Hearken Back to Forgotten World

[Zircon]

Cre

I awoke, and immediately thought that I had gone mad. All around were blue skies and equally blue seas. Rolling seas, I might add. And since I did not have anything left to vomit up, I was feeling slightly better than I did before.

I look around at our motley bunch, and of course, the hardy and bearded Northmen, rowing to the beat of a drum. Everyone did not seemed to be worse for wear, except for minor bruises and cuts. My armor was starting to get heavy, and I knew that if no oil was applied soon, it would rust down to nothing, especially since sea water was notorious for accelerating the rusting process.

I stood up to ask the swarthy Captain, Danic, I believe was his name, for some oil before my armor became useless, when I saw too in the distant behind us, a sail. It was following our wake, and since we were not heading for any known destination yet, it was assumed that the Sorcerer had sent it after us. All I needed to do was to find a sword to make sure that the sea would claim forever whoever was pursuing us.

“Captain, do you think if you can spare some oil for my armor, and perhaps a sword?” I asked, inclining my head towards the speck which was getting larger.

And then I noticed the Dwarf standing beside the Northwoman, while a deck hand was getting some oil. I walked over towards him and the Northwoman. I turned towards the Dwarf, and gave him the wet scroll, “My good fellow. Do you think you can read this scroll. I don’t know how to read Runic.”

At the same time, I was looking directly into the blue eyes of the Northwoman, seeing the pleased glint in them.

“My Lady.” I inclined my head, as I waited for the Dwarf’s answer.

 

[gohan18]

As I am standing next to Thrudd I see a shadow coming over me. I turn to see the thicked headed Cre. He bends down and say,“My good fellow. Do you think you can read this scroll. I don’t know how to read Runic.”

I take the scroll and open it up. I turn the scroll upsidedown and sideways. I tap Thrudd on thigh.

"I think I might have lost a few brain cells I can't make hind nor hair of this thing"

I pass the scroll to her and then look back at to sea.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Thrudd Thorsdottir

Thrudd listened to the exchange between Sir Credhne of Achronium and a more than exasperated looking Danic. Almost hearing him wish the metal-clad knight would rust up and forevermore remain silent, the godha gave him a glare that brooked no doubt that he should provide Cre with what he asked.

"My good fellow. Do you think you can read this scroll? I don’t know how to read Runic." Cre handed the scroll to Blon though his eyes never left the piercing blue of the Northwoman's own. It wasn't until Blon tapped her thigh that she spoke, already reciting the first words before unrolling it.

"Blue as morning sky,
Sharp as the northern wind,
Cold as mountains high,
Blood is the thought on my mind."

The scroll felt dry, unharmed by the sea water that had so thoroughly saturated its purloiner, and it radiated a certain warmth that made Thrudd shudder. It was made of skin, you see. Human skin. The skin of an infant.

The words were fading. Legend had it that they were the rantings of a madman though some called him mystic, the dwarf Kegnar Tunnelbane. Legend also had it that the markings were written in his own blood.

"You did well, Seeker" she said quietly before beginning to peruse the scroll's contents. She could barely suppress the grin that came when she saw Cre puff out his chest in pride even as a completely befuddled look spread across his face. Of course he had no idea of the impact this seemingly innocuous find of his would hold on their quest.

 

[hybirdx]

Lek was completely confused. first water, then sand, now the sea? "I must be losing it... yeah, thats it, losing t!"

 

[gohan18]

I listen to her words and I hear:

'Blue as morning sky,Sharp as the northern wind,Cold as mountains high,Blood is the thought on my mind.'

"Well hell any blacksmith could tell you that would be talkin about a sword. A great sword at that"

I look at the sea with the wind in my hair. I feel my stomach begin to knot and curl within it's self. before I know it I was throwing up my entire lunch. I look up and realize that I have just thrown up on the new arrival of the group.

"Sorry 'bout that. Can I help get you get out of those clothes and into some new ones?"

 

[hybirdx]

Lek looked to see a guy vlowng chunks on some one. He couldn't but help breaking ou laughing his ass off "HA HA! hahahahahahahaha!"

All of a sudden his stoamache began to growl, "Hmmm.... I'm kinda famished..."

 

[LAVA GODDESSS]

Her.

(Copyright J.B. 2002)

I stood there, wondering if it was the wisest idea to have let them haul me aboard the ship. The woman, tall and with an air of power of her, kept her eye on me.

