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Story Hour
Knightfall's World of Kulan: Tales of the Companions Story Hour (Final Update: Sep 20, 2014)
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<blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 316044" data-attributes="member: 2012"><p><strong>Travelers' Met (cont.)</strong></p><p></p><p><em><strong>From the Journal of Bactra Redwind, son of Minonus</strong></em></p><p></p><p><em><strong>Salisan Marg:</strong></em></p><p><em>Thessa wouldn’t speak to Dabuk again for several days after going through the ritual. Besides Dvalin, she remained aloof to the rest of us as well. Dabuk had been upset at me. He didn't really have a right. I'd tried to talk her out of it. And he'd agreed that if someone was insistent that it wasn't right to forbid them.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Mesik had had the chance once to go through the ritual and had backed off immediately. Jeddar didn't want to have anything to do with the ritual, as it was banned in his homeland, the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves…</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>…Rikin didn't like the fact that Dvalin was spending so much time with Thessa. He didn't think it was proper for the future consort of the High Thane to be so friendly towards another female...</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>...The third day of traveling brought us up a long rise that had seemed to stretch on forever. We soon peaked the top of the rise. Then I saw what I thought would be the strangest thing I'd ever see in my life. And it was pretty close.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>A large giant was wading through the water off the coast. He was using a large trident to spear several large fish nearly as big as Mesik. He was obviously enjoying himself laughing and singing in the tongue of giants. We just stood there dumbfounded for several minutes.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>The giant hadn’t seen us. He had continued to spear fish, flinging his catch onto the shoreline. He was really good at it too. That had been what scared me…</em></p><p></p><p>Dabuk motioned everyone back over the rise to decide what to do.</p><p></p><p>"Ok," Dabuk was running his fingers over the hilt of his sword. "What does everyone think?"</p><p></p><p>It was the first time he didn't seem sure of what to do. Of course, none of them had ever run into a “true” giant before. Ogres were sort of like giants but not really. Ogres were dumb and cruel. Giants were... well, giants. Not something to take lightly.</p><p></p><p>Mesik was hunched down as far as he could go. Really big creatures made him nervous. "Um, I think we better take the long way around. Backtrack a ways and then cut across the desert away from it."</p><p></p><p>"Please don't refer to him as an it. Giants are known for being overly sensitive about such things." Dvalin was whispering.</p><p></p><p>"How do you know that?" Bactra shook his head in disbelief.</p><p></p><p>"Trust me," Dvalin had his axe out. "My father has told me things that would curl your toes."</p><p></p><p>"Aye." Rikin was readying his axe. "Besides, giants are always evil and we have the advantage. I say we take him!"</p><p></p><p>"Oh sure," Bactra couldn't believe the dwarven bluster being thrown around. "We'll just convince him to come out of the water so we can hack at his knees and ankles. He's at least fifteen feet tall, maybe twenty. And not all giants are evil, that's a dwarven myth!"</p><p></p><p>"Not so loud." Thessa was peering over the rise carefully. "He will hear you."</p><p></p><p>"Thessa’s right," Dabuk kept his voice down. "Everyone stay calm and lower your voices."</p><p></p><p>Everyone stood there quietly for several minutes while Dabuk paced back and forth. He was thinking. Jeddar had his blades out, twirling them back and forth impatiently. Bactra sometimes wondered if Jeddar’s elven blood was so thin that he hadn't learned how to be calm.</p><p></p><p>"Well?" Jeddar couldn’t contain himself any longer.</p><p></p><p>Dabuk stopped, looking at half-elven bard. "While Rikin makes good points about giants usually being evil, Bactra is right. Not all giants are evil. This giant isn't an ogre or even one of the foul hill giants my father has fought in the past. This giant is different. He seems intelligent and jovial. I don't think he's evil but I do suggest caution."