"It's Cap'n in front of the crew, hey?" Jim's grin fades as the Groom's words sink in. "Interesting. That's what the sea elf ghost said, wasn't it? We had our own run-in with sea devils, and a shark god priest as well." The Taldan pauses, eying the Groom. "So, I don't know if you're at loose ends, but if you can tear yourself away we could use the help--we're running very shorthanded, as Dibbets has probably told you. Some b@stard star sailor took too damned many of them 'fore we did for it. Including the previous Captain (who would otherwise have wound up spitted or gutted by myself or Kaul, I'll admit). And I could certainly use your counsel and the Queen's blessing if we go a-reaving."
Kaul grunts in pain as the steely jaws snap onto his boot. He hisses at his serpentine companion;
"Dingusss! Keep yer beadies on them doors... There be hunds! I'll be free in a jiff..."
The thug first attempts to ease his leg from the trap...
:
... without success.
"Bollax..."
Keelhaul Kaul-
Dingus-
the Guild
The cacophony of dog howls inside the old manor competes with the strange muttering mob out front and over all a plaintive high pitched voice shouts from upstairs, "Help, help, Constable! Murder, Riot, Mayhem!"
Frustrated at the bear trap's tenacity Kaul attempts, once again,to slide his bloodied leg free;
:
The thug roars in growing anger;
"RAHHHRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!"
the Groom eyes the boat with a stern eye but smiles that creepy smile of his, "Not bad...she lists left, but that seems to be the regular state o'this crew...I like the crossbows...kind a big I guess."
He turns back to Jim, "If you'll have this waterlogged sinner, I am sure I can help steer our Queen's favor our way. Do you have a job in mind on the boat that needs filling?" He gives his oversized crossbow a ratcheting reload, "Morale Officer maybe? He surrenders into a wet laughing cough, but then gets serious, "Thinking on your Taldan roots, what about Marine Commander, for I assume we will be angling for boarding actions? the Groom gives his oversized coat and shrug, "...that or Chaplin...I'm easy."
Now that the situation is more evident Dingus begins to panic. "Hurry Kaul... You don't need a peg leg as well".
Dropping to his knees and looking to see what has captured Kaul, Dingus mutters to himself and sets about helping his friend.
Kaul continues to struggle to pull his leg out of the trap as chaos erupts from the manor and out on the street. Unnoticed at first are two small panels that are pulled back from the ceiling overhead. A pair of crossbow bolts fly out at whatever unseen entity is rattling the bear trap. They hit the invisible intruder, but at a poor angles and are deflected by his chainmail leaving a suspicious splatter of fluid evaporating into the air where it seemingly floats. Dingus feels around for the thug's trapped leg and greases it up.
Out on the street alarm whistles are heard beyond the menacing muttering mob of Dingus' making.
With Dingus' greasy administrations Kaul once again attempts to pull his bitten leg free...
:
... popping it free with the aid of the snakemage's magical lubrication.
The brutal bosun makes a retreat and balefully eyes where the deadly darts came from... then nods to Dingus;
"Whistles mean law-dogs mate... We in this to get bloody or do we scarper? Your call... ain't wantin' ye in the mire for me actions Ding!"
"Another time, another place mate. Let's scamper and let this mob take the fall".
The murderous miscreants quickly scurry back to the ship, Kaul is foiled by halfling tricks once again. The spell has expired by the time they hit the dock though the moonless night and dim lights continue the work of covering them to all but those with orc or dwarf darkvision. Familiar voices are heard aboard as the pair make their way up the gangway.
Kaul casts hard look at Dingus as they trudge back onboard;
"I swear matey... every slip we come across is fair game. Come Hel or high water they all kiss Lopper..."
"Kaul, that you? It's almost your watch, man! Tide's brought us a fine surprise, too."
Kaul scowls then limps past his Captain with a grumble;
"Hurr... Better be a good 'un. I ain't in the best o' humours Cap'n... Damn slips avoided Lopper's kiss again..."
A voice dripping in threat and also sarcasm sounds out, "Sort of the same humors my Mistress was in over that side-talking nut of yours."
