On the highest platform of the higest tower of the Kai Monastery gathered, after a rich first meal, our heroes. They were blessed by Courageous Blade and Sharpen Fox but before leaving Huldrak requested their individual attention for a last counsel.
One by one the old Huldrak talked to them with very different reaction from each of the elements of the Hazardous Company. When all where up a dwarf took up the rope ladder, waving a last time to the Kais. He turned to our heroes and smiling he said:
- Hello all! My name is Jack, I...
All laughed openly except Yesnarel.
- What is so funny about my name my lords?
- Hem hem, nothing really said Erleothir, you just remind us someone...
- ... named also Jack that we met in another Ship... added Gustavius
- ...who died horribly...
- ...No he did not...
Before they started to get into a difficult terrain the Dwarf interrupted them all:
- Well, dead or alive I am the Jack of this ship, let me lead you all to our captain, the captain Padoka.
- Look! I can see my horse from here yelled Erleothir.
An illusion probably, as the Knight was already too high to be able to see anything tinier than a manor from where he stood. After this they were taken to a relatively still young strong man, harboring the blue tunique of the Order of the Crystal Star Brotherhood. Yesnarel couldn't hide his pride as being one of the same kind of the ruler of this ship.
- Good day young fellows! My name is Padoka, I'll be your captain for this journey. Welcome to my ship it will be your house for some days, be free to roam from your cabins to the deck. The rest is ours to see.
All acknowledged the captain, Gustavius and Erleothir asked almost a the same time for the ship's name but they received a peculiar answer.
- Well hum, the ship has no name for now
- What? This will bring bad luck, it can be! Aren't your mariners superstitious?
- Do not worry, we all do have studies here, we are not... well... supertitious.
Alast though for himself he should check the mariners for more information as he wasn't feeling very well regarding this issue.
The knight and the cunning dwarf were bombarding Padoka with questions regarding his own experience and time on duty when the answer hit them back harder than they expected.
- Well actually this is my first ship, and my first trip. But fear not! I have studied enough and I am able to guide you. By the way, I was expecting you to help me with the name of the ship. You see, I believe that the correct name can be decided after we have proven our valor with this trip. It only has been two weeks since we have been deployed on this vessel...
- Two weeks? Well that's not much... suspired Gustavius
- I am proud to be on your ship Captain Padoka, my name is Yesnarel, please tell me in which school have you learn your arts.
- Which school? Well in the Major Han, in... Dessi. And you?
- Well errr in the Ruanon one, of course.
- Of course, a nice one also.
- My Captain, my name is Mulchanor, I am sure you can use one more dwarf in your crew during this travel, may I be from some sort of assistance today?
- Great, we just need someone in the kitchen! JAAAAAAAAACKKKK! Bring this guest to the kitchen. He volonteered to help us there.
A big smile covered his face while he lead Mulchanor to his new found work. When he came back, captain Padoka was already explaining them how the Crystals was there to guide them. He quickly sent them away to their cabins to rest. Jack lead them to the cabin, making a point on not going till the end of the corridor as it was an area for the crew members only. They could go freely on deck and to their cabins. Not really happy about it the rooms where now shared the following way:
Griselda will be on top of the double deck bed, while Erleothir would be under. Mulchanor and Gustavius will be sharing the middle room and Alast was left with Yesnarel which was carefully hiding his purse. While all were preparing they beds, Gustavius went out from the bed and reached the forbidden corridor. He turned to the only left open way and found another dwarf with two pistols over his belly, pointing a third one to his face.
- Good night lad, this is not an open part of the ship. My name is Gaki, which is yours?
- I Didn't mess trespassing and my name is Gustavius, I am, you know, looking for some beer. Do you...
Before he could finish Gaki was already turning his back to him saying:
- Wait here.
He came back with two pints of beer taking Gustavius to the deck where he sat under the stars letting Gaki's tongue smooth enough to let out words that should have been kept for himself. Gustavius discovered that the captain had still to prove to his crew he was an able one. The dwarf could not say much about the Boari Jungle apart from "stay clear from the Anapheg" In between some broken sounds, that Gaki referred to be songs from the captain's working, started to wake up the rest of the company. In their rooms they stayed quiet even when Griselda wanted to check what going on. It wasn't an attack from hell hounds but a vain attempt from Padoka to sing. After some time the songs stopped with a last loud fall.
- It only could be Padoka said Gustavius.
Gaki answered vaguely:
- He works till late and it always end up like that, I'll verify if the ship is going right and be right back.
- Wait, you can control such a ship, just like this ?
- No, don't be fool young one, I need a box to reach the controls.
