matei joins the others in going through the pockets of those they had taken down, "Wouldn't it be smart to keep one alive for a bit? Might not hurt to know the why and how of all this." He tried to stay polite very well knowing he was just a porter. The upside was that that also gave him an excuse not to butcher those that were already down.
Matei paid special attention to try and find weapons and armor of good make.
Lucanus stiffens at the question, he knows the response he must give, but his honesty won't let him. "I would say that I was grateful to have an ally that thinks highly of me to put themselves in danger to save my life. I am also ashamed for putting them in that danger, but no mortal man is immortal. To say that a man doesn't need allies or assistance is a quick way for him to meet the ground."
Lucanus sighs "And at some point, I will need too repay her for her kindness and to apologize for putting her in danger at the same time."
Kayla and Atlas begin tending to those who still remain injured, although it is clear that Atlas has saved many lives on board the ship today several other servants are also running about checking on their masters and mistresses. Some who boarded the ship from their own just for the occasion are making hasty retreats into their row boats and jolly boats in attempts to get back to the safety of their own ships before anything else might occur.
Captain Grachus is back in full command ordering his men this way and that, to repair something here or move a body there. He seems annoyed at the nobles leaving in such a rush but also happy to see them go.
Sure Matei, why don't you start by interrogating that one over there while I interrogate this one." Grease says with a wry smile before he slits a dying enemies throat and begins rummaging through the man's clothes.
"Ignore him Matei" Says Lark. "It's a good thought but we're just soldiers. We'll leave the interrogation up to those that love that sort of thing." He points over his shoulder at the two Paralictors form the Hellknights as they drag two kicking and squirming Fanatics into the cargo hold.
Lark continues, "Seems to make you squirm there Matei, the killing of these men. It's a brutal act for sure but thats the result of war my friend. I've fought in many campaigns and this is how it has to be. We can't take them with us, nor will they promise never to harm us again so it's death and the quickest way to it is a dagger to the heart or the throat, besides can't spend time healing the enemy when we have our own to tend to. Good work by the way. I think that perhaps your blades might not be the best weapon in a fireing line but they do well enough. You showed courage and that will win you some respect from these scum."
He says with a smirk at grease and the others who just laugh. Lark Pats Matei on the shoulder and then heads off to tend to the units wounded and post men around the ship with firearms ready in case of another attack.
Everything you've said is correct. A man needs allies, even a Hellknight needs allies. The Ability of a man to engender respect and genuine devotion in others is rare and one I think you have. It is a skill to cultivate to grow and to mould. But you must remember that to owe someone something, as a paragon of justice must be avoided at all cost. She is simply a maid so in truth it matters little, but justice has been subverted by a debt owed and kingdoms have fallen and armies been destroyed. As a Hellknight Justice comes first and a debt owed may give another person control to subvert that justice. This is difficult I know, as a young man passionate for justice we sometimes do not see the outcome of our fervent pursuit. It means we must be above others, better than others, feared by others and owe no debts which can be exploited at the cost of justice and the law."
The large man sighs, "I could go on but I don't think I need to. I know that you understand me but you are still young and so will not truly understand until you have to make a decision for justice and the law or for a friend. Come, you will accompany me as we search the enemy vessel. The Blademaster and Lucanus head to the derelict vessel still embedded in the Braxus. Krase orders four of the Blackhearts to fall in as well as ten of the Arqubusier's and they all make their way to the enemy vessels prow and prepare to board.
If the ship is now declared safe enough to travel about, Kayla will venture below decks. She wishes to see if Lady Thrune is still alive and find out what duties she should see too. Kayla will take the dog with her.
"Betrayal? who would do such a thing m'lady? Certainly none who bask in your infernal power and your majestic ruthlessness! No, no clearly varisian dogs who got wind of our mighty empires attempt to lift them from there lives in mud huts and in ungratefulness sought to bite the hand that feeds. No m'lady it was the varisian dogs and they must be punished for daring to raise a hand against your Ladyship. The young whelp knowns nothing about war and politics nor the actions of men. Vittorious blurts out from his corner, standing and shaking his fists and glaring at Nemius.
The Paracountess, in a rage yells at Vittorius Be quiet you sycophant. If I wanted my feet licked I would have my dogs brought to me. It's only your stupidity and your inability to actually keep a secret that keeps me from suspecting you first of betrayal. Leave the politics and things of war alone and just focus on counting the coins. I would sooner listen to a mute than hear what you have to say on the subject."
Before the Paracountess can continue to rage at the small man there is the sound of combat in the hallway, and then the sound of bodies dropping to the floor and pounding on the door. "Nemius! It's Cortain open up. Is the Countess safe!"
Kayla ventures down into the ship and sees Ser Cortain and his men dispatching several enemies in the cargo hold near the horses. Cortain then begins to pound on the door to the armoury but from this distance you are unable to hear what he says. "Oh child! where is Lady Thrune? Where is Hani? I was in the Galley helping the cooks prepare things just the way Lady Thrune wanted it when I heard the Cannons."
Bertha stands in the hall behind Kayla, she appears flustered and somewhat out of breath as well as a little frantic.
