Elementals 3: The White Rose (IC, Sign-ups only)

[Woodstovia]

Aerion drank deeply, the alcohol helping to numb some of the sadness he felt at the loss of his hair and the end of the battle. He missed it, missed the freedom, missed having his own men, missed the artistry. Battle was all he was good at anyway, his only purpose, without it what was he just some-

Wait did he say they were going to be friends?

"I don't have friends, I don't want friends. That would imply there are others at my level." he growled between swigs, eventually finishing the flask off and glaring at the princess who was making another snide remark.

"And I'm surprised miss princess didn't shit herself and run at the first sign of battle. The most violent thing you've probably seen before today was when mummy and daddy disagreed over whether to use the salad or vegetable fork." he sneered. "You should be thanking me for killing that owl-thing."

[Hanafuridake]

"And I'm surprised miss princess didn't shit herself and run at the first sign of battle. The most violent thing you've probably seen before today was when mummy and daddy disagreed over whether to use the salad or vegetable fork." he sneered. "You should be thanking me for killing that owl-thing."

If looks could kill, Fumi's scowl at Aerion would have incinerated everyone in the vicinity. “For your information, I have no father. My mother had me conceived through magical means with another woman.” she snapped, more annoyed at that than she was the rest of the insult. “If you insult me again, you foul little peasant, I will ー ”

“Alright, enough.” Flacht snapped, and Fumi fell silent, still glaring at Aerion. “You, dragon lady, go do something else. You're too hot tempered and I don't trust you not to burn down this ship. Especially with the kindling which is that one's mouth.” she pointed to Aerion. Fumiko nodded her head, deciding she would watch the sea. It reminded her of her travels.

[Constaniana]

"Hm, I hope so," Lisoette replied after Eric claimed Erosen would pop back up again. She supposed he had a point, remembering in the last group quest it seemed like comrades would randomly come and go in activity. Ero-san was odd, but he was certainly good to have around in a fight. She decided to check if he was below decks like Eric had claimed, since he seemed to get along well with him and would have a better idea on what he was up to. The blonde paused as she noticed Ivan and the stranger go down there first. Her suspicions about who the person in the second boat returned now that there were no pirates to fight.

"I'm going to ask the new person just who the hell they are. People don't just row up to a pirate ship in the fog at random, especially if they're just regular humans" she said quietly to Mr. Frost, before creeping down after them. Catching up to them was initially slow-going, but there was still a residual scent of fear she could track. Once the sound of an axe hacking away at something filled the corridor it was easy to determine from whence it came, and it blocked out the sound of her own footsteps as she picked up her pace. She arrived at the doorway just as Ivan threw the lid open. Lis stayed out of sight until Florian made his counter-offer, at which point she took a step into the room and saw just what was in the chest.

"Ah, so this is where you two skulked off to," said Lisoette, her arms crossed over her bust and her eyebrow raised disdainfully. Her weapons remained in their scabbards for now, "I don't believe we've been introduced. Oh, that's right, because you sneaked up on us in the middle of the night when we had specifically gone out of our way to not be noticed, if creating a dirty great cloud of fog to hide our approach didn't make that obvious. And yet you suspiciously manage to follow us on here. And what's this about thirty percent for the rest of us? Do you really think it's right to make 15 people split all that and you two useless rotters get the lion's share of it? Last into the fight, first into the reward? Maybe some of the people up there wouldn't kick up much of a fuss, but how do you think your liege Katya will react? Alexei is your superior officer, and he's wounded; surely he needs money for medical treatment? Colonel Mallow was vital in making our plan succeed, and from what I know a man with that title gets paid a considerable sum for his services. What if Tristan needs some money to take me out to a nice restaurant, seeing as it's our honeymoon and couples are supposed to do that sort of thing? And that's considering the nice people." The blonde's expression darkened as she used her trump card. "But suppose Aerion decides he needs some more money for his latest trip to the hairdresser and beats it out of you? Judging from what I've seen of him so far he'd gut the two of you like fish if you got in the way of him buying a new pair of boots."

[Zarkenis Ultima]

The blade went through, and with a horrid screech, the owl breathed its last. The beast was slain.

Tristan breathed a sigh of relief, taking a moment to glance around at the battlefield. The others had been similarly disposed of by now, and the pirate captain, whose surrender Everard had accepted, took his leave from the vessel and swam towards the port. The ship was finally theirs after a brief struggle, though it was clearly not time to celebrate yet. With little more to do for the time being, the young man opted to dispose of the demonic owl's corpse. Pulling the massive blade out of the carcass, he allowed the bloodstained ice to dissolve and then pointed the glaive at the owl, mist surrounding it and solidifying into a frozen case for it. He made an ascending gesture with his free hand, and a handful of tiny pillars emerged underneath the case, lifting it above the deck. Then, with a simple thrusting motion, he sent the block of ice sliding off the ship.

"And that's that." The Ice Elemental said to himself, briefly glancing down at Fenrirtusk. I wonder what that odd glow was?

After a moment, Lisoette approached him, informing him that she was heading down after one of Katya's retainers and the new arrival to inquire about the latter. At this, he simply nodded at her. "Be careful, dear." He told her before watching her leave. She was stronger than him by a decent margin, so he was not worried about her running into trouble - she could take care of herself.

Seeking to make himself useful, Tristan opted to walk up to who seemed to be the group's de facto leader, Katya - it was amusing to think that in a party full of experienced and talented adventurers and warriors, most of whom were older, it was her whose cause was followed one way or another, but in the end, he wasn't surprised. He had traveled with wandering nobles and old soldiers in the past, but the one they followed had always been someone who wasn't exactly a paragon of wisdom.

Well, at least she's a bit better in that regard. He thought with a snicker before responding to the girl's question by pointing at the capstan. "He's passed out over there. I don't know the first thing about first aid, but if you do, I'll be happy to lend a hand."

[Woodstovia]

Florian's smile had twisted into an uncomfortably smug smirk. He loved this, loved the scheming, the sense of power. He wasn't necessarily a bad guy... He was just doing what he needed to rise to the top. Didn't he deserve something good? "That's right." he gloated to Ivan "This little-"

Suddenly a voice he didn't recognize rang out and he turned his head to see Lisoette, still keeping his body and weapon pointed at Ivan.

"Oh! U-um Miss Lisoette Frost, what a nice surprise finally meeting you." he stammered, Lisoette right now would be drowning in the smell of fear. He could feel a pit in his stomach as he gazed at the woman before him, his usual act not piecing together, the uncomfortableness of him knowing more than he should have about her not being smoothed over by his usual charm. "I-i'm Florian, it's nice to finally meet you miss. I apologize for the secrecy but it's the only way I'd be able to join this group. I'd never think of cheating you! Say, how about you take 15 and Ivan takes 15? The others won't get mad because they'll never know." Florian was slightly relieved she seemed more fixated on the money than Florian himself.

[Lazarian]

---

IVAN

---

Ivan laughed cheerfully at the conclusion of the story, grinning. After the owl had died, he had managed to avoid further responsibility (thankfully), mostly by prodding Eric for more stories. He liked the dirty old man. Thank goodness he wasn't a spellborn. It'd be a shame if he was, considering his current allegiances. Looking over to the side, he saw Florian looking miserable off to the side, clutching onto Alexei's enormous halberd tightly. "I wonder how much rum those pirates stored down below. I could use a drink." the lad muttered miserably, and Ivan realized that a great opportunity awaited him and his newfound partner.

"Great suggestion, Florian!" Ivan said loudly, pulling the younger man off to the side. He looked around at the crew, who were standing around the deck. Katya looked exhausted, and Alexei was passed out. They couldn't keep an eye on him now.

"Our new friend Florian and I vill go beneath deck to assess supplies, yes? I used to be quartermaster in Baron's army back in day. It vould be good to know how long we can stay at sea." he proclaimed loudly, before heading down into the ship. Nobody seemed to pay him much attention. Nobody ever did, really. One of the perks of being regarded as largely useless. Leading Florian down beneath the hull of the ship, the two men started looking over the supplies. Ivan couldn't read Gallian well beyond a rudimentary level, but he knew the kind of supplies he was looking for. Ignoring barrels of water and rum, and passing past a box of hard tack, he arrived at he was looking for - a thick, locked chest. Grabbing his axe, he hacked away at the lock for a bit, before throwing open the lid to reveal thousands of Danethrums. Grinning greedily, he looked over at Florian.

"Vell, how unfortunate. The pirates only had a few hundred coin with them in this ship." he said, winking. "If you get what I'm saying. Thirty percent for me, thirty percent for you, and thirty percent for the rest of the crew. How about it?"

Florian lowered his halberd slowly, it's spiked top pointing towards Ivan as he rummaged through the chest. He had somewhat hoped to talk with the nobles on deck, intrigued by the foreign nature of many of them but Ivan had dragged him down. He was starting to ruminate on Alexei's point about not attaching himself with Ivan, but at least he seemed able to make some money out of the partnership.

"No." He told the man flatly "I think 50 for me, 20 for you and 30 for them is a little more likely. After all your big friend seemed so convinced by my little story. You really think the rest of them won't be? I'm a very good actor you know, and what proof do you have that I'm not an honest convert? Your word? When they believe me all it'll take is for me to open my file and show them how closely you worked with us to have them all killed." Florian's voice was sickly sweet whisper. "I believe we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement however. I won't show them my little file, in return you'll give me the share of the money I asked for and for the duration of this boat ride you'll keep me well informed about Lady Katya, as well as protecting me, mentioning how amazing I am to Katya, backing me up in disputes... You know, the usual stuff."

