Zatsa turns back to the fire, rolling her eyes as she does.
I know ship travel can be unpredictable, I did grow up on a ship after all. Doesn't mean he can't give me an estimate.
The argument is not worth having however so Zatsa says nothing and keeps staring into the flames.
Soon enough the night is over and the sun rises. By mid-morning, the caravan has entered Riverford. Jack waste no time and within a few all too short hours, the group is on a riverboat heading down to Almas.
It's noon and the rest of your journey is lazy. The slow lap of water against the ship as it drifts downstream towards your destination and the sea. Being your constant companion as most walk around, play cards, or watch the scenery. Jack suddenly walks up beside you with a stuffed bread roll, offering it. His own already bitten into in his other hand. You notice Godun nearby playing cards with one of his many flask in hand instead of a mid-day treat.
"How do you like the ship? Don't tell me you get seasick on a river?"
Zatsa smiles and thanks him. Taking a bite of her roll, she chews and thinks for a moment.
''I don't feel sick thus far but I suppose we are going to find out.''
She finishes her roll and wipes her mouth with a small cloth, she produces from a pocket.
''Though to be fair, Ive not spent much time on rivers, I grew up on a pirate ship though, do I doubt this river is going to defeat me.'' she adds, rubbing at her chin philosophically.
Turning back to face Jack, Zatsa asks.
''So tell me Jack, how long have you been a member of our esteemed band?''
She turns back to face the countryside while she waits for his response.
Jack gets a sour look for a moment before answering.
"Most of these aren't mine. They will be getting off at Almas and go on their way. Godun and a few others will be coming with us to Augustana. As to how long I have been babysitting little whelps like you and causing trouble. No one knows and I'm not telling, but I will say it's been longer then you have been alive."
He finishes with a smirk and a bite of his own roll.
Zatsa's right eye brow rises up in a clear show of doubt when she hears that.
''Longer than I've been alive?!? Are you sure about that? We Aasimar live much longer than humans, I'm not as young as I look.''
Jack seems serious though but Zatsa is wondering if he's just being braggadocious.
Zatsa can read nothing from the inscrutable Jack. Either he was speaking the truth or he was an experienced liar. Sadly he could be both and this did not help you in the least.
"Enjoy the sites and free time while we have them. We will be to the city soon and from there to a ship without much delay."
He reminds you then leaves with that and answered questions.
With her insights into Jack coming to naught, Zatsa finishes her lunch and decides to turn her energies towards her prayers. She has been somewhat neglectful of them lately and this will not stand.
Moving over to a less occupied corner of the boat, Zatsa retrieves a small scarf from her bag. She ties it around her head, so it covers her eyes and gazes towards the sun. She allows the sun's rays to wash over her, filling her with warmth and comfort like the warm embrace of a loving father.
After about an hour of this she removes her blindfold, returns it to her bag and goes back to join Godun.
She plops down next to Godun and asks him.
"Do you think we'll have a chance to stock up on supplies in Almas? There are a couple of supplies aim could use before we board our ship"
Taking a swig of his flask he shrugs.
"Depends if the ship is ready when we get there and what you need. If it's common enough I doubt it will be a problem in Almas. Still, we won't have the day I reckon. Jack moves quick when he needs to."
The rest of the trip goes by without much of note. The riverboat finds itself at Almas soon enough and you disembark in the early morning only to board Talmandor's Talon. A massive man-o-war, it's dark wood hull had a natural gloss with none of the normal wear of seagoing vessels. Even with its sails closed, you could make out the distinctive Andoran blue. While the golden trim shined in the light of day like a glowing crown. It was a thing of mighty beauty and hope as the expected Andoran flags waved in the wind atop the ship's mast.
The Talmandor's Talon is one of a very few specially built man-o-wars that Andoran possesses in its navy. While it's size and crew clearly make it powerful as the peak battleship class of the sea, it is the weaponry and magical enhancements that make it truly exceptional even among its own class. While being made entirely of dark wood makes it expectedly tough as well as unusually swift and agile for a ship of its size. These are the behemoths that Andoran calls on to defend her on the sea as a last resort and a prime example of why the dark wood is so vital.
Zatsa's knowledge of ships is limited and she finds she can't remember any details about this particular kind of ship.