</p><p></p><p>"Then we should go around, lad." Dvalin shook his head. "Any giant is dangerous when angered."</p><p></p><p>"We don't have time to go around, my friend. It will take too much time. We have to risk it." Dabuk shook his head.</p><p></p><p>"So we're going to try to sneak by." Rikin slapped his forehead in disbelief. "He'll spot us for sure."</p><p></p><p>"I didn't say that. We're going to introduce ourselves and be really friendly. If anyone has a problem with that then I suggest you stay well back and let me do the talking."</p><p></p><p>Everyone was stunned to silence. Dvalin moaned in frustration, Jeddar dropped his swords mid-twirl, while the rest of them stared at Dabuk in shock. It was just crazy enough it might work. Still the plan could get them all killed in a heartbeat. Before anyone could stop him, Dabuk climbed over the rise yelling out to the giant.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, by Hade's Underrealm." Mesik scrambled up over the rise after Dabuk.</p><p></p><p>"He is nuts!" Thessa just stood there.</p><p></p><p>The rest of them followed one by one. Bactra had to literally drag Thessa over the rise.</p><p></p><p>"Hello there!" Dabuk was yelling at the top of his lungs. "I would like to speak to you if you don't mind!"</p><p></p><p>After hearing that introduction Bactra was beginning to wonder if Thessa was right. This wasn't a good idea.</p><p></p><p>Dabuk turned his back to everyone. "Damn it, everyone put your weapons away. How are we supposed to look friendly when we're all armed to the teeth."</p><p></p><p>"All right," Dvalin strapped his axe to his back. "But you better be right about him not being evil."</p><p></p><p>Everyone but Rikin put away his or her weapons.</p><p></p><p>"Rikin," Dvalin patted his adopted brother on the back. "Put you axe away, my brother."</p><p></p><p>"With all due respect, brother." Rikin tightened his gripe on the weapon. "Not a chance. He's evil I tell you."</p><p></p><p>"Fine. But stay back a bit. If he isn't evil then you might just make him mad enough to attack if you go waving that at him."</p><p></p><p>"Dvalin, don't-" Rikin couldn't hide his anger and fear.</p><p></p><p>"I have to. They're my friends."</p><p></p><p>Dabuk was still yelling at the giant, failing to get his attention. He was flailing his arms around like a wounded gull looking hilarious.</p><p></p><p>"Oh come on," Dabuk was panting. "He must be deaf."</p><p></p><p>"I don't think he's deaf." Bactra stepped up to his cousin getting a look at the giant for the first time. The giant seemed almost at peace in the water. He stood at least fifteen to sixteen feet tall. His hair was stark white, his skin the color of squeezed olives.</p><p></p><p>"I think he's so tall and so far out there that he can't hear you. I can barely hear you over his singing. Let me try."</p><p></p><p>"Ok," Dabuk was still breathing heavily his hands on his knees. "Good luck!"</p><p></p><p>"I don't need luck. I have my magic." Bactra smiled.</p><p></p><p>He stepped part way into the surf, reaching out with his mind and magic. Bactra could feel the water and the shore. Mumbling the arcane words taught to him by his tutor, Bactra forced his thoughts through the water towards the giant. He could hear the giant laughing in his head as he made the connection through the sending.</p><p></p><p>"I hope this works." Bactra called out to the giant through his mind with the same greeting his cousin had used before.</p><p></p><p>The giant stopped singing standing up with his back to them. He scratched his head confused.</p><p></p><p>"Over here!" Bactra yelled.</p><p></p><p>The giant spun around looking cautiously at them. Then he started laughing again. Yes, he wasn't evil, that Bactra was sure of now.</p><p></p><p><strong>"AH, THERE YOU ARE."</strong> The giant strode towards the beach using his trident as a makeshift walking stick. <strong>"I DIDN’T SEE YOU, LITTLE ONE."</strong></p><p></p><p>The others backed away unsure of the giants intentions. Only Dabuk stayed by Bactra’s side. He was sure of his cousin’s magic and judgement.</p><p></p><p>"We are pleased to meet you," Bactra kept his voice raised slightly. "I am Bactra Redwind, this is my cousin Dabuk Tigerstorm. And these are our friends."