Chapter 15: With Uncertain Ends

[Dave B.]

Shorak finishes eating his fruit and yawns. "If nobody needs me for anything, I'm going to sleep." If no one stops him, Shorak heads below to sleep.

[Jeff]

Jul 25, 2018 23:31:00 GMT -4 Ken said:

Still holding Histra's hand, he heads for the stairs leading below.

Histra gently pulls her hand free. "We must not leave the body here, and we cannot take it below." She says this firmly, eyeing Captain Brack, who is watching closely from the helm.

[Dave W.]

Jul 26, 2018 9:32:16 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Jul 25, 2018 23:31:00 GMT -4 Ken said:

Still holding Histra's hand, he heads for the stairs leading below.

Histra gently pulls her hand free. "We must not leave the body here, and we cannot take it below." She says this firmly, eyeing Captain Brack, who is watching closely from the helm.

"Captain, I assume you wouldn't have us set the body on fire on the ship. Is there a place we can stop long enough to burn it? I'm reluctant to simply drop the body into the sea, but Histra is correct, we can not travel with it. If we can't burn it we won't have another option; we will have to leave it in the sea."

"We should also decide what to do with his armor and gear."

[Jeff]

Brack looks at Adamant. "Aye. Burial at sea is easy enough, if you wish to afford whoever this was a respectable send-off. We may have some old sailcloth you can use." He then gestures starboard, toward the dark coastline that's more or less now running parallel to the ship's course. "Or if you wish to make a quick stop, we can. But I don't want to drop anchor and wait for the full burning. Get it started and then move on." He shrugs.

[Darren]

"Burial at sea will do," Kal says, standing and turning to face Brack. "We should give him the honor a Sentinel Marshal deserves. Clearly some part of him tried to hold on to that, despite the vampire's corruption."

Kalarian begins to pace, grateful for the breeze blowing across his face. "I agree that we should take the shortcut. We gain nothing by not being bold now, and we have faced worse challenges in our travels. Too many have been lost on this quest already for us to risk success by being timid. Set your course, Captain."

Kal takes another turn from the foremast to the back of the ship. His booted heels sound loud on the wooden deck, a second thump coming from the butt of his oversized sharrash with each step he takes. He stops in front of Melethos and Thul, just a gust of wind whips his cloak to one side. "Belarin is right. Our battlefield tactics are sloppy. We need to coordinate. Thul, you have shown yourself to be brave, and while your tactics have proven effective, teamwork is clearly not your strength. I will lead us off the battlefield, but I think Melethos is best suited to coordinating our attacks in combat. He knows our strengths and has proven time and again that he has the ability to keep us alive." Kal places a hand on Melethos' shoulder. "I know you can handle the burden, my friend."

[Dave W.]

[Kal approves burial at sea]"I do not know the rituals of your House, Kal, but I would be happy to say a few words for him. Can we wait for day break? Do we know his name?"

---

What time of day is it at this point? How far off is morning?

[Jeff]

Mid-evening now, like 9-ish. You reached the beach just as it was getting dark.

[Dave W.]

Realizing the hour, Adamant corrects himself, "Ah, no, morning is too far off. I will take care of the marshal straight-away."

[Jeff]

Kurra drags out the old sailcloth that can be used for this. What of the Marshal's armor, and badge?

As Adamant prepares however he wishes, Histra walks over to Sem and Starg. You can see she holds up Larest's boots (clearly enchanted, as they survived the attack that reduced him to dust) and his circlet. They speak quietly together. Those three knew Larest before any of you, and there is nothing else of him to memorialize.

[Darren]

Jul 26, 2018 15:42:03 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Kurra drags out the old sailcloth that can be used for this. What of the Marshal's armor, and badge?

As Adamant prepares however he wishes, Histra walks over to Sem and Starg. You can see she holds up Larest's boots (clearly enchanted, as they survived the attack that reduced him to dust) and his circlet. They speak quietly together. Those three knew Larest before any of you, and there is nothing else of him to memorialize.

Kal will take the badge. He also wants to talk to Histra, Sem, and Starg about Larest, but I wanted to wait for Brian to respond before writing anything else.

[Dave W.]