Even with only a cursory knowledge of naval warcraft, there is no doubt that this is a truly impressive ship. Zatsa is a proud woman and not easily impressed, but the ship has succeeded.
She runs a hand along the smooth darkwood of the railing, looking down into the clear water beneath.
No wonder they give those lumber bastards a long leash.
She takes a little longer to absorb the ship's majesty, then heads off to find Jack.
''Any word on when we might be departing? I had an errand or two I hoped to see done before we depart if time allows.''
Jack sends off a runner before he turns to Zatsa.
"We leave in a few hours. The captain will want to be on his way by noon. They are loading and unloading now. Most likely we will be on the water for a ten day before docking at Augustana unless we stop at a port between here and there."
Zatsa smiles brightly, happy for the news.
''Alright I'll be back before then.''
She is pleased that he did not ask what her errands were exactly. The shopping was nothing but she did not feel like admitting that she just wanted a chance to hug her father and spend an hour with him.
Deciding to get the less pleasant task out of the way, Zatsa rushes to the market district, eager to get her wrist sheaths and then rush to her father's home.
Her purchases complete, she all but sprints to her old home, eager to see him again.
She waits barely a moment after knocking before opening the door.
''Father, are you home?'' She asks as she kicks her boots off and puts them away, knowing he will be cross if she makes a ''mess''.
Zatsa gets no answer and the place looks both deserted and secured. It was safe to say he was not just away but had no intention of coming back any time soon. Looking around a little she does notice a note on the nearby table that reads.
"Going out to sea for a bit. Rob me and I'll find you."
A most startling combination of both cold dread and white hot anger fill Zatsa as she reads the note her father has left behind.
Oh of all the bone-headed things to do.
Deciding that there is nothing to be gained by staying, Zatsa takes her things and leaves bit not before scrawling a quick note.
"Father, I have seen your note, safe travels and come back swiftly.
P.s If I find you while at sea I am going to send you back home in chains if I find you have strained yourself on the slightest."
With that done and having a little more time then she thought she would, Zatsa returns to the markets to see if she can't find a rumor or two about the murder she observed shortly before she found herself with the knights.
A good deal of time had passed between when the murder happened and now. Life ever moves on and the people forget what does not dog them. All you hear are rumors and the assurances of guards doing their duty of protecting the people.
Your time is growing short and the deadline is moving ever closer to the time of departure. If you don't hurry you may find the ship has left without you as Captains of any kind are not known for their patience or accommodating nature.
Cursing at her rotten luck and the fruitless nature of it, Zatsa hurries to towards the ship, eager to not be left behind and lose whatever good will she has already incurred.
Zatsa makes it back to the ship with some time to spare. They were still loading but very little was left. The ship was preparing to depart within the hour if you had to guess. Crossing the gangplank and getting onboard. You suddenly feel a number of things. A warmness all over your body that came from more than the noonday sun, as well as a lightness, seemed to energize your body and mind.
As you look around you see the many sailors going about their work. A few comrades from the caravan, Godun at their center sitting on a barrel he was almost lovingly caressing. Finally, you spy Jack next to a clearly military dressed tanned half elf. He notices you and nods to Jack who turns after excusing himself to approach.
"Almost thought I would have to send someone to find you. We got a surprise while you were gone and you may like it. Or not."
His face looks a mix of amused and anxious.
When you boarded the vessel you came under the effect of rather powerful magic. The effects are continuous so long as you remain on board. You can't tell what kind of magic without more study.
Feeling strength return to her tired muscles after her run through the city, Zatsa blinks in wonder and starts to concentrate on the magic around her.
Zatsa, gives up after a moment, the exact nature of the spell is right there on the cusp of her mind but it eludes her at the last second. Shrugging her shoulders, Zatsa gives up on unraveling the exact nature of the spell, for the moment.
Waving at Godun but does not expect to have a reply. Godun looks as happy as a man buried to the hilt in a whore after all.
Smiling and nodding at Jack as he approaches she has the good grace to appear at least a little chagrined.
''I was held up by some disconcerting news and another search that proved fruitless....Sorry.'' The last is practically mumbled as an afterthought and she looks away for a moment.
Zatsa locks her eyes back on Jack and she considers the expression on his face for a moment.
Why would he be anxious? She wonders to herself.
