Post by Amanita Vernia on Jul 12, 2005 12:10:36 GMT -5
Amanita Vernia: ALONG THE NYOKA RIVER // It was quiet again. No drums, no netting, no giant hooks flying out of the jungle. It was calm. One might say it was the kind of calm that comes after a storm, but to say it was over would be foolish. Those on the galley knew that it was only just beginning. A watch at been assigned to keep a look out from all four corners. That didn't include the fifth that would have the high point in the nest atop the mast. Five pair of eyes just waiting for some warning of danger ahead, or behind, or all around. This left the rest of the crew time to repair the ship and plan there next move. The merchant still spent a considerable amount of time locked away in the cabin. She appeared to be creating, or recreating, a journal. Being that she wasn't a scribe this took more time than it would someone of that trade, but it was all apart of the next leg of this hazardous adventure. Arculeius had asked to meet with the Captain and his men below deck to discuss their plans once they reached Lake Ushindi.
SCHENDI DOCKS // Thaddaus on the other hand had just returned to the port city to find the remains of a burnt house and the trail of the merchant cooled off. Being the cunning thief he was able to steal a few answers from the best source of information in the entire city -- The Ubar of Beggars. This was a blind black man found in Utukufu Square. He knew of the attack by Krakatoa's men, even of the murder of the man who'd failed. For a few more coins he even gave Thaddaus an idea how to glide down the Nyoka and catch up with the group. The League of Black Slavers.... they ran regular routes up and down the waterway, all he needed to do now was bribe the right person to buy his pass... not to mention avoid Krakatoa's other henchmen. Easy as pie.
Brinlar Sevarii: Brinlar moves with nervous energy about the ship, from below decks, where he checks on Thurnock's progress doing his repairs to the main deck, double checking with Renn on the stockpile of clay pots filled with the pitch/ oil : mixture, pleased that they are as prepared as they could possibly be, considering the Sleen of Cos, along with his men are like proverbial fish out of water on this snakelike river in the recesses of the jungles. Brinlar mentions to renn, before he goes to speak to the wiry Mateo "Seems the lady merchant wants us to meet in her cabin...guess we'll see what she wishes to say" Renn, that everpresent grin on his face, replies "Nahh..Cap'n...she really wants ta see me..yer just window dressin'..yanno..so she dun hafta come right out and say it's me she gots interest in.." Brinlar, with a roilling of his eyes and shake of his head, mutters "Of course, that must be it" As he moves to the prow to check with Mateo who is on point, and to tell him as well Arculeius mentioning of the upcoming meeting with Amanita
Thurnock Scormus: ::he had quickly filled the holes from the javelines and hooks below deck with wood plugs and pitch before comming above deck and working on the decking, the mast had had minor damage and was easily enough repaired, while knowing current repairs were well enough in hand he was thinking ahead at the same time making mental notes of what would be needed should they be lucky enough to come to the next port before and when they were attacked next. Speaking on and off with Mateo as they were not too far from each other, nothing out of the norm for them. Even though there was some what of a somber tone about the men there were plenty of jokes akin to the pirates going on he looked up as Brinlar approached and began speaking with Mateo, Thurnock of course going back to what he was working on at the moment before standing and wiping his brow with the back of his arm, looking up to see the position of the wanning sun. - Mateo hearing Brinlar looked to him with a nod as he listened about the meeting, as he looked out over the bow of the ship again letting his eyes scan the somewhat distant shores of the river before looking back to the Captain with a quirked grin and nod:: Whatdya think she's be wantin to be's speakin on Capt'n? ::as pirates they were quite used to the trials of sea life, this comming up the river having little to no way of maneuvring around for a full attack if needed was putting Mateo a bit at unease though the only one outside of Renn or Thurnock to know would be Brinlar, he even did his best to hide it from Sheera, and for the most part was successful, but he knew the woman too knew::
Gwnn Aurora:: Since her return home from the long voyage she has been keep busy with affairs of the House. The fact that she hasn't recovered emotionally from her father's death is buried as she threw herself into her work. Hundreds of slaves brought in from the journey await in the pens having mostly been processed and arrangements to ship them overland are all ready under way. This year she won't be leading the caravan herself as now she has new responsibilities to take care of. All ready there are many rumor's on the sreet of Schendi about her return not to mention all the stories she has heard, such as, the attacks on another House which is burnt down now. The main rumor that has interested her the most though would be anything having to do with the mysterious talk about an expedition into the vast jungles. She'd send Tiberus out to find out what he can as she wanted facts not rumor's. Meanwhile, in her office, she'd eye that journal her father had left her that held answer's for her yet brought on more questions that deeply troubles her. Out upon the harbors of the port the fleet's cargo holds have all ready been emptied, repairs being under way, with their crews on the streets filling the paga dens and streets with their songs of conquests and adventure's
Debauched Caper: Time. On a trip along the rivers, even in the river-boats which moved considerably fast in these waters (even against a current, yes), there just was something about the time it took to make that long, long leg of the journey...Oh! that's right, it was called boredom...Hrmph, perhaps it was just that odd knowledge that, you had to wait to get there on a boat, whereas when you were on the dirt, you could walk, run, or ride a beast and feel like you at the very least made a dent in the distances. And while he did help here and there with the deck-chores which, no offense, were rather quickly done in the first few days since the attack...that left a soul with time on his hands. Thus, he was back in his little spot along the prow, shoulders tight to the angle of the wood while he worked a borrowed deck-knife over a shaping-up piece of dried limb...It was a rough start, to be sure; nothing fancy, and hardly pleasing on the eye, but it was easily-seen as a pipe from the start, with a drooping well and three hand-span long stem...Hmph...It'd go quicker if he hand a smoothing-stone...
