Chapter 15: With Uncertain Ends

[Dave W.]

Mar 11, 2018 11:57:55 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Sem says, "Since I'm not a recognizable criminal on sight, I'll go up and see if we're in the clear yet."

This statement gives Adamant pause. Belarin and Histra are sitting nearby eating their fleshy food, "Wait, am I a criminal?" He looks to the warlock, "what a thought! In a city where lawlessness is order, I suppose doing right might be criminal."

[Ken]

"Don't worry about it, Adamant," says Belarin, sitting next to Histra. "I've been called a criminal many times. Can you imagine? Sweet, harmless me a criminal! But, unfortunately, in this town, the 'law' seems to be whatever the Coin Lords wish it to be, so if you are a criminal, then yes, you must be doing something right."

He says to Histra, "Would you mind showing me your spellbook? Yes, that might sound like a poor come-on, which it could be, but I am academically curious about your preparation routine."

[Darren]

"Criminal, Belarin? You?" Kal grins. "No, I think scoundrel is a more appropriate label." Kal winks as he moves past Histra's shoulder. "Watch out for him," he says to her.

Mar 11, 2018 11:57:55 GMT -4 Jeff said:

After looking at what lies ahead on the river, Larest walks over and kneels by the hatch. "Lord Kalarian, you may wish to come see. Perhaps use your cloak, just in case."

"Why not yell my name a little louder?" Kal mutters as he moves to the ladder. "I don't think everyone in Stormreach heard you." Pulling up the hood of his cloak as his feet find the first rungs, Kal makes his way up to the deck to see what Larest is looking at.

[Brian]

Generally irritated at being confined below deck, Melethos paces. But that soon grows boring, so the approaches one of the portholes and draws the curtain aside so he can peer out without anyone seeing his face. He doesn't like being idle, especially when danger walks with them like a shadow.

[Jeff]

Mar 11, 2018 16:05:13 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

This statement gives Adamant pause. Belarin and Histra are sitting nearby eating their fleshy food, "Wait, am I a criminal?" He looks to the warlock, "what a thought! In a city where lawlessness is order, I suppose doing right might be criminal."

Starg looks up at this and waits for Belarin to answer first. Then the minotaur says, "There are lands where my existence alone is considered a crime, and I would be put to death for what I am. Laws, as made by flawed and controlling creatures, simply cannot always be respected. Consider this: at all times we are each of us a criminal somewhere."

Mar 11, 2018 21:07:15 GMT -4 Ken said:

He says to Histra, "Would you mind showing me your spellbook? Yes, that might sound like a poor come-on, which it could be, but I am academically curious about your preparation routine."

Histra gives Belarin a curious look, a slightly raised eyebrow and askance sort of expression that he would count among her more mysterious ones. Then she slides her book over to him (he's fairly sure she owns two) to allow him to peruse it. But she explains nothing to him, seemingly uninterested in walking him through it. The page it's opened to is filled with Draconic-inspired script and there are immaculately drawn lines and circles accompanying the text suggestive of a diagram. He's not sure what spell he's looking at.

When Kal climbs above, Larest moves away from him, giving him space and saying nothing more. With the hood up on his cloak, the garment shifts and weaves even as Kal moves, taking on the hues of the deck.

Using the black and white version of the make only to show you more clearly the path you've taken on the Dragonfly thus far, down to this spot. 

The sky is brightening, though it is still early enough that the sun has not yet risen into full view. Right away Kal sees the monolithic fortress of the House Deneith enclave on the north side of the river. But before it is the arch of the thick stone bridge that connects Stormreach proper to the sequestered compound. The bridge is much too high to see everything on it—arched over the water so that masted boats like the Dragonfly can go safely under if they stick to the center—but he can see the heads of some Deneith soldiers assembling there. (The bridge has this sort of shape, but is of course longer and broader.)

Then Kal then spots two particular figures standing at the thick stone railing, right on the south side—facing him.

