Subject: Travel on the High Seas 381 views

[Racer Xonclar]

Arriving at the docks early the next morning, the morning fog frames three ships that look to be having the last of their supplies taken onboard by dozens of men. The middle one you recognize as The Oyster, the trade ship you arranged transport on that conveniently has its name written on the back above the captain's quarters. The ships on either side of it are named The Coinpurse and The Silver Lining, each bearing different merchant house banners. They're smaller vessels, clearly not trade ships but do have the wide shape common of vessels made for goods transport.

As you walk closer, you see a group of three men, all well dressed and one wearing a feathered pirate-style hat. With a closer look, you recognize the one with the hat as Captain Grinal, captain of The Oyster. You saw him briefly when you were arranging transportation on his vessel. One of the men lets out a laugh, saying "Hopefully Umberlee will be kinder to us this time!" Grinal and the other man chuckle and all three of them nod and shake hand. The two unknown men split off and you can see them headed to the Coinpurse and Silver Lining.

Grinal starts to turn to head towards the Oyster but notices you walking in his direction. He pauses in his step and looks at you with a polite smile. "Is there something I can help you with, ma'am?"

[Weasel]

"Only help across the waters, Captian Grinal." she replies with a slight bow of her head.

She stands in front of the man waiting for his recognition. Her only baggage is a worn-looking brown leather haversack. Now wearing a rough hewn, beige shirt and thick black breeches she understands the mans delay. The white ribbon tied throughout her hair may spark his memory.

She flashes a patient grin.

[Racer Xonclar]

The man tilts his head to the side for a moment as you watch his eyes move over your features, then a small smile pops onto his face. "Ah...Lady Jade, I hardly recognized you without your usual attire," he says with a friendly smile. "Please, please...come with me. The other two guests that were riding on the Oyster have already arrived."

Leading you to the Oyster, he waits at the top of the gangplank, offering a gentlemanly hand to help you step onto the ship. He gestures towards the back of the ship, "The sleeping quarters for the crew and guests are that way, under my quarters." Turning a little and pointing towards the front of the ship, he says, "There's a small mess hall and kitchen at the front of the ship below deck and I heard we were lucky enough to get some fresh Cormanthirian boar meat to bring with us on this voyage." With a grin, "We'll be launching soon so I'd recommend staying near the front of the ship. It is a unique experience to feel a ship push into the water. Make one feel alive and free...well...at least me." He chuckles, "Suppose I'm showing my colors as a true sea lover. Either way, you're welcome to stay on deck or go to your quarters. We try to keep ourselves relaxed on the Oyster."

[Weasel]

Accepting the man's hand with a smile, she steps onto the deck and says, "Thank you." She nods as the captain explains where the quarters are and speaks of the planned meal. She smiles again at the captains exuberance.

"Thank you again, Captain. It all sounds wonderful. I will take your advice, and experience the cast from the bow. I'm sure you will be too busy to join me, but I hope we can share a meal during this voyage."

[Racer Xonclar]

"Yes, sadly the first mate still does not feel comfortable enough to launch a ship, but I assure you I will not be missing out on the boar," he says with a bit of a grin. Tipping his head to you respectfully, "Until then, I hope you enjoy your stay on the Oyster."

Turning around and walking towards the edge of the ship, he shouts off the side loudly, "Are the escorts ready to launch?!" You hear a faint reply back that yes, they indeed are. "Good!", he shouts again, "Tell them to get under way!" As he turns to walk up the stairs towards the helm, he points out and corrects a knot one of the men had just tied.

As you look towards the front of the ship, you see a young man looking out across the water. He's dressed in rather plain clothes, a simple tunic and pants, that are drab colors of grey and brown. His gloved hands rest on the rail of the ship. He seems familiar to you, but you cannot exactly place where.

Within a few moments, you hear the sound of men counting down. As you turn and look, the same dozens that had helped load the ship's hull, now stand behind the Coinpurse. As they count to zero, the men swing in unison, cutting multitudes of large ropes attached to the Coinpurse's hull. Shortly, loud creaks echo through the light fog as the Coinpurse slowly slides down the large, greased rails she sits on. Water lightly sprays away from bow as she breaks the water and you hear a couple of cheers from the men on the Coinpurse's deck. The ship gains a safe distance from the dock and slows, the counting of men being heard again as you turn to see them standing behind the Silver Lining.

[Weasel]

Jade watches with interest as the men work to get the ships off. She walks the last few feet to the front, and also lays her hands upon the railing. She stands only few feet from the other man, but pays him no mind.

Watching the Silver Lining cast off in the same manner as the first, she waits for the Oyster's turn. Her stomach turns in excitement as her journey begins anew. The feeling of the launch is just as the captain promised, but it is now overshadowed by the possibilities before her.

She allows a slight chuckle to escape her lips.

[Racer Xonclar]

The young man glances over at you and you hear a scoffing sound before he looks away, his reaction obvious that he recognizes you even if you do not recognize him.

The count of zero ushers in the snapping of ropes and the loud creaking of wood all around you, the pops and vibrations moving through the floor. You feel the momentum slowly build as the ship moves down the rails. As the front half of the ship clears the rails, the emotional experience gains a truly unique physical aspect. The weight of the ship begins to shift forward and, for a moment too short, you feel completely weightless. The solid impact of the heavier vessel sends up a spray of water in front of you, the mist lightly touching your face. Subtle vibrations rippling through the floorboards as the water begins to be pushed from the ship's path.

