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| The Slave Trade | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 23 2011, 08:54 PM (2,446 Views) | |
| Jet Blackbeard | Oct 28 2012, 02:37 PM Post #81 |
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aka Bear
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Shandala made her way slowly back to the clearing where the Ixa'takan army was taking cover. She walked slowly through the gloom, giving herself time to calm down and think clearly. Xera's comments troubled her. She could sympathize with her friend's dislike of Kokyrie and wasn't exactly fond of the new chieftain herself. But no longer could Shandala claim that the Ixa'ness had been better off under her command. In a very short time Kokyrie had pulled the tribe from the rut they'd been stuck in for generations and placed them on the global stage. As Shandala pondered what could be done about the situation her eyes were drawn upward towards the canopy above. A fierce wind had begun to blow and the darkness above was suddenly alight with a swarm of brightly glowing lights that were passing overhead with surprising speed. "What the..." Shandala gasped. "What was that?" Whatever it was it was big and it was heading straight towards the battle raging in the distance. Shandala broke into a run that carried her after the lights. "Could that be the reinforcements Kyrie spoke of?" She wondered to herself. ~ "About damn time!" Kokyrie grinned as the Nasrean warships finally arrived to turn the tide of battle back in their favor. She broke off from her treatment of the injured to rally her troops for another sortie. "Look alive you lot! Anyone who can still lift their spears, fall in and make ready to advance!" The was a smattering of war cries but for the most part the Ixa'takans were still frightened and confused as to what was happening. All the primitive warriors knew was thunder and fire and death descending upon them from the skies. It wasn't until one of the pirate ships came crashing down just beyond their camp that they were spurred forward, if only to escape from the flames that were consuming the ship's hull and the trees surrounding it. "Do you see? One of our enemies has fallen! The King's ships have struck them down!" Kokyrie cried, raising her spear to point in the direction of the burning wreck. "And now their town will fall as well! Muster your courage and follow me!" Understanding began to dawn on the Ixa'takan army. The knowledge that their own ships had been brought into play bolstered those who had begun to lose hope. With the odds now back in their favor the warriors raised their voices in defiance and struck out after Kokyrie to conquer the town. Kokyrie glanced back over her shoulder at the warriors following her. Silhouetted against the firelight glowing behind them they appeared as only a faceless mob. It was probably better that way. Kokyrie sighed inwardly. "How many have died already in the course of this fracas?" She wondered to herself. "And how many more won't live to see the dawn?" Her eyes lifted above the heads of her warriors to stare into the flames consuming the pirate ship. It was now cutting off their line of retreat. "Kind of like fate." Kokyrie waxed poetic for a moment. "Always lighting a fire under my ass to get me moving forward and never letting me turn back." ~ The door to the tavern practically flew off of its hinges as a flustered pirate burst through it. "Cap'n Sturges! There's trouble! A pair of Nasrean..." He sputtered but was cut off when the old fisherman sitting at the bar slammed his drinking glass down hard enough to send a spider web of cracks through its faceted sides. "I heard already damn ye!" Captain Sturges growled over his shoulder. "And Darius be wantin' us to reel his sorry carcass out o' the fire, aye?" "Aye cap'n." The pirate replied, wheezing to catch his breath after running halfway across the town that was burning down around their ears only to find the grizzled captain enjoying a leisurely drink. He had to admire the old man's courage but also considered the notion that his title, the "Mad Fisher" might be more than just a catchy moniker. "Be me Kingfish ready to sail?" Sturges asked calmly. "It is cap'n." The pirate replied. "She's ready to launch with all hands aboard." Sturges nodded and poured himself another drink. "Aye. Tell 'em I'll be there directly." The pirate saluted and dashed off once again. "Damnation Kyrie." Sturges muttered to himself, along again inside the tavern. "What sort o' mischief have ye gotten me into this time?" ~ Xera moved amongst the other Ixa'ness, peering through the darkness at Kokyrie's back. She was leading the army into battle against the hated slavers just as she'd promised and even reunited her with her long-lost sister but Xera could not bring herself to go back on her murderous plans. "We were better off before." Xera muttered to herself. "Before you came and changed everything." Like Kokyrie she had also exchanged her pirate's garb for a new set of tribal clothing. Xera had also donned a painted mask to conceal her identity from the others. She would be a faceless killer this night; a vengeful phantom appearing suddenly out of the chaos of battle and then vanishing into the darkness just as quickly. A single thrust of her blade at just the right time and Kokyrie would take her shameful secret to the grave with her. Then Xera was certain things would go back to the way that they had been before her arrival. "You brought this all on yourself Kokyrie." Xera hissed behind her mask. "You should never have returned to Ixa'ness. You should have just left us in peace." Gripping the hilt of her knife a bit more tightly Xera shouldered her way through the ranks, getting a bit closer to Kokyrie. ~ As the battle raged overhead the Ixa'takan army mustered on the edge of town. Kokyrie called for a halt, gazing up into the night sky with concern. "Heeey! Kyrie, er...My Chieftain!" A familiar voice broke through the crowd. The Ixa'ness parted so that Shandala could pass through their ranks to reach Kokyrie. "What's going on? I saw two more ships.....oh, are those the King's ships?" Shandala joined Kokyrie in observing the movements of the Nasrean ships as they engaged the pirate flotilla. "Yeah, they just arrived. No signs of the Mononoke yet though." "Ah, well it seems the warships are fairing well enough." Shandala added smugly. "Look at how the pirates are being driven before them." Kokyrie grimaced at the thought. "That's what has me worried." "Worried about what?" Shandala asked, confused. "Was this not a part of your plan?" "I didn't bank on this situation though." Kokyrie sighed. "But that's war for you. Your carefully thought-out plan of attack is usually its first casualty." "Huh?" Shandala grunted. "Alright, listen up you lot!" Kokyrie turned to address her warriors. "Change of plans! We're going to split up into two factions and flank the town from both sides before we attack! Pass the word!" "We're not going to storm the town?" Shandala persisted? "It's practically falling apart already. This would be the perfect time to root out those filthy slave-drivers and put them to the spear!" Kokyrie directed Shandala's attention skyward to the deadly dance being performed by the warships and their piratical counterparts. "When the tree falls, the monkeys run." She explained cryptically. "Ah, I see what you're getting at." Understanding dawned on Shandala. "And where they run, we'll be waiting." ~ Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the town, the docks were still cloaked in darkness. Neither the fire nor the aerial battle had spread this far yet. The lurid glow of firelight and the crackle of cannon-fire were still distant. And so it was in the quiet shadow of night that Captain Sturges made his way down the pier to where the Kingfish was moored. As he approached the low thrum of its engine and the muffled voices of his crew reached his ears. "Tis these calm moments before the storm that soothe me ol' soul." The Mad Fisher chuckled to himself as he reached the end of the dock and made his way up the boarding ramp. *thump-click... thump-click... thump-click... thump-click* The mismatched sound of his footfalls sounded across the Kingfish's deck. As he passed the members if its crew turned to salute him before returning to their chores. One of the men, a squat fellow with a pot-belly and bald head broke off from what he was doing and trotted over to greet his captain. "Is all good an' ready then?" Sturges asked the man, his first mate, as he approached. "Aye Cap'n, we be ship-shape and strapped for mayhem!" Corke, the Kingfish's first mate, saluted crisply as he fell into step next to the old fisherman. Captain Sturges swept the deck with his gaze and nodded in satisfaction. "Then raise the sails and let's get underway!" He raised his voice to be heard by everyone nearby. "There be turmoil in me skies this night! And I aim to sail right into the heart o' it!" The crew of the Kingfish raised a battle cry at their captains proclamation. Those who hung amongst the rigging deployed the old trawlers mustard-colored sails while those who toiled belowdeck primed the ship's cannons and brought its engine to full power. With a groan of old timbers and a crack of sails being unfurled the Kingfish slowly lifted off from the docks and rose into the sky. At the helm Sturges gave the ship's wheel a spin, setting its course towards the battle raging in the distance. |