She looks at him expectantly and with a little impatience.
''Well? What news have you received?''
She considers what news could have reached Jack that would have anything to do with her and her blood turns to ice as she remembers the note in her father's house.
If he;s on board this ship I swear by Sarenrae....
"It seems your father came on board while you were gone. I checked with the captain and such. He is cleared to be on and stay on to Augustana. He is currently getting settled below deck, he will be back up shortly."
Jack is watching you carefully with his smug smile.
Zatsa gritted her teeth wanting nothing more than to slap that smile off of Jack's face.
She resists the temptation even if she thinks it might be worth all the pain the act would buy her.
Swallowing down the fury that she is rapidly getting accustomed to feeling, Zatsa does her best to smile at Jack. Even she can tell it is more grimace than smile.
"Will that be all Jack? If you have no other need of me, I would like to settle my things. I also have many things to say to my dear, sweet father. I shall come see you presently about whatever duties I might have aboard the ship."
"Oh I'll call if I need you for something. But we are not really on the clock. You can do what you want as long as you don't get in the crew's way. You can set up in the aft or fore crew quarters, I suggest you keep your stuff in one of the chests. No one would steal but with how many crewmembers you will be sharing the space, things can get lost easy. The berths are on the second deck down."
His smile changes to one of mockery as he continues.
"Your daddy and I got officer quarters. A restricted area so you can't go there. Seems he has some friends to swing that. Want me to pass along a message or will you wait for him."
Zatsa nods as she takes in the new information but frowns when she realizes she's going to have to give her father a piece of her mind.
Shrugging her shoulders, Zatsa shakes her head indicating 'no'.
"No Jack. We are going to be on the ship for ten days. I will see him before too long. You can let him I'm on board if he does not already."
With n9thing else to say for now, Zatsa heads down to the aft crew quarters. Finding a mostly empty chest next to a bunk at the rear of the room, Zatsa places her backpack inside but keeps the rest of her possessions on her person.
It still being early, Zatsa heads back onto the deck. She moves to lean against one of the railings, finding a spot devoid of crew. Pulling a small bag of mixed nuts from a pocket, she begins to munch on them as she observed the crew work, eager to learn how to help run a ship.
"You look like a squirrel, you know that."
An old grizzled voice says behind her.
''My father taught me that nuts are good for you, Sir.'' She says, her voice clipped and angry.
Zatsa takes a deep breath and turns to face the voice she would know anywhere, her eyes still blazing with anger though she does her best to keep from losing control of her temper.
''You on the other hand, look like an old man who should be taking care of himself and not gallivanting on some ship.'' Despite her best efforts she is proving quite unsuccessful at keeping her cool.
''And what was with that note?!? Did it not occur to you that I might come home for a visit or that business might bring me back to Almas? Did it not occur to you how worried I might be over such a short, impersonal scrap of writing?''
She is beginning to lose control of her anger, her voice raising and she can't resist poking Jax in the chest as she spits out the last few words.
Jax gets a dark look before easily slapping your hand away.
"Don't forget who you're talking to missy."
His face changes to one of sternness but patience for a child.
"What I do is my business, I don't need no one's permission. As for that note, who said it was for you. Maybe if you used your head for more then stuffing your face you could think. Here I thought I help put some brains and not just hot air in there. Did you really think I didn't know where you were? Did you think I wasn't told what you were doing and how you were doing? Hells girl they didn't even think of taking you before talking to me, did you never wonder why?"
He steps closer to her and his voice lowers but still holds a hard edge.
"Don't think your to old for me to put you over my knee on this deck in front of everyone and teach you some respect. Now the next words out of your mouth better be good ones or none at all."
Jax may be an old seadog but he wasn't a toothless one.
Zatsa takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly through her nose.
"I never said that the note was intended for me Father. My point was merely that you should have given me a detail or two so I did not have to worry more than necessary."
She speaks slowly as low she is speaking to a child, sounding like someone who is not having this conversation for the first time.
"Nor did I suggest you had no idea where I was bit that only makes it worse. There was no reason not to leave me a little warning. I practically fell out of my skin Worthing about you.
She looks him straight in the eye, a stubborn set to her tone.
"If you think for even a moment that I will apologize her being worried about you then you are mad. She lowers her voice a little.
