(M) The Voyage of the Storm Breaker pt2 IC

[SikstaSlathalin]

Rated M for possible mature content including sex, violence, language, prejudice, graphic situations, and drug use.


Voyage of the Storm Breaker pt2



Fortune and glory awaits the brave

Storm Breaker OOC still open to sheets.


A notice in your local tavern

Citizen of Tamriel,

Do you wish for adventure, danger, and the chance to earn gold and fame beyond your wildest dreams? I am looking for just your type of person, on request of High King Ulfric Stormcloak of Skyrim, I will soon be embarking on a long and historic quest to map out the entirety of our world. This venture will require not only experienced Sailors, but ambitious Mercenaries, skilled Healers and expert Craftsmen. All walks of life are welcome and any skillsets will be much appreciated, but you will also be required to listen to the Ship's Officers.

Space will be limited on the Storm Breaker so bring only the essentials and nothing you will be afraid of losing in the event of a bad storm or other misfortune. If you believe you can handle this life meet me in Solitude harbor in the land of Skyrim on Middas the 13th of Midyear. We will enjoy the Mid-Year Celebration in style before departing for the Summerset Isles mapping everything we see along the way. Priests of the Nine Divine will be there to bless our journey and the people of Tamriel will be cheering our names! Be prompt or you will be left behind.

Sincerely
Lord Allester Winterblade

Weariness is such a curse on land, but it is a pale shadow compared to weariness at sea. At least on land you can stop moving and rest. At sea you're always moving with rocking waves, and even to a seasoned sailor it can wear you down. This weariness tied well into the aftermath that was the royal scandal they stepped in with coming to the aide of the Dragon Knights.

That was such a mess, so much so Allester had to leave part of his crew in Daggerfall to deal with it all. If he never had to deal with the politics of monarchs again it would be too soon. But the old Nord had a feeling it would continue to hound his heels like a rabid wolf. At least it was sunny and cool as the Storm Breaker made it's way to Sentinel, Hammerfell.

The journey wasn't a long one, a few days by crow reckoning. But the mission was to map Tamriel and that meant the Lilac Bay as well. Lord-Captain Winterblade didn't expect such a place to change geographically...it was politically he expected to find change. Orsinium was established and quickly built power thanks to the highest concentration of Berserker warriors, King Groug, and the massive demand for Orc smith work he built after summoning all wayward Orc Tribes into the lands of the country and limiting the export of Orc goods. That along with the rumors of the ancient Sword-Singer groups making a dark return as shadowy terrorists, Hammerfell might prove to be even more of a powder keg than High Rock was.
It would be a few more hours before the ship made landfall. Turning from the undulating waves the Iron Bear looked across the deck at the remaining skeleton crew he had. Miri was gone as was Isus, Tabitha, Graesin and others. Those that were left were solid warriors and sailors, but they were few in number. Hopefully he could find more crew somewhere in the city of Sentinel.

Moving past and around his lounging crew, the Captain entered his cabin to begin gathering the papers and items he needed upon docking.

*A few hours later, mid-day*

As the Storm Breaker nosed into the docks the Sailors went about quickly securing the ship and cargo along with whatever trade items they had picked up in Daggerfall. This would take some time so the old Nord gathered his crew and set about the orders for the day.
"Ok listen up everyone! I know it wasn't much of a trip, but here we are in Sentinel. It will take some time to get the cargo unloaded and get ourselves set up for the night. Officers, I need to have a short meeting with you, but everyone else you are free to go enjoy the city. Return here before dusk and do try to stay out of trouble we've had enough of that this voyage. Dismissed."

With the orders given Allester motioned for his fellow officers to follow him into his cabin while Lars was in charge of keeping an eye on things.

*In the Captain's Cabin*

Laid out on Allester's table were scrolls and news paper clippings he gathered back in High Rock about the current state of Hammerfell. With a sigh the old man began.
"Well lads, as you can see this place is almost the same level of trouble as Daggerfall, do you lot have anything to add to what I have here already?"