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| Daiohma | Oct 31 2012, 07:01 PM Post #82 |
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The Ice Fang
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“I think he’d be more your area then mine…” Jel pointed Tsukiko to a man who had been too close to some explosions. She headed over towards the man who at first seemed to not have any wounds but she she approached him it became clear that he was blind and probably deaf too. ''Are you ok sir?'' The young maiden asked as she took his hand and slowly helped him down into a sitting position. He did not reply which told her he was indeed deaf from the explosion but the was he tried to smile told her that he knew she was helping him. He tried to look at her but could not look in the right direction which confirmed he was too blinded from the explosion that he had been close to. Tsukiko took the man's hand in her own while holding her other against her Moon Stone which started to glow. ''Curia.'' She said as she closed her eyes, the sliver light started to surround the old man. ''I can see?'' He said with relief as he looked around before staring right at Tsukiko. ''Thank you miss thank you.'' The man was over joy as he stood up. ''There where a few others over here.'' He pointed towards another group of people not far from where the two of them where. As Tsukiko looked towards where he was pointing the old man was already making his way to the back of the group away from the fighting. Tsukiko was pleased that she could help someone and was now wanting to help as many other people as she could, hoping that the fighting would soon come to an end. ~ ''It's a mess down there!'' One of the crew members of Jareth's 'borrowed' ship said as he looked over the side. ''Are they not our people?'' Another asked as he looked down, trying to make out the group of fallen people below them. ''They sure are, and it looks like they need help!'' The first man who was ready for battle said as she tied his harpoon to his back. ''Start getting a life boat ready, we'll give them some ground support.'' ''For real?'' The second man asked in shock as he ducked from another explosion near by to the ship. ''We'll be killed before we reach them.'' ''They need help right now!'' The harpoon man yelled as he unhooked part of a small life boat. ''Get me some medics to help out, I'll hold them off!'' ''I know just the person.'' The smaller man said as he turned to look across the deck. In no time at all he spotted the young yafutoma girl in her green kimono. ''Hey miss?'' He called out as he rushed over to her. ''We have people on the ground who look like they are in need of help.'' ''It would be my pleasure to help.'' He put her hands together and took a bow towards the man. ''After all Tsukiko must be down there, somewhere.'' She muttered to herself as she headed for the life boat. ''Let's go!'' The harpoon man yelled just as Midori sat herself down in the boat. Like a rock it dropped from the main ship and headed for the ground below. It started to come to a steady pace as it reached the ground, landing at an angle as the men inside jumped out and rushed to the fallen to help move them away from the battle area. ''Oh my.'' Midori said as she stepped out from the boat. She had never seen so many people in need of help at once and had only used her magic around Yafutoma like Tsukiko had, unlike their older sisters. She walked a few steps from the boat, around her where the men who had come down with her helping others move away to a safe area. ''Let me help you.'' She said as she stood up right and put both her hands against her Green Moon Stone necklace. A green glow started to form around her as the floor at her feet also started to glow a bright green. Her long ponytail starts to blow around as if there was a steady wind coming up from the ground around her. ''Sapuresu.'' She spoke as the green light expanded in a flash outwards from her. The magic which was a Sacrum spell effected the group of people around her who where grateful and surprised at her magic. ~ ''That light!'' Tsukiko stood up as only just done helping yet another man who had been only blinded from the same explosion. The green light was one she had seen before and knew right away that her sister was here. ''Midori!'' She called out as she ran towards the light as it disappeared. ''Tsukiko?'' Midori turned to the direction of her voice. The young shrine maiden jumped at her sister and put her arms around her, almost in tears. ''Midori.'' ''I'm glad your ok Tuskiko.'' Midori knew she had alot of explaining to do about leaving Tsukiko with a group of people who turned out to be Black Pirates. But for now they both knew they where needed to help assist in the battle. |
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| The Karlminion | Nov 11 2012, 01:18 AM Post #83 |
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180-proof Redneck
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"We do indeed have a magic cannon," Khells confirmed, inspired so far by Jareth's performance. "Plenty of us know Red magic, naturally." "But no dedicated battlemage, I take it," Jareth mused. "They're falling back!" came the call from on deck. "Enemy vessels in full retreat!" "Make sure the healer isn't shot down!" Jareth replied quickly. Fortunately the darkness and smoke served to conceal their descent, and the marines could soon focus once more on battle. As mentioned the pirates were falling back over the village, and Jareth could only hope the Ixa'ness were out of the way; there was no time to consider them. "Full speed!" he shouted, spinning the wheel and setting the prow for the pirates. "Show 'em blood and thunder! Someone throw an Increm over the ship, use exploding shells!" "Captain Montoya, one of the men knows a bit of Purple magic," Khells remarked. "Once we've thinned down that rabble we could use that to confuse them and then seize the ship for ourselves!" He leaned in and lowered his voice. "Simpler wooden ships like that, be easier for the natives to deal with, eh?" "Good thinking, Khells," Jareth said approvingly. They were in range now, and a brutal fusillade sent a second pirate vessel down over the village. "Two down!" the Valuan cried as the men cheered. All doubt had fallen from his mind as he discovered he still had it in him to command men, and there was a fire in his eyes as he considered their next moves. "Don't let 'em catch their breath! Starboard reload, get ready for the next ship!" In the back of his mind he knew this wouldn't last; sooner or later luck would shift in the pirates' favor, no matter how briefly, and they had to be prepared. While the marines did their work he kept an eye on the darkness and the radar, tactics and strategies roiling in his head all the while. |
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| Gordreg | Nov 20 2012, 03:33 PM Post #84 |
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Administrator