Adamant hauls up a bucket of sea water and spends the next half hour or so (assuming he's not interrupted) washing the body while quietly chanting rhythmically. He gently lays the body on the sail cloth and loosely covers it temporarily.

"I will need something for weight. His armor would seem the most appropriate if we do not want it. But we need to decide now."

[Brian]

Melethos grips Kal’s hand when his friend places it on his shoulder. “As you wish, my lord,” he says. “I will do my best. And I agree, our battle coordination could be better. With that thought in mind, here is my first command: I appoint Captain Thul as my second. If I am unable to function as battle leader, you will follow him.” Melethos shifts his attention to Thul. “Do you accept this appointment?”

[Joe]

Jul 27, 2018 14:14:45 GMT -4 Brian said:

Melethos grips Kal’s hand when his friend places it on his shoulder. “As you wish, my lord,” he says. “I will do my best. And I agree, our battle coordination could be better. With that thought in mind, here is my first command: I appoint Captain Thul as my second. If I am unable to function as battle leader, you will follow him.” Melethos shifts his attention to Thul. “Do you accept this appointment?”

"What in Olladra's blessed name are you doing, Melethos? This man wouldn't know teamwork if it crawled up his arse, out his mouth, and waved hello! And yet, should you be incapacitated, we're to follow him? I will follow Kalarian in battle and I will follow you in battle. Both of you have proven you have the lives of others in mind when applying tactics. The Captain has proven he has the life of the Captain in mind only. This choice is a serious mistake and I wonder what convinced you to consider such folly."

[Elvis]

Thul shrugs then nods as the demonkin appoints him as his second. "Aye."

When Jorasco goes off like a scalded weasel, Thul simply cocks an eyebrow and watches the animated rant. He draws from his pipe, certain the halfling is somewhat tetched.

[Dave B.]

Shorak makes himself comfortable in the hammock he occuppied the previous night and closes his eyes. Fortunately, sleep comes quickly and he doesn't have to think about the death and violence that seems to seek this group out constantly, for a while.

[Brian]

Jul 27, 2018 20:59:25 GMT -4 Joe said:

Jul 27, 2018 14:14:45 GMT -4 Brian said:

Melethos grips Kal’s hand when his friend places it on his shoulder. “As you wish, my lord,” he says. “I will do my best. And I agree, our battle coordination could be better. With that thought in mind, here is my first command: I appoint Captain Thul as my second. If I am unable to function as battle leader, you will follow him.” Melethos shifts his attention to Thul. “Do you accept this appointment?”

"What in Olladra's blessed name are you doing, Melethos? This man wouldn't know teamwork if it crawled up his arse, out his mouth, and waved hello! And yet, should you be incapacitated, we're to follow him? I will follow Kalarian in battle and I will follow you in battle. Both of you have proven you have the lives of others in mind when applying tactics. The Captain has proven he has the life of the Captain in mind only. This choice is a serious mistake and I wonder what convinced you to consider such folly."

Melethos waits for Streko to finish his rant. He can feel the others’ eyes on him, watching, waiting to see how the fighter handles this first challenge to his position. When the halfling finally runs out of words or breath (or both), he folds his arms across his chest.

“A dead commander is a useless commander. Along with me, Adamant and Thul are the hardiest of our group. Adamant possesses too kind a heart to order his friends to their possible deaths. Thul will not hesitate. And he is cunning. His tactics with the vampire spawn shows he can think in unexpected ways. We will need his skills, plain and simple. And he understands that his survival will depend on our survival. That makes for a great motivator. So, while I appreciate your concern, I will appoint my own second-in-command. Everyone will follow his orders as if they were my own. If anyone does not, I will throw him out the little round window in the side of the boat. Understood?”

[Darren]

Kal smiles, first at Streko and then at Melethos. "No need for threats, Melethos. Streko understands. He also knows that trust must be earned, and Captain Thul still has some work to do to earn the trust of one as loyal as our Streko." Kal's gaze falls on Thul. "I believe the captain understands that, as well." Now Kal's attention returns to Melethos. "And you, I hope, will understand that this expedition now rests on my shoulders, so off the battlefield, you will listen to me." Kal's characteristic grin returns. "And I, of course, will listen closely to the advice of my trusted friends."