Father, I know you are a sailor and you love the open sea but you are not a young man.I was worried and I don't care if you are upset with me, You are my father and I love you. I just want you to be safe."
Her eyes have softened as she is finishing they they harden a little more as though something has just figured to her.
"And I can think for myself just fine you miserable old salt." Her words are sharp but the tone of her voice suggests this is more of a familiar endearment than a barb.
"Oh so you mean I was supposed to know that you would visit me while I was gone. Even if your superior did not allow it as is his right. Even if you arrived late and needed to board the ship immediately I was supposed to stay at home waiting for you like some pup."
The more he spoke the more you knew you fell into a trap and he was not stopping.
"Yes my dear that makes such reasonable sense. I was told you would be taking a ship from here to Augustana before you were even in the city. I prepared to take the journey with you as soon as I got the news. Only it did not cross my mind that I am Nethys who knows everything and knew you would get here early and visit my home while I was out. Oh clearly I am in the wrong by being a prat and not blaming all sense be common."
He gave you a look that promised more scolding for your wrongs unless made right. He was stubborn but not foolish.
"Only one of us has any right to be angry missy and I am not looking at them."
Zatsa is practically burning at such overt accusations of stupidity. Swallowing her anger as best she can Zatsa grits her teeth and gets out her final words on the subject.
''By Sarenrae's light, when did you become so thick-headed? Of course I do not expect you to know my exact location at my single moment. But how could you not think that I might choose to visit you if i had a moment? It would only have taken an extra thirty seconds to give me the name of the boat you were on. However, you raised me well and I am nothing if not a dutiful daughter. So you are right father. I am nothing but your stupid daughter, who completely over-reacted when her father,who is not a young man and has been retired for over ten years, suddenly decided to run off to the sea. You are correct and I am of course wrong. My mistake, I shall try ever so hard to contain my concern in the future for one of perhaps six people who mean anything to me and one of only four among that number is still alive. With your permission father I shall take my leave, we have given the crew enough of a show I am sure.''
Zatsa turns around in place and stalks off, her good mood completely gone and decides to head back to her bunk, ostensibly to check her supplies but really to reflect, and sulk if she is honest with herself, about the whole affair.
Zatsa only gets a few feet before she feels an iron grip around her collar and a sharp jerk. Then weightlessness as she is sent flying over the railing. Just as she clears the side she hears a growling voice.
"Time to cool off your sass missy."
In only a few moments you hit the water. Just as quickly as fell in you surface to ropes and floating rings. Your back on board shortly after being fished out. Wet but not much more worst for wear, Jack awaits and for once he has no mocking smile for you. He clears his throat before speaking.
"Accidents happen on a ship, glad your fine. Your father mentioned he would take his meal in his room tonight and needs his rest. Best catch up to in the morning I think."
He motions to a female crewman.
"She'll help you if you need it. Also can get you an extra pair of clothes if you need them too. I'll send someone for you when it's time to eat."
Unless you stop him he excuses himself.
Zatsa waves at Jack distractedly as she checks her pockets and belt to make sure she did not lose anything. She turns and addresses the female crew member.
''I shall not take up much of your time, I have a spare set of clothes but would you do me a favor and get me a towel of some kind? I'll be changing in the aft crew lodgings.''
Doing her best to walk with her head held high and her back straight, despite the water still dripping from her, the running makeup and the squeak of her boots on the otherwise pristine deck, Zatsa heads back to where she stored her possessions.
Pulling her bag from the chest where she store it, Zatsa digs through it till she finds the little bag that contains her dress, shawl and slippers. She starts stripping out of her wet clothing so she can change.
Zatsa has a quiet night and a noisy morning. The ship had left port as expected, hitting the calm waters before you had dinner the day before. Still, these were veteran sailors and military men, they did not let down their guard or run anything less than a tight ship. You greet the sun, busy upper deck, and loud gulls with a touch of annoyance. Your sleeping patterns being anything but stable of late.
You spy Jack, Godun, and Jax all seated on their own barrel with a makeshift table on yet another barrel between the trio. They seem to be talking, eating, and playing cards all at once. Godun was saying something while holding his cards in one hand, the free one slowly making its way towards Jax plate of food you suspected. Jax slapping his creeping hand away confirmed it. While you are too far to hear what was said, the halfling scowled while Jack smirked and Jax barked.
