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Ke' looked back at Nef for a long moment.
"Well, I haven't really... I guess I could... try, I guess." He looked doubtfully up the ratlines to the mainyard way up off the deck.
Grasping the lines, he carefully climbed up to the yard and set to work, taking extra care, but apparently doing alright.
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Oren was surprised at how easily he had taken to manning the helm. For most of his shift, he made extraordinary time with the wind at his back. He stood alone with his thoughts, just thinking about the tasks laid forth for his group.
As the winds turned, however, Oren's mood darkened as the wonderful pace they were making was almost competely eliminated. He fought the wind as best he could, but things weren't going great. The Tulita had to break quite a sweat, fighting the wheel.
Ke' looked back at Nef for a long moment.
"Well, I haven't really... I guess I could... try, I guess." He looked doubtfully up the ratlines to the mainyard way up off the deck.
Nef hugs him. "Thank you, Lani. You know I wouldn't ask you if we had other options. I'd rather be using your skills creating those potions of yours." She gives him an apologetic look. "If only we had two more qualified topsmen, our duty roster could be so much more varied and forgiving."
As he clambers up the ratlines, she cheers, knowing that her voice will carry to him. "You're a natural!"
********************
Nef looks at everyone and says, "I'm sorry that this schedule is so tight. If anyone has a suggestion to improve it, let me know. However, what we really need is more crew. I didn't realize when Relgin told us we had enough to sail this ourselves that he had meant that we only barely have enough."
She sighs. "If we come across pirates, we may need to leave some alive just to be able to recruit their topsmen." She looks at Jacinth and smiles. "However, if we find your friends alive, at least the way back will be easier. If they sailed with you all the way to Dolentla, surely they can help us sail back."
********************
"You are a strange woman, Nefertiti Abdul," Jacinth murmurs, her eyes on the distant horizon. "Just about any other woman of your background would have chosen a life of luxury - but you did not. I have never met anyone quite like you." She turns her gaze back to Nef, giving her a frank look of her own. "That is why I asked you the questions that I did yesterday. You are fascinating and I almost feel...compelled to learn more about you and why you see the world as you do. Once again, you have given me much to think on."
"Of my background?" Nef raises her eyebrows. "What do you know of my background, Jacinth?"
How much research did Senegar do before picking me for this job?
She shrugs. "My father's great wealth brought him little joy, and even less to my mother." Nef sighs, her expression suddenly sad and a little withdrawn. "My sister, Ismah, didn't understand my choices either. We... argued over it. She wanted me to stay in Katheer with her. As a rich man's mistress, she would have still been able to see me..."
Then she looks at Jacinth, appraisingly. "You want more than just money yourself, don't you? Why else seek this lab near Sammerlock Sails? You want to find something of historical significance to your people, and to make a mark. In addition, you're risking your life to go back to a dangerous place to save your friends when you could have been safe in Port Shaw. Are we that different in our motivations?"
A pause, and then, "I enjoyed your story of Scheherazade. When we have the time, would you indulge me further and perhaps share more stories from your homeland?" Though clearly trying to pose the question in a casual, offhanded manner, something in Jacinth's tone seems off. She almost sounds...wistful.
Nef grins. "Of course, Jacinth. Maybe I can tell you some of the stories Scheherazade told. She had 1001 nights worth, so we're unlikely to run out anytime soon."
********************
Taking ice from the icebox, Nef delivered iced coldpress coffee to Jacinth as well as Zem and Lani in the tops.
Then she went near the bowsprit, the closest place on ship that she could get to the water.
"Whale... can you hear me?" she called. She trusted that her voice would carry, like it always did, not only over the water but also below the waves. "I've heard tales that you listen to all the ships that pass through your realm, and that you collect their stories. I also have a tale to offer, if you will listen."
As she spoke, she tied the bowstring knot for the life line, just as Jacinth had taught her, and secured herself to the ship as she climbed out on the bowsprit.