With the beer finished and the sensation of having ended the arguments to discuss Gustavius thanked his host and went back to his cabin. He knew that Mulchanor was already sleeping as only a dwarf could snore like he did. On the other rooms silence was already set.
As the day rose our heroes didn't bother to wake up. The patiently waited for Jack to come over and lead them to the kitchen, where they would have a decent breakfast. When entering the little space they had, Gustavius nodded to Gaki and Jack thanked Mulchanor for the potatoes peeling he did last day. As Jack asked him if he was interested to peel more potatoes for the day, Mulchanor offered Gustavius services instead, as a fellow dwarf. Cornered, he could only acknowledge and get ready for an hard day of labor. Conversation was going well till the company tried to get information from the crew. None of them were really up to give information to foreigner as Alast could sense deep in his hurted pride.
- If you want answers you have to be worth of them. Be a man. Have a beer of our home brew.
- I don't drink he replied.
- Stupid and coward. Great one... grumbled to himself the dwarf.
- But I do drink happily shouted Gustavius.
- And me! Almost immediately retorked Mulchanor.
- All right I'll have one too sighted the knight.
- I can have one too, said Yesnarel
- Give me one said Griselda.
Smiling, the dwarves served a round of pints and waited for the result. Slowly results came to the surface. Erleothir barely hold his alcohol but kept still. Mulchanor and Gustavius couldn't be affected due to their own dwarven constitution an no one was ever interested in them. Griselda rapidly went down the path of drunkenness behind more friendly that she ever was before. Yesnarel tried to keep up, drank in one sip and felt on his back almost immediately.
Laugh could be now heard in the all ship.
Erleothir tried to calm them but he was too affected to really lecture someone. At some point the dwarves were still not talkative enough or just teasing their new guests. All the sudden Erleothir was taking Yesnarel to his cabin while Alast was cursing against those damn drunks. Griselda was not able to get walking on her feet and she asked Mulchanor to help her walking. They wanted to go up deck while it wasn't their decision to take. Gaki found help to contain them in another killing round of beer. Gustavius took his beer and went up. Erleothir asked one more question but got rapidly got an unwanted answer:
- Only real man can make questions here, kids and wusses stay below.
Erleothir took his beer and drank straight down his beer. The dwarf was now impressed and started to talk:
- Now fellow Knight, what were you asking?
- I honestly don't remember.
More laugh came toward to company, it was more than enough for Griselda to grab another beer and finish the job she just started, soon she was completely loose over Mulchanor. Mulchanor didn't let this chance pass by and took her to her cabin to consume her inner fire. Erleothir sighted but was unable to act differently than letting the storm pass by. Nobody can be between the pray and the hunter. Mulchanor, soon enough will discover he was the pray. Alast was just pushed away while the strange couple rushed into her room, moaning like animals. Alast stood in his room, having an acoustic image of what was going on the other side of the quarters. Yesnarel was still unconscious.
Several minutes after Gustavius and Erleothir were wandering on deck when Gustavius saw two fellow dwarves on top of the ship scrutining the horizon. In matters of seconds one came down and back with a metal long tube which he used to look in. Apparently his eyes could go further and he spotted something. Both heroes came near and tried to get more information.
- Kraans! Kraans ahead.
The captain was coming out of his working office at the moment quite in bad shape.
- Don't talk so loud... I worked hard yesterday... Get the guns we'll take care of them
Slowly he went on the back platform, taking position, waiting for them to move. The dwarf counted them nervously.
- One, two, three Kraans. Each with two heavy armoured men.
Form ranks form ranks around me sailors! Shouted Jack.
Gustavius stayed on prow, ready to take care of those three beast. The fifteen dwarves crew members were now packing, side by side, at starboard ready for a typical dwarven tactic. Such fire power can take care of most of the creatures of Magnamund. Alast set himself on position and occupied the ship port beam willing to take care by himself of this side.
Mulchanor and Griselda were still in the middle of their final moment of passion but it was time for a fight. Erleothir knew their valor in combat and ran into the room.
- HOOO sorry! A fight is coming we need you both! Mulchanor we need to go!
-She felt asleep! I'll come as soon as possible, let me wake her up!
He shaked her hard with no response but when hope failed she opened her eyes, looked at him and puked over his armor. She felt over the bed, naked but free of dizziness.
- Great... He said leaving over her a clean blanket.
In the other room Erleothir tried his luck harder and harder, hitting Yesnarel whom reacted fast and ran for the deck where he managed to clean his body from the Bor poison. Sometimes a good slap can make miracles. Still frail a quick look around and Erleothir keeping him up to speed he was now ready. Mulchanor climbed the mast to find a good shoting position with his tiny pistol, he knew the beasts were deadly. He would need another of his bull eye shot today.
