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| The Central Ocean |
| Here the Fiore river spills out into the sea in a wide forested estuary. Many ships ply the deep waters along these shores and it is possible to move north to the Free City of Four Corners where the docks are ablaze with a hundred beckoning lights, or further on towards Galenthian waters. Either way, this area is often full of ships, and it is hard to pass unnoticed, either by D'Armaz patrol galleys, merchant togs or fishing boats plying their trade. Stranger ships are not uncommon either, with longships from Whitehall and brightly coloured trireme ships from Parthia making regular visits on their way to or from the Free City. |
| 5/24/1868 |
The barrier between the Central and the Northern Ocean is not really well defined. There is no line, or physical landmark that delineates where it actually begins. Practiced Sailors say they can feel the difference in teh waves. In the roll fo the ship as it cuts across the saltwater, and in the taste of the salt on the wind. The wind itself, according to these old salts, also feels different. However one decides they are in the Central Ocean, the fact is that they are, cutting across the waves of that ocean.
The fleet itself is spread out. Sails taut as the wind propels them south toward their ultimate destination. Flaggers keep signal, and coordinate movements, but the ships are ALL in a rotective pattern around one ship. Because that one ship holds a very precious cargo. She stands at the front of the ship, a tri-corn hat on her head, a sidhe steel sword at her waist, and a hand cannon matching it on the other side. A green blouse with white trim, and brown leather breeches. She appears to be smiling, as if fully enjoying this little adventure.
Near this woman is a young man in a chain shirt. A leather pouldron proclaims him as a scion of House Tarris, the Red horse prominent on a green and black field. The tabard he wears however marks him as a Black Lancer, a body guard to the Queen of Galenthia, the Rose Queen Melisande Romante. He is never more than ten feet form her, arms folded as he looks out at the ocean and the lazy clouds that drift by.
Around the ship bounces Belladona Ulsen. The cheerful young lady aiding the sailors where she is allowed and asking a multitude of questions to the more friendly ones. The Lady wears a blouse of crimson cotton and well fitting cream colored breeches paired with brown boots. She has her twin daggers at her belt as well as quite a few pouches of various substances and alchemical concotions. She skips around the deck merrily fetching and toting and occasionally peering out at the water curiously.
Unlike most Easterners, Baron Thomas Chandus has never really held the Sokar in any kind of serious contempt, and doesn't appear to really mind sailing aboard one of their splendid ships. Though he's not particularly fond of the open ocean, the commander of Galenthian forces is weathering it. He's got a brigandine cuirass and pauldrons on his body but no other armour donned, though a plain, steel helmet bobs from a d-ring on his waist belt; his bigger and better armour is packed up in a neat crate where it won't be taking on any salt water, if they've any luck. Over the armour he's wearing a big woolen cloak that covers most of his body. He's alone now, standing near to the Queen, though he remains silent.
Having just left her cabin for some fresh air Sonya steps onto the deck with careful grace. A soft inhale of the sea air is taken as the dark haired woman glances around. The Countess is wearing a rather fine black leather jerkin and matching breeches and boots. The black leather armor is buckled with silver buckles and bears the crest of House Kaedon over her heart. Tucked into her boots are her twin daggers, just in case something decides to interupt the sofar peaceful voyage. She walks slowly to the center of the deck, watching those around her with a composed expression. One thing about the countess is a noticable change though. Her eyes. Where once they were dark, now they are bluer than the sea itself, a cold and frosty hue. It may surprise some who have not seen her up close in a while and it makes the Countesses gaze all the more intimidating.
Well, at least they're at sea now. Which makes the Sokar heir seem a bit more at ease, it would seem. He's currently wearing the armor he usually wears while at sea, the one he's worn when taking part in tournament melees. He has the poleaxe he's known for using with him, but at the moment he seems to carry it more like a staff than a weapon. He's looking around rather carefully, pausing every now and then when he looks to the Queen, unable to hold back a smile once in a while. It seems to be gone after a few moments, though.
The Captain of the ship, a man typical fo the Sokar navy, with prim uniform, a martial looking green overcoat with white buttons and a red Sash stands near Jarret, his liege Lord. "My Lord." He says calmly. "While it is quite the honor to host the Queen of Galenthia herself aboard our most fine vessel, I almost feel as if that honor is stained by having the Betrayers ill begotten bastard on the deck, a drunkard Many worshipping Ulsen, and all those other bloody easterners." He sniffs, and frowns. "One all mighty, you can almost SMELL the horse dung off the bastard can't you?"
The captain pauses to yell at a crewman who was being rather lazy, before he looks back to Jarret. "One. It almost feels like a bloody pleasure cruise with all these damned nobles. Including a Kentaire prat and his ilk." He spits over the side of the ship. "You know my lord, we could jsut … Accidentally set those Kentaire chaps drifting one night after her Majesty goes abed. We are at war." He shrugs a shoulder. "Merely a suggestion … "
The man in the crows nest calls down, "Captain! My Lord! Ships! Black Sails with blood stripes, Ships of the Red Mane Capt'n!"
"Your excellency." Thomas greets Sonya with a smile and a deferential nod. An amused smirk is shot Jarret's way, though the man is too far away to mock for his choice of both armour and gigantic poleaxe. Personally, the Baron is wearing his cuirass for warmth and protection against the spray, more than anything. The Baron kind of stands about, smirking, until that call from the Crow's Nest comes down. His smirk is wiped clean, and he checks himself. "To arms! All fighting men, to the Queen." Shaking his head and straining to see the banners as he moves closer to the Queen, he asks his new Serjeant at Arms, Lawrence Verus. "Serjeant Verus, are those truly the Red Mane's sails?"
Verus, a thirty something Sun Shield Guardsman with a closely cropped beard and a similar cuirass of brigandine on, has no problem at all seeing. "Aye, m'lord. Let's just hope these lime-juicing jolly jack-tars can stop bumming eachother in time to load the bloody cannons."