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Jel had been in the midst of dressing a warrior’s deep wound when the new volley of explosions rang out through the skies above them. The sound of cannonfire was one she had started to come to terms with over her year on the skies, but the intensity of the volly this time was enough to tear her gaze skyward, just in time to see some dull object up there detonate into a brilliant mist of fire with a sky-shaking kaboom. Her eyes lingered as the immediate brilliance faded, the retina-scouring brightness falling to a few mere licks of flame and a scorched haze of tumbling debris. Swallowing, she returned to her work spreading the ointment across the warrior’s torn flesh, trying to ignore sounds of the raging battle up above as she bound the injury tight, and also trying not to think of the bone that had been jutting from the wound before she’d managed to set it back into place. But even her conscientious approach to work was not enough to blot out the shudder given by the island itself as a falling pirate vessel struck the ground near to the village. There were cries of alarm from amongst the warriors who remained, and even one or two of the most veteran appeared to pale slightly. Or so it seemed from a distance, anyway. Jel bit her lip, a little scared herself by the calamitous events still raging all about, but determined to try not to let it show just how much it all bothered her; a task at which she was probably not quite as effective as she thought she was. But it was only when the Iron boat started dropping from the sky toward them that Jel really paniked. Were the pirates attacking them here, ignoring the advancing groups to hit the Ixa’takan forces in their rear? It took further seconds of quailing terror before Jel’s mind made the neccesary connections – the Iron ships belonged to the king, and the wooden ships were the ones the pirates were making use of, so this Iron boat more likely belonged to an ally then enemy, and just as her re-collected thoughts reached that conclusion the ship set itself down unevenly, a Nasrean Junior officer and a pair of Ixa’takan warriors junping out, followed by a Yafutoman woman. The woman clasped her hands, and a green glow burst in to illuminate her and her surrounds, a glow-rock pendant shining on the chain about her neck as a sacrum spell seeped into the ranks surrrounding her. She seemed quite familiar to Jel, and she squinted, trying to recall where she’d seen the woman before, and then Tsukiko embraced her enthusiastically and provided Jel with a conclusive answer. “Um, welcome!” she greeted Midori, slightly hesitently but with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. “We need all the help we can get down here… have you much experience in setting smashed or broken limbs?” she tilted her head as she queried. “I’ve had a lot of them coming in, and we need to set the bones together before we can safely use the sacri-spells for repair…”she fidgited, unsure just how much the Yafutoman’s knowledge of healing differed from her own. “If not, don’t worry, there’s plenty you can help with closer to the front…” she bit her lip “…I just…think you might be able to make a real difference here.” Edited by Gordreg, Nov 20 2012, 03:34 PM.
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| Jet Blackbeard | Nov 27 2012, 10:00 PM Post #85 |
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aka Bear
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For the third time that evening Kokyrie's steps led her through the forest, skirting the edge of the pirate's town. But this time she had no difficulty in picking her way through the darkness. With the town ablaze there was more than enough light to illuminate her path. And unlike before Kokyrie made no effort to conceal her presence. With half an army dogging her steps it would have been impossible anyway but right now speed was far more important than stealth. "Let's pick up the pace people!" Kokyrie cried out to those following her. In response the army hastened their steps as they followed the Ixa'ness War Chieftain. Kokyrie didn't need to look back to know that they were there. The noise of their movements was enough to reveal that much. No, her eyes were fixed on the warships overhead, occasionally falling to take in the blazing town beneath. "We have to hurry." Kokyrie muttered to herself. "Moons, let us make it in time." ~ Kokyrie's fears were soon realized as one of the pirate ships fell from the sky beneath the onslaught of cannon fire from the king's warships. Its burning hull struck the town like the hammer of an avenging god, crushing several shanties beneath its bulk. At the same time the shockwave produced by the crash fanned the flames consuming the town and spreading them the its furthermost reaches. Those among the ranks of the pirates who yet remained in the doomed town were either swept away by the wall of flames that spread out from the crash site or were forced to flee before it. ~ "Captain. One of the pirate ships is heading in this direction." The second officer aboard the Quetya's Calm informed his captain. The captain, an officer newly appointed to the post from among the ranks of the King's warriors, stepped over to the bridge's window and peered out. "I see nothing." The captain replied. "Up there sir." The second officer directed the captain's gaze upward. Sure enough they could both make out a set of running lights approaching their ship from above. The captain snorted in derision. "Hmph, looks like they're making a break for it." "Shall we move to intercept?" The second officer asked. "No, let them run." The captain responded. "They can do us no harm from that angle. And we haven't the time to waste on them. Continue the attack against the pirate fleet!" ~ "Cap'n sir! We're in position and they're comin' within range o' our hook!" Corke, the Kingfish's first mate cackled gleefully. "Shall I lower the boom on 'em sir?" "Aye lad!" Captain Sturges cried across the old trawler's deck. "Lets start this party with a bang!" The Kingfish's crew raised a raucous cheer even as they braced themselves for what was about to happen. With a crisp salute Corke waddled toward the bow of the ship and the huge crane that was positioned there. Stepping up to the control panel he glanced back at his captain for final confirmation. Sturges nodded his head once, giving it. With a gap-toothed grin Corke set to work. Begin Kingfish Super Attack - Power Line On the captain's order the Kingfish's crane rotated until its tow hook was dangling over the port side of the ship. Corke released the lock on the cable and it began to unwind with a metallic hissing sound. Unaware of the danger the Calm drifted by beneath the ship. With perfect timing the tow cable extended down to the Calm just as the ship passed underneath the Kingfish. The heavy hook attached to it snared a section of the warship's hull and held fast. As the cable went taut the Kingfish lurched to a stop. Below the movement of the Calm was likewise arrested. And then, slowly but surely, the old trawlers engines, designed to pull a heavy load, began to break the stalemate. The ship moved slowly forward, dragging the warship with it. "Activate the generator!" Sturges called out. Corke saluted from the crane's controls and reached across to pull down a switch mounted on its side. This activated a large generator powered by Yellow Moon Stones housed within its frame. In response a powerful electrical current arched down the length of the tow cable where it struck the Calm. Arcs of lightning leapt across its metallic hull, penetrating deep within. On the bridge instruments went haywire and electrical lights exploded from the overload. Likewise any member of the Calm's crew who were unfortunate enough to be close to where the hook was lodged would received a nasty shock themselves. With its loss of instruments the Quetya's Calm was at the mercy of the Kingfish. Still being towed along by the old trawler it's bow rose upward while its stern was pointing downwards towards the ground below. Finally it was pulled so far that its lifting jets could not keep it level and the Calm toppled over backwards. The huge warship dropped like a rock in the midst of the forest between the Ixa'takan army's camp and the edge of the island. The Nasrean ship was sturdily built and thus survived the crash but without the aid of a salvage team and a tow ship it wouldn't be moving under its own power any time soon. Its crew was not likely in any better condition after the crash. Those who suffered nothing more severe than a few broken bones or a