The rains have ceased, and the sun is sinking into the Atlantic Ocean when the six return to Anfa on the night of January 8th...
The music of horns, pipes, cymbals, and drums echo in the streets, and a snake charmer sits in the bazaar, playing a hypnotic melody on some kind of horn-pipe instrument as an emperor cobra sways to the music...
A monkey tries to steal some coins sitting in a dish beside the snake charmer, but like lightning, the emperor cobra strikes at the would-be thief, killing it almost instantly with its lethal venom!
In Arabic: HAHAHA!! Well done, Balthazar! You will dine well tonight, and that rogue Faruq will have to train a new pilfer-monkey! Haha!
Well, we know now that there are trained thieves about. Minds your coins....places like this are notorious for pilfering off strangers. Vanna says as she tucks her coins under her armor.
Aye, the armor is a bit bulky for me...but feel free to use it. And we should visit that man about some employment.
"That may be a good idea, but wouldn't Mwikali try to kill the man where he stands? They didn't seem to get along the last time we were in his company. I could feel the hate between the two grow during their talks."
"Then a bit of acting is needed, until we can dissuade the current crew of their ways"
He thinks
"I will hid myself on the ship until your ready, just in case there is a problem."
Altin seems to enjoy the snake charmer's music, until the snake kills the mobkey with one bite of its poisoned fangs. He turns away, looking slightly sickened. "Snakes. Brrr." He turns back to the group.
"Sounds like a fine plan. Shall we approach the captain tonight?"
"I have more finesse than that Volreg, to just kill him in front of everyone is not right, I would be more glad to end it in a more intimate spot, say his quarters" She says with her eyes dancing between humor and steely death. Which she wasn't wrong, she doubted the man would treat her like a truly human and that would be his downfall. She would flirt with him, charm hima nd then while in bed slit his throat.
"Thieves are not the only troubles her for one such as I, The Devout and the Slavers would love to get ahold of me. I would fetch a grand price in the market, not only for my beauty and body but for my skill with a needle." She says looking at the others and lifting her eyebrow. The thought of liberating a slave ship and bringing the people within under there banner to solidify her idea of Bringing the Kunai people under her reign, or at least free from the reach of Islam and Christianity. TO give her people choice instead of being forced into it.
Altin nods at Wulfgar's assessment. "How many crew did he have? Six others? Or was it more? We seem to be fairly competent so far, although maybe we've just got lucky... I think we'd take them, but yes, it will be tough."
"Morning it is then! Fancy an drink, big man?" he asks Wulfgar.
"Scary," Volreg whispers under his breath at Mwikali's plans towards the captain. "Wait, drinks?! I wouldn't mind having a few after our venture out of town!" Beaming, Volreg prods the other two with an outstretched finger. "Maybe a drinking challenge between us?"
Altin smiles at Volreg's suggestion. "Alright, but I always lose, and be aware that the winner has to carry the losers to bed!"
As long as you think you can pull it off, Mwikali. Not that I underestimate your abilities, just not knowing everything is a big risk... Vanna says as she looks for a tavern so the boys can drink. I'll watch over you boys...I don't trust anyone in this place...
"Seems fitting that you should wield the axe, Mwikali," Altin says quietly. "It it were my people, I'd want to be the one that killed him too."
"My people profit from slavery too. Especially with the market as profitable as it is. I mean what else are you supposed to do when you capture members of a rival tribe!" She says as she looks at the others."Even in Kunai we sell off our criminals and captured unless we fancy them and keep them for ourselves."
She smiles at the thought of drinks."I would love to taste some of that wine you Europeans have. As well as some more mead if we find some. My people used to have a nice mead market until the recent upheaval." She twirled in the rain and giggled as she began to shake her hips and dance to some of the note filling the air."I say we enjoy the night and the bounty the Sky God has granted us. Let us bathe in its blessed waters until dawn!" She says as she smiled and laughed feeling alive.
" If you wish to sell that than I could be offered for money to pleasure the Captain on Vannas' Behalf. It would get me into his room and I'll let my magic and natural weapons take over" She says flashing her devilish grin and sharp claws." I am a deadly cat of the African plains and jungles. My claws are deadly to my prey, but I turn them not on my family" She says before she goes back to enjoying the rain and muted music. Her body moving and undulating to the beat.It was nothing like the dances of Europe or even of the gypsies. It was something unique just to her people.
