Legends of Belariath
A Bard`s Memory of Empire
The 27th Year of The Ilfirian Empire
September 16
Clash of Two Ships at Sea
Late at night the merchant vessel Lady’s Gambut, a massive Amorianas class set out to sea. Upon the ship were ballista on each side, a fully stocked crew of thirty strong men and women sailing with the confidence that few ships would be able to challenge them. The ship carried familiar faces dressed differently, not the usual. Kyan was dressed in gear not typical to a mage, Phaling paced up and down the deck asking the Captain of the ship what she could do, perhaps take the job of being in the crow’ nest. The ship carried, Carthad, Phaing, Alren, Rose`Red, Phaing, Dreana, Vera, Arshes, and Bane.
Maybe their intention was to attack a ship because Kyan fang seemed to have the confidence one would have watching over the ships mechanisms and making sure everything was readied for some specific journey.
Phaing asked Captain Alren if her magic spell of flight would be sufficient in getting down from the crow’s nest when needed. A long fourteen hours rocked the ship, while waves hit the sides, since the journey hadn’t brought them to any one location yet. What they didn’t know was, in the distance another sloop ship was coming close, an Imperial Navy ship was on its way to intercept the merchant ship, but both ships were not in sight of each other.
The ocean had a soothing affect on Carthad who moved about the deck not losing his sea footing. He had volunteered for Lady Sutara since she had goods on the ship and asked for volunteers to look after them. It was all different for Carthad who usually was surrounded by the scent of death, damp earth, faint smells of sex, or booze. It had been a long time since he was at sea, not since the Spirette wars, and yet he adapted naturally as he looked over the ballista.
Captain Alren hair short and brown and in small curls was damp from the fresh salt air making each curl more pronounced. He had the vessel for the first time as one of his own, and was in charge. He called out to Phaing.
“Sounds great Phaing, head up there and take a peek.”
He pointed up to the crow’s nest giving her the opportunity she had asked for. His mood was high, and he watched the others on board.
Phaing smiled and headed up the ropes. She watched how the ship itself was rigged, taking in each complicated part. When she scanned the horizon nothing out of the ordinary was seen and she called down to the crew and members.
“It’s awfully vast and empty out there.” She watched both ways hoping to see something besides the high swells of waves with not even a seagull to be seen hovering above
Rose`Red yawned as she sat on Arshes shoulders, her mind wandered as the breeze played its own havoc on her cheeks and wings, but her mood was bright and her giggle high pitched with glee.
“Yay… I am at sea.” She adjusted her tiara which bobbed precariously on top of her shipman’s hat placed on her head teetering back and forth. With a quick flutter she landed on the steering wheel, arms crossed over her chest making her look rather imposing.
"Go do what you can little one, and remember if this goes wrong, just slip into a pocket somewhere and stay out of sight."
"Our target is up ahead, lads and ladies. Tack us into the wind and let us see if we can close the distance, and perhaps teach them that kiddies like them should stay in the shallows, and leave the deeper waters to those that are not afraid of the risk, Aye?" He stuck his pipe between his teeth taking a draw of the sweet tobacco scented with cinnamon.
Bane was an apprentice and had come along at the request of her mentor, though she knew little about seamanship, but she did what her Lady wished done, and never questioned her. She hadn’t gotten sick in the fourteen hours at sea even with Carthad aboard. He was someone she could have done without being amongst the crew, but she took it in stride. There was no evidence of what occurred the night before with the priest, not a mark of evidence was seen under her clothing since she was dressed in a corset, skirt, and vest over top.
One looking on would wonder how this misshapen crew gathered together, even Dreana who stood by the portside rails sized up the crew to determine who she was sailing amongst.
Vera smiled and seemed pleased enough to be on board, her hips swayed as she walked across the deck and stopped by Arlen, "Well my Love... This just makes me want to have a life with you on a ship that much more. It's so beautiful out here." She breathed softly, looking up at him with vivid amethyst eyes. She tried to calm her thumping heart and had smile on her lips.
