Seeing that Rain is down; Horatio rushes past the enemy with to avoid any attacks to move to Rain's side at Q:14
He uses on Rain...
"Come on lass, wake up! You're not getting out of here that easy!" he says, his voice urgent as he bends over her...
Rain's eyes flutter open and for a moment she is disoriented until she remembers where she is. She can hear fighting and growling and looks up at Flynn's face hovering close to hers. "Thank you", her voice is quiet and hoarse.
She lifts her body up, pain and soreness shooting through her even with Flynn's healing. Adular would have a fair job ahead of him patching her up. The enemy scum hit hard and she had taken a beating more than once; still, she would not let him win. Rain picks up her pike, which dropped out of her hands when she fell in combat, and stands, ready to do battle.
Rain is momentarily caught by surprise at what seems like the grappled Captain of the Valatroika in the jaws of a golden tiger. //Neko?// Her telepathic question goes out to the tigeress.
"Sorry about that lads and ladies."Adular positions himself as best he can to send the healing mists of Besmara over his allies
"Thank you.", her voice is quiet and hoarse.
Horatio's eyes soften as relief floods them.
"No worries," he says, his voice still a bit tight as he looks at her.
"It's alright, take a moment - this bastard's guns are spiked and I think he's near dead..." he adds somewhat encouragingly.
Variel's blows rip through the armor and neatly separate the Captain's spine. He falls limp in Neko's mouth where she shakes him violently before spitting him to the deck with a loud clang.
Horatio moves over and casts his spell on Rain, bringing her around. Opening your eyes Rain, you see a giant gold tigress standing over you with the same markings as Neko. She stays like that for a few more seconds before slowly shrinking down. You see her start licking her fur and hear in your head He...tasted...HORRID!
The crew, seeing their Captain go down, soon follow him, most fight to the death but a few throw down their weapons and surrender.
While you are all getting things organized Adular you hear a sweet feminine voice, heavy with weariness say Adular? Is that you? You see a dirty looking young woman, caked in dirt and sweat, looking back at you from on of the cages on deck. Looking closer, you are floored to discover that it is Belle!
-------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Seijiro, as you are quietly going back to your ship, feeling a bit low at how close you all came to losing, you also hear a familiar sounding voice but this time in Minkai. Lying on the floor of the stuffed cage, is a very old man with hair the exact same shade as yours. He has a festering wound in his side and seems grey but their is no mistaking the keenly intelligent eyes of your father. Musuko, Seijiro. I...have found...you. His eyes flutter and he smiles as he passes out from exhaustion.
Horatio reaches out his hand gently pulls Rain to her feet as his eyes scan the decks.
He nods to Adular and gives him a wide smile, then he turns to Amen-set and waves at her.
Striding to the captain, he searches the body for any keys to the cells; eager to release the prisoners as soon as possible…
As he looks toward them all, he calls out in a loud voice -
"On behalf of the crew of The Dread Lady - today your jailers are dead and you are all free men and women!"
"Any who need healing; know that we will do all that we can to aid you... you have my promise as a Knight of the Rock and a servant of the goddess Milani!" he adds with sincerity.
With Horatio's hand steadying her and the feeling of warmth spreading inside her body and knowing Adular had performed another heal, Rain was still suffering, but she could stand on her own now. She took a step forward, still incredulous at the previous sight of Neko enlarged to the size of a tiger and now returned to her usual form. Through their link, she communicates to her golden cat, //Very well done, my friend. Thank you for protecting me. I am sorry he tasted so bad.// Through the link Rain also sends waves of love and affection toward the cat.
Turning to Flynn, Rain puts her arms around him and gives him a quick, but gentle hug, whispering against his shoulder, "I am glad you are alive. Thank you for all that you did", and then moves slowly over to Variel and embraces him even though the effort hurts her, lingering in his arms. "You felled the Morier. It is good to see you on your feet, Melamin."
Amen-set watches the proceeds with satisfaction.
Seeing that Rain is on her feet and able to move, she slings Horatio’s musket over her shoulder and moves quickly to her sister.
”Senet – you have done well this day!” she says with enthusiasm.
”I honor your skill in battle, but to that skill I am pleased to see more than the simple use of steel. Now I see it is more than simple power that you wield – instead you posses cunning… you used your wits to fool that slaver scum and deceived him into complicity!” she beams.