Zatsa dedicates the first hour of her morning to making herself presentable. She does her best to hide the lines she has gained over the last week due to poor sleep and dresses in her usual shirt, jacket, trousers and boots instead of her dress.
Her clothes were not quite dry from the night before, but there was no power on earth that was going to have her parading around in a dress like some damsel. Bad enough the crew saw her in her dress at dinner and had to fish her from the water, she was not going to add to her embarrassment.
After she deemed herself ready, she went out to deck and found a sunny and empty corner of the ship to observe her prayers. She spends an hour or so eyes covered as she gazes towards the sun, sword in hand.
Once that is accomplished, her mind turns inevitably to her father, who she spies eating and playing cards, slapping at Godun's greedy fingers. She was still angry with him and would hold true to her belief that he had spent enough time risking his life and that he aught to enjoy his remaining years in peace and safety.
However she was unused to quarreling with him and found that as always in the few times they were at odds that she misliked the feeling. He was a stubborn man whose bite could be almost as strong as his bark, but he had saved her when she was young and more than that she loved him dearly.
She decided in her heart that she would forgive what she perceived as obstinance even if she was not ready to admit she might have been wrong.
Zatsa was curious as to what they were discussing but thought it rather unlikely she would be able to sneak up on them. She decided to stroll up to them and observe them from close by.
''Jack, Godun, Father.'' She greeted each man in turn, in between mouthfuls of salted pork and stood nearby, not having spied any nearby barrels and not wanting to bother with dragging one over.
She gets a morning, a scowl, and a grunt in that order as the trio seemed focused on their cards. Finally, they toss them and Jack takes the pot.
"Too bad boys, fate favors the righteous as they say. Gods know I am the holiest of holies among the lot of us. Need it to be proven time and again."
Godun scowls yet again before taking a swig of his flask.
"Keep talking and I'll add another hole to you. That's going to cut into my drinking money. Gotta get it back from the crew later now."
Jax waves it off, yet he is not much happier.
"Feel proud of yourself taking from an old man that hasn't played cards in years. Yeah, that's holy alright."
Jack doesn't seem to care. Jax turns to Zatsa now and gives her a stern look.
"Nice and cool this morning?"
The undertone was clear that he was ready to fight if she wanted to keep on, as unwise as that would be.
Half a hundred things float through her head but ninety-nine of them are all going to end up with them fighting again so she sucks it up and offers him a flat look.
''Look I don't like fighting with you and never have. I think you should do this and you think you should do that. That's not likely to change. Maybe I should not have freaked out at you but I was worried. In either case I don't feel like fighting anymore, Im bored and my clothes are still a little damp.''
She says it plainly and with none of her usual sass or false cheer. Her tone makes it clear that she does not want to say anymore on the subject.
''Besides we shouldn't be spilling our guts in front of these fine holy men. We are likely to embarrass them.''
Her tone makes it clear that she is just as dubious of Jack's holiness as she is of her ability to walk on water.
"Well as long as you understand that you're wrong. As for them, do you care?"
Jax looks over at the pair. Jack counting his coin and Godun drinking.
"To busy counting my coin."
"I wasn't paying attention, what were you saying?"
Jax waves them off.
"See."
Zatsa nods to her but says nothing else. He is not 100% Right but she simply no longer has the energy for it.
She scowls a little internally when she he mentions the other two men and her mental scowl only deepens when she hears their insincere denials of having heard anything.
Damn men, they should all be placed on a ship and rowed straight to hell!
The menfolk seem to be done with their card game and as they don't seem to have anything else to say to her, she nods her farewells and stalks off to find a corner where she might observe the crew without being in the way.
The days drift by one at a time. Little of interest is expected or seen. The waters on the coast of Andoran are well patrolled and few ships on the open water would challenge the behemoth man-o-war Talmandor's Talon that you find yourself on. Yet life is rarely so predictable or simple.
The air is filled with the ringing of the alert bells. The crew comes alive like a hornet's nest that has been disturbed. The lazy pace and few sails that were being used suddenly find themselves full as the ship launches a hard turn and all sails are let loose. The loud creaks of the hull and the sudden jerk let you know the sudden power the great giant you ride is capable of producing when it's on the hunt. You can feel it as well as hear it as orders are given to the crew to prepare for battle. Below deck the sound of siege engines being prepped and the latches that hide them sliding open fill the air. The Talmandor's Talon had bared its fangs, in a few short moments, they would sink into their prey.
