"Try not to bring any other diseases with you. Any idea where the captain left those passenger?" She seems concerned. "Hard decision to do something like that...I wouldn't want to have to make it."
David scowls.
"There were other options," he says.
"The boat could have easily been towed at about a fathom behind the ship, no worries - but we aren't the captain," he says darkly.
He shakes his head and looks up at the lady.
"My apologies," he says tipping his hand to his forelock.
The bard shrugs, giving Adriel a grin. "You're more than welcome to carry me." She puts the back of her hand to her forehead, face relaxing as if she may faint. "Oh- gentlemen, I feel so light-headed... Oh, please, I can barely stand up...."
Astrianna pretends as if she is going to fall, but catches herself at the last moment and springs up near the door, laughing. "Bladedancer is right, we're on a time-table. Is everything square, Hielica?"
"Dilute this 4 parts water to one gallon. You wash the inside of that ship good now you hear. Where they slept, where the walked...get the whole damn ship."David perks up at this information.
"Is it vinegar?" he asks curiously from his place by the maps, cursing himself that he had forgotten to ask for that staple in curing flues and general cleaning earlier.
"Similar but not quite vinegar, much much stronger."
Responding to Astri, 'Tell the captain he has an IOU that I expect paid on his return trip." In a morbid manner, "Thank him for this weeks future business."
"Similar but not quite vinegar, much much stronger."
He nods.
"Great!" he says somewhat enthusiastically.
"My thanks," he adds.
Responding to Astri, 'Tell the captain he has an IOU that I expect paid on his return trip." In a morbid manner, "Thank him for this weeks future business."
David nods at her.
"No worries, my lady," he says.
Taking his kit over his shoulder he nods at the others and heads out.
The group make it back to the ship without incident. The Hellknights are still sorting through the passengers when you pass. the ship is busy getting crates, barrels, and livestock loaded on to the ship. It's pretty hectic but everyone is buzzing along.
The group make it back to the ship without incident. The Hellknights are still sorting through the passengers when you pass. the ship is busy getting crates, barrels, and livestock loaded on to the ship. It's pretty hectic but everyone is buzzing along.
David brushes past the hellknights without stopping and moves up to the ship and seeks out the captain.
”Ahoy, sir – permission to come aboard?” he calls out.
Striding up the gangplank he greets the gnome.
”I picked up some gear for the ship’s medical bay. Here is a copy of the receipt and the remains of the coin you offered,” he says returning the remainder of the loot to the captain.
”The others have the magic gear you requested,” he adds without a backward glance.
”Begging your pardon, sir,” he says, then goes into the medical bay and stows the supplies.
When he comes out he looks at the captain.
”Is there anything else you need, sir?” he asks, waiting for a response, but not overlong.
Darius relaxes as they begin to board the ship. He slips over to Astrianna and whispers, "So...five nipples you say? I would wager we could have a lot of fun exploring that sort of anatomical quandary," adding a playful wink to his jest.
Astrianna follows the rest of the group back to the ship, climbing up the gangplank with them.
The whole ships hears the laugh that she barks when Darius moves beside her to whisper. She slips an arm around his shoulder and grins.
"Ah, but they're not obvious. I'd bet you three hundred gold you couldn't find all of them in 5 minutes." She jokingly whispers, letting go of him and moving off towards the captain.
"Cap'n, we have the goods. Hielica sends her regards, and has two messages for you:" Astrianna does an impersonation of the old woman, speaking in her voice and copying her mannerisms. "Tell the captain he has an IOU that I expect paid on his return trip." She adds the last part, morbidity and all. "Thank him for this weeks future business." Falling out of character, she clears her throat at the last bit. "That woman has a sixth sense..."
The bard produces the satchel of magical goods. "I believe Sath can use these scrolls. I don't meddle much in druid magic, my training is in the arcane arts."
"Take you up on that bet later," he calls out as she walks away, a sly grin on his face.