Sonya simply lingers near the center of the deck, standing calmly and observing. Thomas is greeted with a faint smile and a polite incline of her head. "Baron Chandus." All seems to be going well. That is until the man calls out from above. The Countess tenses and her head turns towards the sea, her eyes straining to try and see if she can spot the aforementioned ships. The words from Thomas's man have her frowning her eyes looking quite cold as she gazes out at the sea. Its not her ship so she doesn't intervene and take command but she remains tense her hands very near her daggers now.
Despite the captains remarks about her Belladona hasn't been too much trouble. She hasn't been drinking anymore than a proper lady would and while her family may follow the many she hasn't been anything but nice to everyone, if a bit inquisitive. Thankfully she doesn't hear the remark made about her. She doesn't even hear the call from the crows nest. However she does notice the growing tension and glances around curiously. Its almost like she missed something here?
"Easy, Captain. Just be glad it's the bastard, not his father, shall we?" Jarret shrugs a little as he hears the rest of it, shaking his head a little. "We could, but honestly, I have enough problems right now to upset Her Majesty," he replies. There's a pause as he hears the part about the ships and the sails. "Oh, how nice…" he remarks, drily. Looking out at the deck, he raises his voice. "Be ready everyone. This is most certainly quite potential trouble." Nodding to the Captain again, he moves out onto the deck where the others are, readying his poleaxe for its more practical use now.
It doesn't take long before the Sokar crew, some of the best in the West, have Carrobalista's loaded and cannons primed ready to fire. The closing surrounding ships move into a defensive line, while Corwin Ashedown grabs the Queen's arm and drags her toward the entrance to the lower deck. He pauses by Thomas, "I'll get her below deck and secure, and then I'll join you incase the board." He nods and starts to move again.
Melisande growls at Corwin, "I'll stay and fight. These are my people, I won't jsut sit like some pap=mpered princess."
Corwin looks her dead in the eye, almost as if he is channelling his father. "Your majesty, you are not acting like a pampered princess. You will be protected like the Queen you are. Please, do not make me drag you below decks."
The Queen looks to Thomas as if silently pleading wiht him to throw Corwin overboard.
The Captain strides forward and starts to bellow orders, the first mate echoing it down the line of the crew men.
The Red Mane ships turns sharply, presenting a full broadside and let loose at the Galenthian ships protecting the ship that hosues their queen. These ships fire back in turn, and soon poweder smoke drifts along the surface of the water, and explosions, both of cannon fire and the impacts fill the air like a semi distant thunderstorm.
"Your Majesty, I am sorry, but we are expendable, every single one of us. You are not. In a time of war, with our Kingdom under attack, you must be protected. You have the final say, of course." Thomas snaps his head to his two shadows. "Serjeant Verus, Corporal Stewart. You are now with her Majesty and Sir Corwin. Protect the Queen from any harm. You will be the last line." He bows his head to the Queen, as if he requires performing this gesture in order to assure his good intentions. Worried eyes briefly look over to the naval battle brewing around them, though. He does not feel comfortable fighting at sea.
Sonya is definately not comfortable with sea battles. And the Countess seems to be eyeing the water warily for some reason, perhaps the snake of Kaedon cannot swim? Either way she stands waiting watching as the queen is guided to below deck. If and when the Queen is taken below Sonya will take up a defensive position at the entrance to where the queen was taken. "If they want our queen they will have to get by me." She hisses softly her eyes practically glowing for just a fraction of a second.
Stepping over towards the Queen, Jarret lets out a bit of a breath. "He's right, Your Majesty," the Sokar offers, right after Thomas has spoken. "You are the one that can not fall. Please, follow them below deck, and I give you my word we will do everything out here to make sure this is handled well." Letting out a bit of a breath as he looks around again.
The ships begin to jockey and swirl, the Galenthian ships trying to prevent the pirate ships from breaking through. However, the Pirate ships are faster than Galenthain ships and one manages to race through running right for the One's Wrath. While this ship closes, Melisand enods when both Thomas, and Jarret side with Corwin. "Bloody fine." She nods to Corwin who, with the men assigned from Thomas heads below decks. Corwan clasps Thomas' shoulder and nods to the man. "They won't get past us, you or me. Fight well Easterner." An old Garalli Horde, and House Tarris blessing of luck. He ndos and heads down. The men close the door as Sonya takes up position.
"Give em hell Lass." One of Thomas' men says to Sonya.
The Praetor comes to stand beside Thomas and Jarret, a gladius in his hand. "Well now. Red Mane. She's a right bitch isn't she?" He says calmly to both men. He nods once. "My blade and my men on your ship too, are yours to command Lord Sokar."
"Oh I will…I will." Sonya replies and smiles at the man who speaks to her. Its a smile that looks far too wicked for such a pretty face, a smile designed to make men cower in fear and its a smile that Sonya Kaedon is damn proud of perfecting. Turning away she watches the apprching ship and slowly and gracefully draws her twin daggers assuming a defensive stance as she waits.
The Tarris Garaili heritage has mixed with the old Imperial heritage of the East to produce their modern culture; Thomas is well acquainted with the blessing. "Fight until you bleed from your eyes, sir." The Baron smiles tightly, throwing his cloak off to the side, retrieving a long shield that was tied to the forecastle (focsle, for you naval folk) and drawing his brilliant lightsilver broadsword… which the Praetor now shimmying up to him had so nicely surrendered. He smiles.
"Praetor. It would be an honour. Your officers should still be armed, yes? Please, have them join us on the deck." The Baron turns about, pointing the sword at the recessed area in the middle of the fore deck. "They'll probably rake us with some grapeshot before boarding. Fortunately, the Sokars are good sailors and have made this ingenious deck here… to protect us. Come, let us wait the pirate scum." He jogs on over and kneels down. "When they get ready to shoot, we drop to our bellies, gentlemen and ladies!"