[StormWolf]

The winds were changing. No longer did they carry a bitter chill of northern Tamriel, but the steadily growing heat began to bear down with each day. Pulling to the port city of Sentinel, Starkad had foregone furs and leathers almost entirely, preferring to wear little more than his tunic and trousers when on deck. Surveying the milling crew from the top deck, Starkad pushed his way through his tankard of ale, which was nearly as hot as the air, and likely more stale than not. Grimacing as he threw back the rest of the drink, Starkad latched his tankard to his belt and followed the Lord-Captain when he called for his officers.

"Aye, sir," Starkad said after a long pause. He was still not entirely accustomed to the First Mate's pin upon his chest. For such a small thing, it was heavy. Starkad hadn't been granted rank or command since his time in the Stormcloak army, and it wasn't long ago that Starkad would have been on deck with the rest of the crew, manning lines rather than telling them to. Stepping into Allester's quarters, which were humble for a man of title and Captain's pension, but just right for the way the Old Bear worked. Starkad took his place beside Allester at the table, reviewing the sprawled scrolls and the reports etched upon them,

"You always have a talent of bringing us to places rife with... local color," Starkad mused with a wry smile, "I'd encourage the crew to travel in groups when they disembark. We don't want the Solitude fiasco to happen again, especially in a place where we are all outsiders." Starkad stroked his beard as he thought back to the melee the night before the Storm Breaker's departure from Skyrim. It was a messy affair including town guards, persecuted members of the crew, and some... third party intervention.

"Doubled guard duty for doubled rations wouldn't go amiss, either. Don't want to have any cargo walk away without us knowing," said Starkad as he surveyed the unpleasant criminal rates in the port areas of Sentinel. Having thieves make away with their cargo or crewmen getting accosted in the bazaar would not bode well. Anything that had a chance of drawing Al'akir notice should be directly avoided. Starkad considered himself a skilled swordsman, if not one of the best aboard, but he still bore a deep scar from a poorly picked fight against an Al'akir.

[Bionicllama]

Rostikar never liked the smell of taverns. Sweaty men and dirty women never really mixed well and the stench of stale alcohol simply added to his disgust. The city didn't smell much better as it simply "aired out" the smell. Yet this is where he is found spending his time with a tankard of foul smelling ale. He quickly downed it and paid his bill. The sailors in the tavern were saying that the Storm Breaker had landed just moments ago and he wanted to get out of this city as soon as possible. It's been ages since he has set foot on a ship though he was confident he would find them quickly enough. As he exited the building he heard a fight already breaking out inside. He sighed and made his way to the docks.

The former mercenary had only been in this part of Sentinel a couple of times before. The jobs had always paid well here but were never abundant. He remembered nights of shaking people that haven't paid their debts or raiding store houses. True he has never really gained money by legal means but money was money no matter who's blood was on it. Thinking of this brought his mind towards the few coins still remaining with in his pouch. Rostikar had already resigned from his mercenary group so if the captain of the Storm Breaker decided he wasn't needed then he was truly fucked.

It didn't take long to recognize the Storm Breaker and their crew. There were far less people than he imagined and this is probably why they were recruiting. He leaned against a wall and watched them file out but none of them looked like the captain-y type. He must still be on the ship and so he would wait until he came.

[Storm]

A restlessness drapes over her much as a heavy wool blanket during the harshest of winter evenings. At times the land of dreams is a far more parlous place than the land of the awake. The sounds from within the home she had made and finally was walking away from still touch away at the cold exterior she keeps up, yet within the quilt of the bed she lay in, they envelop her. The sun rays filter through the dusty glass window of her room casting a soft light upon her perspiring features. Her eyes slowly open to meet yet another day.

As her feet touch upon the floor, she could already hear some commotion from the patrons below. As she hears a tapping upon her door, she replies to enter while standing fully, her steel dagger behind her back in the event it is a rowdy patron rapping upon her door. The elderly woman whom controls the tavern opens the door offering a smile
“I see the sun has awakened you already my dear, I have a tub of warm water if you wish to freshen up before those others with room awaken.”