The ship's crew let out a hearty cheer, louder and more wide spread than the other ships' crew. The captain's hearty laughter is easily picked out as he makes several quick adjustments to the helm as the back of the ship touches water. The Coinpurse and the Silver Lining begin to move with the Oyster, one on each side as obvious escort. The sun barely peaks above the water's horizon, a vibrant show of reds and pinks lighting up the sky as the fog slowly begins to burn away.

The young man seemed a little uneasy during the launch but has now relaxed, enjoying the sunrise before him with a very muted smile. The gentle sound of boots on wood accompanied by a soft chuckle come from behind you. As you glance back, Captain Grinal walks up carrying two glasses of grog that has a sweet cinnamon smell to it. "Can I offer either of you a drink?," he says with a soft smile. "Hopefully the two of you enjoyed the experience."

[Weasel]

"Very much." she says as she takes the drink from the captain. She smells deeply of the contents and compliments the aroma before taking a sip.

"Mmm. That is nice."

From the corner of her eye she sees the young man move, and turns slightly to acknowledge him for the first time. She keeps her eyes on the man as she nods a silent greeting.

[Racer Xonclar]

"I think I'll take you up on that offer, Captain," the man says as he reaches and takes the other glass of grog. After a brief whiff of the glass, he continues, "It...was an experience certainly, though I believe I will keep my feet to solid ground."

With a soft chuckle, Grinal responds, "Well, at least the lady enjoyed it. Who knows...maybe enough to take to the seas herself." As he smirks a little, you hear the first mate shout Grinal's name behind him. With a slight sigh, "You'll have to forgive a sudden depature." Tipping his head to you both, he turns and walks back down the length of the ship, shouting back at the first mate.

The young man looks over at you and speaks plainly, "I'm guessing the mighty Jade is headed to the Cormyrian tournament. Heh...I should have known better than to think I could get there without you following me."

The more he speaks, the more it feels like he's someone you've known in the underground fight circle, though he couldn't have been very popular or skilled as you still cannot remember his name.

[Weasel]

Jade simply smiles at the captain's remark and quick departure. Turning towards the man standing near, her eyes narrow at the mention of her name. She studies him shortly and then raises a brow at the words 'following me'.

"The path I follow is my own."

She stands firmly in place in front of the man. The sway of the ship not affecting her in the least.

"Do I know you?"

[Racer Xonclar]

The man scoffs lightly, "Heh, if you have to ask that, the answer would be 'no', though you seem to be everywhere I am." Turning around, he speaks as he looks over the waters, "I was in the fourth round of that last competition you won. Might have won too if it wasn't for that cheating bitch that kicked me between the legs, but thanks to her, I was eliminated early. The competition before that, I was in the third round, eliminated thanks to salt in the eyes."

His lips form a slight snarl at the memory, then takes a drink of his grog. "I had hoped going to this competition, I'd get away from all the cheating bastards and the running champion." He turns to somewhat glare at you at his last. "Yet, here you are, on the same ship even."

[Weasel]

"Hmm. Sorry to disappoint." she says with a smile.

She takes a step to stand next to the man and joins him in staring across the waters. She lets the cup rest on the rail but keeps a hand on it. After a moment of silence she continues.

"We play a game wrought with danger, and often without rule. Expect no less."

She pauses for a drink. A gull catches her eye and she watches it fly over the ship. She turns as she watches it, and rests against back against the rail. She turns her attention back to the man standing only a few feet away.

"But you are correct. The upcoming tournament should be better regulated." she says taking yet another drink, "Though I can not promise you will not face me."

[Racer Xonclar]

"Heh," the man sounds as he takes a drink of his grog, "As long as I am fairly beaten...it will be an improvement. Who knows...maybe I can do well enough to get hired as a bodyguard of some sort." He stares over the water for a few moments. "I believe I will rest for a while. I'm not used to such an early start to my day." He turns and looks at you, and after a moment, hesitantly gives you a polite tip of the head before he walks off to his quarters.

All is smooth sailing for the morning. Your quarters are simple and somewhat compact, but have everything one would need for a trip at sea. A decently comfortable bed large enough to hold two people, a small chest, and a set of drawers with a mirror on top. A spare set of sheets and pillows sits on the bed, but other than that, the room is mostly bare of decorations or formalities. Two keys hang from the back of the doorknob; a larger one that obviously fits the door itself, and a smaller one that probably fits the chest.

From what you can tell, there are only three "guest" quarters aboard the ship. Two next to each other and yours, set apart from the others. The quarters are packed in and around the regular storage holds, while the crew's quarters are further down the ship.

[Weasel]

Jade returns the nod, but says nothing as the man departs. She turns back to lean on the rail again and watches the horizon for long moments. After she tires of the sun beating on her face, she walks off to find her quarters.

She enters the room, and takes the keys from their place. She places both in her pocket. She sits cross-legged on the bed, spending a few minutes on a breathing exercise before she lays her head back on the pillow. She keeps her haversack cradled under her arm, and tries to fall asleep.

.oO(Should have eaten breakfast. Wonder if that man will be present at meal times, claiming I've followed him there too. Did I even get his name? Hmm. Must remember that next time.)

She drifts off into a light nap.

[Racer Xonclar]

You're woken from your nap by the ringing of a medium sized bell. The sound of feet heading underdeck and to the mess rumble through the ship. "Ya'll bettah get in here and eat this boar while it's hot!", you faintly hear shouted from the other end of the ship.

In a moment, you hear someone knocking on a door but not your own. You recognize Captain Grinal's voice, sounding like he's addressing one of the other guests in their quarters. Another knock and another guest spoken too. His knock greets your door next; a light, polite knock of the door.