Post by ThurnockScormus on Aug 21, 2005 19:51:11 GMT -5
Beast of Nyoka: || The Battle at the Folly || The Kilimanjaro had drastically changed course at the last in. It took time to come about, it was not instantaneous, yet bearing so hard to port that she dared gravity to capsize her, eventually she did. There wasn't time for the oil field to spread out across the water and cut off any chance of getaway for Krakatoa. There was still room and as the ship arced out into the lake she veered away from the blaze that boiled up from the water's surface like some unholy hellish phenomenon. Not that she came away unscathed. She still barreled through the upper corner of the flame slick, charring up that side of the ship's rigging and alighting both jib sails. Crew men scrambled like ants, stomping out the fires that dotted the deck like a disease as howls came from below that the bulwark had been breached and the fissures were spraying water into the hold. Hearing the frantic calls from his position at forecastle,the Beast snarled, one of the few times it would seen that he lost control. Like the other men that surrounded him, pulling fire detail, his body was coated in sand that he pouring over the blazing tar, snuffing out the pitch as the oxygen was smothered away from it. That was one of the few ways that greek fire was extinguished. Water wouldn't touch it; it would just keep burning. He barked out orders. "GET THEIR ASSES OUT OF THERE SEAL that section of the hold. One benefit of the fire wall was that the Folly wouldn't be following them. Good thing, this baby was going to be grounded on a beach not long from now. As the ship yanked away from the flames, the chains that ran from the 7 or 8 javelins that had punched into the Folly's hold now pulled up short. If it was going to be a tug of war choice between ripping out the bulkhead of the Kilamanjaro or shredding parts of the Folley's hull, the Folly was going to come out of it on the bad end of that scale. Plus, the Beast's ship was in motion; the other moored in harbor. The springal's spears came out, ripping out of the tender underbelly of that ship like fish fishhooks would do to skin. Wood particles blew up along the water as the spears tumbled into the water, soon drug beneath the surface. ....
|| On the Beach || The men of the Beast that high tailed it along after the expedition expected some opposition from the ship. It came with a rain fall of arrows. Ducking for the safety of the trees, a few didn't make it as they were ventilated compliments of Renn. Akira glanced over his shoulder, dark eyes narrowing on the man. He would personally gut him. He promised himself that. Hurrying up the pathway and into the thick jungles, it would not be until they stormed into Ullali. They were the mop up crew for the kur.
|| At the village. || Mwbiri felt it's blood pouring out of it's body with the hacking slash of the whip cutting a path of pain through it's snout. Hunks of it's nostrils lurched free from it's muzzle and were hurled through the air, leaving an open hole in it's head where it's nose once was. It roared, the sound thunderous as it's talons flew instinctively against that crater which is when it's powerful hind quarters were chopped at. Tendons were reaved, so no support for such a massive frame to stand up, it came crashing down, slashing and clawing with it's good paw, the entire way. It snagged something. Not skin, but Brinlar's weapon's belt. Quick as a blink, he was drug down into the mud with the thing as it tried to pummel his head into mush. Like apes do to men, those massive arms held skull-splitting power with a swipe. The final kur watched as it's leader, the Eye fell to the swords of men. It's talons still glistening with the blood of Arcruleius, it turned and leapt into the trees. Claws notching into the soft wood, it almost loped up the mammoth boughs, then they could see it's body against the canopy as it flung itself to the next tree. Then to the next. Blood might drip and splatter, but unless they charged after it and planned on a long hunt; the Kur would live to see another day.