concussion would consider themselves lucky. Many more would have perished from being so violently jostled about when the ship capsized while others received fatal injuries during its crash. In both regards one thing was certain; Quetya's Calm was out of action. End Super Attack "Hah! That got 'em!" Sturges roared with satisfaction as Corke reeled in the tow cable and returned the crane to its resting position. "Tis a pity we couldn't drop it right on their pointy heads though!" "What's our next move captain?" Corke called out to him as he came waddling across the deck. Sturges turned to leer at him with a glint of madness sparkling in his eye. "There be one ship left by me count! Let's give him a taste o' the same, aye?" "Aye captain!" The Kingfish's crew responded enthusiastically. With a flick of his wrist Sturges turned the old trawler in the direction of the Grendel's Fist. ~ Kokyrie's half of the army reached the clearing where she and the others had led the slaves earlier. Just as she'd feared a large number of pirates were mustering there as their town burned down around their ears. "We made it just in time." Kokyrie sighed, pausing for a moment to catch her breath after the forced march through the forest. The pirates were fewer in number than her own soldiers and were disorganized and unprepared for battle it seemed. Most milled about in confusion as they watched their town being consumed by flames. But a few were gathering together as someone among them designated themselves as leader and began issuing orders. And that's what Kokyrie had feared. "There's only one thing they could be up to right now." The War Chieftain growled. "But they'll have to go through us to do it!" Kokyrie's last words were spoken in a yell as she led her warriors out of the forest to charge the unsuspecting pirates. The Ixa'takans responded with a fierce battle cry and struck the pirates at a full run. Shots were fired and blades flashed in the firelight but the pirates could not hope to stand up to the savage warriors and found themselves being swept away in a tide of fury and vengeance. Caught between the two factions Kokyrie gave herself over to the blood-song singing in her veins. She lashed out with her spear, piercing anyone who wore the garb of a buccaneer. Blood slicked the haft of her weapon and a fierce keening filled her ears. She tried to block it out only to realize it was the sound of her own voice that she was hearing. The passage of time lost all meaning in those few fierce moments that dragged on like a hellish eternity. But just as quickly as the battle had begun it ended. One moment Kokyrie was driving her spear through the chest of a sword-wielding marauder and the next her shoulders were being seized by strong hands. Kokyrie struggled against her captors like a wounded beast until the fell away. She spun around to face the next assailant only to find a pair of her own Ixa'ness standing before her. Kokyrie's eyes swept the killing field before her, absorbing all of the carnage into her memories. She was no stranger to bloodshed. This wasn't the first time she'd been forced to take someone's life and it wouldn't be the last. But no matter how many times she was numbered among the survivors of a battle, no matter how much blood stained her own hands, Kokyrie would never feel anything but disgust for such wanton loss of life. For a time Kokyrie stood panting in the midst of the battlefield, trying to collect herself and shake off the red haze that had engulfed the entirety of her being earlier. Her loyal warriors offered to steady her but Kokyrie waved aside their concerns. She gazed with cool detachment into the faces of the fallen pirates and then felt her eyes being drawn towards the night-darkened treeline beyond the flickering firelight. "I'm sorry." Kokyrie muttered an apology to the pirates. In another time, another place these same men lying dead before her could well have been her own shipmates. "It was either you...or them." Kokyrie's thoughts turned to the many slaves who had fled into the forest behind her. She was aware that the pirates they'd just slain were probably planning to slaughter the lot of them in retribution for the loss of their town. That fact alone helped to blunt some of the guilt Kokyrie was feeling for the roll she'd played in their downfall. Shaking off her melancholy Kokyrie rounded on her troops. "Victory is ours!" She called out, raising her spear. Her warriors raised their voices and their weapons as well. Kokyrie was heartened to see that her own forces had only suffered a few casualties during the initial charge. But many more had sustained injuries in the melee that had followed. "See to our wounded!" Kokyrie ordered. "And I want a picket line set up in front of the treeline! We can't let any of the pirates reach the forest!" As her warriors moved to carry out her orders Kokyrie planted the butt end of her spear on the ground before her and leaned heavily upon it. "I hope Shandala is faring as well." She sighed. ~ On the opposite side of the burning town Shandala's half of the army was also engaging in battle with the pirates fleeing before the crash of their own ship. It wasn't much of a battle though; caught between the raging flames and the spears of the Ixa'takans the pirates fell like wheat before the scythe. And unlike Kokyrie Shandala relished every second of her conquest. "Drive them into the flames my warriors!" The former War Chieftain howled. "Spit them like game fowl upon your spears and roast them alive!" With death before them and death behind the pirates fought for all they were worth. But they were no more prepared for battle than their cohorts on the other side of town had been. Each one gave as good as they got but one by one they fell until only a handful remained. Those chose to flee into the burning town and take their chances among the flames. "Feh, not a warrior among them!" Shandala spat after them. "But what can be expected of men?" Her words drew a few dirty looks and muffled insults from the king's troops but with their battle won no one could complain with her results. Shandala stood with a smug grin on her face as she watched the town burn. It filled her with a satisfaction that she'd never known in all her years as a raider. Was it because she'd been fighting towards a noble goal? Or perhaps she, like so many Ixa'takans, had finally found a foe upon whom she was able to vent several years of pent-up anger and outrage. Maybe both? "If only we could carry this fight to the homeland of the Valuans." Shandala sighed to herself. "But at least this time we'll be able to bring the lost back with us." ~ "Even after all we've sacrificed here tonight my sister won't be returning home." Xera thought angrily to herself. "And neither will you." Xera glared hatefully at Kokyrie from behind her wooden mask as she stalked up silently behind her. The bloodstained dagger she'd wielded during the battle was still clutched in her hand. Again Xera went over how the next few moments would play out in her head. She would approach Kokyrie from behind and plunge the knife into her back. The blade would pierce her lung, making it difficult for Kokyrie to draw breath enough to speak. But it would be Xera's frightened voice that would call for aid. The Ixa'ness would find their dying chieftain clutched in her arms as she explained to them that she had come to deliver a message to Kokyrie only to find her struggling just to keep her feet after receiving such a nasty wound during the battle. They would try to save her, of course, but by then it would be too late. Kokyrie would die a heroic death and songs would be sung of her courage. Tales of how she had carried through to the end of the battle despite her agony and then died on her feet would be told for many years. "Even in death you will vex me." Xera hissed. "But better you die as a hero than live long enough to do worse." Kokyrie stood with her back turned, gazing placidly into the flames. She was only a few feet away. Xera crept closer, her hand clenched tight upon the knife's handle. Closer still, the knife poised to strike. Kokyrie was right in front of her. Xera's arm rose slightly, aligning the tip of the blade with Kokyrie's ribs. "So what have I done now?" Kokyrie's voice froze Xera in her tracks. The knife wavered in her hand as her mind raced for something to say; some explanation to offer. Finally, she settled on the truth. "You know..." Xera's voice came out broken and shaky. "About you and Darius?" Kokyrie spoke without looking back at her. Xera hesitated for a moment before she breathed the word; "Yeah." "Afraid I won't keep your secret?" Kokyrie asked in the same calm tone of voice. "You'll take it to the grave with you." Xera hissed. A quick stride brought her within striking distance. Her dagger began its lethal journey towards Kokyrie's vulnerable flesh but stalled suddenly. Xera gasped in pain and the blade fell from her grasp. She glanced down to see the butt of Kokyrie's spear thrust into her stomach. Xera felt her gorge rise as black starbursts flashed within her field of vision. "Damn....you." Xera sighed as she fell to her knees. Her eyes tried to focus on Kokyrie's back but she was rapidly losing consciousness. Seconds later and Xera was out cold, sitting in a pathetic heap behind her chieftain. "I'm sorry." Kokyrie muttered. Through it all she had not once glanced back at Xera. Instead her eyes were upon one of the ships hovering in the distance. "But I can't go to my grave while Darius still lives. He'll answer to me for his crimes. And then we'll settle up afterwards." |