Amanita Vernia: THE MERCHANT'S CABIN // Amanita was a woman of secrets... and Arculeius was the protector of so many of them. After the galley's attack he came to her with simple words that told her she would need to confess to the pirate and his first and second mates or she would never succeed in this expedition. Arculeius never had to say much for the merchant to understand. The five of them would meet in her cabin of all places, with not only the journal of Shaba present, but a sister to that thirty year old notebook. Inside were the maps that tracked the rest of the distance they needed to travel, not all of it could be made by water, but since the canal had been finished by Bila, the Black Ubar, they would have an easier time than Shaba had. Once the men filed into the small room they would see not only the journals, but additional maps. There were all that remained from the library inside House Silenti that had decades worth of maps, books, and research on the jungles. "Thank you for coming," she began. "I know have questions, that the last attack has left us all on high alert, but I wish to share with you as much as I know. Put us all on equal footing." She looked to the captain first, then his two men. The merchant had nothing to guard her face, she didn't even have her robes any longer, torn and mangled by the jungle, but she still held that poise of a free woman.
SCHENDI, HOUSE OF ABLA // "A woman?" The man, Thaddaus, grinned internally when he learned the one he had to charm was of the fairer sex. A man might be harder to convince, but with the right story the thief could be on a ship and moving up the river in no time. He gave his name to the guards outside the house, "Heriuas... of Ar" of course it wasn't really his name and that was a large enough city that it would be harder to varify. "I meeting with your employer if you please, a matter of importantce." That was all he told, but there would be more, a good story and of course some good money.
Brinlar Sevarii: Brinlar debated on wether to rouse Sheera, but decided to let her rest. she had fretted much since the attack, and he knows it was partially his fault, she was not used to seeing him unsure, as he was when the attack occured, she was used to seeing him on TRhassa, where he resembled a larl patrolling his territory. So, he passes by the door of thier cabin, followed by Renn and Mateo, knocked twice on the door of Amanita, then entered once he was given leave to do so. Sliding to one side, so his mates could enter, silver-flecked gray eyes look from Amanita to Arculeius, and he leans against the bulkhead, crossing his ankles as she addresses them all, a slow nod offered in agreement. "I see you have come to your senses, lady. As i told you when last we spoke, trust is a precioius thing..it can quite possibly save your life, or the life of someone you treasure" Renn, leering at her dressed in the wrap Sheera had provided, says little, he just nods agreement at his Captains words, while Mateo finds he has to move to enable the bulk of Thurnock who enters access into the small cabin.
Thurnock Scormus: ::as Mateo entered the cabin he took to standing against the wall with his arms crossed listening he too leers at the woman, he stood pensively nodding as the conversation headed to where it would, indeed trust was paramount to the pirates and their ways.. never trust those of another ship though heh rob you blind if your not paying attention, there wasn't much to do but listen so far and see where this would head - Thurnock squeezing into the cabin had to duck his head down as he came through the doorway and moved back behind everyone, well tall enough to see over most::
Gwnn Aurora: Finally! Relief poured over her as she dips that feathered ink quill into the jar and scribbles her name one last time. She hates the repetitiveness of paper work. Once the last document is completed she leans back in her chair and sighs heavily as she thought to herself about taking a long soak in a hot bathe. Of course fate has something else in store for her as a knock is heard rapping at her door. "Enter," she said. As the door slide open so did the servant slip inside. "M'Lady - there is someone named Heriuas of Ar that says he has a meeting with you?" That made her knit her brows as she didn't know the name, nonetheless, earlier in the day she had to cancel and reschedule several meetings. "Have him wait in the lounge room I will be there shortly." "Very well, M'Lady," he said and slips back out. She sighs as she stood up and stepped over to a water basin. Upon seeing herself in the mirror she blinked and wondered the hour. Just how long has she been in this office she ponders. After freshing herself up she steps out of the office and heads to the lounge room.