Amanita Vernia: THE FOLLY // It was nerve racking being below deck when so much was happening above, but there the merchant remained. Hidden away like the treasure of Nyoka, whatever it was, and at the same time paranoid that one of her own group might be plotting to toss her over to the beast just to safe their own skin. Would Venor, her own blood, be willing? After what she had done, it would be hard not to believe him justified in doing so. What had she gotten all these men into afterall? An adventure, but also a death trap. Even with what had seemed like the perfect defense plan, Krakatoa and his henchmen had quickly thought of a way to combat it. Sand! Damn the sand. Those of Silenti worked under the direction of Renn and Venor to keep the fire burning on the barge, some taking aim at those in canoes as they made it to shore to head off those in the village. ULLALI // The Kurii had now tasted blood, Arculieus was one of many wounded, deep gashes in his abdomen had made defending himself difficult, but those fighting beside him kept him from feeling any deeper wounds. Mateo was had not been as lucky. His encounter with the Kur had left him breathing, but not in good shape. When the last of the kur, feeling his odds of living weaken, took flight, it would be left to those of the village to track the wounded creature. Arculeius shouted orders to his own men, those of the Folly's crew as well, to grab what supplies had been brought in those short ehns before the attack, and head towards the ship. Just as the men started to head towards the river Arculeius turned back. Slipping inside the hut of the Mfalme he grabbed the woman from inside who he had given his word to deliver to Schendi. It would be a longer trip than she expected, but he would keep his word. She wasn't tossed over his shoulder, but used as a crutch as he caught up with the fleeing men.
Thurnock Scormus: Noting that the Kur had fled he hollared to two of the men from the Folly to take Mateo, as bad off as he was back to the ship, the huge carpenter had had his fill of this place and wanted out badly, not knowing the fate of their ship he walked to Brinlar helping him up... watching Arculieus head for Mflmae's hut he was none to pleased with the delay, he motioned for the men to gather what suppplies had been brought out and get a move on back to the ship before the beast could change it's mind and turn around to attack again.. even wounded as badly as it was he was concerned it might return. He was a man of intuition and instincts as most who rode on pirate ships were he didn't like the smell that wafted through the air to his flared nostrils, usually calm and quiet the Gental giant growled loudly and yelled for them to hurry.. something still wasn't right all of them spackled with blood, some drenched and soacked with the stench of the kurri paid little mind to anything but getting back. Dark set gray eyes said it all, his captain injured, the Second mate might as well be dead, it was doubtful with the head trauma he would live until they could get back to the Folly the giant looked at him hard, his eyes flashing.. ya just didn't want that big guy mad atcha and it was mad he was he new even in that anger that a cool head had to be kept, ready for anything, ready to die if need be his gaze met Brins hard as he looked to him catching that sideways glance has his own orders were barked, Thurock could see his shoulder had been ripped almost to the bone and no damn healer around, he knew too that Sheera would have their asses if anything really bad happened to Brinlar, she was a beautiful woman, that was for sure, but piss her off and even he moved back
InsidiousCorsair: -A wicked little smile would rip over his slender teirs as he noticed the barge pulling away still flaming.. until of course he felt the folly rock as its under belly seemed to be gutted in one fell swoop... oh yes.. Highly pleased... Not. He'd note the screams of men hit with that rain of arrows he'd ordered sent into them as they scattered for the all to natural cover of the jungles that seemed to wish to claim everyones lives on this journey and merely cursed rather unkindly under his breath as he turned looking over the folly... it wasnt in to bad of shape from the top side view... Though even as he assessed a bit of the damage in thought he would call to Venor and the men on the catapults.-Cease Fire! Save yer Ammo! We'll get'em next time!..-Yes he was more then sure there would be a next time. That said he merely took a moment to take things in as he continued to hiss in mind wondering where in the kings name Thurnock was when he was truly needed. This though hadnt been the first time he had to make quick repairs as quickly as possible... He'd look to the men with their bows with a simple order as he moved to head for below deck.-Grab some wood and nails... this hulk is gunna need em... quickly... lets patch'er up as best we can...-Yes he would deal with that he could as best he could in mean time... the battle was basically over as quickly as it had began. He'd get below deck easily enough moving for the damages area where he would trudged through the knee deep water tossing his bow aside to move for the torn and shattered area to do as he had ordered the few men there to do... help patch the hull.. key word patch.. he'd start as low as possible as he spoke.-Two of ya grab buckets and start emptying water as quickly as possible.. two of ya help me with patching... Harta before we don't have anything to patch!...-well at least hammering would settle his nerves a bit if nothing else while waiting for the rest to get back. Yes he definitely would of rathered leaving this to the carpenter, Thurnock... but there wouldn't be a folly left to fix if he did he suspected so he'd continue at his task at hand.-