This whole plan was a gamble, Ivan could probably chop him to pieces right now but he wasn't sure Ivan knew that. The man always seemed to find a way to avoid conflict. Ivan also didn't know much about Florian, he had been telling the truth when he said he had no combat ability but for all Ivan knew he could have been capable of summoning 200 of those owls and sicking them on him right this instant.

Ivan laughed heartily, leaning back against the chest.

"Ah, so they've sent me not only an assistant, but a comedian as well!" he chortled, grinning widely. "Fifty percent? Heh."

Florian did not laugh back, and Ivan's grin melted away.

"Oh, you're serious, aren't you?" he growled, any jovial mood he may have had evaporating instantly. His thick, meaty arms crossed, and he clenched his teeth. Of course they had sent someone just like himself. At the end of the day, coin was his only real master. And this lad would challenge him for it?

"You little rat! I ought to gut you for that, our friendship or not!" he snarled, glowering at Florian. Unfortunately, the young man had him on the ropes. Violence was tempting, but frankly, he wasn't in a rush to shank anyone, especially his one potential ally. It'd be a mess, disposing the body would be near impossible, and if the rest of the crew found him, there wouldn't be a good explanation. And if he refused the young man entirely...that file was damning. He'd donated to Watchtower, and on a ship full of spellborn, that was an obvious crime.

Florian's smile had twisted into an uncomfortably smug smirk. He loved this, loved the scheming, the sense of power. He wasn't necessarily a bad guy... He was just doing what he needed to rise to the top. Didn't he deserve something good? "That's right." he gloated to Ivan "This little-"

Suddenly a voice he didn't recognize rang out and he turned his head to see Lisoette, still keeping his body and weapon pointed at Ivan.

"Ah, so this is where you two skulked off to," said Lisoette, her arms crossed over her bust and her eyebrow raised disdainfully. Her weapons remained in their scabbards for now, "I don't believe we've been introduced. Oh, that's right, because you sneaked up on us in the middle of the night when we had specifically gone out of our way to not be noticed, if creating a dirty great cloud of fog to hide our approach didn't make that obvious. And yet you suspiciously manage to follow us on here. And what's this about thirty percent for the rest of us? Do you really think it's right to make 15 people split all that and you two useless rotters get the lion's share of it? Last into the fight, first into the reward? Maybe some of the people up there wouldn't kick up much of a fuss, but how do you think your liege Katya will react? Alexei is your superior officer, and he's wounded; surely he needs money for medical treatment? Colonel Mallow was vital in making our plan succeed, and from what I know a man with that title gets paid a considerable sum for his services. What if Tristan needs some money to take me out to a nice restaurant, seeing as it's our honeymoon and couples are supposed to do that sort of thing? And that's considering the nice people." The blonde's expression darkened as she used her trump card. "But suppose Aerion decides he needs some more money for his latest trip to the hairdresser and beats it out of you? Judging from what I've seen of him so far he'd gut the two of you like fish if you got in the way of him buying a new pair of boots."

"Oh! U-um Miss Lisoette Frost, what a nice surprise finally meeting you." he stammered, Lisoette right now would be drowning in the smell of fear. He could feel a pit in his stomach as he gazed at the unholy abomination before him, his usual act not piecing together, the uncomfortableness of him knowing more than he should have about her not being smoothed over by his usual charm. "I-i'm Florian, it's nice to finally meet you miss. I apologize for the secrecy but it's the only way I'd be able to join this group. I'd never think of cheating you! Say, how about you take 15 and Ivan takes 15? The others won't get mad because they'll never know." Florian was slightly relieved she seemed more fixated on the money than Florian himself.

Ivan gulped, the blood draining from his already pale visage.

"Vell, Lady Frost! Vhat a pleasant surprise!" he stammered, eyes darting all over the room, like trapped prey. His dreams of stuffed purses and secret stashes shattered like broken glass. Well, time to control the damage.

"You misunderstand us, miss Lisoette." he chuckled nervously, looking over at Florian. She didn't seen like the type to take bribes. "My good pal here, Florian, is just having a bit of old fashioned Garmiccian humor. I vould never betray the honorable lady Kuznetsov and noble sir Petrov like that!" he said firmly, shaking a finger at her, although clear disgust was evident in his mention of the two. Of course, his statement was blatantly false.

He thought briefly about attempting to dispose of her like he thought about disposing of Florian, but...spellborn associated with other spellborn. He didn't know if she was capable of anything, and he wasn't about to find out the hard way. Besides, Florian would be useless in any attempt to knock the bitch off this mortal coil - the lad could barely hold the halberd properly. Damn it. If she ratted them out, Florian could likely talk himself out of it. He was a slimy, talky sort of bloke.

Besides, she had a point. It would be rather odd if the crew found the chest half-emptied. And her point about Aerion gave him the shivers. He hadn't forgotten their brief violent encounter the night before, and after watching him butcher the pirates...damn, he should have brought him down here instead of Florian!

Wait. No. Aerion would probably shank him and take the whole chest. Bad plan.

Oh, gods, this situation was bad. She didn't look like she was buying it at all. Suddenly, a familiar, raspy voice called out from behind Lisoette, catching Ivan's attention at once.

"I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding." said Timur, holding his helmet in a left hand and a lantern in the other. Ivan wished that he hadn't taken the helm off - frankly, he looked hideous. His already-scarred face looked even worse than it usually did - the lower half, which hadn't been covered by the helm had been burnt, singed with red and white marks. His eyes were bloodshot, and one twitched slightly in pain. The presence of a god had seared him quite badly. As soon as he felt it, he had fled from the deck, his instincts screaming. Such was the cost of profane knowledge, tragically. He had hidden down there for a while, unsuccessfully attempting to heal the damage, but after watching his witless comrade stride down into the underbelly of the ship, he knew something was amiss. Of course that blasted idiot had attempted to loot and plunder. Not a surprise, really. Ivan was a good drinking buddy, but a horrible soldier, and an even worse tactician. It was tempting to let him face the consequences...but his actions would reflect badly on Katya, and that could jeopardize their entire journey. And there was much more at stake here than her silly quest.

"Oh, dear little miss Lisoette," he said with mock affection, looking her in the eyes as he walked towards Ivan, "everyone has secrets. It'd be damn shame if all those pious folks upstairs knew yours, wouldn't it?"

Ivan grinned. He didn't know what on earth his friend was talking about, but it seemed like they had the advantage now.

Then Timur decked him in the face with an uppercut, before decisively shoving him to the ground. Caught completely off guard, Ivan toppled, falling clumsily to the ground. Smiling rather maliciously, Timur winked at Lisoette.

"Here's what's going to happen." he said calmly, looking at Florian and Lisoette. "We will distribute bounty here fairly, based on individual contribution to effort. You're not going to mention actions of this idiot here. He dishonors us. In return, I keep your secret safe. We have deal, yes?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow.

[Serconas]

As if caught in trance Ke'Am watched the wounded beast thrash around on the ships deck. While a horrific sight the spectacle exerted a certain but grotesque fascination onto the nomad. Still he could feel his stomach grumble in rebellion as the creatures foul smelling fluids stained the wooden planks. Trying to not rid himself of his last meal Ke'Am closed his eye hoping to calm himself down, but the stench of blood and vomit was too overwhelming, so he quickly got back on his feet.
He briefly glanced around searching for the one who yelled for this 'Ivan' to come help, but Ke'Ams efforts were hampered by the strong wind gripping the ship, sending it out of the harbor. Staggering around he could only see a helmet figure hastily leaving for the belowdecks, most likely the one who helped the nomad against the beast. Besides the old man and the shooter, Mallow, of course.
With the sudden movement of the floor beneath his feet Ke'Am really did not want to follow, atleast for the moment, so he dragged himself towards the ship´s side picking up the axe and his bow on his way.
As the young man peered over the railing he immediately regretted his decision. The view of the watery dunes combined with the speed with which they passed was enough to make Ke'Am press his hand on his mouth. The nomad turned around, closing his eyes again, focusing to steady his breath while sliding down against the railing. After a few moments he regained contol over his body again and from the corner of his eye he noticed Fumiko some feet away. Ke'Am hadn´t registered if she had fought as the others, though he expected as much. Despite that the foreign woman didn´t seem too out of breath and she had no blood on herself. Unlike Ke'Am who´s clothes and face were splattered with the blood of thoese he had slain. Not to mention the rather long cut the last pirate had inflicted upon his right cheek. The nomad sighed as he felt the wound sting.
"Is she alright?", he asked her in his rather thick Sahranjjite accent, voice raspier than usual. After having cleared his throat Ke'Am continued: "Fumiko his not wounded, is she?" She didn´t appear to be, the one-eyed woman standing nearby would´ve taken care of it if she were. Though the nomad still wanted to distract himself from the churning of his innards which by now had gripped his mind, too, making it spin a little.

