"Gods, YES!" Cyril templed as he took the bottle and several gulps, then coughed.
"Ssmooth..", the young noble tried to regain his composure.
Then it feels like electricity courses through your bodies. Arthur would have dropped the bottle onto the floor but Cyril had taken it.
Shooting stars move around your body as it feels like you are flying. Then you hear a melodious voice, [b]"I heard your words, if you want to gain me as your matron you must first prove your faith then a quest will be given to you.
Cyril you wake up with a pounding headache, opening your eyes you see gray light filtering into the room through your windowed port hole. You are tucked in your bed and you believe you are nearly naked. The door opens and Saffire walks in, she checks your temperature with the back of her hand on your forehead. She takes a towel and dips it in a bowl, then she brushes its cool contents onto your face. She doesn't seem to see your eyes are open.
"What..? What..happened?" Cyril murmurs weakly.
She smiles at you and shushes you, then concerned she says, "We don't know what happened. The two of you were found out cold in your room after dinner since you didn't come then. I volunteered to take care of you as we don't have a priest or healer on board. It has been nearly a week. It seems the little I have fed you has kept your Constitution. You have nearly two days to recover otherwise we will take you home, leaving the expedition at the Verge."
Your not dominant hand pulses with energy and heat, if you uncover it you will see a tattoo of a rapier upon it. You feel willing it will bring forth your blade. You also sense pain, not your own but of your bonded companion.
"Th-Thank you,.. Saffire." Cyril does his best to sit up in bed.
It hurts but you can fight through the pain. Saffire tries to help putting an arm behind you. Then you realize the pain is not your own. Stretching your tight muscles feels good a bit painful but laying in bed for several days will do that.
"Damn. I slept through most of the voyage." Cyril stretches his legs. "What of my companions, Stavian and Ed?"
With a bit of trepidation she lets you know, "Yes... Stavian has been out like you but is alive. Who is this Ed?" She asks with curiosity.
"The dog", Cyril states. The young noble didn't wish to let slip Ed's intelligence and lose any advantage.
With a bit of surprise she states, "Oh yeah there was a dog in here with you, the same one that had been following either of you. I should have known. We weren't sure how it would act when it awoke so it is in the hold. I hope someone has been watching over him. Do you want me to go check on him?"
With your likely nod or word of Yes, she helps you lay down again before rushing from the room. Her footsteps receding quickly.
With no one in the room, Cyril points his tattooed hand up toward the ceiling to unleash the rapier within.
As it magically froms in your hand you feel complete. You realize there is a connection to it as well as your group. The sword feels vibrant and ready. You do feel a surge of energy that feels great!
It takes her a good 15 minutes before she returns. She comes in grabs a wet towel and dabs your forehead as she relays, "Your dog, Ed, is doing much better than you. He has been fed and watered by the cooks. Though I wasn't able to track down the captain to get the key to open the hold. Is there anything else I can get you. I wonder where she might be."
"No thank you, Saffire", the young investigative wizard said humbly. "You have done me a great service already." Cyril stopped to look around the room. "I'll just change in to some clothes, and hope the fresh sea air can help refresh my senses."
She leaves you in the nearly bare room. A hammock sways with a small weight in it, upon closer inspection it is a pillow and a blanket. Arthur's backpack is under the hammock. Your gear is on the desk. The closet holds a few of your and Arthur's outfits. Spare boots on the bottom. You likely gingerly get dressed and in a few minutes out of the room only to have a bit of pain on your right leg like a dagger had stabbed you there.
You find Saffire waiting for you and offers a helping hand and a quarterstaff for support.
Cyril smiled sheepishly. "Miss Ravenclaw, I'm sure as a First Mate, you have duties that outweigh mothering a sleepy noble. Go. If I fall, I'll crawl back up. But, as always, thank you very much."
She then nods and hurries along with her duties. No sign of her after a few moments, leaving you silent and alone in the hallway.
Cyril travels to the hold to find Ed, and one of the other cabins to find Stavian.
You make it to the hold but there is no one there.
Going to the other room you find it is filled with bodies. Hammocks upon hammocks to accommodate the quantity of bodies in the room hang from the walls and ceiling. You notice the two cooks first and might wonder who else Arthur paid to come along.
You make it to the hold but there is no one there.
Cautiously looking around, Cyril takes out his thief tools and attempts to open the hold.
Going to the other room you find it is filled with bodies. Hammocks upon hammocks to accommodate the quantity of bodies in the room hang from the walls and ceiling. You notice the two cooks first and might wonder who else Arthur paid to come along.
Goodness!
"Pardon me. I'm looking for Arthur Stavian?"
Cyril jams the lock...
