(In which the crew of the Golden Hide come across a town ablaze. Warnings for gore thanks to Master Redford going on his own extreme unwise adventures. Also for NPC death and generally unpleasant characters 
Starring: Armina Rogue, Anithias Freedom, Julia Freedom (?possibly pregnant with Marianna in this thread), Padraig Kesey, Kayla, Fafnir Harlgren, Brek Larks, Jeshal the Ironclaw, Tomias Redford, Jeb & Urel,
WELCOME ANARCHY
First post Smarch 1, Yr. 1729, 4:32 pm
Armina Rogue/Padraig Kesey
Armina sat up in the rigging, looking out over the sea. Not that there was much to see today. A thick mist had rolled off the nearby islands, obscuring the view. Armina had no clue how the helmsbeast could navigate in this kind of weather, particularly with so many islands so close together. Still, they had been ordered to the distant port of Alamanianana (a name that gave Armina a headache every time) to barter for some cloth his highness Mar'kan II —Mar'kan III, Armina reminded herself — sought.
Armina sighed irritably, crawling along the yardarm to the hammock she had constructed for herself from spare canvas. From the ground, it looked like just another part of the rigging. From here, it looked like a perfect spot for a nap. Armina wrinkled her nose as she removed an apple core from her makeshift bed. Evidently Jeb had been sneaking naps again. Rather stupid of him, considering that last time she'd caught him napping in her hammock she'd thrown him from the rigging into the sea. She'd gotten in quite a bit of trouble over that one.
Armina was about to carefully step into the hammock when she froze, her sensitive vermin nose working. Smoke. She could smell smoke. And where there was smoke—
The dark smoke cut through the fog, clearing the view enough for Armina to see the port city of Alamanianana burnt down to cinders. Armina watched, her heart in her throat, as a tall, ornate building collapsed as its structural support was consumed. Millions of sparks flew into the air from the spot, fizzling brightly before winking out of existence.
Armina was not the only beast to notice the spectacle. "FIRE!" came the cry from the deck. "FIRE DEAD AHEAD!" Armina did not waver her gaze as she watched the glowing cinders of the once-great port, wondering what possibly could have happened.
----------------------------------------------------
Kesey stood in the center of Bazaar Square, his paws outstretched as the world burned around him. He closed his cold, calculating eyes, inhaling the smoke like a sweet aroma. Chaos. Pure, unrestrained chaos. It was almost more than Kesey could have hoped for. The revolutionaries had set the whole town alight, then gone and barricaded themselves inside the town hall. Unfortunately, they forgot that they'd set that alight as well.
Now the entire town was burning down to nothing, a ruin of flames and smoke. All the citizens were killed, either by the fire or by the marauding rebels. The corners of Kesey's mouth turned slightly upwards in what could be constituted as a smile.
Kesey breathed out slowly. The fumes were starting to get to him, making him light-headed. Carefully he stepped down from the stone pedestal on which he had stood. It had previously been occupied with a bronze sculpture of the country's ruler, which had been expertly removed by the rebels with a combination of hammers, crowbars, and a ballistae. Almanadiu IV was now lying scattered across the square.
Kesey began to walk leisurely down the street, his faint smile never disappearing. He paused as he reached the corner, looking down at his foot. All that was left of this house now was a stack of two bricks. Slowly, Kesey pulled back his foot, bringing it forward sharply. The mortar between the bricks crumbled, the top brick falling to the ground. Kesey smiled, moving on.
And not one stone will be left atop another.
Kayla
"Ommm...Mmmm...Mmooommm..." Cross-legged on the floor, eyes squinted in intense concentration, Kay was in full on meditation mode. She'd even put on a silky white robe that the old gecko at the bar had told her would further the experience. So far, the only thing it had furthered was her complete disgust with the color white and its inherent ability to get dirty without being touched. "OM." She repeated, as if saying it with this threatening edge in her voice would make the word work the way the guru had promised her it would.
Instead, it was just starting to make her angry, which while being a change from the numb darkness, wasn't exactly what she'd hoped for.
"OM OM OOMMMMMMMM! FLYING FISHHEADS WILL YOU ALL JUST SHUT UP?!" Her eyes flew open, as she screamed in rage and ran to the door of the cabin, ready to take out the eyeballs of whoever was yelling and running up and down the hallways. Flinging it open, she was just in time to hear the fading cry of "FIRE DEAD AHEAD!" which didn't really improve her mood. Still jutting her jaw in anger, she followed the flow of beasts up the stairs, if only to find someone smaller than she to beat up.
Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom
Anithias woke up suddenly. It wasn't the cries of 'fire' from the deck that woke him; it was the subtle realization that the bed beside him was empty.
Anithias sat up, looking around the dim cabin. He could see Fal's crib illuminated by some strange flickering orange light from the window, though Anithias didn't think much about that at the moment. He was looking for Julia.
A muffled, echoing retch sounded from beside the bed. Anithias moved over to peer over the rim of the bunk. Julia was lying curled over the chamber pot, throwing up.
"Julia?" he asked, worried. He got out of bed, kneeling beside her with a paw on her back. He peered anxiously into her face. "Are you alright?" he asked anxiously. Julia nodded briefly before puking again. Anithias instinctively wrinkled his nose at the stench.
"Do you need anything? Should I get Kiptooth?" he asked, his eyes now being drawn to the strange orange light. What was that?
Julia shook her head vigorously, taking a moment to look sideways at her husband. "I'll be fine," she said faintly. Anithias looked deep into her eyes, trying to read her emotions. There was love, of course, but there was something else. Was it... fear?
Suddenly another cry of 'fire' went up from the deck. Anithias looked up to the ceiling before looking back at Julia. "I have to go," he said apologetically. He examined her again. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine," she responded, turning her head back over the chamber pot just in case. Anithias nodded, unsure, before rising. He marched out of the cabin, pulling on his officer's jacket as he went.
The orange light bombarded Anithias as he ascended to the deck, and immediately Anithias saw the cause. The port of Alamanianana was alight.
"EVERYBEAST ON DECK!" Anithias called sharply. "FIRE ON LAND! Kayla!" Anithias spotted his old friend emerging from belowdecks. Anithias hurried over to her, his heart catching in his throat as he saw the eye patch. Trying to swallow his hatred of Fafnir, Anithias said, "I'm going to take a landing party to search for survivors. Do you want to join us?"
Kayla
"EVERYBEAST ON DECK! FIRE ON LAND! Kayla!"
Hearing her name, Kay whirled to face it, claws out and jaw clenched. Then she saw it was Anithias, and forced herself to relax. Her closest friend was not someone she was willing to attack, and, with effort, she drew a breath to calm herself. It was hard though, as she saw an expression flash across the golden fox's face. It was hard to read — Pity? Hurt? Some permuted kind of anger? The thought that Anithias might possibly pity her sent a jolt through the cat, and she had to fight back another wave of anger.
"I'm going to take a landing party to search for survivors. Do you want to join us?"
For a moment, she almost said no. But, as she looked in her friend's eyes, she couldn't.
"I'll...I'll join ya. Just one second." She ran below decks, grabbing a dagger and shoes, and throwing off the ridiculous white meditative gown. In less than five minutes, she was back on deck. Looking around, she caught sight of Anithias, commanding a group and getting ready to make for shore.
The shore... Kay looked towards the fire and felt the familiar fear creeping through her heart, causing her paws to quiver and her spine to freeze. She hadn't seen Fafnir on deck yet, but the fire reminded her of that night. She bowed her head, fighting the numbing memories.
"Kayla, we're leaving!" Her head snapped up, and her feet reacted out. Running across the deck, she leapt into the longboat, landing softly inside just as they started to lower it.
Fafnir E. Harlgren
"I didn't sanction that order," came a reptilian voice from behind Anithias. "Or are you running the parade now, hm...?" Fafnir E. Harlgren picked between his teeth with a small pointy bone, an expression draped over his face that reeked of carelessness — despite their destination being in flames, Fafnir's look would have better suited the discovery that there was water in the ocean. However, in the orange light of sunbeams through smoky skies, the unmistakable glint of confrontation in his eyes was present.
"Who knows what may have happened here...? Could be... dangerous... Do I really want some of my crew leaving the safety of the vessel to explore some... ash?" With a roll of the tongue, he turned the toothpick inside his mouth against his cheek. "Come now, Mr. Freedom... don't be so rash... and don't think you can call the shots. I don't know how things went under the command of that Homba-nicking Ryalor, but you're under my lead now."
Kayla just then returned from belowdecks and hopped into the longboat. The old monitor gave her no notice though, as his eyes were set on Anithias. Let's see what happens next, eh...?
Anithias Freedom
Anithias stared stonily at the captain as Fafnir easily countermanded Anithias' orders. Anithias resisted the urge to tell the lizard to go to 'Gates, instead channeling his venom into his icy gaze.
"Who knows what may have happened here...? Could be... dangerous... Do I really want some of my crew leaving the safety of the vessel to explore some... ash? Come now, Mr. Freedom... don't be so rash... and don't think you can call the shots. I don't know how things went under the command of that Homba-nicking Ryalor, but you're under my lead now."
"Captain Harlgren," Anithias addressed him impassively, "Chapter 11, Ordinance 16 of the Imperial naval law," he ground his teeth, "gives me the right to assume the duties of the captain when the captain is absent. You, sir," he said pointedly, the 'sir' costing his pride heavily, "were, up until just a few moments ago, absent from the deck.
"And," he continued, giving the captain no opportunity to respond, "Chapter 12, Ordinance 27 of the Imperial naval law dictates that in the event of all foreign disasters, any naval vessel arriving on the scene is to investigate the matter to the best of their ability." He glared at the captain. "The ministers' law, sir, not mine."
He knew what it was that Fafnir wanted. The trick was giving it to him. It would cost Anithias' pride heavily, that was certain. Still, the only way Anithias would be able to fulfill his requirement as first mate would be to play Fafnir's game.
"Permission to lead landing party... sir," he asked through clenched teeth.
Kayla
Kay had barely landed inside the boat when she heard him. Slimy, cold and emotionless, the voice slid into her consciousness like a snake, strangling her thoughts. With every word she felt it constrict, her whole world shrinking to pain and fear and the voice.
It took a little while for her to find the strength to look up and find him. When she did, she regretted it, because she looked up to see Fafnir force Anithias into verbally bowing down to the lizard’s authority. It angered Kay to see her friend acquiescing to the lizard’s demand, and in the strangest of ways, she felt betrayed. The feeling was fleeting as she caught sight of the monitor, and crushing fear washed away everything else.
