Everything happened so fast that Tekaronhió:ken barely had time to register the events before he was ushered along. When he finally caught up, Tekaronhió:ken’s head whipped around to glare at Stopherlyn. ”Begging your pardon, Ser Seander, but did that man just call me a dog? I distinctly heard the phrase ‘wet dog like you.’”
The rougarou kept his eyes trained on the first man as Seander pulled him along only forcing himself to look away when the image of himself falling off the dock formed in his mind.
”Thank you, Ser Seander. My name is Tekaronhió:ken. From The House of Fate and Fire.” Out of habit, and with a hint of despondency, he immediately added, “Perhaps you have heard of The Dümfloofer?”
Tekaronhió:ken looked up to spot the source of the shouting. He leaned his head toward Seander muttered, “Gossman, no? I have yet to see this man in good spirits.”
Seander continued to explain even as he started ducking and dodging through a particularly crowded portion of the dock. "They're mostly rumors, but I had to jump in before figuring out if they're true. From what I've heard, if it's not human, it's not Taldan, and if it's not Taldan, it's probably a spy. There's been a lot of back and forth about whether he was, or even still is, a member of the Lion Blades, but the reputation and air around him is nasty." With his tirade nearly over, Seander seemed to lose steam. "Yeah, I just... felt like I had to step in."
Once he learned of Tekaronhió:ken's name, Seander shook his head. "I know a little bit about the House, but I haven't heard of you, Mr. Teka..ronhioo... kin? I'm sorry." He genuinely sounded apologetic. "I haven't been in Zimar long, and most of that was getting yelled at by my new commanding officer... Officer Gossman is... Well, he takes some getting used to."
Joselnaya nodded at Crow's words, and yelled at a few of the sailors who were trying to get a peek. It seemed as though she definitely didn't want an altercation with the sailors and this large, heavily armed man. When asked about your comrade, she began shaking her head before pointing past you. "Would this be him?"
Approaching from behind was the familiar Rougarou being led by a short, skinny man with close-cut brown hair and an apologetic look on his face. He wore the same naval uniform as the rest of the River Guard and seemed very interested in his chat with Tekaronhió:ken.
Edmund shakes his head at River’s innocent antics. Picking up her discarded clothes, he leans against the railing and begins a familiar incantation. Several seconds later, celestial dolphins appear to swim with her.
Crow's head turned - still careful not to look over at the splashing noises, and more happy than usual to be wearing his wyvern-skulled helm - and nodded. "Yes, that would be him. Thank you. He must have been delayed. We'll wait until he arrives, then head down to check the quarters." He already knew it was going to be too cramped for him. Boats always were, if he didn't simply sleep standing up on deck. It was a knack, and didn't lead to what one would call the finest rest, but it did look impressive.
River pops above the surface to shoot Edmund a beaming smile and waves, giving the sailors who are still watching something to talk about, before diving back into the water to swim with her celestial playmates. Soon the undine is racing across the river with the dolphins and clearly having a fabulous time!
Dr. Castle regards River's antics and the sailors' reactions with a shrug. "Might as well let her have her fun; there's still time before departure and we might not be near a river to play in where we're going..." A thought strikes him and Jeb starts watching the crew more closely, checking for any signs of wounds or illness. Wouldn't do to have everyone catching a hacking cough, would it?
Sadly, the dolphins only last for 16 rounds and Edmund isn’t prepared to blow too many fourth level spells conjuring River more playmates.
”River, they’re getting ready to cast off soon, and it would be best for you to be on board at that time. Besides, you’re in serious danger of causing some minor boating accidents. Many of the local helmsmen appear to have developed a rudder of their own.”
River pouts but climbs out of the river without further protest as the water streams off her unnaturally. By the time she regains the deck she's completely dry and retrieves her tunic and shoes from next to Crow, giving the huge ogrekin a wide smile.
"Thanks for looking after these!" She motions for him to lean down and places a kiss on his cheek before shrugging back into her tunic and packing her shoes away into her bag, apparently keen to go barefoot while on board.
"That was fun!" She says, flashing smiles all around. "I'm sorry if I held anything up. If I can help to get things going again please let me know."
She seems oblivious to any possible innuendo.
"Sorry," Seander said while approaching Joslenaya. "Mr... um, Tek, was about to get harassed by Captain Stopherlyn. I had to step in before the Corsairs did anything... Corsair like."