One is Bereschel Arvonesh, the Gold Blade and a blood heir of the house, who he first met after crossing this very bridge and approaching the enclave several days ago, though it feels like months ago. Even then, the woman seemed to have been assigned guard duty well below her rank. Greigur's doing, it had seemed.

The other is a youth in Deneith livery intended for young recruits. And it's Rinti!

The wide-eyed face of the nine-year-old girl is a pleasant sight to Kal now, especially after he's spent so much time ducking from guards, avoiding the attention of a Coin Lord, and looking at Thul's scarred and never-smiling visage. Rinti and Bereschel look to be off-duty at the moment, as they lean casually on the stone wall of the bridge and seem to be talking. Rinti is laughing at something as she looks down on the river. Her gaze even seems to sweep right past Kal, taking no notice of him.

Kal feels a mixture of emotions and memories come upon him. It was Bereschel who, upon first seeing the young girl, suggested to Kal that he find proper enclave attire for the girl—instead, as many would upon looking at a grimy street urchin, dismiss her entirely.

"Will they know you here?" Rinti had asked Kal that day when they approached the Deneith enclave. "I've always been shooed away from here myself..."

Kal remembers that he'd sent a letter to Lady Korvine d'Deneith back on Khorvaire, speaking on Rinti's behalf as well. He can only the noblewoman will take an interest. He also remembers mentioning Rinti to Greigur, in hopes that it would secure her position. Greigur's response still lingers in uncertainty. Especially since his arrangement with the Lord Marshal might be considered unfulfilled. Greigur had said, "And when you return with the sphinx's mate freed, without the name of House Deneith implicated in the deed, we will then talk about soldiery and what lies ahead in the search for the Eye, yes?"

But Kal not seen or talked to Lord Greigur since then.

In a few moments, the Dragonfly will pass beneath the arch of the bridge.

[Jeff]

Melethos's view out the porthole is of the marshy north bank of the river. A few fisherman wander there, with the trees of the jungle further back behind them. But he can already tell the ship's halfway to the bay now, so it shouldn't be much longer. He also can see the north corner of the bridge that leads to the Deneith enclave. He remembers going there with Kal the first time.

[Darren]

Conflict rages through Kalarian. He wants to tear the hood off his head and yell up to Rinti and Bereschel. Instead, he retreats further into the shadows but smiles knowing that the girl is safe and seems to be happy. Again making sure that he cannot be seen, Kalarian decides to risk one small indulgence. Pointing his fingers at the girl, he whispers into her ear. Do not act surprised, Rinti. It is Kalarian. Do not try to look for me. I am happy to see you well. I may not see you for some time. Take care, remember all I told you, and be safe. Do not try to respond to me. Just your smile will be enough...

Kal wipes at his face where the wind is blowing and stinging his eyes. He watches the girl as the boat slides under the bridge and she is lost from sight.

[Ken]

Mar 12, 2018 11:01:14 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Histra gives Belarin a curious look, a slightly raised eyebrow and askance sort of expression that he would count among her more mysterious ones. Then she slides her book over to him (he's fairly sure she owns two) to allow him to peruse it. But she explains nothing to him, seemingly uninterested in walking him through it. The page it's opened to is filled with Draconic-inspired script and there are immaculately drawn lines and circles accompanying the text suggestive of a diagram. He's not sure what spell he's looking at.

Belarin frowns, and he looks at Histra with uncustomary embarrassment. "I never got that damn pseudodragon to teach me Draconic," he says softly. "Which spell is this, Histra? I truly am curious."

[Jeff]

Even from here, Kal can see the girl's eyes widen a bit. He mouth hangs open and she goes stiff to keep herself from looking all around.

Yet through the power of his spell, he still hears a whispered response follow a couple seconds later. I...the Lord Marshal...

Rinti grabs the arm of Bereschel beside her, hangs her head down, and seems to say something "discretely" to the woman. Then Bereschel sort of freezes but starts to look around more subtly.