Altin shakes his head. Just when I think I know where Mwikali's coming from, she says something that completely baffles me. He turns to Volreg. "Well, if Wulfgar and Vanna were involved I'd take up the challenge, but I get the feeling that the two of us having a drinking competition would be as exciting as two gnolls having a mathematics battle. As Wulfgar says, maybe after the morrow's excitement. Of course, that doesn't mean we can't drink at all..." Altin goes off to find Volreg and himself a drink.
"Hmmm interesting, The Captian seems the type to chance such a trophy. I bet he is small and thinks such a chance to prove that his tiny *Kunai word for a mans' thing* with his supposed virility"as she says still dancing a bit as she giggles.
"True if we are to attempt this in the morn then we should rest and drink light. Besides If I am behind the doors I will use my magics to bind him and then kill him, like the vile pig he is." She says stopping for a moment before she looks about."Still let us get our fill on food for tomorrow is another mission for our Motley Crew!!"
Shaking his head whilst smiling, "I guess the heavy drinking will be later. As for your plan, it frightens me letting Mwikali alone with the man like him. The two, though, may be a good chance." Clapping at the woman's dance for a moment, Volreg looks about for Altin before following the man as to get a drink, and perhaps food for the others.
As Volreg joins him in his search for a drink, Altin asks, "So what's your story, Volreg? How have you ended up here?"
"Well, it's a pretty simple tale that's has gone quite out of the way from how I visioned it," Volreg chuckles turning his face up into the rain. "I was supposed to make my way to Rome to help expand business ventures from our farm. Our horses are quite well bred and train well, so I figured to see if the family could get some land to raise horses to a more central nation of trade." Taking a deep breath, he continues the story, "While in Seville, I heard that the fastest route would be to go through Portugal, as the Moors had dominance over southern Spain, and as a Spaniard, I'd likely get killed if I went to the ports south. It took most of my money to get to Portugal, and it seemed that there was a flyer that the Prince had sent out, offering to pay. I'm not a smart man, but I do feel that the wool was pulled over my eyes quite thoroughly on that venture. I did meet you all though, so I think that's quite the blessing." Grinning a bit, Volreg pats Altin on the shoulder keeping an eye out for any drink and food stall, "What about you? You did mention something about slaves, or was that Wulfgar?"
Altin grimaces. "Both of us have felt the whips of our captors. I come from the Travelling People, and my uncle would have had me be a tale-spinner and a magic-weaver, but I was taken by the Ottomans when I was ten and placed in the ranks of the Janissary. Well-trained, well-maintained, but still a slave. They made me an excellent liar and scout. I made best use of both skill sets to desert some years ago. Never looked back!"
"But enough of that. I need a drink." Altin finds a mead seller and makes a beeline, coppers at the ready.
Chuckles,
"You remind me of someone I once knew Volreg, Erik, Erik Thorvaldsson, he did as you, set off for one place and ended up in another."
She says taking a another scoop from human sized mug on the table. He ordered on and it looked very much like it could last him a mouth.
Mwikali follows the men to the Tavern and sits at the bar next to them and smiles."I'll take some mead if you have it or some wine" She says with a smile and tilts her head flipping her hair back to show off her features.
The caravanserai is bustling that night, filled with travelers enjoying food, drink, companionship, and the music of a trio of Berber musicians...
Captain Barak is present at the caravanserai, along with several crew mates from the Alanqilis... He notices the adventurers, and nods in acknowledgment in their direction, but makes no move toward where they are seated...
First Mate Toruko is also present, seated near Captain Barak... He makes no attempt to conceal his obvious interest in the adventurers...
"it seems our admirers are back" She says in a whisper to the others after a quick over the shoulder glance about the room. Her body really wanted to get up and walk over to the captain and shove her dagger deep into his gut. Her reason stopped her as she took up the cup of liquor before her and took a drink.
Sneaks over the water to the ship and in v a gully hole.
The captain grins and replies to Wulfgar, in Arabic: Eight shekels seems a bit much... But you seem like capable bravos... How about six shekels per head, and if you do a fine enough job, we’ll reopen negotiations for further raids?
Sneaks over the water to the ship and in v a gully hole.
Slipping stealthily into a gully hole, Lord Perpireen is in a good position to observe goings on aboard the Alanqilis... He counts six sailors currently aboard the slaver dhow... There were six with the captain and first mate at the caravanserai, so it seems that there is a total crew of 12 sailors, plus the captain and first mate...
First Mate Toruko leans in close to Captain Barak and whispers something in his ear...
Captain Barak whispers something back to First Mate Toruko, then turns back to Wulfgar, grinning like a shark...