Dingus hops lightly along behind Kaul, angry that their quarry had eluded them, then hears a familiar voice. "Groom"! He goes running forward, and leaps the last few feet into his wet arms, almost weeping for joy.
the Groom catches the sorcerer with a splash, "Good to see you too Ding. Watch the tears, I just had the coat washed." Turning to Jim and Dibbets, "Some things still lingering I see.
Kaul initially scowls at the sarcastic voice, then breaks into a hacking laugh of recognition;
"Hur... Groomy! Ye gots me there you sodden basterd...hur-hur-hur!"
The brute bosun claps the shoulder of his returned shipmate with a broad grin, then leans in (not-too-subtle-like) to whisper through the rictus smile;
"Hurrrr. Yer Mistress ain't displeased still wi' Ol'Kauly is she?"
"I'd keep a few of those cigars of yours handy. She might just take them for giving you your old weapons back. Let's just say the quicker she doesn't have weapons in her hands the better, but you know her, the forgiving type." He gives his fingers a waggle with their prominent gap of digits. "Hur-"
First Watch ends and Dibbets and Zossrov relieve the Jims. Stork immediately heads ashore to catch the rest of the crew. The captain is free to disembark or invite his oldest companions to a bit of Redclaw's Reserve in his own quarters.
The next morning, all crew, meager though their numbers are, present in various states of fitness. There is no time for nursing hangovers though as the day is spent getting the ship dry docked and supplies hauled out for a third attempt at patching previous makeshift repairs of damage from neglect and black coral.
By First Watch, the crew is ready to relax with massages, baths, or just rot gut which can all be found in the resort-like town.
Dibbs passes his watch with Zoss in relatively quiet reflection, the surge of emotive high from being re-acquainted with the Groom overtaken again by the recent loss of 'Toly. That said, by the end of the watch and the end of the bottle, he's firmly seen tae the man's memory and slumps to sleep in a half-seated half-collapsed position to snore rested-like.
The next day sees him hard at work at best as he's able - preferring elevation to the decking where he can take some of his weight off his leg. He makes a point to see Kaul during the day to get a run-down of his activities the night before... the depth of his scowl somewhat dependent on how much is shared...
While taking a short break to wipe sweat from his brow, Dibbs is surprised to hear the wind whisper into his ear in rough tones and base humor. Initially taken aback, he focuses on the flow of the air and tracks the source of the voice to a few of the crew at the far end of the ship taking a short break. Vivid and present in amongst the crewmen for a short span he shakes his head and forces himself back into the present and his own mind. Feck me... tha could come in useful like... Skylord's blessin's agin likely... must be why me pegs painin awful like...
Kaul spills enough of the beans to warrant a withering look and grumbled curses from his diminutive shipmate.
Somewhat demurely he displays his trap-bitten shank in a vague effort to gain sympathy from the hungover oracle.
Dibbs surprises Kaul by not offering a withering look nor curse, instead just a mild admonishment "Bugger me matey... iffin ye wanted a looks round ye coulda asked me tae go all misty an float through like... they might be a tad anxious now though what wi' the commotion."
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Jim turns in after his watch, electing to rest rather than carouse for the night. Feck me, I hate this responsibility sh1te. Have to make some time when we hit Freeport, though. A decent brothel where I won't run into any of the crew....
Kaul looks pained at the obviousness of Dibbs' plan and the thug gives himself a couple of frustrated hook taps-to-noggin;
"Feck. That's why I ain't the thinker o' this crew..."
The brute scowls at his belted ax;
"You ain't one fer ideas neither! Just "Lopp" 'em you said...hur..."
Once the majority of the crew have roused themselves or staggered back aboard after a night's revelry, Jim will call any who aren't on watch on deck. "I'll make this quick, as we've all got much to do to make ready to sail. We have a new crew member." He points to the Groom. "My mates and I have known The Groom for quite some time. His wisdom and skill have saved us more times than I care to count, and I'm right glad to have him aboard."
Jim's announcement gets a weak, but trying cheer from the hungover crew. All except Cobb, who circles his chest with the Pharasmin ward and seems nervous under the gaze of the ominously dripping new mate.