”I like that, indeed, senet! Anyone can kill; but only a special person can be truly cunning,” she adds with a smile.
Amen-set pats your arm gently.
”Come, then – we must help free these goodly folk. And do you see? The half-blood priest has found a friend – and the Minkai boy seems to have found his father. This is a good day for all!” she adds with complete confidence in everything that has happened.
”All that is missing is that spoony sorcerer… Ha! But do not fear – when we return home I shall tell him off all the excitement he missed. How droll,” she says with an amused smile but a touch of longing in her voice.
|
The captain dropped and it was all Variel could do to not let out a sigh of relief. It would not do to have the crew see him so. Instead Variel hurries over to where Flynn was helping Rain. Once there he tries to take Rain off of Flynn and let her lean on him for support if she needs it. My thanks Horatio. Indeed great thanks for helping her. He is your sword back thanks.
Turning to Rain with a worried look Variel tries to give a small smile to reassure her but the concern is too apparent. Hey I thought I was the one who was suppose to be taking the hits and keeping you safe. I know if we are to be together that we may start acting like each other, but lets not start with this aspect of mine shall we.Variel stops there and just gives Rain an embrace glad she is still with him. Trying to make things a bit better for her he costs prestidigitation to clean her up. Once she is better and more herself, then Variel will finally go about his duties as captain, but not until he is assured that she is ok.
When Amen-set approaches her, Rain gives her little sister a tired smile.
"Thank you, Oselle. Victory is ours and the slaver scum will meet their Fate."
Upon Amen-set's gentle, healing touch, a few more of Rain's open wounds seal close and some relief begins to show on Rain's face.
"You have brought a little more relief to my body with your healing touch, Amen-set. You have my gratitude for that as well as for your assistance in today's combat."
Rain looks from Adular to Jiro upon Amen-set's declarations.
She reaches out and squeezes Amen-set's hand. There is genuine warmth in the gesture.
"Aye, let us go aid these goodly folk."
Rain puts her arms around him and gives him a quick, but gentle hug, whispering against his shoulder, "I am glad you are alive. Thank you for all that you did"
** spoiler omitted **
"Hey, you be careful next time... I don't want to lose you, lass," he adds a bit gruffly, but his gaze is tender.
When she moves to Variel, he steps out of the way and let's them speak, glancing to the corpse of the captain with a cold look.
With Variel's arms around her and his words, Rain takes a moment to just be after the gruelling battle with the Hobgoblin Captain.
At this gentle approach at humour, Rain softly chuckles, but her throat feels parched and dry. "As you fight for me, I fight for you. But next time, let us not take the majority of the blows." There is a small twinkle in her tired, turquoise eyes.
Rain felt the spell restoring her appearance and she smiled. "Thank you. Do not worry, Melamin, I can manage. Go, do what you must, for you are Captain. Amen-set and I will see to the freed slaves. Later, we shall meet and speak again."
My thanks Horatio. Indeed great thanks for helping her. He is your sword back thanks.
"Aye, no worries," he says watching Variel a moment, seeing him covered with blood, his eyes searching over him for any lingering wounds or issues.
Sheathing his sword, he slips the rapier that Seijiro gave him off and hands it back to the kitsune.
"My thanks, Seijiro-san. You have done well today, and have conducted yourself honorably as usual!" he says in a firm and confident voice in front of Seijiro's father, then bows; hoping that the honor shown to Seijiro will please his father.
Seeing that older kitsune is wounded, he reaches out to the elder and places his hand gently on his arm.
As the Variel and Rain embrace, he continues to go about the business of looking for the keys to the cells and doing what he can to free the slaves and offer them support.
"Be comforted; we'll do all we can to help you..." he says then looks across at the other ship, his eyes searching the crew.
"Risa - take a few of the lads and search the rest of the ship; there may be more below who need help," he says quickly to the other members of the crew.
When Flynn had spoken his own words as she hugged him, Rain smiled, "You cannot get rid of me that easy, Flynn." She had noted the tenderness in his eyes and it made her feel a little better. Her body still ached and she would need to find Adular soon for more healing.
Adular is in a bit of a foul mood. by the gods, I will not let myself be so separated from the crew again.
While you are all getting things organized Adular you hear a sweet feminine voice, heavy with weariness say "Adular? Is that you?" You see a dirty looking young woman, caked in dirt and sweat, looking back at you from on of the cages on deck. Looking closer, you are floored to discover that it is Belle!