Once back aboard, Darius shirks his armor and stows his weapon, and joins the crew in loading the ship as quickly as possible. He was anxious to be out of Cheliax controlled waters.
"After all this, I wouldn't mind a little shopping for something nice and extremely alcoholic."
Once his gear is stowed and the ship is formally ready to go, David moves on to the main deck and watches the others going about their business and doing whatever it is that they wish to do now that the ship is ready.
He considers what he had heard about Sath for a time. Knowing that the young man – er – the young woman preferred to keep her secret safe, he decides that for now he’ll simply ignore say nothing about it.
He observes Darius and sees Astrianna wrap her arm around him and smiles; happy that Darius seems to have found someone eager to hold him.
With little else to do, his gaze roams the ship searching for Embrianna. When he spies her his gray eyes follow her about the ship for a time and simply enjoy watching her move about.
Swinging himself up onto his feet he walks over to her.
”Afternoon,” he says to her, his eyes traveling over her slowly, a small smile on his lips as he examines her gear, nodding his head as he sees that she seems to be healthy and doing well.
”How is Emmy doing?” he says, studying the sleek body of her snake draped gently about her neck.
His gaze rises from the serpent and he looks up into her bewitching eyes.
”I’m not much of an expert on healing animals as I am on humans. But I do know that you care for your friend there, so I picked up a kit used for the healing and tending of animals. If on our journey miss Emmy shows any signs of sickness, let me know and I’ll do what I can to help her,” he tells her.
He reaches into his satchel and removes a small flask.
"It's brandy with the essence of cherry in it," he says, offering it to her, if she'd like it.
As he waits to see if she's interested in the small gift, he looks out to sea, thinking a moment.
”Earlier I suggested to some of the others that when we reach our destination that perhaps we might form a business together,” he adds.
”I would love to have you with us, if you’d be interested?” he asks her.
”I'm asking mainly because I've seen that you have a lot of unique skills; not to mention the fact that when we were in combat you handled yourself very well... I felt that you showed a lot of courage and a good amount of grit,” he says turning back to her.
Then he turns to glance out to the water again.
”Some of the talk has been investing capital in building a small guildhall; or perhaps a series of cottages and a tavern near the beach somewhere so we could be ready to sail, or travel inland – to whatever adventure we might find.”
He looks back at her.
”Would that be something that interests you?” he asks her, genuinely curious to know what she might think of the plan and what her opinions on it are in general.
The ship pushes off shortly after the crew gets back on board. "Raise the Main Sail."
About hour out of port you all are requested to come to the captain's quarters where he gets a quick assessment of what happened in town. He states to organize a cleaning crew to scrub the ship down. "Big with the officer's mess then get in that hold."
Before leaving his cabin he gives you each your share of gold ($3,000), "Well done."
Darius stows the coin away in his pack, and then turns back to the captain. "Sir, now that things have emptied out considerably, are there any particular bunks we will be designated to?"
The elf pockets his share of the coin, then laughs, Coin in these amounts will surely burn holes in pockets aboard a ship, how much gambling goes on at night I wonder. You, my dear Songbird, could make an even higher sum if you take musical requests.
His ears perk up when the mention of proper sleeping allocation is mentioned. Then he remembered the disfunction today.
When time permits, Darius, I think some training amongst ourselves and the crew would be appropriate. Our collective flight from Westcrown has put a glut of Caster's aboard, more than this ship has seen at any single time. Do you agree captain? Barring Darius, everyone he has talent in magic. Perhaps a few demonstrations to the crew and drills to coordinate would be appropriate? The men seemed as surprised as the enemy did when Rose started putting people to sleep and my fire appeared on the sails. Eyes Talents for druidic magic could be just as beneficial. P
Once back aboard the ship, Sath finds a quiet place to sit down and cast the Remove Disease scroll she traded for with the old woman.
"Damn her eyes!" Sath thinks to herself when she recalls how the old woman had revealed Sath's secret so casually to her travelling companions.