Alren brightened as Vera came to his side. "That matter has been dealt with by the way Vera. He whispered into her ear for only her to hear. Kissing her forehead he looked down at the sultry vixen. "Have you been up to the crow’s nest yet for a look? You could meet Phaing. She's been a friend of mine for some time.
He glanced over to Carthad after pointing out Phaing up on the crow’s nest. "Thought you looked familiar.”
Carthad entertained himself by pulling the crossbow from his hip and compared it to the heavy ballista machine. He studied the device and the similarities between the two. "Fascinating!"
He watched and began to pull on the wheel that was used to wind the heavy cable back, and then plucked on his drawstring. He mentioned he was an employee to Arlen but kept busy comparing and planning what he was going to make.
Back where Rose`Red was perched on the wheel; Arshes had taken precautions and grinned wickedly at the little Faeling. He had made sure no one could identify him in case something went wrong on their venture. His salt and pepper hair blew in the wind and he spoke to Rose`Red, “Well we are at sea little one.”
She clapped her hands and giggled looking at Kynan, “Want me to go do stuff on top?”
The group gathered in the center position of the ship, and Dreana walked from the rail and approached the small gathering bidding a hello. Her hand shielded her eyes as she looked upwards to the sky and the rigging above.
Small-talk filled in the time about the sales event for the weekend in Valencia while everyone either watched the sea, or went about their duties. Carthad assured them he would be there, while he continued to devise his plan in constructing a similar device to the ballista.
Bane` watched Alren and Carthad from a distance pulling out a soft rag, unsheathing her sword and giving it a polish while the ship sailed on. Unbeknown to both Arlen and Carthad she studied them from a distance while polishing her sword. Pleased with her job the metal gleamed form her hard work, but in the midst of her cleaning she didn’t miss a word between the crew.
Kynan was satisfied everything above was fine and came down checking the ballista in case they were needed on the journey. Everything was loaded and readied in case of an attack.
While Vera was thrilled with Arlen’s answer and doted on him with her tail wagging happily, she placed a small kiss on his lips explaining her fear of heights and not wanting to go up into the crow’s nest unless he was with her and held her. Arlen listened to her while giving a sly glance catching Bane’s eyes and greeted her speaking in general conversation, curious watching the deadly blade she was polishing on her lap.
"Hello miss, he gave her a nod. "That's a fine blade."
Bane` looked up as he addressed her.
"It is quite old and I have not had it back in my possession for long. I thank you for the compliment though and I hope you won’t be disappointed with my presence on the ship.” She gave Vera a glance and laughed before introducing herself. “My name is Bane I am glad to meet you.”
"My name is Alren. It's a pleasure to meet you as well. Though with luck, that edge of yours won't need to be used this trip hmm?" He gave her a bright smile.
Vera joined in the introductions taking in the beautiful woman. She offered another sweet smile, reaching up to brush strands of hair away from her eyes. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Vera."
She nodded and looked back and forth at her love and then to the other woman. She glanced up at Alren and inhaled deeply. "Show me your favorite part of the ship.”
Phaing started getting antsy. Alren was busy, Carthad was busy, and so she did little facing movements and scanned the horizon. "Starboard… quarter… nuthin! Ahead, empty seas. Port Quarter; a brown smudge called land. Stern away …lazy-looking sharks are following us."
Rose`Red nodded and headed up to the top of the crow’s nest, checking lines and rigging on the way, and grinned casting a short message spell so she could communicate. "Everything’s ready here... all lines secured... just let me know when you want them all well... whatever you want them.” she grinned and giggled a little more.
Vera became daring calling up to Phaing, “If I come up there... and you show me what’s what... Are you gonna hold me and make sure I don't fall overboard?" She laughed softly, her nose wrinkling slightly as she looked up to Alren's friend.
Alren led Vera away to the bow of the ship. Yes, things seemed rather normal. It was almost pleasant. He gave her hand a squeeze, proud that she'd shown an interest in one of his friends.
"She's a feisty one. If she tries to sell you anything… think twice Vera,” giving the woman a wink.
"Hey!" Phaing shouted back; "How about I come down there for a while? I'm getting tired of all this wind!" She started to shimmy down and called over to Alren."