The lithe cook walks towards you and motions for you to exit. Once outside she closes the door and states in hushed tones, "We haven't seen him all week. We have been worried, the adventurers have reassured us he is being taken care of, though we haven't seen him in any of their rooms. I am sure there are places we have missed but we should have found him. I hate to say it but the captain's hold is the only place we haven't looked, oh and the armory. Both of them are locked up tight."
Cyril looks to the beautiful ship cook. "Thank you, madam. Now. I think it is best you return to the galley. I don't wish you to be a part of what happens next."
The still recovering noble makes his way back on deck and to the Captain's Hold. Cyril reflexes his off-hand, making the Mistress Blade appear. Cyril slams the butt of the rapier into the door, knocking loudly.
"CAPTAIN! I REQUEST AN AUDIENCE WITH MY COMPATRIOT, STAVIAN!!"
The cook nods and gives you a wish for luck before entering her room again.
The crew members on the deck stop in their duties and watch the furious noble. As Cyril bangs on the door, Saffire orders the crew back to their duties. She remains at the helm unseen by Cyril.
After a few minutes the captain unlocks the four locks on the door and opens it marginally, almost mockingly she chuchles out, "You rang?" Then she opens the door more letting you into her main cabin. She shuts the door behind you then states, "Arthur is a bit indisposed at the moment, you are welcome to check on him, but if you care for his modesty just have a seat he will be with us shortly. So you are both marked by the Mistress? That is intriguing. Would you like some strengthening services too? There is no growth without pain."
As you likely have a seat and wait for Arthur to arrive, he comes out bare chested but with some green leggings on. "How are you doing Cyril?"
"Strengthening services?!" Cyril sputtered indignantly. "I shall wait for Stavian's reappearance. Thank you."
The young noble has only speculations about what 'The Prince' and The Captain have been doing, but this secrecy has put Cyril on edge and would to confirm his friend is alright.
"I also wish to check on the whereabouts of our dog, Ed, if you please?"
As you likely have a seat and wait for Arthur to arrive, he comes out bare chested but with some green leggings on. "How are you doing Cyril?"
"I am recovering, but your disappearnce so soon after our", Cyril looks to The Captain, "event had me worried. How are you, good sir", the investigative wizard said, sounding relieved.
She casually states, "Oh yes since you are awake we can let him out. You do know he has other forms... like a druid... Arthur I will need to see you tonight to finish the ritual."
---
At Arthur's prompt she adds, "Yes I know of a temple of undeath along our route. It is a blight for the region but luckily the region is nearly desolate. Though for your sakes don't enter the temple, do what you can with the fodder outside. Though you might be able to persuade some of the muscle to aid you with that death knight. You have another day to recover before that mission. Then two more days before we get to the edge of the Verge."
---
After a bit of prestidigitation and securing her normal gear she offers, "Shall we go collect your dog then..." She shuts the door after going through after the two of you and locks the only outside lock. She tugs on the handle to make sure it works.
When she gets to the hold she fingers her key ring and pulls out a simple black iron key. She puts it in the lock and tries to turn it but it doesn't budge. "Well that is troubling, I will have the lock master check it over when we get to Hera's Paradise. Until then unless you know your way around locks it won't budge."
He uses some diplomatic words but it is lackluster for his normal talk, "The Captain was so gracious to take me in. Sure I was lucid for at most an hour each day but didn't have the... I was exhausted. It is a new feeling for me. As there was only one bed she brought me to her bedroom. I am much better now. Last night I only had to sleep ten hours, today we worked hard at my strengthening. As you heard it isn't over yet. Once that is over Mary is willing to make a stop for our Mistress's mission." He was obviously tired as his normal banter was missing and he was talking simply.
"Mission? I don't recall a mission for The Mistress?" Cyril ponders aloud. "It is entirely possible that I failed to absorb such information during our meeting; her presence overpowering me."
He spins a tell and does his best to relay a secret message.
He successfully relays that a mission is more believable reason for finding undead. Also trying to avoid revealing the real reason we want to kill undead.
He concurs, "Yes that meeting was overwhelming."
Stavian can't read the look of incongruity that Cyril giving him about taking a side quest to make a wish.
"Come now, Stavian. Ed must be awake and worried. Make yourself presentable."
He hurridly relays as he walks over and grabs one of his shirts that matches his leggings, "Yes, yes, yes." He also does a few cleaning cantrips and is out with the two of you a few rounds later.
At the hold he puts his hand through the bars to pet Ed. He also tells him, "You are going to have to stay in there unless you can turn into something small."
Ed takes a moment and then in a golden cloud the dog is gone. A brown and white sparrow flutters and lands on Cyril's shoulder. He chirps happily in his ear.
