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Sail of the Sea Banshee

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Truthfully, he had seen ‘im. Ulysses had been one of his best customers for weeks. In fact, he was there celebrating with the drunkard until just a few minutes before the Eastwood Insurance Company agent arrived, as if he knew he was coming. Or perhaps it was coincidence, for the barman knew that those with a taste for adventure would be heading to the docks by then, drawn in by Otodus’ charisma. But he wasn’t going to share any of that with that asshole. “Bloody tosser,” he mumbled. The drunkard asked if he had already told the story of the young girl with the brave voice who slayed the Dread Lord, and the barkeep groaned.

Outside, the fuming insurance agent lit a pipe and began bellyaching to a compatriot, who wore the same gaudy uniform signifying royal employment. “Bollocks,” he said, “the man thinks he can skip out on us? I reckon he don’t” - he paused to exhale, and coughed - “even know how much he’s cost Eastwood.”

His coworker nodded. “Well, I say we follow ‘im to the ends of the earth. Wot have we got better to do, fill out paperwork? Stamp a bit of stationery?” They both laughed heartily and headed toward the water as Ulysses, peering around the corner of an artisan’s shop down the road, observed.

He felt like he had lived this life a thousand times before. There would be no difference if he was masquerading as a folk hero in the desert slums, or searching for an ancient lost city, or questing across continents for lost prophets, it always started this way. Always on the run. Always with the wanted posters. But this time would be different - so he’d cut his hair, so short you could still see where he’d nicked his scalp with the blade. A wiry beard had grown to obscure the lower half of his face. The breastplate was gone - sold - and all that remained on his thin frame was a white tunic, plain trousers and worn boots, and the slightly oversized cloak wrapped over his shivering shoulders.
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26-Oct-2020 04:29:40

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Perhaps he should have spent less of that breastplate money on mead and more on food. But he was unrecognizable to anyone in the employ of the Eastwood Insurance Company... until, of course, he wasn’t.

When the agents stopped at the brothel down the road (on business, of course), one of the women was kind enough to tell them about Ulysses’ haircut. And his change of attire. And that he had expressed interest in joining the crew of the Sea Banshee , which had docked three weeks ago or so. And that it was supposed to leave the port in just a little while, she thought.

And so as Ulysses approached the docks, the two bureaucrats in their goofy royal garb caught a glimpse of him through the early market crowd and gave chase. But from the shore he could see the Sea Banshee ; it was as big as a whale! ...and about to set sail. He reckoned he would only have seconds to spare, as he could already see some semblance of a crew congregated on deck as he raced down the dock, his pursuers only a hundred yards or so behind. But race he did, and as he arrived at the gangplank he glanced back to see the agents accosted by the local guard; perhaps they had upset the wrong shopper in their shoving through the market crowd after him.

Ulysses knew this would buy him precious little time, but perhaps just enough to board and make acquaintance with the ragtag crew, if they would have him.
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26-Oct-2020 04:31:40

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"Aye, a barnacle," said Ulysses breathlessly and with a wry chuckle. "That's about right." He clasped, and then wrung his hands together as he watched the gangplank rise and shift away from his feet as if by magic, separating him from the Sea Banshee . His heart sank.

He looked over his shoulder to ascertain the status of the insurance agents. One faced back toward the shore, arguing with one of the troop of guards. The other looked to be attempting a bribe. Ulysses knew just how slick those bastards were; they'd be on him soon. He called out to Otodus.

"If it's not too late then, Cap'n, I'd like to come aboard. I've heard tell of yer exploits in..." he trailed off, unconvincingly, "... the Southlands. I sought you out from Karib Quay!" Ulysses was lying, and it was a bold gamble, but he was nearly certain that ingratiating himself with the old corsair would be his best bet.
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26-Oct-2020 05:33:02

Taleisin
Apr Member 2016

Taleisin

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Sin is partly finished untying the ropes when Havoc returns with food. The slight elf turns back towards them, slowly blinking once. She looks down at the collection of food handed to her unceremoniously, before bowing her head in thanks.