Debauched Caper: Taking a lean of the palms to the siderail, he simply leant over to peer down the bellow of the boat, sighing to himself as, far beneath their feet, several holes could be seen, roughly this side the size of a torso...Not impossible to repair, certainly, but for the time-being is wasn't looking to be a good thing either. Seeing as already most of the land-able had gone on the tails of the Krakatoans, that merely left...a surprisingly small group to dole out repairs. So...Biting over the inside of his lip, Ven' thought, as he was wont to do most-times...and glanced off to the treeline with a squint, before he stepped to one've the bulwarks, pulling open the hatch to yell down. "Renn! I think you and your men down there might find it wise to move anything from the port side over onto the starboard, quick as y'can. I'll be sending a few men with ropes to tie the mast off and start pulling. With luck, we'll roll the ship enough to stop the water." Giving it a guess, he shrugged. "I'd say you got ten, fifteen ehn'." And he clapped the hatch shut; not for a clean deck, mind; simply a way to negate negotiations on the matter while, stepping to the coils of rope, he whistled down one've those monkey-ish rig-walkers, tossing him an end before dragging one've the catapaulteers over. "Run the line, tie it off on the top; avoid the rigging-lines." Thus, moving down the line to take up a cutless from a barrel, and belting it soon-after, a nocked bow taken up, he went over with a few to wait the rope...Note, should and would in his book was a very interchangable word. And if nothing-else, they could play shore-guard...
TaSheera: ..::: "I need you to stay and watch the woman Sheera, free Renn up to head the crew" how those words haunted her, the look in his eyes - the tone in his voice is what stayed the arguement that wanted to swan dive off her tongue. He made the job sound important enough of course, but she was entirely certain this wasn't just his way of keeping her safe and she supposed she should be greatful for that but there was that residual note of resentment that had been her nature of things for some time now. So there he went, to face Kings knows what and here she was to remain, with the "not knowing' it was always the not knowing that was the worst part and she found herself outside the womans cabin, more often then not, pacing the small scope of temwood like a caged larl and frustration was festering. The occasional cool sideglance given the door that had not so much rattled open, and her tucked away within like some precious gem. It was the raining thunder of thuds that shattered her thoughts and drew her attention, the ship shook in the wake of them and in the next instant the burst of men below and Renn bellowing orders, her first instinct of course was to lend a hand, but ....you never leave your post....words offered her many years ago stayed with her and so she remained feeling both trapped and useless. She stayed out of the men's way while they worked::..
|| The Kilimanjaro || Taking on water, even sealing the compartment would keep it confined, was still not good. It shifted the weight metrics of the boat; totally screwed up the stabilizing ballast. The Beast had maybe a couple of ahns time before the tiller there at the back of the boat was for show and turning was no longer possible or even dangerous. The crew were still putting out fires, especially the ones that were smoldering along the lower levels of the forward hull. Places where tossing sand wouldn't work worth a crap. At Krakatoa's order, some of the ship's velocity was sacrificed as men were lowered by ropes and sliding their loin cloths aside they urinated on those stubborn flames. Another sea man's trick which Akira had shared with the Beast over some paga one night. Just looking at his ship, filled the man with a quiet rage. Blackened along one side of her like a brisket and taking on water, tension knotted the muscles along his jaw. It wasn't over, but right then, he didn't have a ship he could ram into the Expedition and take what was really his. He had time; they weren't going anywhere anytime soon. It was conceivable that several of their crew died with the double whammy Kurii/Akira attack and he knew the leakage in the Folly might sink her where she docked. New rigging was being threaded through the eye holes of the masts and jimmy's but it was taking time to get the sails back up. Still, the curved to the North, letting the open waters of Lake Ushindi take them away from the Folly and Ullali.