Then the Dragonfly passes under the bridge and for a moment Kal loses sight of them both.

Mar 12, 2018 14:41:45 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin frowns, and he looks at Histra with uncustomary embarrassment. "I never got that damn pseudodragon to teach me Draconic," he says softly. "Which spell is this, Histra? I truly am curious."

"One I do not wish to use, but I expect I will have to one of these days." Histra points to a series of runes, then at a diagram on the same page. A circle gives way to wavy lines that weave and cross one another in strange ways. She then pulls from a pouch on her belt a thin but sturdy reed, looking like one that could easily have been pulled from the very river you're all on.

"A configuration of transmutation, specifically within the bodies of breathing creatures. Although no physical alteration takes place, the throat, trachea, and lung tissues of living beings interpret all—well, most—fluids as breathable air. Quells the panic of drowning. Up to ten individuals and for a full cycle of night and day."

She sighs. "Water Breathing," she clarifies. "I would far prefer..." Leaving the book in front of him, she flips a few pages with her delicate fingers and then spreads it open. The spell she turns is dominated by the diagram of a shadowy hand. "...to prepare this. Vampire Touch. I am attempting to think as a member of a team. It is still an uncomfortable pattern of behavior."

[Joe]

"Has everyone had their fill of breakfast?" Streko calls out. Once all have eaten, he begins cleaning the area, ensuring there are no crumbs for vermin lying about. Then, rather than going up to the main deck, he chooses to remain down below, hidden, waiting until they are safely enough away from Stormreach to come out and see the new world he finds himself in.

[Ken]

Mar 12, 2018 16:00:57 GMT -4 Jeff said:

She sighs. "Water Breathing," she clarifies. "I would far prefer..." Leaving the book in front of him, she flips a few pages with her delicate fingers and then spreads it open. The spell she turns is dominated by the diagram of a shadowy hand. "...to prepare this. Vampire Touch. I am attempting to think as a member of a team. It is still an uncomfortable pattern of behavior."

Belarin studies the diagrams closely. "Histra, would you... be willing to instruct me? I mean, I obviously know magic, but my way of casting spells is quite different. This looks intriguing, and... well, it would help me understand you more. And that's a goal which is very important to me."

[Dave B.]

Shorak continues caring for his weapons, looking up occassionally and listening to any conversations going on around him, without offering comment, for the time being.

[Dave W.]

Adamant helps Streko clean up the group's breakfast and then looks around for something else to do. Seeing Melethos in the same striaghts he nods sadly, "If there were room I'd suggest sparring to burn off the idleness... or if we were not supposed to hide, perhaps a group sing."

"Soon we will be away. Soon."

[Brian]

Melethos turns from the porthole to face Adamant...and smiles. "A group sing? Adamant, by friend, statements like that are what make you a treasure. Please, do not ever change."

[Jeff]

"Would your mistress approve?" Histra says to Belarin, sliding her book back over in front of her. "It is she, or the Dusk Queen, who has given you the knowledge to work magic. I could show you more..." She starts to focus and study her spells again. "But let us be free of this city first."

[Ken]

"The Queen of Dusk wants me to complete a task," Belarin says. "How I get it done shouldn't matter to her, if she's being smart about this. If I can expand my arcane strength, get a better understanding of your talents, and not violate my pact, it's a victory for all concerned." He pauses, then smiles ruefully. "Yes, I'm being ridiculously optimistic. As you say, let's get out of this damn city first."

He says nothing more, allowing Histra to resume her study without interruption. He seems just content to sit next to her for the time being.

[Jeff]

Whatever Rinti might have been suddenly frantic about....it's passed now. The bridge disappears behind the Dragonfly and Kal loses sight of them.

A short while later, the river widens as it winds around the cylindrical and massive Foundry which is perched at the edge of the Forelight district. At its base is a cluster of buildings at the Foundry's back doors, a dock, and a handful of cargo ships.

