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Anka Seth - The Rise of the Hydra (New Update April 19, 2007)
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<blockquote data-quote="Fiasco" data-source="post: 2849481" data-attributes="member: 15187"><p>As the sea caressed the triton’s body, its dull clammy scales began to shine with colour. Responding as if to a miraculous tonic, the body took on vigour and even the eyes achieved a sparkling semblance of life. The prince kicked back in ecstasy, savouring the rush of good clean water flowing through his hungered gills. </p><p></p><p>For a few precious seconds the fish man lost himself in communion with his element before he mastered himself and kicked powerfully back up to the surface. Slapping the flat of his webbed hand against the water, he instantly drew the attention of his kin. Gurgling words of strange potency, he raised a clenched fist high into the air and then plunged it dramatically into the water. As one, the other tritons shook themselves as if emerging from an unpleasant dream. Immediately, they turned from the Hydra and began to menace their former master. The prince, overcome by his effort, lapsed back into the waters, immersing himself again in the healing fluid. </p><p></p><p>Rumscully Jack was caught completely off guard by the turn around, giving the tritons time to encircle him in a ring of scales and spears. It took the sting of another arrow from Morgan to stir him to action. He feinted a move to his left which drew several false thrusts from the tritons. This gave him all the opening he needed and he charged at the surprised fish folk. Just as it looked like he must run into their upraised spears he launched himself skyward, the power of his leap making a great depression in the water. Spears flashed in crisscross fashion amidst the sparkling waters, but nimble Jack proved too quick. A clear path to the open sea lay before him and he ran towards it unhindered until a bolt from Moxadder sunk deep into the back of his thigh.</p><p></p><p>Gerard ran around the edge of the dock, hoping to cut off Jack’s escape. Despite a powerful burst of acceleration, it seemed doubtful he would make it in time. Mortec also acted in desperation, hurling the bloodied dagger he’d removed from Morgan. The distance was long, however and the blade merely skimmed into the sea. It fell to Argonne to act. As the pirate hobbled past him, he launched himself from the dock and tried to haul the pirate captain down. Despite his many wounds, Rumscully Jack managed to duck the tackle, causing the woodsman to belly flop into the water. Feeling himself going under, Argonne grabbed hold of his enemies legs to save himself from drowning.</p><p></p><p>Watching the woodsman’s failed attack, Stravarius cursed in frustration. He was too spent and too far away to be of any assistance. Beside him, Morgan gave a grunt of pain as he drew back and released an arrow. It was a fine effort, piercing the reaver once more in the arm. Almost as if scenting blood, the pursuing tritons fell upon the distracted pirate. Jack was nimble, but he was pierced to the quick. At least three spears found their mark, yet still the man struggled onwards. Powered by a fury that threatened to overcome any obstacle, he heaved himself from amidst the mass of fish folk. With a savage kick, he also broke Argonne’s hold and leapt free once more. Thighs pumping powerfully, he strained the enchantment of his boots to their limit as he sought traction from the water. </p><p></p><p>Desperately, the tritons struck at his back but despite receiving another wound the irrepressible pirate struggled onwards. To the watching Hydra, it seemed that Rumscully Jack would make good his escape when Gerard charged into the equation. The nobleman had anticipated well and his run had brought him close to his target. Seeing his chance, he leaped hard and high over the water, his spear clutched overhead with both hands. Falling from the sky like a mythical avenger he plunged his spear deep into the reaver’s back. This final blow proved too much, bringing the burly pirate down, though his enchanted boots kept his legs bizarrely afloat. Gerard’s own momentum terminated with a shock of salt water to the face. It did nothing to quell his fierce satisfaction at having brought their quarry down.</p><p></p><p>At the fall of Rumscully Jack, the tritons ceased their martial posturing and swam back to their prince. Thrashing mightily, Argonne managed to reach the edge of the dock, as did Gerard. The pair turned their attention to their vanquished foe who had also floated within reach. With difficulty, the two dragged the inert body up onto the deck. To their surprise, the pirate still held his rapier clutched tight in his right first. When Gerard tried to pry it from his grasp, he noticed the man was still breathing. Shaking his head in amazement at the buccaneers resilience, he called for rope with which to bind the pirate. The triton prince overheard his words and swam over to them with three easy strokes despite his weakened condition. With his guard pressed close about him, he spoke.