The bowsprit was narrow. She straddled it and hung on, close enough that she could feel the sea spray in her face, and can the waves glimmering in the starlight, crashing against the ship. On the bowsprit, she was even more aware of the rocking of the boat than she had been on the deck. It reminded her of being on Wedjat's back when he would suddenly dive or rise without warning.
If you can ride an eagle, you can do this, she admonished herself, forcing herself to relax and just move with the rhythm of the sea.
This is the tale Nefertiti told...
When Eagle first came to the Razor, he was lost. He had been blown to the islands as a penniless immigrant, without friends or family. Not knowing his way, he first stumbled around Port Shaw, trying to orient himself. He did not know the local language, didn't understand the rhythm of daily life, and the press of countless strangers confused him.
So Eagle did what he did best. He took to the skies, seeking the perspective of the heights, and a clue to his purpose here. And from the heights, he saw the sea, emerald green and beautiful.
Eagle had always loved fish. And he was hungry and had no money for the vendors in town. So he flew to sea, and when he saw fish flashing in the water, he dived down to catch them, each time flying upwards again with a prize in his talons. Whale heard this, and surfaced, spouting on the water. 'Who has come as a thief to fish my waters?' Whale shouted, angry to find yet another foreigner taking from him without leave.
Eagle was so surprised, he spiraled out of control, and would have fallen into the waters had Whale not risen under him to catch him. The bird shook, and said, 'Thank you for catching me. I did not know these waters were claimed. Please, may I fish here? I am lost and hungry.'
At these words, Whale paused. It had been so long since he had hear courteous words spoken to him. 'Yes, you may.' And he provided a little boat for Eagle to perch upon while he ate his catch. The Eagle thanked him, and said, 'I am called Horus, and I come from Osirion across the sea. I'm new here, and everything is strange. Strange, but beautiful.'
Nef paused here, leaning out as much over the bowsprit as she dared, and talking in a confiding voice.
Whale had a generous soul, and had welcomed many newcomers to his islands over the years. But recent events had left him angry, scarred and distrustful. 'I am Tohorara,' he said. 'Don't get too comfortable. Just because I saved you and fed you, does not mean you are welcome to me.'
At these words, Horus bowed his head with sorrow. 'I am sorry to hear that,' said he. 'In the lands where I come from, if someone saves you, they become your family. You are now my brother, Tohorara, though you know it not.' Then Horus paused, and said, 'I heard men speak of you, when I was in town. They called you Lorekeeper. Before I take my leave of you, will you tell me a story?'
At this, Whale laughed. 'Brother? We've barely met. Who are you, to make such a claim?' But despite his scornful words, Whale told him a story. For telling stories was Tohorara's nature. He kept the history and knowledge of his people safe and shared it with all newcomers. Tohorara told the tales of the Tulita, the first men to come to the Razor in little canoes, daring and fast. He told how he befriended them, taught them, and how they guarded his beautiful land.
Eagle held his head high. 'I am Horus, he who fought to protect his people against the encroaching desert -- and won. Because you love the Tulita, Tohorara, so do I. You may not see me as brother yet. I understand this. But I will come back to you with proof of my love, over and over again.'
And with that, Eagle began his journey to prove his love to his newfound brother. How did he do so? That is another story, that I will tell you tomorrow.
________________________
Nefertiti began to shimmy back to the safety of the ship. Before returning all the way, she said, "Thank you for listening to my tale, Whale. I will always listen to yours."
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Then she goes to the finds Zem slumbering in his hammock. She waits a moment, studying his face relaxed in sleep. Careful to avoid waking Rata, she strokes Zem's forehead. Zem has always been a light sleeper. When he opens his eyes, she kisses him on the forehead. "Malama", she whispers. "Time to get up."
"Thank you Aka" - the man returns with a soft touch on her cheek - "Make sure that you take some rest" - he adds, hoping from the hammock and stretching. Taking a short meal, he moves back up top.
********************
Nef looks at everyone and says, "I'm sorry that this schedule is so tight. If anyone has a suggestion to improve it, let me know. However, what we really need is more crew. I didn't realize when Relgin told us we had enough to sail this ourselves that he had meant that we only barely have enough."