"Eagh..." The wildcat dove to the bottom of the boat, shoving under footpads and rousing a few surprised cries. She came to rest curled tightly in the fetal position under the seaboards.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
No sooner had the cries been sounded, Jeshal had made for the deck with a casual lethargy that would have jarred any panicking beast that watched him. His throat became dry once he emerged topside, smelled the smoke and saw the flames.
The dead space within his gauntlet, where the intricate surgery of a witch doctor had connected artificial limb to nerve system, twinged painfully. For one single moment he was aware of every piece of singed tissue or fur that he still retained hidden beneath his clothing. The bosun grimaced at the blazing town, deaf to the shouts of his crewmembers until the new captain appeared.
He was somewhat comforted by the wicked lizard's quibbling with Anithias and, though he would not have said so to his face, was impressed with Freedom's responses. Quite willing to avoid proximity to the fire, Jeshal stood to attention on the deck and waited to hear Harlgren's orders.
Padraig Kesey
Kesey wandered the ruins of the town, basking in the glory of his accomplishment. This was his kingdom. Ashes was his crop, ghosts and memories his subjects, and for a throne, a simple stone pedestal. It was a kingdom he could create anywhere, and which stretched out over the earth. Wherever there was rebellion, wherever beasts took their liberty into their own paws, there Kesey reigned.
Kesey stopped short as the sea came into view through the smoke. A ship was anchored off the island. A galleon, of foreign make, by the looks of it. Military, most likely. Beasts were clambering into a longboat, apparently ready to go ashore.
Kesey frowned in annoyance. Well, this was problematic. He'd barely gotten to enjoy his kingdom, and already it was being invaded. A thought suddenly lit up in Kesey's head. Then again, perhaps this could be an opportunity...
But he had to work fast. Kesey quickly pulled a roll of thin wire from a pocket within his moleskin coat, checking the length. It would do. Pulling the crossbow from its holster on his back, he set it on the ruined foundation of a shop. Carefully he wedged two heavy stones against each side of the crossbow, stabilizing it. Running a wire from the crossbow across the street and around a pole, he stood a little out of the crossbow's range, watching carefully. He yanked once on the wire. A bolt flew from the crossbow, flying through a space roughly about the level of Kesey's shoulder. A dark smile worked its way across his face. Perfect.
Kesey returned to the crossbow, loading another bolt and adjusting the crossbow back on course. Then he resumed his position, only this time directly in the line of fire. He was suddenly intensely aware of his mortality as he stood there, his back to the crossbow. If he was even the slightest bit off, he could be killed. Life would be over for him. Kesey was not a religious beast, and firmly believed in the nonexistence of souls. This could be the end.
With no time to stall, Kesey pulled the wire.
There was a swift zing and a thump, accompanied by a searing pain in Kesey's right shoulder. Kesey did not allow himself to fall, grinding his teeth in pain instead. Wincing with the agony, Kesey turned his head to see the bolt impaled nicely in his shoulder blade. Gingerly he touched the stem, wincing with the pain. By the feel of it the bolt had cracked the bone, light enough that it would heal quickly but still strong enough to make it look like Kesey had been shot. It was only then that Kesey realized, to his great regret, that there was now a hole in his moleskin jacket, which was swiftly being surrounded by blood. Kesey swore out loud. I liked that jacket, he thought murderously.
But right now he had bigger problems. The jacket could be mended later, but that was only if Kesey could get on that ship. Still wincing in pain, Kesey retrieved the crossbow and wire, carefully storing them both. Then, he began to limp towards the harbor.
Kesey limped along the beach, a trail of blood behind him. He watched the ship carefully, waiting until there was a beast looking directly at him to fall. Sure enough, a shout went up from the deck. As Kesey lay face-down in the sand, bleeding, he smiled.
----------------------------------------------------
"THERE'S SOMEBEAST ALIVE OUT THERE!"
Anithias' head snapped to look at the beach. Sure enough, there was a huddled mass on the beach.
"Good work," Anithias called out, making a note to give that crewbeast an extra cup of grog for his service. That was, if Fafnir didn't countermand that order as well.
Anithias looked straight at the captain. "We have to retrieve that beast, Captain," Anithias said stubbornly. "Even you know that. Or do I have to cite the law?" he threatened, raising an eyebrow. He could think of at least half a dozen ordinances pertaining to this situation.
Brek Larks
Brek emerged from the galley with great speed. He heard shouts of a fire earlier and wanted to see for himself. Sure enough there was a fire on the shore. He stood leaning on the small wooden wall of the Hide. He wanted to see more so he headed up the ratlines.
He could see the giant fire burning the town. The light was almost as bright as the sun and the heat could be felt from where he stood. Above in the crow's nest he heard a beast yell "THERE'S SOMEBEAST ALIVE OUT THERE!" There was a beast; as he turned his head he saw it fall face first to the sand. Then from below he heard Anithias shout back up "Good work.". Then the first mate turned to a lizard covered in black clothes. Immediately Brek recognized the scaly monster as the captain of the Hide.
Anithias spoke to the captain. "We have to retrieve that beast, Captain." Brek had heard about the two arguing and how long it could last. "Even you know that. Or do I have to cite the law?" Anithias continued.
We don't have time for this! Brek thought to himself. I have to do something but what? He looked around for an option. If he was spotted he would be punished, but if he stayed the beast might die. He remembered the ballista below deck and suddenly had an idea.
He climbed down to the deck. Running to the stairs that led to the galley he made sure that no beast saw him or that he arose any suspicion. He was thankful there were no beasts in the galley, most were on the main deck wondering what was to happen. Hurry! he rushed himself. He turned left to the side of the ship that was farther away from the shore. He ran up to a ballista and untied it from the wall and pushed it away from the window. Brek undid his shoulder-belt and hung up it and his axe on a nail in the wall. He took a deep breath and leaped from the window. A dive was the only way he could jump to keep from causing a loud splash, then he would be stopped for sure. So he had dived perfectly into the water, and he did.
Brek slowly swam to the surface. Still on the far side of the Hide he took his time to breathe. He dove under the ship, swimming as strong as he could. His lungs burned with every stroke underwater. It took about a minute and a half, at least that was what he thought, to get past the ship. Gasping for air he floated beside the ship’s hull.
Finally he swam into the shore. Brek used the surf to his advantage to pull him into shore and hide himself from the crew. A giant wave crashed on his back and pushed him till he felt sand brush his fur. The water was low enough for him to walk now. He started to crawl too tired to stand yet. Salt filled his nose with its strong smell.
He ran to the beast once he hit shore; the heat from the flames started to make him sweat. He kneeled down next to him and checked for signs of life. Still breathing, he said to himself. There was a crossbow bolt in the beast's shoulder, Brek pulled the bolt out slowly to keep the pain from hurting too much. Flipping the beast over Brek found out that the beast was a pine martin. Brek wasn't excited about the creature's kind, as it reminded him of an old enemy. But still he had to help the poor creature.
Padraig Kesey
Kesey was getting very bored with waiting. How long were those beasts going to take? At the rate they were moving he could bleed to death, if he were actually seriously injured. Note t' self: next time, pick a ship whose crew are nae a bunch o' slugs, Kesey told himself.
Suddenly Kesey heard soft, wet pawsteps on the sand. A moment later a set of paws turned him over. Kesey faked unconsciousness, barely peering through his eyelashes at his rescuer. It was a small fox, very young. Probably a cabinbeast or something who had gotten curious and made a dive. It wasn't Kesey's preferred manner of rescue, but it would do.
Kesey faked a painful moan (faked might have been the wrong word; the injury did hurt, but Kesey had enough control to master the pain), his eyes opening a fraction. Reaching a paw up, he painfully clasped it on the todd's shoulder. "Help meh, lad," he whispered. He arched his back in a spasm of pain before continuing faintly, "Get meh out o' here, lad. I beg ye."
With that, he slumped into false unconsciousness.
Brek Larks
The beast moaned and said "Help meh lad. Get meh out o' here, lad. I beg ye." Then the beast fell to the ground unconscious. Brek ripped off a part of the beast's shirt, since his was wet from his swim, and tied over the wound.
Brek didn't know what to do next. He couldn't give him water since all the wells nearby were dried from the fire and saltwater wouldn't be pleasing. He had only one option: get the beast closer to shore and farther from the fire. The heat probably caused dehydration, which could cause the pine marten to die. He tried picking the beast up on his shoulders, but after a few yards he collapsed. Brek saw the shore just five yards away; he had to get there, just to cool down the martin. He had to make it there, just simply had to. Once again he tried and with all his might he made it to just three feet from the water.
He ripped a piece of his shirt off, since it was dried from the heat of the fire, and dampened it with the water. He patted his companion’s head to keep him cool. How he wished he had some clean water.
Fafnir E. Harlgren
Fafnir curled a mischievous smile. "You think I care about your little rules..? The rule that matters here is you are under my lead, Homba..."
A further spot of commotion took place, at which Anithias went on, "We have to retrieve that beast, Captain. Even you know that. Or do I have to cite the law?"
"Oh boo-hoo, go on and cite it..! You think I feel threatened..? Hah." The monitor lizard was making this extra difficult, and was purposefully causing as much delay as he could, to try and provoke the first mate. Finally, after another crooked glare, he apparently decided it had been long enough. "Alright, go play hero. One of these days it'll backfire on you, you know... henh. Hurry now, or that beast'll die!"
Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom
(Auto on Brek approved)
Anithias remained stonily silent as Fafnir mocked, "Oh boo-hoo, go on and cite it...! You think I feel threatened..? Hah." Anithias dug his pawfingers into his fist. It was all he could do to keep himself from trying to strangle the smug monitor.
Just keep laughing, you smug, sadistic, unworthy, pathetic excuse for a-
He didn't get to finish, as at that moment Fafnir decided he'd had enough of the game. "Alright, go play hero. One of these days it'll backfire on you, you know... henh. Hurry now, or that beast'll die!"
About time, Anithias thought, giving the order to cast off. The longboat drifted away, the oarsbeasts beginning the strenuous voyage to the shore. Anithias motioned to Urel to keep an eye on Kay before taking the bow spot. As the boat neared the shore, Anithias spotted another figure near the survivor, this one apparently tending to it. Closer scrutiny revealed it to be Brek, the youngster who had just come aboard. Anithias swallowed whatever words he may have had, thinking of the tongue-lashing the youngster would undoubtedly get.
As soon as the boat pulled up to shore, Anithias directed Jeb and Urel to take a contingent of the crew to explore the town for survivors. Meanwhile, he and the rest hurried to Brek and the fallen beast. Anithias immediately identified it as a pine marten, evidently shot by a crossbow. Brek seemed to be doing what he could to keep the beast hydrated.
"Good work, Mr. Larks," Anithias said crisply, directing the crewbeasts to begin assembling a lift around and beneath the marten. "Get in the longboat and await our return. No questions," he added sharply, giving the youngster a look that clearly said he was in trouble.
