The night air grew very cold, very quickly as the 5 boats carrying the agents of the Copper Lands approach their destination. Wind was blowing wildly, the night sporting its 2 full moons. Happening only once a year, yet there was no celebration or a relaxing day with the family. It was quiet except for the low chatter of those in the small boats. They would soon reach the small cave that was scouted for them. Once there, their 2 officers that was in charge of the operation would take full command and the mission, still unknown to the troops, will begin. The spellscale would be in charge of the ranged troops, the large bulky half dragon would command the melee and field healers. Both have been part of the main band of troops a few long years. They were stern, but they did a good job in making sure their men and woman were treated well. They were a close family.
You have some time to talk to each other before you reach land.
So anyone know the mission? My name is Marcus. Gotta say I'm not filled with joy returning to these lands. I was a slave here for many of years. May Bahamut be with us tonight.
Marcus is a simple looking man. Looks to be avearage by all means, but has a glow and a light about him. Bahamuts symbol shines on his head. He has a long bladed pole that he is leaning foward on. His arms are bare and posses many scars. His pants and shirt are simple but clean.
"Beats me, but if it hurts the black dragon I'm all for it."
The man who answers Marcus is a man simply wearing a hood and a bow. HE carries himself with the air of a soldier.
Do not know, do not really care at this point. I just hope we will get away from the water quickly. If there is one thing I do not like, it is the sea...
Care for a bite?
Hitoru offers the others jerky as he is nervously cheewing another one. Clean shaven human male, he is dressed in light brown outfit with dark brown trimmed hat and a brown cloak. The only other color he has on himself are partially concealed high-soled blue boots.
Balancing easily upon the prow of the boat, the tanned Elven lass peers out into the night. Wrapped and draped in silks and ribbons -a many pocketed wide leather belt about her hips- She glances over a shoulder.
"Ye dun't never even learned ta' paddle?" She asks curiously then she grins, "Dun't ye worry none. If'n ye tip out? I'll swim ye ta' shore, okeys?" (^_^)
One of the soldiers pipes up, you think he's an orc or half orc. Not sure
He hisses
Get down! You want to give away our position? There could be Drow snipers on those cliffs!
Paddlin' ain't the problem, lassie. I just don't feel comfy on the see. Says Hitoru keeping his voice down.
But thanks for the offer, shall the boat turn over, I'll try to fall off close to you. Hitoru winks at Suny.
The offer stays, want some? He offers her jerky.
Suny crouches, "An there could be rocks comin' up in'a surf. Which d'ye worry more about? Shooters whut might be on'a patrol, looky out? Or rocks whut are always more likely around tha' edge of a cliff?" She whispers back, still watching forwards and trying to read the conditions of the surf the boats are heading into.
Thank you Hitoru. Marcus reaches forward taking some jerky.
Marcus perks up at the orc's threat. He turns swiftly squintign and staring at the cliffs. He then thinks.
Snipers, they will have poison if there. I can't let any of them be taken. I don't know them yet but no one deserves to be a slave. Keep vigilant.
He looks at her
Let's see, swimming or Drow poison? I prefer a swim. Now get down!
One of the other soldiers looks up, to the surprise of many, it was commander Kaldin, the half dragon Paladin.
That's enough! We are here in secret, if you continue to argue, i will throw you both over myself!
Getting into an archery match versus the drow might be some fun, but commander's orders.
"Commander any word on what our mission actually is sir?"
Suny lowers herself in the prow, thought the threat of being thrown over the side doesn't seem to quite have the sting with her as, say perhaps against some one in armor...
She does offer the fellow who mentioned swimming a friendly, cheerful grin in return. (^_^)
He looks up from thought
Search and rescue, a high ranking officials daughter was kidnapped from the main temple in our capital. I do not know much else
That poor girl. Kidnapped but for what? hmmm.
Marcus turns his attention away from the cliffs and toward the Commander.
Commander Kaldin Sir. Our there any leads?
He shakes his head, it was obvious the older paladin did not like the idea one bit
Only a description of her, some of you who worship Bahamut, like myself, will know her. Slender, sweetest thing you have ever met. Kind, forgiving, Noone has ever seen her harm anyone or thing. Copper, gold long hair. Dyed black streeks, i think she looks better than most elves. Only thing we know, a note that read : Now she's mine.
If I can choose, please be it Drow poison and not swimming. On the other hand, no poison and no swimming sounds the best Hitoru checks the cliffs above for snipers. Even with the two moons he does not really hope to see anything from this distance, but one never knows...
"Now she's mine" is not exactly a great lead. I am glad I am not the one in charge of this operation
Suny settles in and awaits the boats grounding upon the sand...
"Well you can hardly turn away from a damsel in distress!" The voice is followed by a young man casually walking up with his hands in his pockets. He wears the clothes of a traveling noble and has a small, amused smile on his face "Arim Zeather, at your service"
That's a spirit, soldier! Hmm, care for a piece of jerky?
And graveyards are full of people with this attitude...
Sitting silently in the corner of the boat, Traskdar chuckles to himself as he checks his potions. "You guys are silly. I like that" Pulling out a potion from his satchel he holds it up in front of his face and pulls his goggles over his eyes examining it.
At the fellow from the back of the boat speaks up with a light quip, Suny can't help but laugh along with his statement.