She sighs. "If we come across pirates, we may need to leave some alive just to be able to recruit their topsmen." She looks at Jacinth and smiles. "However, if we find your friends alive, at least the way back will be easier. If they sailed with you all the way to Dolentla, surely they can help us sail back."
********************
"We are doing well for the time being - it is simply a question of working hard, something we can all do" - Zemwaar adds, matter of fact.
During the following day he kept to his duties, offering his assistance where he believes it to be most needed, whether working alone, or assisting/being assisted by his travelling companions, and thanking Nefertiti when she offers them a refreshing beverage.
At night he does stop though, standing vigilantly close to Nefertiti, as she moves toward the bowsprit, and addresses Whale - he simply stands there, watching the waters for any sign, of danger or otherwise, even though he does not know what to expect himself.
Ke' shook his head as Nef rearranged the roster.
"I cannot Navigate;" He spat, his features growing darker, "The ship I served did not put me in such a... trusted position."
He absentmindedly rubbed his amputated leg.
After the storm let up at 1600 hours, freed from the hold, Wedjat flew often. Sometimes he fished from the sea, and sometimes he watched the crew from the Crow's Nest. Sometimes he took short naps.
He liked landing near Zem and Lani, inspecting what they did with the sails.
He of course came whenever Nef called for him, and gave her rides up to the tops, but mostly he enjoyed just watching both the crew and the long horizon.
Although he checked out the hold a couple times to check in on Nef in the galley (and steal some of the delicious smoked meat she'd laid out), he did not like to spend more time in the stuffy hold than he had to.
"Screeeeeeeeee!"
HOW you can you STAND it down here?
After Nef and Zem went bed at midnight (0000 hours), he watched them descend into the hold, but stayed topside. Sometimes he napped in the crow's nest. Sometimes he flew down to supervise Oren at the Helm.
"Screeeeeeeeee!"
You call THAT steering?
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Feeling refreshed after a good 8 hours of sleep, Rata rises and once again returns to manning the sails and lines of the tops. He breathes in deep, the salty air clearing his lungs and his mind alike. The wind rips through his hair, causing the beads and shells woven within to tinkle and flash. He gives Oren and Aikane a wave, signalling that everything seems to be running smoothly for the moment. He turns his gaze to the east, anticipating a glorious sunrise on this brand new day. The blazing red globe illustrating his thoughts... The color of blood.
Usha, if you can hear me, I will find them. It won't be today, and it probably won't be tomorrow, but I will find the men that took your life. Their blood will be spilled.
---
Previously on Razor Coast ... "I'm more at home in the rigging up top, anyway."
Aikane waves back at Rata, watching the sun's fresh rise.
I broke all of these thoughts, each with the crest of a new wave, but before long, the warmth of the sun gave way to my shift, and the work allowed me to restore my calm. It was hot, and the sea was green. I tried not to think of all the water, clinging instead to the highest reaches of the mast.
For the most part, Aikane is keeping to the upper spars of the ship when he is not at rest. The wind and sun seem to fuel him with vigor.
.
yes
asleep, no
asleep, no
no
no
yes, not surprised.
asleep, no
asleep, no
As the Rita sails along in the black of night and the day shift members sleep the sleep of exhaustion, Orem keeps a steady hand on the helm steering the ship on its plotted course, guided by the foul-smelling coal oil lamps which have now been lit. As the first cracks of the new day dawn, those on duty note off in the distance away from the shores to your port a band of dark grey storm clouds heading your ways. You estimate the storm will hit sometime later on in the day.
As the day before, no signs of ships or anything else of note crossed your eyes the night before and the horizon is clear of anything except the ocean waves.
After finishing his shift, and fighting the wheel all night, Oren was pooped come the end of his assigned hours. "Well, I'm tuckered. I'm heading below and getting some shut eye. I'm sore as can be from fighting that wheel. Better luck to the next helmsman or helms woman," he adds, rubbing his shoulders as he ducks down below.
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Today Zemwaar wakes up before Nef does - he arranges a platter of food and leaves it there for her breakfast, before moving up top, chewing on some sparse meal made of cheese and dried fish.