[Joe]

Jul 28, 2018 20:42:46 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal smiles, first at Streko and then at Melethos. "No need for threats, Melethos. Streko understands. He also knows that trust must be earned, and Captain Thul still has some work to do to earn the trust of one as loyal as our Streko." Kal's gaze falls on Thul. "I believe the captain understands that, as well." Now Kal's attention returns to Melethos. "And you, I hope, will understand that this expedition now rests on my shoulders, so off the battlefield, you will listen to me." Kal's characteristic grin returns. "And I, of course, will listen closely to the advice of my trusted friends."

Streko gives Kal a nod, but his eyes never leave the Tiefling. "Trust may be a difficult thing to come by in this day and age. It is also easily vanquished, like a demon floating above the trees." He turns toward Kal. "You are correct, Kalarian, and I thank you for making some sense. Now, if you will excuse me, I think I shall go to the kitchen to rummage through the cabinets for something to cook. There are people on this boat to feed and hunger does not wait for any man."

Streko heads to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

[Ken]

"Well, I'm glad that's settled," says Belarin, still standing by the stairway leading below. He smiles at Melethos, and nods at Thul.

"By the way, Adamant, Kurra ... I acquired a bag earlier this evening that could be handy. I only mention this now because I'll be sure to forget in the morning, otherwise." He then heads below.

[Dave W.]

Adamant remains kneeling on the deck next to the corpse of the fallen d'Deneith, still waiting for a reply to his earlier question.

He tries to absorb the tension in the group by force of will but fails. He only nods to Belarin and is relieved when several of his friends move below. With Kal, Melethos, and Thul still there, he turns to the tiefling. “I am the simplest of soldiers, as you know. The the three of us,” he pauses to glance at Thul, “perhaps four... have been soldiers. The rest have not. You must try to remember that.”

“Since we are soldiers here I will invoke the soldiers right to complain... the humans in my unit called it griping. Just for a moment.”

“I will say it plainly, I do not trust you Captain Thul.”

Turning to Melethos, “you are right, I would not spend the lives of any of you. You know the vow that I took when we met. A vow no one here can release me from... the only one who can,” Adamant searches for a anchorage for even so little a trust with Thul, his shoulders dip slightly but noticeably, “is in Sharn.”

“Captain, you rush towards Death with a ferocity that frightens me. It is not selfish, you risk yourself more than others, that at least speaks well of you. But I do not understand you passion; it it is part of everything you do. It why you push so violently against those who should be your friends or at least friendly. This is what Streko senses and hence his reaction.”

“I have seen it before, in veterans who have lost too much. I have also seen it in those who were always mad enough to have contempt for Life. I have tried to see the source in your case but your defenses are too stout.”

“I do not expect you to change, Captain. But if you wish our trust perhaps giving us some sense of why you seek Death so profoundly would help. If you do not wish our trust, well I would expect our current difficulties will continue.”

“It is enough. I will see the Marshall commended to the sea and then take the watch.” Making is own decision, he begins to dress the corpse back in its armor.

[Elvis]

Thul listens in silence as the Warforged speaks.

"I've seen nearly half of the war." Thul says, releasing a cloud of smoke from around the srem of his pipe.

"You've seen, what? A few years of it? At most." he says to the others collectively.

"I have a mission to accomplish. Either I see it done, or die trying, makes no difference to me."

"I've been the axe man for a long time, Warforged. My time is almost up. And when it is, it is."

[Dave W.]

"What have I seen?" Adamant replies sharply. There is a pause as he struggles to gather peace, thick metal hands clenching and unclenching. In what would be a few breaths if he breathed, it stops.

"I would not diminish your experience Captain." He starts softly, controlled. "I am certain you have lost and struggled. However, you ask what I have seen. I stood one bright afternoon and watched my country... the country I was forged to protect... die."

"I saw veterans break, some falling to the ground just staring... empty. I saw some men turn raving and running into the grey mist to add their bodies to the fields upon fields of un-buried dead. Do you know the bodies lie still, unmolested by decay? A monument to my failure and the failure of all of us who swore to defend her."