Send a swabbie up there for awhile. I'm tired of being all alone eighty feet above the deck!" She greeted Vera. "Howdy, I'm Phaing!"
Vera glanced at Alren with a grin, and her eyes shimmered with life burning brightly behind them. She looked back towards Phaing with a bright smile. For now she stood on the deck since she wasn't too fond of high places. She was a fox not a bird. "Sure!" She laughed liking the woman already, but she would rather talk where she could stand safely on the ground.
“Teach me while we're down here." She grinned at Alren before looking back towards Phaing and held out her hand. "I'm Vera. It's very nice to meet you."
The deckhand nodded and went on his way to take the spunky elf's post at the crow’s nest. As he looked off over the horizon he saw a large ship approaching them.
"Man the ballista’s! We've got company!" he shouted rushing off to take the wheel helm for himself. He'd taken some time to learn the waters, but it was one thing to look at them on a map, and quite another to sail them himself.
Bane` stood up sheathing her sword over her back and tried to locate the approaching vessel. She waited to see if anyone else would take over the other ballista and in the meantime moved to a railing getting a better point to fight from.
Arshes`` called up to Rose, “Keep us at full speed..... Dreana! As soon as I can get us within range... take out their sails or rudder, whichever your gut tells you, and what you have a better chance of hitting.
Kynan_fang. Keep yourself alert, and take whatever opportunity you think you have.... just remember... we are a crew, and we're in this together.
Kynan_fang got a bolt and loaded it into the ballista ready to fire when they got to the merchant ship keeping it in range.
"Aye! Captain."
He was careful and waited for his chance to fire going after what Dreana didn’t.
Dreana moved to take the handle upon one of the ballista eyeing the flapping sails ahead and waiting for the moment to fire as soon as they got into range
Rose`Red yelled out in answer. "Yes sir!" She said looking ahead; her feet planted firmly watching the ship ahead, with a grin on her face. "C'mon... I know ya can do it ship!" She giggled…almost giddy.
Phaing grabbed Vera and hauled her to the ballista where Carthad was NOT at.
"Okay, that was sudden, wasn't it? What we have here is a big crossbow, ever use one? Doesn't matter; all you gotta do is help me crank this back, and then you grab one of the javelin sized arrows and drop it in the slot. Okay?"
Vera felt herself tense at the words Alren shouted, her eyes widened as she looked from Phaing to Alren. She shivered and narrowed her eyes, shooting a glance at the ship. With a squeak she was hauled towards the ballista, Phaing was dragging her. She smiled brightly at the woman, taking her in a moment. She was thinking she kind of liked this woman and could definitely see why Alren would befriend her. She liked her spunk, thus, she would make friends with her too. "Bring it!" She yelled beside Phaing with a grin, looking over with just as giddy of a grin as the one Phaing was giving.
Arshes`` kept himself focused on one thing, closing distance... using his skills and the ship for what they were built for, and in the meantime trusting his crew... and in particular, his friends... to have his back and do as they had been ordered to do.
Alren was able to catch a gust of wind, cutting into the same breeze as the other vessel. For now at least; it seemed that the two boats would maintain their distance. Blue eyes gleamed with intensity as he looked about the crew.
"Carthad stay on that ballista! Phaing or one of you get on the other one!" He barked out orders as they took their spots. His eyes searched out for Vera finding that Phang was with her which gave him a small amount of relief.
"Get over here and take the wheel," he commanded heatedly to one of the crew. The other ship had begun to gain on them. Alren raced for higher ground to get a clean shot at the other vessel. Calling upon the fate and the force in the water around him Alren cast Ice Strike freezing long jagged spikes of ice attempting to pierce the other ships hull.
Since the enemy ship kept gaining on them, Phaing didn’t bother to try for the enemy ships rudder. In fact... she turned to Vera, who needed no encouragement.
"Here, take the shot, aim at the hull. Just sight it and pull this lever.”
Since both ballista were taken Alren had taken up his position, all Bane could do was duck down beneath the railing so she wasn't a target herself simply waiting till someone got close enough for her to use her tricks.
