It had become fairly common over the last month for Li and Ardlac to sit together at the small table in their cabin and talk. When Ardlac had pulled the table and folding chairs from beneath the bunk, Li had been surprised. He had forgotten the cabin had any furniture other than the bunk because they had spent so long avoiding any time together.

Usually, they spoke of things related to the Gryphon and what Ardlac's experience with privateering had been. He only rarely spoke of Seith when he related stories of the battles the Gryphon had been in, the prizes they had taken, and the things they had seen. But Li knew, whenever Ardlac spoke of working from the Gryphon and not boarding ships himself, that he was speaking of a time when he still had his Asirim magic, which meant Seith was within the story somewhere.

At other times, Ardlac spoke more about the Asirim and their abilities. Though Li knew he had the knowledge from being an Asir himself, Ardlac still spoke of the Asirim as if he were an outsider, often using "them" instead of "us." Li refrained from asking the details of what Ardlac's powers had been, even as Ardlac described the different abilities of the Asirim. Some could speak with and summon the souls of the dead. Some could walk the Spirit Realm with the dead and learn from them. Others could open themselves up for possession by the dead in order to do powerful work among the living.

Most could only deal in living souls, hunting down those corrupted by greed and evil, easing possessions and hauntings, and serving as matchmakers, depending on what best fit their abilities. Rarest still were those could rip the souls from the living, forcing a death that was traumatic for the soul and rendered it too weak to haunt or possess the living. This was a power, Li was disturbed to learn, shared by the strongest necromancers. The only difference was that necromancers consumed those souls to feed their power, and Asirim cast the souls into the Spirit Realm to heal and prepare for another life.

Some powers were more useful than others in dealing with necromancers, but all Asirim despised necromancy for how it tainted and corrupted the souls of the nceromancers themselves and the souls of those influenced by the terrible magic.

"And what do the tattoos mean?" Li finally asked. "I've seen them on every Asir we've interacted with, and those close to them," he added, thinking of Elri.

Ardlac smiled, something Li was slowly getting used to. "They mean many things. Some are related to our magic, others to life experiences. Some people take more than others. I've known some who are nearly covered in tattoos over their entire bodies. Others just take the ones they consider most important. Personally, I am only familiar with the most common, the ones I saw on my family and friends. Nearly everyone in Nairiume is Asirim to some degree, but even those without magic take some marks. Outsiders who are welcomed into Nair society often also take some. It makes it easier to be recognized as belonging, as being Nair."

"Are foreigners disliked?" Li questioned, curious. "I've noticed you all have slightly darker skin. Foreigners must stand out."

Ardlac nodded. "They do, and there is a wariness when it comes to foreigners. Foreigners often kidnapped them, especially women, because of their magic. They realized men lost their abilities when separated from their sense of home, but women did not. Sorcerers and kings alike financed the kidnapping of Nair women and children, usually with the hope of using their magic to communicate with and control the dead. This is also known to have happened to low-level necromancers, but usually Asirim magic was preferred because it is seen as a kinder form of magic related to death. The kidnappings rarely went as expected, and usually the kidnapped ones cast their own souls adrift, a very slow and distressing form of suicide. Asirim are always willing to assist the living, within reason, but the breach of trust in kidnapping them created a fear of foreigners for some time. Eventually, they realized it was better to ask for the services of the Asirim, and pay, than steal people away. The kidnappings are much rarer now, but still happen on occasion. That is why, once someone is welcomed and accepted as a part of Nair society, they often accept a few visible tattoos to show they are trustworthy."

"Is that how the Dreamers came to be?" he asked, remembering he had been told they were the children of Asirim and sorcerers.

"The sorcerers who lived on Moniacka many years ago welcomed a crew of shipwrecked Nair sailors," Ardlac explained. "Or so the legend tells. Many of them were Asirim, and they were nursed back to health by the healers there. The story says they remained there and formed relationships with the local sorceresses, but the alternate story says they formed more short-term relationships while repairing their ship and sailed back to Nairiume without realizing they had left their future children behind. Whatever the truth, the island has been known to Nariume for hundreds of years, and the Dreamers are well thought of in Nairiume. They are considered cousins to the Asirim."

Li supposed he liked that story much more than his thought that the Dreamers were created by kidnapping Asirim. "So, what do your tattoos represent?" he asked at last. "If you're willing to share," he added.

Ardlac shrugged. "I don't consider them truly interesting," he admitted, "but I will tell you about them. I've also taken some tattoos more common for sailors or others outside Nairiume because I enjoy them. I'll explain the Nair ones first." He pointed to the curved black line on the left side of his neck from the bottom of his ear to his shoulder. "This is to show that I only desire the company of men, and I only chose to have it done to annoy my father." He turned his head to show the X on the other side of his neck. "This shows that I have lost my home and power at least once. Some alter them when they have their magic again, and add marks if they lose their power more than once, but I've chosen to simply have the one for now." He pointed to the short vertical line under his eye. "This shows I've lost a partner I loved. The pain of it being applied is meant to ease the pain of loss, but it does not. Under the beard I have a line on my chin denoting my abilities as an Asir. The beard is only to hide it, or I would not have one." He held up his left hand and showed the twisting black line around his wrist. "This shows I have loved."

He showed the eleborate fish on his forearm next. "This I simply wanted. Seith had a similar one and I enjoyed the way it looked. I also have a gryphon on my chest, which many on the crew have. I thought it would remind me of my loyalty to the ship and crew and help me find my powers again. It did not, but I still enjoy it. There are also two entwined sea serpents on my thigh because I wanted them. I've been considering more, but I have yet to decide what else I want."

Li was fascinated. "Outside of Nariume, where can you have them done? I have seen many on the crew with tattoos."

"Many of the coastal cities we visit have artists who create them," Ardlac explained. "Tattoos are quite common among sailors, and it is a good business for them."

"Is it painful?"

Ardlac shrugged. "It all depends on the skill of the artist and the location on the body. They all use heated needles, so there is often some pain. At times, they numb the area with magic or ointments first, to ease the pain. I've heard it said there are some artists who use magic to place the tattoos on the body, but I have yet to find any who can truly do that. Are you considering one now?" he asked, an apparent spark of excitement in his eyes.

Li smiled at the look. "I'm intrigued," he confessed. "I'm not certain what I would choose to place on my body, though."

"Many artists will design something for you without you having an idea of what you'd like. They'll create a design and use your input to change it until it's something you would like. Some have pieces already made that can be modified and used. If you're interested, I can help you at the next port we visit."

Li was warmed by the suggestion, but another thought came to mind. "I don't have much in the way of money. Captain Mond has given me some spending money when we have stopped, but it isn't much. I'm here as a cuffer, after all."

Ardlac shrugged. "I have little use for money much of the time. I can lend you some if you need it."

The offer surprised Li. "Thank you. Maybe I'll consider it."

Ardlac smiled. "Of course. I hope you do."