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| Daiohma | Dec 1 2012, 04:07 PM Post #86 |
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The Ice Fang
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For a moment to Tsukiko it seemed as if all the chaos around her had vanished, everything went silent but her own thoughts as she held on tightly around her sister with her arms. She knew Midori would come back for her but did not think it would be at this time in such a place. Tsukiko knew that her sister only meant well when she left her with the people in that village, it was not her fault that they turned out to be pirates. ''There black Pirates..'' Tsukiko whispered as Midori had to remove her younger sister from around her waist. ''I know.'' Midori answered as she held her sister's hands. '' However they help use both and so we must now help them.'' Tsukiko knew Midori was right, after all her time with Kokyrie, Jel and the others showed her that not all pirates where bad. ''Over here, I was helping some injured people.'' Tsukiko pulled on Midori's arm as she turned to where she was helping with the fallen. As she turned they where both met by a familiar face. “Um, welcome!” Jel greeted Midori, seeming a little hesitant at first as if she knew the face but not where from.However the moment Tsukiko mentioned her sisters name Jel looked to of remembered in no time at all. Jel told Midori about the people who needed help with broken bones, something that would need to be sorted out before any green magic was used on them. ''I know a little.'' Midori said as she followed Jel. ''In fact that was one of the reason's I came to Ixa'Taka, to learn more of Green Magic and healing.'' Midori may of mastered her Green Moon Stone yet was not used to this style of injury. Midori and her sisters where probably the first line of Ishikawa's who really had no need to fight or assist in a battle. The world seemed calm to them since the crystal wars and so there was no call, yet like their sisters before them they trained in their respective Moon Stone like the days of old. It would now appear to both Midori and Tsukiko that just because Yafutoma seems fine it did not mean the rest of Arcadia was as they both now found themselves in the middle of a battle. As the two of them followed Jel Midori could see the injured people all around. It was not a pretty sight but one she had been knowing would one day greet her eyes. Yet before she could even think of helping any one a sudden blast not too far away from them sounded across the sky. They both turned to see a large Pirate ship attack the Quetya's Calm with some kind of cable and hook that was lighting up the sky with the electrical attack. The ship started to capsize as it crashed down not too far them where they where standing in the forest. At that moment Tsukiko's hand clenched her Moon Stone as the reflection of the fire danced in her eyes. ''Tsukiko.'' Midori said in a clam voice as her own hand only a second slower than her sisters removed Tsukiko's hand away from her Silver Moon stone. ''It will be ok, I promise.'' Midori's words snapped Tsukiko's attention away from the ship. She had seen that look before and knew Tsukiko was wanting to end it all with her magic, something she had tried before when she felt things where at their worst. ''We will go and help those people, ok.'' Midori got down to Tsukiko's height. ''We will help them, then we will go home.'' Tsukiko gave a quick nod as she looked at her sister. The sudden thought of casting her magic at random was gone as she agreed to help out once again. Edited by Daiohma, Dec 1 2012, 10:38 PM.
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| Jet Blackbeard | Jan 21 2013, 01:37 AM Post #87 |
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aka Bear
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"Alright, we've done about all we can do here." Kokyrie called out to any of her warriors who were within earshot. "I'm returning to the main camp to see how Shandala faired but I want the rest of you to round up the slaves and protect them until I send for you." The warriors closest to her nodded and then dashed off to relay her instructions to the others. But one of them, the woman Kokyrie vaguely remembered from her entourage in Kortela, remained behind. She gestured down at Xera's fallen form curiously. "Uh...what happened to her? Should I go fetch a healer?" Kokyrie smirked and waved her concerns aside. "No, she's just having a bad night. I'll carry her back with me." Tyler accepted her explanation and then, saluting her crisply, moved on to join the others. Now left alone for the moment with only the unconscious Xera in her midst Kokyrie turned her eyes skyward to observe the progress of the naval battle raging overhead. "It's all up to you lot now." She spoke to whomever was commanding the Grendel's Fist. "Yours will be the decisive victory one way or the other." "But...where the blazes is Nixie?" ~ "Where's my Increm spell? Someone man the Magic Cannon and cast it NOW!" Jareth bellowed into the speaking tube that connected the bridge with the gunnery deck. His eyes darted beyond the window towards the two remaining pirate galleys that were beginning another run towards them. Jareth's lips twisted into a tight grimace as the two ships aligned themselves to either side of the Fist. "Damned pirate scum. They're trying to flank us now." He growled when he saw that the two ships were attempting to recreate the same conditions that had sunk one of their own earlier. "And with the Calm down there's no one to break up their pattern." Jareth continued speaking to himself, drawing a few curious glances from his new subordinate, Khell. "Well, nothing to be done about it now eh?" He noticed the man's attention and addressed him directly. "We'll just have to ride out the storm." Just them a dull red haze surrounded the Fist, indicating that it was now under the influence of Increm. Jareth broke out into a fierce grin. "But I think we'll give better than we get lad." He awarded Khell who shared in his sentiment. "Let's show them what this old tub can do!" ~ The two pirate galleys made their pass to either side of the Fist. Their cannons blazed, catching the Nasrean warship in a devastating crossfire. "All gunports....FIRE!" Jareth roared over the thunder of artillery. In response the Grendel's Fist brought its own cannons to bear, exchanging fire with the ships that had surrounded it. Two against one were hardly fair odds in any fight but, given the nature of the combatants in this exchange, it was about even. The Grendel's Fist bore twice as many guns as the pirate vessels and its iron frame bore up against the onslaught much better than their wooden hulls. But it was the magical effects of the Increm spell that turned the tide in Jareth's favor. As the three vessels broke apart the two pirate ships had been all but gutted by the spell-strengthened artillery of the warship. The Fist limped away trailing smoke from numerous gashes in its flanks. But while the pirate ships were on the verge of falling from the sky the Fist still had some fight