Kayla responds that Hani was injured during the battle on deck and that she doesn't know where Lady Thrums is yet.
Nemius is set aback from the sudden fury and furor from the man in the corner. Paracountess Thrune begins to lay into the man before he comes out of his stunned state and quietly thanks the woman for doing it for him.
He hears Ser Cortain call out and rushes over to the door. "She's safe, sir. Just a moment and I'll have the door open." Finally, it's over. He lifts the bar off the door. He calls out, "The door's unbarred," as he sets the bar to one side.
Atlas, confident he's done all that he can for those above decks, heads down to the slaves' berth to check on their condition, administer mundane healing if they need it, and bring news of the battle.
"You're probably right, but I'm not here because I wanted to be a butcher. I guess just throwing them overboard to drown would be a little easier on my conscience, some way." He continued rifling through the pockets but still didn't butcher any of them. "As for my blades, my dad got me the first after I whined and begged for it when I saw a Druman merchant with it. The merchant said that in Vudra there are whole battalions with these blades and riding elephants. They butcher all opposition." A grin appeared on his face.
"By the way, you can ignore their weapons and armor, it's only use would be smelting it to make new things." Which would actually be enjoyable, but there was no forge on the ship.
Lucanus follows Master Krase over to the enemy ship. He keeps his eyes and ears open for anything out of the ordinary. "Why would they attack us?" He says to no one in particular. "It doesn't quite make sense, they were vastly outnumbered in both numbers and spirit. Something doesn't quite add up..."
As Matei and the soldiers go through the pockets of the attackers they notice something peculiar and each soldier begins to comment on it and wonder about it. They are finding that each of the attackers had no money on them, not even a single silver or copper. The soldiers have also been inspecting the weapons and agree with Matei, although the weapons are functional they are not particularly elaborate or new. There are also no identifying marks on the equipment and now pendents or medallions of any sort nothing to identify the attackers.
Lucanus you are amazed at the detail and care your master takes at going over the ship. He looks over the side of the ship where the nameplate should be and points out to you there is no nameplate on the ship but there had been one at some point. He openly regrets not knowing more about what type of ship this is or who built it but says that is a question he'll ask Captain Grachus when they return.
Lucanus you also notice peculiar things about the ship as you and the soldiers make a sweep of the derelict.
There is a large number of sleeping mats on the bellow decks, there is very little food left on board, there appears to be no other cargo aboard the ship, there is nothing at all in the captains quarters, in fact nothing to indicate who was in charge of the attack at all.
Lucanus you are able to piece together that there was just enough provisions to supply the men on board until the attack, little more. The cargo hold had been emptied to accommodate a larger amount of men which would be how so many men came pouring out in several waves of attackers.
You also notice that despite the ship being equipped with cannons it only has one powder keg, half full and only two more shots for each gun, as if they did not plan to sustain the attack.
Other than that you find nothing else, which in itself is peculiar.
You find the slaves in good health, well as good as they were when you saw them last. Tursk is there, unsure of what's going on and he seems concerned. Orders come down while you are there to be ready to row at a moments notice.
At the end of the attack you guess that about ten people died from the initial cannon attack. about 5 people are permanently mamed, alive but with limbs missing in some fashion. Several more soldiers also died about fifteen of them, several Blackhearts and several arqubusier's. Also there were a number of injured soldiers but most where healed by your channelling of energy on the deck, or at least they are not dying and have begun recovery. Cimbrian, one of Lady Thrunes prized hunting hounds is dead as well, it appears as though his body protected Kayla from the majority of the initial blast.
with the door unbarred the soldiers sweep into the room and Cortain checks on the Countess. They talk quietly in the corner for a moment before he begins to lead her out of the armoury and up the stairs. Vittorious waits timidly in a corner for everyone to leave before he slinks out as well.
As Cortain passes Nemius he slaps him on the shoulder and says, Well done!"
Esmara follows them out and as the normally stoic young woman passes Nemius a small smile flash over her lips, very small, in fact Nemius may have just been seeing things it happened so fast.
As Lady Thrune sees Kayla on the stairs she stops and stares at her and then looks to Agathon by himself behind her and then to Kayla in a questioning fashion. Bertha not noticing curtseys and belts out, "Oh m'lady your alive thanks be to Asmodeous!
Nemius, surprised and relieved by the sudden series of events seems a bit stunned for a moment, only snapping out of it when Ser Cortain slaps him on a shoulder. He falls into the procession as it passes him, taking up the rear. Did Esmara smile or was it my imagination? he ponders for a moment as he follows the group.
When he exits the armory, he looks down at the dead men on the deck. I did that some of that... His stomach begins to feel a bit uneasy looking down at the first men he'd slain. He quickly looks up, forcing himself not to think about it, but unable to shake it completely.
Lucanus pauses for a few moments as he goes threw every piece of the ship, thinking over the puzzle, he talks out loud to himself "This ship was never intended for anything more then the attack. And it would have taken time to prepare something like this and a lot of planning..."
Kayla curtseys before Lady Thrums. "My Lady, I am most grateful to see you unharmed, but regret to inform you that Cimbrian died in the initial Canon blast."