Letting out a bit of a breath as he sees the Queen head below, Jarret turns towards the Praetor. "It is strange how things turn out with a common enemy, Paretor," he offers, with a brief grin, before he nods, "Let us stop these scum, shall we?" A brief look around at the crew of the ship. "We all know what to do. Let's do it!" he calls out, nodding at Thomas.
The enemy ship, a four masted Sali, does exactly as Thomas says it will. The ship moves along side the One's Wrath, revealing the name: Black Seain red lettering as it passes. The ship's guns belch and grapeshot rakes the decks. Splintering the side, shredding a sail, and it's rigging, as well as sailors. A man near Sonya doesn't even get to scream as he is turned into a fine red paste form both splinters and the grape that simply shreds him.
Jarret manages to duck in time, hiding behind the cover, which showers him in woodchips and splinters. Sonya manages to suck herself tight against the door, but only by the barest of fractions. Belladonna is thrown to her back by the balst, a piece of shot going clean throguh a shoulder. Thomas is only saved by his armor and shield, the latter of which is shattered and rendered nothing but scrap. He feels his arm break from the sheer force of the impact and like Belladonna, finds himself thrown to the deck. His sword arm, however is still free and he can still fight, even if he is in extrutiating pain.
The One's Wrath fires at the same time, sending solid shot and carrobalista into the Black Sea. Explosions and more splintering wood fills the enenmy ship, a d a fire errupts along the side. Through that smoke of the fire, ropes are tossed and grapnels pull the ships tight. The Captain of the Wrath calls out, "SOKAR! REPEL BOARDERS!" And suddenly pirates are swinging over. hand cannons go off, smoke both black from fire, and blue form cannon fill the air …
Thomas gave good advice, but evidently had some trouble taking it himself. This affliction has plagued many leaders in the past, and will undoubtedly do so in the future - if Thomas is lucky and he survives, he will hopefully carry this lesson on. Ironically, as Thomas rose to encourage the man standing next to Sonya to lay down, he is raked by grapeshot, the shield shattered and the arm underneath not much better. The force of the impact knocks him on his behind, and he nearly drops his shield. One thing he does do, though, is scream. He's done for a moment or more, blood and bone seeped out of his badly broken left arm. Breathing in big gulps, the Baron manages to rise up to a knee. Sweat pours down his face. He won't be in the first wave of defenders.
Thomas gave good advice, but evidently had some trouble taking it himself. This affliction has plagued many leaders in the past, and will undoubtedly do so in the future - if Thomas is lucky and he survives, he will hopefully carry this lesson on. Ironically, as Thomas rose to encourage the man standing next to Sonya to lay down, he is raked by grapeshot, the shield shattered and the arm underneath not much better. The force of the impact knocks him on his behind, and he nearly drops his sword. One thing he does do, though, is scream. He's done for a moment or more, blood and bone seeped out of his badly broken left arm. Breathing in big gulps, the Baron manages to rise up to a knee. Sweat pours down his face. He won't be in the first wave of defenders.
"They're breaking my ship…" Jarret mutters as the splinters rain down over him. "They're breaking MY SHIP!" He glances over at Thomas, shaking his head, "Really? This is a time to sit down?" Getting to his feet as the pirates come swinging over, he swings the poleaxe for one of the pirates, with a growl.
Blue eyes glow with rage as Sonya hunkers back against the door narrowingly avoiding being hit. Its choas on the deck and the Kaedon Countess steels herself stepping forward a single step, guarding the door and prepared to hold her ground against the coming boarding party. Those eyes gleam like shards of ice and Sonya waits, her body coiled to strike much like the snake that serves as her house sigil.
One unfortunate pirate soul gets too close to Sonya and then she strikes daggers flashing as she lunges forward trying to plunge them into the mans neck.
On the Black Sea, a man stands with arms folded. Captain Ursen Black, or simply Captain Black, looks down his nose at the smaller Aequoran Frigate flying Galenthian colors. He had snuck aboard this little Armada of the Queen's to head here. To the prize. They had been ordered to IGNORE this ship, but Black had his own plans. The Queen of Galenthia was here, and she would be QUITE the ransom if caught. He makes a fist. Feels the strange power that he felt for the first time when the world shook. He smiles darkly. He doens't understand it fully, but he's used it twice. The first time he nearly died. The second time? The second time he wrecked a sloop's mast. He smiles. These Galenthians would be a good practice as well …
Men die and struggle to live all over the One's Wrath. Smoke obscurs all but he closest fight, but the sound of it is everywhere. Screaming. Sword meeting axe, or shield, or wood, or flesh. The crack of hand and long cannons. Somewhere a splasha s somebody is thrown over board.
The Praetor kneels next to Thomas, "Baron! Are you okay?" He spins and parries a blade coming in at him. He kicks at the man, and slashes at his gut as three people move in to take him out.
Jarret removes a man's arm with his pole axe and as the blood sprays he screams in terror and pain, falling to the deck writhing in pain. Another charges at him, firign a Hand Cannon and waiving a cutlass as he closes with teh Sokar.
Sonya's daggers find purchase and the man drops to his knees before falling forward, blood spreading from the twin wounds in his neck. Another takes his place, charging forward with twin hand axes …
Belladona screams as she goes flying backwards and the shot goes straight through her. A deep breath is drawn and the Ulsen lady grits her teeth pulling a bandage from her pouches to haphazardly bind her wound before she stumbles to her feet and draws her dagger. Wobbling she makes her way to Thomas's side beside the Praetor. "Praetor, please keep them off me a bit and I'll see how bad the good Baron is hurt." She begins to inspect Thomas and treat him as best she can for the time being.
Whatever immediate shock and pain that might have washed over Baron Chandus as the waves overboard, it now retreats. There is danger afoot, and broken shield arm or not, he must fight. He grimaces, snarling at Jarret and rising to his feet. Shakily, the Brigadier of the Galenthian army raises his lightsilver sword. "Lady Ulsen! Not now! Now I must fight! Get below decks, or defend yourself!" His right, sword side forward, he approaches those pirates surrounding Praetor Surelius and leans in to try and skewer one.