The crewbeasts, usually incredibly slow and lethargic, assembled the lift with surprising speed, and soon were carrying the marten back to the longboat. The beast stirred surprisingly little, though occasionally Anithias felt a prickling on the back of his neck that caused him to turn and look at the casualty. It was apparent that he was peacefully unconscious, but Anithias couldn't shake the feeling that something more was happening.
Anithias shrugged, shaking the feeling off. He was just on edge, that was all.
The marten was carefully set down in the longboat, the crewbeasts standing close by waiting for the search party to return. Eventually a small group of figures appeared, waving against the flames. Anithias quickly swept the group, seeing no unfamiliar faces. As the group approached, the look on Urel's face confirmed the worst. Without giving the order, Anithias turned and climbed into the longboat. The other crewbeasts began to do the same.
Anithias waited until they were off the shore to look at Brek, who was seated in the center opposite Anithias. The first mate examined the boy for a second. His ears were drooped, clearly expecting to be told off. How smart he is, Anithias thought.
"Crewbeast Brek," Anithias began, "I am assuming that you reached the shore by swimming from the ship?"
The todd nodded, not looking up.
"Despite the fact that the captain had not authorized anybeast to go ashore?"
Brek nodded again.
Anithias sighed, running a paw through his golden headfur. "That was disobeying an order, Brek," he told the youngster, breaking from his informal 'Mr. Larks' speech. "That could have gotten you thrown in the brig. It still could."
He examined the boy for a second before continuing, "But I'm not going to."
He leaned forward, looking at Brek seriously. "Here's what happened," he ordered. "Knowing your swimming talent, I ordered you to swim ashore to scout out the shore line in advance. This was before I received the counter-orders from the captain. Already being ashore, you were beyond being ordered back. Thus, the fault lies with me. Do you understand?"
Brek looked up for a second, looking ready to protest. Anithias gave him a stern look in return. Brek's look turned to one of mixed regret and gratitude as he said, "Yes sir."
"Good," Anithias said, smiling. "That was very brave work, Brek. A lot of crewbeasts can't even swim, let alone make their way to the shore and tend to an injured beast." He patted Brek's shoulder once. "I certainly won't forget that."
The longboat bumped against the hull of the Hide. Anithias signaled up, and the crew threw down four looped ropes. Carefully the away team fastened these to the lift, making sure they were secure, before motioning for the crew to lift the injured beast away. Slowly and jerkily, the lift began to rise.
Julia had since emerged from the cabin, and almost immediately whisked the marten away to the infirmary. Anithias approached the captain, trying to swallow his contempt enough to report, "The beast is alive thanks to the forward scout, sir." He motioned for Brek to join him. Putting an arm around the todd's shoulder, he told the captain, "This todd swam to shore and tended to the survivor, sir, risking his life on my orders. Frankly, I feel he deserves some small congratulations, sir." There was a hard look in his eyes that seemed unwise to challenge. Then again, this was Fafnir. Wisdom wasn't even in the book.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
Having remained on deck for the duration of the rescue party, Jeshal watched the returning beasts with a cold calculation. It had been worth his while: the fear of the flames, the need for beasts to be stationed for escape, and the possibility of gaining favour with the captain were all apt reasons that allowed him to remain with his sandals firmly planted on ship.
He observed Julia steal away the injured beast that had been the cause of the venture and then allowed his attention to settle upon Brek and Anithias. Jeshal listened to the stern manner in which Freedom addressed the captain, the way his arm was rigid about the young todd that had swum ashore before the longboat. There was something unusually defensive about the golden fox's posture. A sense of challenge beyond necessity for the situation perhaps? If he looked hard enough...was that a fearful concern in both of the foxes' eyes? They were brave beasts, without question, and not ones to tremble before even a brute like Fafnir, but something... oh, the Ironclaw could see it.
And he would root about for seeds of malcontent.
Brek Larks
Brek stood next to Anithias, staring at the ground. He was worried even though his face showed he wasn't.
Why must Anithias lie like this? Sooner or later the captain is going to ask, might not be now, but still I'm a terrible liar and I might slip. At least Anithias thinks I should be awarded for this and his report might keep me out of the brig, but that is just for following a command, to his story at least. But the truth sounds more heroic. Anithias even said he would do the same. I guess it's better than the brig.
Padraig Kesey/Julia Freedom
Kesey wasn't sure how much more of this he could endure. First the idiots hauling him up onto the ship had nearly dropped him, and then en route to the infirmary they actually had dropped him. Kesey had been unable to play unconscious anymore at that point, swearing violently as the arrowhead embedded itself further in his shoulder. The fox nurse, deducing he was in pain, had shoved some foul-tasting plant into his mouth that had immediately numbed the marten's body. Now Kesey was lying on his front in the infirmary, capable of nothing more than directing murderous thoughts at his "saviors" as the medic worked to extract the arrow.
At long last there was a faint sensation of pain, and Kesey saw from the corner of his eye the foxmaid setting the bloody arrow on a metal tray. Kesey grunted as she began wrapping thick bandages around his shoulder, pinning his arm to his side. Kesey yelped as the vixen applied pressure to the fracture.
"Sorry," she said apologetically, removing her pawfingers. "How badly does it hurt?"
Kesey couldn't stop himself from being a little grumpy as he responded, "Well, wit' any luck yeh'll kill meh before yeh're done playen' around there."
"Sorry," she apologized again. She reached for a needle and thread, deftly poking it through the wound. Kesey gritted his teeth as the pain bombarded him.
"So," Julia said, trying to distract the marten, "what's your name?"
"Padraig Kesey," Kesey answered through clenched teeth.
"Kesey," Julia mused, sowing up the wound. "That's a nice name. Are you Alamaniananan?"
"Ah'm nae," Kesey answered, his old speech habit of not answering just 'yes' or 'no' returning. "Ah was a vis'tor there when..." He fell silent, presumably remembering the events of the harbor.
At least, that was the conclusion Julia drew. "It's alright," she said comfortingly, tying a knot in the thread. "You can tell the captain all about it later." She snipped the thread, returning to wrapping the bandages. Kesey repressed a smirk. It was so easy to fool beasts with the 'voice fading to silence' trick.
Once the vixen left the room, Kesey sat up, wincing in pain. He poked the bandages disdainfully. Trainees. The only things worse were the professionals.
Tomias Redford
Tomias had been in his bunk reading, in fact when he wasn't in his bunk reading, he probably should be doing some kind of duty or something, lest the wrath of Cap'n Scalefeatures fall upon his head. He chuckled to himself as he got a mental picture of Fafnir with steam coming out of his ears, or whatever monitor lizards had as a replacement, but still he really didn't need to get in trouble so he bookmarked his book and walked up onto deck.
Almost immediately he knew something was wrong, from the acrid smell of smoke drifting from the shore, to the injured pine marten lying on the deck. He could hear the pained screams of sheer terror from the town that was currently going up in smoke, and to his horror, he heard Fafnir argue with Anithias about assisting those in the town. Tomias's blood boiled as he thought of Fafnir, probably laughing inside whilst watching the town burn. He was sure that if Fafnir could play the fiddle, he would have fiddled whilst the town burnt.
He looked back towards the town, in almost a daze, then back at the rest of the crew of which only the younger fox Brek seemed to have done anything of worth. Tomias ran back down below and grabbed his medical pack and he then proceeded to run back on deck. He then without further ado dived over the side of the ship and swam to shore. It took about 10 minutes to reach the shore, and he started to regret his decision, but nevertheless he pressed on. There had to be some survivors, there just had to be.
So he ran through the burning streets, calling out for any survivors and to his dismay he saw a small rat family, already dead, but burning through the window of a tavern where they had sought refuge. His nose was assaulted by the smoke, and the acrid smell of burning flesh. He coughed but continued to run through the smoke, and down the streets. Tomias's ears pricked as he heard a sound, a small whimpering sound, but still very much alive, whimpering. He dashed to where the sound was coming from, and he was rewarded with a small group of about 5 beasts, two ferrets, one rat, a weasel and a fox. He pulled out his sword and sliced through the fallen wood that was blocking the exit.
"Come on, I'm here to help, let’s get out of here,” he called out to them as they ran out the door into the street.
Tomias pointed back down the street to the beach where he had come from.
"Head down there and get to the beach, it's safe there, the fire hasn't reached that point yet, you will see the Golden Hide out in the bay. They should see you and send a boat out for you. I have to go and find more survivors." He coughed slightly. "Tell them that Tomias Redford sent you."
He grinned and ran off into the smoke, his eyes watering because of it, there just had to be more survivors, there just had to be...
***
The group followed Tomias's instructions and made their way to the beach where they shouted and waved to gain attention from the Hide. A few overeager ones even went knee deep in the water and waved from there.
They prayed the ship would see them...
Brek Larks
Brek stood facing Fafnir with Anithias's arm still on his shoulder. They were still waiting for the captain's reply. Probably thinking of my punishment, Brek thought.
Then out of nowhere there came shouts from the shore. Brek turned and pulled from the first mate's arm. He ran to the wall on the deck and sure enough there were about five or four beast standing there trying to get the crew's attention. "Over there!" called Brek. "There are more beasts out there!" The row boat was still tied at the bottom of the Hide's hull. "Anithias, we need to go again!" Brek called to his friend.
Brek had to let them know they were coming. "Ho there! We’re going to bring a boat to you!" Brek called out at the top of his lungs.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
His attention still upon Anithias, Brek, and Fafnir, Jeshal did not register any other beasts off ship. He had left the deck before Brek began shouting the alarm. It would probably be his job to roll-call before they made sail again, but whether or not he did in fact see Redford and the survivors bouncing on the beach, no beast would ever know. It occurred to the bosun that his curiosity in Freedom's behaviour might be somewhat resolved by meeting the injured beast that had been brought aboard and so, with a half-sneer to himself, he slipped off in the direction of the infirmary.
He passed Julia on his way and tipped his cavalier to her, a gesture that only he knew was one he mocked. Politeness to females, pah... most of them were as deadly and helpless as any male out on the seas, if they did not even surpass them. It was not that he did not have respect for women, quite the contrary, but to use courtesy seemed to him an acceptance of submission. Still, he did it without complaint, because... who suspects a beast of treachery if they open doors for you?
Jeshal walked into the room in which Kesey lay and noted him poking the wrappings at his shoulder.
"Well ain't this the fine thing? Can it be that the beast what me own crew be riskin' their lives fer be mopin' about like a squashed beetle at the paws of our angel Mrs Freedom?" He gave a sly smile. Was he being provocative or friendly? "What did she do? Sew yer innards on the outside?"
