Inside Under the Crown of Ogotay

[Caipra]

*Kriss doesn't usually talk to me about her guests...* Caipra said to herself.
"Well, you have all my attention. What's going on with that guest?"

[Kriss]

"A few days ago, to my tavern arrived one strange person. She looks like a simple villager but..."Kriss said very seriously, looked around and continued "I asked my workers and they don't know her. That girl is not from Basra. She hardly ever leaves her room.She is really curious. And maybe you think I'm crazy but since she is here, Aniel is more nervous, he behaves strange. You saw yesterday!" She looked at her little boy.

Motherly instinct told Kriss that something was wrong with her son and her experience told her that something is wrong with this girl. She felt it but she didn't know what it was about.

[Caipra]

Caipra felt that Kriss was worried about her son. Why Caipra didn't think about this earlier? The behavior Aniel had yesterday was related to his magic. Something had disturbed him. Did this mysterious girl had something to do with it? But it's strange, apart from Bryn, the old sorceress had felt no other magic in the village. Then who could be this person?
"Did you manage to talk to her? Do you know her name at least?"
Caipra was curious to know more about this girl.

[Kriss]

"Yes, I talked with her" Kriss tried to remind herself everything from her conversation with girl. "She isn't very communicative. She seems to be scared, uneasy. I felt, she didn't want to talk with me. That girl is really weird. About her name..."
The archer stood up and left Aniel on the armchair. She want to the bar and took guestbook. She remebared that the girl had written down her name there.
Kriss walked back and sat down. Put her son on her knees, opended the book, poited at one page and read aloud.
"Here, her name is Serendib."

[Caipra]

Caipra looked at the name Kriss was pointed at on her guestbook, Serendib.
That name didn't sound familiar to the old sorceress. She started thinking that she worried for nothing. That finally, Aniel's reaction had nothing to do with that guest. Besides, it was impossible for a sorceress to be in the same place than Caipra, without that she noticed it.
"I'm sure there's nothing to be worry about. Maybe, she just wants to stay alone for a while. And concerning your son, his behavior must have been a simple coincidence. Your guest is still here but Aniel feels better, doesn't he? Listen, maybe I'll talk to her later if you want but only if she agrees too. I don't want to bother that girl if she doesn't want to."
Caipra smiled at Kriss and looked at Sinbad and his crew.
"For now, I should go back to the table. Otherwise they will start wondering why it takes me so long to get some water!" She laughed and asked Kriss. "Why wouldn't you join us? If you're not busy of course."

[Kriss]

Maybe that girl wasn't the reason of Aniel's behaviour but Kriss didn't trust her anyway and she was still thinking that the girl is weird. She felt that Caipra wasn't very honest with her but she didn't show it.
"Probably you are right. It's just simple, country girl"

When Caipar was talking about her friends, the archer also looked at the crew. She wasn't sure if they didn't mind her company.
"I'm not busy but I don't know is it a goog idea. That's your friends. You haven't seen them for very long.For sure, you have many things to talk about."

[Caipra]

Caipra understood by hearing Kriss's answer that she was not totally convinced. But she didn't say anything about that.
"Oh you know, I already know everything I needed to know, now the mere fact of seeing them having a good time here makes me happy. Come on, I'm sure it won't disturb them."
Caipra smiled to Kriss , stood up and walked towards the table, motioning to Kriss to follow her. She saw all eyes turned to her when she arrived. She looked at them and said.
"I thought Kriss could join us, I hope it doesn't bother you?"

[Sinbad]

The crew had started to engage in some lose conversation about this and that, no serious matters, just some rambling and talking over a long needed and anticipated night out on land and a decent dinner.
Sinbad had noticed the two women, Caipra and the young tavern owner, talking in a corner with the younger woman having her child with her. About what he didn´t know, but it wasn´t any of his business anyways. When they apparently finished their conversation and Caipra walked towards them, he looked up. Kriss and her son remained behind a little.
"Not at all," he said with a broad smile, placing his mug down so he could make a little room on his bench to allow one of the women to sit. There was just one more vacant chair but the bench was rather spacious anyways, so they wouldn´t have to go looking for other chairs around the tavern. "Have a seat and enjoy yourself."

[Kriss]

Kriss smiled at captain and sat down next to him.
"Thank you"

She was looking around. So, many new faces. She even didn't know their names, Caipra had introduced them so fast that she had remebered no name besides Sinbad's.

[Doubar]

Doubar had looked up from his plate when the two women had finally arrived on their table. For a moment, the older man eyed the young woman who now stood next to the old sorceress, a little unsureness being evident in her gaze.
"Aye, sure we don't mind", Doubar finally affirmed what his little brother had just said and, just like him, shifted a little on his seat to grant the two women some more space. "It's always nice to meet new friends", he then spoke while casting a smile towards the tavern owner, "and any friend of Caipra's is our friend as well. And besides..." Doubar let his gaze wander to the delicious meat on his place for a second, before directing it back to Kriss. "The one who offers such a splendid meal has my amity anyway." While speaking these words the big man let a broad smile form on his lips and a heartfelt laughter escaped his throat.

[Kriss]

Kriss lookeat at Doubar's plate, then back at him and laughed.
"Didn't Caipar tell you that I can't cook?" she said, still giggled.

[Caipra]

Caipra sat beside Doubar and took a bunch of grapes. She watched Kriss sit next to Sinbad, a little hesitant. After all, she didn't sit with her guests every day.
The old sorceress laughed when she heard Kriss's answer to Doubar.
"Aha. No actually, I didn't tell them!"
Then she explained to Doubar: "Kriss has a chef and he's a very good cook. I never get tired of coming here to eat his delicious dishes!"

[alex]

Bryn chuckled at Cairpa's comment. She was happy that Kriss had come to join us. Upon Caipra asking if Kriss could join them, she had smiled and said, "Oh no, we are pleased to have the owner join us."

[Doubar]

Doubar listened to both of the women intently, nodding slightly at what they told him.
"So, send my sincere thanks to that chef, Miss. He's doing a fantastic job", the first mate stated rather politely but made sure to still smile at the young woman. The giggle she had just sent his way told him that most likely she was starting to feel more at ease around the sailors than she had when she had arrived here just a few moments ago - and the sea bear was not planning to ruin that easier mood they now seemed to skip into.
"And congratulations to you for choosing that one my Lady." Doubar smiled broadly at the tavern owner while raising his glass a little and bowing his head slightly. "It was a very wise decision."

[Kriss]

"Aw, thank you" Kriss giggled again and gave Doubar a big simle
"And please, call my Kriss" she smiled again.
She didn't like when someone called her Miss, or Lady. She felt so old and oneself then.

Woman had fun with these guys and she felt more and more easily with them.