Legends of Belariath

Rashka Kiernan

Rashka Kiernan is a Dark Elf who was born on the continent of Malinn. His physical stats are as follows.

Height:6'4"

Weight”125 lbs

Eyes:Magenta

Hair:Shoulder length, silky white

His body is covered with scars from past battles, but the most noticable of which is the X shaped scar upon his right cheek. He is embarrassed about these scars because he feels that each scar proves that his skills were not enough to prevent his receiving these wounds.

It was a dark and gloomy day, when Rashka strode into the harbour town of Kingstone. His victory over the sorcerer Ra'Shek was still fresh in his memory. Although a new scar adorned his chest, his spirit was high as he walked into the Crossbones Pub. Closing the large wooden door behind him, he looked around the room before making his way to the bar. As he takes his seat, the barmaid saunters up and looks him over.

”Hello luv, what may I get for you today?” She asks as he simply blinks at her question.

”Just give me a pint of your finest,” He started. “And could you tell me if there are any ships leaving the harbour within the day?” He placed a few coins upon the counter. The barmaid nodded as she filled an empty pitcher with a rich coloured liquid.

”Aye, there is but one vessel that leaves today, but you need to speak with the captain, who does not hand out free trips.” She gives him a wink as she sets the pitcher of liquid in front of him. “Is there anything else luv?” she asks with a chirp.

”Aye, can you tell me where to find the captain of this vessel, miss?”

”Sure. Just go outside, and look for pier twenty one. The name of the ship is the Ishtar. Ask for captain Morrigan.”

Rashka nods as he drinks his pint in nearly one gulp. He places a few more coins upon the bartop and exits the pub. After the door closes behind him, he heads towards the pier. Scanning the numbers upon the mooring blocks, he soon arrives at pier 21. Looking about for any deck hands, he steps aboard the Ishtar and proceeds to look for the captain.

”Hello? Captain Morrigan?” Rashka started as he peered around the mainmast, only to be greeted by the tip of a blade poised to slice his thoat.

”Who are ye and what do ye want?” came the reply in a womans voice.

”Just a traveller, seeking passage.” He said as his eyes travelled up the steel blace, over her slender finger, and along her collar before his gaze rested upon the soft features of her face. After a moment of silence, the woman sheathed her weapon.

”Follow me.” She said as she turned and walked towards a flight of stairs. She looks behind her to make sure that Rashka is following, before pushing a wooden door open and entering the cabin. She points to an empty seat as she turns on her heel and watches him enter with her azure eyes. “Do not touch anything. The captain will be with you shortly.” She turns and walks through a doorway, the view obstructed by a curtain. Rashka takes the seat that was offered to him and looks about the small room. A small bar lined with bottles sits across the room and behind it, is a window in which he can see only a few inches of the pier. To his left is a large sofa and to his right, a large painting of a mountain village.

”So where are ye seeking passage to? Where is it that ye wish to travel?”

Rashka turns, expecting to see the woman who nearly slit his throat, but is instead greeted by the sight of a figure, one he has never seen before. She sounded exactly like the woman from behind the mainmast, but she was different. She stood before him, her slender frame dressed in a pair of tight slacks and a long sleeved frilly shirt. Rashka also noticed two other differences about her that he had never seen before. Admist her auburn hair, were a pair of ears, covered in fur and about her waist, he could see a tail that would flick about now and then. She tilted her head while lofting a brow. “I asked ye a question sir. I suggest ye answer before I throw ye from the crow's nest.” She said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Rashka blinked and shook his head a few times before replying.

”Anywhere miss. I am looking to leave Malinn without the prospect of returning. Is the captain about? I would like to speak with captain Morrigan about working out payment for passage.” Rashka continues to stare at the woman.

”I am Captain Morrigan. And would ye please cease thy staring? It is most annoying!” she says with a definite tone of irritation in her voice, her tail flicking about madly. “Now, I shall grant ye passage, and in exchange, ye must work the riggings during the journey. Understood? Any lip from ye, and I will toss ye over board personally.”

”Yes Captain Morrigan. And thank you.” He turns his attention to other items in the room. “When do we leave?”

”We leave as soon as ye wish.”

”The sooner the better.”

After sunset, Rashka and Captain Morrigan are working about the deck, preparing the ship for the voyage. The night air is crisp and clear, as the moon shines fully upon the town. Rashka finishes tying down some loose barrels before he goes and seeks out Morrigan.

