Korz chuckles now, 'Your very choice of words exposes you, pinkskin." The orc aggressively moves a knight to take advantage of Noche'wa's isolated fort, cutting the Chief off from all aid. "You do not settle in Urgir, it is not a human city. One survives in Urgir. Even I find it a tough place to live, which is why I am sitting by a cursed river with you, Shoanti."
The orc ponders this question for so long, Noche'Wa assumes he will get no answer. The fire is burning low now, and the sounds of crickets and frogs all around them.
Then Korz's hand shoots forward, moving his cleric to just the right place and ending the game.
'One must be bold." he says, answering both Noche'Wa's question and commenting on the game.
'Shall you have first watch?"
As Noche'Wa keeps guard, his eyes are drawn to the distant bridge. It is a looming black shape, against the deeper dark of night. Then, even as he glances there seems to be lights and flashes on it, blue and red sparks shooting into the sky. Silently, Noche'Wa watches this go on for many minutes, sometimes growing sometimes fading. Finally it subsides back into blackness.
When Korz awakes and Noche'Wa tells him the orc grunts, "Like I said, haunted. Keep away from it."
The Shoanti sleep deep and well it is difficult for Korz to rouse him next morning.
"Up, pinkskin. We have a big task ahead of us today, how to cross the river Esk. Any ideas?" he points to the wide, brown river flowing past, border by a fringe of trees. Noche'Wa reflects in most lands there would be bridges, probably many bridges here but the orcs are not organized enough to build or maintain them.
Korz looks at the river as well, "I think so. But we must be careful, if we lose control the current will take us tot he cursed bridge." The orc points to the looming black bridge, which seems untouched by the long centuries.
The orc looks mysterious, "I like to see what you think, Shoanti. I have my reasons." Then serious, "One of which is that you are skilled at surviving in the wild."
He looks at the bridge, frowning darkly. "I do not wish to even hike around it. I'd rather take the risk..."
Noche'Wa has a vague sense he is being watched, but detects nothing exact. Korz seems unbothered as he helps collect wood and tie bundles of cut logs together.
Noche'Wa has never built a raft before and it takes him longer then he expected. Working on the narrow shore, he slowly gathers felled trees together and creates a crude raft. It is lumpy, unfinished and more then a little wobbly but he guesses it should get them across the river. The river, while wide, is fairly calm here. (the Shoanti does spot rapids nearer the bridge downstream however).
As they build Korz remarks that he has never been on a boat before, mentioning he crossed a ford far to the south when he came south.
'Should we name it?" the orc asks, an unusual bit of whimsy on the brutal face, 'is that not what you pinkskins do with boats?"
The orc guide grins savagely, "Let us hope first time is lucky then? At least a boat will keep something between us and the fish. I have heard there are big ones in this river..."
He nods at the small vessel, "Shall we cross?"
Korz tosses Noche'Wa a coil of rough rope, that feels unpleasantly more like sinew then fibers. 'No rush. I don't want my first trip on a boat to end badly. Take your time, pinkskin."
Noche'Wa jumps on the small raft, floating in the shallows. There is a little water oozing through the cracks but otherwise sees seaworthy. It is a little shakier then he'd like but the Shoanti lacks the skills to make it any more durable.
On shore, Korz hauls the raft back in, muscles bunching with effort. "Well, shall we try to cross?" He sounds a bit nervous about it.
Both of them begin rowing the raft out toward the center of the stream. Korz despite his obvious unease does well, and they make good time. The stream is stronger then they expected however, and they do get pulled a bit downstream.
Just as they reach the halfway point Noche'Wa hears a clunking, scrabbling sounds from underneath the raft's hull. Then there is a loud splash and the sound of climbing. Suddenly, at the bow, is a small, weird looking creature. It is a waterlogged looking gremlin with lobster claws for hands and an almost canine face with webbed ears.
It speaks in orc, "Give money or smash boat!" It snaps its small claws in threat. Noche'Wa can hear sounds from underneath the water. There are more then one.
Korz growls at the suggestion of a toll but leads Noche'wa lead the conversation. The Shoanti notes the orc does have a hand on a large dagger however.
"Give!" the weird little creature says, still snapping the small claws. "Gold and magic!"
The small, nasty looking creature snatches up the gold coin. It shimmers in the sun for a moment before it drops it over the side. With a weird clinking sound Noche'Wa suppose is laughter it says, 'Find out!" As it says so it begins tearing at the makeshift little raft.
Below the waterline, Noche'Wa can hear half a dozen sets of claws get to work on his ramshackle boat. With a blur Korz throws his knifr, hitting the little creature squarely. With a cry it falls into the water with a splash.
The sounds from the hull however, do not stop. Already the raft is beginning to wobble.
Korx grabs a spear and nods, even as the raft gives another shudder. The ropes binding it start to loosen, and water begins bubbling up through the deck. Already the river is slowly carrying them downstream, toward the still rather distant bridge.