Darius nods at Adriel's request to train the troops. "Aye, if you are fine with it, Captain, I could begin training men as you requested, now that we are back to sea."
Astrianna gleefully takes the payment, part of her wishing they would turn around so she could go spend it all, and the other part reminding herself that she would be in Cheliax.
Putting the sack of coinage into her haversack, the bard comments on the discussion. "Some training on cooperation and proper ways to conduct onesself would be extremely beneficial. Particularly, everyone needs a lesson why you shouldn't blurt out sensitive information to strangers, and how not to appear like a buffoon in front of an armed gang."
Having held her tongue for a day or two on the matter, Sath decided it was time to make a point to the pushy bard.
"Indeed, perhaps we could also go over when it is better to NOT lie, badly, to people and thus make a situation worse than it needs to be..."
"I certainly wouldn't mine watching what you fellows can do. I will sit out of the training sessions myself though. Wouldn't be much of a training session if you guys kept falling asleep during it. I am certainly not going to cast the couple fire spells I know aboard my own ship. If you get injured during any of your sessions though, I can demonstrate my healing spell."
"As for the discussion with the lady, I certainly was not going to misinform a healer what kind of problems she was going to have to deal with. She would learn the truth of it soon enough as she dealt with it and then the Captain's relationship with her could be damaged."
"Emmy is doing fine, thank you for thinking to pick up a healing kit for animals as well."
Bri will accept the flask and take a drink from it before passing it back to him to share.
"Whether or not I am interested in any ventures will have to be decided when some more details are finalized. I can't imagine myself spending any length of time stuck on land, so any plans that would include that just would not appeal to me. I'd still have to be getting in a good amount of sea travel."
Darius watches the brewing cat fight with a silent glee, though he could not help expressing a bit of shock at the sudden outburst from the typically reserved Sath.
Weeeell. Looks like the sneak has a bit of spunk to her! How interesting...
Astrianna is surprised at Sath's sudden backbone, but she meets the druid head-on. "Oh? So drawing your weapon, waving it around in people's faces, and then herding them out of the hold like cattle to the butcher's block is a better way to handle a sensitive situation? Please Sath, tell me about the prestigious training you received at one of the finest bardic colleges in the world, whose focus is on communicating with people." She has drawn herself up to her full height, shoulders set and chest out. Emerald eyes smolder with a heat that is only a fraction of its full available fury.
Adriel is glad for the rise here, on the ship. These issues are exactly what I am referring to. Everyone here has unique skills which need to be understood and rules and boundaries established. I have no issue with Darius. I know how he fights and today he showed he understood group position without needing to be told. The rest of you however. ..Songbird, your talent's as a diplomat are apparent, but you are not a front line fighter, so a warrior forms the point of the arrow. If we are doing a recon mission I have no doubt I should go scout. I can move quieter than the rest of you and have multiple invisibility spells. Plus I can hold my own while you all catch up if I get in trouble.
There are multiple patrol forms: Line Abreast, Arrowhead, Box and Single File each carrying it's own pro's and cons for battle.
All this needs practice. Sawbones, you and I have not conversed much but I recognize when a man can use a sword. So even though you needed prompting, the bodyguard role was a good one.
The elf was glad he had said his piece, circumstances dictated he was going to work with these people. Perhaps the fighter and he could get them working. Not that he cared if they died, but he was a sellsword. He needed COMPETENT allies in a fight.
The elf does regain his mirth, Keep in mind, not ALL of this has to be worked out tonight. In fact I suggest we enjoy what we can of the remains of the day and evening. No one is going to wish to work as a team if we are at each other's throats. I highly recommend drink, song dancing, that Songbird and Rose take Darius and I up on that ride in one form or another and perhaps even an embarrassing good morning with promises to never speak of an irresponsible night.
The elf does seem quite full of himself. Back to normal.