”Finished Captain. Anything else before we can get underway?” He asks, anxious to leave Malinn. He turns towards the shore and gazes at the buildings, with the forest in the background.

”That seems to be all. Release the mooring ropes from the pier and lower the mainsail.” Morrigan commanded. “And make sure ye stay clear of the rigging lines!”

”Aye aye captain.” Rashka moves about, first untying the ship from its mooring post. He then moves over to the control lines for the sail and procceds in unfurling the sail. The ship rocks about at it drifts away from the peer, creaking as the wood strains. He moves about the deck, ensuring that everything is secure for the voyage ahead before making his way to the stern, to watch his home sink into the distance. The moon shines from its perch, high overhead as Morrigan stands at the helm. After a few hours of the voyage, the sky begins to turn dark as clouds fill the sky.

”Captain, do you know how much farther our destination is? It appears as if there is to be a storm and a nasty one at that.” Rashka asks, a hint of concern in his voice.

”We are about halfway there, and do not worry about the storm, the Ishtar has sailed through worse weather.” was Morrigan's reply. She cast a glance skyward. “Tis will be but a slight rain.”

”Captain, I am not so sure..” Rashka started to say, before he was interupted.

”Do ye wish to swim there?!” She said sharply, annoyed at the fact that he chose to question her authority.

”Nae, captain.”

”Then still thine tongue. I have sailed these waters for years, I know how bad this storm shall be. Now, I want you to go about ship, and make sure everything is secured tightly.” She snapped at him.

Rashka nodded as he went below deck, into the hold of the ship, checking the items about the deck as he went. Once in the hold of the ship, he peered out of a porthole on the starboard side. The sky was completely black, and waves knocked against the hull of the vessel. One wave sent the ship leaning port side, and Rashka went tumbling inside the hold. He picked himself up and hurried back to the deck, to check on Morrigan.

”Captain! Are you all right?” He asked, as a bolt of lightning and a peal of thunder erupted overhead.

”Aye. I am fine. Just tend to the ship while I steer us out of this mess.” She replied, fighting against the wheel. Another massive wave washed over the deck, and nearly sent them both over the side of the ship. “What are you waiting for?!” Morrigan snapped at him.

Rashka looked at Morrigan just as another wave struk the ship. The lightning flashes again, this time closer to the ship as thunder threatens to deafen both passengers upon the vessel as it makes its way periously through the storm. The ship leans from port to starboard and back, threatening to capsize, as Morrigan makes course correction after course correction. Rashka is seen moving about the deck, tightening the ropes down further. He makes his way back to the helm, just as a wave sends the ship tittering on the brink of capsizing. Both he and Morrigan are thrown against a railing, as the ship lurches violently to starboard. Morrigan fights against the lean of the ship as she struggles to make her way to the wheel. A barrel makes its way loose out of the ropes and starts tumbling towards Morrigan, who sees it with barely enough time to move out of the way. As the barrel crashes against the railing, not far from Rashka, two more barrels tumble loose. The first one slices Morrigan with the steel band around it, and as she winces in pain, the second barrel knocks her over the side of the ship. Rashka watches in horror as she lands in the water and dissapears beneath the waves. He pauses for a moment, scanning the dark water for any sign of Morrigan before struggling to make his way to the wheel. He reaches the helm and rights the ship, fighting against the lean, when he looks towards the bow, and sees a rocky shoreline. The ship crashes into the rocks violently, and Rashka is thrown head first from the ship. He lands in the water, miracously missing any rocks, and is knocked unconcious as the ship is turned into splintery wreckage.

Rashka stirs upon a sandy beach, with the sun high in the sky. He pushes himself to his feet, and brushes himself off, not remembering the events from the night before. He looks towards the now calm ocean and sees the beach littered with the wreckage of the Ishtar. He then remembers everything that has happened, as he searches his being to make sure he has not lost any items of importance. He hangs his head in shame as he realises that his sword, the Crosium Blade, has been lost amongst the wreckage. With a heavy sigh, he turns and walks along the tree line. He soon finds a path and begins walking down it, unsure of where it will take him. After a few hours of walking, he reaches a building that has a sign above the door that reads 'The Lonely Inn'. He cautiously makes his way inside, and begins his new life.

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