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

[Slycne]

"Oh..." Jarrik crossed tattooed arms across his chest, some instinct of body language to denote he'd given this thought.

"Aye, gagging on a swill of 'spawn bile and blood wouldn't be my first choice. But growin' comfortably old is 'bad death' too. And I fear the 'spawn might have a say to the latter, Antiva City was almost overrun in a single day."

Turning again, but without the prideful puffing up. He put the question to her. "I know this was forced upon you, but would you choose to fight or flee if given the option?"

 

[Cinnonym]

Ghil gave the Rivaini a blank look, while thoughts were processed behind her eyes. In truth, had the Wardens told her that her life would be constant battle and pain with but one sip from the goblet... Well, of course she would have agreed. That was her calling.


"I would fight."

 

[ShadowFolk]

Though her thoughts were scattered, one thing continued to press towards the front of her mind and that was the well being of Diocles. Her eyes scanned the deck and did not locate him there and there were only so many places he could be on the vessel. Sulahn'nehn excused herself from Ulrin's side and went below in search.

Even from behind, she made no mistake in recognizing her archer. She called out his name, adding "You wanted to speak with me?"

 

[Slycne]

Jarrik gave Ghil a nod, assuring that his answer would be the same. It was odd, and yet refreshing, to find a kindred spirit under such peculiar circumstances. Though he suspected while he sought to nurture glory and fame, it was simply in the Alamarri's nature to fight.

"Enough talk of death though, 'let tomorrow deal with today's worries.' We should share a bottle sometime though, you've got a good sense about you." With a sly metal studded grin, "And while you might have a chance to best me in the strength of arms, a contest of drink would be a different matter."

 

[FortyThree]

"Ah.. Yeah."

Diocles turned, giving Sul a smile. He approached her silently, wrapping her into a hug, before releasing her.

"Do not rely on me too much. I am only a man. Mortal and flawed. But I will protect you, and cherish you."

 

[ShadowFolk]

With the way he'd been acting, Sulahn'nehn was surprised. He'd only spoken a handful of words to her all morning and it had been the first physical contact initiated by him. She felt a sense of relief, much of her time awake had been spent worrying over his health and if his ailment had been a ruse to cover for something else. When she wasn't thinking about how to deal with Thaedrin, that was.

Her mood improved exponentially, making her tone light. "What's all this? I never thought I would hear you say you were flawed." She offered up a sincere smile, "You cannot imagine how happy that makes me. I thought...well...to be perfectly frank, I thought you did not want to speak to me on account of-. Well. Never mind that. Just know that I, too, will cherish and protect you."

I will keep you safe from him. I will keep everyone safe.

 

[Cinnonym]

Ghil returned the grin.

"I like you," her heavy hand clapped his shoulder firmly, "Maybe for keeping around after all." The barbarian tossed her gaze back out to the clouds overhead with a resigned sigh, and returned below to get away from the shifting deck. Could be a good time to take a few swings with her new sword. Who knows what landing on Rivain soil might be like?

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles eyed her silently for a moment, stroking her hair. His look was serious, unusually so, and his tone matched his eyes. Such an innocent thing, so sweet and naïve and gentle.

"No, I'm an absolute bastard. But I'll do better, lath."

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Oh." She tittered at his last words. It was strange to hear anything Elven aside from her name grace a human's lips. "That's Elven, you know. You shouldn't say words like that without knowing what they mean." After a bit of thought, she placed her hand on his face, "You have been wonderful to me, why do you berate yourself this way?"

 

[FortyThree]

"I know what it means."

He wouldn't answer her question. He couldn't. But hopefully that would sate her.

 

[Slycne]

Away, away to fair maids of Antiva
For we've been to sea for too long this year
Away, away to fair maids of Tevinter
For it is so lonely when you are not near

Jarrik's singing was swiftly joined by the rest of the crew, a mix of freemen and a few elves press ganged into being sailors. They were scrambling 'round the deck and sail riggings, preparing the ship for the storm should it come. The crew looked to be He remained above deck though with eyes on the horizon, little bothered by the more rapidly rolling planks he stood upon.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Yet another surprise. She wasn't under the impression that Diocles and Ulrin were on good enough terms for the elf to explain to him what the word meant and it's gravity. Whose else would know to tell him? Ulrin was probably trying to either protect her by making sure he knew or tear the two apart by doing the same. Yet here was her archer, repeating it to her with the knowledge of it's meaning and so the reason didn't matter.