"Paulo Omaren owns those docks," Brack says loud enough so that Kal, Sem, Larest, and Thul can hear it. Kal remembers that Paulo is the Coin Lord who the Stormreach Guard officially answer to, is the ancestor of Delera, the so-called Pirate Queen (that the necropolis Delera's Watch is named after and who was an important founding member of modern Stormreach), and that she is some form of personal acquaintance to Lord Greigur. He remembers him speaking with her privately after the incident at the gala. She even spoke to Streko.

Thul has heard the name, nothing more.

Kal sees Captain Brack pull from his boot the jewel-hilted dagger from last night. He eyes it, even as he keeps his other hand on the wheel. He beckons to Kal to come up and join him.

Below, Starg walks over to the porthole Melethos has been peering out. He looks as though he's about to say something, but then Kurra climbs down the ladder from above. "When we're clear of the river and out of arrow range of the cliffs, you can come up. In fact, you should. Captain wants to go over some ground rules, and also needs a choice made."

[Brian]

Melethos looks at Starg and shrugs. Dropping the curtain that covers the porthole, he ascends the ladder to the upper deck. Brack stands off to one side. Melethos joins him, his eyes looking out over the water.

[Ken]

"Melethos, no!" Belarin calls out as the tiefling starts to climb up. "She didn't mean right now...!" He shrugs and looks at Adamant. "He really doesn't like being confined, does he?"

[Jeff]

Kurra pauses, mid-climb. She shoots Belarin a look. "Following directions is going to be a key component to survival," she says, shakes her head, and climbs out of sight.

[Joe]

Mar 14, 2018 10:23:51 GMT -4 Brian said:

Melethos looks at Starg and shrugs. Dropping the curtain that covers the porthole, he ascends the ladder to the upper deck.

"Is it safe to go up already?"

Mar 14, 2018 14:54:40 GMT -4 Ken said:

"Melethos, no!" Belarin calls out as the tiefling starts to climb up. "She didn't mean right now...!"

"That would be a 'not quite yet,' I gather. My friend, it would appear I'm not the only one who needs a scolding from time to time!" He smiles at the Tiefling.

[Darren]

Suspicious of the dagger, Kal moves up towards Brack but always makes sure to keep some object, or the captain himself, between Kal and the scrying device. He does not speak when he gets near Brack but simply nods.

[Jeff]

"Don't worry," Brack says, and then holds the dagger out to Kal. "It's not magicked. It's just a possible, umm, focus. So let's be rid of it, right? I think you and your company should decide when and where to toss it." He gestures to the water.

Once Kal takes it, Brack returns his full attention to steering the Dragonfly. The boat navigates through the last of the Koronos River, passing under the final bridge-wall that connects to the mainland.

Cliff walls rise high on the port side as the ship works its way around it. And then the bay comes into full view again, even as the ship's one sail snaps out into the wind, quickening its pace. Brack steers south, and then the Harbor comes into view, along with Shargon's Talon (the isle-shrine of the Devourer where you briefly visited its elf priestess), the Lighthouse itself (where you first went ashore), and an endless field of ships, sails, and docks form the horizon beneath the hulk of the city. From this distance the city looks quiet, and with the blue sky overhead it looks a lot like you day you first set eyes on it.

That was seven days ago. One of the shortest, and unquestionably longest, visits to a city any of you have ever taken.

Brack, standing tall at the helm, looks this way and then, eyeing the clifftops themselves. "All right, d'Deneith. Bring your party up."

Sea gulls and splashing waves become the normal sounds out here.

[Darren]

Kal takes the dagger from Brack. "Will you get in trouble if we dump it? Won't Wylkes suspect you more at that point?"

Moving to the hatch, Kal calls down, "The captain says you can all come on deck now."

_____________________
Seriously? Only 7 days of game time? It feels like our characters have lived 4 lifetimes.

[Ken]

"Glad to hear it," calls back Belarin.

He looks to his companions. "Shall we? I can't wait to hear the rules!" He climbs up.