</p><p></p><p><strong>"NICE TO MEET YOU, LITTLE ONE. WHAT BRINGS YOU TO THE SHORES OF THE GREAT EXPANSE? YOU’RE QUITE FAR FROM THE GREAT FOREST."</strong></p><p></p><p>Bactra just stood there dumbfounded. The giant knew his people.</p><p></p><p><strong>"YES, YES. YOU’RE A FOREST ELF, NOT UNLIKE THE SAVAGE DESERT ELVES OF THE EXPANSE. AND SO IS YOUR COUSIN THERE."</strong></p><p></p><p>"Uh can you get him to lower his voice a little. My eardrums feel like they're going to pop." Mesik came up beside Bactra tugging on his shirt.</p><p></p><p><strong>"WHAT WAS THAT, TINY ONE?"</strong> The giant bent down speaking right at Mesik. <strong>"I COULDN’T HEAR YOU."</strong></p><p></p><p>"Can you not be so loud!" Mesik was holding his ears yelling.</p><p></p><p><strong>"OH</strong>, oh... <hurumph>... sorry about that. Is this better?"</p><p></p><p>"Much. Ow." Mesik was shaking his head, his eyes all blurry.</p><p></p><p>"Thank you," Thessa was holding her hands over her ears.</p><p></p><p>"You're welcome, tiny miss." The giant stuck his trident into the sand, prongs down, leaving it to go and gather his catch of fish. "My, there's more here than I thought."</p><p></p><p>"You're pretty good with that thing." Dvalin eyed the trident nervously.</p><p></p><p><strong>"HA,"</strong> The giant sat down on the sand hard enough to shake Mesik off his feet. "Don't worry, friend dwarf. I only use it against fish and impolite visitors. <strong>HA, HA!"</strong></p><p></p><p>"Ha, funny," Dvalin didn't seem relieved.</p><p></p><p>"I thought so, HA!" The giant held up one of the fish. "But where are my manners. Would anyone care for some fish? I have plenty to go around."</p><p></p><p>Thessa sat down near the huge giant. "We would be glad to, um, what was your name again."</p><p></p><p>"Oh yes," The giant put the fish down on the sand taking out a huge knife. He began gutting the large fish right in front of Thessa. "My name is Salisan. Salisan Marg."</p><p></p><p>Fish bits landed near Thessa and she quickly turned green.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, sorry about that." Salisan buried the fish guts of the first one and began slicing open the next one. "I hope you like your fish raw. I always eat them raw. It's the best way."</p><p></p><p>Slowly, everyone but Rikin sat in a huge arc with Salisan as the center. Dabuk and Bactra sat closest to him opposite of Thessa. Dvalin sidled up next to the gnome priestess keeping an eye on the giant's large knife. Jeddar sat next to Dvalin while Mesik sat next to Bactra.</p><p></p><p>"Doesn't your other friend want any?" Salisan didn't seem to notice that Rikin was glaring at him.</p><p></p><p>"He doesn't trust you." Dabuk was already eating the raw fish. Bactra still wasn't sure if he wanted any.</p><p></p><p>"Really?" Salisan seemed to be hurt by Rikin's coldness. "I assure you, friend dwarf, I am not the violent sort."</p><p></p><p>"You're a giant." Rikin growled.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, so I've noticed." Salisan beamed at the dwarf.</p><p></p><p>"Giants are evil."</p><p></p><p><strong>"HA, HA, HA!</strong> Yes, many giants are evil. Even some of my kin have been known to turn towards the darkness. But don't believe everything your dwarven legends say about giants."</p><p></p><p>"What type of giant are you?" Rikin demanded.</p><p></p><p>"Rikin, stop being rude." Thessa was glaring at the dwarf.</p><p></p><p>"It's quite all right, tiny miss." Salisan sat up straight with pride. "I am a reef giant. One of the great children of the waves and favored race of Lord Aegir."</p><p></p><p>Rikin was speechless.</p><p></p><p>"I thought reef giants were a myth." Dvalin looked at Salisan with less fear and more respect.</p><p></p><p>"Obviously you were wrong." Thessa nudged Dvalin in the ribs. "Besides, didn't you think gnomes were just a legend until you met me?"</p><p></p><p>"She's got you there, Dvalin." Mesik couldn't help himself sometimes.</p><p></p><p>Rikin had strapped his axe to his back and come into the arc towards Salisan.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown">"Neif mert alnal hish maiy nall."</span> Bactra had never heard that language before. It didn't sound dwarven. Rikin held up his hand his palm facing Salisan.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: SandyBrown">"Nias mert ananl murt hish cain, Aegir maiy."