Sonya watches impassively as the man with his twin axes charges her. At the very last second she attempts to twist her body out of the way and jab her daggers between the mans ribs aiming for vital organs. The Countess moves quick lashing out with speed and skill, trying to bring the man down in as few blows as possible.
Nodding as the first man goes down, Jarret ducks the shot, then stabs with the top spike of the poleaxe, trying to keep the man out of cutlass range, as well as taking him down. The Sokar's expression is a mixture of highly focused and at ease now.
Blakc begins to walk down the stairs of his command deck to the main deck. His men are fighting and he is quite pleased so far. It looks to him, like the smaller Frigate will be easily over powered, and the Galenthian Queen will be his. He can already feel the golden crowns trickling through hsi fingers at the ransom such a prize would fetch.
The men charging in at the Praetor find worthy opponants both Thomas and thee Praetor working together with the practiced ease fo soldiers who study the same style of warfare. However, Thomas is injured, and a Cutlass slips past his defenses to cut along a rib just below his armor's covering. It is a shallow wound, but it bleeds freely.
Sonya trades slashes and parries with the Pirate closing on her, her daggers coming close several times to finding purchase, but the man spins and elbos the Countess in the face, knocking her against the door to below decks. He grins and moves to stab at her saying, "Pretty thing, maybe I'll just take ya home with me after I run ya through!"
Belladonna has a woman with a mace facing her, and her strikes are terrafying to watch. She swings the mace with both hands, connecting to the Lady of House Ulsen and knocking her to her back. She screams in triumph and raises the mace over head …
Jarret finds himself in a line wiht the Captain and the first mate. THe later two have cutlass and hand cannon amd keep jarret's flanks secure. Firing wiht one hadn and slashing or stabbing wiht the other. As a man rushes Jarret, he finds n axe head burried in his chest and as his eyes rol into the back of his head, he leaks blood from his throat.
Thomas is cut - not grievously, but badly enough that he's bleeding in a second place now. The wounds and chaos are beginning to wear him down, unusually enough, though he sticks closely to his former enemy, the Kentairish Praetor Surelius, trying to buttress his weak side behind the man so that he's better shielded. He quickly darts his head to both his flanks, and is even more alarmed. "We're losing the deck. If this keeps going, we must pull back to the cabin. Lord Sokar!" He yells. "Pull towards us! We must form a line!" Tom lunges again towards an opponent.
"Equal parts pretty and deadly I'm afarid." Sonya remarks cooly her back hits the door to below decks and she watches the man advance with cold eyes for just a second before she lashes out, one dagger going for his gut and the other aimed even lower and at a far more sensitive area. Leave it to Sonya Kaedon to stab a man in his reproductive parts.
Frowning as he sees more of them coming, and hearing Thomas yell, Jarret looks around carefully before going for the next man. Pausing as he looks through the smoke, he sees the pirate captain stepping down to the main deck of the other ship. "There. Down to the main deck of the pirate ship! Someone shoot their captain!" he calls out, before striking out with his axe once more.
Belladona rolls to one side as the mace comes down and slices the legs of the woman she is facing as she clambers back up to her feet. Looking around she sees where Jarret is looking and frowns. She has a vial of acid on her person but throwing it now might be a waste…
Thomas dispatches the man who niked him with a cut that severs an artery at the man's neck. Arterial spray immediatley erupts and as he falls to his knees, he clutches at the spraying wound, immediately going sickly pale, and then falling over. Dead before he falls sideways. The PRaetor stabs a man in the chest, and then turns to parry a strike at Thomas' back.
Sonya dispatches her harasser. The man screams in pain, his blade falling to the deck with a clatter of steel on wood. He falls away still sreaming as blood and intestine leak through his fingers. A woman charges at Sonya to replace the fallen man, this one holding a large bearded Axe, possibly taken form some White Hall raider.
The Ulsen rolls aside, slashing the legs of the woman wiht the mace. She falls face first, her Mace flying form her fingers. The impact knocks her out, even as her calves bleed freely. Another woman comes at Belladonna while she's on the deck, this one with a Broadsword, and she stabs at the woman trying to pin her to the deck, screaming, "DIE VITCH DIE!"
Jarret is distracted long enough to feel a punch in his shoulder. It staggers him back, and when he looks, he can see a hole basted into him from a hand cannon. Somebody tosses it aside, the woman who fired it charges the Soakr with a Gladius, she draws a second mid stride and leaps at the man screaming like a banshee as he dives at him.
The order had been heard, and the first mate draws a hand cannon in a smooth motion and fires at Black. Black looks right at the man pointing a gun at him and is jerked to the side form the impact. But when he rights himself, the shot falls harmlessly into his hand. He smiles darkly. "I do be believing you dropped something." He says softly and flicks the shot toward the first mate. It's like a hand cannon was fired, and the shot sails back to slam into the First Mate's chest. There is punches through the man's armor and out the other side a fist sized hole that sprays viscera outward from the exit wound and lifts the first mate off his feet. It sends him flying a good ten feet to slam into the railing on the other side of the deck and fall to the deck dead. Black smirks and points at Jarret. "Your turn Sokar …. "
Sonya readies her daggers as the woman charges, preparing another strike. However a thought comes to the Kaedon's mind just then. What if she could simply freeze the womans blood in her veins? She switches to a defensive posture suddenly and narrows her eyes. Invisioning the woman before her's blood turning to ice but ready to try and dodge if her attempt fails.
What an odd fight, and a chaotic one. Sweating profusely and his vision narrowing in to what is around him, Thomas has to shake his head several times, both to free his eyes of the spurting blood and to attempt to keep his situational awareness up. He withdraws his sword from his dying foe and raises it again. Pointedly avoiding his national term, he says, "Allies! We must form back at the cabin and protect the Queen! Form a shield wall at the cabin!"
