Musing a moment and pursing his lips "Aye... that'd do - ken ye make sure tha rest aught steer clear nei matters what they hears eh?"
Seeing his input is unappreciated by Zossrov the thug scowls and lumbers back to where Dingus is loitering;
"Hur. They's all gettin' buckled about Zossrov gettin' all 'owly like. I reckon's it's the scaly ones they needs to worry 'bout like! Hur-hur-hur!"
The thug emits a hacking chuckle as his hatchet tries to engage Richard in a staring competition...
Musing a moment and pursing his lips "Aye... that'd do - ken ye make sure tha rest aught steer clear nei matters what they hears eh?"
"And what might they hear?" the captain asks Zossrov directly.
The elf fidgets, rubbing his arm and averting his eyes. "I'm just feeling some of the aftereffects of the Hawana madness. I'd feel safer penned up tonight is all."
It's pretty evident that this isn't the real story, but the captain defers to Dibbets and retrieves the key to the brig. "It's the cage in the hold."
With the key in hand, Dibbets leads the way out. Zossrov asks Jim to help him down with a conspiratorial nod. As the trio exit and move to the hatch, Zossrov shakes and shouts about his headache and lets loose a couple low "Hawanas".
Down in the hull, there lingers a stink of carrion and mildew. Dibbets locates the cage bolted to a bulkhead. Zossrov steps in and sits on the floor with nothing but his clothes and a water skin. He gazes at the floor looking forlorn.
"Cap'n, do you have any shackles? Might be useful to keep him in one place, hey?"
Once below, the Taldan eyes the cage skeptically. "Zossrov, try to keep control of yourself when the change comes on. Kaul, got any ideas how to reinforce the cage in case he gets frisky?"
"Manacles?" the captain scoffs. "This isn't a slaver. We've got plenty of rope though."
"I should hope so, hey?"
"Zoss, let us tie your hands behind your back, so you won't be able to bite the ropes once you've changed."
Resigned, the gunner remains seated and turns to face the opposite direction allowing his hands and arms to be tied. Given previous experience with weresharks, they appeared to be slightly more muscular than Kaul. There is a possibility one could burst out of a rope, but a remote one.
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Dingus surveys the scene from behind, and when the others look at him he's holding out his anchoring rod with a conniving smile on his face.
Dibbets sets himself down on the in front of the cage with a wet smack, clearly looking to set himself up for the duration. He adds to Jim's words "We's here Zoss, nei matter what happens eh?"
The swarthy half-elf remains still, his head bowed and long, lank black hear covering his face. "It was the sea devils that cursed us, Anatoli and me. Poor Anatoli, terrible way to die. At least he's not suffering anymore. Bosun nearly killed me once when I changed. Remember that island with the turtle and the mad knight. Maybe I'd be better off if he had. Every time I change now, my soul gets darker and Da-, the sea devils' god, claims a little more of my soul. Is there anything to do before it's too late?"
Jim shakes his head. "Nothing I know of. Once we're back to Freeport we can ask Tarmon, though. Mayhap he knows some lore that would cure you."
Kaul sidles up to where Dingus stands proudly presenting his rod;
"Hur... Did Ol' Kauly 'ere 'is name mentioned? Bo-sun? Me an' Lopps will give ye a swift mercy iffin' ye wish it Zoss... Better de-cap-it-ated, than a sharker says we!"
His axe head nods sagely in agreement as the thug flashes a leering grin...
Zossrov glares at Kaul. "Too late now. The Devourer has laid a claim to my soul. Can't say I was ever the charitable type, but then I wasn't interested in being a Sarenite. I was hoping for a place in Besmara's fleet, now I'm looking at all eternity swimming around some dark sea in the Pit getting devoured by assorted demon fish!"
Dibbs keeps a level measured edge to his voice as he addresses Zoss "Ain't nei bastard that has lien on yer soul but yersel Zoss... feckers both up n' down couldnae gi a sh1te bout what goes on 'ere. Ye've got a daubin inna blackness, thas fer sure... but what ye does frae now is in yer court. Turnin hangdog an downtrodden's fer silk shirt wearin wankers. Ye stick wi' us, we'll see yer through savvy? - straight edge like or dyin tryin."
Zoss shakes his head. "Wish I had a straight shot, Dibbets. But the moon betrays me. The stain will grow each month unless the curse is lifted. "
Rubbing at his blackened stump where once a rent and broken leg protruded Dibbets eyes get misty and distant "I been bit too Zoss, burned out tha stain wi' tha Sky-Lord's incandescent indifference... Me an Dajobas are circlin each other inna fightin pit... bloodied, rent an tiring... but feck me iffin a reckonin ain't inna offin" raising his head to get eye contact with the forlorn "An I ain't fer gettin the arse savvy? We'll see tae it's bind on ye, then we'll see tae that reckonin aye?"
Zossrov gazes at Dibbets with appreciation. "I do thank you all for the watch. If anyone can help me it is you. We've been in dire circumstances before; what we saw in the Black Coral alone. I guess all we can do now is wait."
