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

[duckflesh]

He nodded, looking tired.

"Ah. Thank you for honesty."

He raised his arm matter-of-factly and then swung it down with blinding force, the back of his hand slamming into the side of her petite face. It was not quite hard enough to fracture her cheek, but there was no question that she'd soon have a black eye.

 

[Cinnonym]

Even the roar of the waves around them didn't mask the sound of Alrik's hand connecting with the elven girl's face, nor the shrill shriek that accompanied it. Thaedrin's attention snapped away from the water in shock, but Ghil was the first one on the scene, and she was raving in quick, forceful tones foreign to the others' ears.

"What're you doing!?" She shoved Alrik bodily, though he barely moved, "She's built like a twig, you could've broken her--Blighted hound!"

"What's the meaning of this?" Thaedrin rounded the bend quickly, his eyes moving between the two large barbarians and the elf on the floor with suspicion, "What's she done? Fired off some damned spell again?"

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles had his bow out, arrow nocked in an instant-But he had no idea what to with it. He was as flabbergasted as he was outraged. After a moment's hesitation, he relaxed and stowed the arrow, swung the bow over his shoulder and darted over in an instant. He had a hand on each khukuri, his face a mask of anger and confusion.

"Fasta vass!"

 

[Slycne]

Seeing as he had time to kill, Jarrik had claimed a space for himself near the bow with a good view of the deck and the slowly shrinking shore. He had his helmet cradled in hand, having opted to not don the heavy armor at sea, and was ideally threading new horse hair into the plume, to replace the damage done in combat.

A commotion mid-ship caught his attention from his task. It did not appear to concern him directly, but he watched, his threading slowing to a crawl.

 

[ShadowFolk]

That amount of force was completely unnecessary. Sulahn'nehn held her face with tears in her eyes. She wanted to speak her mind and tell them exactly what happened, but all she could do was cry. Anything that came out of her mouth could not be understood.

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik seemed taken aback by all the questions; he'd intended his action to be self-explanatory.

"She said mockery to you," he told Thaedrin. "Is too much. Too much familiar. Must correct time to time, clarify... clarify boundary."

He shrugged, addressing Ghil now. "In Alamarri camp, Thaedrin and small girl have duel. But Wardens... Wardens like Tevinter legion. Chain of command important. Disrespect get punishment."

Clearly uncomfortable being the center of attention, he looked at Thaedrin again.

"Time to cast off?"

 

[Cinnonym]

"Alrik!" Thaedrin bit his lip, attempting to deal with the nearly-frenzied barbarian woman, the sobbing elf, and Diocles in arms. This wasn't good, but neither could he dismiss the discipline of his peer. Dragon's ass, and everything had been going so well. He turned on Diocles, pointing an accusatory finger at the Soporati.

"Take her below deck," he said, each word sharp as a knife, "Deal with your pet, I don't want to hear another spiteful sound out of her mouth again. Just--go!"

He couldn't help but take note of the way Ghil was looking at him now. Thaedrin turned on his heel and left the scene to return forward of the deck.

 

[FortyThree]

Shaking with rage, Diocles had begun to draw a blade. On Thaedrin's word, he locked eyes with the mage, and seemed on the verge of disobeying. He hesitated only a few seconds before snapping his scabbard closed, picking up Sul and taking her down, whispering to her soothing words. If there was any mercy, it was that below deck, near the center, the vessel seemed all but still.

 

[duckflesh]

Pleased that he did not have to wrestle Ghil into submission, Alrik walked up the aftercastle to watch the waves; he was surprised to find that they had apparently set sail several minutes ago.

"Is no worry," he said to Jarrick, passing him on the way down the deck. "Good for morale in long run, I think. Agree?"

The man wasn't a Warden and thus not Alrik's inferior, so he didn't mind asking his opinion.

 

[ShadowFolk]

A lot had happened very quickly. There was shouting from her friend and then she was being carried away by Diocles before she could put together the rest of what happened. Sulahn'nehn wrapped her arms around the archer and continued to weep onto him, choking out an apology.

"I-I'm sorry. I did not think he heard- and the big one-"

 

[FortyThree]

"Shh shh shh.. It's fine, darling, and so are you.. You'll be just fine, he won't hit you again. I'll see to it. One way or another, I swear it, on my family."