[Ameriganastan]

As if caught in trance Ke'Am watched the wounded beast thrash around on the ships deck. While a horrific sight the spectacle exerted a certain but grotesque fascination onto the nomad. Still he could feel his stomach grumble in rebellion as the creatures foul smelling fluids stained the wooden planks. Trying to not rid himself of his last meal Ke'Am closed his eye hoping to calm himself down, but the stench of blood and vomit was too overwhelming, so he quickly got back on his feet.
He briefly glanced around searching for the one who yelled for this 'Ivan' to come help, but Ke'Ams efforts were hampered by the strong wind gripping the ship, sending it out of the harbor. Staggering around he could only see a helmet figure hastily leaving for the belowdecks, most likely the one who helped the nomad against the beast. Besides the old man and the shooter, Mallow, of course.
With the sudden movement of the floor beneath his feet Ke'Am really did not want to follow, atleast for the moment, so he dragged himself towards the ship´s side picking up the axe and his bow on his way.
As the young man peered over the railing he immediately regretted his decision. The view of the watery dunes combined with the speed with which they passed was enough to make Ke'Am press his hand on his mouth. The nomad turned around, closing his eyes again, focusing to steady his breath while sliding down against the railing. After a few moments he regained contol over his body again and from the corner of his eye he noticed Fumiko some feet away. Ke'Am hadn´t registered if she had fought as the others, though he expected as much. Despite that the foreign woman didn´t seem too out of breath and she had no blood on herself. Unlike Ke'Am who´s clothes and face were splattered with the blood of thoese he had slain. Not to mention the rather long cut the last pirate had inflicted upon his right cheek. The nomad sighed as he felt the wound sting.
"Is she alright?", he asked her in his rather thick Sahranjjite accent, voice raspier than usual. After having cleared his throat Ke'Am continued: "Fumiko his not wounded, is she?" She didn´t appear to be, the one-eyed woman standing nearby would´ve taken care of it if she were. Though the nomad still wanted to distract himself from the churning of his innards which by now had gripped his mind, too, making it spin a little.

"Feeling a little seasick there, lad?"

Eric strolled over from his impromptu drinking party with Aeiron, flopping down next to him.

"Real landlubber, ain't ya? Well, lucky thing I'm here. Ol' Eric has a surefire solution for-"

"If you're thinking of what I think you're thinking, can you just not? The last time you gave one of your insane cure-all concoctions to someone, they literally shit their heart out. I'm a nearly millennia old Angelle and that still baffles me."

"Oh, fine. Spoilsport harpy..."

He reached inside the Fanny Pack of Wonder, pulling out a small stick with a red ball on the end. He tossed it over to him.

"You just gotta find a focal point to focus on. If you feel your stomach churning, just focus on that thing."

[Constaniana]

Ivan and this "Florian" character seemed to grow more suspicious with every passing second. Lisoette didn't buy their explanation one bit, but her concern refocused on Timur when he entered the room. At first she thought he was simply bailing out his countryman, until he started commenting about secrets of hers that he knew. He can't possibly have figured out...could he? The Daemonness tried sensing for magic in the room. It was rather faint around Timur, but there was something dark about him. Was he like Erosen? Or was he an actual acolyte of evil?

Her experience with Gaiacan Darkness Elementals was limited. Aside from Erosen the only ones she had encountered thus far had been those evildoers of the Order of Malsidrian, in that mountain mausoleum Duke Aurenheim had sent the old group to. The Malsidrianites hadn't given much in the way of expository speeches before perishing, leaving Lisoette in the dark about why they sided with Tenaembra. She couldn't quite wrap her head around why any Gaiacans would want to let the legions of Hell loose upon their world. Perhaps they were offered lavish rewards of whatever tempted them, but given how often she had heard Daemonnes salivate over ideas like having roast human for lunch she doubted such promises would ever be fulfilled. But what else would one expect from the deity who delighted in such virtues as dishonesty, treachery, and poorly cleaned toilets?
Whatever category Timur fell into, Lisoette decided he was on her watch-list as well.

"Your proposal is agreeable, Timur," Lisoette replied, stepping right up to him as her voice dropped to almost a whisper, "Whatever secret you may think you know about me, it's probably the same as your group's secret. I think I'm not the only one who didn't have the right papers to come into Galllia from Elcrescia," She had said it quietly to Timur, but it should have been just loud enough for the other two to overhear enough to take a guess. With any luck, which she seemed to have a good amount of, it would steer their suspicions in the wrong direction. "Why don't you go fetch the others while I keep an eye on this pair? I still haven't been introduced, despite Flooran somehow knowing my name and being 'surprised to finally meet me'. It better be a good explanation," said Lisoette as she pivoted to face Ivan and Florian.

[Kassaran]

The water was cold as it filled his mouth, his nose, his senses. It was a flood of ice to his heated body, burning with the fires of pain, of combat, of the adrenaline rushing through his body like arcs of raw element. His eyes pressed together as he tried to concentrate, the burning sensation in his sinuses, his throat, his lungs, informed him that he had indeed made the mistake of breathing in as he'd slipped beneath the water's surface. The feeling of strands of seaweed writhing up and around him seemed to feel like the tendrils of some dark creature attempting to consume him. His mind tried to comprehend the situation the body now found itself within, but came up short. His chest was aching, his head growing heavy as he felt his arms and legs kick out in protest. He couldn't breathe.

Drowning? That would be how he'd die? He'd drown here in this port-side city so far from where he needed to be? His mind felt a flash of anger, of regret, and then hatred. A cold, icy, penetrating sensation that lanced through him as he felt the Dark Element wrap about himself. His mind tried to reach out, to grab hold of something, but then there was no seaweed about him. Half-drowned, the darkling focused on an alleyway he'd seen not far from the harbor. He needed to get there before he fell unconscious. His mind was darkening already, his eyes feeling leaden, his body slowing in the throes of a losing battle against the rapidly dwindling supply of oxygen in his blood. Sleep would take him in seconds and yet each moment that passed in the void stretched for inconceivable eons. The temptation of oblivion gripped at the edges of his heart, the soft caress of death beckoning him to take on the sleep that all men must meet.

He wouldn't have believed light was the first sensation that filled his mind as the void gave way to reality once again around him, but rather the sharp and precise feeling of someone being thrown onto rough-hewn stone. Cobbled streets were his cushion as he landed on his back, feeling his heavy body slap wetly upon it like some fish brought in on catch. His limbs shook and struggled, his chest heaved as he tried to breathe, but still the fire and thick seawater which he'd inhaled, threatened to drown him upon dry land itself. His eyes bulged and his hands scrabbled against the stones beneath as he focused on what little of the sky he could still see. His mind reeling, he noticed, if only faintly, the shifting of the smoke drifting from a nearby chimney now pull back and across the alley as wind rushed across Carogne's rooftops.

So she finished the spell. He gave a pained smile as darkness welled up about his vision and unconsciousness took him with a warming embrace.

[Woodstovia]

Ivan gulped, the blood draining from his already pale visage.

"Vell, Lady Frost! Vhat a pleasant surprise!" he stammered, eyes darting all over the room, like trapped prey. His dreams of stuffed purses and secret stashes shattered like broken glass. Well, time to control the damage.

"You misunderstand us, miss Lisoette." he chuckled nervously, looking over at Florian. She didn't seen like the type to take bribes. "My good pal here, Florian, is just having a bit of old fashioned Garmiccian humor. I vould never betray the honorable lady Kuznetsov and noble sir Petrov like that!" he said firmly, shaking a finger at her, although clear disgust was evident in his mention of the two. Of course, his statement was blatantly false.

He thought briefly about attempting to dispose of her like he thought about disposing of Florian, but...spellborn associated with other spellborn. He didn't know if she was capable of anything, and he wasn't about to find out the hard way. Besides, Florian would be useless in any attempt to knock the bitch off this mortal coil - the lad could barely hold the halberd properly. Damn it. If she ratted them out, Florian could likely talk himself out of it. He was a slimy, talky sort of bloke.

Besides, she had a point. It would be rather odd if the crew found the chest half-emptied. And her point about Aerion gave him the shivers. He hadn't forgotten their brief violent encounter the night before, and after watching him butcher the pirates...damn, he should have brought him down here instead of Florian!

Wait. No. Aerion would probably shank him and take the whole chest. Bad plan.

Oh, gods, this situation was bad. She didn't look like she was buying it at all. Suddenly, a familiar, raspy voice called out from behind Lisoette, catching Ivan's attention at once.

"I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding." said Timur, holding his helmet in a left hand and a lantern in the other. Ivan wished that he hadn't taken the helm off - frankly, he looked hideous. His already-scarred face looked even worse than it usually did - the lower half, which hadn't been covered by the helm had been burnt, singed with red and white marks. His eyes were bloodshot, and one twitched slightly in pain. The presence of a god had seared him quite badly. As soon as he felt it, he had fled from the deck, his instincts screaming. Such was the cost of profane knowledge, tragically. He had hidden down there for a while, unsuccessfully attempting to heal the damage, but after watching his witless comrade stride down into the underbelly of the ship, he knew something was amiss. Of course that blasted idiot had attempted to loot and plunder. Not a surprise, really. Ivan was a good drinking buddy, but a horrible soldier, and an even worse tactician. It was tempting to let him face the consequences...but his actions would reflect badly on Katya, and that could jeopardize their entire journey. And there was much more at stake here than her silly quest.

"Oh, dear little miss Lisoette," he said with mock affection, looking her in the eyes as he walked towards Ivan, "everyone has secrets. It'd be damn shame if all those pious folks upstairs knew yours, wouldn't it?"