</p><p></p><p>“I thank you most deeply for my rescue. I had truly despaired of seeing these rich waters again. If the man lives, I ask that you give him over to me so that he might face the wrath of my people.”</p><p></p><p>“Nay good denizen of the sea”, Gerard refused as politely as he could. “Though I am most pleased to have been of service to you, I fear that I cannot accede to your request. This man has pillaged the coast of Guerney and caused much harm. He must be questioned hard on his deeds and motivations, and after that he shall receive even harder justice”. He looked steadily at the prince and was about to speak further when the body of the triton he had killed floated between them. The limp body had been robbed of all the grace it had possessed in life, and the sightless eyes of the fish man stared upwards between the pair, as if in accusation. Gerard swallowed hard and hoped he didn’t betray his sudden discomfort.</p><p></p><p>The prince seemed to ponder deeply, then spoke, “Very well. The debt I owe you compels me to obey your wishes. But know this. If we ever see him alive we will bend all our vengeance against him. Of more immediate concern are my companions. I ask that you bring them from their cells ere they die of deprivation.” </p><p></p><p>Argonne and Morgan immediately leapt to do the princes bidding. Satisfied, the prince continued. “I also require you to return those items that the beast stole from me. The prince moved forwards and took a bright (and in Gerard’s opinion quite gaudy) necklace from the neck of Rumscully Jack. Searching the pirates belt, he also took an unusual wavy bladed dagger and the conch shell. The last, he pressed into Gerard’s hand. </p><p></p><p>“This horn holds puissance throughout the Cursed Sea. If you give it wind, it will summon the aid of the tritons. I give this item freely to you, but I caution you to use it wisely.” As the prince concluded his speech, his two companions in misery were carried into view by Morgan and Stravarius. The two captives were helped into the water, where once again, the soothing water seemed to repair much harm. The prince of the tritons looked once again at the Hydra. </p><p></p><p>“My name is Prince Ssilonquain. Before I leave, I would like to learn the names of my benefactors, that I might speak of your deeds to my people.”</p><p></p><p>One by one, the companions gave their names, and the noble creature nodded its head at each announcement. At the conclusion he spoke again. “Very well then, my thanks and farewell. I am pleased that the people of the dry lands are not all as despicable as the ones who held me captive”. With that, the tritons sank beneath the water and swam powerfully down the channel leading to the sea. With a flash of silver scale and a swirl of green hair they were gone.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Fiasco, post: 2849481, member: 15187"] As the sea caressed the triton’s body, its dull clammy scales began to shine with colour. Responding as if to a miraculous tonic, the body took on vigour and even the eyes achieved a sparkling semblance of life. The prince kicked back in ecstasy, savouring the rush of good clean water flowing through his hungered gills. For a few precious seconds the fish man lost himself in communion with his element before he mastered himself and kicked powerfully back up to the surface. Slapping the flat of his webbed hand against the water, he instantly drew the attention of his kin. Gurgling words of strange potency, he raised a clenched fist high into the air and then plunged it dramatically into the water. As one, the other tritons shook themselves as if emerging from an unpleasant dream. Immediately, they turned from the Hydra and began to menace their former master. The prince, overcome by his effort, lapsed back into the waters, immersing himself again in the healing fluid. Rumscully Jack was caught completely off guard by the turn around, giving the tritons time to encircle him in a ring of scales and spears. It took the sting of another arrow from Morgan to stir him to action. He feinted a move to his left which drew several false thrusts from the tritons. This gave him all the opening he needed and he charged at the surprised fish folk. Just as it looked like he must run into their upraised spears he launched himself skyward, the power of his leap making a great depression in the water. Spears flashed in crisscross fashion amidst the sparkling waters, but nimble Jack proved too quick. A clear path to the open sea lay before him and he ran towards it unhindered until a bolt from Moxadder sunk deep into the back of his thigh. Gerard ran around the edge of the dock, hoping to cut off Jack’s escape. Despite a powerful burst of acceleration, it seemed doubtful he would make it in time. Mortec also acted in desperation, hurling the bloodied dagger he’d removed from Morgan. The distance was long, however and the blade merely skimmed into the sea. It fell to Argonne to act. As the pirate hobbled past him, he launched himself from the dock and tried to haul the pirate captain down. Despite his many wounds, Rumscully Jack managed to duck the tackle, causing the woodsman to belly flop into the water. Feeling himself going under, Argonne grabbed hold of