Tossing the potion into the air a bit and catching, it he smiles at suny.
Would anyone like a potion of healing? I've got more than enough to go around, can't have you fellows dying on me now can I?
Suny continues to smile at the fellow offering the potion, going so far as to dextrously scamper from the bow,back to where he's sitting.
"Oops!" She giggles by way of apology as she more tumbles into him.
"Aye, far be it from m'self ta' pass up any free offers." She whispers back, taking the proffered item and making it seem to vanish upon her person some where.
Which is interesting, since at this close distance all the brown skinned Elf lass seems to be wearing is silken sashes wrapped and draped about and over herself.
"Tha' name I be happy ta' be known by is 'Suny', in'a speakin' of tha' peoples." She offers a hand wrapped in some sort of fingerless glove to be shaken by way of sealing the introduction. (^_^)
Standing up and taking her hand, he bows and kisses it. "Traskdar, at your service"
The Commander gave the elf a very stern look, one that suggests her to keep herself reigned in. The boat was only that big for 10 people, and he himself wasnt very lith or small. Plus, wings that were folded in for long stretches cramped up. He wasn't in the best of moods
He did however gave Traskdar a grateful nod. Healing was not always very easy to come by, especially if you are in the field away from home
Marcus recoils at the mention that he knows the girl. Thoughts race through his head of whom it could be.
Commander please, whats her name. So few have shown me kindness since my freedom was purchased. Don't threat Commander, Bahamut is with us. We will find her and throw down her capturers.
Marcus then shifts focus to Traskdar.
No thank you friend. Give aid to the others. Bahamut watches over me, but thank you for the kind gesture. It will be remembered.
Taldin looks up, one can see he is trying to hide his concern
Her name is Lillian, she is the head cleric of the temple of Bahamut in our capital. She always greets people who come to show respect, even just those who show curiosity. Some believe she never sleeps. Always a smile to those who enter, always a kind and encouraging word...
A visible shiver courses through the old warrior
Placing a firm hand on Taldin's shoulder Traskdar says "Steel yourself my good man, would not want the enemy to see our weakness"[/] Reaching into his bag he pulls out a vial of clear liquid and hands it to him [b]"This should help, drink up"
Arim watches him for a moment She was special to him personally, I wonder what she did.
For those paying attention, it's interesting to watch Arim around people. When somebody talks he looks at them intently, and the rest of the time he's glancing around quickly. If it wasn't for his relaxed demeanor and casual speaking, it would almost seem as if he was paranoid
Taldin thanks him for the drink, the liquid gone in a flash
The huge man sitting at the back of the boat had been silent so far - he simply nodded at some of the exchange while keeping to himself, his knuckles white around the massive weapon he carries - "We would do better to hold our pleasantries for after the fray" - he grumbles in a deep tone from under his cowl.
Lillian? I did know her Commander, she was very nice. She spoke with me in depth of my connection with Bahamut. I swear to you Commander I will give my life it that is what it takes. They are not enought good people in the world. She will be saved.
He glances back to Hegron
I knew many like you in the pits. Those around us are all we have sometimes my large friend. Save your wrath for those that would harm your ally's and you will be stronger for it.
"With all due respect, there may not be an after the fray for some of us"
Taldin nods
Sweet little girl that, she taught me a lot, i swear she has elf blood in her. She hardly ages!
Hearing the commander laugh, one could feel the spirit of the troops lifting
He looks up, then nods, he lowers his visor
Okay ladies, get ready, land fall in a few more minutes
If you bother to look at the other boats, you will see them all starting to move, not a lot, to the trained eye one would see them getting ready for the up comming ordeal
Yes sir commander.
Marcus says a prayer to Bahamut does a few hand signs and speaks some words of protection.(Casting Mage Armor)
He then clutches at his glaive eager to get off the boat.
"If there isn't an after the fray, there isn't much to congratulate oneself about - the banter will make us lose focus. When you lose focus, you die..."
Looking at both Traskdar and Marcus, he adds in a calmer tone - "Please do not mistake my words for lack of respect or callousness... They are but the truth I have witnessed before"
Commander, not sure if it helps, but there has been a new dragon lord appointed here. It could be he or she that is making this play. A way to show there power to the others. Can't recal the name. Seems they are looking to start up a war like the ones of the past. That could be bad for our lands, either they are over eager which is good, or they are prepared and think they can win. I know its not much but thought it was worth mentioning.
He was quiet for a bit, then looks up
I appreciate the input. I do not know his banner, if we find troops, look for anything on them what we might need. Be warned, if an enemy is sporting a raven, make sure it's dead. Make sure you are safe, make sure that you are the only one there. For the Raven banner is that of the Black Empress, her personal guard. The lords i know of are Snake Banner, Frog Banner, Scorpion Banner, Eel Banner.
Throughout all of this, the broad-shouldered, dark-skinned woman in the prow of the boat has remained silent, her eyes scanning the darkness ahead. She has taken off her ornate war-helm, and fingers her holy symbol of Bahamut in one hand.
The massive Bardiche strapped to her back glows very faintly in the dusk, not enough to light the way, but enough to indicate its magical properties.
"If we find them, they will die," she says quietly, but with enough force to be heard by all those around her. A spirit of vengeance seems surround her like an unseen cloak.