Debauched Caper: Eying across the deck with the wanderings of...well, the woman and the higher-up's of the ship's crew, he merely let it pass, turning his eyes to the matter-at-hand...being, how to 'bake' the pipe. Maybe he could check in the galley with the cook, since...well, he wasn't dumb enough to start coals on the deck. But, shaking it off, he merely tucked the pipe away in that borrowed vest of rough rence-cloth, and handed the knife back to the man on watch with nary a word in edgewise; no need to bother the man too badly. Still, it left him with nothing to do again, but twist around, and settle there in that fold-legged seating, staring ahead of them grimly. The net thing, still bothered him; it certainly wasn't just a local tribe, since those of the river usually used low nets to catch the canoes. And the shipping-trade along the river was fairly docile, so it wasn't likely to be a coincidental happenstance. The drums at the end of it all more-or-less affirmed the notion, but he didn't pin his hopes too highly on that, really. He didn't know the drum-tongue, so to speak. Still...he could see quite a few possibilities to dread in the ensuing time. Which didn't sit well with him, not one bit. So while the rest watched, he merely glazed over in that meager plotting of contingencies...of course, he would likely scrap any plans and run on the fly when anything occured, but it kept him sedate, and his mind off one glaringly hard fact he didn't exactly enjoy lingering on...That would come, when he decided to sit with the woman again. And damned if he'd do such around the men.
Beast of Nyoka: | At Kinshasa Village | The Beast had extracted a grueling pace from his men, demanding that they play catch up to the Merchant's expedition. The lead between the two parties had been slivered down to about half a day and that margin of time and distance had satisfied Krakatoa. No longer did he push the crew at the maximum overdrive level. If he had wanted to over take the Folly, he could have. He was confident of it. It just would be a waste of time to do so. Speaking of plans in motion, the man turned to glance over his shoulder, looking down the deck to spy Akira. A brusque nod to the man before Krakatoa palmed the bulward and launched himself over the side of the barge. The smack of a body hitting Nyokan water was all the signal that was needed to spur the other man into action. The Right Hand had been stroking fingers along the honed edge of his scimitar, testing the tiny pock marks in the metal. That's what happened when steel came at odds with bone and gristle. Sometimes the flesh took souvenirs of the metal. That and blood would eat a rust scar in a sword quicker than you can imagine. Not bothering to re-sheathe the wickedly curved blade into the back harness, Akira jogged to the fore of the deck and with a hand to the railing, he propelled himself right on over. Like a jungle cat, he landed on his feet, holding the sword protectively above his head. He landed in hip deep water. The Kilimanjaro was in mooring to the side of the river, nestled up tight into a murky bend. He glanced up to the heavy ropes that were lassoed about the waists of a duo of palm trees and then were tied off on the stubby bow sprit of the barge. It was just easier to hack away a few ropes if the need to leave quickly suddenly arose. Krakatoa was waiting on him and both men, stripped to the waist waded for the shoreline. Wha-Wha-Wha. The sound of a berimbau reverberated through the air, coming from the canopy shelf above them. This instrument was nothing more than a bow strung with a metal wire and affixed with a gourd resonator. A slap of stick against the wire created different levels of pitch. Looks like the welcoming party was out in force. The Beast lifted up his head, grunted, and stepped into the jungle. Akira followed down that cramped pathway, only pausing to slam home the scimitar into his underarm sheath.
Amanita Vernia: THE CABIN MEETING // If Amanita had actually come to her senses they would be heading back to Schendi and passing the journal off to Krakatoa on the way... but the woman didn't have sense enough to turn back even if she wasn't the boat's captain. She was in good company as well for none of them had sense enough to go home without at least attempting to pass through the court of Bila Hurma. Most of Schendi knew his name, even heard stories of this man, known to be fair, but not for any kindness. Amanita glanced to Arculeius once before she looked back at the Captain. "Arculeius has come to trust you, and I him, but I have made the mistake of speaking about this journal to the wrong person once. I did not want to make that again." She took a few steps, then knelt at the far end of the low table, a motion of her hand indicated for the men to sit as well. "This journal was found, by chance.. in my father's library. I am not sure how it arrived there, but even the scribe that helped translate portions of it believed it was authentic. This is why we have chosen this route." She pointed then to a section of the map, traveld along the Ua River to a place where the words Eye of Nyoka were written.
