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Curse of Darkness - Interlude on a Dark and Stormy Night
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<blockquote data-quote="Greenfield" data-source="post: 6246475" data-attributes="member: 6669384"><p>"Fire!", cried the sailor as he rushed into the bar. "A ship in the harbor has been lightning struck. She's ablaze and men are trapped aboard."</p><p></p><p>Without hesitation two dozen men rose and headed for the door, pulling their storm gear on as the went. There was a general rush to the warf as longboats were prepared.</p><p></p><p>Small casks were lashed beneath the oarsmen' benches, to ensure that the craft would remain afloat if it were to be swamped by the storm swell, and as quick as they could be outfitted and manned, they were away into the stormy night.</p><p></p><p>To a landsman this display of selfless courage would be a shock, but no true sailor could leave another on a sinking vessel like that. They might have been good friends or the worst of enemies on any other day, but tonight they were simply sailors in distress.</p><p>*** </p><p>Backs strained and oars creaked as the longboats fought against the waves, climbing each like a black hill, then crashing down the far side as it passed. They strove to stay within sight of each other, lest the storm claim fresh victims, but they drove forward at best speed none the less.</p><p></p><p>The light of the burning ships provided them with a guide, and they could see figures silhouetted against the flames as they approached, appearing almost as dancers within the inferno.</p><p></p><p>The three longboats split, two to one corsair and one to the other, for the second appeared to have lowered at least some of her own boats, and men could be seen huddled within.</p><p></p><p>They scanned the rough waters for swimmers, though there was little hope any could stay afloat in the stormy sea. </p><p></p><p>The men on deck, seeing help arrive, all but leaped into the rescuers arms. The last to leave was the Captain, who had stayed aboard to open the scuttle cocks, the last line of defense against a burning ship. The hull would flood and the vessel would sink, but there was always the hope that she could be raised again, if there was enough of her left to raise.</p><p>*** </p><p>"Seven men.", called the Harbor Master. "That's all who survived from two ships. And we lost two in the rescue." </p><p></p><p>It was a sad tally, but oddly enough his tone made it clear that he considered it a success. Odder still was the feeling that, should the need arise, every sailor who had set to sea in that effort would do so again without hesitation, for each knew that others would do the same for them.</p><p></p><p>Warm soup and dry blankets were being shared about among rescuers and survivors alike.</p><p></p><p>"It was as if the gods themselves were angry with us.", related one sailor, as if continuing a tale.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, it wasn't the gods, I assure you.", came Kyton's mocking laugh, to the shock and horror of all.</p><p></p><p>An angry silence fell over the room as every man and woman present suddenly found themselves facing the fiendish visitor. And be it bottle, bowl or belaying pin, each found a weapon that came easily to hand.</p><p></p><p>"You don't really want to do that.", stated the devil as he rose to his feet. His manner was casual, as if daring the entire room try something. His chain flew to his hand of its own accord, and he hefted it there for a heartbeat before putting it away and walking out the door. </p><p></p><p>The crowd rushed the door, but he was gone. And again, if there was a sound of leather wings in flight, it was lost in the storm.</p><p>*** </p><p>"You don't want to do that.", came the mocking chuckle, like an odd echo of another voice in another place. It startled Onyx so much that he almost gave his position away.</p><p></p><p>He had followed the Minotaur for over a mile, watched and waited as it began to raid the farm house, then tracked it off into the night as it fled.</p><p></p><p>It was wounded, a long bloody slash along one flank, fresh enough that the Catfolk could smell the blood. And it was destined to die tonight.</p><p></p><p>Until, that is, someone startled it by calling out a warning in the darkness. As soon as the small, childlike voice had sounded, the great beast had bolted, crashing its way through the forest once more.</p><p></p><p>Onyx turned his head a quarter of an inch, all the movement he would allow himself under the circumstance. The shift in perspective brought his tormenter into view. A tiny creature with bat wings and a barbed tail sat perched on a branch to his left. It was looking directly at him, which was a bit of a shock. Stealth came naturally to his people, and he'd always prided himself on his ability to pass unseen.</p><p></p><p>He shifted his position as he brought his bow to bear, exercising that special gift that allowed him to take the darkness from any nearby shadow and wrap itself around him like a shroud.</p><p></p><p>"You know, you're pretty good at that.", commented the tiny Imp, his eyes still locked directly on the scout. "But I've seen better."</p><p></p><p>The bow came up, but the tiny fiend was already gone. Yet his voice persisted, seeming to come from nowhere. "You shouldn't hunt local folk until you know the local rules. You could get in trouble."</p><p></p><p>Onyx weighed his options. Of the pair, the Imp would be the more challenging quarry, but as annoying as it had been it's counsel seemed well advised. He had come out, angry and humiliated, and angry hunters make mistakes. He hadn't checked with anyone to see if the Minotaur was a problem, and in fact the farmer had chased it away as casually as if it had been a mere fox. There was something odd there.