Wincing at the hit to his shoulder, Jarret steps backwards enough to bring up his poleaxe, against the woman who is charging at him. Doing that while moving a little to the opening where the downed first mate was, he manages to avoid the incoming attack from the sorcerer captain. "COWARD!" he yells out back to Captain Black. "Cowardly piece of scum, come over here and fight like a real man, will you?"
"So unreasonable…and rude!" Belladona huffs at the woman trying to stab her with a broadsword. She tries to dodge out of the way being kept on the defensive for the moment.
The woman bearing down on Belladona thrists with the Broadsword and clips her side, opening a gash along her left side. She riases her blade ready to bring it down on the Galenthian's head …
Thomas's rallying cry has the Galenthians moving to stand befor ethe door in a defensive pattern near Sonya and the door below decks.
The point by Black causes a line of force to explode the railing along the way and cuts a swath across the deck toward Jarret, this gives him the chance to side step the force blast which travels and explodes the railing on the other side. He then slashes at a pirate near him, the axe head biting deep in the man's shoulder, and driving him to the deck screaming.
But the battle itself simply stops. Stops cold, as Sonya exerts her will in an explosive release of energy. The Woman charging her flies back with several shards of ice impaling her. The blood on the deck of the ship freezes solid and men slip and fall. It begins to SNOW as the moisture in the air freezes and drifts lazily down. Other people, both Galenthian and Pirate die from other forms of ice. One man clawing at hsi throat as it freezes solid. Another has her legs freeze solid and SHATTER, she falls to the ground screaming in absolute shock. Water around the ship freezes solid.
Black BLINKS at this sudden strike. "BACK TO THE SHIP!" He calls. Whatever witch is over ther eis FAR stronger than him. The Pirates all begin to fall back quickly, leaping over to the Black Sea quickly, and leaving the wounded and dying where they lay.
Its a strange feeling, the energy welling up inside her and finally Sonya can bear it no more and said energy springs free. It drains her and she slumps back against the cabin door breatching heavily. The air around her is freezing cold and she attempts to calm herself as best as she can, trying to reign the power she wields back in. She takes slow breaths looking around her cautiously as she does so.
Thomas had been pouring with sweat; every move around, every parry and thrust, even simply looking around caused him to pour with it. This, in addition to the blood seeping from the shallow slash under the bottom of his cuirass. When Sonya taps into the realm of icey sorcery, this perspiration and blood begins to chill, and then to freeze. Thomas, too, stops moving for a moment, his watery blue eyes widening until they almost seem to bulge from his head. His breathing rapidly increases… but he fights it. Fights the panic. Regains himself, even as men die in insanely cruel ways around him.
Black finally reveals himself as the leader, or at least ONE leader of the pirates, and the Baron puts two and two together - if they have one of the Pirate Queen's leaders, maybe they'll have a bargaining chip. He points his sword towards Black. "Get that man! Capture him, lads!" He pauses, gulping, unsure of what to do next. "The Unyielding Sun!" Apparently when in doubt, call your house's motto out. The Baron charges forth to try and nab Black, hoping that some men will follow.
Letting out a bit of a breath now, Jarret blinks at the icy stuff. "What the…?" He pauses as he hears Thomas, nodding as he does. "Let's see if we can take the fight to them now?" he calls out.
Belladona shrieks in alarm as one man goes sliding past her his arm and body freezing solid as he slides down the deck. She tries to twist out of the way of her opponets sword and at the same time she peers around herself trying to see where the sudden cold is coming from. Her eyes go wide at the gore and she pales little. Still determined to be useful she takes off running as Thomas rallies the men. Pulling a flask filled with a sticky glue like substance in it from her belt Bella tries to get within range to throw it at the pirate captain.
The Galenthians begins to swarm over to the other ship. Black looks at them as they swarm toward the ship. He ducks a vial thrown at him, the contest splashing him but not getting to his feet. "Aequorans would be happy I left. Strange. I've never seen such determined fools." He says calmly. To the Galenthians he says very menacingly. "Galenthians! I congratulate you on a battle well fought! Wherever did you find a Witch of such power? It MUST be because half of you are Hethans." He spreads his hands. "I give you this chance. Leave my ship, and we sail away. Don't leave me ship," He waggles a finger. "ANd I'll blow my powder magazine with all of us aboard and still teethered to that fine Aequoran Frigate of yours. Your Queen won't be Ransomed, she'll be fucking dead. But. If you leave. Well. You have a few dead people, I have a few dead people, but our two ships still sail! It's a win win."
Thomas stops cold in his tracks after coming onto the other ship, as if thewords which sprung forth from Captain Black's mouth have power of their own. When the battle is going well, it is one thing to pursue, but this man has a bluff that even the bold Baron is not willing to call. "You would kill yourself and all of us rather than being taken by our troops? But, pirate, you do not know our intentions!" Still, it's apparent that Thomas is most definitely NOT approaching anymore. "Fine! Tell your Pirate Queen that Galenthia wishes to treat with her. Let this be the last of any such incursions onto Galenthian or Aequorian vessels until the results of the parlay are decided. Does this sound reasonable?"
Slowly Sonya has begun to walk forward, she is slightly unsteady but still the cold leaking from her body and the power in her glowing eyes likely has those who might other wise bother her step back. That or freeze to death. She makes it to the front of the ship and stares across the way at Captain Black. Blue eyes glitter with cold amusement as she studies him. Suddenly her cold and commanding voice cuts accross the space between them. "Heathen you say? No. SOME of us merely follow a different path. There is nothing wrong with this. Now why don't you surrender captain, come and be our guest for a while. No harm shall befall you. Or we can find out how good a Captain is with his body frozen to the deck?" She is a stubborn woman staring him down defiantly and with an intimidating gaze even as the temperature around her drops further…she feels somewhat faint but she tries to hide it keeping her mask in place. She looks to Thomas. and arches a brow but she does not back down. She has her own way of doing things.