Astrianna turns her gaze to Adriel. "I know how to use a mundane sword just as well as you do, Bladedancer. I can become invisible too, and I've experienced my share of skullduggery. I make for a fine scout, sniper, and I can perform illusions. I can do just about anything the rest of you can do- I'm not going to be the doll in the box that's brought out to flash her t#+~ at a guard so someone else can bowl him over. I'll sap the back of his skull myself." Astrianna is clearly getting defensive about even the most inconsequential slight towards her.
"I care not where you learned to lie, only that you choose to do so in a situation where the truth was a better option, and to make matters worse, not only did you lie but you did so poorly- how proud would your bardic instructors have been of that performance? It was your lies that scared the people in the hold to the point where I needed to draw a weapon to get those sick people out of there- I accept that drawing a weapon was a bad but necessary choice, now you need to accept that it was your error that necessitated that choice."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Embrianna sigh and looks over at Adriel. "Well, I guess it is up to me then to flash my t+&% at guards when needed. Do we need to work that into the training sessions as well?"
Astrianna turns her gaze to Adriel. "I know how to use a mundane sword just as well as you do, Bladedancer. I can become invisible too, and I've experienced my share of skullduggery. I make for a fine scout, sniper, and I can perform illusions. I can do just about anything the rest of you can do- I'm not going to be the doll in the box that's brought out to flash her t%$* at a guard so someone else can bowl him over. I'll sap the back of his skull myself." Astrianna is clearly getting defensive about even the most inconsequential slight towards her.
The elf positively beams at her response.
I never suggested you couldn't use a sword. I said your gift in social circumstances was worth protecting. The fact people would perceive you as a pair of t!+s is a huge advantage when you are so much more than you appear. It's a man's world and your perceived weakness is a weapon. I simply recognize that as well as you. As for using a blade as well as I, THAT is a boast I do not believe you can come close to backing up. A duel later? Loser must perform a service for the winner.| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Embrianna sigh and looks over at Adriel. "Well, I guess it is up to me then to flash my t$@+ at guards when needed. Do we need to work that into the training sessions as well?"
Absolutely, Dear Rose. I am glad to see someone prepared to be a team player and of course I will help you practice. Away from prying eyes of course. I would not have your sacrifice besmerch your honor.
The elf bows low.
As the conversation continues it's downward spiral, Darius speaks up finally, "Ladies, gentlemen, I believe that the captain could frankly not give two s++%s about our personal squabbles as long as it doesn't interfere with the running of the ship. If there is nothing more, sir, I believe this discussion is best held elsewhere."
He gestures towards the door, and ushers everyone out. Whether the debate continued or settled, he cared not. He just didn't want to get stuck doing some s#&! task due to other people's bickering and pissing off the captain.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Sath turns to the elven braggart and simply states, "You are a thoroughly unlikeable man, with far too much conceit of his own abilities- what you believe to be charm on your part actually comes across as blatant overcompensation for some flaw or lack you possess."
After saying this, she simply raises her eyebrow and stares at him with a smirk.
She then follows Darius out the door, to leave the captain to his own duties.
"I care not where you learned to lie, only that you choose to do so in a situation where the truth was a better option, and to make matters worse, not only did you lie but you did so poorly- how proud would your bardic instructors have been of that performance? It was your lies that scared the people in the hold to the point where I needed to draw a weapon to get those sick people out of there- I accept that drawing a weapon was a bad but necessary choice, now you need to accept that it was your error that necessitated that choice."
Astrianna scoffs at Sath, giving her a dismissive gesture. "Poor form, Sath, I distinctly heard you say in the hold that it was necessary to lie to them due to "human nature." At that moment you agreed it was the best course of action despite its failure. As for my performance- it was delivered perfectly, but I did not know the family had been in the hold since ship launch. It was a lack of information that ruined my plan, not my own skill. I had the situation well in hand before you drew your sword and frightened them further."