She follows the woman to a small room with a barrel containing a rarity within these taverns, fresh water to bathe in. After a relaxing bath, she steps out of the barrel thanking the woman for the towel she dries herself and the dagger she keeps in the barrel while bathing. She steps down the hall back to her room ensuring her equipment roll is still stowed properly anticipating this Storm Breaker arriving within port any day. This early in the morning she anticipates many of the men down in the tavern would be on overnight drunks or passed out so she leaves her sword in room and only sheaths her dagger before heading downstairs.

*Mid Day*

Already having a small corner toward the back of the tavern occupied, she would keep watch on the various men and beings that made way in and out of the tavern while sipping on a mild wine. As the first of the Storm Breaker crew made way into the tavern announcing his ship, she stood and made her way toward the counter leaving coin for her stay. Before she could turn and head to her room, a firm hand grasped her buttocks and the odor of ale slapped her as a man offered to marry her for the night. She softly rolled her eyes and shook her head as several local men could be seen taking bets. She looked to the blood shot eyed man and seductively offered
“I am sure you would love for me to show you something you’ve never seen before, won’t you dearie?”
The man leaned closer to her looking into her cleavage moving his head to rest between her breasts muttering “Do show me winch…”
With her left hand rested on his forehead gently pushing his head away from her chest while with her right hand, dagger in hand and tapping on his groin, a chill in her tone
“Stay here and I’ll show you the other end!”

Wide eyed the blood shot man steps back and starts to stagger toward another woman sitting farther away. She slides her dagger back in sheath and makes way toward the stairs to her room. Passing the two placing bets couldn’t help to smile at their argument. One stating he won as she took care of the drunk but the other claiming he won since she didn’t gut or castrate him. She quickly heads up the steps and into her room. She double checks that her travel roll is secure and that her water skin has fresh water. She steps outside her room one last time and back down the steps. She moves about several fights which have already started and out the tavern.

The warmth of the sun bathes her as she makes her way to the harbor. Having not served on a ship before, she was not sure the procedure that would need done to sign up for boarding this Storm Breaker. As she makes her way toward the docked ships, she takes note of one she had not seen before assuming this would be the one looking for crew. Absent a table or anyone apparently calling for crew, she did however take notice of Rostikar figuring he was possibly also looking for this Storm Breaker. She softly walks close to where he was before resting her travel roll on the ground. Takes a brief look over toward Rostikar thinking he was not too hard on the eyes before focusing more upon this Storm Breaker surmising what she needed do to gain boarding.

[StormyNyte]

The journey to Sentinel hadn’t taken long, but the Khajiit was more than ready to make landfall once again. The political fiasco back in Daggerfall had done well to leave her nerves well frayed. Never before had she been forced to leave comrades behind against her will, it felt as though they had abandoned family and Khinada was taking the loss hard. As ready to be off as she was though, she refused to stray too far from the ship. Starkad, with his new position as First Mate, had been summoned along with the rest of the ship’s officers to Allester’s quarters, she could only assumed to discuss their next move. The temptation of a hot bath, a good meal, and a pint of ale was like an angler’s lure to her, but for now she had to resist its siren call. They were outsiders here and she was not entirely eager to get caught alone again in an unfamiliar place. Experience had taught her that much.

Unhindered by her leather armor, which had been stowed away in her sea chest since they had put Daggerfall behind them, she sprung onto the railing and, with her feet free of any noisy boots, silently paced its length with sure and practiced steps. Her golden eyes surveyed the docks as she moved, taking in the scene and studying faces. There were a few here who meant to join their crew, to be sure, but there were also those with less savory intentions moving about. Her slender tail twitched behind her at the thought and as the sea breeze softly flowed past, she inhaled the salty air through her nose and gave a soft sigh. With an effortless leap, she vaulted from the railing and landed on the gangplank to make her way down to the dock on dancing feet. Pleasures had waited this long, it wouldn’t hurt them to wait a while longer. For now, she would busy herself with helping to unload the ship.