Ivan grinned. He didn't know what on earth his friend was talking about, but it seemed like they had the advantage now.

Then Timur decked him in the face with an uppercut, before decisively shoving him to the ground. Caught completely off guard, Ivan toppled, falling clumsily to the ground. Smiling rather maliciously, Timur winked at Lisoette.

"Here's what's going to happen." he said calmly, looking at Florian and Lisoette. "We will distribute bounty here fairly, based on individual contribution to effort. You're not going to mention actions of this idiot here. He dishonors us. In return, I keep your secret safe. We have deal, yes?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"On effort? Aww." Whined Florian, lowering his halberd. In truth he didn't care too much about the coin, he had a small cushion of money to last until he found a job wherever they ended up, and he had smuggled in some of his family's old jewelry to sell of he ever got truly desperate, in addition to that he'd been raised primarily through the Watchtower, hardly an organisation which placed emphasis on materialism and wealth. He'd make do. His primary motivation is asking for the money was just to indimidate Ivan really, to show him who was the leader of their little partnership.

Well there's no reason to end it now.

Florian knelt down and checked Ivan, making sure the uppercut hadn't done any serious damage.

Ivan and this "Florian" character seemed to grow more suspicious with every passing second. Lisoette didn't buy their explanation one bit, but her concern refocused on Timur when he entered the room. At first she thought he was simply bailing out his countryman, until he started commenting about secrets of hers that he knew. He can't possibly have figured out...could he? The Daemonness tried sensing for magic in the room. It was rather faint around Timur, but there was something dark about him. Was he like Erosen? Or was he an actual acolyte of evil?

Her experience with Gaiacan Darkness Elementals was limited. Aside from Erosen the only ones she had encountered thus far had been those evildoers of the Order of Malsidrian, in that mountain mausoleum Duke Aurenheim had sent the old group to. The Malsidrianites hadn't given much in the way of expository speeches before perishing, leaving Lisoette in the dark about why they sided with Tenaembra. She couldn't quite wrap her head around why any Gaiacans would want to let the legions of Hell loose upon their world. Perhaps they were offered lavish rewards of whatever tempted them, but given how often she had heard Daemonnes salivate over ideas like having roast human for lunch she doubted such promises would ever be fulfilled. But what else would one expect from the deity who delighted in such virtues as dishonesty, treachery, and poorly cleaned toilets?
Whatever category Timur fell into, Lisoette decided he was on her watch-list as well.

"Your proposal is agreeable, Timur," Lisoette replied, stepping right up to him as her voice dropped to almost a whisper, "Whatever secret you may think you know about me, it's probably the same as your group's secret. I think I'm not the only one who didn't have the right papers to come into Galllia from Elcrescia," She had said it quietly to Timur, but it should have been just loud enough for the other two to overhear enough to take a guess. With any luck, which she seemed to have a good amount of, it would steer their suspicions in the wrong direction. "Why don't you go fetch the others while I keep an eye on this pair? I still haven't been introduced, despite Flooran somehow knowing my name and being 'surprised to finally meet me'. It better be a good explanation," said Lisoette as she pivoted to face Ivan and Florian.

Florian turned white as a sheet, his mind racing for an excuse as he bolted upright. In a moment his expression of worry vanished into an easy smile and happy-go-lucky eyes which glimmered in the torch light.

"I'm Florian Laeril, it's truly an honour to meet you." he beamed as he extended a hand "I'm a big fan of Mr. Eric Lumen, that's all. I read his book during my studies and couldn't believe it when I ended up on a boat with him! To be honest I'm not very interesting, I'm low born, a person you'd never know but who wants to see the world Mr. Ivan graciously offered me a ride on this ship at a very affordable price. I'd have been a fool to refuse such an offer." he said with a pleasant laugh. "I'm sorry you were introduced to me at probably my lowest point but I'm quite strapped for cash at this point. -Oh and Mr. Eric mentions you in his book, that's why I was so awestruck, well that and your beauty." It was a lie, Eric's book made no mention of any of the party, but from Eric's reaction nobody else had read the book, and nobody would be able to fact-check him on the spot. He wasn't even sure Ivan or Timur would be able to read.

[Lazarian]

"Your proposal is agreeable, Timur," Lisoette replied, stepping right up to him as her voice dropped to almost a whisper, "Whatever secret you may think you know about me, it's probably the same as your group's secret. I think I'm not the only one who didn't have the right papers to come into Galllia from Elcrescia," She had said it quietly to Timur, but it should have been just loud enough for the other two to overhear enough to take a guess. With any luck, which she seemed to have a good amount of, it would steer their suspicions in the wrong direction. "Why don't you go fetch the others while I keep an eye on this pair? I still haven't been introduced, despite Flooran somehow knowing my name and being 'surprised to finally meet me'. It better be a good explanation," said Lisoette as she pivoted to face Ivan and Florian.

Timur chuckled darkly, shaking his head. That was a pretty clever diversion there from the Daemonness. Although a little weak - as if papers were a secret worth hiding on a ship full of rogues like this - it was certainly quick on the draw. She didn't seem to realize that he knew exactly what she was, although she clearly had her suspicions. Time to drive the knife a little deeper in

"You ought to be a gambler, miss Lisoette. Quite a solid guess." he played along, ideally leading the other two astray. His knowledge of her true nature wouldn't be as valuable if both of them knew. After all, knowledge was a commodity, just like anything else - and scarcity made commodities valuable. Besides, there wasn't any need for him to bring in the other two, as it looked like his implied threat had balanced out Ivan's idiocy. He didn't give a damn about the chest of gold - their mission would be safe, his revenge would be had, and that was all that he truly needed. "We both are indeed from...other locales." he continued, with a pointed stare. "It's quite warm where you come from, isn't it?"

That would suffice. Vague enough to not reveal anything explicitly, specific enough to be a threat. He laughed to defuse the tension, and shrugged.

"Sure. I'll fetch others. Have fun with interrogation. But remember our deal once they get here, dorogaya." he finished with mock affection, before turning and casually strolling up the stairs, leaving the three in the dimly lit hold of the ship.

---

IVAN

---

"On effort? Aww." Whined Florian, lowering his halberd. In truth he didn't care too much about the coin, he had a small cushion of money to last until he found a job wherever they ended up, and he had smuggled in some of his family's old jewelry to sell of he ever got truly desperate, in addition to that he'd been raised primarily through the Watchtower, hardly an organisation which placed emphasis on materialism and wealth. He'd make do. His primary motivation is asking for the money was just to indimidate Ivan really, to show him who was the leader of their little partnership.

Well there's no reason to end it now.

Florian knelt down and checked Ivan, making sure the uppercut hadn't done any serious damage.

Ivan attempted to Florian away, struggling to rise to his feet. This had gone rather poorly. While Timur certainly had salvaged the situation (somehow), he was infuriated. Not only had he lost his chance at snagging the extra coin, but he had received a sock in the face for his efforts! While he was grateful that Timur had gotten him out of the bind with Lisoette, he certainly wished that things had been handled differently. Surely with the three of them, they could have found a better solution than this. Their friendship was rather odd, to say the least. They were both in the same boat as far as being assigned on this irritating journey, and they were both soldiers, but asides from that...there wasn't a whole lot of common ground.

"I'm fine." the thug growled irritably, glaring bitterly at Timur as he strode up the stairs.

I still haven't been introduced, despite Flooran somehow knowing my name and being 'surprised to finally meet me'. It better be a good explanation," said Lisoette as she pivoted to face Ivan and Florian.

Florian turned white as a sheet, his mind racing for an excuse as he bolted upright. In a moment his expression of worry vanished into an easy smile and happy-go-lucky eyes which glimmered in the torch light.

"I'm Florian Laeril, it's truly an honour to meet you." he beamed as he extended a hand "I'm a big fan of Mr. Eric Lumen, that's all. I read his book during my studies and couldn't believe it when I ended up on a boat with him! To be honest I'm not very interesting, I'm low born, a person you'd never know but who wants to see the world Mr. Ivan graciously offered me a ride on this ship at a very affordable price. I'd have been a fool to refuse such an offer." he said with a pleasant laugh. "I'm sorry you were introduced to me at probably my lowest point but I'm quite strapped for cash at this point. -Oh and Mr. Eric mentions you in his book, that's why I was so awestruck, well that and your beauty." It was a lie, Eric's book made no mention of any of the party, but from Eric's reaction nobody else had read the book, and nobody would be able to fact-check him on the spot. He wasn't even sure Ivan or Timur would be able to read.

"It's the truth!" chimed in Ivan enthusiastically, aggressively patting Florian on the back. While he was still bitter about the lad's attempt to seize a greater portion of the treasure...it was a move that he had attempted to pull many a time. No honor among thieves and all that. It'd be best if they stayed close together, considering that Florian could easily rat him out to the rest of the ship. The lad was quite the convincing little bastard - he had to acknowledge that. He was like one of those actors on those lame stage plays with the travelling minstrels and those mangy lot. Although he was more convincing, honestly. Perhaps the lad was a spy of some sort. Either way, there was no being too careful with him. If Watchtower had sent him...it was likely as a supervisor. Damn. Well, it was time to play along yet again. Alexei and Eric had been fooled easily enough, but Lisoette seemed a little more clever.