Padraig Kesey/Anithias Freedom/Urel
Kesey looked up sharply as another fox entered the room. This one had a peculiarity about him, or more specifically attached to him; his right paw was not the flesh and bone of other beasts, but some grotesque imitation of the paw's skeletal structure. Kesey examined it, undisturbed by its unearthly qualities.
"Well ain't this the fine thing? Can it be that the beast what me own crew be riskin' their lives fer be mopin' about like a squashed beetle at the paws of our angel Mrs Freedom?" Kesey carefully observed the fox's smirk, trying to deduce his personality. Slyness. Self-serving. Scheming. Unreadable. A fox after Kesey's own heart. All the more reason for Kesey to be careful.
"What did she do? Sew yer innards on the outside?"
Kesey chuckled as any wounded beast might around a comrade. "She's a good lass," Kesey told the fox with a smile. "She jest seems t' fancy meh fer a pin cushion, 'tis all."
Kesey sat up, grunting as he did so. "Ah understand Ah owe yer crew mah life," Kesey told the bosun with a smile. "And mah thanks. Ah'm much indebted t' ye." He nodded thankfully at the fox. This would be a careful game for sure.
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Anithias heard the calls pointing out the survivors on shore. "Quick, back out!" he ordered, ignoring Fafnir. Climbing back down the rope ladder, Anithias sat at the prow, waiting as the longboat glided over the waters back towards the dying inferno. Before the boat even touched shore the survivors were clambering into it.
"Everybeast towards the back!" Anithias ordered, trying to make some sense of the confusion. He glanced at Urel. The big fox shrugged. "We didn't find anybeast!" Urel called over the noise. "I don't know where these came from!" Anithias shrugged, making it clear that it didn't matter.
As soon as they were near the ship the survivors began clambering up. They grouped on the deck in a tight mass, looking around in fear. "Mr. Larks," Anithias called, climbing onto the deck, "please get our new guests situated. The forward bunks will do, I believe."
Brek Larks
"Mr. Larks," Anithias called as he climbed back onto the deck of the Hide. Behind him were more beasts. "Please get our new guests situated. The forward bunks will do, I believe."
"Yes sir." Brek replied. "If you would follow me, I will show you where you will be staying while aboard the Golden Hide,” he said, looking at the survivors. The number had grown since he'd last counted. "This way," he said as he headed for the bunks.
Brek stayed until every beast had found a bunk. He had all the beasts sign their name on a paper to give to Anithias since he knew the fox would prefer that. When the paper had reached its way back to Brek's paws he counted the names and the heads to make sure all beasts had signed. Eleven new beasts had joined the Hide. "Thank you for your time and please settle in. We will send someone down to show you the rest of the ship later. As for now stay in here until we gain control of the situation. If any of you need medical attention please come with me. Parents, if your children need help please come with me also. Other than that, I hope your stay on the Golden Hide is pleasant and merry."
With that Brek turned with about three beasts to lead to the infirmary. He read the list of names of the survivors while they walked across the ship. None of the names had really caught his attention except one: Vyrsa Rysk. Could this be his old friend from his childhood? Or just another beast of the same name?
Anithias was standing in front of the door to the infirmary. "Mister Freedom," Brek said with a nod. "Here is a list of the passengers we have picked up." Brek handed the list over as he led the beasts inside the infirmary.
Anithias Freedom/Padraig Kesey
Anithias had just reached the infirmary door when Brek showed up with three of the survivors in tow.
"Mister Freedom," Brek said, nodding respectfully. "Here is a list of the passengers we have picked up."
Anithias accepted the list, looking it over. None of the names jumped out to him, but then again, he didn't expect them to.
"Very well," he said, handing the list back. "The infirmary is right in here."
He reached for the doorknob.
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As soon as Kesey heard the survivors coming he faked his shoulder paining him, lying down. Thankfully the nurse had removed his trademark moleskin jacket, hanging it on the coat rack by the door.
Kesey lay on his stomach, his face buried in his shoulder. He watched the survivors enter the room from the corner of his eye. The first two didn't seem to pay much attention to him, but the third, a small stoatkit, stopped just inside the door, its eyes widening in horror as it saw him. Instinctively it pulled its teddy ferret close to it, hugging it for comfort.
Having seen the 'survivors', Kesey sat up, massaging his shoulder. "Oh," Anithias said, surprised. "Are you going?"
Kesey shrugged, a faint smile on his lips. "Ah kin see ye've got company who need the room more than Ah do," he said, looking at the three survivors. His eyes lingered for a second on the stoatkit. The toddler pressed itself tightly against one of the adults' legs.
"Well then," Anithias said, regaining his composure, "perhaps you'd like to come with me and tell me what happened?"
"O' course," Kesey said, the strange smile not leaving his lips. He gave the stoatkit another prolonged look before following.
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Kesey had counted the survivors. 11, including the ones in the infirmary. As far as he could see, only 5 looked problematic, including the stoatkit. The rest Kesey had carefully approached individually, and gotten no violent or fearful reaction from. So, five to deal with. The rest... well, Kesey had his methods of keeping them silent.
Kesey pulled back into the shadows, waiting.
Brek Larks
Brek left the beasts in the infirmary. He headed for the forward bunks to see if Vyrsa was there. Most of the beasts were rats. And about three were foxes: two female, one male. One female was too old to be Vyrsa, since Vyrsa was younger than he, and her name was Tradle Gringler. So that left one vixen in the corner. She sat on a bunk facing a window at the sea.
"Excuse me miss," Brek said to the vixen. "Would you happen to be Vyrsa Rysk?"
She turned to answer but her face had answered for her. "Why yes I am Mr. Larks. It's been a while."
"You can call me Brek. You should know my friends call me anything they want." He sat down on a bunk across from hers. "And it has been a while, so what brought you to this town?" He pointed to the direction of the shore.
"Waiting to join the navy. Like the others in my training group. They’re all gone. Well, I'm pretty sure they are." Brek heard some pain in her voice as she spoke. He expected some pain but this was too strong even for Vyrsa. He wanted to ask but now was not the right time. "When I received the letter from your mother that you had joined the navy I joined as well. 'Why not see my old friend Brek and get paid at the same time?' I asked myself. So I ended up on your ship in a trick of fate."
"I see, well I've only been in the Imperium for almost two weeks now. Not very long but I've still seen a lot. Met a few friends and gotten into trouble. But you would have guessed that." He said it as a joke and winked. "It's good to see you Vyrsa, I'll talk to you later." He got up and left for the infirmary to wait on the three beasts he had taken there.
Tomias Redford
Tomias was beginning to lose hope in finding any further survivors and he decided to head back to the beach to alert the Hide that he was still here. As he looked around, it suddenly dawned on him that he had no idea where he actually was. He coughed due to the large quantities of smoke that were prevalent in the air, and he spun around, looking from here to there in horror, because due to the smoke-filled air, and the foreign layout of the town, he had no idea where he was, or where the beach was.
He then decided that he better get moving, before he got fried. So onwards he ran, though the smoke-filled streets, rubbing his eyes as the smoke took its toll on his vision. He made his way onto a wooden lookout porch, that was on the top of the main street leading down to the town’s harbour. He looked around and to his joy he saw the beach where he had come in. However, his joy was short-lived, as due to fire damage on the supports below, and his weight, these factors combined and caused the lookout porch to collapse.
He gave a yelp of surprise as he fell, and as he hit the ground about two stories down he gave a gasp of shock, as he impaled his shoulder on a metal pipe that was sticking out of the ground. He heard, rather than felt the pipe move through his flesh. To him it was as if everything slowed down, and all he could hear was a combination of his own heartbeat, and the squelch of the flesh as it was separated from bone due to the pipe moving through his shoulder. He looked at his injury, and saw the blood flow freely out of the wound, it stained his shoulder area and the surrounding ground red.
He looked up as the remains of the flaming wooden porch broke free from the side of the wall, and fell down, towards him. Closer it came, closer and closer, then suddenly all was black...
Fafnir E. Harlgren
And then there was yet another commotion and spot of running about, as more survivors were found and brought back to the ship.
"Well tra-la-la... ain't this a merry circus show?" Fafnir mumbled to himself as he leaned back against the rail, watching the scene play out. Once the new beasts were all aboard, Fafnir took note of each face before they disappeared below decks. "There's them... and... one, two, three, four... hmm... alright then..."
Quite ready for a nap, the lizard stood up, stretched, and gave the order for them to prepare to make leave. With that, he too vanished below decks to retire to his quarters for the time being.
Anithias Freedom/Urel/Julia Freedom
(Autoing permission on Tomias and Vyrsa granted)
Anithias hurried onto the deck, a look of determination on his face.
"Master Urel!" Anithias called, advancing on the large fox. "Have you seen Tomias?"
"I have not," Urel answered.
Anithias looked strangely grim. "That's what I thought. Ready the longboat. Now."
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Anithias walked through the flames, a rag tied around his snout. Even with the sorry excuse for a filter he could taste the smoke. He scanned the rubble, looking for any sign of Tomias. Still, in all the flames it was hard to see anything.
Anithias looked for Urel, spotting the big black fox signaling from about ten meters away. Urel pointed at something on Anithias' street. Anithias turned to look, heart stopping as he saw Tomias impaled on a long pole, partially covered with wreckage.
"Tomias!" Anithias called, running to him. The red fox's eyes barely flickered open as Anithias approached. "You're going to be alright," Anithias told him. "UREL!"
The large black fox ran up, accompanied by several of the crew. "Let's get him back," Anithias told them. "On three... one, two, three!" They pushed up, pulling Tomias off the pole. As they placed him on the stretcher, he fell into unconsciousness.
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Tomias was alright. Julia predicted he would make a full recovery. Anithias was glad to hear it, but was more worried about another problem. Five of the survivors had disappeared.
It had happened the night immediately after the incident — the five beasts simply vanished from their bunks. Anithias had ordered the entire ship searched, but they had vanished without a trace. The only beast who seemed to know anything was Vyrsa, and try as he might, Anithias had been unable to get her to speak. At last, Anithias had no choice but to proclaim the case inconclusive.
However, everyone had been unable to help noticing that Kesey had been much more cheerful as of late, and moved about more openly than he had when he'd first arrived. Unfortunately there was little evidence beyond mere suspicion to point at him, so Anithias gave up on the investigation.
Now Anithias was leaning on the starboard rail, staring out over the sea. Things had gotten very strange, and he wasn't sure what to do about it. The days to come would be interesting, that was for sure, though if they would be good or bad, Anithias could not tell.
Suddenly Anithias' ears perked, his eyes squinting as he peered across the water. There was something floating out there. It looked like... Anithias frowned. A teddy ferret. Well, that was certainly strange. It looked so much like the one the stoatkit used to have, too. Anithias smiled sadly, wondering what had really become of the young life.