Zatsa draws her sword, the familiar weight in her hand helping to calm her. She feels the familiar surges of adrenaline and some nerves coursing through her veins.
Squinting her eyes and shielding them from the glare of the sun, Zatsa stares out in the direction the ship has turned towards trying to see their quarry and any identifying markers it might carry.
That done she turns and tries to spot either of her irritating menfolk, they might be able to tell her something of their target.
You have just enough time to react to Jack jumping down from the rigging. He lands lightly next to you, looking a mixture of excited and angered. Just before he speaks you hear a deep heavy drum beat, the rhythm is steady and strong.
"A yellow sail, slavers from Okeno. Fools didn't just come into Andoran waters. They were riding the coast as if they thought we would let them take our people. They are going to pay for their arrogance. We are going to cripple the ship then board them to free the slaves no doubt rowing below deck."
Most of the crew has settled into there roles. Ranged weapons are held ready, riggers hang with grappling hooks among the sails, and sailors prepare to use boarding pikes before switching to their preferred melee weapons.
"Your going to be defending the ship. Jax and Godun will be as well. I'll be part of the borders."
Godun is running to meet you while Jax is nearby with some sailors. A pair of well worn wicked looking boarding axes hang in a cross just under his lower back. A boarding pike in his hands like the others. There is a shudder below your feet coupled with the sound of dozens of snapping ropes as a volley of giant bolts flies between the ships, they bite deep into the galley. Within moments the yellow sail turns to close the distance. Thinking their only chance is a fight between crews rather than fighting the superior ship.
With her free hand, she slaps him on the back.
''Make sure you leave one or two of the scum for the rest of us!'' she calls out excitedly as he takes off.
''Sarenrae watch out for you.'' She whispers to herself.
Zatsa spots her father nearby and resists the urge to rush to his side, knowing the stubborn old goat would assume she was hovering about him like a mother hen. As he would be correct in assuming so she instead whispers a silent prayer for him and grins as Godun approaches.
''Nervous dear Godun? Don't worry though I'll protect you.'' She can't help but tease him, knowing he needs no such protection. These slavers are not hobgoblins ganging up on him as he attempts to steer a cart after all.
Godun makes it to your side with a crossbow out and ready.
"Save the bravado girly. These are yellow pirates. If I die send me off with my drink, steal even a drop and I'll haunt you."
The words barely leave his mouth when it seems the galley has jump up right on the talon. Thanks to the skilled pilot the galley fails to ram the great ship but they still clash side to side. Both sides send a swarm of hooks, ropes, and spear tipped planks between them. The boarding would begin in earnest soon.
You spy Jack using his impressive agility to leap clear across the gulf with a few others and the many grappling lines. As he and his team disappear into the thick of the enemy ship arrows fly from both at each other. Godun's among them.
Zatsa nods at what Godun has said but does not respond, she hasn't the time before the ships nearly collide and the boarding is all but ready to begin.
Zatsa manages to roll with the sudden impacts and dodges the rain of projectiles that litter down on the deck without a problem. A dancers skill serving her well in this case. That's when she hears it, a sound no one could mistake or forget once heard. The sickening dreadful animalistic laughter of gnolls. You weren't just dealing with Okeno slavers and pirates, you were dealing with a ship full of gnolls.
No sooner does it seem that they are heard when they are seen. A pack of gnolls made its way on the deck and charged toward your position, lucky Godun had not been the only one to join you. You had a repelling team of veteran sailors around you ready to meet the onslaught. Only the gnoll pack met Jax's team, their boarding pikes meeting the charge. Impaling a number of gnolls, yet the tide of flesh broke through in what gaps they could find. They kept on towards you even as their fellows were killed and engaged behind them. Suddenly Godun screams out while drawing his twin short swords.
"Come and get some you dogs! I'll shave the lot of you! Ha!
If you didn't know better you would think the gnolls had somehow gotten more enraged after that as they draw down on you.