He immediately gets to his duties, after taking some time to admire the vast sea before them, addressing the others that had been on watch until then - "Anything to report friends?"
Ke' spends the morning watching over his portable alchemists' lab, cooking up another batch of smokesticks.
Nef sleeps in the hold until woken, dreaming confused dreams of flying with whales, swimming with eagles and dancing in the arms of a tall, silent man.
Aikane moves up to Rata and taps him on his waist. He holds a finger over his lips.
He gestures down into the hold. Then cups a hand behind his right ear.
Wedjat watches Aikane poke Rata, but has no idea what the finger across the lips means. However, cocking his head, he hears a thumping from the hold.
Not Nef. Not Zem. Not the stumpy one who smells of fire and nasty things. Not the new tall one who Nef is always talking to.
Hunting instinct triggered, he dives down to land at the edge of the stairs leading down to the hold.
As the sound was not near his people, he's more curious than frantic.
What is it? Can I eat it?
Amazingly to anyone who might know him, Wedjat actually stays quiet to listen as well as watch.
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Rata easily dropped the last five feet to the main deck, taking a moment to stretch his limbs and back. With a sigh of contentment, the long day's work having done well to keep his mind off of darker thoughts, he was about to head belowdecks when Aikane taps him on the waist. "Huh-?" he replies, but quickly silences his inquiry as he notices Aikane flashing the signal for silence. His brow furrowed in curiosity, Rata gives a silent nod after Aikane indicates the hatch leading down to the hold. He crouches down low and begins crawling over to the hatch, but, unfortunately, as he does so one of his joints gives a loud crack, and a startled exclamation escapes his lips. Giving Aikane an apologetic look, he approaches the hatch, listening intently for whatever sound that might've stoked the menehune's cause for concern.
Aikane pushes towards the lip and looks inside if he does not hear further noise. If he does hear more sounds below, then he will pause to determine their nature.
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Initiative
.
.
charge, FF,
As Oren sees the commotion behind him, he sees the look of concern on their faces and immediately is aware of something is wrong. The sudden appearance of Wedjat and his silent dive below decks is only further confirmation.
As Aikane, Rata Fenn, and Wedjat move towards the cargo hold, they all realize there is someone down here...or on second glance, Some...THING, and whatever it is, it is moving towards you...As the Haast eagle peers into the cargo hold, the source of the noise is soon revealed...and, for possibly the first time in its life, the eagle feels hunted, like the prey he usually feeds upon. With a guttural roar, a large muscular creature with a human body, but the head of a ravenous shark, complete with jet-black eyes and razor-like teeth. It's nearly jet black skin almost absorbs the feeble light emanating from the coal oil lamps that illuminates the cargo hold. As it lumbers towards the edge of the ladder leading out of the hold, it reaches out and swipes at the eagle in front of it, tearing a huge gash in its wing!
Yelling, "Wake up, to arms!", Nef grabs her flag and runs out of the room where she was sleeping and to the hallway of the hold.
As a standard action, she begins a Bardic Performance. All who can hear her (and this should be most of the ship) gain +2 to attack and damage. All who can see her flag (at the moment, only Rata and Wedjat) get an additional +1 to attack and damage.
"Attack the intruder! You can do it, friends!"
Hearing the word, "Attack!", Wedjat charges Mr. Were Shark.
Eat claw, fish face!
"It's a cursed one!" Aikane calls to Oren. He attends the movement of his comrades in the hallway before his movement.
Suddenly roused out of sleep by the commotion, Ke'ahilani rolled out of his bunk and spent a round swearing loudly as he donned his peg leg, his harness of alchemist's equipage and his staff.
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Rata's jaw goes slack as he sees the wereshark tear into the eagle's wing, "Look out, Wedjat!"
Rata pulls one of the many daggers from the bandolier across his chest and flings it at the beast's open maw.
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Know. Local
"Filthy Jack Lyverly, well I'll be," Oren muses, as he casts a spell at the man.
Magic Missile
"Look out, Wedjat!"