The kraans were now taking positions, one was going straight to the vessel's prow while the other set course to intercept both flanks. Drakkarims they were, massives and ready to die for their masters. Only the complaints about captain Padoka were now disturbing the wind in this anguished wait.
Yesnarel broke the silence and start to perform a spell toward the kraan coming in front of the ship, unfortunately he couldn't finish his ritual properly and nothing was to be seen.
- FIRE! Echoed the voice of Jack. Under a cloud of smoke ans deafening sound the final cry of a Kraan flooded the air. Almost immediately broke by the terror screams of the two surviving Drakkarims falling into the void.
- Reload fast! The dwarf second in command urged his courageous companions.
One arrow cut the air fast toward Yesnarel. He stopped for a split of second only to hear the final breath of a dwarf, hit on his back while reloading. That's was close he though. One another arrow tried to hit the captain Padoka and missed his chest for a few centimeters, ripping his left arm tunique, and simultaneously, his arm.
-POW! A single shot from Mulchanor was now lost. Immediately after another shot was to be heard. the bullet hitting the shoulder of the Kraan rider facing him. Gustavius grin slowly disappeared from his face as he noticed the rider slowly retaking control from his beast.
The drakkarims were setting themselves ready to board. Yesnarel tried to hit one Drakkar with a projectile but failed. Too short. Arrows from the archers whistled in the air, failing to reach target but still greeting Erleothir neck with a new scar. Drunk and hurt he jumped toward his enemies.
The strongest Drakkarim shouted something and no one were able to understand him besides Yesnarel. He turned pale and warned Erleothir
- NO no no nonnnonoo! Stay here he wants to kill me!
Half way now, the knight ran back to his position setting his heavy shield to protect both magicians. The front kraan attacked Gustavius but bit in the railings of the deck, Gustavius smiled at so much luck and prepared to deal him a final blow, when the Drakkarim captain slashed him making him fall back. It wasn't finished and the second drakkarim pinned him down with his spear. Now stuck on deck, with a spear in his chest Gustavius started to pray at his forgotten gods.
Padoka tried another spell but burped and emitted more strange sounds with his body in the middle of it. Unfortunately it will be too late for another saving spell. Yesnarel now set a second projectile to one of the drakkars coming from the right. This one fell, dead. Alast was growing impatiently as nothing was at his grasp for the moment.
- FIRE AT WILL! Shouted jack.
Gustavius eyes were now wide open. He muttered for himself:
- I'm glad I'm laying now. And smiled.
A fortress of steel hit both drakkarims and the kraan. Both humanoids came down glared by such attack. Alast was caught by surprise by the great Kraan. Mulchanor shot the archer and wounded him, destroying by the same ocassion his bow. Wounded he felt over board. Alast was now in the mouth of the Kraan whom tried to crunch him like a rabbit. He felt the pressure but was not afraid. One drakkar ran toward the mages but Erleothir was there to defend both. The fought briefly without more results than another injury for Erleothir. Padoka stood and gaped:
- Enough. And shot the drakkar in the face. Mixing burning metal and flesh wound. A pistol can be handy sometimes. Alast took his rapiere and plundered it the beast eye. She let him fall. Alast smiled and then realized that maybe he wasn't on the ship. But the hard board hurted him happily reminding him he was safe but hurt. Still pinned on the ground, with two dead bodies lying over him Gustavius caught a glimpse of the last Kraan reducing the ship's bow in pieces. with a swipe of his axe along the ground level he sent the Kraan back to earth cutting his beak. Painlessly Gustavius broke the spear and set himself up. the battle was over.
The next morning Erleothir explained lightly what happened to Griselda, whom had forgotten the whole episode after the second beer. Alast was obviously evesdropping and, this time, was caught in the act when Griselda opened the door. She trown him a dark glare at which Alast responded with:
- Did you sleep well princess?
- Keep your dreams to yourself.
- Quite frankly, I don't care about what you did Yesterday.
The telchos could see Alast hidden grin. Annoyed she tried to punch him, but the after effect of the alcohol and the natural skills of the pirate made her miss her punch. The Pirate had a brighter smile. She threw another punch... Which he also avoided. The Telchos tried her luck until she struk the face of her targed. However the absence of pain and the efforts of the Telchos, Left the pirate smiling even wierr. The Expression of the pirate was more a victorious one than Griselda cursing in her own mind the most terrible pain to Alast and Mulchanor.