The Zimar Corsairs are privateers hired by the Taldan Imperial Navy to patrol the Jalrune River and attack/conscript any vessels not flying the Taldan flag as well as check vessels. The River Guard's influence in the Jalrune is less because of them, but the River Guard's duty includes keeping the privateers in check.
Around 20 years ago, the Zimar Corsairs got into an incident with the House of Fate and Fire. This mostly revolved around the Corsairs pointing their fingers at the original adventuring party, Snakes Tail, and stating that they had to be spies from Absalom and Tian Xia. They stated that a Gnome, Lamia, and Tiefling showing up in Zimar and putting down roots was suspicious.
It actually went deeper than this. Some of the privateers had it in their heads that the House would make a good target on the river. While Konishi and Layla were traveling by boat to help make connections with the nobles downriver, their ship was assailed by the Corsairs. The two were mostly unharmed due to Konishi's skill with his blade and Layla's unrivaled divine power, but two Corsair ships sank that day. The surviving Corsairs were slapped on the back of the wrist and a non-apology was issued to the House. Since then, there has been an unease between the Corsairs and the House.
Joslenaya sighed and waved Seander towards the crew. "You're late, but if you get to work immediately then Officer Gossman probably won't realize it."
Seander performed the Taldan salute, crossing his left arm and placing his hand opposite of his heart. "Yes ma'am. Right away, ma'am." The sailor shot Tek a friendly smile before running to help load the goods.
Watching him run off, Joslenaya noticed that production had slowed considerably. "Get back to work, you wretches!" She yelled. "Acting like you've never seen a woman before! Are you men or boys?" The chastised dockworkers sheepishly got back to work, and Joslenaya turned back towards the group, particularly River. "I'm sorry about them. Normally they're MORE PROFESSIONAL THAN THAT," she yelled over her shoulder, making sure that they knew she was talking about them.
"Shall I show you to your quarters? It's a single bunk room, but there should be room for... most of you," she tried her best not to look at Crow when she said that. "But for the short trip, it should be comfortable enough."
”Corsairs don’t tend to like our guild. Bad blood and all,” he says to nobody in particular.
Crow tensed slightly as he bent over - a lot - and moved his massive, skull topped war-helm out the way to receive a kiss on his scarred, battered cheek. It burned on his skin, as any contact tended to do, as he straightened up again.
"Please, do show us the bunks. And do not worry about fitting me," Crow replied Seander as he noted her concern. "It is rare anywhere has space for me. I am used to making do."
After a moment, he asked, "Are these Corsairs likely to try anything?" It always came as a horrible surprise for ship fighting when people found out he could swim over and climb the side of a vessel quite cheerfully. His armour had been built for his odd frame, but it didn't burden him at all.
"Oh that's ok." River replies, still smiling. "I'm sure all your sailors are wonderful at their jobs. And most of them have a lot of hair, so I think they must all be men. Or are they very tall dwarves? Do young dwarves still have lots of hair? Maybe this boat is crewed by tall dwarf children. Is that possible? You'd think someone would notice..."
This monologue occupies River long enough to go down to the cabin and she looks around at the cramped space with a dismayed expression.
"It's... very cosy, but can I stay on deck? I like fresh air and... umm... starlight is good for me!" The last comment is delivered somewhat at random as the naiad flees the dark below-decks and re-emerges on deck. After casting around fruitlessly for somewhere out of the way she walks over to Crow and sits down between his large feet. At least there she won't get in the way of anyone.
Dr. Castle sneers at the mention of corsairs. "ah yes...them. In all honesty I almost hope they do try something stupid. If they're still trying to make trouble for the House then clearly they haven't gotten the message..." he pulls a couple of vials from his pouches, swirling the liquids and smiling proudly at his work, "and I would so love to pass on a good, harsh lesson." He stows his vials and follows the procession to the bunks, appraising the accommodations. "A bit rustic, but I've lived with much worse."
The rougarou mostly held his tongue as the group reunited on the deck. Had he really been that late? Or perhaps the detour with Stopherlyn had taken longer than he originally thought. Regardless, once again, he decided to chalk it up to the extended leave messing with his internal clock again.
Tekaronhió:ken returned Seander’s smile and gave a slight wave using just the first two fingers and his thumb. ”Good kid, that one,” he muttered. And he knew that was putting it lightly. Afterall, Tekaronhió:ken had all but stumbled into the grasping claws of the Corsairs. And with no one else having been aware of his location, he might not have ever come off the ship.