Diocles held his companion carefully, throwing a look of daggers to any crewman who so much as raised an eyebrow. He took her to the first place of rest he could find, though he didn't lay her onto a hammock just yet. Instead he leaned against a wall, stroking her hair.

 

[Slycne]

"Neh, good for order. Not for morale."

Jarrik returned to his task, but kept on the conversation. "In the legion, a man caught sleeping on watch would be put to the flog for lashes or the sword in war time. He learns his lesson, but you won't find him at the vanguard when the charge is sounded."

He paused, puzzling over a final thought. "A good army needs both I think."

 

[Cinnonym]

?Morale.?

Thaedrin was near the two men, pacing the deck restlessly. This was a poor development, but he kept his opinions of Alrik?s behavior to himself. Though they held the same title, the barbarian was Trajan?s most loyal warrior. There was no question which of the two Constables held the higher authority.

?There is no help for it here. It was a mistake to send these slaves, they?re too fresh. They see Tevinter men and magisters, not Grey Wardens. And the nightmares?? He shook his head, folding his arms over his chest, ?If Komnenos makes his rounds through their beds nightly, they may be more pleasant by morning but clearly no less mouthy.?

 

[Slycne]

Jarrik couldn't help but quip, enjoying the juxtaposition. "Heh, good for morale, bad for order."

"Another 'spawn attack would almost be welcome." Perhaps it wasn't exactly prudent to be conversing as such with his, potentially, soon to be superiors, but they weren't exactly guarding their tongues either. "Nothin' like a common foe to remind you which side your on."

 

[Cinnonym]

"Perhaps." Thaedrin stared again at the horizon in the distance, as though he could will the shoreline closer. After a time he straightened and returned his attention to the two men. "Watch that woman, Ghil. I don't trust her."

The blood mage left the deck, to attend to the Captain and hear more of what the crew could tell him of the Rivaini. Anything to feel that he was making some kind of progress at his work. Ghil, meanwhile, remained aft with Ulrin, but kept a cold eye on Alrik. Thaedrin ought keep from being alone with her as well, she thought.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Sulahn'nehn stayed in his arms, slowly calming down until the tears subsided. Her face, however, that still throbbed. It would soon swell and bruise and that would be reminder enough to stay away from Alrik. The only down side was that she was stuck on a boat with both Thaedrin and Alrik.

"...Thank you." She dried her eyes before resting her head against Diocles' chest again, whispering, "I am so fortunate to have you."

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles shook his head. He wasn't comfortable with her relying on him like that. It wasn't that he minded, he just didn't trust himself to take care of her. He promised himself he'd try, though.

"Sweet starling, you are just honing your beak on these days. You will find the balance soon, I am sure of it. For now just be wary of the brute. Thaedrin, he ... he could not rebuke him, there. It is a thing of Tevinter. I am sure he did not approve, though. Ghil and Ulrin care for you, as do I. You are more blessed than any of us."

 

[ShadowFolk]

"He has a strange way of showing his disapproval. I understand that he's saved you... but the way you speak of him lately. He is not a good man." She shook her head, now wasn't the time to discuss the Constable and Diocles already knew how she felt about him. "I'm sorry. I know you have asked me to not be so harsh towards him. I should be happy. If ever there was a way to show who cared for me... I'll try to be more careful with my words, I promise."

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin stayed next to Ghil casting the same hateful glares. If the barbarian woman was to turn on them and fight Alrik and Theadrin right now he'd gladly join in. "The only pet around here is that brute forthat Blighter. The only reason he's here is so we don't slice him open..." He turned his attention out over the railing scowling art the waters. "And to think they had the nerve to say they joined the Wardens for glory. There is nothi g glorious about that bastard, Ghil. Nothing good, nothing honorable, nothing worth defending. If it is Theadrin Sulahn'nehn meant a knife for now more than ever I am sure she will do it. And I can't say I'm not inclined to want to help her. "

 

[Cinnonym]

Ghil laid a heavy hand on Ulrin's shoulder, leaning down to murmur into his ear. "If it is the blood mage she wishes for the stabbing, let her. Help her. Guide her. No good can come of magisters, sorcerers, demon summoners. He will have us all for the killing unless we are to killing him first."