|| The Village of Ullali || Akira's arm slowly lifted, his hand forming into a fist. The group of men had slowed down now that they neared the village outskirts, wanting to see how well the Kur fared. It looked like a blood bath, bodies of men and two of the Beasts seeping red pools into the ground. Several limbs and heads were left where they had fallen. Village women were running around, lamenting loudly over their fallen men. One even flung her body atop his headless body, speaking hysterically in Ushindi. Akira's index fingers crossed like swords then flicked out and soundlessly the party split in two. One posse working masterfully through the treeline one way and the other went opposite. Silently, steel was draw free and kept low to the ground so no metallic gleam would alert the men down in the village, gathering up supplies in a rush, obviously ready and willing to take their leave. The group fanned out, each men could see the one to his right and left, so a signal was passed down the ambush's chain. He was waiting for something and it didn't drag it's heels in getting there. A woman in jungle panther skins suddenly crawled from the bushes, mud all over her face and more of it in her hair along with leaves. On her haunches, she balanced, glancing down the line of men in some primitive fashion, she cupped her hands about her mouth and signaled the rest of her pack with the soft strains of the mindar bird. Their lead huntress was down in the village, trying to save the life of Mateo. And then knowing that the rest of the circle around the village was alerted and also notching their bows with arrows, Akira's group did the same. He lifted up, bow at the ready, dimly seeing within his peripheral a dozen men do the same. Still several paces back into the trees, he could not see the panther women fire upon the village, but after he loosed his shot that was aimed at the black man that was paired with the Merchant, so he had been told, he saw arrows come from the trees across the village. Good enough. He knew that that jungle bitch was down there and he cared not. Akira never liked her anyway. Kill two birds with one stone was his motto.
BELOW DECK // The action had shifted once the womb had been split open, it was not just loud sounds from above, but now coupled with the men working to mend the ship. Amanita could look to TaSheera and know exactly how she felt. Not only useless, but helpless. It was not something she would admit to, but looking into those charcoal eyes one could see the fear. She had survived against the odds before, but it wasn't just the selfish want to live that brought that painful ache, it was knowing that others would die. Not might, they would. The pain in her chest told her that Krakatoa's hand had struck more than just their ship. "I can't stand this.." Her hand was already at the door pulling it open. The water that was creeping under the door hadn't been noticed, but once it came open an ankle high wave rushed in. For someone who'd never been on a ship before it might of seemed like nothing, but even the merchant knew it was not a good sign. They could hear the men shouting back and forth, as a line was formed to try and get rid of the intake. Others worked to patch the openings and unless the woman of Brinlar, who'd been left to keep her eye on the merchant, perhaps make sure that she didn't do anything foolish, Amanita would join the line to try and at least do something of use. FLEEING THE VILLAGE OF ULLALI // Arculeius had his arm braced over the woman's shoulder, that alone would keep any of the panthers from firing on him, but at the same time it didn't stop the arrow from whizzing past him just shy of his cheek. It wasn't the kurii back for more, but a new offense coming to finish the job. Even wounded, Arculeius would let out a war cry, one not of the jungles, but of Schendi, his home. Those of Silenti knew the sound and though there were less than a dozon of them left and able to fight, they would work as a close knit unit to pick out their newest enemies. The relief heading into the jungle after the men of Krakatoa had a hot trail to follow, but they too would have to slow at the rim of the village to try and pick out their enemy in the underbrush.
Brinlar Sevarii: Brinlar curses are muffled as his face is pushed into the mud, dropping his gladius he fumbles with his left hand for one of his daggers..pulling it from it's sheath savagely. Twisting his body in the mud, luckily it aids in his ability to manuveor, the dagger is thrust up into the exposed throat of the flailing Kur, penetrating fur and flesh, severing the pulsing jugular of the massive beast, only the hilt of the weapon stopping it's impalement. Gratefully, as his lungs now sear with lack of oxygen those of Silenti use spears to roll the dying Kur off the bloodied muddy pirate captain, who rises to his feet, silver-gray pupils flashing. The whistle of an arrow past his head alerts him to the newest threat, and he bellows as he drops behind the carcass of the now dead Kur, fumbling to remove his gladius from the mud, useless as it may be at the moment "Enemies! Find cover and return fire!" Villagers, already incensed over the attack of the beasts, follow the lead of those of Silenti, arrows notched, drawn and sent at those of the beast that rain thier own deadly quarrels into the village.