"Just a plain ol' vorkingman that wanted an escape from his dreary life, is all." he continued, rubbing Florian roughly on the head in mock affection. "I figured I'd give him the chance to meet his heroes and give 'em a great adventure. But we're quite broke, and just want a little for us to live on. Lady Katya doesn't pay us soldier folk nearly what we deserve. Please, spare us poor fellows just a little extra coin, miss Lisoette!" he begged, wiping a fake tear from his eye.

[Serconas]

"Feeling a little seasick there, lad?"

Eric strolled over from his impromptu drinking party with Aeiron, flopping down next to him.

"Real landlubber, ain't ya? Well, lucky thing I'm here. Ol' Eric has a surefire solution for-"

"If you're thinking of what I think you're thinking, can you just not? The last time you gave one of your insane cure-all concoctions to someone, they literally shit their heart out. I'm a nearly millennia old Angelle and that still baffles me."

"Oh, fine. Spoilsport harpy..."

He reached inside the Fanny Pack of Wonder, pulling out a small stick with a red ball on the end. He tossed it over to him.

"You just gotta find a focal point to focus on. If you feel your stomach churning, just focus on that thing."

To focused on not doing like the owl-beast did earlier Ke'Am only noticed Eric as he sat down next to the nomad. Slowly he opened his eyes, turning his head slightly to look at the old man.
"It is... not only the sea... but it does... how do you say... contirbute...", he replies with some difficulty.
"All of it... the killing, the sight of the dead... and the smell... it weighs on Ke'Am", the nomad shifts around to sit mor comfortably. "To answer you question, yes he has been on the sea only once before. He did not like it. The dunes of water are too... err... unpredictable", his eyes follow Eric as he rummages through his pack, curious at what kind of 'solution' he may provide. Luckily for the young man the spirit at Erics side discourages him from pulling out a second of these bottled drinks.
Instead Ke'Am catches the small red thing as it is thrown.
"Is he - Eric - certain that this will help?", he looked puzzled at the item turning it around inbetween his fingers. For a moment the nomad thought about smelling it, but that didn´t seem appropriate. "What is this...?", he glanced at the old man, but quickly did as he had been told. Not that he had much to loose.

[Ameriganastan]

To focused on not doing like the owl-beast did earlier Ke'Am only noticed Eric as he sat down next to the nomad. Slowly he opened his eyes, turning his head slightly to look at the old man.
"It is... not only the sea... but it does... how do you say... contribute...", he replies with some difficulty.
"All of it... the killing, the sight of the dead... and the smell... it weighs on Ke'Am", the nomad shifts around to sit more comfortably. "To answer you question, yes he has been on the sea only once before. He did not like it. The dunes of water are too... err... unpredictable", his eyes follow Eric as he rummages through his pack, curious at what kind of 'solution' he may provide. Luckily for the young man the spirit at Erics side discourages him from pulling out a second of these bottled drinks.
Instead Ke'Am catches the small red thing as it is thrown.
"Is he - Eric - certain that this will help?", he looked puzzled at the item turning it around in-between his fingers. For a moment the nomad thought about smelling it, but that didn't seem appropriate. "What is this...?", he glanced at the old man, but quickly did as he had been told. Not that he had much to lose.

"It's a...well, it's a thing. You always gotta carry things with you...honestly, I don't even remember putting it in there. But that's how this thing works."

He patted the FPOW.

"I just needed a little pack to carry a few things. Bought it from some random street vendor while passing through Kelkak. Lo and behold, it can contain an unusual amount of things. ..I actually looked inside it once. I swear something looked back at me. Glowing eyes and all."

If one listened close, it almost sounded like the thing growled at the mention of that.

"So I just learned to not question it. Just stuff it with all the knickknacks I could foresee myself needing, and it seems to spit them out when I need them. Like if I said I was a little thirsty..."

He produced another flask from the pack, taking a small sip.

"Voila. So, where you from? I've traveled quite a bit and never run into that accent combined with that complexion. And I'm always interested to hear about places I haven't been."

[Serconas]

"It's a...well, it's a thing. You always gotta carry things with you...honestly, I don't even remember putting it in there. But that's how this thing works."

He patted the FPOW.

"I just needed a little pack to carry a few things. Bought it from some random street vendor while passing through Kelkak. Lo and behold, it can contain an unusual amount of things. ..I actually looked inside it once. I swear something looked back at me. Glowing eyes and all."

If one listened close, it almost sounded like the thing growled at the mention of that.

"So I just learned to not question it. Just stuff it with all the knickknacks I could foresee myself needing, and it seems to spit them out when I need them. Like if I said I was a little thirsty..."

He produced another flask from the pack, taking a small sip.

"Voila. So, where you from? I've traveled quite a bit and never run into that accent combined with that complexion. And I'm always interested to hear about places I haven't been."

Ke'Am threw Eric a slightly puzzled glance, but focused back on the red thing he held in front of him. The nomad was surprised. Surprised that the old man carried stuff around he didn´t knew he had.
"Ke'Am prefers to travel lightly. He is faster this way. He knows what he carries." That was what he has been taught. Unneccessary things were left behind. Hidden if possible or just given to the sands, as sacrifice.
The quite growl from the pack made him peer back again. "It is... magic, as you say? Your pack? Ke'Am has heard stories about similar things, but not about a pack..."
Then Eric asked were he came from and the nomad grit his teeth behind closed lips. Not something liked to talk about, but the old man had helped him.
"He does not know how you call it, but Ke'Am is... ksa'ti - from the desert. The... the ones hiding behind the wall... they... captured Ke'Am...", he pressed out, anger on his face and in his eyes. But he was in no position to change anything about the fate of his people. At least at the moment. Hopefully the day would come when he could free them. Those that still lived...
"Ke'Am utnerr'te... was unfree, long time. Not anymore", he closed his eyes and took a deep breath focusing on the red bit again after he opened them. After another moment the nomad spoke again: "Were is Eric from? you must have traveld many places to find so many... things. Things for your pack", he asked, now a wry smile on his face.

[Ameriganastan]

Ke'Am threw Eric a slightly puzzled glance, but focused back on the red thing he held in front of him. The nomad was surprised. Surprised that the old man carried stuff around he didn´t knew he had.
"Ke'Am prefers to travel lightly. He is faster this way. He knows what he carries." That was what he has been taught. Unnecessary things were left behind. Hidden if possible or just given to the sands, as sacrifice.
The quite growl from the pack made him peer back again. "It is... magic, as you say? Your pack? Ke'Am has heard stories about similar things, but not about a pack..."
Then Eric asked were he came from and the nomad grit his teeth behind closed lips. Not something liked to talk about, but the old man had helped him.
"He does not know how you call it, but Ke'Am is... ksa'ti - from the desert. The... the ones hiding behind the wall... they... captured Ke'Am...", he pressed out, anger on his face and in his eyes. But he was in no position to change anything about the fate of his people. At least at the moment. Hopefully the day would come when he could free them. Those that still lived...
"Ke'Am utnerr'te... was unfree, long time. Not anymore", he closed his eyes and took a deep breath focusing on the red bit again after he opened them. After another moment the nomad spoke again: "Were is Eric from? you must have traveled many places to find so many... things. Things for your pack", he asked, now a wry smile on his face.

"Slavers, huh? Sorry to hear that. Few kinds more despicable than those who imprison others. Hence why when I run across a slaver ship or caravan, they don't live to see the next day. Who knows, maybe I freed one of your kind without even knowing it."

He took a small sip of his flask.

"As for Eric, he comes from a tiny hut outside a city called Redliniiord in the Gallian Federation. Lovely place. Summers there by the sea? No place more beautiful in all the land. Sometimes he wishes he'd have stayed there instead of becoming a solider. But no point in regretting what can't be changed. Maybe I'll take you there one day. Despite my distaste for the non-existent Gods, the Festival of Hydrata is a super fun time to be in the city. Oh, and..."

He fished inside the pack, pulling out a small wooden circle with a strange symbol on it and setting it in front of him.

"There's a man in Agladuus. A man who specializes in freeing the enslaved. If you ever find your way up there, take that token to a tavern named The Lucky Gremlin and ask for Heinrich. He's always looking for new blood. May even be able to sneak you home."

[Serconas]

"Slavers, huh? Sorry to hear that. Few kinds more despicable than those who imprison others. Hence why when I run across a slaver ship or caravan, they don't live to see the next day. Who knows, maybe I freed one of your kind without even knowing it."

He took a small sip of his flask.

"As for Eric, he comes from a tiny hut outside a city called Redliniiord in the Gallian Federation. Lovely place. Summers there by the sea? No place more beautiful in all the land. Sometimes he wishes he'd have stayed there instead of becoming a solider. But no point in regretting what can't be changed. Maybe I'll take you there one day. Despite my distaste for the non-existent Gods, the Festival of Hydrata is a super fun time to be in the city. Oh, and..."

He fished inside the pack, pulling out a small wooden circle with a strange symbol on it and setting it in front of him.

"There's a man in Agladuus. A man who specializes in freeing the enslaved. If you ever find your way up there, take that token to a tavern named The Lucky Gremlin and ask for Heinrich. He's always looking for new blood. May even be able to sneak you home."

"Ke'Am hopes you did, but he has doubts. His people are... were far fewer than those who hide behind the great wall...", he slowly shakes his head. "He fears to never see any of them again."
The nomad watched Eric drink and listened closely as the old man recounted the story of his home. Ke'Am was suprised by the mans offer to show him his birthplace despite barely knowing eachother. Still he felt weirdly honored.