In Arabic: Do we have a deal, Northman? Perhaps you’d like to confer with your mates first?
Mwikali looks at the Muscular and Tall Wulfgar talking to the Captian and his Parrot. She looks back at the bar and fumes as she really wishes to see the man dead profiting off of slaves. Most of whom are the defeated tribes or rivals.
Vanna watches as Wulfgar talks to the captain, wishing she knew more languages.
I'm not sure this is going well...she whispers to Mwikali.
[dice=sense motive]1d20+2
Smiling "six shekels is fine" Seeing the first mate whisper, Wulfgar frowns, taking his greatsword off of his shoulder. He places the tip on the ground and both hands on the handle, then leans in and adds, "Whatever the vulture has to say he can say it out loud."
[dice=intimidate]1d20+7
In Arabic: Haha! You must excuse Toruko... He is a suspicious old bird, aren’t you, ‘Ruko?
Captain Barak grins at Wulfgar, and adds: Come to the second dock from the west tomorrow at sunrise... We sail down the coast for the Negro villages...
The First Mate says nothing, but stares at Wulfgar with dark, beady eyes...
Hears what being said, tries to gauge the strength of the captain and 1st mate. and being a fey and not counting mortals for much gets it wrong and thinks.
Humm interesting I count only only half the crew on the ship, with the captain and 1st mate controlling badly, now if I could start a pretext for a fight, we could have a new Captain. They would not be expecting it, the Dockers would have to know of it so we can sell it."
He thinks for a bit as the others talk money. Then an idea hit it.
His acting is weak and facts a bit off but he dose his bed.
From below decks come a shrill woman's voice.
"I HEAR GOOD CHRISTAIN VOICES, COULD IT BE THE LOAD ALMIGHTY HAS SENT SAVIORS TO RECUSE OF FROM THESE WICKED SALVERS."
The three dock workers stop to hear the woman's
"FOR WE ARE LADY NUNS BOUND FOR THE HOSPICE KEEP OF ST CLEMENTNA IN THE HOLY-LANDS, CAPTURED AND CAGED DOWN HERE, AND SISTER ANNABEL ALL READY BEFOULED!!" there is a chuckle then on with the grim voice.
"O SIRS, BRAVE KNIGHTS OF ONE TRUE GOD. RESCUE IS AND YOUR SINS WILL BE FORGIVEN!! WE BEG OF YOU!! HELP US!! DO NOT LET US BE SHIPPED TO SOME HEATHENS HAREM!! WE BEG ARRRR THEY ARE HER COMMMin.. AAAAAARRRRR!!!!!, SAVE US NOW OR WE WILL DIE BY SLAVER HANDS"
He Docks down and moves.
Then from another part of the deck another voice.
"O NO WHAT HAVE YOU DOING TO SISTER ROBERTA, ARR HE HAS TAKEN OFF HIS PANTS!! LOAD SAVE US, LOOK AWAY SISTERS LOOK AWAY!!"
It calls out,
A moment passes after Lord Perpireen’s performances, during which the fey lord hears the crew exclaiming in puzzlement over the female voices coming from the supposedly unoccupied cargo hold...
Then, two of the crew rush through the hatch and down the steps to investigate, scimitars drawn, looking around the shadowy cargo hold with oil lamps in the hands not holding scimitars...
One exclaims, in Arabic: Allah preserve us! There is no one!
The other whispers, in Arabic: Allah save us! It is some genie toying with us! Or ghosts of slave women who died in here, perhaps??
Although clearly unsettled by the mysterious voices they heard coming from the apparently empty cargo hold, the two crewmen carefully search around, peering behind crates, barrels of tar, water, and wine, and into the shadowy corners, but fail to discover the little sprite, nigh invisible in his gully hole...
At the caravanserai...
To Wulfgar in Arabic: We will strike first at the Mandinka village of Baabuloo, located on a tributary of the Niger River, not far from the coast, in the Kingdom of Mali... They will be easy prey, for they are far removed from the capital and the protection of their king...
It will be a voyage of half-a-fortnight there, and the same returning, so a fortnight, give or take a day and night, altogether, then we return to harbor here in Anfa and offload... The local emir and various wealthy sheiks will purchase our bounty at a good price in the bazaar... Then we make another raid, at a different coastal village! Heheheh...
Just as the crew men Finnish their search and start back up. Form his hiding spot he casts with a wave of his hand, Telekinetic projectile.
Sending a block and tackle their way.