The day closes and as soon as the sun is sinking into the sea, the pale moon rises on the opposite horizon. In the hold, the afflicted senses the silvery orb. Zossrov grows restless, jerking in the ropes, and glowering at his mates. He suddenly shrieks in rage, his gaping mouth revealing rows of pointed teeth emerging from his contorted maw. His eyes shrink and darken to soulless black marbles and his muscles swell as he strains against the ropes. At least the hempen bonds hold for now.
After hearing Zossrov's shrieks, Corliss pokes his head belowdecks to take a rather horrified look at the affected crewman. He confirms to his mates that he hasn't the power to remove such a curse...and whispers that he fears few priests in the whole of the Shackles can deal with lycanthropy.
Dibbs rouses from lassitude into attentive observance as not-Zoss emerges from within his crewmate. Eyes narrowing he addresses the beast "Well hello Toothy... ye gots words or are ye jus show?"
The transformation completed, the dark half-elf has become a pale gray creature with rough skin and a wide blunt face dominated by the gaping mouth filled with serrated teeth. The creature watches the entering priest hungrily.
At Dibbets' query, the lycanthrope rises to its feet and presses against the bars. "I got a request, shove the priest there against the bars so i can have a little taste..." He cackles loudly as he grates the rows of teeth against the metal bars.
Chuckling darkly Dibbs doesn't stir from recumbence "Ye ain't much inna way fer makin demands now eh? Less be civil like, I be Dibbets..."
Kaul lurks in the background, somewhat beguiled by sheer malevolent quality of the transformation.
He leans a battered ear to his hatchet, and nods sagely, whispering as a reply;
"Hur. Yer right Lopps. Skinny little 'alf longear becomes that. Reckon Ol' Kauly would be present 'imself even more be-lligerent like."
The thug grins;
"Hur. Ye want a taste sharky? How 'bout we go bite fir bite..."
"Leave him be--come morning, he'l be Zoss again. I'm for some shuteye. Wake me if he gets overly frisky, hey?" Jim finds a convenient flat spot to lay down.
"I know who you are, Dibbets. I'm still Zossrov, just better... and hungrier... How about letting me out of here so I can take your other leg, maybe an arm, and your heart for desert. Same for you, bosun, Set me free." Jim can see there's likely to be nothing, but shark baiting ahead so he finds a spot nearby to rest. The wereshark continues working at the knotted rope binding his arms.
Dingus prepares to go to bed.
"Maybe tomorrow we'll use the anchoring rod. Just lay it on top of his bound body, so he can't get up and cause trouble".
Dibbs scoffs and shakes his head "Intrestin, more a delusion than a possession like. Toothy's a conniduit anna a source but 'e ain't squished out tha Zoss we know... yet like at least. I'll stan watch lads, ye knows I dinnae get tired tha way ye does." addressin Toothy with a raised eyebrow and a cock-headed look "I'd offer a game 'o cribbage... but ye'd probly jus eat tha cards eh?"
Dibbets keeps watching as the Zoss-shark keeps cursing him and struggling. Above the northbound ship, the full moon rises to zenith. With an impressive effort, the shark-man-elf breaks the stretched ropes and grabs the cage door, shaking it in rage. Despite the momentary alarm, it becomes evident that the creature isn't strong enough to bend or break down the tempered iron bars.
The sound of the cage-rage brings Kaul circling back to where the sharker is being held.
"Evenin' Dibbs. Our guest gettin' a might fiesty-like eh? Ye want tae take a break? Stretch yer leg? Hur?"
The burly thug flashes a disarming grin;
"Me an' Lopps'll keep our beadies on Zoss like..."
Smirking wanly at Kaul's words the filthy hobbit replies "Nei need fer a break matey, but yer welcomes tae join. Reckon Toothy's buckled in nice an tight fer tha night."
The Zoss-shark ignores the interchange and continues to vent his rage on the cage, pounding and biting the metal bars. After a couple hours, hefinally wears himself out and sits silently, glowering at his captors. As the moon above sinks to the horizon, the lycanthrope finally falls over asleep and the obvious shark-like features meld into Zossrov's familiar form again.
Jim straightens up from his slumber, yawning and stretching. "How's our shark-boy doing? He looks like himself again--we'll have to watch him close-like, though."
Dibbs looks up a mite bleary from his recumbent observance "Nei need tae watch 'im close like eh? Jus set 'im on edge like, Toothy bugger ain't had truck fer subtle-like so we'll be inna know iffin it's oot. Jus need him secure like agin afore tha moon rise I reckons."
If left alone, Zossrov sleeps until mid-day before blearily rising. He complains that he is hungry and his teeth hurt.
Dibbets spends a bit of time above with the wind to refresh, but makes sure he's around when Zoss rouses. He assures the mate that nothing untoward occurred... before seeking some shuteye.