"Agladuus...?", Ke'Am asked squinting briefly at the wooden object before picking it up with his free left hand. "Eric has to tell him where this place lies. Though Ke'Am thinks there is no hurry for this now. His current task is more important", the nomad paused for a moment. "Well, 'our' task", he looks back at Eric, rolling the small carving between his fingers.
While sceptical of the old mans intentions Ke'Am was nevertheless overcome with a sense of gratitude. It had been a long time since he had come across any amount of goodwill, in fact the young nomad barely remembered the last time. Regardless, Ke'Am couldn´t tell if if Eric was genuine.
"He thanks you, Eric. He would give something in return but Ke'Am carries nothing of value. Though if there is chance he would show you his own home as well."
Hopefully there still was something to go back to. The nomad barely believed in it...

[Ameriganastan]

"Ke'Am hopes you did, but he has doubts. His people are... were far fewer than those who hide behind the great wall...", he slowly shakes his head. "He fears to never see any of them again."
The nomad watched Eric drink and listened closely as the old man recounted the story of his home. Ke'Am was suprised by the mans offer to show him his birthplace despite barely knowing eachother. Still he felt weirdly honored.

"Agladuus...?", Ke'Am asked squinting briefly at the wooden object before picking it up with his free left hand. "Eric has to tell him where this place lies. Though Ke'Am thinks there is no hurry for this now. His current task is more important", the nomad paused for a moment. "Well, 'our' task", he looks back at Eric, rolling the small carving between his fingers.
While sceptical of the old mans intentions Ke'Am was nevertheless overcome with a sense of gratitude. It had been a long time since he had come across any amount of goodwill, in fact the young nomad barely remembered the last time. Regardless, Ke'Am couldn´t tell if if Eric was genuine.
"He thanks you, Eric. He would give something in return but Ke'Am carries nothing of value. Though if there is chance he would show you his own home as well."
Hopefully there still was something to go back to. The nomad barely believed in it...

"Think nothing of it, lad. If I help you find your way to slitting some slaver throats, that's reward enough for me. As for Agladuus..."

He licked his finger and stuck it in the air...forgetting the gloves he wore made that kind of pointless.

"We just left Cargone. So It's...east. Just across the water from Lalschheim, a little east of Erilhall and a little west of Halsbur after..."

Before he could rattle off any more directions, the Fanny Pack Of Wonder actually spit a small map out into his hand.

"...Or you could just use that."

He slapped it in his hand, and slapped him on the back.

"We've gotta be there by now, right?"

"We just left, Eric. I imagine the trip will take more than a few hours..."

"...Okay, starting to remember the other reason I didn't join the navy. Long boat trips are BORING! SOMEONE FIND ME SOME RUM!"

He stood up, tossing his now empty flask overboard.

"Shame there isn't some way to just fast-forward to when things are more interesting. RUM!"

[Serconas]

"Think nothing of it, lad. If I help you find your way to slitting some slaver throats, that's reward enough for me. As for Agladuus..."

He licked his finger and stuck it in the air...forgetting the gloves he wore made that kind of pointless.

"We just left Cargone. So It's...east. Just across the water from Lalschheim, a little east of Erilhall and a little west of Halsbur after..."

Before he could rattle off any more directions, the Fanny Pack Of Wonder actually spit a small map out into his hand.

"...Or you could just use that."

He slapped it in his hand, and slapped him on the back.

"We've gotta be there by now, right?"

"We just left, Eric. I imagine the trip will take more than a few hours..."

"...Okay, starting to remember the other reason I didn't join the navy. Long boat trips are BORING! SOMEONE FIND ME SOME RUM!"

He stood up, tossing his now empty flask overboard.

"Shame there isn't some way to just fast-forward to when things are more interesting. RUM!"

Watching Eric the nomad wondered why the old man licked his gloved finger. Were the gloves imbued with magic? It wouldn´t have been to suprising for Ke'Am, Eric´s sword was a spirit after all.
Though the directions given by Eric weren´t all that helpful, Ke'Am knew Carogne in the north of the island they were currently on with his first station being further to the south. The isle itself was rather far west... The nomads train of thought was interrupted as the old man handed him a piece of parchment with a multitude of lines squiggles and words on it. The sudden slap on the back threw Ke'Am off for a moment, but he was certain that he held a map in his hands.
"He thanks you...", the nomad turned the map around to orient it.
By the ruins! He was much farther away from home than he had thought. Ke'Ams involuntary trek towards the great wall was already long, the previous journey on ship even more so, but the place his captors called Sahranjja wasn´t even on the map. And yet Agladuus was still on the other side of it.
Glumly the young man looked back to Eric who had sprung back up again. For being of such an advanced age he sure had lots of energy, complaimng already about how... uneventful travel by boat was to him. The spirit´s words didn´t quite calm him as he prefered less treacherous ground beneath his feet, but Ke'Am still hoped for a 'boring' trip, as Eric put it. After the events of today the nomad could surely need some rest.

[Constaniana]

"Eric wrote a book while we were away?" Lisoette remarked with surprise, "I remember that Charlie girl Kroisoto was interested in always seemed to be writing, but I thought the old sausage only told his stories out loud. Well, I've seen plenty of things more strange than that, I suppose. Moving on, you two look like you eat enough. Complain to Katya herself if you really need more. Besides, don't you have the money Florian paid you to get aboard?" She couldn't think of much else to say to the two of them while waiting for Timur to return. Maybe he really was some random civilian that had paid Ivan to bring him along, and it was simply that Ivan sounded shifty no matter what he was saying? Plenty of her fellow hellspawn carried on in such a fashion. The daemonness would keep an eye on them both, but asking the newcomer who he really was again and again would do little good. Once this treasure was sorted amongst the group she would be glad to find somewhere to sleep with Tristan and put this horribly long day behind her. Hopefully other days on this adventure would go more quickly than this one had.

---

Somewhere off the coast of northwest Albrion
From a gull's view the sea looked like a burnt soup--that is, if gulls knew how to cook and knew what soup was--with unappetising dumplings of shattered wood, slightly more tasty squares of sail, and blazing patches of oil all around. Sharks might have devoured the human bodies thrown into the waves, had they not been chased off by the frightful commotion of battle. They would have to compete with the bottom-feeders for those morsels later, when the surface giants were gone. Minutes ago there had been a pair of whaling ships heading home. Now at the maelstrom's edge there remained a lone, black ship, without a flag flying over her. Standing on the main deck were figures in dark uniforms. The pride and excitement over their fighting machine's ruthless performance was palpable. They admired their handiwork for a few more minutes, until an older one of them ordered the others back to their stations. With a whoosh of black smoke the ship turned about to return to her lair.

---

The Halvefon Sea, approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of St. Veowulf, United Galllian Federation
Monday, December 10th, 1781 G.C.C

This Thursday would mark the fourth week since the myriad paths of the party members spun together into one rope. Given the fractious relationships between some of them, or simply the tedium of sailing, they may have felt like as if they had been stuck together a great many more months than that. So far there had been no physical altercations amongst the group. No doubt some still had their suspicions about others--Lisoette, for example, still did not trust Ivan, Florian, and most certainly Timur further than a rock could walk--but given they were out in open waters nobody wanted to risk destroying the ship in a magical duel. Seasickness might have been another reason nobody felt in the mood for throwing punches or drawing swords. Three years of life in an archipelago had made the Daemonness resistant to that affliction, leaving her quite comfortable keeping watch on deck.

It had moderately rained on and off for the past three days. Some rain was still falling on this crisp, early morning, but there were sizeable gaps in the clouds now, and it was easy for one to point out where in the sky the sun was now. They had encountered no pursuers, either from Watchtower, the Basilisk Pirates, or Carogne's law enforcement; good speed was not all the gods seemed to be blessing the motley band with. Colonel Mallow had steered their course away from the minor islands between Carogne and the mainland so as to prevent any trail. Stopping in a major city such as St. Veowulf, the northernmost port for the Federation's Halvefon Sea Fleet, was similarly out of the question. A ship of the Devil's Luck size and speed could sail for several more months before needing to resupply on food, which could presumably be obtained in more isolated northern coastal settlements. But their solitude on the seas was now coming to an end.

Up ahead, one point off the starboard bow, were a trio of U.G.F frigates. As she looked through a spyglass Mrs. Frost noticed in addition to the Federal ensign the lead sailing ship had raised a square flag that was vertically divided between a yellow half and a blue half. Furthermore, she saw a sailor holding square red and yellow flags in both hands, extended out from her body. She was raising them up and down in a steady manner whilst keeping a steady gaze in the Devil's Luck's direction. Lisoette was still hoping to get the group to agree on a nicer name for their ship. A few other people on the frigates were watching them, but the overall crews didn't seem to be rushing to battle stations. That bode well for their chances of not getting fired on for all the fuss they had kicked up in Carogne.

"Ooh, it looks like those Federal warships are signalling us!" Lisoette called, whistling loudly to get the group's attention, "Do any of you know how to signal back on ships? I think we're still too far away for shouting back and forth."

[Ameriganastan]

"Ooh, it looks like those Federal warships are signalling us!" Lisoette called, whistling loudly to get the group's attention, "Do any of you know how to signal back on ships? I think we're still too far away for shouting back and forth."