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Scowling a bit at the lack of enthusiasm, Dibbs figures that Jimmer's presentation of the Groom lacked a certain je ne sais quois and adds his own flair "Oi! This 'eres a salt that's been kissed by tha Drowner hersel and came back stronger. Wi' him at the tiller an me in tha sheets we'll have both sea and storm on our side an nei tha other. I seen tha cold soggy bastard set men afire wi' jus his word an that feckin monster o' a crossbow on 'is back ain't fer show neither."
"So I knows ye soft arsed and limp cocked bastards are hurtin cos ye cannae handle yer drink an are lookin tae gettin fleeced by tha lice quimmed vixens o'er yonder... but less gi' tha bugger a proper feckin welcome like eh?"
The swabs and riggers put more oomph into the cheer with Dibbets' prompting. The superstitious old carpenter, Cobb, looks a bit faint.
After evening chow, the crew not on duty take their leave, heading off into the city to spend more of their recent gains.
Kaul listens intently to the speeches and thumps his foot to deck with appreciative enthusiasm.
Clearly happy the gang are back together again he limps o'er to join his shipmates for some chow.
"Thanks for the words, mates. Its alright, I don't needs their respect...yet. I just need to know that they know their duty and save their respect for the sea."
In a quiet moment, Dibbs fills both the Groom and Jimmer in on Kaul's nocturnal embarkations. Circumspect like he reasons "Now I'm one fer guttin where guttin's due... but mebbe we should wait till the tub's back in one piece agin eh? Then we's got a quick way tae scarper if we needs."
"Other thing we needs doin is findin some more warm bodies like eh? But agin... probly easier tae convince hands once the tub's patched up good n proper."
Kaul flashes a grin at Groom, then hobbles theatrically to his berth for some rest.
As he goes he grumbles vaguely about "Tum" and " 'ealin''nanas"...
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Dingus prowls about the boat, frequently returning to change one item or another from the chest of clothing, and returning to look at The Groom every now and then to make sure he didn't imagine his return.
The night is uncharacteristically quiet. Though anyone about might find Dingus'accessorizing a little odd or be amused by the fact that the big and little on Guts Watch seem to have matching limps. Dibbets is a bit more consistent about which is the favored leg, however.
Dingus seems to have finally settled on his style selection in time for Morning Watch, but finds that Hinsin has not returned from his night ashore. Zoss steps in, but by the time chow is served and the crew ready to get the repairs done this day, it also becomes evident that Jim Stork hasn't returned either.
With missing crew evident, Kaul lumbers to where his Captain is, fingers early drumming upon the handle of his dread axe;
"Hur... Either they's went an' cut their ties... Or someone's done fer 'em. Either way Jimmer we should aim to blood someone... Hur..."
"And there I was just talkin' bout them knowing their duty and a few take a runner...or is misplacin' crew a common thing with this lot."
"Well, they had more than a few go missing before we took them in hand, but that was due to the starfaring brain-sucker. I'm hoping there's nothing like that here, hey? Bad enough we're near the Siren, and...." His voice trails off. "Where's Jim Stork doss down? RAFE! Get over here, boy, got a job for you." The Taldan looks around at the other Freebooters. "Just a wild thought. Humor me, hey? Don't worry, I'm not about to start going on about the strawberries, or anything like that." Jim goes looking for the nearest appropriate one. "Tell me something--when and where did Jim Stork sign on?"
Jim goes looking for the nearest appropriate one. "Tell me something--when and where did Jim Stork sign on?"
Rafe runs up and stands straight at attention waiting for orders though he looks a bit confused about the mention of strawberries. Lola answers Jim's question. "Well, right here in Plumetown. Not the first time we've been to this port," she cackles.
"How long ago?"
Lola shrigs. "Not that long ago. A couple weeks before the former Captain shot her husband."
Jim nods. "That's what I thought. Rafe, my boy, how's your nose? I need to know what Jim Stork's bunk smells like. And look for anything...odd. You'll know it if you see it."
Rafe rushes back up after a few minutes. "Captain, didn't smell anything, but I was able to jimmy his locker open. It's empty except some of these big black feathers!"
Kaul scowls at the feathers;
"So he's bolted? What's with the feathers... e' ain't got no birdy..."
Jim shows no surprise at Rafe's discovery. "Aye, that's what I thought. Kaul, mate, he doesn't have a bird. He is one, and we've met him before. Remember the Grackle?"