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As if on que, Dingus shows up with a tray from the galley for Dibbets, and Zoss.
"Wakey! Wakey! Hard tack and... Gruley".
Corliss, too, peeks in on the back-to-normal sailor, muttering that he'll ask around for a potential cure once the ship's docked in Freeport. Then he makes himself scarce again, still quite certain that he's indeed delicious and needs to be as far from the wereshark as possible.
Zossrov looks appreciative when Dingus shows up on cue. Much friendlier than the stinkeye he gave the peeking priest a few moments before. He asks to be released from the cage and eats with gusto despite the meager fare. Soon after, Jim stops below decks to tell the others that the ship is approaching the reefs surrounding the Serpent's Teeth that ward the entrance to Freeport's sheltered harbor.
They follow back up to the weather deck with only a few curious looks as Zossrov appears. Everyone is on deck or in the sheets to guide the Black Dragon back to her berth or prepare for the end of the voyage. Even Jacint, who has been in near hiding appears at the bow eager to be home.
There is little time to make plans for what to do once the crew disembarks at the moment though, as everyone has work to do. Dibbets and Syncopit share the dragon-nest looking for trouble ahead. Jim and Kaul are relaying orders and keeping an eye on the lines and sails. Dingus is sent to help clean the galley and Corliss to make sure the sick bay is in order.
Anticipation grows aboard the Black Dragon as she passes first through the reef passages, then around T'wik Island and Milton's Lighthouse on past the Hulks to approach the Admiralty docks. Once safely moored, Captain Drake calls his guests into his cabin while the crew finish their duties.
"Well, it has certainly been an eventful journey and sadly, now we've got the dead to deal with firstly. I'll notify any kin and see my crews remains off to the Crematorium Depot. Would you like me to take care of your mate, Swabbie Drake, as well? I'll release the elves we recovered to Jacint. I'd say that his family owes you some sort of reward for his rescue and they certainly have the means. I imagine those remains will go to a Pharasmin crypt rather than a pauper's trip to the crematorium."
"I appreciate you handling Zossrov last night. I've a good idea what was ailing him and will just say that the sooner you take care of that the better."
Dibbets nods in purse lipped musing at Drake's words "Aye, iffin ye ken see tae tha Swabbie that'd be 'ppreciated. Indeed we'll be helpin Jacint out wi' his kin... nei trustin that tha bugger'll be off'rin up that colour ye mention wi'out a wee reminder in they faces."
Captain Drake nods. "Very well. See to Jacint and I'll see to the paperwork. The Admiralty has me well trained in that. I'll include the men and women you brought aboard in the crematory detail and then have them report to your ship under... Captain Belinna, was it? If she's half the captain Jim would make, I'm sure she's in capable hands. You might want to give Zossrov some special orders while he's in port."
"It's been a privilege to have you aboard and I think that I can say that you'd be welcome to more formally join the Freeport Admiralty should you wish."
Kaul mugs a mako grin at the invitation;
"Hur. Much ablidged on the invite Cap'n. Alas me an' Lopps got other business to attend to... Mind ye Commodore Kaul got's a certain summit about it eh lads?"
Corliss seems to consider Captain Drake's offer for a while. In the end, though, he merely shakes the man's hand and wishes him and his crew well in their future endeavors.
Well, Corliss ye damned knucklehead, ye've passed on the easier commission. More likely to git killed hangin' with these lads...but more likely to go places an' see things with 'em that might jog yer foggy memories. Besides, 'twas the lads what saved ye from that cage, not Drake. They seems a capable bunch. What could possibly go wrong?
Jim shakes his head with a grin. "You're a fine captain, sir. For now I'll stay with this lot, though."
Dibbs wipes a grimy hand on an arguably grimier kilt before proferring it for a shake with Drake before adding "Fair an fowl ye been a Cap'n worth servin. Hope tha Sky Bastard gives ye tail winds n' calm seas till the Drowner takes ye."
Drake smiles, "Well, I figured the offer a long shot. You've got wealth and adventure ahead, I dare say. And far less paperwork. Pleasure, mates." The captain shakes your hands and the crew step back out onto the deck to look for Jacint. It doesn't take long before you find him pleading for some assistance returning the remains of his elf kin to a crew that seems intent on ignoring him.
Kaul lopes over to Jacint wearing a menacing leer;
"Ahoy longears. Ye lookin' fer some 'elp moving them dead bits? Ol' Kauly will lend a claw... Hur."
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Though used to the sea by now, Dingus is still happy to be on dry land. He proves this by finding a semi-grassed spot near the docks, and slithering around on it like a molting snake, his face in a permanent grin. He waves as the erstwhile captain takes his leave.
"Tally Ho! and smooth seas".
Jacint gives a nervous smile at the disconcerting half-orc. "Thank you. I'll procure a cart if you wouldn't mind carrying the coffins down off the ship."
By the time Dingus finishes writhing in the grass, a cart has been loaded and the horse begins clopping through the wharf side crowds toward the Merchant District.