absently with the hilt of his weapon, though he seemed not to notice it.
"Seems like I might have an interesting time making a proposition to him then," he declared, "perhaps you could show me to where he might happen to be?"

Erathis narrowed his eyes as he figured out exactly what had transpired. With a slightly aggravated grunt he followed Jack into the bar.
"Alright then," he muttered, "I guess the first round's on you then, since you can bluff in any case. I'll be away from the crowds."
He strode over to the corner and took a seat. With his elbow on the table he held his hand to his chin, ensuring his mask was up the whole while.

Erathis chuckled and leaned back in his seat.
"Passage," he said calmly, "to an island off the Tessalonian mainland. I have an errand of idiotic proportions there, and I think anyone capable of reading a map would know it's quite a way, no matter how you go."
He took a moment to regard Jack's attire before lowering his mask and voice a substantial measure.
"You wear the trappings of a pirate, I would assume idiotic proportions are not too much for you to handle, but I don't expect I'll have to come empty-handed either. What are your terms?"

"It's not an insult, captain," Erathis explained, "Tessalona is known for its hostility, as I'm sure you're aware. If I'm insulting anybody it would have to be myself, but I'm not accustomed to doing that. Still... a Company ship, you say? There I thought pirates were better-known for sinking ships of that nature, but I don't think I know any seagoing people knowing enough to handle a ship to say I can find a buyer, but..."
He lifted a hand to the table and placed a small yet radiating, clear jewel humming with energy upon it. Again he leaned back with a smile.
"Do you know what this is, captain?"

Erathis chuckled and rested both hands on the table. With a slight smile he took a brief look around the room.
"This is a spectral diamond, perhaps one of the few literally invaluable materials in existence. It is an implement for a lot of skilled enchanters to bind magic to the mundane, something I personally hold high value of. The fact that I realize how long a voyage this will be and the events undergone once I arrive... or perhaps even on the way, now that I think about it - will hardly make a stock full of rum worth it. This, on the other hand I do think will prove more interesting for you."

Erathis laughed, "I don't think so. You see your initial proposal left me dealing out something of significantly lesser value than that diamond. You can't expect me just to settle for the stock of rum on top of what I'm offering here?"
He brought one hand to the diamond and moved it forward closer to Jack before leaning back and offering his hand in agreement.
"The diamond can be sold for well enough to sink that ship with the resulting supply of rum, easily. Take it or leave it, captain. The choice is yours."

Erathis lowered his head slightly and raised his mask to hide his widening smile.
"Perfect," he said in a low tone, "I'd hate to travel with anyone so easily amiable. Now, all that's left is the time this will take."
He picked himself up and hurried over to the nearest pawn shop. The moment the diamond was placed on the counter the shopkeep frowned.
"How much do you want... Qedrin?" He grumbled.
Erathis laughed, "Well that all depends. You've figured me out so soon, so I guess it wouldn't be wise of me to make it too unreasonable so, perhaps a dozen thousand?"
"Silver?"
"Gold, sir. I'm not that stupid."
"Ten. Not a copper more."
Erathis rolled his eyes but nodded all the same. It was free to acquire in any event, and the odd captain's words rang true in spite of the odds. Pirates never stayed in port for long either way; it would be a fairly swift exit. "Done."

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Within half an hour several large crates, numbering thirty if counted precisely had been stockpiled just to the side of the Duchess' docking site. Erathis stood smugly leaned up against the mass of rum-filled containers, keeping an eye alert for either the captain or anyone else who might appear interested in his standing so close to the ship.

Erathis leaned away from the stacked crates and followed the captain halfway across the plank before stopping for a long moment.
"Nekaedhe, if you don't mind. Erathis Nekaedhe, if you'd like to know. I'd much prefer not to be given a name to reference when there's such an obvious simplicity to asking. To the same point, who are you anyway? I figure just calling you 'captain' would do nobody any good if I'm going to be spending the next four months on this little voyage of ours without a direct application of magical forces."