Once below deck, Tekaronhió:ken finally poke up to the others. ”They have already tried something stupid,” the last word came out coated in shame. ”I could not find the Even Odds and, I am sure you heard Seander mention that their Captain Stopherlyn was harassing me. Well, he nearly got me onboard their vessel, The Opportunity Knocked. I don’t think I have ever had such direct contact with any of the Corsairs before today. Still, I should have known better. Stopherlyn certainly did.” He set his belongings down beside one of the bunks as he spoke.
Desperate for a change of subject,Tekaronhió:ken jumped at an opportunity when RIver fled back upstairs. ”I hope Ohneka does not wind up annoying any of the crew,” he said with a grin. ”I’d hate to think what would happen if she got tossed overboard.”
"Please don't do anything untoward the Corsairs," Joslenaya stated. "They won't try anything while you're on the Even Odds, and they won't try anything while we're in Pol, either. While they don't answer to us, we still have more authority than they do in the Imperial Navy."
Joslenaya leads you up the gangplank, up some stairs and to your bunks near the top of the ship. As she had stated, it was rather small. Just large enough for a bunk bed to sit against each of the three walls in front of you. The beds were made and the blankets smoothed to perfection, but there wasn't a lot of room to move around. "It's not much, but it'll do," Joslenaya says with a half-smile.
"The galley is down the stairs we came up and straight to the front of the ship. Everything is open for you to check out except for the other bunks, pending permission from their owners, and the hold. Er, anywhere below deck," she explained for anyone not familiar with ships. "If you need to speak with the capt... when he's not out and about, Officer Gossman's quarters are above the galley, straight down the hall and in the last room. We'll be shoving off in about twenty minutes, so he'll be busy for a good while. We should reach Pol at around five in the afternoon tomorrow."
"Does anyone have any questions?"
"Are the meals cooked by your crew, or are we expected to cook and supply our own food stuffs?" Crow had enough on him for a few days without any issue. But it would be easier if he didn't need to, and he'd have more supplies at the other end.
"We'll provide meals, but no more than we would feed our own sailors," Joslenaya answered.
Crow nodded as pleasantly as he could when bent over. "If I need more, I will provide it," the Warpriest said easily, already running through his supplies as to what could be cooked with the shortest time and the least cooking.
Once they’re underway, Edmund finds himself an out-of-the-way spot along the railing near the stern. He has his pipe in one hand, a book in the other, and two eyes constantly on the lookout for any pursuit.
It does not take long for the ship to start sailing towards Pol. Getting out of the dock is somewhat of an involved process, but the ship makes a surprisingly graceful exit and you soon find yourself on your way to Pol properly.
The Even Odds is surprisingly small despite how big it looks. It seems that most of the rooms along the outer walls were made to house archers, and every so often you can hear the twang of a bowstring being loosed, normally at some kind of wildlife such as gators. Whether it's to stave off boredom or if the sailors think they're actual threats remain to be seen.
Things are quite boring. Ships pass and you pass ships. Some wave, some salute, and others even ignore you completely. It seems to be business as usual. Everything runs efficiently, and while help is appreciated, it's only taken if offered. During dinner, you may hear some interesting things. Your plates are piled high with bread, beef, and vegetables. Especially Crow and River's plates.
As you're skulking about the ship. You hear many things not meant for you.
1) The horses that run the paddle wheel in the back of the boat seem to be suffering from fatigue. The sailors who are talking about it seem sympathetic to the horses' needs, and have come up with either getting more horses, or to find an animal with more endurance than a horse and swap them out.
2) Officer Gossman is technically the Captain of the ship without holding the position of Captain. Apparently, he pissed off some of the higher ups in the Imperial Navy and was put on Corsair watching duty. He had a lot of ambition and was a great sailor, but the tide was apparently against him. He's been bitter ever since.
3) In the hold (off limits to nearly everyone, not just your party) there seems to be some kind of experimental weapon. No one agrees to what it was, though. Some say it's a new type of siege weapon. Others, some sort of boomsticks from Alkenstar. More say that it's a powerful magical staff. Either way, the rumors all say it's going some unknown testing site for trials.
4) Word from Pol is that the Gouged Eye tribe has come down from the mountain, and they're ready to wage war against the city. The city had never been a target of raids before, in fact the Gouged Eye tribe only raided cities that slighted them in the past, so now they're scrambling to shore up defenses for an inevitable attack.
