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L'Aurel's Journal (A Kingdom of Ashes) -updated 3/23
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<blockquote data-quote="Laurel" data-source="post: 1823875" data-attributes="member: 17067"><p><strong>Chapter 2- “Scions of a Dying Age”</strong></p><p></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Day Twelve- The Crossing to Oceanus</span></em></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> I awake to Xath’s soft singing. Her dark circular form blocking most of the rising Anon’s light. As she stops and starts again I know she is creating something new. The language is harsher then the elvish I have heard her sing in before, but now I can see why most dwarves don’t become performers. I lay quietly listening to her and realizing that as with Selura, Xath’s songs didn’t need the words. The music itself held a power all it’s own.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">As everyone break bread an hour later, the captain comes above deck announcing today as wash day. I see the smiles and playful punches the sailors give to one another. Surely doing laundry isn’t that fun. As the captain starts to return to his cabin he spots Justice, Xath and I. He walks straight to Justice throwing a slight glance at down at Xath and keeping his eyes low towards me. It seems he is only concerned with the outer shell of a person. I feel Xath’s hand pat mine, I guess to reassure me and hear him murmur to Justice, “You may wish to spend the morning below decks, and away from the window.” </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">With those cryptic words he walks away returning below. As he disappears, the sailors let out a whoop as one all seemingly unabashed in shedding clothes and diving overboard. Kareth it seems has not lost his love of water either as his splash rocks the ship. Justice rolls her eyes skyward and stalks below deck muttering about the ways of men. My cheeks flare with heat only looking away when Xath pulls my arm motioning to the bow area, “The should stay in the aft section.” Farathier with wet hair comes over to us hours later having apparently joined the group. He smiles something not often done and at my inquiry tells me the sailors told him with precious little fresh water on board and few hours of dead wind they get little free time. Thus a bath day is a special treat. His blonde hair normally straight curls slightly at the collar when wet, and his face relaxed with a smile changes his whole appearance. I sit in wonder as we three chat, too soon he leaves. Having not seen Justice for hours Xath and I travel below searching her out. She sits studying papers, but at out muffled entrance she shoves them inside her journal and quickly ties it bound behind her as she jumps up.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Though confused, we each decide not to mention it, as Xath leads us to other topics. She chief concern is for a banner for our army. As we discuss, we easily move so Xath and I bend Xath’s bunk with our combined weight and Justice sits regally on hers.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">At about mid-day, the captain stops in surprised to find all three of us in there, he quickly nods asking us to come above for the midday meal. As we reach the top of the stairs, Arhconus calmly stalks towards us, “There is a boat of the art port.” The captain nods, but seems unfazed, since he saw it yesterday but thought it would take longer to close any distance. He tells us if we get him into any more trouble he will kill us himself, his voice cold, but his eyes such temper.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">From that moment on the captain has two posted in the crow’s nest, one watching the ship alone the other searching for anything else on the open sea. Just hours later the crew shouts the warning, we have been spotted and identified. The ship is closing fast, and it is definitely one of the King’s naval ships. The sailor slides down the rope as the other finishes the shout, “It’s the Malwys, sir.” He slautes, body tense. The captain looks to aft as if by his glare he could change the name, change the past. Instead he grunts and calls everyone to arms. Glaring at us he orders us below, hoping the ship will move on and keep us from underfoot.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Sitting below in the eerie quiet we finally hear the shudder of a cannon ball hitting the port side. I fall from the top bunk cushioned by Xath as she falls from her bunk. Stumbling to get up all three of us race for the door, knowing we would do more good above. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">As our door flings open we see, Arhconus, Kareth, Farathier and Arfin’s backs climbing to the top deck. Once up it is apparent the Malyws is attacking with no thought of asking questions first. As they begin to pour over the rail, the smaller ship continues to shutter under the onslaught of cannon fire. I raise my bow knowing I have little chance for error. I see Arhconus rushing to the front easily waving his swords at two attackers, I try to shoot them in the legs as the come over. Damage that may give them a chance to escape. I see bolts piercing the hearts of some coming across, and take a precious moment to see Farathier by the mast shoot as well. He is doing what I can not. As the other ship empties, and this ship fills I see a straight line to the other ship. Racing full speed I throw myself over one sword and jump the rail. My fingers grasp the other ships metal rail as my feet dangle in mid air. I easily swing my legs around falling into a crouch on the deck. Across the great expanse of the ship I see a sailor giving orders, that must be the captain… take him down, the rest will crumble. I look to the other ship quickly knocking an arrow. I see Justice blonde hair for a moment the her face covered with ash, smoke, and blood. I can do this, I must. Raising my bow I take aim, feeling a single shutter under my feet. My bow goes lack as my arm falls, I can’t…</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> I hear the clank of boots to my left and jumping up raise my bow and fire. The sword clanks to the ground as the man grasps his hand. Surprise! I race full speed across the deck swinging up onto the foredeck next to the captain. He turns startled ready to yell, I point the metal tip at his chest “Tell them to stop!” I growl. “Fire another volley!” He shouts with a scowl. I yank the bow down and fire into his knee. As he yells in pain and falls, I say again, “Tell them to stop!” He struggles to look up at me, white hair flying from it’s bounding. “All Others Over!” His voice weaker still reaches his crew, another wave that had been firing from the railing jumps up. His smile widens as he watches them. He slowly stands, and I feel my sweat endangering my hold on the bow. “Tell them to stop!” I yell, but my only answer is the scraping of metal as he draws a long silvery blade. I loose the next arrow into his foot, knowing instantly that the bones are shattered and he is held to that spot. “Don’t you want to live?” I almost step back at his menacing grin, “While I hold you here, we win.” At that I fire into his sword hand, as it clatters to the ground I have already moved around him. Watching past him as Kareth struggles to pull something from below. Justice continues to fight as Arhconus yells at her to jump across. Farathier holding two limp bodies and jumping the short distance, while arches of orange flame consume the wooden vessel.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> “Don’t move,” I tell the captain darkly feeling the anger wash over me. He was able to keep giving orders, to stop fighting they should have been killed. I stand that way watching as McShippy quickly gets his even smaller crew in the rigging, and away from the deadly flames. I feel a gloved hand on my arm gently pressing it down, and then Archonus’s voice, “It’s over.” Justice comes up the stairs followed shortly by the others. Going directly to the captain she starts her speech. I only voice in to agree to let those who would go in a dingy to shore. In the end only the captain and five of his faithful followers choose to be left to the will of the waters currents and set off. Even with the new ship we soon realize we have to stop in Oceanus as planned, and I wonder at my usefulness.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Laurel, post: 1823875, member: 17067"] [b]Chapter 2- “Scions of a Dying Age”[/b] [i][font=Verdana]Day Twelve- The Crossing to Oceanus[/font][/i] [font=Verdana] I awake to Xath’s soft singing. Her dark circular form blocking most of the rising Anon’s light. As she stops and starts again I know she is creating something new. The language is harsher then the elvish I have heard her sing in before, but now I can see why most dwarves don’t become performers. I lay quietly listening to her and realizing that as with Selura, Xath’s songs didn’t need the words. The music itself held a power all it’s own.[/font] [font=Verdana]As everyone break bread an hour later, the captain comes above deck announcing today as wash day. I see the smiles and playful punches the sailors give to one another. Surely doing laundry isn’t that fun. As the captain starts to return to his cabin he spots Justice, Xath and I. He walks straight to Justice throwing a slight glance at down at Xath and keeping his eyes low towards me. It seems he is only concerned with the outer shell of a person. I feel Xath’s hand pat mine, I guess to reassure me and hear him murmur to Justice, “You may wish to spend the morning below decks, and away from the window.” [/font] [font=Verdana]With those cryptic words he walks away returning below. As he disappears, the sailors let out a whoop as one all seemingly unabashed in shedding clothes and diving overboard. Kareth it seems has not lost his love of water either as his splash rocks the ship. Justice rolls her eyes skyward and stalks below deck muttering about the ways of men. My cheeks flare with heat only looking away when Xath pulls my arm motioning to the bow area, “The should stay in the aft section.” Farathier with wet hair comes over to us hours later having apparently joined the group. He smiles something not often done and at my inquiry tells me the sailors told him with precious little fresh water on board and few hours of dead wind they get little free time. Thus a bath day is a special treat. His blonde hair normally straight curls slightly at the collar when wet, and his face relaxed with a smile changes his whole appearance. I sit in wonder as we three chat, too soon he leaves. Having not seen Justice for hours Xath and I travel below searching her out. She sits studying papers, but at out muffled entrance she shoves them inside her journal and quickly ties it bound behind her as she jumps up.