The mood fades, and he laughs with fondness, "Why Belle! Never thought I'd see ye here of all places! How did that slaving bastard snatch ye up in the first place?"
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Since Dhaavan was not present Variel, after gathering his cutlass, started orchestrating the clean up process of the blood spilled on both ships. He remembered well what happened last time and was not about to make the same mistake twice. As for the freed slaves he would let Flynn and the others deal with them as he knew they would be the focus of their attentions right now. While the other we're doing that, Variel started taking a roll call in his head to see how many people they lost. Hopefully with Adular channeling in the middle of the ship it p kept everyone alive.
The opposing crew Variel got going unloading their ship and moving items to the Lady. The process was long but it had to be done. While that was happening Variel tried to see if any of the crew would join them if they turned over a new leaf, followed him, and stopped slaving.
Diplomacy
Although he did not make much headway with some, perhaps Rain or the others would have better luck.
When Amen-set approaches her, Rain gives her little sister a tired smile.
"You have my gratitude for that as well as for your assistance in today's combat."
"Aye, let us go aid these goodly folk."
Amen-set looks over at your cat; her eyes staring at him as if - once again - all the pieces were fitting together.
"Did you mark your beast? Surely I said to you that is the Keeper of the Dead; it is so! He held the body until his ka was sent to the afterlife to journey to the underworld... "
She turns to the captain and spits on the corpse.
"He is dead, and I am sorry I could not finish him. It seems your lover has the honor of taking his head," she adds a bit enviously.
Hearing your words, she raises her voice to all of the slaves to echo Horatio's thoughts as well as Rain's sentiments.
"Hear me all - we shall do what we can to aid all of you; know that those who have taken you will be utterly destroyed! I too was once a slave; and by the gods I was freed of my bondage by he who calls himself a Knight of Rock. We shall do all we can to aid you - you have my word on it!" she adds with sincerity.
"You cannot get rid of me that easy, Flynn."
He smile a bit as he brushes a stray strand of hair behind his ear.
Moving to work with searching the corpses for keys and attempt to free the slaves, he glances back at her.
"Aye... now that's a hell of a woman," he says with a thoughtful voice as he regards her for a moment.
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The slaves look exhausted and somewhat defeated. Once it begins to set in that you are freeing them, the weeping and sobbing begins. All the pent up emotions of the past weeks for them come to the surface. Children cling to their parents as they thank the gods, and you, for their deliverance from their former fate.
Adular, Belle looks at you with tired eyes before they begin to brim over with tears. Flinging herself at you she begins convulsing with great wracking sobs.
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With Variel's arms around her and his words, Rain takes a moment to just be after the gruelling battle with the Hobgoblin Captain.
At this gentle approach at humour, Rain softly chuckles, but her throat feels parched and dry. "As you fight for me, I fight for you. But next time, let us not take the majority of the blows." There is a small twinkle in her tired, turquoise eyes.
Rain felt the spell restoring her appearance and she smiled. "Thank you. Do not worry, Melamin, I can manage. Go, do what you must, for you are Captain. Amen-set and I will see to the freed slaves. Later, we shall meet and speak again."
I am where I need to be until I know you are ok. I can issue orders from here and make sure they are followed through if need be.but if you insist then I will see you later once we have finished with this ship. Who knows we may be able to bring her to the Rock and master Dhaavan will have the makings of his own fleet if he pays us the 5000 for it.. Once assured she is ok Variel will give her a kiss on the lips and go about his aforementioned tasks.
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When anyone goes searching, you find the men down in the middle deck, chained to their oars. Several bodies dangle from oars here and there but it looks as if they were just left there, chained to the others. When these men are freed they immediately start making their way to their families above. In the hold, you all find several large pallets of beautifully carved ivory.
With Amen-set busily speaking with the freed slaves and doing a fine job with her encouragement and aid, Rain stands beside Variel for a moment and adds her own words to the remaining Valatroika's crew.
She lifts her voice, even though it is still hoarse, it does not deter her. "We do not take well to slavers. But we do know how to treat our crew properly and we serve each other dutifully. If you renounce your evil ways this day, and seek to join the crew aboard the Lady, then your lives will be spared and you shall have the opportunity to redeem yourselves in the eyes of the gods. What say you? Is there any among you with the wisdom to turn away from slavery and sail the seas with us, forging a new path?"