[SikstaSlathalin]

*Allester*

The Old Nord chuckled at Stark's remark.
"Ay sadly that seems to be the case. Maybe we'll find someplace not full of bloodthirsty rebels and cutthroat nobles in the next port." Iron Bear lifted his pipe and lit it puffing on it thoughtfully. As usual Stark's military mind spoke with practicality and good old sense.
"Ay we don't need to repeat that even more so since we're half the numbers we were then. Daimus do we have the means and numbers to make that possible?" He asked looking at the Quartermaster.

*Do'Magazo*

"Hmm Magazo, loves the smell of the sea. But he is loving the smell of landfood more." The Cathay-Raht said to himself as the ship finally made port in Hammerfell. Granted the trip wasn't that long from Daggerfall, but being trapped and tortured doesn't leave much room for food. And the Jaguar man was looking forward to something more than whatever broth and bread Jolly could scrape up for them. He would have to talk with Daimus about expanding the Cook's larder before they went to sea again.

As the Captain gave the crew leave, Do'Magazo quickly went to change into a fresh set of clothes and grabbed his saber and dagger before watching the only other Khajiit on board dance along the rails of the ship and down the planks. Khinada, at first Magazo was expecting to see the big Ice Wolf clomping along besides her but he wasn't, it was Magazo's understanding they were a couple now. At first the idea of a Khajiitt and a Nord being a couple and possibly creating offspring made his hair rise up a little, he wasn't even sure such a thing was physically possible. The Man and Beast races were so very different it didn't seem to make sense, but only the Gods know for sure.

What the big fighter did know for sure though was she should not be roaming Sentinel by herself, or be unloading heavy crates on her own. Moving down besides the female Magazo smiled picking up a large crate and moving it to the stack on the pier.
"This one thinks Khinada could use some help." Moving around he saw a couple of people, a young Nord man and a young Redguard woman looking up at the ship expectantly, they looked like that wanted to speak with someone about joining.

Magazo was someone to speak you about joining!
"Hey new friends, the Captain is in meeting. But Magazo thinks if you are wishing to join you can help with crates and be getting on his good side!"

[StormyNyte]

Well, it's about bloody time... The Wraithheart thought to herself as her slender legs carried her across the deck to peer over the side. To the Snow Elf, the warmer air of this new place was most unpleasant and it easily put her into a fouler mood than normal. The high noon sun accentuated her stark white features, her skin shimmering like fine alabaster in its incriminating rays. Her icy eyes narrowed as she looked out upon the city. A buzzing hive of thieves and cut-throats, no doubt, and her with little more than a dagger and a few trivial healing incantations to ward them off.

Her frigid gaze loomed over those coming and going from the docks before she turned away with a frown, reaching to pull her hood up to hide her face. It may have been hot enough to cause the witch to tie her hair away from her neck, but there was little that could keep her from forgoing what anonymity her robes could provide; especially in these strange lands. One hand fell to idly rest near the hilt of the loaned dagger which she kept nestled securely on the inside of her belted sash. Its presence was a small comfort to her in her time of magical imprisonment, though she would sooner open a vein than admit it.

In her current state, Arayna was in no hurry to leave the safety of the ship so, for now at least, she settled on waiting for an escort for their shore leave.

[Bionicllama]

Rostikar was not known for being a patient man, and when he stood in the same place for minutes while others of the crew were getting off he was becoming a little agitated. He was about to go up to the ship himself before a large Khajit man came up to him, this was when he first noticed Krisandra next to him. He nodded acknowledgement in her direction and listened to the newcomer. "Well, never thought the first thing I'd be doing today was carrying cargo, but I guess it beats staying here in the sun." Walking over to the wooden crates he proceeded to lift one with a huff and moved it to his shoulder. "Tell me, does your captain always take his sweet time in the ship?" He said it more to himself than to anyone in particular though he was sure the two would have overheard him.