Cyril is astounded. "This is a new trick? Part of your gift, Ed?"
The sparrow flutters down to the ground and in another golden cloud is replaced by the dog. He then quietly says, "I can only shift into my different forms once a day. Just wait to see my large form. I think it is time for a biscuit!" He rubs next to Cyril and Arthur before heading for the kitchen. At the kitchen he gets a biscuit from one of the cooks.
Following the dog, not wanting him to be left behind, he got to the kitchen and stated, "It's alright Kara. The Captain was tending me as I was recovering. Would you please make me something sweet to eat?" You see the sparkle in his face as he plies his Charisma on the cook.
He looks at Cyril and asks, "Who do you want to ask to help with the death knight, you have a good relationship with Sir Issac, I will go talk to Maya and the Death Dealers. Or should we stick together?"
She took her leave and went back up to the deck.
Cyril glares at Stavian. "Who said ANYTHING about a death knight?! Is that your target? We are two nobles just out of Avalon, and you think we can take on a death knight?!!"
The investigative wizard shakes his head. "WELL..! Both groups sound like they could work, but I'll go ask Sir Issac first."
Cyril turned to leave, then immediately got in the bard-barian's face. "...unless their are some other little details I should know about?"
A bit hurt he starts then stops.
Cyril's frown soften. "Arthur. I apologize", Cyril sighed. "So incredibly much has happened in a ridiculous amount of time. Powers. Gods. Secret Lineages. Magical Weapons. Voyages. Please be patient with me, old friend."
Looking to the Captain, Cyril adds, "I shall meet you back on deck, whole, and ..erm clean."
The investigative wizard turns to leave.
He sighs and replies calmly, "I forgive you. Yes much has happened!" He then slyly states, "The Death Knight would be avoided, though a group or two might be convinced to deal with it."
Once Cyril is gone and the sweet treat is made he takes his time to cool down the sticky bun with his breath. As Kara watches him he stops and does a come hither motion with his finger. As she gets close he pulls her down to him and kisses her fiercely.
After his two sweet treats he heads over to the Death Dealers cabin.
The Captain is on deck with her helmsman, looking at some charts and doing some measuring, as you get closer you over hear, ...over there. Keep her aligned with the peak and in a few hours we should be slowing down."
After leaving the Captain's quarters, Cyril walks to Sir Issac's cabin and knocks on the door.
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Through the door you hear a male's voice yelling, "Give me a minute!"
After the minute the door opens and a brute of a man opens the door. He quickly asks, "Yeah what do you want?"
If you ask him about Sir Issac's location he offers, "Likely on deck training. I got some down time and enjoying a break in private."
When you do get to the deck you see Sir Issac and the other four metal clad Gorumites exercising in full gear. As you approach he seperates from the others and walks you over to the deck railing. "Isn't it beautiful. I have never seen sights from this height before. How are you doing, I heard you got a cold or something. Both Arthur and you were out for most of the week, right?"
When you do get to the deck you see Sir Issac and the other four metal clad Gorumites exercising in full gear. As you approach, he separates from the others and walks you over to the deck railing. "Isn't it beautiful. I have never seen sights from this height before. How are you doing, I heard you got a cold or something. Both Arthur and you were out for most of the week, right?"
Cyril nod enthusiastically. "Indeed. I am well. Thank you, Sir Issac. Let's just say both Arthur and I experience a major religious experience. Without the need for hallusengenics."
"During our voyage, Arthur researched the possible location of a death knight on route to our initial destination. It may take a little of a detour, but he thinks with your help, we can bring it to it's ultimate justice. Is that something you would consider in helping us with?"
|
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He quickly replies, "Consider?! To purge evil from these lands is our purpose!" He intones calling upon Gorum to guide him.
"A Death Knight, I have heard of them before but never encountered one before. Creatures raised from their tombs. Let the captain know we would need a day of rest before the battle."
---
After Arthur states the challenge he shouts over to the elf catching a lot of those on the deck attentions, "Hazoot! We shall accept your challenge, what shall we wager?!"
The elf walks with Arthur from below, they walk over to the other railing. The elf seems stoic. Soon enough Arthur walks away from him. Looking at Arthur you notice a big grin on the elf's face.
He comes over and states, "The Death Dealers are on board for the incursion as long as The Bright is on board, they have offered a challenge to see which team can destroy more undead than the other before getting to the Death Knight. What do you say Sir Issac?"
This is likely your first time hearing him speak, "300 gold coins, or did you have something else in mind?"
---
He nods and accepts the challenge with a raised arm. That grin not leaving his face.