Anithias watched the sad cotton creature drift away, wondering if it would ever be seen again.
Starring: Armina Rogue, Anithias Freedom, Julia Freedom (?possibly pregnant with Marianna in this thread), Padraig Kesey, Kayla, Fafnir Harlgren, Brek Larks, Jeshal the Ironclaw, Tomias Redford, Jeb & Urel,WELCOME ANARCHY
First post Smarch 1, Yr. 1729, 4:32 pm
Armina Rogue/Padraig Kesey
Armina sat up in the rigging, looking out over the sea. Not that there was much to see today. A thick mist had rolled off the nearby islands, obscuring the view. Armina had no clue how the helmsbeast could navigate in this kind of weather, particularly with so many islands so close together. Still, they had been ordered to the distant port of Alamanianana (a name that gave Armina a headache every time) to barter for some cloth his highness Mar'kan II —Mar'kan III, Armina reminded herself — sought.
Armina sighed irritably, crawling along the yardarm to the hammock she had constructed for herself from spare canvas. From the ground, it looked like just another part of the rigging. From here, it looked like a perfect spot for a nap. Armina wrinkled her nose as she removed an apple core from her makeshift bed. Evidently Jeb had been sneaking naps again. Rather stupid of him, considering that last time she'd caught him napping in her hammock she'd thrown him from the rigging into the sea. She'd gotten in quite a bit of trouble over that one.
Armina was about to carefully step into the hammock when she froze, her sensitive vermin nose working. Smoke. She could smell smoke. And where there was smoke—
The dark smoke cut through the fog, clearing the view enough for Armina to see the port city of Alamanianana burnt down to cinders. Armina watched, her heart in her throat, as a tall, ornate building collapsed as its structural support was consumed. Millions of sparks flew into the air from the spot, fizzling brightly before winking out of existence.
Armina was not the only beast to notice the spectacle. "FIRE!" came the cry from the deck. "FIRE DEAD AHEAD!" Armina did not waver her gaze as she watched the glowing cinders of the once-great port, wondering what possibly could have happened.
----------------------------------------------------
Kesey stood in the center of Bazaar Square, his paws outstretched as the world burned around him. He closed his cold, calculating eyes, inhaling the smoke like a sweet aroma. Chaos. Pure, unrestrained chaos. It was almost more than Kesey could have hoped for. The revolutionaries had set the whole town alight, then gone and barricaded themselves inside the town hall. Unfortunately, they forgot that they'd set that alight as well.
Now the entire town was burning down to nothing, a ruin of flames and smoke. All the citizens were killed, either by the fire or by the marauding rebels. The corners of Kesey's mouth turned slightly upwards in what could be constituted as a smile.
Kesey breathed out slowly. The fumes were starting to get to him, making him light-headed. Carefully he stepped down from the stone pedestal on which he had stood. It had previously been occupied with a bronze sculpture of the country's ruler, which had been expertly removed by the rebels with a combination of hammers, crowbars, and a ballistae. Almanadiu IV was now lying scattered across the square.
Kesey began to walk leisurely down the street, his faint smile never disappearing. He paused as he reached the corner, looking down at his foot. All that was left of this house now was a stack of two bricks. Slowly, Kesey pulled back his foot, bringing it forward sharply. The mortar between the bricks crumbled, the top brick falling to the ground. Kesey smiled, moving on.
And not one stone will be left atop another.
Kayla
"Ommm...Mmmm...Mmooommm..." Cross-legged on the floor, eyes squinted in intense concentration, Kay was in full on meditation mode. She'd even put on a silky white robe that the old gecko at the bar had told her would further the experience. So far, the only thing it had furthered was her complete disgust with the color white and its inherent ability to get dirty without being touched. "OM." She repeated, as if saying it with this threatening edge in her voice would make the word work the way the guru had promised her it would.
Instead, it was just starting to make her angry, which while being a change from the numb darkness, wasn't exactly what she'd hoped for.
"OM OM OOMMMMMMMM! FLYING FISHHEADS WILL YOU ALL JUST SHUT UP?!" Her eyes flew open, as she screamed in rage and ran to the door of the cabin, ready to take out the eyeballs of whoever was yelling and running up and down the hallways. Flinging it open, she was just in time to hear the fading cry of "FIRE DEAD AHEAD!" which didn't really improve her mood. Still jutting her jaw in anger, she followed the flow of beasts up the stairs, if only to find someone smaller than she to beat up.
Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom
Anithias woke up suddenly. It wasn't the cries of 'fire' from the deck that woke him; it was the subtle realization that the bed beside him was empty.
Anithias sat up, looking around the dim cabin. He could see Fal's crib illuminated by some strange flickering orange light from the window, though Anithias didn't think much about that at the moment. He was looking for Julia.
A muffled, echoing retch sounded from beside the bed. Anithias moved over to peer over the rim of the bunk. Julia was lying curled over the chamber pot, throwing up.
"Julia?" he asked, worried. He got out of bed, kneeling beside her with a paw on her back. He peered anxiously into her face. "Are you alright?" he asked anxiously. Julia nodded briefly before puking again. Anithias instinctively wrinkled his nose at the stench.
"Do you need anything? Should I get Kiptooth?" he asked, his eyes now being drawn to the strange orange light. What was that?
Julia shook her head vigorously, taking a moment to look sideways at her husband. "I'll be fine," she said faintly. Anithias looked deep into her eyes, trying to read her emotions. There was love, of course, but there was something else. Was it... fear?
Suddenly another cry of 'fire' went up from the deck. Anithias looked up to the ceiling before looking back at Julia. "I have to go," he said apologetically. He examined her again. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine," she responded, turning her head back over the chamber pot just in case. Anithias nodded, unsure, before rising. He marched out of the cabin, pulling on his officer's jacket as he went.
The orange light bombarded Anithias as he ascended to the deck, and immediately Anithias saw the cause. The port of Alamanianana was alight.
"EVERYBEAST ON DECK!" Anithias called sharply. "FIRE ON LAND! Kayla!" Anithias spotted his old friend emerging from belowdecks. Anithias hurried over to her, his heart catching in his throat as he saw the eye patch. Trying to swallow his hatred of Fafnir, Anithias said, "I'm going to take a landing party to search for survivors. Do you want to join us?"
Kayla
"EVERYBEAST ON DECK! FIRE ON LAND! Kayla!"
Hearing her name, Kay whirled to face it, claws out and jaw clenched. Then she saw it was Anithias, and forced herself to relax. Her closest friend was not someone she was willing to attack, and, with effort, she drew a breath to calm herself. It was hard though, as she saw an expression flash across the golden fox's face. It was hard to read — Pity? Hurt? Some permuted kind of anger? The thought that Anithias might possibly pity her sent a jolt through the cat, and she had to fight back another wave of anger.
"I'm going to take a landing party to search for survivors. Do you want to join us?"
For a moment, she almost said no. But, as she looked in her friend's eyes, she couldn't.
"I'll...I'll join ya. Just one second." She ran below decks, grabbing a dagger and shoes, and throwing off the ridiculous white meditative gown. In less than five minutes, she was back on deck. Looking around, she caught sight of Anithias, commanding a group and getting ready to make for shore.
The shore... Kay looked towards the fire and felt the familiar fear creeping through her heart, causing her paws to quiver and her spine to freeze. She hadn't seen Fafnir on deck yet, but the fire reminded her of that night. She bowed her head, fighting the numbing memories.
"Kayla, we're leaving!" Her head snapped up, and her feet reacted out. Running across the deck, she leapt into the longboat, landing softly inside just as they started to lower it.
Fafnir E. Harlgren
"I didn't sanction that order," came a reptilian voice from behind Anithias. "Or are you running the parade now, hm...?" Fafnir E. Harlgren picked between his teeth with a small pointy bone, an expression draped over his face that reeked of carelessness — despite their destination being in flames, Fafnir's look would have better suited the discovery that there was water in the ocean. However, in the orange light of sunbeams through smoky skies, the unmistakable glint of confrontation in his eyes was present.
"Who knows what may have happened here...? Could be... dangerous... Do I really want some of my crew leaving the safety of the vessel to explore some... ash?" With a roll of the tongue, he turned the toothpick inside his mouth against his cheek. "Come now, Mr. Freedom... don't be so rash... and don't think you can call the shots. I don't know how things went under the command of that Homba-nicking Ryalor, but you're under my lead now."
Kayla just then returned from belowdecks and hopped into the longboat. The old monitor gave her no notice though, as his eyes were set on Anithias. Let's see what happens next, eh...?
Anithias Freedom
Anithias stared stonily at the captain as Fafnir easily countermanded Anithias' orders. Anithias resisted the urge to tell the lizard to go to 'Gates, instead channeling his venom into his icy gaze.
"Who knows what may have happened here...? Could be... dangerous... Do I really want some of my crew leaving the safety of the vessel to explore some... ash? Come now, Mr. Freedom... don't be so rash... and don't think you can call the shots. I don't know how things went under the command of that Homba-nicking Ryalor, but you're under my lead now."
"Captain Harlgren," Anithias addressed him impassively, "Chapter 11, Ordinance 16 of the Imperial naval law," he ground his teeth, "gives me the right to assume the duties of the captain when the captain is absent. You, sir," he said pointedly, the 'sir' costing his pride heavily, "were, up until just a few moments ago, absent from the deck.
"And," he continued, giving the captain no opportunity to respond, "Chapter 12, Ordinance 27 of the Imperial naval law dictates that in the event of all foreign disasters, any naval vessel arriving on the scene is to investigate the matter to the best of their ability." He glared at the captain. "The ministers' law, sir, not mine."
He knew what it was that Fafnir wanted. The trick was giving it to him. It would cost Anithias' pride heavily, that was certain. Still, the only way Anithias would be able to fulfill his requirement as first mate would be to play Fafnir's game.
"Permission to lead landing party... sir," he asked through clenched teeth.
Kayla
Kay had barely landed inside the boat when she heard him. Slimy, cold and emotionless, the voice slid into her consciousness like a snake, strangling her thoughts. With every word she felt it constrict, her whole world shrinking to pain and fear and the voice.
It took a little while for her to find the strength to look up and find him. When she did, she regretted it, because she looked up to see Fafnir force Anithias into verbally bowing down to the lizard’s authority. It angered Kay to see her friend acquiescing to the lizard’s demand, and in the strangest of ways, she felt betrayed. The feeling was fleeting as she caught sight of the monitor, and crushing fear washed away everything else.
"Eagh..." The wildcat dove to the bottom of the boat, shoving under footpads and rousing a few surprised cries. She came to rest curled tightly in the fetal position under the seaboards.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
No sooner had the cries been sounded, Jeshal had made for the deck with a casual lethargy that would have jarred any panicking beast that watched him. His throat became dry once he emerged topside, smelled the smoke and saw the flames.