Zatsa waves her scimitar about as she begins the familiar steps to her favorite battle dance. Twisting and weaving in place, Zatsa's arms begin to waves about as arcane words pour from her mouth, with a flourish and a final word that sounds almost songlike, Zatsa points at the charging group of Gnolls. As she does so a 10 foot square of Grease appears under the gnolls, Zatsa aims it to try and hit as many of them as possible.
Also how many Gnolls are approaching us?
The pack does not even seem to care as they charge forward. To their instant regret as a number of them slip on Zatsa's spell. One slides right at your feet while those that stay upright and others on their back lash out around you. Godun does not miss a beat and is already impaling a downed gnoll as other crewmembers are attempting the same. Your hesitation cost you as the gnoll rises to his feet while taking an awkward swing of his ax. Your reflexes save you and he misses as you move out of the way.
Zatsa smiles grimly that her spell seems to have worked to some degree. She brings her blade down in a wicked arc as the Gnoll rises to his feet while simultaneously ducking her head to avoid the swing of its axe.
Confident her foe is all but defeated she turns and swings her blade at the nearest foe, this time slapping at her new target with the flat of her blade.
She gives a primal scream as she waves the blade about threateningly, promising more pain to her foe.
The deck is in chaos with fighting going on all around you. Arrows rain from above seemingly at random and teams seem to be a jumble of fighting with a few islands of cooperation. Zatsa for her part manages to slay one gnoll before it fully rises and strikes another with the flat of her blade to the head. Knocking it out cold while screaming out like an oversized Godun. Who is himself nearby taunting gnolls while cutting the knees out from under them, a devilish halfling grin as he whirls around between his twin blades.
It is from this scene a lean well dressed human man comes from. Considering he had been made way for by the gnolls and they did not attack him, it was an apparent ally of theirs and your enemy. His cold blue eyes look on you, the dark metal spear he had been leaning against his shoulder came down into an open palm. It's point towards you, yet before he could take a stance or step an ax came for his head. Jax's team had made it to the newest group of gnolls and the man himself was going for the newcomer. Only his ax met the spear shaft. The unknown man's expression had not shifted in the least but his eyes and interest had. Jax's second ax came again for the man's head. Retreating a step he smoothly changed the angle of his spear to again block the strike.
Before you could see much more you were interrupted by another gnoll. A better equipped one this time. His own spear coming at you, yet again you managed to dodge the strike.
Zatsa swallows back her momentary worry for Jax with the well practiced ease of a warrior. Turning to face her new opponent, she twirls to the side while slapping at his spear with the flat of her blade, turning it aside. She then twists her wrist and brings the sword around for another blow towards this new Gnoll's head.
''Feel the burn of Sarenrae's might!'' Zatsa cries as her blade flies towards the Gnoll's face.
Zatsa spares half a second to glance quickly at how Jax's fight is going.
Zatsa's strike lands true and her actions if not her words unnerve the gnoll. But having survived and lived among savagery unknown to the civilized folk of Andoran gave him the resolve to face fear head on. His spear seeks a break in her defenses and finds one. Be it her distraction over Jax, skill, or just luck a solid blow lands deep.
A moment before the breath is driven from her lungs by a spear strike. Zatsa sees Jax attempting to strike the all to calm slaver. His ax blows were savage but precise, most other opponents would be hard press to deal with the experienced sea dogs relentless attacks. Yet this man spun and deflected with his spear all too smoothly it seemed. Nothing could get past the wall his spear created as it pushed aside everything that got to close.
Hopping backwards a short distance to give her a bit of room, Zatsa flickers her wrist and a wand flies from the sheath hidden up her sleeve, its small springs propelling the wand into her hand.
Muttering a few words and pointing the wand against her wounds, she sighs as blue light springs from the tip of her wand and flows into her wound.
The gnoll chases you while driving his spear your way only to fall short, into the deck. Apparently, his courage was not as strong as his survival instincts.
While Jax is still swinging away at the cold stranger with little results until finally, he breaches the wall of spear. Knicking the cheek of his enemy, leaving a small gash. In the blink of an eye, the man lashes out with the business end of his weapon. In a blurring series of thrust, Jax has three large holes blasted out of his body. The man follows through with a spinning kick that sends Jax's fading body to the side, where it remains down and lifeless. As the man stands, still with a blank face, the minor wound begins to heal over. He scans for another opponent among the chaos.