I still had not spoken since we had left the sewage. Instead, I stood there, dripping wet, my eyes wide and clear as they darted around the ship.

Perhaps it was not wise at all to have come aboard, I had no idea who these people were, nor their intentions or demeanors; especially considering the precious cargo I possessed.

I looked to the direction of the sun and to the land, on the other hand, they were heading me exactly where I needed to go.

A devilish smirk spread across my face...that was when I noticed the woman, again, staring at me.

 

[hybirdx]

"Forget eating... It will prbally be fish any way. and some fish I don't like"

Lek looked around the area to see that nothing had changed the past hour, and he was geting bored. He was longing for a fight, or at least, something to do, he coul have just started trouble, and punch some of the crew members lights out. Yet whenever he saw the woman, the owner of the ship, that glare, he would shiver. Such an powerful aroura surrounded her, so he put that idea aside.

Lek couldn't hep but wonder why she help him and the others anyway...

 

[chewbacca71]

Revlin

Revlin looked over towards Perrin to make sure the big lug was drying off well. "Come on Perrin take off the wet clothes. They will not try on your body very well. " Perrin took off his Jerkin and light chain mail armor and his scarridden chest was exposed. There was a tracery of scar tissue on his chest in the vague shape of a bear. Perrin noticed Revlin looking at it. "This is my family's totem, an Arctic Bear. All the males on my family are given this momento so we do not forget our roots. This has a different effect on all of us. So far, I am the only one that the old magic seems to full effect. My two brothers each have hyper senses of smell and my father has longer nails than normal, almost claws truth to be told. Sometimes it feels like a blessing , others a curse. I will hang my cloths off the riggings, they will dry much faster that way. "

Looking at Perrin with renewed respect, Revlin moved closer towards the other sailors asking them if anyone had any warm clothes that might fit him. After unsuccessfully asking five sailors, Revlin had better luck with the sixth. The sailor asked for how Revlin would pay for it, and with a sly smile Revlin brought forth a small gold coin from the Island Kingdom of Isthan on it. The sailor looked perplexed as he took the coin, he had only seen one coin such as that before and it belonged to the Bosun, Herath. No matter, he thought, gold is gold. He took the coin in exchange for a set of clothes that were too small on him anyone. Revlin walked behind a few crates and changed into the warm clothes. Walking back to the others, he whistled a happy tune.

 

[Zirconn]

Cre

Of course, I just stood there dumbfounded, as I had not understood one word of what the Northwoman said. But when she said that I had done well, a smile crossed my lips, and I had puffed up my chest. Since I had broad shoulders, the sight was pretty impressive indeed. There was no sense in not trying to appear manly in front of the womenfolk.

Somehow, her words did register in my mind, even though I had not understood it. The Dwarf said it was a sword, but what does a sword had to do with anything, or even with the foul Darius. Nothing in training had prepared me for this, especially the battle with the Sorcerer. Like I said earlier, give me a sword and a shield, anytime of the day over the magikal mumbo-jumbo. I wondered where the Northwoman was taking us. It was apparent that she had seen something, and that she was no mere adept in the sorcerous arts.

Somehow, deep inside me, I felt that we were embarking on a journey, an adventure. Of course, my boyish nature took over at the sound of adventure. It seemed that we were not heading back to Bayaran after all, and by the way the sun was positioned, I would venture a guess that we were heading towards Kurririon. What was in Kurririon I had no idea.

A mystery was brewing in the horizon, in the direction of Kurririon…

 

[Zirconn]

Glyn & Rhaenyc

“Captain, is everything ready?”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Good. Fire when in range.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“It won’t be long before we will be back in the good graces of Darius, and of course, getting paid.”

“I hope you’re right, Glyn.”

“I’m always right, Rhaenyc.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

The privateer had no trouble following the Dragon Boat. Certain parts of the design actually came from the boats of the Northmen. The sleek, long narrow keel, designed for speed, and the sails, designed to be able to quarter to the wind. And of course, the bow-mounted ballista and the ramming prow.

The first shots fired missed the stern by quite a ways. But, the privateer was faster than the Dragon Boat, and it would not be long before the flaming shots from the ballista would find its mark. It would not do to sink the Dragon boat, but Northmen were known not to take too lightly to being boarded. So the shots were designed to scare, and do some damage, but not outright sink the Dragon Boat.

And each shot got nearer and nearer…