The First Blight: Curse of Dumat [RP/Closed]

[Cinnonym]

Ghil tossed a half-hearted glance around their vicinity before announcing, "I do not." The barbarian turned to face the elf girl, tying the end of the braid in a crude knot like one would a length of cord. In a lower voice, she murmured, "Soola. Ulrin says you are planning a stabbing. I am very much with worry." Her calloused hands took Sulahn'nehn's arms and her shoulders hunched down to meet her eyes, brows quirked upward with interest in the response.

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Ulrin said wh-"

Venhedis.

How did Ulrin know what she was up to? Sure, she'd not been the most stealthy with acquiring a knife, but her intent could not have been so obvious...could it? Sulahn'nehn had to think on her feet, glossing over details was far easier than blatantly lying. Not that she had a particular for fibs. "I-I only want to protect myself...and my friends. When it matters most I want to be sure I can- take care of what comes by me." the elf shifted under Ghil's hands, "I hate to see you worry. It's nothing to fret over."

 

[Cinnonym]

"Do as you must do," Ghil said in support, "But... You are small. You are to crush with magic, far and away." She glanced over her shoulder towards the docks; Thaedrin was approaching from the ship, and she didn't want to be caught abandoning the task at hand. The woman stood abruptly and took Sulahn'nehn by the chin to ensure their gazes met. "Be of much care. Yet, I am wondering why, if there is stabbing needed, you would not have been calling Ghil to do it."

There was another box of of leather boots nearby; she hefted it onto one shoulder and went back to work. Thaedrin joined Alrik at the doors of the warehouse shortly after, frowning.

"Have you not finished?"

 

[ShadowFolk]

Sulahn'nehn was at a loss for words. The only thing that managed to escape her lips were the startings of syllables and nothing more. Even she was unsure if the momentary lapse was due to the look Ghil had given her or that the human was saying she should have asked her. But most importantly, she made no move to dissuade her.

Clearing her throat and regaining the use of her cords she softly thanked Ghil and helped with the lighter lifting, all the while keeping an eye on Thaedrin.

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin watched the two women exchanging hushed words while Sulahn'nehn worked on tamming the barbarian's hair. He was curious why Ghil stopped working just now to have her appearance tended tool. Surly she wasn't tried, so it must have been to speak to the other elf. He turned his attention back to the crate of chain mail before him realizing he had stopped working to think about his teammates. But then again it seemed Ghil always thought of them. She was very attentive and concerned for their psyche even though she should consider them beneath her. She was a strange hunan. But her actions were more trustworthy to him than Theadrin's demands or Diocles mocking jokes.

He stopped again at a crate laiden down with armor too heavy for him to carry on his own and sighed. This was indeed slaves work but usually there were many of them. He was ready to take a break of his own. It should be Theadrin lifting this cargo.

 

[Slycne]

"I'll give you a hand with that." Jarrik moved to the other side of the crate from Ulrin.

While still a part of the empire, his home of birth, Rivain, had a more relaxed view towards elves, and Jarrik thought the warden's recruiting of cutting worldly ties to race or social standing to be quite the dashing creed. Even if given his interactions with the wardens so far, it didn't appear to work as romantically as the notion suggested.

 

[Cinnonym]

"I can see by your sullen expressions that you are not, in fact, finished." Thaedrin moved to the wagon, reviewing its contents before facing his Wardens. Judging by his discomfort, it was an internal struggle to speak his next words more gently, "This was good work. Assuming that you've eyes for quality equipment, this gear could very well save the lives of dozens of recruits. ...I'm sure they would thank you."

He paused, eyeing the lot of them, and the large Rivaini in their midst.

"On the boat now, all of you. I'll be very surprised if we aren't set upon before we reach the islands." Alrik he took aside, lowering his voice to keep their conversation private, "Do you write? Commander Vorenus desires a report."

Ghil followed her elven friends to the schooner, though she gave Jarrik a curious glance and asked, "You will fight your own?"

 

[ShadowFolk]

There was possibly a compliment in there somewhere, but it all sounded as nasty as anything that ever came out of Thaedrin's mouth.

"Oh." Sulahn'nehn frowned at the boat. She knew there was a boat and that they would be setting out on it, but actually heading towards it reminded her of how unpleasant her last boat trip was. Would it be better or worse on a larger vessel?

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles didn't let it show, but he was surprised. Thaedrin had, miraculously, found the carrot. His respect for the Constable grew. He was still not a very good field commander, but he was trying. It spoke volumes to the man's character. Pride was a hard thing for any true Tevinter, let alone a mage of such esteemed lineage.

"Yes, sir!"

Diocles gave Thaedrin a proper salute before moving to do as instructed, though he first strung his new bow. It was surprisingly easy; either the bow was somehow less difficult to string despite its heavier draw or he was getting stronger. Hefting it carefully, he shot an arrow at a pigeon in flight above to test the aim.

He nodded thoughtfully as blood and feathers rained down a few blocks away, then went to take a place onboard.

 

[Slycne]

With the last crate loaded, Jarrik confirmed that the rest of his equipment had already been taken to the boat from the house before departing with the group. The breeze blowing up from the bay made the walk quite refreshing after all the work in the warehouse. At the prospect of fighting a fellow Rivaini, Jarrik simply shrugged.

"Aye. The Alamarri tribes fight each other as well, no?"