There's that half-step forward as he gets aboard the ship, and Jarret comes to a stop, carefully studying Captain Black. There's a brief pause as he hears Thomas speak, nodding s little. "What I have heard about your Queen, she seems to be a reasonable person." He offers a brief grin to the pirate, as he seems to be thinking through the options right now. There's a pause as he hears Sonya's words, letting out a bit of a breath, muttering something to himself. "You know what would be a good deal, Captain? If we find a way for your people to help our people, while accquiring a good profit for yourself…" He remains ready for whatever he will have to do, but stays still for now, gaze on the Pirate Captain.
"HA! I can tell this to the Red mane." Black says with a large broad smile. "My Guess is you'll be taking this thing to Four Corners? Meet her there. It's neutral territory, I'm sure she will agree to that place as a meeting." He smiles and bows. "Safe travel my Lords." He gestures to the One's Wrath, indicating the Galenthians should go. He looks over to Sonya and laughs. "Oh Gods. No, I'm a fucking Pirate. If I surrender I'd be hung the moment we set in at a port. No. I will kill all of us, rather than surrender. Your Lord here," he gestures to Thomas, "Has offered me the best option. YOUR only option is allowing me to sail, or blowing us all to the Horned King's domain!" He waves a hand dismissively to Sonya. "Go practice your craft Ice Witch." He nods to Jarret. "See? Sokars ARE reasonable. I am impressed."
Belladona glares at Black as he dodges her vial. Muttering under her breath she shakes her head and then as the important people go about trying to frighten or negotiate with pirates she goes to see to if there are any wounded that need tending. Hopefully she has medicine for frostbite….
"HA! I can tell this to the Red mane." Black says with a large broad smile. "My Guess is you'll be taking this thing to Four Corners? Meet her there. It's neutral territory, I'm sure she will agree to that place as a meeting." He smiles and bows. "Safe travel my Lords." He gestures to the One's Wrath, indicating the Galenthians should go. He looks over to Sonya and laughs. "Oh Gods. No, I'm a fucking Pirate. If I surrender I'd be hung the moment we set in at a port. No. I will kill all of us, rather than surrender. Your Lord here," he gestures to Thomas, "Has offered me the best option. YOUR only option is allowing me to sail, or blowing us all to the Horned King's domain!" He waves a hand dismissively to Sonya. "Go practice your craft Ice Witch." He nods to Jarret. "See? Sokars ARE reasonable. I am impressed."
He looks at his cloths. "And what in the actual Abyss is on my damn clothes?!"
Sonya glances to Jarret as she speaks and something in her seems to calm. She lets out a slow breath and turns back to the pirate captain. Then suddenly, she smiles. Its a sly knowing smile and more than a little creepy. "As you wish Captain. Though you may regret suggesting that should we meet again. Still perhaps I have let my temper get the better of me, I do apologize for that." She gives Jarret a glance that shows she is faintly impressed. "My leige is correct it would seem, it would be far better to arrange a deal where we all profit." That sly smile returns. "Until we meet again Captain Black." And then she will turn and walk away trying not to stumble too much as she makes her way back to the door that leads below decks to stand post once more.
Thomas says, "Hanged. The term is hanged. I hung a tapestry in my keep. I hanged a gang of bandits from the parapets." Thomas corrects Black, with not a hint of malice in his voice but a smile on his face. He really can be a pompous arse sometimes, even if he doesn't realise it. He gives an acid glance to Sonya, obviously very unhappy with her interference in the matter. He's really come to view himself as the 'leader of Galenthians' on expedition, and obviously does not appreciate being undermined. He sheaths his sword and walks back over to the One's Wrath.
"Until Four Corners then. What is your name, pirate?" He asks.
The man bows toward Thomas and the others. "Black. Captain Urses Black." He smiles and turns to leave. "Safe sailing Galenthians. I look forward to our meeting!"
From where she is bandaging a mans arm Belladona hears the Captains words and suffers from a fit of giggles. "Its an adhesive, very sticky. Good luck washing it out!" She snickers in triumph…ah the small pleasures in life. Like hitting pirates with extremely strong and slimy glue like substances!
"You seem surprised, Captain," Jarret replies with a grin to the pirate, shrugging a little, "Besides, profits make everyone happy," he replies, waiting for a few moments longer before he walks back to his own ship. "Until the next time," he offers, a bit lightly, after having gotten back safely aboard.
Sonya sits down on a stack of crates near the door. The wood turns frosty but she doesn't seem to notice. If she picked up on Thomas's irritation at her she either does not show it or does not care. She has never been one for seeking approval, not when she is so unlikely to get it. She sits quietly catching her breath and trying to rest a minute her daggers quietly being returned to thier places.
"Baron Thomas Chandus. Indeed. Until then…" Thomas says, holding strong in his position. Once the fleets have disengaged, though, he drops to a knee. "Lady Ulsen… your talents at healing would be greatly appreciated. Worry not about the wound on my abdomen, but the arm, please…" He frowns, and now looks over to Sonya again. "Viscountess. With the understanding that your title outranks mine, I must ask you, in the future, that in a situation such as it is we retain unity of voice."
Current man tended Belladona is just getting up when she hears Thomas speak. Hurrying to his side she give him a gentle and concerned look. "Of course Baron Chandus…Though I really wish you wouldn't rush into battle so readily. Its bad for your health and it makes injured arms more injured." Her tone is light though not scolding as she gently examines and then tends to the wound on his arm. Once she has him carefully and neatly bandaged she gives him a fairly stern look for such a normally carefree woman. "If it starts hurting worse come see me right away. And if you don't mind I would like to look at the abdomen wound later, I understand you not wanting that done now though."