During three more days and nights a storm waved the ship. None could go on deck beside the crew. The Captain Padoka never left his post during the days, nor his cabin during the nights.
Our company recovered from their wounds or from their alcohol abuses. This first unwanted encounter didn't bring them more then scars and the certainty of the right path had been taken. The enemies corpses didn't provide much information for them nor valuables items. Gaki suggested to resell them and provide some money to the fallen comrade family. Locked between wooden walls, going from room to kitchen and kitchen to room, not much happened during these days. A few pints were shared between the dwarves, some daring crew members tried to offer one to Griselda while grinning. She always refused with a disdain look from above. This only made the dwarves light hearted and even betting on each attempt to make her drink. So far none could find a way to make her drink.
Alast was now seen as an equal to their eyes. He couldn't stand a beer but he killed a Kraan with a single blow of his missing rapiere. He had proven his valor in combat. Erleothir almost didn't fight but drink enought still standing to reach such a reconnaissance and, as his armour proved, he was a knight of the Sommerlund. He had nothing to prove at the moment. Mulchanor was seen as a true hero by his fellow dwarves, except Gustavius whom female scoreboard didn't impressed him. More he had to think after this near death experience. He had encountered deadly strong enemies and almost died. His life he owned it now to the fourteen mariner's wall of bullets. Fortunately he was a strong lad and recovering fast. Yesnarel spend the time repeating the same riddle...
"Where once stood the mighty prayers of the olds,
A forest grew as the water serpented around.
Where the Gods creation is incomplete,
One creature of the wind will open the door."
As it was now normal for the company, once the night felt on the ship the working time of the captain started. First chanting popular songs and then a loud noise of a fallen trunk. Then silence.
At dawn of the fourth day, the mighty Sun took over the horizon. It was now a bright day that Ishir was offering them. After a frugal breakfast without beer, even for the dwarves, the company now fully awake and keen for a little exercise went up to deck. The first contact with the light was blinding and it took them some minutes to get use to this new found clarity. A new day was now greeting them. Still, nine they will have to wait to reach the Boari Jungle, unsure of what could be found left once they'll arrive, the company inspired the fresh air of a brand new day on the ship with no name.
15 of November 5000
- Great... He said leaving over her a clean blanket.
In the other room Erleothir tried his luck harder and harder, hitting Yesnarel whom reacted fast and ran for the deck where he managed to clean his body from the Bor poison. Sometimes a good slap can make miracles. Still frail a quick look around and Erleothir keeping him up to speed he was now ready. Mulchanor climbed the mast to find a good shoting position with his tiny pistol, he knew the beasts were deadly. He would need another of his bull eye shot today.
The kraans were now taking positions, one was going straight to the vessel's prow while the other set course to intercept both flanks. Drakkarims they were, massives and ready to die for their masters. Only the complaints about captain Padoka were now disturbing the wind in this anguished wait.
Yesnarel broke the silence and start to perform a spell toward the kraan coming in front of the ship, unfortunately he couldn't finish his ritual properly and nothing was to be seen.
- FIRE! Echoed the voice of Jack. Under a cloud of smoke ans deafening sound the final cry of a Kraan flooded the air. Almost immediately broke by the terror screams of the two surviving Drakkarims falling into the void.
- Reload fast! The dwarf second in command urged his courageous companions.
One arrow cut the air fast toward Yesnarel. He stopped for a split of second only to hear the final breath of a dwarf, hit on his back while reloading. That's was close he though. One another arrow tried to hit the captain Padoka and missed his chest for a few centimeters, ripping his left arm tunique, and simultaneously, his arm.
-POW! A single shot from Mulchanor was now lost. Immediately after another shot was to be heard. the bullet hitting the shoulder of the Kraan rider facing him. Gustavius grin slowly disappeared from his face as he noticed the rider slowly retaking control from his beast.
The drakkarims were setting themselves ready to board. Yesnarel tried to hit one Drakkar with a projectile but failed. Too short. Arrows from the archers whistled in the air, failing to reach target but still greeting Erleothir neck with a new scar. Drunk and hurt he jumped toward his enemies.
The strongest Drakkarim shouted something and no one were able to understand him besides Yesnarel. He turned pale and warned Erleothir
- NO no no nonnnonoo! Stay here he wants to kill me!
Half way now, the knight ran back to his position setting his heavy shield to protect both magicians. The front kraan attacked Gustavius but bit in the railings of the deck, Gustavius smiled at so much luck and prepared to deal him a final blow, when the Drakkarim captain slashed him making him fall back. It wasn't finished and the second drakkarim pinned him down with his spear. Now stuck on deck, with a spear in his chest Gustavius started to pray at his forgotten gods.