his enemies legs to save himself from drowning. Watching the woodsman’s failed attack, Stravarius cursed in frustration. He was too spent and too far away to be of any assistance. Beside him, Morgan gave a grunt of pain as he drew back and released an arrow. It was a fine effort, piercing the reaver once more in the arm. Almost as if scenting blood, the pursuing tritons fell upon the distracted pirate. Jack was nimble, but he was pierced to the quick. At least three spears found their mark, yet still the man struggled onwards. Powered by a fury that threatened to overcome any obstacle, he heaved himself from amidst the mass of fish folk. With a savage kick, he also broke Argonne’s hold and leapt free once more. Thighs pumping powerfully, he strained the enchantment of his boots to their limit as he sought traction from the water. Desperately, the tritons struck at his back but despite receiving another wound the irrepressible pirate struggled onwards. To the watching Hydra, it seemed that Rumscully Jack would make good his escape when Gerard charged into the equation. The nobleman had anticipated well and his run had brought him close to his target. Seeing his chance, he leaped hard and high over the water, his spear clutched overhead with both hands. Falling from the sky like a mythical avenger he plunged his spear deep into the reaver’s back. This final blow proved too much, bringing the burly pirate down, though his enchanted boots kept his legs bizarrely afloat. Gerard’s own momentum terminated with a shock of salt water to the face. It did nothing to quell his fierce satisfaction at having brought their quarry down. At the fall of Rumscully Jack, the tritons ceased their martial posturing and swam back to their prince. Thrashing mightily, Argonne managed to reach the edge of the dock, as did Gerard. The pair turned their attention to their vanquished foe who had also floated within reach. With difficulty, the two dragged the inert body up onto the deck. To their surprise, the pirate still held his rapier clutched tight in his right first. When Gerard tried to pry it from his grasp, he noticed the man was still breathing. Shaking his head in amazement at the buccaneers resilience, he called for rope with which to bind the pirate. The triton prince overheard his words and swam over to them with three easy strokes despite his weakened condition. With his guard pressed close about him, he spoke. “I thank you most deeply for my rescue. I had truly despaired of seeing these rich waters again. If the man lives, I ask that you give him over to me so that he might face the wrath of my people.” “Nay good denizen of the sea”, Gerard refused as politely as he could. “Though I am most pleased to have been of service to you, I fear that I cannot accede to your request. This man has pillaged the coast of Guerney and caused much harm. He must be questioned hard on his deeds and motivations, and after that he shall receive even harder justice”. He looked steadily at the prince and was about to speak further when the body of the triton he had killed floated between them. The limp body had been robbed of all the grace it had possessed in life, and the sightless eyes of the fish man stared upwards between the pair, as if in accusation. Gerard swallowed hard and hoped he didn’t betray his sudden discomfort. The prince seemed to ponder deeply, then spoke, “Very well. The debt I owe you compels me to obey your wishes. But know this. If we ever see him alive we will bend all our vengeance against him. Of more immediate concern are my companions. I ask that you bring them from their cells ere they die of deprivation.” Argonne and Morgan immediately leapt to do the princes bidding. Satisfied, the prince continued. “I also require you to return those items that the beast stole from me. The prince moved forwards and took a bright (and in Gerard’s opinion quite gaudy) necklace from the neck of Rumscully Jack. Searching the pirates belt, he also took an unusual wavy bladed dagger and the conch shell. The last, he pressed into Gerard’s hand. “This horn holds puissance throughout the Cursed Sea. If you give it wind, it will summon the aid of the tritons. I give this item freely to you, but I caution you to use it wisely.” As the prince concluded his speech, his two companions in misery were carried into view by Morgan and Stravarius. The two captives were helped into the water, where once again, the soothing water seemed to repair much harm. The prince of the tritons looked once again at the Hydra. “My name is Prince Ssilonquain. Before I leave, I would like to learn the names of my benefactors, that I might speak of your deeds to my people.” One by one, the companions gave their names, and the noble creature nodded its head at each announcement. At the conclusion he spoke again. “Very well then, my thanks and farewell. I am pleased that the people of the dry lands are not all as despicable as the ones who held me captive”. With that, the tritons sank beneath the water and swam powerfully down the channel leading to the sea. With a flash of silver scale and a swirl of green hair they were gone. [/QUOTE]
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