When anyone goes searching, you find the men down in the middle deck, chained to their oars. Several bodies dangle from oars here and there but it looks as if they were just left there, chained to the others. When these men are freed they immediately start making their way to their families above. [/ooc]
I am where I need to be until I know you are ok. I can issue orders from here and make sure they are followed through if need be.but if you insist then I will see you later once we have finished with this ship. Who knows we may be able to bring her to the Rock and master Dhaavan will have the makings of his own fleet if he pays us the 5000 for it.. Once assured she is ok Variel will give her a kiss on the lips and go about his aforementioned tasks.
"For now, I am standing on my feet. There are wounds yet to be healed, I will not lie to you. But they are not deadly, and Adular can provide me with more healing when he is not busy with his acquaintance and other duties." Rain returns the kiss, lingering upon Variel's mouth a moment or two, demonstrating her love, before pulling away and getting on with her own duties. "I will find you once I am done, Var."
Adular, Belle looks at you with tired eyes before they begin to brim over with tears. Flinging herself at you she begins convulsing with great wracking sobs.
Adular puts his arms about her gently, "easy there, easy. Their capn is in hell now. You're safe, Belle. We'll get you a bath and change of clothes, and it'll be alright" He'll guide her to Sandara, "she's a friend o mine, Sandara, and I think she's not the only woman on board with reason to be shaken. Best you take to some of them if you would. Some may not be trusting men..."
Hearing mention of healing . Adular nods , and heads to see what's up with the worst wounded. jiiro's father looks bad.
"thank you, ser Flynn."
"I'll be praying hard tonight to be sure."
"We do not take well to slavers. But we do know how to treat our crew properly and we serve each other dutifully. If you renounce your evil ways this day, and seek to join the crew aboard the Lady, then your lives will be spared and you shall have the opportunity to redeem yourselves in the eyes of the gods. What say you? Is there any among you with the wisdom to turn away from slavery and sail the seas with us, forging a new path?"
"thank you, ser Flynn."
"No worries, padre," he says, wiping the grime off his face.
"I'll have Piper whip up your lass something hot to eat," he says with a weary sigh.
"If you'd like we can see if we got a spare kit for you lass to wear, if she needs one," he adds with a bit of a smile.
Rain returns the kiss, lingering upon Variel's mouth a moment or two, demonstrating her love, before pulling away and getting on with her own duties.
Amen-set's face has turned a slight shade of gray as she hears both Variel and Rain entreat the slavers to join with them and her eyes look shocked and horrified at the prospect as she watches Rain make that declaration as she embraces Variel.
Her head tilts back slightly as her eyes moves to state hard Variel for a moment at his suggestion which it seems Rain is somehow agreeing with?
She looks around for Horatio, hoping that he is nearby and available to offer his aid to the suggestion at letting the abused and tortured people being governed by the very same scum who held them in bondage.
Yet her hatey-a' has gone below.
Seeing that she is alone, she approaches the two of them.
"Your pardon, pilot-major," she says in a formal voice.
"I will not sail with slavers," she adds with a tight voice.
"If you wish to sail with those sorts; I can not sail with them nor any who does..." she says, her voice hard, yet her eyes looking at you entreatingly.
"I say we ask the former slaves tell us which of these bastards deserves to die or get gelded. Might be some of the ladies remember a few none too fondly."
Adular doesn't sound too unhappy about converting some slavers to Eunuchs.
Seijiro, seeing his father, blinks back tears at his condition and fumbles for his tools to open the cage, not waiting for the keys to be found and brought over.
He frees all those in that cage and slips between those exiting to kneel by his father's side. When others come to help, he thanks them in an excited mix of Common and Minkaian... too flustered to properly form his sentences in coherent Common. Still the intent to thank Adular and Flynn for their ministrations is clear.
When Flynn returns his sword, he returns the bow. "I'm glad you could make such good use of it. I only wish it had been the blade to slay the villainous captain of this vessel."
When Adular and Flynn are done treating the older kitsune, he lifts his father and carries him from the cage over to the [i]Dread Lady[i]. He places him reverently in his own hammock in the officer's quarters and speaks softly to him.
"Chichi wa, watashi ga watashi ga shusseki shinakereba naranai gimu ga arimasu. Watashi wa mamonaku ni modorimasu."
Rain watches Amen-set approach and the set of her body and the hardness in her voice make Rain wary of what was coming next.