 

[Cinnonym]

"We do." Ghil left it at that, accepting the answer for what it was.

Thaedrin left Alrik to make his report and joined the others aboard the ship. The elf girl was already looking green, and he took a moment to look her over as he walked the deck. "Keep as close to the railing as possible. You'll be cleaning up your own sick, else." He found his way to Jarrik once he was satisfied that all was in order, giving nods to the seamen who passed on their preparations to disembark. "Ser de Avalos, I'd like your opinion on the politics of your people. Are they all pirates and raiders? Ought I to worry that killing men of such ilk will paint me poorly to your matriarchs?"

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Thank you, Constable, for the valued advice."

She'd rolled her eyes, but nevertheless, listened. Sulahn'nehn was certain she really would have to clean up after herself had she gotten ill. Once on the boat she stayed toward the sides, muttering to herself about the Constable. Something would have to be done about him sooner or later. But probably some point after hurling up her breakfast.

 

[Slycne]

"Depends."

It was a simply reply to fill the space while he scratched at his chin for an proper answer. "Piracy is certainly outwardly frowned upon, but an honest enough crew can be trusted to trade goods for the betterment of the community, even stolen ones. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. Only the most ruthless 'rats are actively hunted."

"Seeing as we carry no cargo, if it comes to boarding then any crew that doesn't leave would be fair game to send to the depths." Jarrik took stock of the ship. Even without a life on the waves, he knew enough growing up around them. "Ship seems capable enough though, might be able to outrun any encounter me might have."

 

[FortyThree]

While he might have been expected to comfort Sul, or take high in a mast to keep look out, or perhaps just lurk about doing no good, Diocles had other things on his mind. He kept close to his superiors, staying a respectful distance as Thaedrin interrogated the recruit. Finally he approached the mage.

"Constable. When you have a moment, I'd like a word in private."

He gave a slight bow before moving again to let the two converse, gazing out over the waves thoughtfully.

 

[Cinnonym]

Thaedrin's gaze flicked over the archer when he spoke; it was almost as though he was looking for the preemptive guilt in his face.

His attention turned back to the warrior in front of him, lips pursed into a thin line, "I know not what level of influence you might have among your own people, but I hope that your strength will lend itself to our success. If we can convince the islanders to ally with the Grey Wardens, and with the Imperial army, for the sake of defending ourselves against the Blight, then we will find a place for you among our order gladly." What he didn't say was that he needed Jarrik to remain alive until the task was complete, and he wouldn't risk him to the Joining until then.

The Constable excused himself from the Rivaini, crossing the deck to meet Diocles at the railing as the ship pulled away from the docks and out into the bay. He clasped a hand around the wood to steady himself.

"Komnenos."

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles nodded, leaning out a bit over the rail. He licked his lips despite the water in the air, trying to phrase his question carefully in his head before he spoke.

"I owe you my life, and I'm grateful. But I'm not worth what you paid for me."

He frowned, standing back up and releasing the rail, turning to face his superior. The agile archer had gained his sea legs quickly, even though his mind was clearly elsewhere.

"Why did you save me?"

 

[Cinnonym]

Thaedrin turned his head to look at him, an eyebrow quirked upward in surprise. Not that it was an odd question, only that he?d never have expected the man to ask it? Self-absorbed as he was.

?It seemed appropriate at the time. I hope you aren?t trying to convince me what a mistake I?ve made.? He fell silent for a moment, expecting to be done with it, but even to himself the answer felt inadequate. He spoke again, ?Why? I had only minutes in which to act, and made a decision. There were several reasons. I didn?t want to have wasted a Warden on a fool?s errand in the swamps. I didn?t want to have to explain to Commander Vorenus how it was that you perished under my command. I didn?t want to be left behind with brigands and elves.?

He faced forward again, eyes fixed on the horizon. ?Essentially, your death would have hugely inconvenienced me.?

 

[FortyThree]

He nodded. It was a reasonable explanation. Diocles life was tactically less valuable, but that may not have been obvious at the time, in the heat of it. He, too, turned back to face the water, one hand stroking an arrow as if waiting for Dumat to fly over the horizon.

"I see. ... Thank you."

He didn't specify whether he was thanking the mage for the explanation or for his life. For now, he was content to wait silently. His eyes continued to scan the horizon warily, but his mind was still elsewhere.

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik, after managing to scare up some parchment and a quill, put down a letter to Trajan Vorenus in a pidgin of Tevene and his own tongue.

As he wrote he glanced up at Sulahn'nehn as she made her snide comment to Thaedrin. His brow furrowed; he knew about sarcasm, but was terrible at detecting it. Shaking his head, he turned back to his letter.

Once it was finished he called a boy from the dock and arranged to have it sent by pigeon to Vol Dorma; it would make it to Weisshaupt from there. That finished, he approached the elf.

"Sulahn'nehn." he pronounced her name slowly, with obvious effort. "What you say to Constable Thaedrin-- valued advice. You mean this?"

 

[ShadowFolk]

The elf nearly jumped out of her skin, the male barbarian was talking at her. She couldn't appreciate that Alrik had put effort into speaking her name. Once her breathing returned to normal, she answered him. "What? No. I was- I meant it sarcastically. You know what that means, don't you? It is when you mock or-" she began searching for an explanation, truly believing he did not understand.