</span> Salisan returned the gesture his words sounding more fluid then even the dwarf's had been.</p><p></p><p>Rikin bowed to Salisan, which took everyone by surprise. "I am sorry, Great One. I mistook you for one of the Neith-shaleiz. My dishonor is great."</p><p></p><p>"Nonsense. You couldn't have known. Please sit." Salisan bowed in return.</p><p></p><p>"It will be my honor." Rikin sat next to Jeddar taking a piece of raw fish when it was passed down to him.</p><p></p><p>"Ok," Dabuk raised an eyebrow. "What was that all about?"</p><p></p><p>"It was private, Dabuk. That's all I can tell you for now." Rikin held up his hand to deflect the question.</p><p></p><p>Salisan nodded in agreement. "Yes, I will honor the dwarf’s choice. If he wishes to tell you someday then so be it. But I cannot."</p><p></p><p>"That's fine," Bactra put his hand on Dabuk's arm as he was about to object. "I'm sure Rikin will tell us, someday."</p><p></p><p>They continued to eat the fish while talking with Salisan relating their travels and adventures. He listened attentively laughing when Dabuk told him about their encounter with the phanatons. He seemed saddened by the death of the dragonne but understood.</p><p></p><p>"I know the desert elves. They are savage but honorable. I've tried to get them to help me get rid of an old shipwreck near here. It's quite the eyesore half-submerged as it is near the beach."</p><p></p><p>"Shipwreck?" Mesik had been dozing tired from the long day of traveling. But he perked up upon hearing of the wrecked ship. "What shipwreck?"</p><p></p><p>"Ah, I see I've got your attention now, tiny sir."</p><p></p><p>"Uh, sorry, I'm a little tired." Mesik stood up looking at Salisan. "But I promise. You've got my full attention, now."</p><p></p><p><strong>"HA!</strong> So I see." Salisan looked at the rest of us. Even Dabuk was eager to hear about the wreck. "All right, I'll tell you what I know about it."</p><p></p><p>Salisan drew a sigil in the sand then another. Then he drew an oval around the two symbols with a line on either side.</p><p></p><p>"This is the mark of an infamous pirate that sailed the Karmine Sea. He was infamous for his cruelty and ability to summon great magic against his foes. For nearly a hundred years he sailed up and down this coast and was the bane of seaports as far south as the City-state of Zafira.</p><p></p><p>I do not know if he was as infamous in the north, as I've never been there myself.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, his name wasn't feared because no one knew it, not even his own men. But all knew of him due to the flag he flew with his mark upon it. It is said he worshipped one of the Interloper Gods, one known for great malevolence. I don't know which one, unfortunately.</p><p></p><p>It was his mark that brought fear to others for it signaled the coming of a servant of the vile Interloper.</p><p></p><p>But with all tyrants and evil souls, time ran out for the Pirate of the Mark. A great fleet was organized in the port of Selquin. This fleet took to the seas refusing to go home until the pirate and his ship was destroyed.</p><p></p><p>The rest, I'm not familiar with. But the shipwreck is thought to have been his ship by my people and the desert elves. The elves won't go near it. The think it's haunted by his ghost. I don't believe it's anything but an old wreck that has become an eyesore."</p><p></p><p>"Interesting," Dabuk was gulping down another big piece of fish. "So where exactly is this wreck?"</p><p></p><p>"Not more then a day's walk north of here. The ship might still contain some of the pirate's treasure and magic. Are you thinking about taking a look?"</p><p></p><p>"Definitely," Dvalin eyes were lit up. "Treasure!"</p><p></p><p>"Forget the treasure," I went through my spell components and opened my spellbook. "I'm more interested in the magic."</p><p></p><p>Rikin shook his head. "It's probably been looted already. We should keep going north."</p><p></p><p>C'mon, brother," Dvalin looked at Rikin pleading. "It won't take long and there could be something useful that could help in the fight against the ogres."</p><p></p><p>"I don't know." Rikin was nervous. "What if it is haunted. Ghosts are said to be able to steal a man's soul."