Search Posts
Hook Toss:
After much work and many falls, the tall Garundi makes it up to the ship. Quiz:
And just as surprising as his actions on the ropes is his wide variety of knowledge.
"Even with skill in blades, you are not hearty enough or fast enough," Sawib says succinctly. "I can likely handle boarding first, as enemies have a difficult time hitting me."
Sawib raises an eyebrow slowly at the fool as he speaks. When Sandara speaks about the shrunken liver, he snorts. "That fool would die before he set foot on an enemy ship...I can only imagine that his continued survival is due to lack of combat or someone with worse luck."
I'm gonna take a little bit of time to get into posting again. My 9 month old kitten had sudden onset of neurological issues that quickly led to euthanasia over the weekend. To say I'm devastated puts it lightly, and I just need some time to get my head back into it all.
"He's putting us in situations to find what we can do?" the Garundi poses, part statement and part question. "It seems you're used to things being different."
Sawib approaches Maheem, bowing to him in greeting. "I appreciate being able to fight beside you today. I see there is much to learn about the denizens of these waters. Is there any assistance I can offer?"
They were still testing them? After all this time? That made two of them that had successfully proven themselves, from what the Captain had said. Would the other crew be jealous? No...There wouldn't be any reason at all to think that. They would already be familiar with this general craziness. Sawib turns to Maheem and Crimson, bowing slightly. "Thank you for allowing me to battle beside you both."
Nodding, the weaponless man responds, as he backs up. "Where do I find the wizard?" Seeing the majority of the crew are watching, he looks to those of the newly acquired. "Sunny, Redo! Help me in gathering up some fire! Grok should have what we need!"
Pointing to a club laying unattended on the deck, Sawib motions to Drak. "Grab that!" Seeing the storm building, Sawib plants his feet into a deep stance near the enemy, getting himself into a flank with Maheem. "Sunny! Grab the wheel or we're going under!"
Tumbling onto the stairs as the ship is rocked by the force of the assault. Making his way onto his feet, he rushes up into deck. Seeing the giant creature, he heads over towards the troll. Cracking his knuckles, he books his way over.
Sawib smiles and nods to the fellow warrior. "Sounds like you've got others at your back. When I was told to come down here, they smiled at me. I may not be the brightest candle in the pile, but I know when someone is respected."
"He held back. Had he not, it might've been a different story." Opening the chest with his key, he takes his meager amount of belongings. Taking one small swig of the booze to be polite, he nods. "Someday, I hope to be on the level with you both."
"Similar to?...." he poses, as he takes the key and stores it safely away.
"Well, it is based on the Eye. That thing never moves, and yet is always in motion, wrecking anything that approaches it. That is what I studied. The best ways to emulate those traits and how to make any approach from an enemy into a good scenario. I am still practicing what I was taught. I am glad the showing was against a tough opponent today. I have seen skilled practitioners of the style break men in half."
"Much appreciated," the big man says, as he nods slightly and heads below deck. Seeing Grok for the first time, he makes a warrior's appraisal of her befor sitting. "It depends on the drink, but I will tell my story. I was born here in the Shackles. As far back as memories go, my family has lived here. The village I am from said I was different, and so they sent me off to train. It was not easy training." Sawib smells the drink as he speaks.
Despite the previous day's exertion, Sawib manages to work hard and show the reason he has spent the majority of his days on the sea.
Sawib unhooks his hammock and rolls it up into an almost pillow, falling asleep to the rocking of the ship.
Sawib nods to the man who claps him on the shoulder. "It was difficult, but some men are only able to understand each other through combat." He lowers his voice. "It was never about the knife contest. They were testing how much we could take."
Sawib speaks quietly to Jerieth. "You nearly got yourself in trouble. You forgot the ship rules, and if I hadn't stepped in, things would not have been good for you." the Garundi wipes his hands on his pants as he speaks. "You may be willing to lay it down, but you need to know how to keep your head on your shoulders, or you'll end up like that poor sod."
Heading over to the less than pleasant officer, he remains silent, waiting for his duty and his coin.