Jarret lets out a bit of a breath as the fleet is clear. "Set course for Four Corners," he calls out to the one manning the helm, before he looks between the others. "Enough time for further discussion on that topic when we get there. Heal up first," he offers. Good words from someone with a wounded shoulder as well, right? "And we need to let Her Majesty know where we are heading…"
Sonya's cold eyes seek out Thomas as he speaks to her and she sighs softly looking at him as though he is somewhat dense. "In case you have forgotten Baron you are the lowest ranked of all the titled nobles present here. I respect you greatly but surely you do not claim to be the leader here? I answer to House Sokar, not Tarris or any of their vassals. However I agree that a unfied front should be presented which is why we ought to have an agreed upon stance next time that all of us can support." She gives him a smile that while polite also shows quite plainly that she thinks he is overstepping his bounds here.
"Battle is bad for our health?" Thomas answers, humourlessly, motioning with a nod to a variety of half frozen corpses on the deck. "Who would have though, my lady? Please, Sir Jarret, let us ensure that we bury these soldiers and sailors properly. I do not understand what happened here, but something malign obviously is afoot." However, when Sonya talks, his demeanour darkens. He narrows his eyes. "You are incorrect, your Excellency. Neither Sir Jarret, nor Lady Ulsen outrank me in titles held. Sir Jarret will one day, One willing, but as of now he is the heir and not the Duke. Further, if we wish to dance to the tune of titles, I will remind you that her Majesty, who is downstairs, gave me command of Galenthian forces. I command not as a Tarris vassal but in the voice of the Queen of Galenthia."
As Belladona works on his arm, Thomas winces, and begins to unfasten the straps which hold his brigandine cuirass on. "I apologise, your Excellency. I am weary and sick of seeing Galenthians fall to the sword. May I inquire as to what Captain Black meant when he called you an Ice Witch?"
Sonya sighs softly. "It is true that her majesty appointed you. I simply have my own way of doing things and of late I haven't felt well…I apologize." She makes aface that suggests saying that bit is extremely hard and she nods to Thomas sadly. "I want to castrate and skin that Praetor alive…for what he did to my men. Too many good people died to his foolishness." She pauses and gives him a look that appears to be surprise. "Ice witch? I have no idea why he would do such a thing? A twisted form of flattery he meant as an insult perhaps?"
Jarret shakes his head as he listens right now, letting out a bit of a breath. He looks to Belladona, offering the Ulsen lady a brief grin. "Lady Belladona, do you have something we could use to sedate both of these two, or something?" It's said lightly, grin widening for a few moments, before he looks serious again. "However that ice appeared, it turned the tide of this battle quite a bit."
Belladona looks nervously between Sonya and Thomas as she works on tending to the Baron's wound. Her touch is light and careful yet precise as she makes certain the injury is cared for. Jarret's comment draws a playful smile and the lady perks up a bit. "I do! I have both mild and potent sedatives…some people make bad patients you see. This one man tried to grope me once while I was mending his leg…so embaressing. I've carried them ever since." She beams a bright smile at Jarret.
Thomas fixes Belladona with a very direct stare. "Lady Ulsen, you will find that Sir Jarret as quite the ascerbic, sarcastic wit. But he is only joking." He seems to accept Sonya's explanation. "I understand, your Excellency. I look on my Regiment as my own children, and my heart rends when even one is killed or wounded in battle. Yet, the Praetor's flag of truce meant that the war in the north was over for us with no more Kaedon casualties than during that battle. Indeed, it also means that Kentaire's navy and mighty fleet of privateers will let us go unmolested to Firen - and ensure that her Majesty arrives there safe. Perhaps it is the best of a bad scenario?"
Belladona makes a small noise that sounds suspiciously like a 'meep' as Thomas gives her that look. She tries not to cower under that stare but she does nod obediantly. "Oh. Okay Your Lordship. But if the Viscountess needs a sedative I'm here with my medicine vials at the ready!" She is joking obviously her eyes glittering lightly.
Sonya frowns but nods to Thomas. "You have a point Baron Chandus. Somethings never end well or so it would seem. I need to rest, excuse me. I shall inform her Majesty that we are safe and sailing for Four Corners unless someone else would like to do so?" She glances between the two men. Completely ignoring the jest as her weariness seems to be catching up on her.
"Am I?" Jarret remarks lightly to Thomas, shrugging a little in the process that causes him to wince a bit. "I hate those handcannons…" he mutters to himself, one hand going to his wounded shoulder. "I think I should retire for now as well," he offers, rather quietly.
"Stop right there Lord Sokar!" Belladona suddenly snaps to attention. "You will let me treat that injury first." She gives him a stubborn look.
Thomas leans back as the treatment begins to run its course. He apparently has nothing else to add.
Sonya slinks away taking some of the chilly air with her strangely enough….
Jarret lets out a breath as he hears Belladona's words, "Wouldn't it be better to do so in a less open space?" he asks, after a few brief moments of pause. There's a brief look around, and he looks to Thomas. "Wasn't it you who said we should duck while they were firing?" he remarks.
Belladona blinks at Jarret then nods. "If you wish." She looks to Thomas and smiles. "Rest well Baron. I'll check on those bandages sometime tomorrow." And then she will follow Jarret to his cabin to inspect his wound.
"Thank you, Lady Ulsen. And well fought today. For a healer, you defended very well." Thomas snorts a bit lazily towards Jarret. "It was. Unfortunately, not all soldiers decided to abide… and being the fool leader I am, I just had to instruct the one who didn't. This is why officers have serjeants."
"To do that job."
"Next time, make sure you follow your own advice, my friend. You may be a bit irritating from time to time, but we'll still need you in the future," the Sokar remarks, with a grin, before he heads down below.
"You are most welcome Baron Chandus. I simply did what I had too though." She smiles gently to Thomas before she follows Jarret intent on making sure his wound doesn't get infected before she will rest.
The man bows toward Thomas and the others. "Black. Captain Urses Black." He smiles and turns to leave. "Safe sailing Galenthians. I look forward to our meeting!"