The dead space within his gauntlet, where the intricate surgery of a witch doctor had connected artificial limb to nerve system, twinged painfully. For one single moment he was aware of every piece of singed tissue or fur that he still retained hidden beneath his clothing. The bosun grimaced at the blazing town, deaf to the shouts of his crewmembers until the new captain appeared.
He was somewhat comforted by the wicked lizard's quibbling with Anithias and, though he would not have said so to his face, was impressed with Freedom's responses. Quite willing to avoid proximity to the fire, Jeshal stood to attention on the deck and waited to hear Harlgren's orders.
Padraig Kesey
Kesey wandered the ruins of the town, basking in the glory of his accomplishment. This was his kingdom. Ashes was his crop, ghosts and memories his subjects, and for a throne, a simple stone pedestal. It was a kingdom he could create anywhere, and which stretched out over the earth. Wherever there was rebellion, wherever beasts took their liberty into their own paws, there Kesey reigned.
Kesey stopped short as the sea came into view through the smoke. A ship was anchored off the island. A galleon, of foreign make, by the looks of it. Military, most likely. Beasts were clambering into a longboat, apparently ready to go ashore.
Kesey frowned in annoyance. Well, this was problematic. He'd barely gotten to enjoy his kingdom, and already it was being invaded. A thought suddenly lit up in Kesey's head. Then again, perhaps this could be an opportunity...
But he had to work fast. Kesey quickly pulled a roll of thin wire from a pocket within his moleskin coat, checking the length. It would do. Pulling the crossbow from its holster on his back, he set it on the ruined foundation of a shop. Carefully he wedged two heavy stones against each side of the crossbow, stabilizing it. Running a wire from the crossbow across the street and around a pole, he stood a little out of the crossbow's range, watching carefully. He yanked once on the wire. A bolt flew from the crossbow, flying through a space roughly about the level of Kesey's shoulder. A dark smile worked its way across his face. Perfect.
Kesey returned to the crossbow, loading another bolt and adjusting the crossbow back on course. Then he resumed his position, only this time directly in the line of fire. He was suddenly intensely aware of his mortality as he stood there, his back to the crossbow. If he was even the slightest bit off, he could be killed. Life would be over for him. Kesey was not a religious beast, and firmly believed in the nonexistence of souls. This could be the end.
With no time to stall, Kesey pulled the wire.
There was a swift zing and a thump, accompanied by a searing pain in Kesey's right shoulder. Kesey did not allow himself to fall, grinding his teeth in pain instead. Wincing with the agony, Kesey turned his head to see the bolt impaled nicely in his shoulder blade. Gingerly he touched the stem, wincing with the pain. By the feel of it the bolt had cracked the bone, light enough that it would heal quickly but still strong enough to make it look like Kesey had been shot. It was only then that Kesey realized, to his great regret, that there was now a hole in his moleskin jacket, which was swiftly being surrounded by blood. Kesey swore out loud. I liked that jacket, he thought murderously.
But right now he had bigger problems. The jacket could be mended later, but that was only if Kesey could get on that ship. Still wincing in pain, Kesey retrieved the crossbow and wire, carefully storing them both. Then, he began to limp towards the harbor.
Kesey limped along the beach, a trail of blood behind him. He watched the ship carefully, waiting until there was a beast looking directly at him to fall. Sure enough, a shout went up from the deck. As Kesey lay face-down in the sand, bleeding, he smiled.
----------------------------------------------------
"THERE'S SOMEBEAST ALIVE OUT THERE!"
Anithias' head snapped to look at the beach. Sure enough, there was a huddled mass on the beach.
"Good work," Anithias called out, making a note to give that crewbeast an extra cup of grog for his service. That was, if Fafnir didn't countermand that order as well.
Anithias looked straight at the captain. "We have to retrieve that beast, Captain," Anithias said stubbornly. "Even you know that. Or do I have to cite the law?" he threatened, raising an eyebrow. He could think of at least half a dozen ordinances pertaining to this situation.
Brek Larks
Brek emerged from the galley with great speed. He heard shouts of a fire earlier and wanted to see for himself. Sure enough there was a fire on the shore. He stood leaning on the small wooden wall of the Hide. He wanted to see more so he headed up the ratlines.
He could see the giant fire burning the town. The light was almost as bright as the sun and the heat could be felt from where he stood. Above in the crow's nest he heard a beast yell "THERE'S SOMEBEAST ALIVE OUT THERE!" There was a beast; as he turned his head he saw it fall face first to the sand. Then from below he heard Anithias shout back up "Good work.". Then the first mate turned to a lizard covered in black clothes. Immediately Brek recognized the scaly monster as the captain of the Hide.
Anithias spoke to the captain. "We have to retrieve that beast, Captain." Brek had heard about the two arguing and how long it could last. "Even you know that. Or do I have to cite the law?" Anithias continued.
We don't have time for this! Brek thought to himself. I have to do something but what? He looked around for an option. If he was spotted he would be punished, but if he stayed the beast might die. He remembered the ballista below deck and suddenly had an idea.
He climbed down to the deck. Running to the stairs that led to the galley he made sure that no beast saw him or that he arose any suspicion. He was thankful there were no beasts in the galley, most were on the main deck wondering what was to happen. Hurry! he rushed himself. He turned left to the side of the ship that was farther away from the shore. He ran up to a ballista and untied it from the wall and pushed it away from the window. Brek undid his shoulder-belt and hung up it and his axe on a nail in the wall. He took a deep breath and leaped from the window. A dive was the only way he could jump to keep from causing a loud splash, then he would be stopped for sure. So he had dived perfectly into the water, and he did.
Brek slowly swam to the surface. Still on the far side of the Hide he took his time to breathe. He dove under the ship, swimming as strong as he could. His lungs burned with every stroke underwater. It took about a minute and a half, at least that was what he thought, to get past the ship. Gasping for air he floated beside the ship’s hull.
Finally he swam into the shore. Brek used the surf to his advantage to pull him into shore and hide himself from the crew. A giant wave crashed on his back and pushed him till he felt sand brush his fur. The water was low enough for him to walk now. He started to crawl too tired to stand yet. Salt filled his nose with its strong smell.
He ran to the beast once he hit shore; the heat from the flames started to make him sweat. He kneeled down next to him and checked for signs of life. Still breathing, he said to himself. There was a crossbow bolt in the beast's shoulder, Brek pulled the bolt out slowly to keep the pain from hurting too much. Flipping the beast over Brek found out that the beast was a pine martin. Brek wasn't excited about the creature's kind, as it reminded him of an old enemy. But still he had to help the poor creature.
Padraig Kesey
Kesey was getting very bored with waiting. How long were those beasts going to take? At the rate they were moving he could bleed to death, if he were actually seriously injured. Note t' self: next time, pick a ship whose crew are nae a bunch o' slugs, Kesey told himself.
Suddenly Kesey heard soft, wet pawsteps on the sand. A moment later a set of paws turned him over. Kesey faked unconsciousness, barely peering through his eyelashes at his rescuer. It was a small fox, very young. Probably a cabinbeast or something who had gotten curious and made a dive. It wasn't Kesey's preferred manner of rescue, but it would do.
Kesey faked a painful moan (faked might have been the wrong word; the injury did hurt, but Kesey had enough control to master the pain), his eyes opening a fraction. Reaching a paw up, he painfully clasped it on the todd's shoulder. "Help meh, lad," he whispered. He arched his back in a spasm of pain before continuing faintly, "Get meh out o' here, lad. I beg ye."
With that, he slumped into false unconsciousness.
Brek Larks
The beast moaned and said "Help meh lad. Get meh out o' here, lad. I beg ye." Then the beast fell to the ground unconscious. Brek ripped off a part of the beast's shirt, since his was wet from his swim, and tied over the wound.
Brek didn't know what to do next. He couldn't give him water since all the wells nearby were dried from the fire and saltwater wouldn't be pleasing. He had only one option: get the beast closer to shore and farther from the fire. The heat probably caused dehydration, which could cause the pine marten to die. He tried picking the beast up on his shoulders, but after a few yards he collapsed. Brek saw the shore just five yards away; he had to get there, just to cool down the martin. He had to make it there, just simply had to. Once again he tried and with all his might he made it to just three feet from the water.
He ripped a piece of his shirt off, since it was dried from the heat of the fire, and dampened it with the water. He patted his companion’s head to keep him cool. How he wished he had some clean water.
Fafnir E. Harlgren
Fafnir curled a mischievous smile. "You think I care about your little rules..? The rule that matters here is you are under my lead, Homba..."
A further spot of commotion took place, at which Anithias went on, "We have to retrieve that beast, Captain. Even you know that. Or do I have to cite the law?"
"Oh boo-hoo, go on and cite it..! You think I feel threatened..? Hah." The monitor lizard was making this extra difficult, and was purposefully causing as much delay as he could, to try and provoke the first mate. Finally, after another crooked glare, he apparently decided it had been long enough. "Alright, go play hero. One of these days it'll backfire on you, you know... henh. Hurry now, or that beast'll die!"
Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom
(Auto on Brek approved)
Anithias remained stonily silent as Fafnir mocked, "Oh boo-hoo, go on and cite it...! You think I feel threatened..? Hah." Anithias dug his pawfingers into his fist. It was all he could do to keep himself from trying to strangle the smug monitor.
Just keep laughing, you smug, sadistic, unworthy, pathetic excuse for a-
He didn't get to finish, as at that moment Fafnir decided he'd had enough of the game. "Alright, go play hero. One of these days it'll backfire on you, you know... henh. Hurry now, or that beast'll die!"
About time, Anithias thought, giving the order to cast off. The longboat drifted away, the oarsbeasts beginning the strenuous voyage to the shore. Anithias motioned to Urel to keep an eye on Kay before taking the bow spot. As the boat neared the shore, Anithias spotted another figure near the survivor, this one apparently tending to it. Closer scrutiny revealed it to be Brek, the youngster who had just come aboard. Anithias swallowed whatever words he may have had, thinking of the tongue-lashing the youngster would undoubtedly get.
As soon as the boat pulled up to shore, Anithias directed Jeb and Urel to take a contingent of the crew to explore the town for survivors. Meanwhile, he and the rest hurried to Brek and the fallen beast. Anithias immediately identified it as a pine marten, evidently shot by a crossbow. Brek seemed to be doing what he could to keep the beast hydrated.
"Good work, Mr. Larks," Anithias said crisply, directing the crewbeasts to begin assembling a lift around and beneath the marten. "Get in the longboat and await our return. No questions," he added sharply, giving the youngster a look that clearly said he was in trouble.