He spun looking about as the arrows flew yet at the same time making himself as small a target as he could he pulled the bow over his shoulder and knotching an aroow took careful aim as he semi crab crawled behind a large tree most would be thinking to aim low or at eye level, but what he spotted up in the branches moving between trees is what brought the arrow up just past the top of it knwing he would have to compensate for the distance he pulled the bolt back, it looked easy for him as the muscle in his bicep flexed, his two fingers pulling back let go, the aim true he saw something tumble out of the tree ::damn I hope that wasn't a jit ::he muttered as he in one quick fluid motion knotched another bolt, a quick glace to see where they had hidden Mateo, and then to check on the captains position he let his gaze go to find another target, the bow brought up just a hort higher and to the left about 4 horts he took aim on another target the string pulled taught his fingers gripping it and then a flick letting it go again.. this one flew a bit higher.. but did it hit its mark?
|| On the Beach || The men of the Beast that high tailed it along after the expedition expected some opposition from the ship. It came with a rain fall of arrows. Ducking for the safety of the trees, a few didn't make it as they were ventilated compliments of Renn. Akira glanced over his shoulder, dark eyes narrowing on the man. He would personally gut him. He promised himself that. Hurrying up the pathway and into the thick jungles, it would not be until they stormed into Ullali. They were the mop up crew for the kur.
|| At the village. || Mwbiri felt it's blood pouring out of it's body with the hacking slash of the whip cutting a path of pain through it's snout. Hunks of it's nostrils lurched free from it's muzzle and were hurled through the air, leaving an open hole in it's head where it's nose once was. It roared, the sound thunderous as it's talons flew instinctively against that crater which is when it's powerful hind quarters were chopped at. Tendons were reaved, so no support for such a massive frame to stand up, it came crashing down, slashing and clawing with it's good paw, the entire way. It snagged something. Not skin, but Brinlar's weapon's belt. Quick as a blink, he was drug down into the mud with the thing as it tried to pummel his head into mush. Like apes do to men, those massive arms held skull-splitting power with a swipe. The final kur watched as it's leader, the Eye fell to the swords of men. It's talons still glistening with the blood of Arcruleius, it turned and leapt into the trees. Claws notching into the soft wood, it almost loped up the mammoth boughs, then they could see it's body against the canopy as it flung itself to the next tree. Then to the next. Blood might drip and splatter, but unless they charged after it and planned on a long hunt; the Kur would live to see another day.
Amanita Vernia: THE FOLLY // It was nerve racking being below deck when so much was happening above, but there the merchant remained. Hidden away like the treasure of Nyoka, whatever it was, and at the same time paranoid that one of her own group might be plotting to toss her over to the beast just to safe their own skin. Would Venor, her own blood, be willing? After what she had done, it would be hard not to believe him justified in doing so. What had she gotten all these men into afterall? An adventure, but also a death trap. Even with what had seemed like the perfect defense plan, Krakatoa and his henchmen had quickly thought of a way to combat it. Sand! Damn the sand. Those of Silenti worked under the direction of Renn and Venor to keep the fire burning on the barge, some taking aim at those in canoes as they made it to shore to head off those in the village. ULLALI // The Kurii had now tasted blood, Arculieus was one of many wounded, deep gashes in his abdomen had made defending himself difficult, but those fighting beside him kept him from feeling any deeper wounds. Mateo was had not been as lucky. His encounter with the Kur had left him breathing, but not in good shape. When the last of the kur, feeling his odds of living weaken, took flight, it would be left to those of the village to track the wounded creature. Arculeius shouted orders to his own men, those of the Folly's crew as well, to grab what supplies had been brought in those short ehns before the attack, and head towards the ship. Just as the men started to head towards the river Arculeius turned back. Slipping inside the hut of the Mfalme he grabbed the woman from inside who he had given his word to deliver to Schendi. It would be a longer trip than she expected, but he would keep his word. She wasn't tossed over his shoulder, but used as a crutch as he caught up with the fleeing men.