She begs leave from Variel and gently gestures for Amen-set to follow her to the rail, so they may have some privacy in which to speak. Rain keeps her voice low so as to not be overheard.
"We have lost crew in this encounter, sailors we could not afford to lose. There are two ships we must consider now: the Lady and the Valatroika. I cannot manage to sail two ships back to the Rock without some of the enemy crew joining our ranks and manning the Valatroika. We need sailors, Amen-set. They will hold no authority over the freed slaves, I can assure you. And, if they return to their usual, known ways, I will be the first to put a sword through them, you have my word on it. Perhaps Dhaavan could use these men on the Rock as additional vassals. I do mean to disrespect you or these good folk. I am simply aiding my Captain in this task. You know that Dhaavan would have done the same, if he had sailed with us. I will insist the slaver crew are kept on the Valatroika well away from you, Flynn and the freed people. Will that appease you somewhat?" The battle had taken a toll on her and Rain had not been thinking clearly to remember Amen-set would be against such a recruitment. Rain despised slavers, too, for different reasons. Yet what was she to do when she needed all hands on deck for two ships...She hoped Amen-set would find a way to understand and forgive her.
"I say we ask the former slaves tell us which of these bastards deserves to die or get gelded. Might be some of the ladies remember a few none too fondly."
Adular doesn't sound too unhappy about converting some slavers to Eunuchs.
Horatio nods his head; there is no mirth in his eyes, only sincerity.
Murdering, miserable, raping bastards! They left the gods damned bodies chained to rot right alongside the others. There's not even any bad sense to that!
"Aye," he says with a flat voice.
"Be delicate when you do ask, though - such questions can cause undue trauma on those who have suffered deeply; for it opens old wounds," he adds, thinking a moment.
"Those who are to die; I'd like it quick and clean. Noose is probably the most hygienic; just make sure they're not voiding themselves over the deck when they're dead, that could be messy and unsanitary," he continues with a relatively clinical voice.
As he proceeds to help Adular with Seijiro's father, he pauses a moment to work.
"How would you do it? I mean their executions, if needed? You follow Besmara - the Pirate Queen - I can't think of any fate more goading to a pirate's spirit than being made the slave of another man... never mind the barbarism these folk practiced..." he adds as he continues to work deftly.
"Though I would wager that the most diplomatic way to deal with them is to let the those who the slavers have assaulted cast the first stone," he says, thinking a moment.
"Yet we shall see... for now, we must see to our work. As for the fate of those who survived? If they are very lucky they will be marooned on some island... I know at least one that has a decent water source; a place for crops; a lovely groto and the making's of a fine village... all in all it would be a good place to leave any survivor - assuming they aren't dead in the morning," he adds with a grim voice.
After seeing to his father's comfort and rest, he returns to the Valatroika and begins seeing to the transfer of plunder to the hold of the Dread Lady. Once that is well under way and his direct supervision no longer necessary, he slips away to search the cabin of the captain of the slave vessel.
He is looking not only for valuables, but for manifests, especially any information on how and where the slave vessel acquired his own father as one of their captives.
In conjunction with his search, he will cast a quick detect magic as he scans the cabin.
With talk around her of geldings and retribution killings, Rain's head began to hurt and she swayed a little on her feet. It had been hours since she had a drop of water and she was still wounded. "Please excuse me, I need some water." She left the main group and walked carefully over to the water barrel on the Lady and using the ladle poured some water into her mouth and over her face. With closed eyes she collected herself. There would be much heated argument over the fate of the slaver crewmen and Rain was in short supply of patience and vigour. After regaining some steadiness, Rain walked back across the boarding plank and stood beside Variel on the Valatroika.
"I am simply aiding my Captain in this task."
Amen-set looks at you without expression.
"My Lord Fellwind would not tolerate these scum on his lands - I believe that to be true," she says about Dhaavan, her voice both proud and sincere.
She watches you for a moment, studying your face.
She turns away, thinking a long moment.
"I am sorry for this... but I will not sail with slavers, nor any who would sail with slavers," she says, a tear rolling unnoticed down her cheek.
She watches you turn your back on her and walk over to Variel.
She looks at your decision with genuine pain, then she moves to seek out Horatio and does nothing but stay by his side.
Rain found herself quietly saying to Amen-set, "Maybe one day you shall understand what I was attempting to achieve with my aid to Variel and you will forgive me. I would not see us divided, little sister."