</p><p></p><p>He also had the feeling that hunting the Imp would also be a mistake. He quietly retraced his steps, removing himself from the woods and returning to the town.</p><p>***</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greenfield, post: 6246475, member: 6669384"] "Fire!", cried the sailor as he rushed into the bar. "A ship in the harbor has been lightning struck. She's ablaze and men are trapped aboard." Without hesitation two dozen men rose and headed for the door, pulling their storm gear on as the went. There was a general rush to the warf as longboats were prepared. Small casks were lashed beneath the oarsmen' benches, to ensure that the craft would remain afloat if it were to be swamped by the storm swell, and as quick as they could be outfitted and manned, they were away into the stormy night. To a landsman this display of selfless courage would be a shock, but no true sailor could leave another on a sinking vessel like that. They might have been good friends or the worst of enemies on any other day, but tonight they were simply sailors in distress. *** Backs strained and oars creaked as the longboats fought against the waves, climbing each like a black hill, then crashing down the far side as it passed. They strove to stay within sight of each other, lest the storm claim fresh victims, but they drove forward at best speed none the less. The light of the burning ships provided them with a guide, and they could see figures silhouetted against the flames as they approached, appearing almost as dancers within the inferno. The three longboats split, two to one corsair and one to the other, for the second appeared to have lowered at least some of her own boats, and men could be seen huddled within. They scanned the rough waters for swimmers, though there was little hope any could stay afloat in the stormy sea. The men on deck, seeing help arrive, all but leaped into the rescuers arms. The last to leave was the Captain, who had stayed aboard to open the scuttle cocks, the last line of defense against a burning ship. The hull would flood and the vessel would sink, but there was always the hope that she could be raised again, if there was enough of her left to raise. *** "Seven men.", called the Harbor Master. "That's all who survived from two ships. And we lost two in the rescue." It was a sad tally, but oddly enough his tone made it clear that he considered it a success. Odder still was the feeling that, should the need arise, every sailor who had set to sea in that effort would do so again without hesitation, for each knew that others would do the same for them. Warm soup and dry blankets were being shared about among rescuers and survivors alike. "It was as if the gods themselves were angry with us.", related one sailor, as if continuing a tale. "Oh, it wasn't the gods, I assure you.", came Kyton's mocking laugh, to the shock and horror of all. An angry silence fell over the room as every man and woman present suddenly found themselves facing the fiendish visitor. And be it bottle, bowl or belaying pin, each found a weapon that came easily to hand. "You don't really want to do that.", stated the devil as he rose to his feet. His manner was casual, as if daring the entire room try something. His chain flew to his hand of its own accord, and he hefted it there for a heartbeat before putting it away and walking out the door. The crowd rushed the door, but he was gone. And again, if there was a sound of leather wings in flight, it was lost in the storm. *** "You don't want to do that.", came the mocking chuckle, like an odd echo of another voice in another place. It startled Onyx so much that he almost gave his position away. He had followed the Minotaur for over a mile, watched and waited as it began to raid the farm house, then tracked it off into the night as it fled. It was wounded, a long bloody slash along one flank, fresh enough that the Catfolk could smell the blood. And it was destined to die tonight. Until, that is, someone startled it by calling out a warning in the darkness. As soon as the small, childlike voice had sounded, the great beast had bolted, crashing its way through the forest once more. Onyx turned his head a quarter of an inch, all the movement he would allow himself under the circumstance. The shift in perspective brought his tormenter into view. A tiny creature with bat wings and a barbed tail sat perched on a branch to his left. It was looking directly at him, which was a bit of a shock. Stealth came naturally to his people, and he'd always prided himself on his ability to pass unseen. He shifted his position as he brought his bow to bear, exercising that special gift that allowed him to take the darkness from any nearby shadow and wrap itself around him like a shroud. "You know, you're pretty good at that.", commented the tiny Imp, his eyes still locked directly on the scout. "But I've seen better." The bow came up, but the tiny fiend was already gone. Yet his voice persisted, seeming to come from nowhere. "You shouldn't hunt local folk until you know the local rules. You could get in trouble." Onyx weighed his options. Of the pair, the Imp would be the more challenging quarry, but as annoying as it had been it's counsel seemed well advised. He had come out, angry and humiliated, and angry hunters make mistakes. He hadn't checked with anyone to see if the Minotaur was a problem, and in fact the farmer had chased it away as casually as if it had been a mere fox. There was something odd there. He also had the feeling that hunting the Imp would also be a mistake. He quietly retraced his steps, removing himself from the woods and returning to the town. *** [/QUOTE]
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