[/font] [font=Verdana]Though confused, we each decide not to mention it, as Xath leads us to other topics. She chief concern is for a banner for our army. As we discuss, we easily move so Xath and I bend Xath’s bunk with our combined weight and Justice sits regally on hers.[/font] [font=Verdana]At about mid-day, the captain stops in surprised to find all three of us in there, he quickly nods asking us to come above for the midday meal. As we reach the top of the stairs, Arhconus calmly stalks towards us, “There is a boat of the art port.” The captain nods, but seems unfazed, since he saw it yesterday but thought it would take longer to close any distance. He tells us if we get him into any more trouble he will kill us himself, his voice cold, but his eyes such temper.[/font] [font=Verdana]From that moment on the captain has two posted in the crow’s nest, one watching the ship alone the other searching for anything else on the open sea. Just hours later the crew shouts the warning, we have been spotted and identified. The ship is closing fast, and it is definitely one of the King’s naval ships. The sailor slides down the rope as the other finishes the shout, “It’s the Malwys, sir.” He slautes, body tense. The captain looks to aft as if by his glare he could change the name, change the past. Instead he grunts and calls everyone to arms. Glaring at us he orders us below, hoping the ship will move on and keep us from underfoot.[/font] [font=Verdana]Sitting below in the eerie quiet we finally hear the shudder of a cannon ball hitting the port side. I fall from the top bunk cushioned by Xath as she falls from her bunk. Stumbling to get up all three of us race for the door, knowing we would do more good above. [/font] [font=Verdana]As our door flings open we see, Arhconus, Kareth, Farathier and Arfin’s backs climbing to the top deck. Once up it is apparent the Malyws is attacking with no thought of asking questions first. As they begin to pour over the rail, the smaller ship continues to shutter under the onslaught of cannon fire. I raise my bow knowing I have little chance for error. I see Arhconus rushing to the front easily waving his swords at two attackers, I try to shoot them in the legs as the come over. Damage that may give them a chance to escape. I see bolts piercing the hearts of some coming across, and take a precious moment to see Farathier by the mast shoot as well. He is doing what I can not. As the other ship empties, and this ship fills I see a straight line to the other ship. Racing full speed I throw myself over one sword and jump the rail. My fingers grasp the other ships metal rail as my feet dangle in mid air. I easily swing my legs around falling into a crouch on the deck. Across the great expanse of the ship I see a sailor giving orders, that must be the captain… take him down, the rest will crumble. I look to the other ship quickly knocking an arrow. I see Justice blonde hair for a moment the her face covered with ash, smoke, and blood. I can do this, I must. Raising my bow I take aim, feeling a single shutter under my feet. My bow goes lack as my arm falls, I can’t…[/font] [font=Verdana] I hear the clank of boots to my left and jumping up raise my bow and fire. The sword clanks to the ground as the man grasps his hand. Surprise! I race full speed across the deck swinging up onto the foredeck next to the captain. He turns startled ready to yell, I point the metal tip at his chest “Tell them to stop!” I growl. “Fire another volley!” He shouts with a scowl. I yank the bow down and fire into his knee. As he yells in pain and falls, I say again, “Tell them to stop!” He struggles to look up at me, white hair flying from it’s bounding. “All Others Over!” His voice weaker still reaches his crew, another wave that had been firing from the railing jumps up. His smile widens as he watches them. He slowly stands, and I feel my sweat endangering my hold on the bow. “Tell them to stop!” I yell, but my only answer is the scraping of metal as he draws a long silvery blade. I loose the next arrow into his foot, knowing instantly that the bones are shattered and he is held to that spot. “Don’t you want to live?” I almost step back at his menacing grin, “While I hold you here, we win.” At that I fire into his sword hand, as it clatters to the ground I have already moved around him. Watching past him as Kareth struggles to pull something from below. Justice continues to fight as Arhconus yells at her to jump across. Farathier holding two limp bodies and jumping the short distance, while arches of orange flame consume the wooden vessel.[/font] [font=Verdana] “Don’t move,” I tell the captain darkly feeling the anger wash over me. He was able to keep giving orders, to stop fighting they should have been killed. I stand that way watching as McShippy quickly gets his even smaller crew in the rigging, and away from the deadly flames. I feel a gloved hand on my arm gently pressing it down, and then Archonus’s voice, “It’s over.” Justice comes up the stairs followed shortly by the others. Going directly to the captain she starts her speech. I only voice in to agree to let those who would go in a dingy to shore. In the end only the captain and five of his faithful followers choose to be left to the will of the waters currents and set off. Even with the new ship we soon realize we have to stop in Oceanus as planned, and I wonder at my usefulness.[/font] [/QUOTE]
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