"Screeee!"
Fishface hurt me! Hurt him back!
Rata Fenn leans down across from the eagle's body and expertly send his dagger into the cursed one's gaping maw, causing him to bellow in pain. Then Wedjat proceeds to demonstrate why the Haast eagle is one of the most feared predators of Razor Coast. Claws and beak tear into his skin, ripping bloody chunks from his glossy black skin leaving puddles of dark ichor puddling on the cargo hold floor.
The vicious attacks leave the beast reeling from blood loss, wobbling on its feet. It takes a step backwards, trying to flee from the bundle of fury in its face, but as Oren's spell bolts slams into its body, it gives a moan and collapses to the floor with a massive crash. As you all approach the were-shark, you see it still taking shallow breaths, gasping softly "...Shark....God....hunger....must....must feed..." Then the muttering cease, as the unconscious form shudders and transforms into someone Oren has seen before on the Docks...
Once again, the sounds of the ship return as your voyage continues along...
Nefertiti runs into the hold to tend to her beloved bird. Gently holding the wing so it heals straight, she takes care of Wedjat.
Then she stomps over to Filthy Jack, resisting the urge to kick him for hurting her eagle. "Do you know this person, Oren?" she asks with raised eyebrows.
Rata draws another two daggers, gripping one in his mouth as he makes his way down the ladder. At the bottom, he approaches the corpse slowly, both daggers in hand, "What was he? Does anyone recognize him?" He makes no move to retrieve his embedded dagger.
"Whatever he is, he's still alive," Nef says, "for now."
By her tone, it's clear that Nef has little interest in keeping him this way. She looks up as Jacinth enters the room.
"Captain, what would you like done with this intruder?"
Wedjat starts preening, cleaning the blood off his claws and newly fixed wing.
Fishface blood... Blech.
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"I knew him by name, but more than that, not really. This is John “Filthy Jack” Lyverly, a member of the Tide District’s Salty Dogs gang and a general ne’er-do-well. He was always into something. Now this opens up a whole new can of worms, as perhaps their whole gang has been taken over by lycanthropy. Those were beasts are always of the darkest hearts, and would kill you as soon as look at you. If the gang is infested, the whole Port is at risk, I think."
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Ke' charges into the hold, two bottles with flames lit held ready to throw.
"HYEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA oh for craps sake is it over already?" He said with disappointment.
He absentmindedly blew out the flames on the bottle tops.
Nef listens to Oren's explanation of Filthy Jack with a frown.
"Captain, permission to speak freely on this matter?" Nef meets Jacinth's icy blue eyes, and then looks down at Filthy Jack, still mercifully unconscious. "This... lawless thug was probably not worth much even before he became a monster. We need to know how he got infected and how he came to be on board this ship, but after that I see no reason to keep this abomination alive and suffering. His body would make a fine offering to Tohorara."
Nef's tone is calm, thoughtful, and contains not one shred of remorse for the were shark, whom she views as a destructive agent that would cheerfully devour all she holds dear.
She reaches into her pouch and pulls out a jar of smelling salts, not even willing to waste any healing on this abhorrent creature. "With your permission, may we question him?"
As you all discuss the fate of your unwelcome stowaway, the flow of blood from his body starts to slow somewhat, and his breathing rapidly grows shallower...
Zemwaar reaches the hold to find the fight finished, and listens to their companions debate while the man bleeds.
He is completely taken aback by Nefertiti's coldness and, without hesitation moves towards the fallen man, ripping a rag from his clothes to try and stop the bleeding.
"This foe is defeated - there is no reason to simply watch as he bleeds before us" - he speaks while trying to bandage him - "And much less to declare his execution by whatever means" - the man adds.
At hearing Zem's words, Nef feels shame.
She glances at Filthy Jack after realizing that the man is bleeding out, and reaches out to cast stabilize on him.
Then she looks at Zem, and says, "He won't die now. If you ask me to heal him the rest of the way, Malama, I will. But I want you to consider what you're asking. If I save him, I'll be responsible for him. He'll become my family, like you did. Like Rata did. A hungry monster that we cannot contain and dare not let loose. Do you still want me to do this?"