left in it. The pirates had surely acknowledged this fact as well. Neither one came about to challenge the warship again. One of them sailed away at half its usual speed, bound for moons-knew-where, while the other began losing altitude rapidly and soon vanished beneath the clouds just beyond the island's shore. "Well done sir!" Khell cried over the cheers of the bridge crew. But his smile faded when he beheld the look of concern on Jareth's face. Khell followed the Valuan officer's gaze out of the window and felt as if his belly were filled with ice water. In the distance the Kingfish was moving in to finish them off. ~ Darius watched the exchange between the Grendel's Fist and the pirate ships from the bow of the Purgatory and scowled. The odds were still in his favor, given the warship's condition and the fact that his ship as well as the Kingfish were both still in good shape. But as he beheld the raging inferno that was engulfing the pirate town and the sizable army that had besieged it he began to doubt whether or not there was anything left here worth fighting for. He wrestled with this dilemma for several long minutes before turning to address his helmsman. "Helm, plot a course away from the island and take us out of here at full throttle!" He ordered. "Ye don't want to finish off that wounded fish sir?" His second officer questioned from across the deck as he motioned towards the Grendel's Fist. Darius shook his head. "The savages have taken the town. What would be the point?" The officer nodded glumly at his assessment. "Helm! Reverse course! Get us out of here!" He repeated Darius' commands. In response the Purgatory came about and began to pull away from the island. Its course was well-lit by the flames from the burning town as well as those rising from the shattered hull of the downed ship. It was because of this that the lookout didn't spot the torches blazing upon the Mononoke's deck until that ship was practically on top of them. "Captain! Contact off the starboard bow!" The lookout cried a warning. "Looks to be a..." His words were drowned out by the sound of metal scratching against wood issuing from somewhere near the bow. Darius fell back, nearly impaled by the huge grapnel that had come soaring through the darkness to embed itself in the deck of his ship. "Oh moons, damn it!" Darius cried, picking himself up and drawing his saber. "Stand to and prepare to repel boarders!" ~ "Gotcha!" Nixie chirped from the bow of the Mononoke. "Now you're gonna get got you rotten piece of...HEY! Watch it you...GYAH!" Nixie's moment of triumph was interrupted by the arrival of the Ixa'ness raiding party that was mustering on the forward deck. She was roughly jostled aside as the Amazons made ready to storm the Purgatory's deck. "Get out of our way half-pint!" The irritatingly familiar voice of Lia snickered from within the mob. "Yeah, move it or lose it pipsqueak!" Rhea added her two copper's worth to the insult. Nixie wisely stepped back out of the path of the raiders, scowling fiercely at them while grumbling beneath her breath. To add insult to injury she was forced to stand atop a small cargo crate in order to see over the head's of the assembled warriors. Ropes snapped in the night air and a grinding creak from the windlass drifted up from belowdeck as the Mononoke's mooring line was reeled in, bringing the Purgatory closer and closer to their ship. Nixie tracked its progress by the glow of its running lights and the distant sound of frantic activity going on atop its deck. "I'll bet they're also pretty worked up over there about now." Nixie sighed. "Geez, it's always like a cage full of rabid Ferliths right before a battle." "At times like this I think it's best to relax with a nice cup of tea." Mika's voice startled her as the young woman suddenly materialized at her elbow. Nixie spun around to find her standing there, two cups of warm tea clutched in her hands. "Uh....yeah, I guess." Nixie sighed. "Guess I don't have anything better to do right now." "Ah, here you are then!" Mika smiled warmly. She held up the cup for Nixie to accept. "Be careful not to spill it though. I just brewed it so it's still GYAH!" Just then the Mononoke buckled as the Purgatory strained against the mooring cable. Mika stumbled forward and crashed into Nixie. Both girls fell to the deck and were doused with the warm tea that Mika had been holding. "Oops. I'm so sorry!" Mika fussed. She attempted to dry Nixie off with the hem of her shirt and help her back to her feet at the same time. "Maybe we should send you along with the warriors." Nixie muttered as she wrung her wet hands. "Then the pirates would be doomed for sure...." ~ "Just cut the damn rope!" Darius yelled at his crewmen as they hacked and sawed at the thick cable that connected the two ships together. "Working on it sir!" One of the men called back. "But it's covered in some sort of....gook. Makes it hard to cut!" Darius scowled back at their futile efforts. "Probably some kind of tree sap." He muttered. Darius had already ordered the helmsman to reverse the Purgatory's course in a bid to snap it but that only served to drag the Mononoke along with them. Nor could he bring their cannons to bear since the two ships were facing one another head-on. He couldn't do anything until that damned rope was severed. In the near distance the Mononoke drew every closer. "Just...hurry it up Moons damn you!" ~ Several tense moments passed as the two ships continued their meandering dance across the skies. The Purgatory's crew managed to snap the last strand of the rope when a dozen more lines, each smaller than the first, came sailing across the divide. With a lurch of motion and a cacophony of breaking wood the Mononoke slammed into the Purgatory's bow. A high-pitched keening broke the night air as the Amazons leapt down onto the ship's bow and immediately full upon its crew. Yet again the warriors of Ixa'taka clashed against the pirates of North Ocean, this time on a much smaller but no less hectic field of battle. The pirates gave as good as they got but the superior numbers of the Ixa'ness soon began to tell and the battle shifted in their favor. The pirates lost ground time and again as the fierce females drove them back; first from the open deck and then into the very bowels of the ship. Each time the pirates formed a defensive line and held them at bay. Blood was spilled and lives were lost in each exchange. But as the pirates faltered the Ixa'ness replenished their ranks from a seemingly endless supply of reserves. And then the inevitable moment came. The pirates rallied in the hold to make their final stand. To the man, each knew that they would not survive the next exchange and each was prepared to sell their life at the highest price their efforts could afford. Well, all but one of them. ~ "I told you not to underestimate my people didn't I?" Kaia chided her lover as Darius stumbled into the hold where the lifeboats were stored. "Shut up Kaia. This isn't the time for your flippant attitude." Darius shot back angrily. "I'm assuming by your ragged appearance that it's time for us to run then?" Kaia returned evenly. She'd been preparing for their escape since before the battle had even begun and all was in readiness. "We've nothing left to lose here but our lives." Darius nodded glumly. "And I'd rather preserve those for as long as humanly possible." Kaia held out a hand to help him onto the lifeboat. She gestured at several large bundles that had been arranged between the benches. "I've packed enough food and water for several days plus a few other supplies we may need." She reassured Darius with a gentle hand upon his shoulder. "Don't worry love. We will survive. We can rebuild. We have before after all." "Aye, that we have." Darius placed his hand upon hers. "But this time we'll have help." ~ A short distance away the Grendel's Fist was locked in combat with the Kingfish. A volley of cannonfire lit up the night as the two ships exchanged another round. To its credit the Fist was performing admirably despite all the damage it had sustained but anyone who had observed the fight thus far could tell that it was on its last legs. Aboard the Kingfish its captain; Sturges grinned fiercely even as his ship was bombarded with cannonballs and a fire broke out on the mid-deck. "Struggle all ye like! But me hook is set and ye're time