The centaur moved through the narrow hatch and down the ladder with remarkable agility. The Eskiholti sailors who followed behind him almost seemed shocked he had made it down at all. Really, it wasn't that much of an issue: he was used to far more cramped spaces on his own ship. His Eirtharlausir was a fine ship, but it hadn't exactly been designed for centaurs.

"Ah. Glad you could join us, Captain Nijem." It took a few seconds for Captain Einar to make his way down the ladder—his acid-scarred left hand didn't seem to want to cooperate—but once he was down, he extended a hand to the centaur.

"Of course," said the centaur, shaking Einar's hand with a confused look. "But... I am wondering why you asked to meet me down here. I am sure your study would have been more convenient."

"I need your assistance," Einar explained, speaking quickly and softly to ensure he was not overheard. "That elf could be sitting on information vital to the Confederation, but..." He exhaled sharply. "Frankly, I'm unable to get a read on him, and I was hoping you would have more luck."

"I'll obviously do whatever I can," Nijem responded, "but why—"

"Why you?" Einar finished for him with a wry smile. "Your... encounters with the assassins' guild are well known, Captain. Even if only half of the stories about you circling around fleet command are true, you are certainly qualified to deal with our prisoner."

"I see."

"I'm not asking for any miracles," Einar said, glancing up for just a moment to acknowledge two officers descending the ladder to join them—Nijem recognized them as moon elves by their blue skin and hair. "I just want you to observe him and let me know if he's hiding something."

Nijem simply nodded, which seemed to satisfy the captain, who turned and strode across the hold towards the brig, followed by the two elves and two other armed sailors.

"Listen up, you pirates!"

Nijem couldn't see all that much through the tiny window in the door, but he caught a glimpse of the older pirate girl glaring at Einar—she must have noticed the captain's stress, as a smug smirk crept over her face.

"I hope you're enjoying your stay," Einar said curtly. He made a gesture, and one of the sailors opened a hatch at the bottom of the door and kicked the bowl he had been carrying into the cell. "Take good care of it; it's all you'll be getting tonight."

The soot-haired boy picked up the bowl, taking a curious glance at its contents—it was full of what could at best be described as a food-like substance. "Now, I don't mean any disrespect towards your kitchen staff," he said politely, "but could you take some constructive criticism on this?"

"Eat it or starve, brat," said one of the elven officers impatiently. "It's a whole lot better than what you'll have while you wait for your trial in Basvik."

"There's something worse than this culinary war crime?" the half-elf exclaimed, looking like he doubted whether that was even possible. "What sort of monstrous—"

"You're lucky you're even getting this," Einar interrupted dryly. "Now be quiet."

The half-elf feigned a hurt expression, clutching the pearls he most certainly didn't have. "You wound me, Captain!" he said dramatically. "And after you came all the way down here just to see me!"

The captain sneered. "Hardly. I'm here for your friend the assassin—I'd like to see if he's decided to be more cooperative than last time we spoke."

On cue, the two elven officers flung the door open and stepped inside, grabbing the assassin roughly by the shoulders while the other two sailors kept their pistols steadily pointed towards the brig's occupants. As he looked around the brig, Nijem's eyes happened to meet those of the younger pirate girl—and for some reason he couldn't quite describe, he felt uneasy.

"Looks like you're going on an adventure, O shadowy one," the half-elf said cheerfully as the assassin was pulled outside and the door once again slammed shut. "Can't wait to hear all about it!"