velvetpage | Blue-Booking with Rhianna Nimbletoes and Annarisse (Reply)

Annarisse looked down at the weasel, sitting on the bench wearing manacles. For some reason, they looked loose, but she decided not to deal with that problem until absolutely necessary.

"Well, Rhianna, you've gotten yourself into very deep waters with the Captain," she said, taking a place on the bench beside the girl. "We let you go freely from our ship, and next time we see you, you're in company with the enemies of the Captain, carrying one of their swords and wearing their armour. The Captain thinks you betrayed the ship to our enemies, and the Captain does not deal kindly with people who betray him.

"I have a feeling there's more to this than meets the eye, though. I told the Captain I didn't think you would be involved in a scheme like that, and I didn't think the chains were necessary. His opinion is that, until he is convinced that you did not betray him, you must stay here in chains.

"Here's the thing, Rhianna. The Captain trusts me to be truthful with him. If you tell me you didn't betray us, and I believe you, then the Captain will believe me when I tell him that. I'm willing to be convinced, but I have to be certain you are telling the truth. So I'm going pray for you. When I'm done, if you lie to me, I will know. If I know you've lied to me, then I'm not going to vouch for you to the Captain, and I will not protect you from him anymore. Do you understand? Will you tell me what happened, from the time you left the beach?"

As she waited for the weasel's response, she quietly said the Prayer of Penance, casting it on Rhianna and hoping she was right about the girl.