Never suggested you couldn't use a sword. I said your gift in social circumstances was worth protecting. The fact people would perceive you as a pair of t!+s is a huge advantage when you are so much more than you appear. It's a man's world and your perceived weakness is a weapon. I simply recognize that as well as you. As for using a blade as well as I, THAT is a boast I do not believe you can come close to backing up. A duel later? Loser must perform a service for the winner.
She quirks a brow at Adriel. "We can duel, but I believe I"m as good as you. No sane gambler would take such odds with a pot so vague. I'll need a buckler though, my last one met an unfortunate end in a rust monster's maw... In any case, I believe we should all train with each other. I have little experience fighting opponents with reach weapons, for example, and would like to spar with Darius."
As the conversation continues it's downward spiral, Darius speaks up finally, "Ladies, gentlemen, I believe that the captain could frankly not give two s!*+s about our personal squabbles as long as it doesn't interfere with the running of the ship. If there is nothing more, sir, I believe this discussion is best held elsewhere."
He gestures towards the door, and ushers everyone out. Whether the debate continued or settled, he cared not. He just didn't want to get stuck doing some s@!$ task due to other people's bickering and pissing off the captain.
Astrianna sighs and throws her hands up. "Fine. You're right. We'll finish our discussion later." She stalks out after Sath, turning sharply and bee-lining to the mess to make some coffee.
Hearing the bard throw her words back at her gave Sath pause for a moment "Is this woman truly that stunned?" she thought to herself.
"I was simply trying to lessen the damage done by your lies- clearly had you kept your mouth shut, I would not have needed to lie to them myself. But by all means believe yourself to be in the right- you clearly seem incapable of admitting (even to yourself, I would wager) that you could be wrong."
Astrianna laughs, giving the druid a confused look. "So you lied to try and cover for my lie which you believe was wrong, but later lied yourself anyway? If I had kept my mouth shut they would have freaked out when you told them those people were sick! I suppose then you couldn't tell me how wrong I was, then, so it worked out in your favor, hmm?"
The bard heads for the mess, sighing. "I need some coffee, if you want to keep bickering you can join me for a cup and we can start throwing utensils or get into a fistfight or whatever."
Then for now, let us defer to brother Darius' wisdom and take our discussions outside. Captain.
The elf bows and heads for the door, pausing in front of Salt before walking out.
You have me figured out completely good 'Lady', I am a battered, flawed and Scarred creature, but if you'll only make the effort to tear down my walls of charm and overconfidence you'll come to learn HOW I became so. Were I so genuinely full of honesty like you, that I could present myself to the world as I truly am. One day perhaps you'll get close enough to see the scared inner child. Till then perhaps you could try a bodice? I found you thoroughly uninteresting before, but now? Now I am curious.
With that he finishes and walks out and waits for Embrianna.
Forgive me dear Rose, it seems I have frightened off the Songbird with a bet. As one of my only 2 friends on this vessel I implore you to expound my good intentions to her, for I fer my playfulness has been mistaken for vanity. For now I go to find a proper bunk, hopefully near yours so that I may linger near a beautiful mind who understands the depth of the mysteries our gifts both bless and curse us with. I will see you later, do not let our surly allies ruin YOUR wonderful demeanor.
He will kiss her hand if allowed and take his leave.
Well, at least this ship isn't going to be boring."
After the singer and the newly discover female part their separate ways, Bri takes her own leave of the cabin area and goes out on the deck to find some busy work to do. I'm sure there are some ropes needing mending or rigging needing tending to around here.
As she exits, she runs into Adriel. "I doubt it is any bet that has Astri frightened off. I think she just needed a few moments alone to allow herself to calm down a bit, otherwise there might be some very real fighting going on about this ship."
"And thanks for reminding me about the bunks, I will need to go pick myself out one as well now I suppose. Eventually the weather will turn and I won't want to be sleeping out on the deck all the time. As for whether or not it will be near yours, we will just have to wait and see what is available. Might not get much choice in the matter."