HOUSE ABLA // Thaddaus waited in the lounge as he was told and got his story together. He had paid a good amount to not only get the name of the house, but also learn a few current events. The fact that the previous head slaver had died and his daughter was now taking over the family business, was an ace in his hand. He was a youthful man, his hair scrappy flopped over his eyes and clothing pegged him as a poor man, perhaps a peasant. Thought that smile, one that welcomed Gwnn when she entered the room, told of a better upbringing. "Tal Lady... my, you have your father's eyes. My condolences."
Brinlar Sevarii: Brinlar moves to the opposite end of the low table and hunkers down, resting his ass on his heels, forearms resting on bent kneecaps, sharp eyes moving from the journal that she reveals to the map, nodding slowly. Maps he can read, wether land or sea, and he has little trouble noting thier present location in reference to they're destination. He sees they will have to travel the length od lake Ushindi, and he lifts his gaze to Amanita and questions "This Ubar of the jungles..is he in league with the sleen Krakatoa, or can he be coerced into allowing us passage?"
Thurnock Scormus: ::Thurnock moved closer behind them and looked down at the maps reading was out of the question outside of numbers, he more or less stayed out of the way as they looked the maps over and spoke about it - Mateo bent at the waist was looking over Brinlars shoulder following the legth of the river and followed it with his eyes to where they would ned up, as the question was asked he looked up to Amanita before looking back, then something caught his eye, his hand came over Brinlars shoulder to point at a spot where the river appeared to branch off, yet only led to a cove big enough maybe for them to pull into, the trees branches thusfar on the river might be low enough there to to shelter the galley and give them enough time to let Krakatoa pass and then the rear advantage would be theirs, his words low as he spoke:: Cap'n.. right here, dis might be's buyin us some time an advantages ::he tapped the spot with his finger::
Gwnn Aurora: Out upon the harbor several river galley's where being checked out and made ready for a voyage down the Nyoka River, all ready the cargo of merchandise and slaves were processed and ready to load, which will be done tomorrow early in the morning. Meanwhile back at House Abla, Gwnn slowly made her way down the hallways to the lounge room where the guest awaited. Memories of her father still fresh on her mind, however, outside the door she gathers up her composure and smoothes out the yellow and blue robes absentmindedly. Only two veils are worn as she is within the halls of her House, those startling sapphire like eyes that earned her the name, Jewel of Schendi, they settle on the rather handesome man as she steps inside. A delicate brow is lifted at his compliment. "Tal, Sir. My apologizes for the delay and thank you. Please have a seat?" She'd gesture a toward the chairs near a fireplace, the lounge room is quite spacious and decorated with varies tapestires and furniture from around Gor. "I am Lady Gwnn Aurora - the Head of House Abla. What can I do for you?" Elsewhere, Tiberus is out working on getting that information she seeks. He'd go naturally to the Ubar of Beggers and various contacts her House and the League has.
Beast of Nyoka:| At Kinshasa Village | The Jungles were only cramped for the first few yards into the treesy growth. After that, the heavy toll of having so many trees in one spot started to show. The trees leeched out all the nutrients from the soil so there was little undergrowth beneath the blanketing canopy. More was missing than impeding shubbery. It seemed like all the air had been vacuumed out as well because the sweltering damp heat pressed in hard on the two men making it hard to breathe. Nothing to see here. Just slowly roasting in their own juices. Sweat lacquered their dark hides almost immediately. The metallic wwahhh that filtered from the trees receded and then was finally snuffed out for good. Silence reigned supreme except for the scuff of their sandles against the muddy mulch of the jungle floor. Silence wasn't typical in the jungles. There was always some bird trying out it's singing voice or some animal squalling out as it marked it's territory, but animals were smarter than their human counterparts when it came to using their instinct and instinct said that something not right was in this neck of the woods. Krakatoa continued on, completely at ease. Akira was, as always, expressionless. A copse of mammoth trees hid the first bundle of thatched huts but coming around, the Beast soon was walking through the center square of Kinshasha. Akira hung back, scanning the evacuated huts as well as the treeline.No one seemed to be home. No warming fires and not a soul in sight. Krakatoa merely waited, slowly rolling his jaw and looking around boredly. A low rumble burbled from the final hut and the Beast lifted his hand, ordering Akira to hang back. He headed to that hut, dipping beneath the scraggler grasses that flopped over the opening and straightening, he watched the deep shadows of the shanty congeal into the form of the great thing that awaited him here. It was one of the Others and it slowly pulled up from it's resting position on it's knuckles. Rising above Krakatoa, the kur seemed to realize that the space would not accomodate it's eight foot anatomy and slowly it skulked back down. "Kahhkk-ahhkk-oahh." It was an abomination of his name but the Others could do no better without a translator and the Beast nodded slightly. "Greetings Mbwiri" It's what he called the thing. (loose translation; Demon.)