As day turns to night, most of the off-duty sailors come up to the upper deck. Rumor had it that River was going to perform, and many of them didn't want to miss it.
It was the perfect night for it as well. The Even Odds drifted through the river guided by moonlight and a clear sky full of stars. Out on the banks you can see fires along the river's road. Travelers stoking their fires as they cook dinner. Tents set up slightly away from the road to allow nighttime traffic to move by unheeded. There was even a large yurt which seemed to belong to a merchant or farmer based on the amount of bulls surrounding it. You can hear the faint sound of a lute being played, though it quickly disappears as you travel. Overall, it was peaceful.
The sailors milled about, waiting. It seemed a tad crowded, as most would be sleeping at this time to prepare for the next day. There was no fatigue in this group, just excitement. Even Officer Gossman is on deck. Though he's standing off to the side and staring off towards the bank, every so often he looks towards River and the party.
Seander pushed his way through the crowd to approach Tekaronhió:ken and the group. "Good evening! I heard around that there was a show going on?" Seander asked, excited. He mostly looked at Tekaron, but his gaze couldn't help but shift to the other members of the party present. "I know the House of Fate and Fire was an adventuring guild, but I didn't know you guys had performers, too!"
Crow heard the information, and left it for now. If people wanted to think River was going to perform in someway then that was there issue. If they wanted to think she needed him to protect them, and that kept there eyes on there jobs and there hands to themselves where he didn't need to break them then that was fine, too. The terror Crow liked to inspire was a useful tool, but River didn't need him to defend her. It was just simpler to stop the problems now, before someone got broken.
Also, he liked the extra food.
When people started gathering, however, he was less thrilled. Assumptions like this were not ideal. But it also wasn't Crow's place to decide what River did and didn't do, as grumpy as he was that no one had bothered asking. If she wanted to put on a show then it was entirely up to her. He simply stood to the side, ready to make sure the crew took any 'no' with grace, or with broken bones as needed.
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River remains spectacularly oblivious to the rumors but does accept the extra food with grateful smiles and then proceeds to swap all of her meat for other peoples vegetables. Luckily Bian doesn't mind too much!
After dinner she goes to sit up on deck near the prow where the wind can ruffle her hair and after a while it becomes clear, even to her, that people are watching her and seemingly expecting something. So she swings around and takes a seat on a coil of rope.
"So, this is the first story I was ever told." She says, smiling brightly at the nearest sailors. "I hope you enjoy it as much as I did." Adopting a straight posture and allowing her voice to pick up a slight rhythm River starts her performance.
"Once upon a time, and long ago, there lived a mighty dragon upon the tallest mountain at the heart of the world." Edmund, who has heard the story before sets to work providing special effects, a dragons roar sounding quietly across the ship. This has the added benefit of of quieting the remaining conversations.
"He was the proudest of all beings, for his teeth were long, his scales harder than any armor and his majesty was fit for the gods themselves. But, despite his mighty treasures his draconic heart grew cold, for he was lonely." River's face and body language are wonderfully emotive as she speaks, showing the dragon's heartbreak.
"And so he cried out in a mighty voice, calling for anyone who would listen and would come to him, that they might ease his loneliness." River paused, her expression expectant. "But no-one came. They feared his power and his majesty too much and said to each other 'It is a trick! How can such a mighty and powerful creature be lonely?' So many listened, and no-one came."
By now River was standing, her movement flowing across the small space of deck that formed her stage. "The dragon grew wrathful and descended from his mountain, bringing fire and death to all that he could reach." Edmund, wonderful man that he is, provided flickering red lights and a smell of sulphur. "Until one day a quiet spirit, a child from a tiny village left her home and climbed the mountain to meet the lonely dragon."
"'What are you, little thing?' The dragon roared. 'Who are you to come before my power?' The child said nothing, but climbed into the dragon's mighty claw and sat there. Then she began to speak. She told the dragon of life in her village, tales that the traders who came from far off lands told her. She told him of the ocean, a great plain of water so vast that even he could not cross it. She told him of life, love and loss and the lonely dragon felt his heart mend a little."
River paused, offering everyone her smile once more. "She spoke and spoke, telling every story she knew and any she could create, until one day she fell silent. 'Speak!' the dragon commanded. 'Tell me more'. 'But I have no stories left,' the girl replied. 'I have told you all that I, and my mother, and my mother's mother have known. I cannot stay here and tell you any more.' The dragon thought deeply on this for a long time and he looked at the child and saw that she was now a woman grown."
