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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 48637" data-attributes="member: 143">Book II, Part 7The full sails of the Raindancer strained with the potency of the cold northern winds, driving the ship through the ocean swells on its long southern journey.  A tenday had passed since the craft had left Baldur’s Gate, and this blustery day the crew was enjoying a respite from the numerous winter storms that they had passed through thus far on their voyage.  Captain Horath had his crew crawling over the ship, both abovedecks and below, making repairs, checking lines and rigging, and inventorying the supplies that they had remaining.  The vessel had stopped briefly in Athlatka to take on supplies, and now was making for Asavir’s Channel, along the western peninsula of Tethyr. The long days had not passed quickly for the companions.  As passengers, they spent most of their days in their stateroom, venturing out when the close quarters and forced inactivity made tempers tight and patience thin.  Lok’s incredible fortitude seemed to have found a weakness, as his companions quickly observed.  Perhaps it was the fact of being separated from the earth that was a part of his heritage, or more simply just the constant rocking of the ship on the wind and the waves.  The genasi spent much of the first tenday in his bunk, unable to disguise his discomfort with his usual implacable front.  When he could rise he spent much of his time helping the crew, putting his skills in metalworking to good use in keeping the ship in good repair through the harsh weather.  Cal did spend some time plying his lute, singing songs and easing some of the tensions among the crew and passengers, but he still seemed rather withdrawn.  He spent a great deal of time in their cabin, examining his spellbook under the light of a shielded lantern.  It seemed that some of the effects of his brush with mortality still lingered about the gnome, and he was particularly preoccupied with the magical power that he’d lost through the experience as he continued his arcane researches. Benzan was… well, Benzan was, in a word, antsy.  True to his word, he did spent hours examining the magical writings that he’d acquired in Baldur’s Gate, but it was clear from his frequent exclamations of frustration that he could not yet master the mysteries of the magic.  Cal did provide him with help, as he had promised, and said that he could sense the spark of talent in the Art in his friend, but it seemed as though Benzan was not ready, not yet.  Instead he spent time gambling with the sailors, who quickly got over their unease around him, exploring every nook and corner of the ship, and drinking most of the wine they’d brought in their bag of holding.Delem spent most of the voyage deep in his own thoughts.  He could spend hours staring at the flickering flame that burned within their lantern, lost in contemplation.  It was clear to his companions that his powers were growing quickly, and that the young man had to come to grips with those new abilities on his own.  While still solitary in his mood and manner, he was no longer alone.  He drew strength from the presence of his friends, and no longer seemed as skittish, uncertain, as he once had been.  He spent some time with Dana as well, talking about philosophy and religion, and learning more about their respective backgrounds.  The five of them were together now on the fore deck of the ship as it cuts its rapid path through the waves, enjoying the break in the weather and the opportunity to take in some sun and fresh air, cold though it may be. “How much longer do you think it will take?” Dana was asking.“Some tendays yet, I gather,” Cal replied.  “We’re approaching the narrows between the horn of Tethyr and the Nelanther Isles, Asavir’s Channel, they call it.  The captain will take us down the coast, along the passage mariners call the Race, to the coastal cities of western Calimshan, then across the Shining Sea to Chult.”“Seems a roundabout way to go,” Delem said.  “Wouldn’t it just be faster to sail straight south, and go directly to Chult?”“Shorter, perhaps, but not faster,” Cal answered.  “The Trackless Sea is known by that name for a reason, and most captains aren’t going to want to risk that much open ocean without cause.”“The Amnians went all the way to Maztica,” Dana offered.“Yes, and many of their mariners have paid the price for that bold venture,” Cal replied.  Their discussion was interrupted as the watchman in the crow’s nest high atop the mainmast called out a sighting, drawing the attention of everyone on board to the rear of the vessel.  Benzan rushed down to the aft deck, the others close at his heels, to where the captain stood looking through a small pocket spyglass.  Ruath, whom they had barely seen during the journey, was standing beside him.“What is it, captain?” Benzan asked.The captain did not turn, continuing to look out toward the distant horizon.  “Looks like we have a shadow,” he finally said.  “Who is it?” Delem asked.  The captain handed the spyglass to the sailor beside him, and turned to face them.  “No way to be sure at this distance,” he said, “But this close to the Nelanther Isles, I can hazard a pretty good guess.”“Pirates,” Benzan said.  Ruath frowned in the direction of their pursuer, as if her displeasure alone could make the distant ship disappear.  “Can you outrun them?” she asked.  The captain nodded.  “We’ll see.”* * * * * The day passed slowly, the entire crew filled with a nervous tension as their pursuer drew steadily nearer.  Captain Horath kept the crew busy, working the sails to maximize every last bit of wind, or unloading heavy crossbows from the ship’s weapons lockers and readying them for use.  Still, there were many glances back at the closing vessel, even though it was still too distant for them to make out any details about the craft.  The passengers joined in as best they could, helping the sailors and making their own preparations in case a battle was indeed approaching.  It was mid-afternoon when the companions finally gathered again on the aft deck, where the captain was again looking through his glass at their ‘shadow’.  The ship was near enough now to make out with the naked eye.  It was a sleek vessel, clearly built for speed, yet significantly smaller than the Raindancer.  It seemed to leap across the waves, as if the craft itself was eager to reach them.The captain lowered the spyglass, and the expression on his face told them the news was not good.  “It’s the Gray Raker,” he said.  “A pirate ship?” Delem asked.“Indeed,” the captain replied.  “Commanded by a minotaur captain, and word is that he’s gotten a wizard, too.”“Sail ho, starboard forward!” came a cry from the crow’s nest, drawing their attention away from their pursuer to the starboard rail.  Even without the spyglass they could see not one, but two sails in the distance, heading closer. “I don’t suppose those would be Tethyrian cutters, coming to our aid,” Benzan said wryly.  “No,” the captain replied.  Effectively flanked, the Raindancer sailed on, while the pirate vessels closed swiftly on her position.</blockquote>

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