Far north of Ithil, Rivals' home|Contrasta

[Kender Bard]

Mancel eyes the girl, frowns, and shifts uneasily. He doesn't think it would be proper to be courteous to one's captor's family. So, he just puts his hands in his pockets and looks away.

[altethwyth]

The girl looks at Mancel, and frowns. "Rivs! You brought another one? Dad's not going to be happy, again."

Rivals frowns at his half-sister. "I know that, but I can't just do nothing."

[Kender Bard]

Mancel winced, and opened his mouth to request seeing his father now but closed it wordlessly. Perhaps, all things considered, that wouldn't be wise. He held his tongue.

[altethwyth]

"He already thinks you're too soft!" says the girl. "And if you keep this up, one day you may just lose your life."
"Kal," Rivals sighs, "it's not right to kill the sailors for no good reason like one of our cousins."
Facing back towards Mancel, Rivals speaks, "My father will be expecting us, let's not leave him waiting." And he continues into the tower-castle.

[Kender Bard]

Rivals followed, close on Rivals heels. Sweat was beginning to trickle down the back of his neck; Rivals father sounded heartless, which is more what Mancel had expected of pirates. It didn't make him feel any better though.

[altethwyth]

Rivals leads Mancel into the tower-like castle, the inside of which is wide, and to a large room. On the other side of the room, bigger than life, sits a giant of a man man, one who would be over 7 feet tall when standing, and looks more like a bear than a person. He wears no crown on his head, but he is dressed in fine clothes, fit for a king, most likely pirated. He is Lord Brantley Myph, Rivals' father, and lord of this castle.
"Father," Rivals speaks, "I've returned, and I brought a guest. This is the now former captain of the Dragon's Secret, Mancel Thorton."

[Kender Bard]

Mancel feels the overwhelming urge to make a bow to Brantley but he restrains himself, stiffening in place and trying to match the lord's gaze.

[altethwyth]

Brantly looks at the captain for a long moment, before turning his attention to his son. "Let me guess, Rivals, you've already promised he will not be harmed, right?"
Rivals nods to his father.
Brantly groans, and glares at Rivals. He is a good captain, but he is too soft, thinks Brantly of his son. "These are dangerous times, Rivals, and we are pirates. While I know mercy is a trait you think highly of, it has no place on the seas. Do you understand?"
"I do, father," replies Rivals.
Instantly furious at Rivals' response, Brantly stands. "Of course you don't! If you did, this man wouldn't be standing here in front of me!"

[Kender Bard]

Mancel gets the sense that this is an old arguement between the two of them. Although he has no power to do so, he imagines going invisible and hopes it's enough to make the two of them forget he's even there.

[altethwyth]

Brantly stares down at his son. Rivals wasn't a bad kid, but his softness threatened the entire existence of the Serpent's Maw. "Rivals. You're exiled from the Serpent's Maw. As soon as possible, I will send a ship with you and you friend, to leave you on the mainland. What you do after that will be no concern of mine, but if you come back to the Serpent's Maw, you will be killed."
Waving for his guards before Rivals can object, Brantly has Rivals and Mancel taken down to the dungeon, and then gives an order for a ship to be prepared. He gets the message that one can be ready to sail in the morning.

[Kender Bard]

Mancel stumbles and looks at Rivals in shock. He felt as though he should apologize, but doubted it would be greeted warmly. He also felt like saying, 'This is what happens when you worship Evil' but definitely knew that would be inappropriate. He went along, meekly and silently.