Subject: Travel on the High Seas 382 views

[Racer Xonclar]

All sounds clear and after eyes are closed and dreams around found, it does not feel like long before you are woken by the sounds a large bell being rung vigorously.

As you look around the room, the small sealed porthole shows that the sun has already risen above the horizon but not by much. The shuffling of feet is heard as the mess hall fills with groggy-eyed men. You can make out the sound of Captain Grinal speaking with someone amongst the noise.

[Weasel]

Slowly sitting up, she ponders the possibility of some evil sea witch being responsible for the suns premature ascension. The thought lingers until she hears the captains voice.

.oO(No witch... Captains' fault... friendly bastard..)

Laying back down, she attempts to drift back asleep. At least for a few hours until dawns usual time.

[Racer Xonclar]

The light of the porthole slowly makes it way across your room as the morning progresses on. As groggy eyes glance out the porthole, it looks to be about an hour before midday.

The sounds of the ship have quieted after your first awakening and things seems to be the same as was your first day on deck. The faint shout of one of the crewmembers can be heard from on deck, along with the subtle rumble of water against the hull.

[Weasel]

"Aaah. Much better." she comments to herself as she sits up. A final yawn escapes her lips as she gets to her feet and starts to disrobe.

After getting down to her undergarments she begins a routine of stretches, and then goes to the floor to start her more vigorous training. Her morning exercises are fast paced and quickly over, but they leave her muscles burning and feeling strong.

After a final stretch she reaches for her haversack, and opens the flap. A fresh pair of undergarments sit atop an unworn outfit, and she removes both. Now wearing a black-sleeveless shirt over a pair of dark brown short-pants, she places her worn garments back into the sack. She takes out a comb runs it through her hair. When she has done this many times, she ties it all back with her long white ribbon. She opens the flap again to replace the comb, and notices her usual pair of bracers sitting on top. She decides against adorning her arms with the gifted pair, and closes the flap again.

As soon as the door of her chamber is opened she feels the refreshing breeze on her face. With a slight grin, she walks out shutting her door behind her and begins to walk down the deck of the ship. Suddenly feeling the pangs of hunger, she wanders towards the mess hall to see if anything has been left over or perhaps freshly prepared for the crew's next meal.

[Racer Xonclar]

As you wander on deck, the Captain does not actually notice you from his position behind the helm. A couple of the men nod their greetings to you while a few more try to hide the fact their eyes are dancing about your body. For the most part, the crew has gotten over their waking grogginess.

A step back into the mess hall reveals the sounds of cooking. A pot clang here, a chopping sound there, and the subtle hiss of boiling water. The cook steps around a wall and through a half-height door, kneeling down next to the bar used yesterday for serving. Retrieving something, he pushes himself up from his knee and pauses in a double take as he notices you out of the corner of his eye. "Easy there. Mid-day meal ain't done yet. I know ya cen smell the boar but it still needs ta cook."

Oddly though...you actually do not smell the boar from here, despite his comment.

[Weasel]

"Of course. I will come back." she pauses as she is about to turn and continues, "Perhaps some tea is available?" she asks with a grin, "If it isn't too much trouble. I could fix it myself if you wish."

[Racer Xonclar]

The man scratches the stubble of his chin with a somewhat surprised look on his face, "Never had anyone offer ta do it themselves..." Shrugging, "Why not? As long as ya don't touch anything else besides your tea...I don't see a problem."

With a gesture of his hand, he invites you back into the cooking area. He pushes the dividing curtain out of the way, though doesn't make any effort to hold it open for you. Once you step in, you see several pots boiling, one of which looking like some kind of creamy soup. One pot of water in particular is large and boiling at a steady pace. The smell of the boar is noticeable now, but it's not as strong as you would expect.

Pointing over to one of the spice lined shelves littered with cups and jars, "There should be a jar o' tea leaves over there. Not many; it's not somethin' we use often, but there should be some. And you can scoop some boilin' water out of that big pot there. It's what I use it for myself."

Turning his attention back to one of the wood stoves, he grabs what looks to be some leftover bread and starts crumbling it into one of the soups, stirring it in as he goes.

[Weasel]

"Thank you." she says with a polite grin. She picks up a cup and goes about preparing her tea. When finished, she puts away anything she'd used, and carefully takes the cup into her hands.