</p><p></p><p>"I'm sure there aren't any ghosts. Maybe a few ghouls or skeletons. Ghosts are very rare and I doubt one could exist so close to Salisan's home without it affecting the environment in horrible ways. A ghost would radiate death and fear for hundreds of miles. It would cause the fish to die or become something even worse." Bactra had extensive tutoring about the undead.</p><p></p><p>It was something his father had insisted on. His father had faced undead before but hadn't explained anything more about it. Bactra missed him and his family horribly and thoughts of them made him more melancholy.</p><p></p><p>"I-I guess your right." Rikin had his axe out fingering it nervously. "There would have been signs by now. What do you say, Mesik?"</p><p></p><p>"Sounds like fun to me." Mesik was grinning.</p><p></p><p>"While I don't share Mesik's enthusiasm, I think it's worth checking out." Dabuk looked at Salisan. "You want to come with us?"</p><p></p><p>"I would be honored."</p><p></p><p>"All right," Dabuk smiled. He didn't do that unless he was looking forward to something that could be dangerous. "Tomorrow morning, we head for the wreck."</p><p></p><p>"Agreed." Dvalin nodded.</p><p></p><p>Everyone else nodded in agreement. Even Bactra was looking forward to a little adventure again.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Knightfall, post: 316044, member: 2012"] [b]Travelers' Met (cont.)[/b] [I][B]From the Journal of Bactra Redwind, son of Minonus[/B][/I] [I][B]Salisan Marg:[/B] Thessa wouldn’t speak to Dabuk again for several days after going through the ritual. Besides Dvalin, she remained aloof to the rest of us as well. Dabuk had been upset at me. He didn't really have a right. I'd tried to talk her out of it. And he'd agreed that if someone was insistent that it wasn't right to forbid them. Mesik had had the chance once to go through the ritual and had backed off immediately. Jeddar didn't want to have anything to do with the ritual, as it was banned in his homeland, the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves… …Rikin didn't like the fact that Dvalin was spending so much time with Thessa. He didn't think it was proper for the future consort of the High Thane to be so friendly towards another female... ...The third day of traveling brought us up a long rise that had seemed to stretch on forever. We soon peaked the top of the rise. Then I saw what I thought would be the strangest thing I'd ever see in my life. And it was pretty close. A large giant was wading through the water off the coast. He was using a large trident to spear several large fish nearly as big as Mesik. He was obviously enjoying himself laughing and singing in the tongue of giants. We just stood there dumbfounded for several minutes. The giant hadn’t seen us. He had continued to spear fish, flinging his catch onto the shoreline. He was really good at it too. That had been what scared me…[/I] Dabuk motioned everyone back over the rise to decide what to do. "Ok," Dabuk was running his fingers over the hilt of his sword. "What does everyone think?" It was the first time he didn't seem sure of what to do. Of course, none of them had ever run into a “true” giant before. Ogres were sort of like giants but not really. Ogres were dumb and cruel. Giants were... well, giants. Not something to take lightly. Mesik was hunched down as far as he could go. Really big creatures made him nervous. "Um, I think we better take the long way around. Backtrack a ways and then cut across the desert away from it." "Please don't refer to him as an it. Giants are known for being overly sensitive about such things." Dvalin was whispering. "How do you know that?" Bactra shook his head in disbelief. "Trust me," Dvalin had his axe out. "My father has told me things that would curl your toes." "Aye." Rikin was readying his axe. "Besides, giants are always evil and we have the advantage. I say we take him!" "Oh sure," Bactra couldn't believe the dwarven bluster being thrown around. "We'll just convince him to come out of the water so we can hack at his knees and ankles. He's at least fifteen feet tall, maybe twenty. And not all giants are evil, that's a dwarven myth!" "Not so loud." Thessa was peering over the rise carefully. "He will hear you." "Thessa’s right," Dabuk kept his voice down. "Everyone stay calm and lower your voices." Everyone stood there quietly for several minutes while Dabuk paced back and forth. He was thinking. Jeddar had his blades out, twirling them back and