"You speak of the Last War as though it were over. And for every other peoples it can be. For Cyrans alive that day, it will never end. Every country lost something, Cyre lost everything."

Very gently now, "I will not compare our experiences but I believe there are some weights on my side of the scale."

"I could give up to despair or madness. I could easily expend my life simply to reach finality. I could drive all friends away. That would certainly be easier."

"I choose to live as brightly as I can for as long as I can."

[Darren]

"I served, as you did," Kal says, "although in the service of House Deneith and not directly for King Kaius, but I still served. As a soldier, you should know enough not to diminish the service of other soldiers." Kal places a hand on Adamant's shoulder. "Burying him in his armor is appropriate, Adamant," he says softly, kindly. "Thank you." Kal holds up the badge the Marshal held, then stows it in his own belt.

Drawing a deep breath, Kal returns again to the matter of Thul and Melethos. "Let us not debate this further. I trust Melethos to lead us in combat and he has chosen to place his trust in Thul. The two of them will learn to work together and I am sure that, in time, their tactics will merge. There are times when Captain Thul's ferocity and...bravery bordering on stupidity," Kal grins, "have their place in a fight. We just need to learn to use that with the rest of our talents. Think how unstoppable we will be, then!"

[Brian]

"Unstoppable?" Melethos says with a slight grin. "Forces exist in the world that would cut through us like a hot blade through butter. We would hardly be unstoppable. But," he adds, "we will certainly be far more effective as a fighting force. But for now, we need to attend to the fallen Deneith soldier." He rubs at a sore spot on his shoulder. "My lord Kalarian, with your permission, we will commit your fallen brother to the sea. Afterward, I suggest we rest. In the morning, Thul and I will start talking battle tactics, and soon you will all be involved. Be prepared to discuss your strengths and weaknesses, and how we can work as a team when a fight starts."

He looks expectantly to Kal to issue his orders.

[Darren]

Kal nods. "Proceed, Adamant," he says, standing beside the body of the Marshal.

[Elvis]

Thul shrugs and finishes his pipe.

[Dave W.]

Adamant nods and finishes dressing the corpse in the armor. He places the head near the body where it should be. Adamant carefully places a silver sovereign on each eye. Pulling the sail cloth tight to the body, like swaddling a baby, Adamant ties ropes around to keep it secure.

Still kneeling, the warforged places a metal palm on the wrapped body. "I wish we could wait until daybreak to send you on your journey. Even more I wish I knew your name, Marshal of the d'Deneith House. I will add a prayer for you in my morning Intentions."

"You have fought bravely and now go to Dolurrh. May it cleanse you of all cares; may you find peace there."

"You duties are done here."

Adamant lifts the body and takes it to the side rail and commits it to the sea.

[Darren]

As the body slides into the sea, Kalarian begins singing an old song he remembers hearing Deneith soldiers sing. It is a bittersweet song, full of remembrances of girls back home, spring nights, and all of the things that are worth fighting for.

[Jeff]

Sem and Histra merely look on, before Histra joins Belarin below.

Starg walks over to stand opposite Adamant as he prays. The minotaur doesn't do anything but seems to be there merely for support. As a soft-spoken creature, his belief system remains unknown to all of you. Kurra assists with the sailcloth and directs Adamant to the best place to push the body on the port side. The very side where you all first boarded the ship. In fact, when she indicates the proper place, she then pulls a rope and a sliding gangplank lifts into view from where it hung at the side of the ship.

Captain Brack watches quietly from the helm. The green faerie light has faded now, keeping the Dragonfly from being spotted easily from afar.

The body hits the water with a splash hushed by the lapping waters themselves. A small surge of wind seems to follow, and you visibly feel the ship quick its speed very briefly.

---

If anyone has anything else they wish to do, let me know now. We're about to start Chapter 16.

[Dave W.]

Adamant stands quietly a moment. "Thank you all." He looks at all those gathered. "Kal, that was a beautiful song. Perhaps you will teach it to me at some point."

"I will take the watches above deck, you should all get what rest you can. It has been a costly day but we get a new one with the dawn."

---

ready to move on