Thurnock Scormus: Noting that the Kur had fled he hollared to two of the men from the Folly to take Mateo, as bad off as he was back to the ship, the huge carpenter had had his fill of this place and wanted out badly, not knowing the fate of their ship he walked to Brinlar helping him up... watching Arculieus head for Mflmae's hut he was none to pleased with the delay, he motioned for the men to gather what suppplies had been brought out and get a move on back to the ship before the beast could change it's mind and turn around to attack again.. even wounded as badly as it was he was concerned it might return. He was a man of intuition and instincts as most who rode on pirate ships were he didn't like the smell that wafted through the air to his flared nostrils, usually calm and quiet the Gental giant growled loudly and yelled for them to hurry.. something still wasn't right all of them spackled with blood, some drenched and soacked with the stench of the kurri paid little mind to anything but getting back. Dark set gray eyes said it all, his captain injured, the Second mate might as well be dead, it was doubtful with the head trauma he would live until they could get back to the Folly the giant looked at him hard, his eyes flashing.. ya just didn't want that big guy mad atcha and it was mad he was he new even in that anger that a cool head had to be kept, ready for anything, ready to die if need be his gaze met Brins hard as he looked to him catching that sideways glance has his own orders were barked, Thurock could see his shoulder had been ripped almost to the bone and no damn healer around, he knew too that Sheera would have their asses if anything really bad happened to Brinlar, she was a beautiful woman, that was for sure, but piss her off and even he moved back
InsidiousCorsair: -A wicked little smile would rip over his slender teirs as he noticed the barge pulling away still flaming.. until of course he felt the folly rock as its under belly seemed to be gutted in one fell swoop... oh yes.. Highly pleased... Not. He'd note the screams of men hit with that rain of arrows he'd ordered sent into them as they scattered for the all to natural cover of the jungles that seemed to wish to claim everyones lives on this journey and merely cursed rather unkindly under his breath as he turned looking over the folly... it wasnt in to bad of shape from the top side view... Though even as he assessed a bit of the damage in thought he would call to Venor and the men on the catapults.-Cease Fire! Save yer Ammo! We'll get'em next time!..-Yes he was more then sure there would be a next time. That said he merely took a moment to take things in as he continued to hiss in mind wondering where in the kings name Thurnock was when he was truly needed. This though hadnt been the first time he had to make quick repairs as quickly as possible... He'd look to the men with their bows with a simple order as he moved to head for below deck.-Grab some wood and nails... this hulk is gunna need em... quickly... lets patch'er up as best we can...-Yes he would deal with that he could as best he could in mean time... the battle was basically over as quickly as it had began. He'd get below deck easily enough moving for the damages area where he would trudged through the knee deep water tossing his bow aside to move for the torn and shattered area to do as he had ordered the few men there to do... help patch the hull.. key word patch.. he'd start as low as possible as he spoke.-Two of ya grab buckets and start emptying water as quickly as possible.. two of ya help me with patching... Harta before we don't have anything to patch!...-well at least hammering would settle his nerves a bit if nothing else while waiting for the rest to get back. Yes he definitely would of rathered leaving this to the carpenter, Thurnock... but there wouldn't be a folly left to fix if he did he suspected so he'd continue at his task at hand.-
Debauched Caper: Taking a lean of the palms to the siderail, he simply leant over to peer down the bellow of the boat, sighing to himself as, far beneath their feet, several holes could be seen, roughly this side the size of a torso...Not impossible to repair, certainly, but for the time-being is wasn't looking to be a good thing either. Seeing as already most of the land-able had gone on the tails of the Krakatoans, that merely left...a surprisingly small group to dole out repairs. So...Biting over the inside of his lip, Ven' thought, as he was wont to do most-times...and glanced off to the treeline with a squint, before he stepped to one've the bulwarks, pulling open the hatch to yell down. "Renn! I think you and your men down there might find it wise to move anything from the port side over onto the starboard, quick as y'can. I'll be sending a few men with ropes to tie the mast off and start pulling. With luck, we'll roll the ship enough to stop the water." Giving it a guess, he shrugged. "I'd say you got ten, fifteen ehn'." And he clapped the hatch shut; not for a clean deck, mind; simply a way to negate negotiations on the matter while, stepping to the coils of rope, he whistled down one've those monkey-ish rig-walkers, tossing him an end before dragging one've the catapaulteers over. "Run the line, tie it off on the top; avoid the rigging-lines." Thus, moving down the line to take up a cutless from a barrel, and belting it soon-after, a nocked bow taken up, he went over with a few to wait the rope...Note, should and would in his book was a very interchangable word. And if nothing-else, they could play shore-guard...