As he walked he smiled over to the Redguard woman. "At the very least there'll be somethin' pretty to look at." Rostikar looked at the city as he carried the crate. He had to admit he would miss the piss-poor town. He spent a lot of good years here and made some semblances of friends with his group. Even still he knew it wasn't for him. Shaking down debtors and scaring the shite out of people simply was not his style. For some reason he felt an attraction to the Storm Breaker, that it would bring something new and important, something that would bring purpose to his life once again. And maybe, just maybe, have something that felt like family.

[Storm]

As the pier became more active, her attention was drawn upon Magazo as he spoke. Certain that this was the ship which was looking for help, she pushed off the wall keeping those already unloading cargo in view. She glanced over toward where Rostikar was standing however he was already making his way toward various crates. As he was carrying a crate, she was about to offer words to the cute man however he spoke first

"At the very least there'll be somethin' pretty to look at."

She offers a soft smile, more under her breath whispers “Charmer.” Well, at least the cute guy didn’t grab her ass. Finding herself watching him as he passed for a rather long time, she looks back toward Magazo while making her way up toward the various cargo crates. As she crouches to wrap her arms around a medium sized container, strains at her legs to rise with the crate in tow. Passing him, she offers a wink and a pleasant though labored “Anything to find favor with your Captain… Magazo was it?” Keeping a slow steady pace as she passed “It is Krisandra if you would be as so kind to speak my name to your Captain … friend” the last part obvious sounding somewhat winded.

At the bottom of the plank, she looks upon Rostikar once again, her skin already glistening with fine perspiration beads against the afternoon sun rays. Moving what she anticipated to be a light crate, sets it along others the crew was stacking. Taking a moment to wipe her forehead, in a panted tone “Wonder what is in that, the entire Naval Fleet?” By no means was she a frail woman yet this crate did manage to rather kick her ass.

As she turned to start back to gather more cargo, her peripheral vision caught sight of Arayna. She cups her hand over her brows to shield her eyes from the brilliant sun, yes, that does appear to be what she had always heard of having never really seen a Snow Elf before. She extends the hand she shields into a wave in Arayna’s general direction before turning to continue assisting this crew anyway she can in unloading the ships cargo.

[Jacogos]

"Hmmm...?"

Daimus fluttered his eyes for a moment as he regained full consciousness, looking over at the stern face of Captain Winterblade with a vague expression plastered to his own. Within a heartbeat, his eyes shot open wide and he regained his posture, sitting up in his seat to look at the ready once more.

"Sorry, Captain, haven't been sleeping well recently," he quickly stammered out, looking over at Starkad apologetically. It took him a moment to remember what the brutish Nord had said before he could actually get to replying to the Captain's question. "Ah... right, heightened watch. I mean, with the kind of crew we have now..." Daimus did a quick tally of the crewmen and hireling in his head, a feat that was only delayed due to the fog still swirling in his head. Wake up, you blasted Mer, you're not in your twilight years yet!

"If we rotate as normal, we might be able to get one or two extras on to each watch, but that would exhaust our roster unless some individuals forgo more sleep for a second watch. It might be easier on a group that takes first watch and then last watch, but otherwise we'd be pushing it." He frowned, thinking on other possibilities, but ended up only drawing blanks. "Perhaps setting up more watch shifts with set intervals for certain groups. Each group would take two shifts, technically, but each shift would be spaced out to give them time to rest before their next one and then again before morning." He frowned further, trying to make sure that made sense at all, then grumbled and shook his head in irritation.

"Either way, that's about the best we can do until we bolster our numbers or shift around the watches. Also, Lucky says we're running low on salt and some spices, if he could get the extra admissions for that before he goes into the city. I told him to wait until after this meeting for your answer." Daimus settled back after his spiel and awaited the Captain's answer, his mind once again threatening to drift off as he did.