Hotel of the White Wake
Captain Marin rises, “Alright gentlemen, I know you are eager to hear what Danar can tell us about the attack on the Lorrianna Fare.” He makes his way back out to the hallway leaning heavily on his cane and with Greta in tow. You notice that Devon has straightened up the Butler’s pantry while you were in with Honager. You are ushered through the door at the end of the hall to a small, but well appointed bedroom. An old man lies in a bed propped up on pillows. He has obviously been through an ordeal. He has clearly been treated with both magical and herbal cures. His skin is peeling from severe sunburn, but the skin underneath looks fresh and healthy. He has several scars that seem fresh, but the wounds are healed. Marin greets him warmly, “Tebbsy old fellow, how are you today?” The man smiles thinly, but he is clearly weak. One side of his face droops noticeably. His words are a bit slurred and he seems to have to think about each word carefully as he says it. “I’m doing great Captain, I’ll be back at my duties in no time. All this rich food and laying about is going to ruin me for real man’s work.” Marin smiles, “Tebbs, these gentlemen are going to help take back what’s ours from those raiders. Please tell them what happened and answer their questions as best you can.” Tebbs looks you over and says, “Aye Aye Captain, where should I start.” Marin frowns in thought, tell them everything you can remember and anything that might be important.” The old sailor on the bed nods and pauses a moment to collect his thoughts.
“Well lads it was like this. We were sailing under a bit of a cloud. We were making the same run our sister ship the Daughter of Cambre has gone down on the previous fall. We were headed up to Icewatch. The trip up was uneventful, but as I say we all felt a bit off because of the other ship. In Icewatch Captain Allois made some good deals and tried to find any news of survivors from the storm.” He looks at Captain Marin before he continues, I seems to make some decision before he continues. “Allois was in a black mood on the way down despite the profits we stood to make. He kept to his cabin except for walking the decks late at night. It put us all in a right funk I tell you. Maybe we somehow sensed what was to happen.”
He pauses to drink a bit of water a glass beside his bed. It is quite a task for him in his current condition. “We were about a week on the downward run from Icewatch when it happened.” He shudders a bit, “I was coming up on deck to start my watch when I heard a bit of commotion. As I cleared the stairs, I just caught a glimpse of something coming toward me. I was a weapon of some sort I guess, because that’s the last thing I remember until I woke up on deck laid out with a row of corpses. I was still pretty woozy, like I was coming off a three day drunk. Anyway, I managed to crawl into an empty cabin and hide for a bit. There weren’t many on board, just enough to work the rigging and keep her afloat. I was in and out of consciousness. I think a couple of days passed at least. I managed to pull myself together and get into a supply locker. I managed to get some rope and canvas as well as a few tools. I cobbled together a raft from a couple of barrels. It took me a couple more days because I kept falling out. The prize crew must have kept to their stations, because I hardly saw or heard them the whole time. I did hear a few voices once. They were talking about Mermaid’s rest and I’m sure I heard Captain Allois’ voice. He and several of the crew must have still been alive, because there hadn’t been many bodies on the deck. I guess there was another ship, but I never got a look at her. Finally, I managed to collect up a bit of rainwater and some ship’s biscuits and set sail on my raft.” He grins, “she wasn’t the finest ship I’ve ever sailed on. It was rough going I’ll tell you. I was a sea for a week, before I finally caught sight of a piece of land and manage to get ashore. I had to deal with rough seas and even a couple of sharks, but I new I just had to get back to Captain Marin.” Captain Marin pats Tebbs on the shoulder and you see a wetness in his eyes. Tebbs’ voyage must have been harrowing indeed given his present condition.
Captain Marin speaks with his usual bluster, “Well lads, what do you think about this fine sailor, how many others could have done what he did and make it back alive? Do you have any questions for him?”
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