Rain had a different view and opinion of Dhaavan than Amen-set. The girl could defend the sorceror for all she was worth, but Dhaavan often did what was best for him and probably moreso now he was Lord of Windward Isle. What Amen-set could not understand was that Rain was not in the right state to withstand yet another argument at this present time, wounded as she was. Rain kept her counsel and a civil tongue because it was Amen-set. Amen-set was clearly upset about the slavers and Rain did understand her point of view, clearly. Yet, she needed to do the best for all of them and that was a hard and often unpopular business, as she was quickly learning.
If Variel and the others agreed not to hire any of the enemy crew, then Rain would accept and move forward with other matters. Rain's body shook from the severity (and shock) of her wounds and she attempted to hide it from the others as she stood with them.
In conjunction with his search, he will cast a quick detect magic as he scans the cabin.
"Ahem, begging your pardon Mister Seijiro?" says a brisk yet tentative voice from the doorway.
It is Piper.
"The chief wants you to know that he and the chaplain are working as best they can on your dad."
"They reckon that things are going okay, but in the meantime, they asked me to brew up some hot tea; the chief said he reckoned it might help you a bit, you know... a hot beverage being good when you're stressed," she adds awkwardly.
"Anyhow, I'll keep the pot hot for you, if you want some, and I'll fetch it up for your dad, so if when he wakes up he'll have something to drink that's a bit homey," she adds.
Seeing that you're likely stressed about what's going on, she shrugs a bit helplessly.
"Anyhow, the thing is - well... don't worry... they'll have your dad tip-top soon enough and everything will be okay," she adds trying to cheer you up then salutes and leaves you to your duties.
Seijiro gives Piper a brief bow and a little smile.
"Arigato."
Rain returns to the Lady and goes in search of Jiro. When she finds the kitsune, Rain enquires, "I heard that you discovered your father among the slaves. A most unusual happenstance. How is he faring, Jiro?"
"He is healed some, but I'm not sure whether he needs more or just rest now. I am waiting to hear more from Flynn and Adular regarding his condition. He is resting comfortably now though. I thank you for your concern, Rain-san. I fear his presence here means something dire has happened at home, for he was never an adventurous sort, not the type to leave home or leave my mother. I have yet to speak with him though to find out what brought him to the West and how he ended up in the hands of these slavers."
His face remains as impassive as he can maintain it, but the slight scowl of concern reveals his worry about all that is going on.
"I was not surprised to see Variel fall in the combat, he does tend to do that a lot, and always recovers with help and healing, thank the gods... But you are another matter. I was close by, but unable to come to your aid. I am most sorry for that and beg your forgiveness."
Rain found herself quietly saying to Amen-set, "Maybe one day you shall understand what I was attempting to achieve with my aid to Variel and you will forgive me. I would not see us divided, little sister."
Some of this Amen-set would say, and some of it you would know about previous conversations.
My plan is to lay it out back to back easily to make things clear but summed up.
Okay, first: Amen-set has already had a pretty low opinion of Variel because of how he fights.
Her opinion is that he does suicidal things in combat and in general she believes that his suicidal tactics end up causing more damage than good to the bulk of the crew, yet she thinks Variel does almost nothing to modify those tactics.
Amen-set feels that he thinks just because he can kill most enemies in the time it takes a normal person to make one cut with their sword means he confuses his suicidal tendencies with skill.
The fact that he attempted to recruit slavers when he hadn’t found out the facts about how many former slaves were able to work was not logical.
The fact that he – an elf – would recruit from hobgoblins without much concern was unusual (to say the least).
The fact that he would tolerate a diabolist crew; or that he would make bold plans on how to sell their cursed (metaphorically) gear seemed greedy.
The fact that he would try to enlist aid from slavers as opposed to enlisting aid from the freed slaves instead (as Horatio did) seemed foolish to her.
The fact that all he cared more about sailing the ship quickly as opposed to the needs of his “crew” (such as Horatio’s hate for slavers) seemed pretty selfish to her. How would he react if the enemy was a bunch of people who called him bastard, for example?
The fact that he would use slavers on board a ship with the people they had brutalized was either cruel or also foolish.
This is what Amen-set believes.
The fact that Rain is supporting Variel does not make Amen-set happy. She thinks having slaves working with the people they freed is bad policy; someone will fight each other and there will be trouble.