TaSheera: ..::: "I need you to stay and watch the woman Sheera, free Renn up to head the crew" how those words haunted her, the look in his eyes - the tone in his voice is what stayed the arguement that wanted to swan dive off her tongue. He made the job sound important enough of course, but she was entirely certain this wasn't just his way of keeping her safe and she supposed she should be greatful for that but there was that residual note of resentment that had been her nature of things for some time now. So there he went, to face Kings knows what and here she was to remain, with the "not knowing' it was always the not knowing that was the worst part and she found herself outside the womans cabin, more often then not, pacing the small scope of temwood like a caged larl and frustration was festering. The occasional cool sideglance given the door that had not so much rattled open, and her tucked away within like some precious gem. It was the raining thunder of thuds that shattered her thoughts and drew her attention, the ship shook in the wake of them and in the next instant the burst of men below and Renn bellowing orders, her first instinct of course was to lend a hand, but ....you never leave your post....words offered her many years ago stayed with her and so she remained feeling both trapped and useless. She stayed out of the men's way while they worked::..
|| The Kilimanjaro || Taking on water, even sealing the compartment would keep it confined, was still not good. It shifted the weight metrics of the boat; totally screwed up the stabilizing ballast. The Beast had maybe a couple of ahns time before the tiller there at the back of the boat was for show and turning was no longer possible or even dangerous. The crew were still putting out fires, especially the ones that were smoldering along the lower levels of the forward hull. Places where tossing sand wouldn't work worth a crap. At Krakatoa's order, some of the ship's velocity was sacrificed as men were lowered by ropes and sliding their loin cloths aside they urinated on those stubborn flames. Another sea man's trick which Akira had shared with the Beast over some paga one night. Just looking at his ship, filled the man with a quiet rage. Blackened along one side of her like a brisket and taking on water, tension knotted the muscles along his jaw. It wasn't over, but right then, he didn't have a ship he could ram into the Expedition and take what was really his. He had time; they weren't going anywhere anytime soon. It was conceivable that several of their crew died with the double whammy Kurii/Akira attack and he knew the leakage in the Folly might sink her where she docked. New rigging was being threaded through the eye holes of the masts and jimmy's but it was taking time to get the sails back up. Still, the curved to the North, letting the open waters of Lake Ushindi take them away from the Folly and Ullali.
|| The Village of Ullali || Akira's arm slowly lifted, his hand forming into a fist. The group of men had slowed down now that they neared the village outskirts, wanting to see how well the Kur fared. It looked like a blood bath, bodies of men and two of the Beasts seeping red pools into the ground. Several limbs and heads were left where they had fallen. Village women were running around, lamenting loudly over their fallen men. One even flung her body atop his headless body, speaking hysterically in Ushindi. Akira's index fingers crossed like swords then flicked out and soundlessly the party split in two. One posse working masterfully through the treeline one way and the other went opposite. Silently, steel was draw free and kept low to the ground so no metallic gleam would alert the men down in the village, gathering up supplies in a rush, obviously ready and willing to take their leave. The group fanned out, each men could see the one to his right and left, so a signal was passed down the ambush's chain. He was waiting for something and it didn't drag it's heels in getting there. A woman in jungle panther skins suddenly crawled from the bushes, mud all over her face and more of it in her hair along with leaves. On her haunches, she balanced, glancing down the line of men in some primitive fashion, she cupped her hands about her mouth and signaled the rest of her pack with the soft strains of the mindar bird. Their lead huntress was down in the village, trying to save the life of Mateo. And then knowing that the rest of the circle around the village was alerted and also notching their bows with arrows, Akira's group did the same. He lifted up, bow at the ready, dimly seeing within his peripheral a dozen men do the same. Still several paces back into the trees, he could not see the panther women fire upon the village, but after he loosed his shot that was aimed at the black man that was paired with the Merchant, so he had been told, he saw arrows come from the trees across the village. Good enough. He knew that that jungle bitch was down there and he cared not. Akira never liked her anyway. Kill two birds with one stone was his motto.