"'Go then,' the dragon said. 'Go out into the world and bring back tales for me.' Because by now he treasured the stories she told more deeply than any of his gold, silver or gems, and she was the most precious jewel in his collection. So before she left he taught her the most secret, and powerful of draconic arts. He taught her... magic."
River's wide eyes convey the wonder of that moment better than words ever could. "And so she went forth and everywhere she went she listened, to every story. From children in the streets to ancient wise men in the mountains she went, and she listened. And through her magic she carried each and every story that she heard back to the dragon on the mountain." River flowed across the deck, miming the woman's travels through the world as fluttering tendrils of water stream away from her and out into the darkness until she slowed to a halt.
"With every breath she gave a story, which floated back to the lonely dragon and slowly healed his heart until she finally died and her last breath floated, oh so gently, back to the mountain where the lonely dragon rested. And her last breath told her story, the story of her life well lived and the love she had for her lonely dragon, so far away."
River sank back to her coil of rope, hands clasped over her heart and the silence of the night was so complete that even the river itself seemed to have paused to hear her speak.
"And the dragon was lonely no more, for he realised that he had lived and loved a lifetime with his storyteller, and through her tales he had lived a thousand more from all across the world. So he summoned all of his magic and released it, carrying every story out across the world and himself with it - bound to his mountain no more. Free at last to join his Storyteller once again."
"That is how the wind was born," River finished, her voice dropping to a whisper and her movements slowing to a near stop. "and now you know, when you hear a voice whispering on the wind, it is the Storyteller, passing on a tale to her dragon once more."
She finishes her story with a final, graceful swirl and slows to a complete stop. She bows to the audience and casts a grateful smile to Edmund and a shy glance towards Crow, as though seeking his approval.
As Jebediah takes in the loose talk of the crew, he has to forcibly suppress an ear to ear grin to keep his teeth from giving him away as amusing notions form and events fall into place. An evening show, is it? Perfect...
Crow watched, as enraptured as the crew, his head tilted to one side as he absorbed River's story. It certainly felt...right. He could appreciate the feelings of the dragon, that was certain. 'Lonely' was one word for himself, although he wasn't sure how applicable it entirely was now. He liked where he was now, he liked the House and the people there, but he certainly felt a part of life was missing.
Rousing his mind, he noticed River looking over at him. Crow smiled and nodded, clapping along with the rest of a crew - and a glance at them to make sure they were clapping with suitable enthusiasm.
”People talk. Sailors talk more,” Tekaronhió:ken muttered to himself when he first heard the rumors spreading amongst the crew. It was something his father had been fond of saying whenever the sailors from Minkai would come ashore for provisions and trade.
With each new voice added, his father’s voice would repeat, ”People talk. Sailors talk more.” Even when he started hearing the addition of Crow being River’s personal guard, Tekaronhió:ken brushed it off as idle gossip. Though, if he were to be honest with himself, jealousy did tinge the edges of his vision when he saw the larger portion on the large warrior’s plate. It quickly faded as his own meal filled his belly.
”I had heard the same,” Tekaronhió:ken said in reply to Seander. ”I believe it is only idle chatte-” He cut himself short as River launched into her tale and quickly found himself invested in the story.
When the crowd began to applaud, the rougarou tilted his head back to let out a howl. Time and experience had taught him to subdue much of his own culture but, here, now, under the moon and stars it just seemed…right.
When River first appeared, the group of sailors began to holler and cat-call. They got louder when she swung and sat, but dimmed down as she began to speak. Whispers echoed through the crowd.
"A story?"
"What kind of show did they say it was going to be?"
"This is going to be stupid, ain't it?"
"Hey, at least she's nice to look at."
Despite how it started the group was quickly enthralled by River's performance. Those who were too busy making comments were quickly shushed as the magic images fell behind the dancing Naiad. Everyone was listened and watched as if to engrave the story into their souls. As everything quieted down near the end, it seemed as though River's whisper would even reach the shore.
The silence lingered as everyone waited to see if there was anything else that could be squeezed out from the story. It didn't last more than a few seconds before one of the sailors in the back yelled, "That was f%#@in' amazing!" A torrent of applause and whistles came on the exclamation's heels as it riled the crew up. Crow's critical eye didn't spot anyone lacking enthusiasm asides from Officer Gossman, who had turned to watch the whole thing.