The fact that Rain knows this and still supports Variel when they don’t need slavers to help them – Amen-set simply cannot understand it.
She loves Rain and cares about her deeply, but until this mystery is properly solved in her head, she is now extremely conflicted.
Rain silently ponders what dire circumstance could have taken Jiro's father from his homeland and out on the sea in search of one of his sons ...
"With Flynn and Adular's diligence, your father is in fine hands, Jiro. They will work hard to ensure he improves and grows strong again. I also hope nothing dire has befallen your family in your homeland. If I, or any of the others, can assist you, please let me know."
Noting the scowl and concern on the kitsune's face, Rain watches and waits until Jiro shares with her what else is on his mind.
"It was my decision to goad the Hobgoblin Captain in order to protect Variel and Flynn. And he repaid my undertakings tenfold. So, I cannot blame any other for my actions. But thank you for your concern. Once all the duties this day are complete, I shall find Adular and ask for some healing and then I will find my bed and hope sleep restores my body. I unhappily admit that I have not been hit so hard before. The Valatroika's Captain certainly wanted to see me dead. I thank the gods and all who gave me aid that I live."
** spoiler omitted **
Never said he did anything like that deliberately.
The fact is, I started writing her post before I saw Variel's post. The fact that his post was up first was just coincidence to me.
Her point was that she doesn't understand why he would have bothered to even try to recruit from them.
Why even bother?
The worst thing that happens is that we don't have another ship. Who cares? We leave the slavers on that ship and strip it bare.
Or maybe we sail to the Rock slowly.
Or maybe other things.
The thing is - this is all out-of-game.
Amen-set didn't like that Variel would try to enlist slavers for any reason.
That's how the character is written.
Horatio is the same way.
But I don't want to worry about this in OOC.
And I don't even want to deal with it.
The whole thing is essentially moot until we hear from the GM. For all we know all the slavers are already dead. We know 70 people lived; none of them were slavers.
But it doesn't matter.
Amen-set and Horatio hate slavers. That's how they've always been and I've changed a lot about my character over the past two years; but that's something I'm not going to change about them.
I just don't think compromising a key part of my character backstory is fair simply because some of the players don't care if they sail with diabolical slavers because that in-game that is not a big deal.
Anyway, sorry for talking at length.
"How would you do it? I mean their executions, if needed? You follow Besmara - the Pirate Queen - I can't think of any fate more goading to a pirate's spirit than being made the slave of another man... never mind the barbarism these folk practiced..." he adds as he continues to work deftly.
"Though I would wager that the most diplomatic way to deal with them is to let the those who the slavers have assaulted cast the first stone," he says, thinking a moment.
"Yet we shall see... for now, we must see to our work. As for the fate of those who survived? If they are very lucky they will be marooned on some island... I know at least one that has a decent water source; a place for crops; a lovely groto and the making's of a fine village... all in all it would be a good place to leave any survivor - assuming they aren't dead in the morning," he adds with a grim voice.
"There are slavers who follow Besmara, Flynn. She's not a goodly goddess like your Milani. She's capricious, full of temper, and bite. I love her dear, but while she's all for taking a pirates revenge on some Chellishbastard and his crew who'd threaten her own and would consider them fair game, she's not likely to be as upset as I myself am. She still lets me be me own man, after all."
He listens to more, "I'm forgiving the rapists the noose. I knew a lot of whores, religious and otherwise growing up, and I learned a strong disregard for those what do that. Odd that such an upbringing would lead to that particular moral point I suppose. So yes, I'd be for having the crowd point out the rapists and hanging them by the neck until dead. Looks like the Captain and others might have a different mind... I do know this, if I see one pawing at any woman aboard without her consent, I'm liable to put a curse on them that'll addle their strength to the point where a halfling could slap them around."
"Tis my hope those we freed will join us enough so we need no slavers services, but I understand necessity is an ugly master now and then."
He inclines his head, "Pardon, but I really must find Jiro. He's probably worried ill about his father."
.......
Seeking out Jiro, when the half elf finds him, he looks quite apologetic, "Forgive me, mate. I'm a passable healer, but not always as considerate as I should be of the kin OF the patients. The older fellow, your father I'm told? He's in need of having disease removed from him...and I swear to ye that's my first goal in the morning once Besmara's granted it. The good news is, he's holding, he's better, and he should be fine on the morrow."