Padoka tried another spell but burped and emitted more strange sounds with his body in the middle of it. Unfortunately it will be too late for another saving spell. Yesnarel now set a second projectile to one of the drakkars coming from the right. This one fell, dead. Alast was growing impatiently as nothing was at his grasp for the moment.
- FIRE AT WILL! Shouted jack.
Gustavius eyes were now wide open. He muttered for himself:
- I'm glad I'm laying now. And smiled.
A fortress of steel hit both drakkarims and the kraan. Both humanoids came down glared by such attack. Alast was caught by surprise by the great Kraan. Mulchanor shot the archer and wounded him, destroying by the same ocassion his bow. Wounded he felt over board. Alast was now in the mouth of the Kraan whom tried to crunch him like a rabbit. He felt the pressure but was not afraid. One drakkar ran toward the mages but Erleothir was there to defend both. The fought briefly without more results than another injury for Erleothir. Padoka stood and gaped:
- Enough. And shot the drakkar in the face. Mixing burning metal and flesh wound. A pistol can be handy sometimes. Alast took his rapiere and plundered it the beast eye. She let him fall. Alast smiled and then realized that maybe he wasn't on the ship. But the hard board hurted him happily reminding him he was safe but hurt. Still pinned on the ground, with two dead bodies lying over him Gustavius caught a glimpse of the last Kraan reducing the ship's bow in pieces. with a swipe of his axe along the ground level he sent the Kraan back to earth cutting his beak. Painlessly Gustavius broke the spear and set himself up. the battle was over.
The next morning Erleothir explained lightly what happened to Griselda, whom had forgotten the whole episode after the second beer. Alast was obviously evesdropping and, this time, was caught in the act when Griselda opened the door. She trown him a dark glare at which Alast responded with:
- Did you sleep well princess?
- Keep your dreams to yourself.
- Quite frankly, I don't care about what you did Yesterday.
The telchos could see Alast hidden grin. Annoyed she tried to punch him, but the after effect of the alcohol and the natural skills of the pirate made her miss her punch. The Pirate had a brighter smile. She threw another punch... Which he also avoided. The Telchos tried her luck until she struk the face of her targed. However the absence of pain and the efforts of the Telchos, Left the pirate smiling even wierr. The Expression of the pirate was more a victorious one than Griselda cursing in her own mind the most terrible pain to Alast and Mulchanor.
During three more days and nights a storm waved the ship. None could go on deck beside the crew. The Captain Padoka never left his post during the days, nor his cabin during the nights.
Our company recovered from their wounds or from their alcohol abuses. This first unwanted encounter didn't bring them more then scars and the certainty of the right path had been taken. The enemies corpses didn't provide much information for them nor valuables items. Gaki suggested to resell them and provide some money to the fallen comrade family. Locked between wooden walls, going from room to kitchen and kitchen to room, not much happened during these days. A few pints were shared between the dwarves, some daring crew members tried to offer one to Griselda while grinning. She always refused with a disdain look from above. This only made the dwarves light hearted and even betting on each attempt to make her drink. So far none could find a way to make her drink.
Alast was now seen as an equal to their eyes. He couldn't stand a beer but he killed a Kraan with a single blow of his missing rapiere. He had proven his valor in combat. Erleothir almost didn't fight but drink enought still standing to reach such a reconnaissance and, as his armour proved, he was a knight of the Sommerlund. He had nothing to prove at the moment. Mulchanor was seen as a true hero by his fellow dwarves, except Gustavius whom female scoreboard didn't impressed him. More he had to think after this near death experience. He had encountered deadly strong enemies and almost died. His life he owned it now to the fourteen mariner's wall of bullets. Fortunately he was a strong lad and recovering fast. Yesnarel spend the time repeating the same riddle...
"Where once stood the mighty prayers of the olds,
A forest grew as the water serpented around.
Where the Gods creation is incomplete,
One creature of the wind will open the door."
As it was now normal for the company, once the night felt on the ship the working time of the captain started. First chanting popular songs and then a loud noise of a fallen trunk. Then silence.
At dawn of the fourth day, the mighty Sun took over the horizon. It was now a bright day that Ishir was offering them. After a frugal breakfast without beer, even for the dwarves, the company now fully awake and keen for a little exercise went up to deck. The first contact with the light was blinding and it took them some minutes to get use to this new found clarity. A new day was now greeting them. Still, nine they will have to wait to reach the Boari Jungle, unsure of what could be found left once they'll arrive, the company inspired the fresh air of a brand new day on the ship with no name.
15 of November 5000