Arshes kept his focus narrowed almost to a single point as he continued to concentrate on narrowing the distance between the two ships wanting to make it easier for his crew to do what he needed.
Carthad almost cackled with glee seeing the approaching ship and he moved into a flurry of activity. He loaded the heavy bolt with a grunt and his arms began to work at the crank slowly dragging it back, and pulling the bolt down the line of his channel before he heard the final gear crank into place. Moving behind it he pulled on the levers to set his sights on the opposite ship. He was close enough to target specific portions...but he hadn't the practice...not yet. Why not test the arc on it first, and he pulled the lever toward the pirate's ship.
Dreana was within range and with the machine she handled was able to reach its target, now the question was if she could hit it. She pulled the lever almost stumbling back from tugging on the heavy bar to fire the bolt towards the merchant ship’s sails, intent on setting it alight as the flaming bolt crossed the expanse to the other ship.
Kynan_fang was at the other ballista. He had not fired one before, and tried to take aim at the sail. The mage charged the shot so that when it hit it would burn. The other ship was taking a lot of damage already.
Phaing cleverly cast physical armor while Vera took a shot. "Wow, did they ram a whale or something? Nail them Vera, smack the hull while it's still shaking!"
Rose`Red ran about checking the sails getting everything ready, her eyes moved over them, "What I wouldn't give for a nice torch. Soon as she said it she felt something hit the vessel and groaned feeling the boat lurch being caught by the sail, before her wings expanded which steadied her.
"Oh you big meanies!" She made her way down to the deck and grew to her 'big' size, "I'll get you!" She shook her fist in the air, swearing a bard’s revenge.
Vera looked up at Alren with wide eyes, nodding slightly. "Be right there!" She called to him before looking back to Phaing with a nod. She leaned down to the ballista and pulled the lever hoping to hit something. With a wicked grin she glanced over to Phaing. “Ready?”
Arshes was focused and narrowed the distance between the two ships to make it easier for his crew to do what he needed them to. “Someone give that mage something else to think about besides shooting spells at us.... knock him off his feet or some such.... someone send the ship’s carpenter below to see if he can keep us from taking in water. Reload and then take the helm.... I want to see if I can do some actual damage.” He slipped a loop over the helm to keep it in check while he and Dreana switched places.
Alren 's spell struck perfectly. The mage took in a breath of satisfaction as he watched parts of the other ship’s hull splinter. A sound hit, even if it did drain him. The mage needed a moment to rest. The fight was far from over, and their best bet for success was to out run the damned pirates. The worn mage looked back down to the wheel, hoping that the wind wouldn't take a turn for the worst.
Bane` glanced over the rail to see the ship much closer and stood up on her feet. Taking a survey of the situation she whispered a spell under her breath taking aim at Kynan fang since he was working one of the ballista. Shadows gathering about her fingers before her hand lifted and she flung it outwards towards the man.
Kynan_fang looked over to Arshes and Dreana before taking another bolt and loaded it up; he took great aim at the helm of the other ship and just at the same time found himself hit with a shadow bolt before he fired.
Carthad watched with no small measure of satisfaction as his bolt hit home and bit into the wood of the opposing ship. Splinters of wood flew this way and that to the ocean’s waters. He was pleased with the ballista and muttered, “A marvelous creation; simply marvelous.”
His feet moved swiftly, and he loaded another bolt in place. Damn the ship had grown close, hadn't it? Well, he'd had his practice shot...time to go for the jugular as it were. The shot lined up against the line of their mast. He accounted for the swaying seas, cross breeze...waited for it...and then he pulled the lever to send the projectile sailing toward the target.
Dreana saw that Kynan had gone down she moved from the wheel instead to take over that ballista in order to keep firing upon the merchant ship since they couldn’t afford to lose any of their gunners right now and took aim for the, hull the loaded bolt was set free.
Rose`Red growled, her eyes narrowed as she took aim at Phaing, pulling out her violin and striking one harsh angry note on it, she sent a Wailing Dissonance toward her.
`Arshes`` called out to the crew and in particular to the little fae he knew would be listening....
