Antonio's Journal Entry #5: Captain's Log

Captain's log.

Well, we are no longer in Luskan. I am glad to leave that place behind us. It had a foul smell to it. We are now on our way to Neverwinter. I am the captain of the ship. As captain, I have declared we are not a pirating vessel, but a respectable group of adventurers. Though, I did overhear two of the men talking the other day about how Pellanistra is the real captain, and that everyone is only letting me think I am captain because, as the man put it, “no one has the heart to tell him.” I set him straight on that point.

Naturally, I am the captain because I was given all Taerl’s ships and men. And since I never gave them up, I am the captain. I was also born for leadership. It is in my blood to be good at making tough choices. I ooze charisma. Pellanistra only oozes moodiness.

I realize I have neglected to write how we came to leave Luskan. I shall try to write it down briefly. I find my free time to be less now that I have a ship to run.

Since we had a party to attend and sabotage, I needed clothing that would fit the role. Polly likewise had nothing suitable to wear to the event, so the two of us went to the one shop in Luskan that had them. After trying unsuccessfully to haggle for lower prices, we left with our overpriced garments. However, overpriced clothing is better than showing up in the wrong attire.

Guile procured a hat that allowed one to read the thoughts of others and communicate with them through their thoughts. I was to wear it since I was the one invited and would most likely be doing the most talking. I put it on and popped over into Guile’s head just to tell her how lovely she looked that evening and was rudely interrupted by Blight. I will get her away from him one of these days.

We all walked into Kurth’s party looking our best. When we approached Kurth, I used the hat on him, and thought it strange that he was naming each of us in his mind, and then winked at me. I believe that wink was so strange and unexpected that I failed to realize the significance of his thoughts.

We all began to mingle, though not before I noticed that several armed men from Elversult were waiting about the room. I alerted the others to be on guard. As Guile and I sat talking to a merchant, a man named Steve approached and asked Guile to dance. I was not alright with this and should have said no. But we were here to do a job, and when Guile called me “my lord,” and asked if I was alright with it, I had no choice but to bend to her will. I would have done anything for her at that moment. I would do anything for her now.

Well, while she was dancing with Steve, he backed her into a corner and he and another man pulled a knife on her. Seems that they had been hired by Jasper to kidnap her to get to me. Though they would never have known I liked her if I had not let her wear my hat. Jasper knows my love for the hat and knew that to let someone else wear it showed my affection for them. Guile had asked earlier if she could wear it since I was wearing the other hat. Of course, I said yes. I wanted her to wear it. I liked that she wanted to wear it.

Well, things went from bad to worse. Jasper suddenly appeared and fighting broke out. I of course fought Jasper. Guile nearly died several times, which made me fight all the harder. Jasper kept threatening to kill her if I did not give up the whereabouts of Nilsa. He thought I had double-crossed him or something because I had sent Taerl to kill him. Admittedly, I would be upset about that if I were in his place.

Long short of it, Jasper got the better of me. Again. My blood boils every time I think about it. I was so close to having him. When I awoke, Kurth had revealed himself to be Jarlaxle. Apparently, he had killed him a while ago and assumed his place. I am unsure why we were hired then if he was already in change, but I got a ship out of all of it, so who am I to complain. Also, we took all his gold.

In the next few minutes, there were explanations, confusion, missing comrades, and Jasper escaped. After getting a drink, we went to get our pay and found Pellanistra and Roe, who were just as upset as the rest of us. Pellanistra thought we should take all the gold, go to the hideout and take all that gold, and then take a ship. While we did all this, she would stay behind to deal with Jarlaxle. I thought she wanted to kill him in cold blood, and not wanting anything to do with it, I agreed to take Polly and go get the gold.

I understood, though, where she was coming from. I want Jasper out of my life, though I would never kill him in cold blood. I would only ever end his life in honorable combat. However, she did not kill him but distracted him long enough for the rest of us to get the gold and a ship.

Polly proved to be both a blessing and a curse. She ran into Taerl, who was looking for me, and told her she knew where I was. She brought Taerl to me. I was hoping to leave her behind. After basically proposing to the woman, I could not have her around. What would Guile think? I have no feelings for the woman. Taerl can never be my pirate queen!

However, Taerl had a ship, and since I was given all her ships, that meant I had a ship. So, she led the way, and here we are. All aboard the ship together with all the gold. At some point, I will have to tell her that I have no feelings for her. I hate to break her heart. There is nothing that makes a man feel more uncomfortable than a crying woman. 

We have yet to set a course for anywhere in particular, but I am excited to be on our way to encounter whatever Najm has for us.