"Encore!"
"Dance some more for us!"
"If you need company tonight my bunk is open!"
"There's no way she'll go with you."
"Hey! Shut up!"
As the crowd started to move forward to speak with River, a loud voice cut through the din. Officer Gossman yelled, bringing the mass of people to a stop almost immediately. The sailors parted ways as their leader began to approach the group. He stopped at the head, between River and the people, and turned around. "What is all this, there's not even enough room to swing a cat! Clear the deck, lest you want me to find work for you all!"
Despite the haranguing, the sailors were in good spirits as they started descending into the ship. They repeated their favorite lines, and couldn't stop commenting on the production. When most of them were cleared, leaving only the crew who were supposed to be there, Gossman turned around to look at River. His gaze lingered for a moment before he spoke again. "Not bad," Gossman claimed. He turned his back and started walking towards the stairs. "It was worth the price of the voyage."
When Tekaronhió:ken looked back at Seander, there were stars in the young man's eyes. "That. Was. Fantastic." The sailor muttered before looking at the Rougarou with jealousy and reaching out to grab his arm. "You get to travel around and be regaled like that often? You're so lucky! Hey! When my obligation to the River Guard is up, could you help me get into the House of Fate and Fire? ImeanIknowadventuringisdangerousbutsoissailing and oh I'm really sorry." The excitable Seander released Tekaron and backed away a little bit. "I'm sorry, heat of the moment. I'm... I'm really envious, you know?"
River watches Grossman go with a sigh of relief. "I think the story helped." She says quietly to Edmund before giving the man a hug and a kiss on his moustached cheek. "Thank you for your help."
Then she steps over to Crow and tilts her head right back so she can look up at him. "Did you like it?" She asks, reaching out to place her slender hand in his.
Standing without intervention went against the grain for Crow. He was a proactive man, and when he saw an issue he liked to deal with it now, rather than give it time to grow.
But unless they turned violent, the rowdy crew wasn't his problem to solve. They were the captain's problem, or River's if the captain couldn't handle it. Of course, if either asked, then he would happily help. But until then it wasn't his place. These weren't his people to control and River wasn't his to protect, even if he felt a certain desire to do so. It was worth remembering that she didn't need him to defend her - if anything, she was likely more dangerous than he was.
But then Grossman got his crew under control. Discipline seemed good, as they obeyed without much hesitation or grumbling, but that might also be the high from the show. Still, he appreciated the man doing his job - too many would simply ignore the problem until something bad happened. He would have guessed the ship was good by the fact the House chose to hire them, but it seemed solid.
Crow listens to the officer's voice, and felt there might be something here, but his attention was drawn away as River placed her hand inside his own massive paw.
The Warpriest tensed at her touched, even through the darkleather and iron that made up his gauntlet, but smiled beneath his helmet and nodded. It was a single nod, but deep, slow and absolute assured that it meant 'yes'. Still, Crow added the words to it. "Yes. It was a beautiful story." He closed his fingers as he spoke very slowly and with absolutely no pressure.
"Quite a tale indeed and quite the telling," Jebediah chimes in, appearing in the midst of the dispersing crowd. "I've met a bard or two who could take pointers, though most of them have slightly more aversion to public nudity," he snickers. As Gossman leaves immediate earshot, he motions for the party to huddle up a moment, lowering his voice a bit. "Looks like we may be dealing with orcs after all; word is they're spoiling for a fight with the city, which seems to be a first. Might be someone in town did something very stupid."
"I brought along two casks of fine brandy, the orc chief's favourite liquid tribute, which might help smooth over any ruffled...ear hairs."
River refuses to join the huddle, her face fell rather sharply at the Doctor's 'public nudity' crack and rather than join her companions she moves to the prow and curls up as small as she can behind the coil of rope she was previously sitting on, clearly trying to disappear as much as possible.
"I had a similar idea," Crow said debated internally which way to go. "Although I went a more martial route. A well crafted weapon favoured by there god. I should mention that there chosen deity has a preference for magic, and pyromancy above all other forms."
With a quick glance down at the doctor, Crow moved to stand by River.
Jebediah spares River an eyebrow as she departs, then waves the others in closer, dropping almost to a whisper (for a goblin, at least.) "So would anyone be the slightest bit curious or concerned as to what sort of 'experimental weapon' is on board and why it's heading to Pol? Because that seems to be what we've got and somehow I doubt it's a peace offering for the Orcs."