forth impatiently. Bactra sometimes wondered if Jeddar’s elven blood was so thin that he hadn't learned how to be calm. "Well?" Jeddar couldn’t contain himself any longer. Dabuk stopped, looking at half-elven bard. "While Rikin makes good points about giants usually being evil, Bactra is right. Not all giants are evil. This giant isn't an ogre or even one of the foul hill giants my father has fought in the past. This giant is different. He seems intelligent and jovial. I don't think he's evil but I do suggest caution." "Then we should go around, lad." Dvalin shook his head. "Any giant is dangerous when angered." "We don't have time to go around, my friend. It will take too much time. We have to risk it." Dabuk shook his head. "So we're going to try to sneak by." Rikin slapped his forehead in disbelief. "He'll spot us for sure." "I didn't say that. We're going to introduce ourselves and be really friendly. If anyone has a problem with that then I suggest you stay well back and let me do the talking." Everyone was stunned to silence. Dvalin moaned in frustration, Jeddar dropped his swords mid-twirl, while the rest of them stared at Dabuk in shock. It was just crazy enough it might work. Still the plan could get them all killed in a heartbeat. Before anyone could stop him, Dabuk climbed over the rise yelling out to the giant. "Oh, by Hade's Underrealm." Mesik scrambled up over the rise after Dabuk. "He is nuts!" Thessa just stood there. The rest of them followed one by one. Bactra had to literally drag Thessa over the rise. "Hello there!" Dabuk was yelling at the top of his lungs. "I would like to speak to you if you don't mind!" After hearing that introduction Bactra was beginning to wonder if Thessa was right. This wasn't a good idea. Dabuk turned his back to everyone. "Damn it, everyone put your weapons away. How are we supposed to look friendly when we're all armed to the teeth." "All right," Dvalin strapped his axe to his back. "But you better be right about him not being evil." Everyone but Rikin put away his or her weapons. "Rikin," Dvalin patted his adopted brother on the back. "Put you axe away, my brother." "With all due respect, brother." Rikin tightened his gripe on the weapon. "Not a chance. He's evil I tell you." "Fine. But stay back a bit. If he isn't evil then you might just make him mad enough to attack if you go waving that at him." "Dvalin, don't-" Rikin couldn't hide his anger and fear. "I have to. They're my friends." Dabuk was still yelling at the giant, failing to get his attention. He was flailing his arms around like a wounded gull looking hilarious. "Oh come on," Dabuk was panting. "He must be deaf." "I don't think he's deaf." Bactra stepped up to his cousin getting a look at the giant for the first time. The giant seemed almost at peace in the water. He stood at least fifteen to sixteen feet tall. His hair was stark white, his skin the color of squeezed olives. "I think he's so tall and so far out there that he can't hear you. I can barely hear you over his singing. Let me try." "Ok," Dabuk was still breathing heavily his hands on his knees. "Good luck!" "I don't need luck. I have my magic." Bactra smiled. He stepped part way into the surf, reaching out with his mind and magic. Bactra could feel the water and the shore. Mumbling the arcane words taught to him by his tutor, Bactra forced his thoughts through the water towards the giant. He could hear the giant laughing in his head as he made the connection through the sending. "I hope this works." Bactra called out to the giant through his mind with the same greeting his cousin had used before. The giant stopped singing standing up with his back to them. He scratched his head confused. "Over here!" Bactra yelled. The giant spun around looking cautiously at them. Then he started laughing again. Yes, he wasn't evil, that Bactra was sure of now. [B]"AH, THERE YOU ARE."[/B] The giant strode towards the beach using his trident as a makeshift walking stick. [B]"I DIDN’T SEE YOU, LITTLE ONE."[/B] The others backed away unsure of the giants intentions. Only Dabuk stayed by Bactra’s side. He was sure of his cousin’s magic and judgement. "We are pleased to meet you," Bactra kept his voice raised slightly. "I am Bactra Redwind, this is my cousin Dabuk Tigerstorm. And these are our friends." [B]"NICE TO MEET YOU, LITTLE ONE. WHAT BRINGS YOU TO THE SHORES OF THE GREAT EXPANSE? YOU’RE QUITE FAR FROM THE GREAT FOREST."