Bri will allow him to kiss her hand before he leaves. Bigger flirt than most women I know, but still, getting attention is always nice and it will be a long voyage...
Darius does his very, VERY best to try and not make a joke out of Astrianna's request to spar, but even so, can't help himself.
"As I told the captain, I am willing to train with any of the crew when off duty. Though, some may require more one-on-one interaction than others."
Realizing he had still included sexual innuendo in his statement, he adds quickly, "With weapons, mind you!"
Realizing he had already made the joke, he shrugs, chuckles, and rolls with it. "Though by now I'm sure you are aware I'm not against other methods of exercise. Ha!"
After they have left the captain's quarters, Sath turns to Hawkins,
"I'm sorry I never mentioned it earlier, but I actually have a veterinarian's kit you could use, if needed. I guess now we just have a spare healer's kit and vet's kit as well."
Once back on deck, Sath climbs up into the rigging and just enjoys the wash of the wind through her hair and across her face.
Astrianna groans at Darius, rubbing her forehead. "Yes Darius, I'm sure I'll have trouble handling the length of your "polearm" and will need a "special exercise regime" to prepare myself. We'll just get all of the puns out of the way before I'm caught off guard by "your shaft maneuvers"." She says dryly. "We'll work on your comedy routine while we're at it."
Darius laughs heartily at Astrianna's pun-work, but offers no retort and continues about his duties.
Well...they act like children, not potential officers, glad I didn't speak first. I'll have to think harder on that issue.
When the crowd leaves he shakes his head pours himself a goblet of apple wine which he sips. He thinks about the situation. I need to fill the Chaplain duties...Sath Salblood possesses some divine gifts. that could lift the spirits, but she or he,... He shrugs confused like. She's a bit soft spoken until riled up. She certainly doesn't appreciate the the Songbird." He sighs. I need morale up and a blessing to the sea."
The elf is arrogant...a leader men will follow but his head is bigger than his shoulders. I just can't risk it - yet. He drinks another gulp of wine then stands up and makes his way to the forecastle.
The first mate directs you all to bunk in the crew quarters. It's labeled on the map.
"Sawbones you're down in the far aft cabin on the lower deck. It's a double so you'll have a roommate."
Darius gathers his things and moves to the crew's quarters. As bunks are being picked, he makes sure to choose one of the free bottom bunks. He stores the few things of his that are not in his haversack, namely his breastplate and bow, before turning to the first mate.
"Mr. Todd, sir. Am I needed on deck for duty, or am I on the night shift tonight?"
As Darius speaks the muster bell is rung signaling all crew on deck. The Captain is standing there with his hands behind his back looking over the crew. He waits but it is clear he is timing his crew's response to muster.
Darius rises and heads to the deck immediately. He knew better than to waste time when a muster was called. He once took 5 lashes while aboard the Moon Reaver for being last to respond. He was not about to let that happen again.
Astrianna was going to make some coffee, but she is instead escourted to the bunks by the first mate. I thought we were getting cabins? Are those only for the officers now?
The bard slings her haversack off of her back and onto the bed, stretching and removing her studded leather armor and longsword. Now it's time for... dammnit.
The muster bell interrupts her planning for a stiff drink instead of some coffee, deciding she wanted to relax instead. The half-elf follows Darius outside the crew quarters to join the rest of the crew on deck, though he seems to be moving with much more urgency. Astrianna tips her hat up and looks at the captain curiously. Ah, a test...
The elf had responded to the bell faster than most, an advantage of using light armor was not getting fatigued enough by its weight, that he rarely took it off.
As before, on patrol he shows up looking stern and serious. It was becoming clear his haughtiness disappeared when he was 'on the job'
The head of his jittery familiar darted back and forth at the scrambling crew, unsure what the running meant but the creature was clearly hostile at this moment.
He finds Darius, Drill or we fighting?