Seeing the slaves in good condition, Atlas bids them farewell and heads to his quarters for a much needed night's sleep, feeling completely drained of all magic and stamina.
Lady Thrune nods when you tell her about Cimbrian and her brow seems to furrow. She then dismisses you and Bertha to your duties.
Bertha runs off to find Hani above decks. Nothing else is said and Lady Thrune retires to her cabin. Esmara asks Kayla for water and whatever she can scrounge up in the kitchen to be brought up to the countesses chambers.
The rest of that day and evening is a whirlwind of activity. Captain Grachus overseas the repairs and yells orders and until his throat is sore. The Blackhearts are on deck armed and ready for anything late into the evening covered from above by arquebusiers in the rigging and the tops of the sail.
After the enemy ship is rowed back and away from the Braxus so damage can be assessed the smaller vessel of the Count is found nearly split in two and it quickly takes on water and sinks. The Count himself is identified by some rags in the water as a casualty of the return volley of the Braxus or perhaps the collision. Few of the counts men had survived the barrage, those that did are taken back to shore.
Nobody is at ease.
The several lords who had not been in attendance for the meeting as well as several generals arrive by small boats as well as some key commanders and there appears to be a large meeting in Captains Cabin with Lady Thrune, Krase and Cortain attend.
Matei is ordered to carry supplies to the crew of the Braxus repairing the ship.
By the time Atlas has made his full rounds down to the salve deck and seen to some bandaging, it is late in the evening for him. Bertha finds him and pleads with him to do what he can for the young maid Hani.
Nemius is assigned to Ser Barton to watch the stern of the vessel for several hours into the evening.
Kayla is kept busy by Bertha who seems more frantic than angry and unable to keep her mind on tasks she normally performs.
Hani is led to the quarters she shares and falls into a cot, her arms bandaged, and she cries almost none stop.
Lucanus is tasked with watching the door to a small supply room, normally reserved for feed for the horses, as the Paralictors conduct an interrogation on the two captured enemies. The sounds from within are not pleasant and the agonizing screams that are emitted can be heard through the heavy door causing some of the horses to become restless.
At Esmara's request, Kayla rushes off to the kitchen to fetch her water and to either scrounge up or ask any cooks in there for some refreshments for her Ladyship.
Kayla does her best later on to carry out Bertha's frantic orders and has no time for anything else that day. By the time she is released from her duties for the day, she is exhausted from the terror of the earlier battle and the frantic pace that she was running around at for all her errands. Once she returns to her shared cabin, she checks on Hanni to see if there's anything she can do for her and will later sing while casting Lullaby to try to help her get some much needed rest.
A little grumpy at being awoken from his nap, Atlas quickly recovers and dons his robes and doctor's mask and grabs his healer's kit. He makes way to Hani and assesses her injuries.
During the watch, Nemius will ask, "Ser Barton, doesn't this all seem strange to you?"
Atlas you are able to help with any bleeding and you dress Hani's wounds. You determine that only advanced magics, beyond your ability at this time could return her fingers on the one hand and nearly the entire limb on the other.
Kayla, when Hani returns she is inconsolable, she continues to weep and sniffle well into the night until you cast lullaby and she falls off to sleep.
"It does" Says Ser Barton to Nemius on the watch, "The attack was exectuted in out own port under our own noses and in front of our own Armada. I would not discount teh possibility of collusion of some party with the Varisians, if thats what they were, nor would I put it past the cut throat games the Lord's and Ladies of Cheliax play against one another. But as for what I know or need to know..." He pats his pistol his sword and bangs his fist against his chest. "I am a solider and that is all."
"I hear you managed to take down at least two of those bastards yourself and saved the countess, though cortain makes it sound like you bested ten men the way he tells it. Maybe using that Halberd isn't such a bad choice on foot for you but how are you going to handle yourself on horseback?"
"Well, there is my attempts to get to be a better shot with a pistol, although I doubt I'll ever near your level of skill, Ser Barton." He pauses for a moment and grins slightly, "Although, I wouldn't think it's that hard to hit your foe at a lance's width apart." He shrugs, "My polearm has a spike and could function as a serviceable lance for a charge, although that is a lot of stress on a weapon."
There's another pause. "Only two, but maybe five men would be a more reasonable number of exaggeration..."
"Blades too heavy." Ser Barton says matter of factly. "All the weight is up front and not enough length to tuck under the arm to get a good grip for tilting. Falls short of a lance in length. Points good for stabbing but if I were you and you wanted to use it on horse I'd swing like a battle axe, it'd be your best bet. I wouldn't try and tilt with a knight that's for sure, they'll have you unhorsed before you even get in range of em. Don't get me wrong, it's a good solid weapon but it's got it's limitations same as any other does. Matters more who the man is holding the thing more than the weapon itself and I think you proved you've got some skills for a young boy down in the hold. Just don't let it get to your head eh! He lets a small smile cross his lips and snorts a little bit of a laugh.
Matei carries the supplies without complaints, happy that there is something he can do. He keeps an eye on what else is happening though.