is nearly up!" The old man cackled, his eyes gleaming with a hint of madness. "Captain!" Came a call from the wheelhouse. "We've received a distress call from the Purgatory! They're overrun and Captain Darius is abandoning ship!" Sturges glared back at the messenger as if he could strangle him. "Confound ye for a dolt! I don't have time for his chicanery! You tell that lubber that he can...." Now that his reverie had been broken Captain Sturges was able to take a moment and think clearly for the first time since the assault against the Nasrean warships had begun. With this newfound level-headedness came the realization that even though the battle still raged the war itself was already over. Sinking the Grendel's Fist would be satisfying, yes, but ultimately a pointless victory. Not that that would deter Sturges from finishing what he'd started. It was what would come afterward that put him off. "Kyrie." He sighed the female Black Pirates name. If he kept fighting Sturges knew that he'd have to square off against her next and that was one battle the old fisherman didn't have the heart to wage. "Sir?" The messenger interrupted him once again. "I said to tell him that I'm on me way!" Captain Sturges roared across the deck. "We be wastin' our time here lads! Best to set sail for new fishin' grounds!" The crew of the Kingfish was taken aback by their captain's sudden call for retreat but knew better than to question him. Instead them moved to follow his command and within moments the Kingfish had come about and was leaving the battlefield. ~ "Watch it! They're up to something!" Jareth sang out as the Kingfish began to pull away. He eyed the old trawler nervously, fully expecting it to ascend and try to maneuver into position to use the same tactic that had sunk the Quetya's Calm. Instead the Kingfish continued its retreat and moved further and further away. "They're running!" Khell called out jubilantly. A sparse round of cheers rose from the bridge crew. No one understood why the pirates, who had been poised to take the victory only a moment ago, were suddenly withdrawing. Most still suspected some trickery but as it slowly became evident that the Kingfish was not going to return their cheers rose in volume. "Sir? I think we're being signaled by the Mononoke." Khell raised his voice to be heard over the ruckus. Jareth arched an eyebrow at the news. "What do they say?" He asked curiously. "Well, the message is coming across via torch-signal." Khell answered. "One of the savages is translating it now to be sure but I believe the gist of it is that they've captured the last pirate ship and are now in command of it." Jareth nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. "So we managed to commandeer one of them in the end eh? Alright, good job. Signal the Mononoke to stand to and await further instruction." ~ Darius sat at the rear of the lifeboat, his eyes fixed on the distant skies. As he and Kaia sailed off into the darkness his mind was consumed with questions. How had things gone so utterly wrong in so short a span of time? And more importantly; what were they going to do now? So intent on his inner musings was he that he scarcely noticed when the Kingfish appeared out of the gloom and pulled alongside them. Darius would barely remember the ship's crew hoisting him and Kaia onto the deck until much later. It wouldn't be until he awoke in his private bunk next to Kaia after a fitful night's sleep that these events would fully sink in. For now he was still in a state of shock and disbelief. All too soon would the grim reality of his situation come down upon him like the Rains of Destruction. At that moment his rage would know no bounds and his sorrow no depth. At that moment he would vow to wreak terrible bloody vengeance upon the cursed savage who had brought his dream crashing down around his ears. But that moment was yet to come. For now Darius could only sit and wonder about what had happened and what was yet to come. ~ "Victory is ours!" Shandala cried out in exultation. The warriors of Ixa'taka joined in her sentiment and raised a hearty cheer that seemed to rise from every corner of the island. The pirate town was little more than a pile of kindling now and the skies above had fallen quiet. The battle was over. They had won. ~ Kokyrie paused for a moment on the outskirts of the burning town and gazed up at the night sky through the canopy overhead. "Not too bad for my first day on the job." She sighed. "Hmm?" Tyler glanced over at her curiously. Between them Xera's limp form dangled. She mumbled something in her sleep as the two of them bore her weight back to camp. "It's nothing." Kokyrie shook her head. "Come on. Let's go home." (OOC - This is the final round of posts from the island. My next post will begin the epilogue for this storyline so there'll be a bit of a time skip. If there's anything else you need to do here, wrap them up in your next post.) |
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| Daiohma | Jan 27 2013, 07:14 PM Post #88 |
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The Ice Fang
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Tsukiko helped her older sister take care of the injured people around them. She was happy that she had been reunited with her sister once more and knew that with her knowledge of green magic there would be no need to worry about helping the others. Midori, just like the other Ishikawa sisters grew up from as young as she could remember with her Moon Stone. Learning of it's magic though trial and error. Midori moved from one injured person to the next, casting her healing magic as green light spread around her. Her only concern was making sure that she could help as many people as possible first and foremost, not giving any second thought about the battle that was all but over. Tsukiko had done all she could to help. The only people left know would only benefit from Green Magic and not Silver and so she followed her sister and helped out in any way she could. Wrapping a bandage around one man's arm while washing blood away from another's face. She could see that the battle was at it's end, if not already over as the town seemed to burn in the distance. ''Is it over?'' The young shrine maiden asked herself. Midori was far too focused on what she was doing to notice. That was before the cheers started to break the un noticed silence in the air. The warriors where cheering in victory over the pirates, to which Tsukiko managed to smile for. However it was a short lived smile as she had seen first hand that even though they won they still had many injured in the battle. ''I guess this is what Takibi was on about?'' Tsukiko turned to her sister. Midori turned and gave her younger sister a hug as she held her head to her chest. She knew what Tuskiko was on about as Takibi was the only one of them to train with the Yafutoma warriors almost daily. Takibi knew more about war than any other Ishikawa currently alive. ''It's over, we can go home now.'' Midori reassure Tsukiko. |
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| Gordreg | Feb 3 2013, 12:32 PM Post #89 |
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Administrator