Sawib smiles at the answer from his opponent. As the redheaded woman approaches, the Garundi waves off this assistance she offers in helping Cog up, assisting getting him up on his feet until he's sure the man is steady. Once he's clean of blood and sweat, he looks to the Captain. Once the laughing quiets, he does not break gaze from other Garundi. "My companion's actions are not mine. What they do is their business and speaks to them. I am satisfied with what I've learned. The real challenge was never the bleeding. How did I fare in the real challenge, Captain?" It is clear that Sawib is no simple hot headed fool, as he raises the question respectfully but with clear knowledge.
Sawib sidesteps the swing from the sap, lowering his voice this time. "You'll have to show me sometime then, how you stand despite the blood."
With the fury of the roaring waves, the man's fist swings out, this time in a wide arc. Despite the arc being wide, the momentum causes the Garundi to spin around, his knee coming behind the shorter man and easily turning the man ass over tea kettle. His voice remains low as he speaks for only Cog's ears. "I do not wish to continue this, but you do not have the capacity to win. We both know this. We are at a stalemate, though."
"Do you yield?" the man says as Cog's swing entirely misses him, thanks to the shorter man's legs going out from under him, and the sailor hits the deck with another harsh thud. The tall Garundi seems to stand with a calm sway, as though he was anticipating the moves of the ocean itself.
"I'm afraid, not quite yet." With surprising swiftness, the towering man brings his knee forward and down, crushing into the side of the shorter man's kneecap, knocking him entirely off balance again.
Sweeping his foot out again, Sawib catches the man just shy of the chin, as he attempts to stand.
"Let's see how you handle this one then."
Although his fist doesn't connect, his leg sweeps underneath the man again, knocking him to the deck once more. "Do you yield, Red?"
I see what you're saying. Sawib doesn't know how much damage Cog is capable of taking, so he's banking on literally being able to knock Cog to the ground, literally fulfilling the challenge, word for word. In the off chance he's not cheating, Sawib still intends to show Cog his strength without showing everything. Either way, I think people will at least think twice before tangling physically with Sawib.
Sawib is saying trial by combat, which means that the combat is a form of legal trial and the winner has won their point. So, if Sawib wins, combat (as judge & jury, so to speak) rules that Cog was cheating; if Sawib loses, then it shows Cog was the rightful winner. :) I like pulling stuff from the old legal systems, and in a harsh land like the Shackles, this seems like a "settle this like men" alternative.
To give an idea of what Sawib is planning, he's taking his "Free shot" for a flurry. Never give a monk a "free shot." ^_^ The other thing is, by Sawib's exact words, that trip should knock Cog to the deck, which is exactly what Sawib said would happen if Cog was cheating. That would win the trial by combat. :) Sawib may not be a SMART man, but he does know how to win.
Sawib nods, motioning to the crowd. "Take a weapon then. If you're cheating, then you'd be losing both challenges. Wouldn't that be right, Mr. Kroop?"
I'm fine with whatever, really.
Sawib puts his hand on the hot tempered woman's shoulder, shaking his head and stepping forward. "We'll do this, by the rules," the giant of a man says simply. "I believe that the Crimson man is cheating. If he is truly that bloodied, then one hit should drop him to the deck. I challenge you, right here, right now, in front of the whole crew; unarmed combat. No weapons, no armor. Let the whole crew see whether they can trust your word and action." He takes a step forward, glancing to the officers for approval.
Sawib smirks, looking the man dead in the eyes. "If he's capable of magic, he'd be on the deck. I say he takes his shirt off, if he has nothing to hide."
"You are a man who cuts himself with a blade for entertainment. You are a fool. But we'll play your fool game, to pass the time and shut your mouth." The man cuts stripes across his hand.
Bleeding heavily, the man, still stone faced, motions for the potion.
Oblivious to the actions, he cuts himself.
The towering giant of a man begins to take measured steps towards the loudmouth. Taking off his shirt, he tucks it into the makeshift belt at his waist. Putting his hand on Sunny's shoulder, he shakes his head and gently moves her aside. "You want blood? You find you need a coward's tool for your game? Hand it here." He extends his hand.
Sawib just keeps his mouth shut, continuing to work along towards the evening.
"Like the Eye itself, it seems. At least you know what you get with it." The tall man stretches, slipping the shirt back over his scarred torso. "All poisons? Or just the ones he puts in his drink?"
|