____________________

SEVEN DAYS? Good god.

[Dave B.]

Having just finished with the last of his daggers, Shorak nods when he hears Kal's call to go up on deck. He stows away his weapons, wipes his hands on a rag and rises to join everyone to climb up to the main deck. "It'll be good to sail along for a while. I find it very relaxing to travel this way."

[Brian]

The approach of his friends draws Melethos's attention from the water. Once everyone has gathered around, he says to Brack, "I believe you had some rules to discuss, my lord Captain?"

[Jeff]

Mar 14, 2018 22:06:02 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal takes the dagger from Brack. "Will you get in trouble if we dump it? Won't Wylkes suspect you more at that point?"

Brack shrugs. "He'll either scry me or he won't. If he does and all he sees is the sea bed, it might as well be far away from me."

Mar 15, 2018 10:41:18 GMT -4 Brian said:

The approach of his friends draws Melethos's attention from the water. Once everyone has gathered around, he says to Brack, "I believe you had some rules to discuss, my lord Captain?"

At this point everyone has gathered on the upper deck and has a full view of the open sky, the cliffs surrounding Stormreach, and the city itself—along with the Lighthouse island. Brack remains standing at the helm, steering the Dragonfly. Kurra is here, too, but she starts to climb a rope ladder up...

You look up to see there is indeed a crow's nest atop the central mast. Although thick-limbed like all dwarves, Kurra seems rather nimble and lithe for what she is. Her braids swing in the wind.

"Aye," Brack says at last at Melethos's question. He clears his throat. "Now, there's no big list of rules on this boat. Just a three simple ones."

"One: while on board, do as I ask. Trust is essential. This is for everyone's safety. If I'm not around—or some tentacled, mind-controlling beastie gets hold of me—"

Kurra mumbles something halfway up the rope ladder.

"—then do as Kurra says instead,” Brack finishes.

"Two: you all are my crew, at least temporarily. This means helping out when it's needed. I won’t assign chores. This ship's fairly self sufficient and we"—he indicates himself and Kurra—"know what we're doing. But this does mean aiding in its defense. We're going to be slithering through the Hydra. That means we're going to be attacked at some point. Maybe more than once. Nothing we can't handle; I've been back and through quite a few times now. I'm still in one piece."

"Debatable," Kurra calls out from the crow's nest at least fifty feet above.

"Anyway," the shifter says with a growl, "this also means I'll watch your backs, too. You take an arrow for me, I'll take an arrow for you." He absently rubs at his shoulder. To Adamant he says, "I may take advantage of you as a sleepless sentry, sir warforged, if you're any good at it."

"Three," Brack goes on, “don’t keep secrets that will get us killed. I don't need your life stories, but if you've got enemies, I need to know about them. All of them." He looks directly at Kal first as he continues. "Now, if you've got some jealous rival suitor back in Sharn who's eager to put in a knife in your back, then no, I don't need to know about him. But if that same suitor is currently running with House Vadalis on this scavenger hunt, then yeah, I need to know what to look out for."

"And that's it. Wait. Did I see three rules? I mean four: I'm not 'Lord' Brack or 'Lord Captain.'" He looks hard at Melethos, though he accompanies this with a slight grin. "Call me captain or call me Brack, whatever. This is gonna be a long voyage, and I've had it up to here with lords." He makes a lewd gesture, then laughs and looks to Kal and Streko. "Present company excepted, I'm sure."

"These very simple rules are non-negotiable. If you break 'em, or feel the need to dispute 'em, you simply get off my ship and no hard feelings. Which is why I tell you these now, within swimming distance of Lord Jonas Wylkes's precious Habour." He gestures toward the city.

"Are we agreed? If you are, say 'aye' here and now."

[Brian]

"Aye, my l--" Melethos practically bites his tongue as his mouth snaps shut. He takes a moment, then speaks again. "Aye, Captain."

[Elvis]

"Aye."