Noche'Wa plunges into the cool muddy water. He can taste the silt in his mouth as he turns, spear in hand. The potion makes him fast and agile, but does not let me breath water.
Above him the Shoanti can see the wooden hull of his laboriously made raft blocking the sun. Under it are half a dozen crab-like creatures latched on like barnacles. All are busily trying to destroy the boat, snapping ropes, sawing at wood, chewing on his bindings.
From behind Noche'Wa glimpses the creature Korz struck with his knife. It looks quite wounded but manages to throw a sticky net of magical water around the man. The Shoanti dodges it however, and slays the creature with a single stab.
The swarm of remaining crab-men attack the underside the raft, cuasing damage.
Noche'Wa spell coats the underside of the raft with Grease, making a slippery layer between water and wood. Instantly all the little creatures slip off, claws snatching at treacherous wood.
One turns and tries to ensnare Noche'Wa in viscous water the but the Shoanti easily dodges it. The others redouble attacks on the raft but have to use one arm to keep up with the raft, which continues to float downstream, picking up speed.
Noche'Wa lashes out at the creature who tried to ensnare him. His spear punches through the little creature with barely any effort, instantly killing it. The victory however only seems to intensify the other's actions, who focus on the raft.
The muddy water swirls around Noche'Wa as they pick up speed.
Noche'Wa easily skewers another creature, tossing the dead corpse aside. Finally the little creatures flee, swimming deeper into the murky, muddy depths. Soon they vanish out of sight.
Noche'Wa easily skewers another creature, tossing the dead corpse aside. At least they are easy to kill, whatever they are. Three are left frenetically attacking the hull, as if fixated on it. The raft is slowly coming apart and then Noche'Wa sees Korz's gnarled hand plunge through a gap and rip a creature out of the water.
One less...
Just as Noche'Wa has assumed the battle should be won, there is a rushing sound from below. Looking into the brown water, he sees a transparent looking humanoid shape rushing upward, the vague face looking contorted in rage.
Without warning it turns into a roiling tornado of churning water.
The Shoanti manages to dodge the churning water, but the remaining swimming creatures who started this are swept away nearly without effort.
An orc hand plunges down again, obviously looking to help Noche'Wa if he needs it.
Noche'Wa is jerked out of the water in one smooth motion, and flung onto the rickety deck of the raft. Again he is surprised at how strong the dark, compact orc is. Together they grab oars, trying to steer the boat.
Noche'Wa notices the current has increased substantially, and they have floated far downstream. The bridge looms very close, a dark mass of wet rock frowning above them. The river is sprinkled with large boulders here, causing rapids in the otherwise clear stream.
'What...what happened down there?" Korz wheezes as he rows like an orc possessed.
There is a loud wham as something smashes into the raft's bottom.
The shore draws nearer, three fourths of the way there now. He can make out the reed beds, the small shrubs near the bank...
They keep paddling and the shore draws nearer. Just a fewmore seconds of paddling and they should be in the shallows. Whatever they angered in the depths however, doesn't feel like giving up. With time running out it makes one last attack at the fragile raft.
With a loud crash the raft breaks apart, as ropes break and the logs start to go their separate ways. Korz grabs Noche'Wa and hauls him onto the largest collection left. The Shoanti gets a glimpse of the water elemental below turn around and leave, apparently satisfied.
Any relief at this is short-lived as Noche'Wa is forced to confront the rapids lacking a useful boat. Instantly they are thrown into the rocky rapids, doing their best to remain perched on skittering logs, using spears and sticks to fend themselves from boulders.
The world becomes a whirlwind of spray, gray rocks and flailing limbs. For several minutes Noche'Wa loses all sense of space and time as he tumbles headlong through the rapids, clinging to bits of wood, defending himself. Korz is nearby doing the same but not as well, for Noche'Wa still has his better ability to swim.
After being thrown head over heels through a small waterfall, Noche'Wa is tossed into the air then lands on something hard. Shaking his head to clear the stars he sees his is on a flat black, water-washed surface. Next to him Korz lies, apparently knocked out by the same event.
Noche'Wa, head clearing, realizes they are at the bridge, on a small ledge at the water's edge. A set of dark stairs leads upward toward the main deck. Apparently this was once a landing for small boats or other watercraft navigating the bridge. The stone looks old, worn and washed by river. He can see the marks of old floods high on the wall.
Then he spots a figure, dressed in dark armor, standing on the bottom step. It is a woman, with a long sword drawn. Her long white hair is drawn back into a severe bun and her green eyes are piercing.
'Greetings, you warrior. I watched you in the river. The gremlins are troublesome for travelers." Her voice is calm, sure, serene.
At his remark at 'filing a complaint' there is a ghost of a smile, but it flickers out.
"Well met, Noche'Wa of the Shoanti. Tell me, what of your companion?" She points her sword at the fallen orc. "What does a human find in an orc? Are you captive or master?" The voice holds casual interest. Looking close, Noche'Wa can tell she is past middle age, almost old, but her grip seems strong on her blade.