"Do they have any pretty lasses on that ship? Or any lasses for that matter? At this point I'm not being choosy."

4 weeks at sea had driven the parties resident sex fiend a tad short tempered and fidgety. He'd been nursing the situation with a steady supply of any booze, from his Fanny Pack Of Wonder or below deck, he could get his hands on. Hence why the smell of liquor coming off him was so potent it could offend even the dead. He swiped the spyglass from her, getting a good look at the signaler.

"Okay, they covered this in basic training. You never knew if they'd ship you somewhere across the ocean, so they made us memorize this crap. Uh..."

Wracking his alcohol soaked mind for the memory, it finally came to him. Along with a hearty belch.

"Uh...that signal means error and that flag...man overboard I think? Lemme ask them."

He shoved the spyglass back into her hands and dug deep inside the pack, producing a couple of small flags. And made sure to loosen up a little. He signaled them back for a few moments, looking more like he was dancing than anything.

"Okay. Might be a couple of spelling errors in there, but I got the prudent stuff across. Do they need help, is there a man overboard, are we in trouble and does anyone on the ship wanna get freaky?"

He produced his latest flask and took a hearty swig.

"You're welcome."

[Minroz]

-snip-

[“This way!”] Someone called out in some foreign language to Erosen’s ears.

The Sahranjjites came rushing through the alleys in search of the commotion. Apparently, they’ve gotten lost in the alley. Until, someone lying on the ground has caught their eyes.

[“Hey, is that man looked like Erosen?”] Aisha gasped in her native tongue, widened her eyes in realization.

“Hm?” Temujin hummed. He then widened his eyes in realization as he caught on. [“By the Gods, it couldn’t be…?”]

“Erosen!” The bespeactled lad rushed towards where the Dark Elemental is. He and Aisha helped turned Erosen over, sitting him up.

It is funny fate that three years ago, Temujin might not be able to help Erosen with his own physical strength alone since he was little scrawny at that time. After three years of diligent physical exercises and martial arts training, the Sahranjjite boy can now be able to physically help Erosen over without trouble.

[“Is he going to be alright?”] Aisha questioned her husband. Temujin checks by pressing his fingers on Erosen’s neck, searching for a pulse. He can feel the beating pulse on his fingers.

[“He’s alive.”] He simply answered, frowning. ["He's actually inhaled a lot of water."]

["Water?"] Aisha paused in confusion. Temujin on other hand has also possessed the knowledge of a healer. Slowly lying Erosen back on the ground, the Sahranjjite boy gently taps on the Dark Elemental's shoulder to get the response.

"Are you okay?" Temujin asked Erosen in loud and clear voice. "Can you hear me?"

[Lazarian]

---

The Morning Post Heist

---

As the sun rose from the horizon, Katya strode up the stairs from the captain's quarters to the deck. Her and the trio of bodyguards had made camp in there - well, more accurately, they had hung up a hammock for Alexei to recover in, and then passed out on the floor. Same difference, though. Striding along the deck, she took a deep breath, enjoying the salty breeze of the ocean. It reminded her of those days out on the coasts of her homeland. She was dressed in a simple skirt and shirt - it was a relief to be out of that plate.

Ah, it was satisfying to walk along their newfound vessel. Her newfound vessel. Their heist of the ship had gone quite smoothly, all things considered. Sure, there had been some unforeseen issues. Their plan having gone off the rails in the first couple of moments due to a foolish and unwarranted lightning strike, combined with the presence of Watchtower agents along with the pirates...but all things considered? Well, she was alive, in one piece, standing on the deck of a stolen ship. Hardly a failure.

A lone figure stood upon the deck, keeping watch. After splitting the gold in the chest relatively evenly among the party, they had agreed post-combat to establish a nightly watch, to make sure that they weren't pursued. Thankfully, she had gone undisturbed throughout the night, which meant that they had successfully gotten away. As she drew closer, Eric turned his head to look her way, before nodding to acknowledge her existence.

"Morning, sir Lumen!" she said cheerfully, patting him on the back. She had mixed feelings about him, although she liked him for the most part. On one hand, he was clearly a champion of the gods. His angelic sword and divine powers were clearly those of a paladin. Despite his supposed lack of belief in the gods, which was quite odd. But his nature, on the other hand? Good heavens. The man was quite the degenerate adventurer, if there ever was one. But for an elder, he was rather handsome. Besides, she didn't mind his lecherous nature that much. Travelling with a couple of soldiers had really desensitized her to the crudeness of commoners. Not like her father's court was a bunch of stuck up nobles, though. Sure, she had a tutor for manners and curtsies once...a long time ago. But that was lost in the past.

"I've already told you, girl," Eric said, yawning widely, "enough with the sir bullshit. It's Eric. Not sir Lumen. Only place folks call me sir is on the battlefield or in the bedroom. Although, I certainly don't mind it there, so, if you're really so inclined to keep calling me that..." he inferred with a wink.

"No." she said, grinning slightly. "Good try."

"Hmph. I'll change your mind eventually. No lass can resist the my dashing looks and charm forever!" he said, striking what he must have thought to be some sort of heroic pose. Katya tried to stifle a laugh. Oh, dear. That was certainly something.

"So, you've been around for quite awhile, yes?" she said, quickly changing the subject. "Last night vas quite impressive, I must say. I don't suppose you could teach me a few things?"

Eric raised an eyebrow.

"I don't do apprentices." he said dismissively, waving a hand. "Last and only time I tried that, the little brat ran away after a month. Total waste of my time."

"Vell, I wasn't saying I was going to be your apprentice." she replied, her enthusiasm slightly dampened. "I vas just...interested in learning a few of your tricks. I had lessons back at home, but there is always way to improve, yes?"

Eric seemed slightly more interested.

"Well, dearie, if you want to spar, be my guest. But I'm not gonna go easy on you, just because you're a woman. Just sayin'."

Yawning, he pulled a stick (about the length of a sword) out of the Fanny Pack of Wonder and tossed it her way. She caught it, and then swept back her left foot, getting into the proper stance.

"I don't vant you to go easy." she said firmly, looking him in the eyes. "I vant a challenge."

Eric didn't budge from the railing. Belle remained sheathed to his side. He yawned loudly, before pulling a flask of some sort of liquor out of his mystical satchel.

"Go for it!" he said cheerfully, taking a hearty swig of the drink. "I'll give you a head start."

Was he really not taking her seriously? Katya scowled, feeling rather offended. Well, no matter. She'd show him not to disrespect her. In an instant, she lunged at him, swiping the stick at his chest. Almost effortlessly, he sidestepped her move, before slapping her in the side with the flask, nearly knocking her to the deck of the ship.

"Well, you're dead. Lesson one, dear. Deflection. From a wooden training sword to a mace, the strongest strike can be nullified." he chuckled,

Her cheeks flushing red with irritation, she snarled and came at him again with a flurry of blows. Eric yawned, deflecting one after another with the flask, moving much faster than a man of his age should have. The stick clattered to the ground as he smacked her in the hand after dodging under the last strike. He poked her in the chest with a finger.

"Nice try, but you're dead again. Lesson two: direction. Blind fury is fine when you're fighting some thug. But against me? You're like a toddler with a stick. Maybe you should let your big friend handle the fighting, darling." he joked, grinning widely.

Gritting her teeth in frustration, Katya walked over to the fallen stick, clutching her bruised hand. This was ridiculous. She was being made a fool of. Nobody made a fool of her. Clutching it tightly, she charged him again, swinging widely and furiously from left to right. Eric parried her wild blow with a flick of his wrist, spun to the left, and then dodged under the following strike. Grabbing her hand, he slid in between her legs, simultaneously looking under her skirt and throwing her to the ground in an ungraceful heap. Turning around, he took another swig and grinned.

"Have I mentioned that you're dead again? Lesson three. You're too predictable. Especially when you're pissed off. You've opened with the same strike three times in a row. I'm almost bored. Did your daddy teach you anything?"

Furious, Katya pulled herself up, sweat starting to rise up on her forehead. She pulled the stick up in front of her again, as if she was about to charge him yet again - and then she pointed with her other hand and snapped, sending a pillar of wind at Eric. He dodged under it, before taking another drink. Enraged, she tried again, sending another column. He danced away, the gust missing by a good three feet. Yet again, she snapped, sending another blast his way. With a single step, he moved himself out of the way.

"Honey, you're pointing at where it's going to go! That's gotta stop." he laughed, taking another drink. "My blind grandma could avoid those."

Clenching her fists, sweat pouring down her face (from the energy spent on the casts), she charged him again, changing up the angle of the strike. However, she was clearly fatigued, and he ducked away again, smacking her on the ass before pushing her into the railing.

"Dead again! Lesson four, Katie: stamina. You may be young and firey, but even you'll tire out eventually. Me? I'm still full of energy."

Katya spun around, throwing the stick at him. It missed dramatically, clattering across the deck. However, it was clearly just an attempt at a distraction, as she immediately followed up by gesturing wildly in another spellcasting effort. Pillars of air randomly burst upwards from the deck of the ship, in an attempt to throw the old man up into the air.

"Parry this, asshole!" she snapped, before pointing and throwing another column at his face. In an instant, Eric grabbed the lid of a nearby barrel - and in an instant, flung himself onto one of the the pillars, riding the lid as he did so. He flew upwards into the air, a good twenty feet, before landing...right behind Katya, on his feet.