The crewbeasts, usually incredibly slow and lethargic, assembled the lift with surprising speed, and soon were carrying the marten back to the longboat. The beast stirred surprisingly little, though occasionally Anithias felt a prickling on the back of his neck that caused him to turn and look at the casualty. It was apparent that he was peacefully unconscious, but Anithias couldn't shake the feeling that something more was happening.
Anithias shrugged, shaking the feeling off. He was just on edge, that was all.
The marten was carefully set down in the longboat, the crewbeasts standing close by waiting for the search party to return. Eventually a small group of figures appeared, waving against the flames. Anithias quickly swept the group, seeing no unfamiliar faces. As the group approached, the look on Urel's face confirmed the worst. Without giving the order, Anithias turned and climbed into the longboat. The other crewbeasts began to do the same.
Anithias waited until they were off the shore to look at Brek, who was seated in the center opposite Anithias. The first mate examined the boy for a second. His ears were drooped, clearly expecting to be told off. How smart he is, Anithias thought.
"Crewbeast Brek," Anithias began, "I am assuming that you reached the shore by swimming from the ship?"
The todd nodded, not looking up.
"Despite the fact that the captain had not authorized anybeast to go ashore?"
Brek nodded again.
Anithias sighed, running a paw through his golden headfur. "That was disobeying an order, Brek," he told the youngster, breaking from his informal 'Mr. Larks' speech. "That could have gotten you thrown in the brig. It still could."
He examined the boy for a second before continuing, "But I'm not going to."
He leaned forward, looking at Brek seriously. "Here's what happened," he ordered. "Knowing your swimming talent, I ordered you to swim ashore to scout out the shore line in advance. This was before I received the counter-orders from the captain. Already being ashore, you were beyond being ordered back. Thus, the fault lies with me. Do you understand?"
Brek looked up for a second, looking ready to protest. Anithias gave him a stern look in return. Brek's look turned to one of mixed regret and gratitude as he said, "Yes sir."
"Good," Anithias said, smiling. "That was very brave work, Brek. A lot of crewbeasts can't even swim, let alone make their way to the shore and tend to an injured beast." He patted Brek's shoulder once. "I certainly won't forget that."
The longboat bumped against the hull of the Hide. Anithias signaled up, and the crew threw down four looped ropes. Carefully the away team fastened these to the lift, making sure they were secure, before motioning for the crew to lift the injured beast away. Slowly and jerkily, the lift began to rise.
Julia had since emerged from the cabin, and almost immediately whisked the marten away to the infirmary. Anithias approached the captain, trying to swallow his contempt enough to report, "The beast is alive thanks to the forward scout, sir." He motioned for Brek to join him. Putting an arm around the todd's shoulder, he told the captain, "This todd swam to shore and tended to the survivor, sir, risking his life on my orders. Frankly, I feel he deserves some small congratulations, sir." There was a hard look in his eyes that seemed unwise to challenge. Then again, this was Fafnir. Wisdom wasn't even in the book.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
Having remained on deck for the duration of the rescue party, Jeshal watched the returning beasts with a cold calculation. It had been worth his while: the fear of the flames, the need for beasts to be stationed for escape, and the possibility of gaining favour with the captain were all apt reasons that allowed him to remain with his sandals firmly planted on ship.
He observed Julia steal away the injured beast that had been the cause of the venture and then allowed his attention to settle upon Brek and Anithias. Jeshal listened to the stern manner in which Freedom addressed the captain, the way his arm was rigid about the young todd that had swum ashore before the longboat. There was something unusually defensive about the golden fox's posture. A sense of challenge beyond necessity for the situation perhaps? If he looked hard enough...was that a fearful concern in both of the foxes' eyes? They were brave beasts, without question, and not ones to tremble before even a brute like Fafnir, but something... oh, the Ironclaw could see it.
And he would root about for seeds of malcontent.
Brek Larks
Brek stood next to Anithias, staring at the ground. He was worried even though his face showed he wasn't.
Why must Anithias lie like this? Sooner or later the captain is going to ask, might not be now, but still I'm a terrible liar and I might slip. At least Anithias thinks I should be awarded for this and his report might keep me out of the brig, but that is just for following a command, to his story at least. But the truth sounds more heroic. Anithias even said he would do the same. I guess it's better than the brig.
Padraig Kesey/Julia Freedom
Kesey wasn't sure how much more of this he could endure. First the idiots hauling him up onto the ship had nearly dropped him, and then en route to the infirmary they actually had dropped him. Kesey had been unable to play unconscious anymore at that point, swearing violently as the arrowhead embedded itself further in his shoulder. The fox nurse, deducing he was in pain, had shoved some foul-tasting plant into his mouth that had immediately numbed the marten's body. Now Kesey was lying on his front in the infirmary, capable of nothing more than directing murderous thoughts at his "saviors" as the medic worked to extract the arrow.
At long last there was a faint sensation of pain, and Kesey saw from the corner of his eye the foxmaid setting the bloody arrow on a metal tray. Kesey grunted as she began wrapping thick bandages around his shoulder, pinning his arm to his side. Kesey yelped as the vixen applied pressure to the fracture.
"Sorry," she said apologetically, removing her pawfingers. "How badly does it hurt?"
Kesey couldn't stop himself from being a little grumpy as he responded, "Well, wit' any luck yeh'll kill meh before yeh're done playen' around there."
"Sorry," she apologized again. She reached for a needle and thread, deftly poking it through the wound. Kesey gritted his teeth as the pain bombarded him.
"So," Julia said, trying to distract the marten, "what's your name?"
"Padraig Kesey," Kesey answered through clenched teeth.
"Kesey," Julia mused, sowing up the wound. "That's a nice name. Are you Alamaniananan?"
"Ah'm nae," Kesey answered, his old speech habit of not answering just 'yes' or 'no' returning. "Ah was a vis'tor there when..." He fell silent, presumably remembering the events of the harbor.
At least, that was the conclusion Julia drew. "It's alright," she said comfortingly, tying a knot in the thread. "You can tell the captain all about it later." She snipped the thread, returning to wrapping the bandages. Kesey repressed a smirk. It was so easy to fool beasts with the 'voice fading to silence' trick.
Once the vixen left the room, Kesey sat up, wincing in pain. He poked the bandages disdainfully. Trainees. The only things worse were the professionals.
Tomias Redford
Tomias had been in his bunk reading, in fact when he wasn't in his bunk reading, he probably should be doing some kind of duty or something, lest the wrath of Cap'n Scalefeatures fall upon his head. He chuckled to himself as he got a mental picture of Fafnir with steam coming out of his ears, or whatever monitor lizards had as a replacement, but still he really didn't need to get in trouble so he bookmarked his book and walked up onto deck.
Almost immediately he knew something was wrong, from the acrid smell of smoke drifting from the shore, to the injured pine marten lying on the deck. He could hear the pained screams of sheer terror from the town that was currently going up in smoke, and to his horror, he heard Fafnir argue with Anithias about assisting those in the town. Tomias's blood boiled as he thought of Fafnir, probably laughing inside whilst watching the town burn. He was sure that if Fafnir could play the fiddle, he would have fiddled whilst the town burnt.
He looked back towards the town, in almost a daze, then back at the rest of the crew of which only the younger fox Brek seemed to have done anything of worth. Tomias ran back down below and grabbed his medical pack and he then proceeded to run back on deck. He then without further ado dived over the side of the ship and swam to shore. It took about 10 minutes to reach the shore, and he started to regret his decision, but nevertheless he pressed on. There had to be some survivors, there just had to be.
So he ran through the burning streets, calling out for any survivors and to his dismay he saw a small rat family, already dead, but burning through the window of a tavern where they had sought refuge. His nose was assaulted by the smoke, and the acrid smell of burning flesh. He coughed but continued to run through the smoke, and down the streets. Tomias's ears pricked as he heard a sound, a small whimpering sound, but still very much alive, whimpering. He dashed to where the sound was coming from, and he was rewarded with a small group of about 5 beasts, two ferrets, one rat, a weasel and a fox. He pulled out his sword and sliced through the fallen wood that was blocking the exit.
"Come on, I'm here to help, let’s get out of here,” he called out to them as they ran out the door into the street.
Tomias pointed back down the street to the beach where he had come from.
"Head down there and get to the beach, it's safe there, the fire hasn't reached that point yet, you will see the Golden Hide out in the bay. They should see you and send a boat out for you. I have to go and find more survivors." He coughed slightly. "Tell them that Tomias Redford sent you."
He grinned and ran off into the smoke, his eyes watering because of it, there just had to be more survivors, there just had to be...
***
The group followed Tomias's instructions and made their way to the beach where they shouted and waved to gain attention from the Hide. A few overeager ones even went knee deep in the water and waved from there.
They prayed the ship would see them...
Brek Larks
Brek stood facing Fafnir with Anithias's arm still on his shoulder. They were still waiting for the captain's reply. Probably thinking of my punishment, Brek thought.
Then out of nowhere there came shouts from the shore. Brek turned and pulled from the first mate's arm. He ran to the wall on the deck and sure enough there were about five or four beast standing there trying to get the crew's attention. "Over there!" called Brek. "There are more beasts out there!" The row boat was still tied at the bottom of the Hide's hull. "Anithias, we need to go again!" Brek called to his friend.
Brek had to let them know they were coming. "Ho there! We’re going to bring a boat to you!" Brek called out at the top of his lungs.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
His attention still upon Anithias, Brek, and Fafnir, Jeshal did not register any other beasts off ship. He had left the deck before Brek began shouting the alarm. It would probably be his job to roll-call before they made sail again, but whether or not he did in fact see Redford and the survivors bouncing on the beach, no beast would ever know. It occurred to the bosun that his curiosity in Freedom's behaviour might be somewhat resolved by meeting the injured beast that had been brought aboard and so, with a half-sneer to himself, he slipped off in the direction of the infirmary.
He passed Julia on his way and tipped his cavalier to her, a gesture that only he knew was one he mocked. Politeness to females, pah... most of them were as deadly and helpless as any male out on the seas, if they did not even surpass them. It was not that he did not have respect for women, quite the contrary, but to use courtesy seemed to him an acceptance of submission. Still, he did it without complaint, because... who suspects a beast of treachery if they open doors for you?
Jeshal walked into the room in which Kesey lay and noted him poking the wrappings at his shoulder.
"Well ain't this the fine thing? Can it be that the beast what me own crew be riskin' their lives fer be mopin' about like a squashed beetle at the paws of our angel Mrs Freedom?" He gave a sly smile. Was he being provocative or friendly? "What did she do? Sew yer innards on the outside?"
Padraig Kesey/Anithias Freedom/Urel
Kesey looked up sharply as another fox entered the room. This one had a peculiarity about him, or more specifically attached to him; his right paw was not the flesh and bone of other beasts, but some grotesque imitation of the paw's skeletal structure. Kesey examined it, undisturbed by its unearthly qualities.