BELOW DECK // The action had shifted once the womb had been split open, it was not just loud sounds from above, but now coupled with the men working to mend the ship. Amanita could look to TaSheera and know exactly how she felt. Not only useless, but helpless. It was not something she would admit to, but looking into those charcoal eyes one could see the fear. She had survived against the odds before, but it wasn't just the selfish want to live that brought that painful ache, it was knowing that others would die. Not might, they would. The pain in her chest told her that Krakatoa's hand had struck more than just their ship. "I can't stand this.." Her hand was already at the door pulling it open. The water that was creeping under the door hadn't been noticed, but once it came open an ankle high wave rushed in. For someone who'd never been on a ship before it might of seemed like nothing, but even the merchant knew it was not a good sign. They could hear the men shouting back and forth, as a line was formed to try and get rid of the intake. Others worked to patch the openings and unless the woman of Brinlar, who'd been left to keep her eye on the merchant, perhaps make sure that she didn't do anything foolish, Amanita would join the line to try and at least do something of use. FLEEING THE VILLAGE OF ULLALI // Arculeius had his arm braced over the woman's shoulder, that alone would keep any of the panthers from firing on him, but at the same time it didn't stop the arrow from whizzing past him just shy of his cheek. It wasn't the kurii back for more, but a new offense coming to finish the job. Even wounded, Arculeius would let out a war cry, one not of the jungles, but of Schendi, his home. Those of Silenti knew the sound and though there were less than a dozon of them left and able to fight, they would work as a close knit unit to pick out their newest enemies. The relief heading into the jungle after the men of Krakatoa had a hot trail to follow, but they too would have to slow at the rim of the village to try and pick out their enemy in the underbrush.
Brinlar Sevarii: Brinlar curses are muffled as his face is pushed into the mud, dropping his gladius he fumbles with his left hand for one of his daggers..pulling it from it's sheath savagely. Twisting his body in the mud, luckily it aids in his ability to manuveor, the dagger is thrust up into the exposed throat of the flailing Kur, penetrating fur and flesh, severing the pulsing jugular of the massive beast, only the hilt of the weapon stopping it's impalement. Gratefully, as his lungs now sear with lack of oxygen those of Silenti use spears to roll the dying Kur off the bloodied muddy pirate captain, who rises to his feet, silver-gray pupils flashing. The whistle of an arrow past his head alerts him to the newest threat, and he bellows as he drops behind the carcass of the now dead Kur, fumbling to remove his gladius from the mud, useless as it may be at the moment "Enemies! Find cover and return fire!" Villagers, already incensed over the attack of the beasts, follow the lead of those of Silenti, arrows notched, drawn and sent at those of the beast that rain thier own deadly quarrels into the village.
He spun looking about as the arrows flew yet at the same time making himself as small a target as he could he pulled the bow over his shoulder and knotching an aroow took careful aim as he semi crab crawled behind a large tree most would be thinking to aim low or at eye level, but what he spotted up in the branches moving between trees is what brought the arrow up just past the top of it knwing he would have to compensate for the distance he pulled the bolt back, it looked easy for him as the muscle in his bicep flexed, his two fingers pulling back let go, the aim true he saw something tumble out of the tree ::damn I hope that wasn't a jit ::he muttered as he in one quick fluid motion knotched another bolt, a quick glace to see where they had hidden Mateo, and then to check on the captains position he let his gaze go to find another target, the bow brought up just a hort higher and to the left about 4 horts he took aim on another target the string pulled taught his fingers gripping it and then a flick letting it go again.. this one flew a bit higher.. but did it hit its mark?