"Bonk." he said calmly, tapping her in the back of the head with the flask. "You're dead."

Collapsing to the ground, Katya gasped for air, exhausted from the effort of all the casting. Her anger dissipated in her exhaustion, although her damaged pride fell on her like a pile of bricks.

"Okay, you win. I'm dead." she said weakly, trying to catch her breath. "But how?"

"Practicality. That spell was impressive, but a huge waste of energy. You put yourself at a disadvantage with flashy crap like that."

He extended a hand to help her up, and Katya reluctantly took it.

"Good effort, though. Maybe next time."

---

Four Weeks Later

---

"Ay, there's something going on up top." Ivan proclaimed loudly, as he strode heavily down the stairs. Upon reaching the bottom, he took off his shirt, revealing his hairy protruding stomach (unfortunately for the other occupants of the cabin) before leaping into his hammock. "Something about a couple of ships coming our way. It's not my problem. Go deal with it." he grumbled, looking vaguely in Katya's direction.

Katya sighed, before shutting the thick leather tome she had with her on the table in front of her. She had become rather disillusioned with the musty old thing after her goddess had decried blood magic in person. But there was still useful techniques to be learned in there. In particular, some claimed that windborn could fly - ah, she'd love to do that. Tragically, it seemed to be a pretty difficult affair, and the book hadn't been too helpful so far. But if Ivan was really coming to her about whatever was going on, it was probably worth checking out. Rubbing her eyes, she threw on a dark blue coat and scarf over her undershirt and pants, before grabbing the tricorn hat hanging on the wall. She had looted it off one of the pirates after the battle, and while Alexei laughed himself into a coughing fit after seeing it on her, she liked it. In her opinion, she looked like a captain. (In all honesty, she didn't. The hat was rather oversized.)

The trip so far had been pretty uneventful. She had kept to herself and her men for the most part - although she had consulted with Colonel Mallow in some matters regarding the ship, he had managed to keep them well at sea. Tristan and Lisoette were a nice couple, and she and Alexei had played cards with them a couple of times. However, they hadn't gotten too close (which had largely been her decision). Nothing against the two, but she wanted to keep their friendship on the surface level for now. Her companions (asides from Alexei, who had spent the last few weeks recovering in bed) and Lisoette clearly were uncomfortable around each other - and while she was hardly fond of those two, that did raise a few flags.

As for Aerion, well, that had been a slightly larger issue. Thankfully, after she had paid him from her (and Alexei's, unfortunately) shares of the spoils, he had settled down a little bit. That being said, he had hardly gotten any less hot-tempered. It seemed like she needed to pull him away from the others on a daily basis with some promise of gold - and, quite frankly, she couldn't afford to do that forever. Asides from him, though, things had been relatively calm. She had gotten along quite well with Eric, although as the weeks dragged on, his increasing desperation for women had started to become an issue. He'd been quite irritable as of late.

Once she reached the deck, Katya squinted at the three frigates off starboard, frowning slightly. They were South Gallian - in other words, allies of the Garmiccian Empire. Although, she supposed that didn't quite matter - their ship wasn't bearing the dark blue and silver of her people's flag. Their ship, the Devil's Luck, was still adorned with the black flags of the pirates and the spikes. Hardly a good image to project, but she imagined that its appearance would be sufficient to scare off any would-be privateers. But if they did end up communicating, it couldn't hurt that they were technically allies.

Well...actually, come to think of it, what would the nationality of their vessel be, anyways? Just because she thought of herself and her men as a group didn't mean that they represented the whole party on the ship."I suppose we are pirates...just of another breed, really. Pirates of pirates." she thought to herself, slightly amused. Eric and Lisoette were standing nearby, along with a few others.

"Okay. Might be a couple of spelling errors in there, but I got the prudent stuff across. Do they need help, is there a man overboard, are we in trouble and does anyone on the ship wanna get freaky?"

He produced his latest flask and took a hearty swig.

"You're welcome."

Katya sighed.

"Vell, that was all fine, asides from your desperation. I don't think anyone's ever successfully consorted through flags."

She paused, looking around at the various members of the crew who had assembled on the deck. Frankly, if the frigates decided to attack, they were all toast. Regardless of all their powers, a couple of spellborn couldn't take on the might of South Gallia's navy. But if what Eric said was true, they weren't manning the guns or reading an attack. They were likely just attempting to see why this vessel was in these waters, perhaps.

"Honestly? I don't have time or patience to wave flags at these ships for much longer, and I hardly think I am alone in this matter." she proclaimed, shrugging her shoulders. She thought for a few moments. Who should she take? On one hand, Eric seemed desperate, and if there was a chance to relieve the old man of his suffering on those boats, it was hardly fair not to bring him. Tristan and Lisoette were clearly minor nobility of some sort, judging by their dress and manners, so they'd have a good impression as well. Finally, although she hadn't spent any time getting to know Flacht, the young woman had clearly spent time in the South Gallian military at some point. It'd be good to have her along.

She didn't want to bring Colonel Mallow - it was best if he stayed, as he was quite a patriot of the North Gallians. Bringing him seemed rather unwise. As for the her men, Ivan was a liability, Timur wouldn't be particularly useful, and Alexei was still recovering. The terrifying spider creature also hardly fit on the boat, and...was also a terrifying spider creature. And she had no particular fondness for the foreign princess, although Alexei was a staunch advocate for keeping her around. Was that all of them?

She glanced over, and saw Ke'Am standing nearby. The savage man was an imposing figure - six feet tall and well muscled, adorned in clothing similar to the garb of the Sahranjjan peoples. A strange figure, quite frankly. He had accompanied Fumiko on her return (which she was slightly wary of), but the two seemed to have no particular closeness. Besides, he had fought honorably in the battle which had ensued on their departure. It couldn't hurt to try to swing him to her side. A little involvement might be that first step she needed.

"Eric, Tristan, Lisoette, Flacht, and...Keyam. Let's take the pinnace across these vaters and meet them on board their ships. It should be easy to explain that we're just diplomats, sailing to...hmm, St. Veovulf. We don't want to tell them we're headed to the North, or they may give us trouble. And if they ask about the black flags we're bearing...vell, I suppose that we had a...slight disagreement with the pirates we paid to escort us, and disposed of them, yes? That's a decent story, I think." she said cheerfully, putting her fingers on her chin in thought. "Any thoughts from you all?"

[Zarkenis Ultima]

---

---

---

"It's technically not a lie, but I don't know how wise it would be to openly admit we consorted with pirates." Tristan commented as he walked up to Eric, Lisoette and Katya, having heard the latter calling for him. Despite knowing quite a bit about sailing both through his conversations with sailors before arriving in Gallia and his escapades on Yuelkelu, he didn't have a clue about signalling, so he opted not to get involved. Now that his assistance was needed, however, he was more than happy to help. "Maybe instead of that, we could try to convince them that we sailed with these flags in order to avoid confrontation with other pirates? Though I'm not sure which story is easier to believe."

The past four weeks had been quite slow, but they had hardly done much to put a dent on Tristan's good cheer. The young man was no stranger to long days and long fortnights spent traveling, so he was not too bothered by the lack of activity, and seasickness was not an issue for him, for much the same reasons it wasn't one for his wife. Lending a hand around the ship, practicing a few magic spells from the books he had received from the Duke of Auregen and spending quality time with his wife was enough to keep him occupied during the long journey to the Commonwealth of the North.

It was for this reason that, rather than the gloom and doom that seemed prevalent below-decks, he smiled even as he questioned their odds of persuading the Federation ships of letting them pass by unharassed. "In any case, I'm with you. This certainly beats ignoring their signals and waiting for them to get fed up with us." He nodded.

He then jabbed a thumb towards Eric and his thick aura of alcoholic stench. "I'm not sure they'll buy the story about us being diplomats if you take him along, though."

[Serconas]

While they were rather uneventful Ke'Am used the past few weeks to getting better accustomed to being on a ship. Now he had the freedom to do so at his own pace instead of being dragged around the vessel to perform menial if not downright degrading tasks at the behest of his captors. Despite the dreadful water dunes beneath being able to just walk about the deck was more liberating than the nomad had previously thought. And the Red Thing helped him whenever he felt dizzyness rising inside him. Though he discovered quite quickly that Eric´s words rung true: simply focusing any object nearby helped already. It was most likely just Ke'Ams imagination, but he felt as if it worked better when it was the Red Thing.

After their takeover of the pirate ship the nomad had also tried to relive that one moment during the battle. For barely the blink of an eye Ke'Am could feel the earth, rocks and dirt around him. Not that there was much of that on the ship, the experience was still ecstatic and surreal. So he 'scraped' off the deck what little earthen material he could find, experimenting with it as best as he could. This of course worked better with the two rocks Ke'Am had previously collected, unfortunately he a shattered the first completely after getting startled by one of the others stepping beside him. Atleast it gave him more substance to practive with.

That was days ago, now he stood on the deck after hearing that their vessel was approached by another three.

[...]

[...]

"Ke'Am will come with you if you want him to. He has still some problems with being on the sea, though", the nomad replied to Katya. He definitively wanted to help, they were companions afterall if not entirely by choice and facing his fear might help him to overcome them at some point.
"Telling them that we made a trade with criminals will not help us", he agreed with Tristan. "Maybe the pirates held us hostage after sinking our ship, but we were able to err... defy them?" he offered in return.