Sulahn'nehn threw her arms around him and squeezed him tightly. "I- I am speechless!" Diocles had no idea how happy he'd just made the elf or perhaps he did. Either way, she planned to show him since she lacked the ability to convey it verbally. She took hold of his hand, backing up and leading him down the hall. "Come." she grinned, "I do not think the cabins will be disturbed for some time."

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles grinned back at Sul, following her along. He was glad he could get all this equipment off quickly.

"You're still talking. But I'll make you speechless yet."

 

[Cinnonym]

Outside, the clouds continued to gather, turning the afternoon sky into a grey mass. ?It?s only rain,? the first officer reminded the crew when the pour began, and they worked quickly to raise the sails away from the errant winds of the coming storm. The deck was slick when Ghil returned and she gripped the railing of the stairs when the ship pitched.

?This,? the barbarian grunted, trying to find her balance, ?I do not like!?

An elf in the crow?s nest shouted something down to the deck, and two sailors frowned out into the dimness off the starboard bow.

?What?d he say? Not land.?

?Couldn?t be.?

A black mass suddenly slipped free of the cover of the rain with a creaking moan, and the sailor shook his head at the pirate ship?s ram swiftly approaching him.

?Oh, Urthemiel?s dick.?

The hull smashed inward.

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin had been up above deck the whole time. While the others had been resting, he remained to help the crew prepare for the possible storm. When the rain started he felt uneasy, but the boatmen seemed sure of their work and unafraid. And so he did not feel distressed when the storm grew a bit fiercer and tossed the boat about. He was sure the girls were unhappy about it, but would pass.

When he heard shouting above it took him by surprise. Something was wrong. He could slightly make out the cry of the elven slave over the wind, but before he could be certain he heard him clearly the ship shook with the force of being rammed. Ulrin slipped loose of the railing he was holding onto and fell onto the slick deck sliding as the ship's hull was smashed and it rocked.

He reached out trying to grab onto anything he could, the rails, any ropes sliding about, to keep himself from being flung overboard.

 

[ShadowFolk]

"What in the name of the Creators is that!" Had the noise been anything else, Sulahn'nehn would have stayed where she was. However, it was far too loud and the sound itself was distressing. She heard heavy feet running by and got up, rushing back into her gear.

The elf raced up to the deck, nearly falling over from the way the ship moved. She only needed to look to know trouble was coming.

 

[FortyThree]

"BLOODY SCALED TOTH'S TITS!"

Cursing, appropriately, like a sailor, Diocles bolted after Sul while drawing his bow and nocking an arrow. The archer's natural agility compensated for the awkward footing, keeping him upright and moving.

"Sul, we're finishing this later!"

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik had been napping in his room. He heaved out a sigh before heading up to the deck, axe in hand.

 

[Slycne]

A hand darted out of the rainy gloom to grasp hold of Ulrin's arm.

"You 'lright? I'm thinkin' this would be a poor time for a swim!" He had to shout over all the creaking as the waves ground the hulls together into a cacophony of splintering wood. He heaved and pulled the elf to his feet, using the spear he'd sunk straight into the deck for leverage. "Of all the dumb luck, they stubble across us in this squall!"

"To arms lads!" 'Heh, that sure brought back memories.' He thought to himself while wrenching his spear free.

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin was thankful the Rivaini was close by to catch him. His feet slipped and lid out from under him a few times until he was finally able to stand up. "Agreed, I do not wish to become acquainted with any fishes today!"

The elf looked around spotting men scrambling to defend their ship and more still coming aboard to fight. He drew his daggers and clenched them tight in his hands as he followed behind Jarrik.