[/B] Bactra just stood there dumbfounded. The giant knew his people. [B]"YES, YES. YOU’RE A FOREST ELF, NOT UNLIKE THE SAVAGE DESERT ELVES OF THE EXPANSE. AND SO IS YOUR COUSIN THERE."[/B] "Uh can you get him to lower his voice a little. My eardrums feel like they're going to pop." Mesik came up beside Bactra tugging on his shirt. [B]"WHAT WAS THAT, TINY ONE?"[/B] The giant bent down speaking right at Mesik. [B]"I COULDN’T HEAR YOU."[/B] "Can you not be so loud!" Mesik was holding his ears yelling. [B]"OH[/B], oh... <hurumph>... sorry about that. Is this better?" "Much. Ow." Mesik was shaking his head, his eyes all blurry. "Thank you," Thessa was holding her hands over her ears. "You're welcome, tiny miss." The giant stuck his trident into the sand, prongs down, leaving it to go and gather his catch of fish. "My, there's more here than I thought." "You're pretty good with that thing." Dvalin eyed the trident nervously. [B]"HA,"[/B] The giant sat down on the sand hard enough to shake Mesik off his feet. "Don't worry, friend dwarf. I only use it against fish and impolite visitors. [B]HA, HA!"[/B] "Ha, funny," Dvalin didn't seem relieved. "I thought so, HA!" The giant held up one of the fish. "But where are my manners. Would anyone care for some fish? I have plenty to go around." Thessa sat down near the huge giant. "We would be glad to, um, what was your name again." "Oh yes," The giant put the fish down on the sand taking out a huge knife. He began gutting the large fish right in front of Thessa. "My name is Salisan. Salisan Marg." Fish bits landed near Thessa and she quickly turned green. "Oh, sorry about that." Salisan buried the fish guts of the first one and began slicing open the next one. "I hope you like your fish raw. I always eat them raw. It's the best way." Slowly, everyone but Rikin sat in a huge arc with Salisan as the center. Dabuk and Bactra sat closest to him opposite of Thessa. Dvalin sidled up next to the gnome priestess keeping an eye on the giant's large knife. Jeddar sat next to Dvalin while Mesik sat next to Bactra. "Doesn't your other friend want any?" Salisan didn't seem to notice that Rikin was glaring at him. "He doesn't trust you." Dabuk was already eating the raw fish. Bactra still wasn't sure if he wanted any. "Really?" Salisan seemed to be hurt by Rikin's coldness. "I assure you, friend dwarf, I am not the violent sort." "You're a giant." Rikin growled. "Yes, so I've noticed." Salisan beamed at the dwarf. "Giants are evil." [B]"HA, HA, HA![/B] Yes, many giants are evil. Even some of my kin have been known to turn towards the darkness. But don't believe everything your dwarven legends say about giants." "What type of giant are you?" Rikin demanded. "Rikin, stop being rude." Thessa was glaring at the dwarf. "It's quite all right, tiny miss." Salisan sat up straight with pride. "I am a reef giant. One of the great children of the waves and favored race of Lord Aegir." Rikin was speechless. "I thought reef giants were a myth." Dvalin looked at Salisan with less fear and more respect. "Obviously you were wrong." Thessa nudged Dvalin in the ribs. "Besides, didn't you think gnomes were just a legend until you met me?" "She's got you there, Dvalin." Mesik couldn't help himself sometimes. Rikin had strapped his axe to his back and come into the arc towards Salisan. [COLOR=SandyBrown]"Neif mert alnal hish maiy nall."[/COLOR] Bactra had never heard that language before. It didn't sound dwarven. Rikin held up his hand his palm facing Salisan. [COLOR=SandyBrown]"Nias mert ananl murt hish cain, Aegir maiy."[/COLOR] Salisan returned the gesture his words sounding more fluid then even the dwarf's had been. Rikin bowed to Salisan, which took everyone by surprise. "I am sorry, Great One. I mistook you for one of the Neith-shaleiz. My dishonor is great." "Nonsense. You couldn't have known. Please sit." Salisan bowed in return. "It will be my honor." Rikin sat next to Jeddar taking a piece of raw fish when it was passed down to him. "Ok," Dabuk raised an eyebrow. "What was that all about?" "It was private, Dabuk. That's all I can tell you for now." Rikin held up his hand to deflect the question. Salisan nodded in agreement. "Yes, I will honor the dwarf’s choice. If he wishes to tell you someday then so be it. But I cannot." "That's