A half hour later, Thomas moves below decks. His armour has been stripped off and stowed somewhere, his arm in a well fashioned sling (courtesy of Lady Belladona Ulsen) and his woolen cloak, discarded before battle, once more thrown over him. He is pale and walks slowly, but is determined to reach the Queen.
Corwin is still in his armor, his blade in his hand. He hears Thomas approach and he winces at the site of the older man's arm. "How bad is it?" He asks indicating the sling. He slides his blade into it's scabbard and then offers Thomas a flask. "Da insisted I keep it on me. It was my Grandfather's I guess? Anyway he filled it with that Apple Brandy he loves, I tried one swallow, and I think I could breath fire afterwards … " He shrugs. "I think I'll stick with Wine and Ale."
The Queen looks out a portcolis. She has her hands behind her back and looks over her shoulder to wince. "How bad was it Chandus? It sounded like the end of the world out there."
<Pose Tracker> Thomas has posed. They're speaking .
Thomas can't help but smile as Corwin presents a flask of apple brandy. He loves this stuff - he's got precious little of it at home, but what he does have, he treasures. He nods deferentially to the Lancer, a Tarris bastard who as he gets to know, he appears to appreciate more and more, and takes a deep sip of the liquor before passing the flask back. "Thank you. It will do, Sir Corwin, it will do."
Almost immediately, some colour returns to Thomas's cheeks. He kneels to the Queen. "Your Majesty. All is well. But… we have not reports from the other ships. We took casualties and…" His voice chokes up. "Something happened up there. Two things."
Corwin nods and steps aside, so that he isn't in the way of the conversation between Baron and Queen.
Melisande gestures. "Don't kneel Thomas, you're wounded, for One's sake." She comes over and offers to help him up. Once that is all done, she motions to a chair. "We're far from were formalities need to be observed. Just speak plainly Thomas. What two things happened?"
Thomas is not so much taken aback by his Queen's help as deeply touched by it. His eyes go wide, but allows himself to be aided. Though he does not generally voice it, he is a firm believer in the divine right of royalty, and this is a rather big deal. "The first one is that during the battle, the… the battle ceased when things started to turn to ice. I don't know how to describe it better than that. People who were wounded or covered in water, seemingly, simply started to turn to ice. People died. The pirate boarding us, Captain Ursus Black, was doing quite well until then. Separated our groups and was pushing to the cabin. To get you, presumably. When the ship started to freeze… he retreated."
The Queen raises an eyebrow. "It did get cold down here, and there was frost on the portcolis. Corwin swore he saw snow, but that makes no sense in the Central Ocean at really anytime of the year." She takes a seat herself and folds her hands in her lap. "Interesting. I've begun to hear rumors of strange occurances. Didn't it snow in the D'Kemp's Elder Valley? In the summer? Or close enough to summer it doesn't matter."
"Not just snow, your Majesty. A blizzard in the Valley. It delayed us by nearly a week. When he surrendered, Praetor Surelius also mentioned several odd occurences like what we witnessed today, only on a smaller scale. Truth be told, after the Sealing of Rikton, I thought I'd seen everything. We live in dangerous times, your Majesty. Speaking of which, the Praetor and his officers fought on our side today. And well. I think, in the future, he might be turned away from his Prince, if it could be proven that his Prince works for dark forces. That I think he does." Thomas dismisses this with a slight wave and shake of his head. "But. The second matter. We pursued Captain Black onto his ship, and he threatened to detonate his magasine of flash powder rather than be captured, so we… withdrew. On the promise that we would treat with his Queen, as you and I discussed. He said that Queen Josephine would meet in Four Corners. Your Majesty, though I know not our damage, I know that we are. We must repair and refit there, and this would provide a chance to recognise Ryalta and shield ourselves against them, while deflecting their raiding to our enemies."
Melisande frowns slightly and holds her hand out to Corwin. The younger man raises an eyebrow. "The Flask Corwin. I need a drink." Corwin blinks and hands his Queen the flask. She sips deeply and then offers it to Thomas again. "Jaren spoke of Gauvain's damned Apple Brandy." She shudders as the full alcholic weight of it hits her. "One. How is that man NOT on fire with this in his system at all?" She shakes her head. After another slight shudder she nods. "So be it. Let's go to Four Corners. Repair. Refit, and apparently Treat with this would be Queen in Ryalta. Send a Moongazer to Chancellor Thyne."
Despite Melisande's request not to be formal, habits are hard to break. Thomas bows, only slightly and from the neck. "I will, your Majesty. I know we fight against Rikton, but that is only on a political scale. We still remain members of the One Faith… as such, there must be some kind of link that Archbishop Cantirre has with the Inquisition? Or some other group? I grow nervous at these supernatural things. I fear that the Dark One is asserting his influence, in our weakness. I fear that his malign manipulations are behind this war."
Melisande takes a deep breath and lets it out. She drums her fingers on the small table and hands the flask back to Corwin. "When we reach Four Corners send a Moongazer to Cantirre. I think it's time we find out if the Faithful knows anthing about these strange occurences. They are more than troubling." She pinches the bridge of her nose. "Pfah. It's almost like one of those Stories you hear about the Emperor Firebrand."
Thomas knows when his time is up. "Yes, your Majesty." But he has to ask one more time. "Do you require anything else?"
The woman there pauses and considers. Finally she gives a little playful smile to Thomas. "I require much Thomas." She says softly. "But, sadly you were injured, so I think I'll allow you to rest." She winks to him and gestures. "Take my bed, I think they made it the softest on the ship, I'll steel Corwin's, and he can bunk on the floor with some pillows. You should be comfortable while the arm sets and mends."
Thomas stares as a deer illuminated with a bright lantern or torch held behind one's head. "I uh… thank you, Majesty. I will do that. But er… first I'll make sure that the Moongazer is sent to the Chancellor." He dips in a quick bow and tries to escape as quickly as possible.