"The smell of that boar has me anxious. I'll return shortly for it. My thanks again, for the tea."

Giving a slight nod to the man, she takes her tea and returns to the deck. She stands by the nearest rail and sips, as she watches over the water.

[Racer Xonclar]

As you glance over your shoulder at the noise, you see the captain walking up with a grin. "Well, I see you really did like the view. Enjoy it while you can; the docks of Suzail will be in sight soon." Leaning against the rail beside her, "We made excellent time. Tha wind was behind us the whole time. Guess my prayers were heard."

He looks over with a grin and notes the cup of tea in her hand. With a gentle chuckle, "I told him to make lunch the parting meal, but I didn't expect he would actually brew some tea."

[Weasel]

"Your man was busy with the boar, so I took the liberty to brew it myself."

"I commend you on this voyage, Captain. Your ship was swift as promised. And very at ease. Thank you for that."

Leaning away from the rail, she casually looks around the deck to make sure no one is near and asks, "Captain, may I ask? The man you were with when I boarded. That we shared a cup with. Do you know this man's name? It seemed I should know it, but I do not."

[Racer Xonclar]

Scratching his chin, he ponders over something as she mentions brewing the tea herself. Shrugging it off, he quickly gives his full attention to her again and grins. "Of course it is at ease here. These men are as good as family; hand selected to be my crew. One of the many advantages of building the reputation I have."

"Hmm, the man I was with...," he says as his eyes look up for a moment. "Do you mean the man that was standing here with you at launch or Jeffory we ate yesterday's evening meal with?"

[Weasel]

"Yes. The passenger from the launch." she answers and takes a sip of her tea.

[Racer Xonclar]

"Ah," he says with a nod. "For the most part, I do not give out the names of passengers, given the nature of some we have carried before, but he didn't give me his real name. 'Onyx Dragon', I believe it was. Must be a nickname of sorts."

Onyx Dragon certainly rings a bell, a name you've heard in a few tournaments, much as he described, though his face still seems a bit foreign to you. Perhaps he was one of the few that actually chose to fight with masks on.

You hear a man shout down from the mast, "She be in sight, Captain!" Grinal turns to shout back, "Splendid!" He reaches for a spyglass on his side and starts looking ahead of the ship. With a grin, "Aye, there she is. The great port capital of Suzail."

As if perfectly planned, the bell below begins to ring, calling everyone to the midday meal. The captain chuckles as he collapses the spyglass and tucks it under his belt, "I knew I paid him well for a reason. Let us not be late to the parting meal." With a smile, he swings his arm towards the stair, "After you, Lady Jade."

[Weasel]

Jade also looks towards Suzail. She uses her hand to shade her eyes, and is just able to see the port. The excitement of reaching her destination causes pulse to race, but that is quickly brought back under control. She turns back to the captains remarks with a nod.

"Aye Captain." she says in jest as she walks by.

.oO(Soon. The tournament grows ever closer. I must be ready. I am ready. The kingdom of Cormyr will soon know the name Jade Canary. And will remember her.)

Walking into the mess, she gives the cook a quick nod and grin. She fixes herself a plate and finds a place to sit. Before she takes her first bite, she sees the young man, Onyx Dragon, enter as well. She gives him a nod as he passes by.

.oo(Onyx Dragon... quite a name for a man I do not recall. Pray you do not face me, little wyrmling.)

[Racer Xonclar]

Looking around the mess hall and while you begin fixing a plate of food, you notice that the meal is certainly larger than the previous meals. What was left of the boar, a stack of fresh bread, and a couple of different soups, one looking like it has a thick, clumpy texture (likely the one you saw him putting bread chunks into) while you can clearly see chunks of boar meat floating in the others thin broth.

You also notice the other passenger aboard show up once again for the meal. As he gathers his food, Grinal greets him, but the man seems to merely reply with grunts or short sentences. Shortly, the man heads back to his quarters with a plate of food, just like before...and Grinal merely shrugs.

Walking over to your table and sitting down, Grinal makes the comment, "As quickly as this voyage went, it wouldn't surprise me if you were actually early for that tournament. Though that would not be a bad thing."