”Is there anything in your rumour network to suggest that this weapon has anything to do with us or this situation at the mine? All of the goodwill we’ve earned with this ship’s officers and crew would be nullified if we were caught snooping in things that don’t concern us at all.”
Dr. Castle shrugs. "None at all. However there is also nothing to suggest it has nothing to do with us or our situation. The timing is rather convenient, don't you think? This ship was heading to Pol with this 'weapon,' with or without us. Make of that what you will. You lot are doing a fine job earning goodwill; I'll keep my ears to--" he looks down at the planks and taps his foot, then smiles.
"To the deck."
Standing next to River, Crow was unsure what to do next. True, he'd seen plenty of upset women, but it was usually because he'd cut someone they cared for in half. Which was awkward, but rarely something he had to care about.
After thinking for a bit, he cleared his throat. "You seem...unhappy."
River looks up, her lovely face glistening with tears. "Why is he so mean?" She asks quietly. "I don't know what I did wrong..." She sounds like a small child, confused about why they're being punished for something.
"Could... could I have a hug?" She asks awkwardly.
Crow's brain froze for a moment. The part of his brain that still held some semblance of sense sighed, and asked, how can you find a slip of a girl more terrifying than a monster?
Crow knew the answer to that. If you let people in they could leave far more devastating wounds than anything the flesh could bare.
Still, he awkward held out his arm after a moment. He wasn't sure it would be comfortable, but he moved the leather greatcoat other the metal of his armour with the other.
"Jebediah is honest," Crow said after a moment. "Just as you are. Some people take nudity as an invitation to more...intimate actions. They're wrong, of course, only explicit and freely given consent is an invitation to such things, but some people think that. Hence why most people do not feel comfortable being nude where others but there lovers can see them."
Crow considered. "Jebediah is honest, but also quite blunt. While we are somewhat used to your nudity," hah, not much chance of getting use to that, "But the sailors are not. You having been naked in front of them almost certainly inflamed certain...passions, in some of them. Some of them may even think you have a casual regard to sex, and would be willing to sleep with them, although I think most of them are now aware that you simply don't see nudity as something shameful, that needs to be hidden." The fact that Crow said that while he, himself, was almost completely covered except for a few patches of glowing tattoos and sigils on one arm, probably said a lot about how Crow felt about himself.
River steps inside the embrace of leather and steel that Crow offers, wraps her arms as far around his armored middle as she can and lets out a sound that's somewhere between a sigh and a sob.
She stays quiet while the half-ogre speaks, apparently quite content within the protective cocoon that he offers.
"I'm sorry." She says unexpectedly, when silence has laid heavily on them both for a few minutes. "I don't mean to make you uncomfortable. You, you all are my... family? That is the word I think. Edmund is kind, like good fathers in the stories. Bian is a little brother, always getting into trouble that I have to help with and you are my big brother, the one who looks after me." She peeks upwards. "I'm sorry for making your life difficult. I'll try to be better."
She leans back into Crow and lets the silence wrap around them for a while longer.
"Do they hurt?" The words are a whisper in the night. "Your scars? Is that why you hide them from everyone?" Whether she's talking about literal or metaphorical scars is open to debate.
"Everyone makes everyone uncomfortable sometimes, I think," Crow said slowly. "I know you are not thrilled by killing, for example. We are as close to blood as can be, but we are all our own people too. Simply keep in mind that sometimes your choices will have people react in ways that you aren't as fond of, and chose whether it's better for you to do one thing or the other. We'll support you. Even the good doctor, I think."
Looking down, he added after a moment, "As to the scars...No. Some of them ache, but it is not my scars I seek to hide. If anything they are trophies, proof I fought and lived. Others of my faith generally respect a good scar." Crow wasn't sure how to explain it wasn't his scars he tried to hide, but himself. His scars were well-earned, whereas he was ill-formed.
After River's performance the rest of your ride to Pol was either delightfully easy-going or horrendously easy-going, depending on who you asked. The Even Odds ran even when the wind stopped blowing. Over the night, the crew gather 21 gold coins in a sack and place it in front of your door with a note stating, It's for the bard. Great show.
The ship arrives in Pol the following day just before dinner. Whether it's by design or on accident, Officer Gossman seems happy to kick you off before you have the chance to eat. Joselnaya escorts you from the ship after you've gathered your gear.