She starts nibbling on the dried meat as she continues untying the ropes, peering at the man who had flung himself aboard. Her eyes turn towards the agents thoughtfully - and as if something told her there was a need to hurry, she draws her rapier with a sharp *shiny* and swiftly slices through the last of the ropes, before moving to the gangplank and peering over at the agents, before nudging the gangplank until it goes tumbling sideways and into the water with a splash.

With the sails unfurling overhead, she watches the docks slowly pulling away, nibbling on the dried meat, raising her rapier in a swordsman salute.
Everyone has the potential to be an asshat in a flower crown.

26-Oct-2020 08:26:59

YuBiusk Ink

YuBiusk Ink

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As the ropes are cut, Havoc's eyes flick between the man and the agents, then at Captain Otodus, who seems distracted by Hraldmir's concerns at the moment.

Their fingers twitch.

Just when the Sea Banshee is about to pass out of reach, the river rat lunges out over the side and grabs Ulysses by the front of his tunic, their long, limber arms flexing with obvious effort. They try to yank him off the dock and up to the edge of the ship, dangling over the side like so much ballast. They don't yet try to pull him aboard. "And what of your two fashionable friends, mate?"

26-Oct-2020 16:46:13 - Last edited on 26-Oct-2020 16:47:07 by YuBiusk Ink

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Grasping Havoc's arms firmly, partially to secure himself above the water and partially to relieve some of their burden, Ulysses let out an exasperated sigh. He was safe at last.

"Ah, local nobles," the scoundrel lied again, more convincingly than before. "I may have plowed their sister. But only a little!"

As he drew in the salty sea air, Ulysses could feel his adrenaline subsiding. Hanging there from the side of the Sea Banshee , he looked again toward shore to see the two Eastwood agents escorted back into town by the local guard. They looked nothing like brothers, and barely like nobles, but at this distance that would be impossible to discern.

"They like to keep the bloodline 'pure', y'know," Ulysses continued, as the clasp securing his cloak slipped and the heavy garment tumbled into the seawater below. "I must be a bit too roguish for their liking."

He could lie all day, but his arms were tiring quickly. And he imagined Havoc's were, as well.
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26-Oct-2020 23:55:30

YuBiusk Ink

YuBiusk Ink

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Havoc grimaces from the prolonged effort of holding Ulysses up—years on the river have given them arms like steel cables, but Ulysses is heavier than he looks, and this exertion is liable to undo the stitches in their side. They reluctantly hoist Ulysses all the way onto the ship, but don't let them go just yet. "Ah, and you need a ride to the wedding, mate." They peer over his shoulder at the pursuers. "Real plagued luck, gettin' in-lawed to two handsaws."

Anyone versed in Black Rivers slang will recognize 'handsaw' as a disparaging term for royal agents.

"What do you think, Miss Elf?" they ask, glancing towards Sin—not wanting to distract the Captain just yet, since Hraldmir's been waiting so long, and all. "Scrape the barnacle overboard, or let 'im cling a little longer?"

27-Oct-2020 14:47:38 - Last edited on 27-Oct-2020 14:48:40 by YuBiusk Ink

Annie1227
Jul Member 2011

Annie1227

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Annie kept watching as they sailed. She felt the sea air on her face and it made her feel so free at last. She was excited to find out what this adventure is going to be all about. She still doesn’t understand why the captain wanted her serving under him directly. It made her excited but nervous at the same time. -Dances-

27-Oct-2020 14:54:26

Taleisin
Apr Member 2016

Taleisin

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Sin moves closer to the two, still nibbling on her dried meat. She stops, then leans in to stare into Ulysses' face - ignoring the concept of personal space. She blinks once, her expression otherwise blank. She looks over at the Captain, then at Ulysses. Then she straightens up and raises a hand to wave it down twice, indicating that Havoc should set Ulysses down on the deck.

She leans back, finishing her meat before she raises her apple to her lips, and takes a crunching bite out of it, her eyes locked on the unfortunate Ulysses.
Everyone has the potential to be an asshat in a flower crown.

27-Oct-2020 20:46:43

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