And then she pauses, looking at Zem with an agonized expression. "I don't know what he was, but he wanted to eat us. I think he's suffering in the state he's in, and dangerous too. Is this what you want, Malama?"
Aikane leaves them to deal with the shark, and mounts his perch beside the crow's nest of the Rita.
Only when he is up in the air with his little hands wound around the rigging does he at last breathe a sigh of relief. This time, his thoughts are his own.
With a disgusted look, Ke' shoves people aside to kneel by the fallen man. He checks the man for his injuries...
...then mixed together a reagent with a small bottle to make an infusion of Cure Light Wounds. He then applies it to the man, healing damage.
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Rata found it quite strange that everyone was attempting to heal the fellow while his dagger was still lodged in the man's chest. Bending down, he grasped the hilt and quickly pulled it free, causing a sickening slihnk sound. He quickly found a rag in the hold and proceeded to clean the blade before sliding it back into it's usual place across his chest.
He had to smirk at Jacinth's comment, "Yes... Ships and fire. Not the best combination." He smiles at Ke', tapping his head with a finger indicating think before you act. Looking down at the man, half-kidding and half-serious, "So, he walks the plank, then? But maybe he should answer a few questions first." He turns a cold-eyed gaze on the man.
"Grab him first, at least," Oren barks, upon seeing the others administering healing concoctions to the creature.
"He's going to wake up plenty mad at us, and with those teeth, he could do quite a bit of hurt to us before we know it!"
But with Rata and Wedjat on the watch, it'll take more than a couple sharp teeth to do us in!
As Lani heals the man, Nefertiti gently asks Zem, "The galley where I worked yesterday, alone, is 20 feet from here. What do you think would have happened if the creature had emerged from hiding then?"
"Remember Harok McFarrows and Falken Drango? What if neither committed the murders of which they are accused?" She gives the wereshark a significant look. "These creatures can hide, and I bet they swim. It would be easy for them to feast and then let someone else take the blame."
She nods appreciation at Oren's comment, then turns to Filthy Jack as he regains consciousness. She consciously leaves a charge lane open for Wedjat, if needed.
Shaken from Zem's obvious disapproval, she's not anywhere near her full standards.
"You've clearly had a rough morning, Filthy Jack. Would you like to tell us how and why you came to be aboard our ship?"
"I'm also curious just how you became a wereshark. Who bit and turned you?" And then, knowing Zem's eyes are upon her, she asks, "Before you collapsed, you talked of the Shark God and hunger. Would ordinary food satisfy you now?"
Since it looks like Zem and Lani want to save the creature, Nefertiti frantically thinks about what she knows about Dajobas the Shark God, were-sharks, and if it's possible to cure a were-shark with a Remove Curse spell.
Ke'ahilani hobbles over to the unconscious form of Filthy Jack and quickly examines his body. He determines the fisherman was hovering right on death's door but due to his expert ministrations, along with the timely application of his reagant, he is able to bring the were-shark to consciousness. Also, he notes the cursed fisherman is addicted to dragonsmoke judging by the reek of his body, not to mention the supply of dragonsmoke on his body.
As Filthy Jack slowly regains consciousness, Rata, Oren and Ke'ahilani move to secure the prisoner, tying him down with some rope. Fortunately he does not change form into the brutal form he wore earlier. He groggily shakes his head as he comes to, all of the fight apparently drained out of him.
He stares at Nefertiti as the priestess makes her plea, apparently unmoved by her words. Rata Fenn's glare, punctuated by by a meaningful gesture towards his dagger, is more than enough to cow him completely.
His words are halting, and his voice is slurred as he responds, "I...I...stowed'board...uhhh...'member....uhhhhoooh...uhh...bitten....yes.. .BITTEN! It was....uhhhh....ohhhh uhh...week ago...mebbe longer....the shark...not deep....uhhhh....ohhh...uhhh...soooo...hungry....need to feed....uhhhhohhhh..." His voice trails off at this point as he lapses into a stupor.