Drogan's flame sails through the air gracefully descending towards the water and the silhouettes. Illuminating 5 scaled humanoids, the light might be playing tricks on your eyes, but they seem to be a green-bluish taint. One of the cries of out in pain as the light sears him.
Lyrysa finishes her incantation and even though all is dark once again Drogan is able to see 2 of the silhouettes disappearing below the water.
Quickly trying to find the best cover Erodin moves behind the cargo of weapons and armour midships and ducks behind it.
Not sure what those are, Captain get us out of here. Everyone remain behind cover.
Drogan takes full cover behind the mast or some barrels, whatever is close and he can find and meak it to.
Randu takes cover as well, a scowl on his face as he hates running from probable inferiors.
While the seamen aren't eager to expose themselves they manage to set sail and slowly the ship distances itself from the pursuers, not without taking several crossbow bolts in the masts and other parts.
I wonder what they could have wanted. No matter now.
Everyone alright. Drogan raises from his cover when the bolts stop coming.
Good work all. They must of been pirates or something. Maybe hoping we would come to land after being attack by the elementals. No matter now. Lets get some rest.
The stress of combat and the sudden flight took all hope of sleep with them and while the rest of the night was uneventful the crew grouped together by the helm, perhaps with a little lighter mood thanks to Erodin's kind words.
Days pass uneventful and while it is without excitement the rest is good. Sailing along the coastline a few days after the attack you reach a bay, when you enter Odenkirk approaches you. “We are a little light on fresh water I think. We are passing Seal Isle and there is a stream that feeds into the bay there. We’ll take on water there. I’ll send a party to the shore. Of course, that means we’ll spend a day in some of the richest fur seal hunting grounds all along this coast. I’m thinking of organizing a hunting expedition. Interested?”
"Hunting? Oh yes, most interested," Randu says, intrigued.
Drogan stands and snaps his fingers and water splashed the deck by the captain.
If asked captain I can provide more then enough water for us and your men, but I won't deny us the pleasure of getting off this boat for a day and stretching our legs. So let us go on this hunt.
Drogan stares him down a moment as if he is daring the captain to try something while off the boat.
"To the boats then," Odenkirk says with a secretive smile.
"Watch for ripples..." Randu advises, and readies the hunting gear.
"Yes, but the shape of the ripples can tell you if it's just water moving on it's own, or something close to the surface," Randu says, eyes intent still.
Ascending into smaller boats the hunting begins. Randu leads one while Odenkirk leads the other. Taking two different approaches to Seal Isle Odenkirk spots the first sela but in his eager to close in he scares it off. Randu, a more patient hunter guides his crew in slower and when the tally is up at the end of the days you have caught two while Odenkrik none. The captain is far from happy. "We hunt again tomorrow!" he demands.
Your the captain, we are on your time. You know best how to smuggle us so we will do as you say.
No reason to upset the man yet, he has no idea his days are numbered.
"Ah, that was enjoyable," Randu says with a smile, "As for how we did it, Erodin, patience and discipline coupled with the love of the hunt. Passion, pride, and poise work wonders together." Indeed, Randu seems to be very much in his element on this day.
When the captain insists they'll go the next day, he raises a brow, "Overhunting can destroy long term use of an area, Captain. But if my companions are willing, so am I."
......
When the captain is out of earshot, he looks to Erodin and Drogan "I DO love the hunt, but I'll be glad when we're done with a certain individual's company. Be on your guard though, sometimes the definition of 'prey' changes abruptly."
I agree, but it is best to play along for now.
The next day Drogan tries to assist Randu again.
Odenkirk's foul mood changes towards the better as you accomondate his wishes. And the next day a new hunt begins, once again Odenkirk employs an offensive tactic, this time it seems to pay of.
As before, Randu works with patience, thinking not just of where the pray is, but where it will no doubt head if it starts to bolt.
"Well, there is more, true. Creatures are often victims to their instinct, Erodin. If you know how they'll respond, then you can turn their own nature against them. A target that flees where you want it to flee, for example, hasn't really escaped at all." He chuckles as they set up a way to block off egress
He's also very aware of any attempts by a certain captain to jump them first, or so he hopes.
The gods of hunting are generous this day and while a happy Odenkirk manages to land 3 seals, Randu's skill supported by the rest of the party nets you 4. Eventhough you keep a watchful eye on the captain, he shows no signs of betrayal, he is far to occupied with hunting. Once back on the ship he smiles and suggest: "A fine catch yah. One more day of hunting should be pleanty."
If you feel it is necessary captain. We wouldn’t want you to miss out on any extra coin you could make on the trip. Just be mindful we have a delivery to make.
This full is insuferable. I will watch the life leave his body soon enough and give his soul to my master.
"Another? We risk clearing the area out I fear, but alright," Randu says. He does enjoy the thrill of the hunt, but he feels they've proved themselves enough.
"You've done well, Erodin," Randu says when the man complains, "As for female companionship in plenty? Wrong place for that."
The young seaman is taken in by the enchantress' beguiling eyes and soothing words. He does his best to show his skills and harpoons a seal almost all by himself. Randu expertly guides his boat during this third day and the 6 seals in the bottom tell a tail of hunter, who has mastered his prey.
Odenkirk is mighty pleased with the seals he managed to capture, but his good spirits are somewhat dampened as he jealously eyes your magnificent catch. "Well enough is enough," he says a little sour and continues: "We'll skin them as we set sail. They should fetch a nice price."
Setting sail you continue your journey along the coastline. A few days passes uneventful with only a slight change in scenery and a decrease in temperature. One of sailors, the one Lyrysa charmed calls out: "Look, there in the horizon" Looking closely you see 4 small vessels, 3 one manned kayaks and a seal skin canoe with four men.
Drogan stands and peers into the distance at the men and the vessels.
Fishermen? Are you famillar with these men captain?
Squinting his eyes and studying the boats Odenkrik replies: "No, Yutak. Pagans living in the north. They are rarely this far south."
Interesting. Are we going to see what they are doing or pass them by?
"That is up to you to decide, but I doubt we can outrun them," Odenkirk replies with little interest it is clear he doesn't have high expectation of these savages.
I'm currious as to why they are so far sounth. Maybe the are on there way to hunt seal. Perhaps we can trade with them. Though I don't know what they could have that we would need.
Randu is pleased by their haul and feeling pride. The captain is right to be envious... I'm the better hunter and he knows it now. When we kill him, he'll understand just how far my hunting skills extend.
........
"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst," He says as talk of the savages are made
Odenkirk orders the sail rigged and the Frosthammer slows down. The kayaks and the canoe closes in and hails you once within hearing range. Once by the ship's side they latch on to the railing. A young man wearing finely crafted furs and hides speak eagerly in their tongue to an older man in more common quality clothing, he listens and then speaks in a poor common "White Tusk greets you and wishes to trade yes,no?"
Yutak are famous for the family loyalty and vendettas
Greetings White Tusk. What do you have to trade. We are shipping cargo and have little to trade of our own besides some seal skins.
Randu is happy to let Drogan do the talking, though he will look over what's offered
The older man listens and translates his body languages seems relieved. The younger man however is irritated and answers in a faster pace. The older man nods and translates: "White Tusk wonders if you carry metal weapons for trade? Spears?"
Sorry we have no weapons to trade. Just these skins.