fine," Bactra put his hand on Dabuk's arm as he was about to object. "I'm sure Rikin will tell us, someday." They continued to eat the fish while talking with Salisan relating their travels and adventures. He listened attentively laughing when Dabuk told him about their encounter with the phanatons. He seemed saddened by the death of the dragonne but understood. "I know the desert elves. They are savage but honorable. I've tried to get them to help me get rid of an old shipwreck near here. It's quite the eyesore half-submerged as it is near the beach." "Shipwreck?" Mesik had been dozing tired from the long day of traveling. But he perked up upon hearing of the wrecked ship. "What shipwreck?" "Ah, I see I've got your attention now, tiny sir." "Uh, sorry, I'm a little tired." Mesik stood up looking at Salisan. "But I promise. You've got my full attention, now." [B]"HA![/B] So I see." Salisan looked at the rest of us. Even Dabuk was eager to hear about the wreck. "All right, I'll tell you what I know about it." Salisan drew a sigil in the sand then another. Then he drew an oval around the two symbols with a line on either side. "This is the mark of an infamous pirate that sailed the Karmine Sea. He was infamous for his cruelty and ability to summon great magic against his foes. For nearly a hundred years he sailed up and down this coast and was the bane of seaports as far south as the City-state of Zafira. I do not know if he was as infamous in the north, as I've never been there myself. Anyway, his name wasn't feared because no one knew it, not even his own men. But all knew of him due to the flag he flew with his mark upon it. It is said he worshipped one of the Interloper Gods, one known for great malevolence. I don't know which one, unfortunately. It was his mark that brought fear to others for it signaled the coming of a servant of the vile Interloper. But with all tyrants and evil souls, time ran out for the Pirate of the Mark. A great fleet was organized in the port of Selquin. This fleet took to the seas refusing to go home until the pirate and his ship was destroyed. The rest, I'm not familiar with. But the shipwreck is thought to have been his ship by my people and the desert elves. The elves won't go near it. The think it's haunted by his ghost. I don't believe it's anything but an old wreck that has become an eyesore." "Interesting," Dabuk was gulping down another big piece of fish. "So where exactly is this wreck?" "Not more then a day's walk north of here. The ship might still contain some of the pirate's treasure and magic. Are you thinking about taking a look?" "Definitely," Dvalin eyes were lit up. "Treasure!" "Forget the treasure," I went through my spell components and opened my spellbook. "I'm more interested in the magic." Rikin shook his head. "It's probably been looted already. We should keep going north." C'mon, brother," Dvalin looked at Rikin pleading. "It won't take long and there could be something useful that could help in the fight against the ogres." "I don't know." Rikin was nervous. "What if it is haunted. Ghosts are said to be able to steal a man's soul." "I'm sure there aren't any ghosts. Maybe a few ghouls or skeletons. Ghosts are very rare and I doubt one could exist so close to Salisan's home without it affecting the environment in horrible ways. A ghost would radiate death and fear for hundreds of miles. It would cause the fish to die or become something even worse." Bactra had extensive tutoring about the undead. It was something his father had insisted on. His father had faced undead before but hadn't explained anything more about it. Bactra missed him and his family horribly and thoughts of them made him more melancholy. "I-I guess your right." Rikin had his axe out fingering it nervously. "There would have been signs by now. What do you say, Mesik?" "Sounds like fun to me." Mesik was grinning. "While I don't share Mesik's enthusiasm, I think it's worth checking out." Dabuk looked at Salisan. "You want to come with us?" "I would be honored." "All right," Dabuk smiled. He didn't do that unless he was looking forward to something that could be dangerous. "Tomorrow morning, we head for the wreck." "Agreed." Dvalin nodded. Everyone else nodded in agreement. Even Bactra was looking forward to a little adventure again. * * * [/QUOTE]
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