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So many wounds, so many broken limbs, so much to clean and wash and wipe and cauterise and wash again. Jel had been working as fast as she could even as the rest of the battle had drawn to slow but inevitable conclusion, and now the battle was over there were even more tasks that needed doing. Before there had been only the serious injuries, now King’s soldiers and Ixa’ness alike were coming over with minor scrapes and bruises. And that wasn’t even counting the rescued prisoners, nor the many now-captive civilian inhabitants of the former pirate town. A few of both those groups had fallen in to help with the wounded – a fairly bedraggled older man with a greying beard, half-moon glasses and a big bag of instruments who had been poking and pilling each warrior he’d crossed the path of, and a chubby, jovial Ixa’takan lady who bore the manner of an experienced midwife even as she cut the shot from a soldier’s wounds. Jel had been listening to them gently bicker for most of the past hour, and it had shown no sign of ceasing. And then there were the Yafutoman sisters, each who had been helping out with the sick and the wounded in her own way. Humming lightly as she drew a scrap-bandage tight around the arm of an Ixa’ness, Jel tilted her head. A band of the rescued prisoners had remained close enough to the impromptu medical camp, and were chatting to each other around a burning campfire even as they waited to see who of their fellow prisoners would make it and who had failed on that final step before freedom. She hadn’t been listening intently, though, until one particular man amongst them had given a cough, and had began to speak quite loudly. “Y’know, it’s funny. Been waiting two damn years for one of my lads to show up, come rescue me - and then someone finally does, and it’s them blasted women who got us in this mess to start.” He gave a bitter exlamation that was picked up with a chorus of grunts and brief agreements. “Not knocking freedom, o’course, just not sure how under Quet’s green leaves I’ll explain all this when I get back to my village.” He gave a heavy sigh. “Hey, Ma’potle. You were worried your girl mighta moved on, weren’t you?” The stick-thin young man he’d been obviously adressing gave a worried nod, and the hazel-eyed man grinned. “Well, stop by Kortela if she did, eh? Got meself a daughter of ‘bout your age. Havn’t seen her for years, but she was a sweet thing, and though she was betrothed… he’s not coming back. I’m sure you could fill in for him, eh?” he gave the young man a nudge. “It’s been a while. Just say they didn’t feed you much…” Jel felt her face flushing, and dipped her head away as it brightened, even though none of the men were looking anywhere near her. Taking out her small mortar and pestle from the contents of her pouch, she placed a trio of dry berries into the bowl and began grinding… “You know, a course of Salix would be more in keeping as a releivant of pain…Tsari berries have many fine qualities, but I find they are rather stretched here. Far better to save them for those who are …bound, shall we say.” Jel looked up, her eyes a little watery as the bedgraggled grey man gave her a weary smile. “But don’t mind me, young’un. Don’t think Salix even grows under this moon…” he glanced upward, and gave a slight adjustment of his glasses. “…Forgive me. It is hard to introduce one’s self when a patient fights for their life around your busy hands. Doctor Ander Saratzaga, so very nearly retired for so many years now.” He gave a weary chuckle, without much humour in it. “ Jel gave a nervous smile of her own. “Jel’din, of the Hulangri.” She quietly answered, not noticing the sudden crash of the campfire conversation. “Tell me… what would you, um, recommend for a case of Slothstra foot? I tried the oil of cast-beans, but it was never that effective… always a few green patches that just wouldn’t go…” she queried with a smile, and Doctor Saratzaga answered, Jel’din nodding as she allowed the information to settle into her mind, her hands busy preparing treatments and curatives whilst the pair of them talked of matters medical, Jel finding herself doing far more of the listening to topics of ailments and medication for the first time in rather too many months. In a way, she supposed, if felt almost comforting to know there was so much still to be known… just like it had been in older, happier times beneath the roof of the healer's hut. Edited by Gordreg, Feb 3 2013, 12:33 PM.
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| Jet Blackbeard | Feb 7 2013, 12:57 AM Post #90 |
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aka Bear
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(OOC - This chapter of the story is over. The epilogue begins here.) ~ In the aftermath of the battle a quiet calm settled over the island. The flames consuming the town burned throughout the night and slowly died out with the coming of the dawn. In their wake the pirates' shanty town was nothing more than a gray swath of charred wood and ashes strewn across the face of the island. Smoke hung over the scene like a funeral pall for a time, darkening the skies and casting a shadow across those who remained beneath it. But in time it was torn away by a cool breeze that carried upon it the scent of the distant forest. It washed across the survivors of the battle like a soothing balm, bringing with it the warmth of the sun as it appeared from behind the veil of smoke. The first rays of dawn also heralded the arrival of the freed slaves. They were escorted back into the army's camp by the soldiers Kokyrie had left behind to watch over them. These haggard souls mixed in with the wounded warriors as they awaited treatment at the hands of the healers. And there was much healing to be done on that first day. Fresh wounds earned during the battle vied for attention among old pains inflicted over many months of harsh captivity. And yet, despite all of their shared pain, warrior and slave alike were infused with a new sense of hope, not just for their own spared lives, but also for Ixa'taka as a whole. All who were present shared in the feeling of deep satisfaction at the battle's victorious conclusion. While the wounded were being tended to those who had survived the battle unscathed were set to task in rounding up the pirates who had likewise lived through it. Packs of roving warriors found them, sometimes alone and sometimes in small groups, huddled beneath the trees or hiding amongst the charred remains of their town. Whether they offered resistance or surrendered peacefully, each man was spared per Kokyrie's stern order. Although the warriors of Ixa'taka would have preferred to execute the pirates for the crimes they had committed she reminded them all that those were the actions of savages and not civilized men. If they wanted the rest of Arcadia to view them as such then they would need to begin acting the part. The pirates would be returned to Horteka to face King Ixa'taka's judgement. He and he alone would decide their collective fate. Among the pirates were a handful of civilians who had been coerced into helping them. Most of these turned out to be ordinary sailors who had been captured just as the slaves had been. Others had been among the town's original occupants who had lost both their homes and their freedom when the pirates set up shop among them. Although they were viewed with suspicion most of the civilians were eager to prove themselves trustworthy and pitched in with the recovery efforts. One of the most grueling of tasks took place in the skies above the forest. The Grendel's Fist, along with the Mononoke and the newly acquired Purgatory hovered above the fallen bulk of the Quetya's Calm for most of the morning as a forest of ropes, chains and even vines were tethered between the four ships. A small army of men and women armed with shovels and makeshift tools set to work digging a trench beneath the Calm's overturned hull while sailors belonging to its original crew wormed their way inside to assess damage and make repairs. The sun was beginning to set before all was in readiness. Amid a roar of awakening engines and a cloud of dust and debris the Calm began to push off from the ground. Aided by the combined efforts of the three ships above and after a long and arduous effort the Calm came crashing to the forest floor, upright and ready to limp back home along with the rest of the army. It would be late afternoon of the next day before all of the former slaves were made comfortable aboard one of the four ships. Added to their number were the surviving members of the army, filling each ship to overflowing. A great deal of unnecessary cargo had to be left behind to make room for them all. And yet the voyage back to Ixa'taka would still prove to be an uncomfortable one for everyone. But anyone who had a mind to complain had but to look to their ship's hold to be reminded of their good fortune. Here were stored the wrapped bodies of the warriors who had given their lives during the battle. They lay in silent, orderly lines upon the floor, awaiting burial in their native soil. Kokyrie had made that a priority despite the lack of space. Every Ixa'takan, living or dead, was going home. And so, as the sun began to set on the second day the four ships, laden with the sons and daughters of Ixa'taka, began their long journey home. ~ (OOC - This storyline will conclude in Returning Home. Look for it soon.) |
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8:55 AM Jul 11