The general atmosphere on the Gryphon was one of excited anticipation as they set sail to join the rest of the Mahlonian privateer fleet. It had been months since the last time the Gryphon had participated in an attack that involved other ships of the fleet, and then the attack on the necromancers not far from Safe Haven had been a much smaller event than what was being planned by the fleet commanders. Captain Mond could tell them little except that they would be joining together to attempt to end Dyrai's hold on the island of Cibroc. The people there, previously joined by trade to Mahlon, had sent word that they needed assistance sending the invaders from Dyrai from their island.

It would take two days of sailing to arrive at the appointed gathering place for the fleet, so the crew settled in to speculate on what would happen once they arrived. Meanwhile, Ardlac helped Li ensure his new tattoo was properly cared for while they sailed.

"We're fortunate to have the baths on board," Ardlac told him as they used the bathing chamber before their watch. "Without them, finding clean water to wash with would be difficult. You don't need an infection for your body to fight. It tends to ruin the tattoo."

Li knew the water used for bathing was not as clean as the water used for drinking, and was often collected by the rain barrels on deck, which also took in spray from the sea - as was evidenced by the sting caused by only lightly washing his wrist with the water - but he did appreciate the ability to bathe relatively frequently. He was thankful the Gryphon had such an accomodation. He rinsed the soap from his hair and glanced at Ardlac in the bath beside his. "I don't want to risk having wasted my money," he agreed.

Ardlac was lathering his short beard with soap. "It is not pleasant if it becomes infected. The one on my neck was still rather fresh when I joined the Gryphon and, as I said, I was not prepared to care for myself well at that time."

"The one that shows you want to be with a man?" Having finished bathing and with no desire to remain in the cool water any longer, he stood and reached for his towel. As grateful as he was for the baths, the lack of fire to heat the water had taken some adjusting to.

Ardlac nodded, then began rinsing the water from his beard. "I believe I told you I only had it done to prove a point to my father."

"If I remember correctly you said it was to annoy him."

"That, as well," Ardlac amended. "I got it because I had been invited to join the Eliarant. Foreigners more often call it the 'queen's harem'."

That gave Li pause. "Oh?" was all he could manage, surprised.

Ardlac chuckled and finished rinsing his face. "I had always had the ability to communicate with the dead, and to open paths for the spirits of the dead to visit the living if they were unable to do so themselves. This is not a terribly common ability among the Asirim. During the winter, on the longest night of the year, we celebrate the Night of the Ancestors. Part of the celebration involves inviting the spirits of the dead to visit and celebrate with us. There is much to the celebrations, but those given the honor of opening a door or a pathway for the dead are those with powers such as mine were."

He finished rinsing and joined Li outside the bath to dry himself and dress. "My father worked in the royal court, and so I was able to be a part of the ceremony from the time I was able to control my abilities, around the age of sixteen. Among those always involved in the ceremony were two members of the Eliarant, one of whom was only a few years older than I was. After a time, they recommended me to the queen as a new member as she was looking for a few younger men for her children. Those who refer to the Eliarant as the 'queen's harem' are mistaken in that regard. The men who are honored enough to be a part of it are also there to meet the needs of her children, siblings, and at times others the queen's family respects."

Li finished dressing and began to dry his hair. "Wouldn't the father of the children be among the Eliarant?" The thought made him a bit uneasy.

"Of course," Ardlac replied as he stepped into his trousers. "When the queen or one of her daughters wants to have a child, they choose the man they wish to be the father and they become exclusive to each other for a time. He remains by her at all functions throughout the pregnancy, and afterward is at all events that involve his child. He is also encouraged to spend time with the child as often as he would like. In this way, if he has not retired from the Eliarant by the time the child comes of age, they are certain to avoid each other in that regard. Royal children know their fathers."

"Are there a lot of men in the Eliarant then?"

"It often varies. I have always been led to believe twenty-five is the largest number as that is the number of bedchambers in the Eliarant house, which is attached to the palace. I've heard it's quite the opulent house, where all their physical, mental, and emotional needs are met regardless of what any man wishes to do when not with a member of the royal family. At a certain age the men retire, and are often given a place to live in the city and compensation to live the rest of their lives in ease, especially if they are fathers of royal children. Others leave for their own reasons, with the queen's permission, sometimes to have other careers or to live as a more exclusive partner to a member of the family who they have formed a deep bond with. This allows others to join."

"And you were invited to join?" Li asked, even more surprised.

Ardlac had finished dressing and they walked to the door. "The queen asked my father directly if he would permit me to join, as he worked in the court and it would have been impolite for me to be invited without his knowledge. He refused to allow it. If he had permitted it there would have been a year-long process to determine if the position was one I could be entrusted with. Due to the obvious closeness to the royal family, there are strict physical, mental, and moral standards that must be met, though the exact expectations themselves are known to no one but those tasked with ensuring the family's safety."

"Why did your father not allow it?" Li asked as they walked toward their cabin. "How could someone refuse a queen?"

"Very politely and properly, I assume," Ardlac answered. "As for why… I believe because he wanted grandchildren. He had never found another woman to endure his moods after my mother's death, so I was his only child. He was determined that I would have children of my own because the position he had at court, that of a purchaser of goods and supplies for the palace, was a hereditary position. He had been determined I would take it after he retired, and that my child would do the same after me. That would not be possible if I fathered a royal child, and he felt the if to be a rather large one. It is quite well-known that the men of the Eliarant often spend more time being intimate with each other than with the royal family members, and being chosen as a father is a rare honor. My father had seen the men chosen to be fathers most often in his work, and naturally didn't think me beautiful enough or intelligent enough."

Li snorted. "Lovely attitude for a father."

Ardlac smiled. "I thought so. He believed the men I knew from the Night of the Ancestors ceremony were the ones who desired me, not the queen or her daughters. It is also well-known that the queen's sons and brothers frequent the Eliarant. Even if I were to be chosen as a father, my child would have limited contact with my father, and never have the inherited position I would, if I chose to leave the Eliarant for it when he retired. Of course, I knew none of this until the following Night of the Ancestors when they said how unfortunate it was that my father wouldn't allow me to become a part of the Eliarant. When I questioned him about it later, he seemed to believe the worst aspect of the Eliarant was how the men refused to hide their affection for each other, despite there being little objection to men forming intimate relationships in Nairiume. I believe his preoccupation with grandchildren filling our court role caused him to feel this way. Out of frustration I had the tattoo done, because I truly do have very little interest in women - but I believe I still could have done as was expected of me in the Eliarant. When I returned home with the tattoo my father became so angry and disgusted that I had no option but to leave. By the time I slammed the door to our house, I realized that a large part of the pain I felt was the sudden loss of my powers. I felt lost, empty, and devoid of everything. I had seen the Gryphon in the harbor and asked to join the crew. I hoped maybe I would die here."

They entered their cabin and Li pulled him into his arms, squeezing him tightly. "I'm sorry."

Ardlac held him and pressed his face into his shoulder. "Thank you." After a moment he pulled away and went to sit on their bunk. A strange look passed over his face, and Li couldn't determine what it might mean. Then, suddenly, the look was gone and Ardlac appeared somber once more. He took a deep breath and continued, "Sieth noticed how red the skin around the tattoo was, and forced me to be more careful cleaning it. I had noticed the pain had increased but was, I'm ashamed now to say, quite happy about it. With his forced care, the infection was fought off before it could deeply set in and risk my life."

Li sat beside him and held his hand. "I'm glad," he said quietly.

Ardlac said nothing, just squeezed Li's hand. They sat insilence until the bell tolled their watch.