"Prepare boarders!" He had no spells that were of use from this distance and the ballista was too close so it was either board or turn back and call it a useless venture.
The other ship was right beside theirs now. Battered, but not nearly beaten down. Alren knew that the best bet would be to draw out the fight for as long as he could. Eventually the holes he placed in their hull would force them to break off and seek a port for repairs. He was expecting the rush. The men on board fought with such tenacity that it repulsed the boarding attempt for now. He used his mirror image spell making things go out of focus towards the men.
"Steady boys! These DOGS don't have the bite to take us down. Now get me some Distance on the scurvy bastards!"
Bane` one down she would look over the other boat noting the form of Rose Red she would chant quietly the same spells being used and fired.
Carthad frowned at the closeness of the ships, the rolling waves and the counter bobbing on the water making it impossible to line up another shot with his new favorite toy. His mood further soured by the sounds of boarders and he moved from the ballista and drew his scimitar and targeted. The magic of his enchantments were fierce, and the poor souls that would charge the necromancer would meet his enchanted blade, shield, robe, and circlet. Wreathed in magic his blade swung with practiced skill, stoic expression on his face as he stood the ground near his ballista, and blood was running over the decks.
Dreana cursed the reckless charge from the crew and pushed back from the boarding attempt as she made her way to the wheel preparing to disengage from the battle as soon as the captain could give the order
Phaing fired an energy bolt at the enemy Captain Arshes. "Fucking Hell, I'm so SICK of fucking Pirates...I better stick to fucking normal people."
Alren chuckled at Phaing's joke. She had a way with her mouth. There was no doubt that she was a dirty girl. Maybe that's why she was so popular? It did the mage's heart good to see that Vera was holding her own, and Bane seemed to be cutting down the sea dogs like grass. Yes, he could count on this crew to see them through this.
Rose`Red felt something odd, her eyes rolled back into her head, she dropped her violin and then shrunk and fell to the deck, her head lulling to the side.
Vera eyes narrowed and her heart began throbbing in her ears as she focused. She stole a quick glance at Alren and her eyes held a thousand words. She looked back towards the other ship, and prepared herself. She stood back for a couple of moments and cast magical armor upon herself, hoping it might aid in giving her some extra defense.
Carthad watched the distance grow between their ship and those of the attempted pirates. Wiping his bloody scimitar off on the bodies of one of the boarding group he'd cut down and re-sheathing it. A few steps taken toward the cargo hold before he stopped and turned his head toward the familiar elf. "Bane, we'd best check on the Lady Sutara's cargo. Come with me." He was pumped up from the combat and underneath the beast in him had awakened. Would she follow him below deck to check the cargo and unleash the beast inside him?
Arshes barked out orders. “Get us the hells out of here Dreana, steer her for home and leave these fools in our wake.
The crewman received their orders. “Get some distance and I will do my best to level and make them understand that chasing us would be folly”
"Keep firing at them! Make them think twice before trying this again lads!" He bellowed out, hearing his crew men cheer as the pirates seemed to lose interest for now.
And so those two ships parted ways but not before they didn’t show their efforts and leave an impression physically on the ships and on the crew aboard the sloop. Neither one the better for it their efforts, and they headed home to safe shores. Their egos were a bit bruised and Arshes gave a lift of his kilt mooning the ship disappearing from them. At least the cargo was safe and they were only left with minor repairs.
Carthad watched the distance grow between their ship and those of the attempted pirates. Wiping his bloody scimitar off on the bodies of one of the boarding group he cut down and re-sheathing his weapon. A few steps taken toward the cargo hold before he'd stop and turn his head toward the familiar elf.
"Bane, we'd best check on the Lady Sutara's cargo. Come with me." He was pumped up from the combat and underneath the beast in him had awakened. Would she follow him below deck to check the cargo and unleash the beast inside him?
They returned back to the docks bruised but not wary, prepared to fix the ship and return to the seas sometime soon. The journey was a learning experience, one the badly damaged pirate sloop would not likely forget. Alren’s crew certainly learned the sea’s ways and how to prepare for war at sea if it presented itself.