"Well ain't this the fine thing? Can it be that the beast what me own crew be riskin' their lives fer be mopin' about like a squashed beetle at the paws of our angel Mrs Freedom?" Kesey carefully observed the fox's smirk, trying to deduce his personality. Slyness. Self-serving. Scheming. Unreadable. A fox after Kesey's own heart. All the more reason for Kesey to be careful.
"What did she do? Sew yer innards on the outside?"
Kesey chuckled as any wounded beast might around a comrade. "She's a good lass," Kesey told the fox with a smile. "She jest seems t' fancy meh fer a pin cushion, 'tis all."
Kesey sat up, grunting as he did so. "Ah understand Ah owe yer crew mah life," Kesey told the bosun with a smile. "And mah thanks. Ah'm much indebted t' ye." He nodded thankfully at the fox. This would be a careful game for sure.
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Anithias heard the calls pointing out the survivors on shore. "Quick, back out!" he ordered, ignoring Fafnir. Climbing back down the rope ladder, Anithias sat at the prow, waiting as the longboat glided over the waters back towards the dying inferno. Before the boat even touched shore the survivors were clambering into it.
"Everybeast towards the back!" Anithias ordered, trying to make some sense of the confusion. He glanced at Urel. The big fox shrugged. "We didn't find anybeast!" Urel called over the noise. "I don't know where these came from!" Anithias shrugged, making it clear that it didn't matter.
As soon as they were near the ship the survivors began clambering up. They grouped on the deck in a tight mass, looking around in fear. "Mr. Larks," Anithias called, climbing onto the deck, "please get our new guests situated. The forward bunks will do, I believe."
Brek Larks
"Mr. Larks," Anithias called as he climbed back onto the deck of the Hide. Behind him were more beasts. "Please get our new guests situated. The forward bunks will do, I believe."
"Yes sir." Brek replied. "If you would follow me, I will show you where you will be staying while aboard the Golden Hide,” he said, looking at the survivors. The number had grown since he'd last counted. "This way," he said as he headed for the bunks.
Brek stayed until every beast had found a bunk. He had all the beasts sign their name on a paper to give to Anithias since he knew the fox would prefer that. When the paper had reached its way back to Brek's paws he counted the names and the heads to make sure all beasts had signed. Eleven new beasts had joined the Hide. "Thank you for your time and please settle in. We will send someone down to show you the rest of the ship later. As for now stay in here until we gain control of the situation. If any of you need medical attention please come with me. Parents, if your children need help please come with me also. Other than that, I hope your stay on the Golden Hide is pleasant and merry."
With that Brek turned with about three beasts to lead to the infirmary. He read the list of names of the survivors while they walked across the ship. None of the names had really caught his attention except one: Vyrsa Rysk. Could this be his old friend from his childhood? Or just another beast of the same name?
Anithias was standing in front of the door to the infirmary. "Mister Freedom," Brek said with a nod. "Here is a list of the passengers we have picked up." Brek handed the list over as he led the beasts inside the infirmary.
Anithias Freedom/Padraig Kesey
Anithias had just reached the infirmary door when Brek showed up with three of the survivors in tow.
"Mister Freedom," Brek said, nodding respectfully. "Here is a list of the passengers we have picked up."
Anithias accepted the list, looking it over. None of the names jumped out to him, but then again, he didn't expect them to.
"Very well," he said, handing the list back. "The infirmary is right in here."
He reached for the doorknob.
------------------------------------------------
As soon as Kesey heard the survivors coming he faked his shoulder paining him, lying down. Thankfully the nurse had removed his trademark moleskin jacket, hanging it on the coat rack by the door.
Kesey lay on his stomach, his face buried in his shoulder. He watched the survivors enter the room from the corner of his eye. The first two didn't seem to pay much attention to him, but the third, a small stoatkit, stopped just inside the door, its eyes widening in horror as it saw him. Instinctively it pulled its teddy ferret close to it, hugging it for comfort.
Having seen the 'survivors', Kesey sat up, massaging his shoulder. "Oh," Anithias said, surprised. "Are you going?"
Kesey shrugged, a faint smile on his lips. "Ah kin see ye've got company who need the room more than Ah do," he said, looking at the three survivors. His eyes lingered for a second on the stoatkit. The toddler pressed itself tightly against one of the adults' legs.
"Well then," Anithias said, regaining his composure, "perhaps you'd like to come with me and tell me what happened?"
"O' course," Kesey said, the strange smile not leaving his lips. He gave the stoatkit another prolonged look before following.
-----------------------------------------------
Kesey had counted the survivors. 11, including the ones in the infirmary. As far as he could see, only 5 looked problematic, including the stoatkit. The rest Kesey had carefully approached individually, and gotten no violent or fearful reaction from. So, five to deal with. The rest... well, Kesey had his methods of keeping them silent.
Kesey pulled back into the shadows, waiting.
Brek Larks
Brek left the beasts in the infirmary. He headed for the forward bunks to see if Vyrsa was there. Most of the beasts were rats. And about three were foxes: two female, one male. One female was too old to be Vyrsa, since Vyrsa was younger than he, and her name was Tradle Gringler. So that left one vixen in the corner. She sat on a bunk facing a window at the sea.
"Excuse me miss," Brek said to the vixen. "Would you happen to be Vyrsa Rysk?"
She turned to answer but her face had answered for her. "Why yes I am Mr. Larks. It's been a while."
"You can call me Brek. You should know my friends call me anything they want." He sat down on a bunk across from hers. "And it has been a while, so what brought you to this town?" He pointed to the direction of the shore.
"Waiting to join the navy. Like the others in my training group. They’re all gone. Well, I'm pretty sure they are." Brek heard some pain in her voice as she spoke. He expected some pain but this was too strong even for Vyrsa. He wanted to ask but now was not the right time. "When I received the letter from your mother that you had joined the navy I joined as well. 'Why not see my old friend Brek and get paid at the same time?' I asked myself. So I ended up on your ship in a trick of fate."
"I see, well I've only been in the Imperium for almost two weeks now. Not very long but I've still seen a lot. Met a few friends and gotten into trouble. But you would have guessed that." He said it as a joke and winked. "It's good to see you Vyrsa, I'll talk to you later." He got up and left for the infirmary to wait on the three beasts he had taken there.
Tomias Redford
Tomias was beginning to lose hope in finding any further survivors and he decided to head back to the beach to alert the Hide that he was still here. As he looked around, it suddenly dawned on him that he had no idea where he actually was. He coughed due to the large quantities of smoke that were prevalent in the air, and he spun around, looking from here to there in horror, because due to the smoke-filled air, and the foreign layout of the town, he had no idea where he was, or where the beach was.
He then decided that he better get moving, before he got fried. So onwards he ran, though the smoke-filled streets, rubbing his eyes as the smoke took its toll on his vision. He made his way onto a wooden lookout porch, that was on the top of the main street leading down to the town’s harbour. He looked around and to his joy he saw the beach where he had come in. However, his joy was short-lived, as due to fire damage on the supports below, and his weight, these factors combined and caused the lookout porch to collapse.
He gave a yelp of surprise as he fell, and as he hit the ground about two stories down he gave a gasp of shock, as he impaled his shoulder on a metal pipe that was sticking out of the ground. He heard, rather than felt the pipe move through his flesh. To him it was as if everything slowed down, and all he could hear was a combination of his own heartbeat, and the squelch of the flesh as it was separated from bone due to the pipe moving through his shoulder. He looked at his injury, and saw the blood flow freely out of the wound, it stained his shoulder area and the surrounding ground red.
He looked up as the remains of the flaming wooden porch broke free from the side of the wall, and fell down, towards him. Closer it came, closer and closer, then suddenly all was black...
Fafnir E. Harlgren
And then there was yet another commotion and spot of running about, as more survivors were found and brought back to the ship.
"Well tra-la-la... ain't this a merry circus show?" Fafnir mumbled to himself as he leaned back against the rail, watching the scene play out. Once the new beasts were all aboard, Fafnir took note of each face before they disappeared below decks. "There's them... and... one, two, three, four... hmm... alright then..."
Quite ready for a nap, the lizard stood up, stretched, and gave the order for them to prepare to make leave. With that, he too vanished below decks to retire to his quarters for the time being.
Anithias Freedom/Urel/Julia Freedom
(Autoing permission on Tomias and Vyrsa granted)
Anithias hurried onto the deck, a look of determination on his face.
"Master Urel!" Anithias called, advancing on the large fox. "Have you seen Tomias?"
"I have not," Urel answered.
Anithias looked strangely grim. "That's what I thought. Ready the longboat. Now."
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Anithias walked through the flames, a rag tied around his snout. Even with the sorry excuse for a filter he could taste the smoke. He scanned the rubble, looking for any sign of Tomias. Still, in all the flames it was hard to see anything.
Anithias looked for Urel, spotting the big black fox signaling from about ten meters away. Urel pointed at something on Anithias' street. Anithias turned to look, heart stopping as he saw Tomias impaled on a long pole, partially covered with wreckage.
"Tomias!" Anithias called, running to him. The red fox's eyes barely flickered open as Anithias approached. "You're going to be alright," Anithias told him. "UREL!"
The large black fox ran up, accompanied by several of the crew. "Let's get him back," Anithias told them. "On three... one, two, three!" They pushed up, pulling Tomias off the pole. As they placed him on the stretcher, he fell into unconsciousness.
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Tomias was alright. Julia predicted he would make a full recovery. Anithias was glad to hear it, but was more worried about another problem. Five of the survivors had disappeared.
It had happened the night immediately after the incident — the five beasts simply vanished from their bunks. Anithias had ordered the entire ship searched, but they had vanished without a trace. The only beast who seemed to know anything was Vyrsa, and try as he might, Anithias had been unable to get her to speak. At last, Anithias had no choice but to proclaim the case inconclusive.
However, everyone had been unable to help noticing that Kesey had been much more cheerful as of late, and moved about more openly than he had when he'd first arrived. Unfortunately there was little evidence beyond mere suspicion to point at him, so Anithias gave up on the investigation.
Now Anithias was leaning on the starboard rail, staring out over the sea. Things had gotten very strange, and he wasn't sure what to do about it. The days to come would be interesting, that was for sure, though if they would be good or bad, Anithias could not tell.
Suddenly Anithias' ears perked, his eyes squinting as he peered across the water. There was something floating out there. It looked like... Anithias frowned. A teddy ferret. Well, that was certainly strange. It looked so much like the one the stoatkit used to have, too. Anithias smiled sadly, wondering what had really become of the young life.
Anithias watched the sad cotton creature drift away, wondering if it would ever be seen again.
