The Spring Hare and their crew had arrived early, by at least an hour, with the wind helping them along more than it usually did. It was five o'clock in the evening, and a thick sheet of fog had rolled in from the south, completely covering the little island of Sparrow Rock. Once upon a time it had been a seasonal settlement for fishermen, come to the heavily wooded rock out in these cold northern waters between realms for the massive schools of fish.

For whatever reason the settlement had been abandoned, the little cluster of cabins falling into disrepair, and it was thanks to the families DeMuer and Damarco that one piece of it stayed intact -- the docks, just large enough for several small freighters. Alain DeMuer and his crew had just finished unloading the last of the liquor onto the docks, and he leaned on one of the larger crates, sheltered his cigarette and lighter from the cold, wet wind with both hands, and watched the horizon for any sign of the Damarcos' ship.

Typically Romello Damarco did not handle these types of transactions personally, but this time, he had to make it personal. It was urgent that he speak to Alain himself. Not that he didn't trust his brothers, Gio and Guido, but this he wanted to do himself. Once the ship docked, Romello stepped off on to the docks, his long black wool coat whipping around his broad frame. "Did we keep you waiting long?" he asked of the man he presumed was Alain, though he was not certain. Gio and Guido moved to flank him at his sides.

The posture of the men around Alain was relaxed. No one recognized Romello, but the others that had come along they knew. More than once during this transaction they had stayed later on the docks to share drinks and play cards. In its own little way, it helped keep this business relationship alive over the years.

"Not long at all," Alain said with a small, slow smile, and left his lean to offer Romello his hand. "I don't think we've met before, at least not in person." But often on the phone, or meta-channel radio. "I'm Alain DeMuer."

"Romello Damarco." His voice was a little rough and heavily accented. Taking Alain's hand, he shook it and clasped it with his other hand as well. "It's a pleasure to meet you after all these years, Alain. I'm guessing that you are wondering why I've decided to come along and meet you after all these years?"

"Nice to finally put a face to the voice," the young Baron chuckled, patting their enclosed hands and walking a few steps away from their men, closer to the end of the dock, assuming they need a little privacy. He looked at Romello, assessing his face, and quietly replied, "I am."

Walking along, Romello had a worried look in his eyes. "It's about my daughter, Josephine. I sent her to live in RhyDin about two years ago, however, I am beginning to think my plans are no longer safe for her. You see, there are people who want to shatter my world and take my baby from me. I had to send her away to protect her, but I think that she's not safe there any more. Not from threats that may follow her from New York or from some of the creatures in RhyDin. I need a man I can trust to watch over her. Protect her. I feel like I can trust you Alain. Can I trust you with the life of my daughter?"

His lips formed her name, Josephine Damarco, and a moment later the light in his eyes changed. She was familiar to him, on some level. "We'll need information, namely on the people you know are after her, so we can throw them off the trail. But your daughter," Alain added, placing a hand on Romello's shoulder, "is under the full protection of House DeMuer. We've been friends and partners a long time, and you deserve nothing less."

Alain smiled, suddenly. "You have my word -- anyone who comes after Josephine Damarco is a dead man."

"Comforting words, Alain. I can't be sure who exactly would be sent to harm her. Of course my men will be watching as close as we can. I know if harm comes it is from the Costanzo family, Cristoforo has had it out for me since before Josephine was born. His men killed her mother and tried to kill her, though she survived. Her Mother, may she rest in peace, did not." He crossed himself then. "When she was eleven or twelve we discovered that a snitch had been hiding in our home for some time, abusing my baby." His fists tightened and that kind glint in his eye was gone. " Josephine killed the bastard herself, but life hasn't been easy for her since. Alain, I'll do anything to protect her. Anything you want or need, it is yours."

"There's nothing I could ask of a father trying to protect his daughter," Alain replied, bowing his head. "There may come a day, God forbid, that I'm put in the same situation, and I may need your help to protect one of my own. But that's neither here nor there. The Damarcos have been very good friends to me, and Alain DeMuer always takes care of his friends."

"You have my loyalties and gratitude, Alain. You may find your pockets becoming a bit fuller in the near future." Romello clapped Alain on the back then. "You scratch my back, I scratch yours. Just as a thank you." Removing his hand from his back, he stuck his hands into his coat pockets. "Have you ever seen my daughter? I imagine she insist on going by that ridiculous nickname of hers there, Joey. She's gorgeous, if you've seen her, you'd never forget her. Looks just like her Mother at that age."

"I've seen her. She's beautiful... and you're right, she's been going by Joey." He chuckled, and turned to head back down the docks towards their men and the waiting shipment of duty-free liquor. "Tell you what. Tonight, my treat, we'll put our cooks to work, share one of the better bottles of whiskey, play cards, and have a good time. In the morning I'll be in RhyDin, and make contact with your daughter." He turned his head to the other man. "How's that sound to you, Romello?"

Romello was all smiles while Alain spoke of his daughter. Walking back towards the ships, he listened to Alain's proposal. "I suppose I could stay a little longer. You'll give Josephine my love." Not really a question but a demand before he turned to Gio and Guido, nodding to them that everything had been taken care of. "Let's get these crates loaded, boys."



(Adapted from live play with the talented player behind Joey Damarco)