Pol is incredibly quaint, especially after coming here from Zimar. Despite being the capital of the Whitemarch Prefecture, it seemed small and mostly run down based on what you could see from the docks. At a glance, the roads were well maintained, as were the docks, but over half of the buildings could use a new coat of paint and likely had a long list of other problems. It felt more like a waystation than a capital.
"Thank you again for that incredible show," Joslenaya said to River once her feet were on dry land. "That's the least nettled I've seen Officer Gossman in a long while. Hopefully he rides that wave for a few weeks."
"But I've been wondering, what kind of mission is your group up to? Causing trouble or solving it?"
"Maybe you could tell me the stories about them one day?" River says quietly, turning to use Crow as a leaning post while she looks out across the river. She keeps his arm around her though. "I like hearing stories about my family."
----------------------------------------------
"Solving it I hope." River replies, giving the officer a hug. "I'm not sure we're allowed to talk about it though." She looks to Edmund for advice on that point. "But thank you, it's been a lovely journey, and please say thank you to the crew. They were all so nice. I hope we get to sail with you all again!" She insists on waving to all the sailors she can see on deck before the group departs for good.
The naiad has refrained from swimming again since her performance the previous night and all of her family can see her casting the occasional longing glance at the water. The hustle and bustle of the docks seem to be enough to put her off though and she walks with Edmund humming to herself and drinking in the sights and sounds.
Crow's helmet followed the troopers and there cargo. It seemed unlikely that this was anything to do with there task, but Crow noted it and the building anyway.
"Thank you for the voyage," Crow added to River's gratitude. The voyage had been acceptable, if nothing else, but now came the more difficult part - finding transport to the mine. More superficially, finding some poor draft horse and trying to convince it to carry Crow. Perhaps he should look into getting an animal companion. The Druids he knew usually raved about them, often while darting around in circles or flying around.
He glanced at River, and noted her desire to swim. Hopefully there was a river or stream they could follow part of the time, but he carried a bath with him and could generate water at will if not. Not the best, but better than nothing he supposed.
"Does anyone know where we can find mounts?" Maybe they could buy a cart and team instead.
Dr. Castle offers Joslenaya a cryptic smile as he looks about, examining the town and the locals and trying not to stare at the mysterious military procession. "Depending on what we find, maybe a bit of both. That's the fun part about mysteries; you never know what kind of mess you'll have to clean up...or make."
Joselnaya nodded. "I understand needing to be discreet," she stated, looking at each of you in turn. "There's a lot of rumors about the orcs going on out there, so stay safe. I hope you all take care out there,"
"It was our pleasure, Crow," she told him. "Depending on where you're heading, Augustus' Stable is to the north, and I think it was... oh, what was it... Gar's Sundries, Blacksmith, and Horse Stall. That one's to the east. If you were to ask me, though, Augustus' is the way to go. Unless you're looking for a place that puts some marketplaces to shame."
Nodding, the massive warpriest looked at the others. "So long as everyone has the supplies they need for the trip - food, climbing, weather gear and the like then Augustus' sounds like the better choice." Specialists were more likely to have what Crow needed. He looked to see if anyone else needed more general supplies.
River is getting distracted by a stall selling small blown glass sculptures and seems to be paying no attention while she marvels at the tiny animals, trees and waves seemingly frozen in time.
With no one wishing for any other materials Crow headed for Augustus' to see to mounts.
As you walk north on Pol's main road, the dichotomy of the pristine road conditions and the "this will do" attitude about the buildings comes into clear focus. Suddenly, you come to the realization that there aren't any noble family homes here. Most of the shops are general stores or stands that cater to people passing through rather than those who live here.
Pol itself has the potential to become a large city due to its strategic position, but merchants and nobles alike have been fighting over the rights and land of the city. They know that whoever gets the rights to build and sell there will be able to make a big profit, but the competition has also lead to a stalemate that has left Pol's growth stagnant for years.
The declining quality of buildings continue as you get farther from the docks, and not too long after you began your trek you can see the arch that denotes the edge of the city. There are fewer people out this way, but almost all seem to be working, even a child keeping watch to the north.
Augustus' Stables is the nicest building you can see this far out, safe from the noise of the docks. The peace and tranquility of a town near the end of its day is broken by the sounds of horses snorting and galloping. A scream from the stables reaches your ears. "The-they're back! Guards! Guards! They're after the horses! "