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Child of the 7th Age · 11-02-2004, 07:14 AM

The last of the barrels had finally been brought aboard. Tarn and Nilak, the two Lossoth in charge of the shipment, had climbed up the side ladder and now stood beside Luindal, waiting for the Elf to sign off on the bargain. The Captain paced up and down the deck counting the number of containers and making sure that they were in good condition.

Coming to the far side of the ship, to the first barrel that had been loaded, he hesitated for a moment. The lid of the container was not secured tightly but seemed askew, as if someone had removed the top and then hastily tried to replace it. On the floor of the nearby deck were puddles of water and what looked to be globs of wet flour. Luindal walked over, tramping through the sodden mess, and leaned over, peering down to the bottom of the barrel. It was barely one-third full.

"Is this what you've sold us? Half-empty boxes?" The Elf turned towards Tarn with a look of displeasure on his face. "We paid for a full shipment. How many more are like this?" Remembering the warning that Rôg had brought him earlier, Luindal wondered if the Corsairs had tampered with their supplies, or if there was another explanation for this. His fingers strayed imperceptibly to the hilt of his sword.

When the Lossoth failed to answer, Luindal hurried over to the next batch of supplies, a scowl set firmly on his face, as he handed Rôg and Freyn heavy metal levers, asking them to wrench off the lids. The two immediately went to work, each on a different box. The first ones were opened with little fanfare. But as they began tearing off the tops of barrels three and four, the containers themselves began to rattle slightly as if there was something inside trying to move about. Rôg and Freyn exchanged puzzled glances.

Luindal opened his mouth to give orders to surround and wrestle the barrels to the ground when, high above, from the central mast, a voice rang out, "Get out mates! We've been discovered. Time for us to leave....."

A dozen barrels or more shook ominously as lids popped off. Luindal snapped an order as his followers charged forward with swords and daggers raised to try and keep the Corsairs from escaping.

Arry · 11-03-2004, 02:50 PM

Once the barrels had been brought on board, Annû had taken up a position on the quarterdeck, intending to keep a close watch on the proceedings. So far, nothing seemed amiss. The captain was with two of the Lossoth who had brought the barrels from the mainland, and was looking displeased. He had pried the top off one of the barrels – the one they’d stack by itself. Annû could see him gesturing and shaking his head at the two Lossoth. The stances of the two native traders stiffened as the captain handed a tool to two of his crew member, indicating they should pry open the other barrels.

A shout rang out from somewhere above and all at once a number of Corsairs clambered from the barrels they’d been hiding in, weapons drawn. Annû fired a number of arrows at them, nicking several in the arms. The foe was moving about quickly, heading for the sides of the ship. Annû fired several more arrows, most causing only minor wounds, but one sunk deep into the fleshy thigh of a Corsair.

Luindal had drawn his sword, and Annû could see the two traders start back a few steps then look menacingly at him. He could not get a good shot at them. Slinging his bow on his back, Annû drew his brother's sword and leapt down to where the captain stood against the two. The tip of his blade was leveled at one of the men’s chests. An older fellow, his dark hair gone grey at the temples. The fellow’s dark blue eyes widened at the presence of the second Elf. Then he scowled, squinting fiercely at Annû.

A certain rage boiled up inside the Elf, and he pressed forward, intending to run the man through. But the Lossoth feinted quickly to one side and knocked the blade away with his much padded arm. The sharp want of revenge mixed with the memories of his brother. Annû wanted to pound this Corsair sympathizer into dust. Rage rising further, he dropped his blade on the deck and stepped in close to the man, fists balled.

Grey eyes flashing in his stony face, Annû felt a stab of satisfaction as his knuckles collided with the man’s nose . . .

11-02-2004, 07:14 AM	#1
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Luindal: The last of the barrels had finally been brought aboard. Tarn and Nilak, the two Lossoth in charge of the shipment, had climbed up the side ladder and now stood beside Luindal, waiting for the Elf to sign off on the bargain. The Captain paced up and down the deck counting the number of containers and making sure that they were in good condition. Coming to the far side of the ship, to the first barrel that had been loaded, he hesitated for a moment. The lid of the container was not secured tightly but seemed askew, as if someone had removed the top and then hastily tried to replace it. On the floor of the nearby deck were puddles of water and what looked to be globs of wet flour. Luindal walked over, tramping through the sodden mess, and leaned over, peering down to the bottom of the barrel. It was barely one-third full. "Is this what you've sold us? Half-empty boxes?" The Elf turned towards Tarn with a look of displeasure on his face. "We paid for a full shipment. How many more are like this?" Remembering the warning that Rôg had brought him earlier, Luindal wondered if the Corsairs had tampered with their supplies, or if there was another explanation for this. His fingers strayed imperceptibly to the hilt of his sword. When the Lossoth failed to answer, Luindal hurried over to the next batch of supplies, a scowl set firmly on his face, as he handed Rôg and Freyn heavy metal levers, asking them to wrench off the lids. The two immediately went to work, each on a different box. The first ones were opened with little fanfare. But as they began tearing off the tops of barrels three and four, the containers themselves began to rattle slightly as if there was something inside trying to move about. Rôg and Freyn exchanged puzzled glances. Luindal opened his mouth to give orders to surround and wrestle the barrels to the ground when, high above, from the central mast, a voice rang out, "Get out mates! We've been discovered. Time for us to leave....." A dozen barrels or more shook ominously as lids popped off. Luindal snapped an order as his followers charged forward with swords and daggers raised to try and keep the Corsairs from escaping. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 11-03-2004 at 02:34 PM.

11-03-2004, 02:50 PM	#2
Arry Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 704	Once the barrels had been brought on board, Annû had taken up a position on the quarterdeck, intending to keep a close watch on the proceedings. So far, nothing seemed amiss. The captain was with two of the Lossoth who had brought the barrels from the mainland, and was looking displeased. He had pried the top off one of the barrels – the one they’d stack by itself. Annû could see him gesturing and shaking his head at the two Lossoth. The stances of the two native traders stiffened as the captain handed a tool to two of his crew member, indicating they should pry open the other barrels. A shout rang out from somewhere above and all at once a number of Corsairs clambered from the barrels they’d been hiding in, weapons drawn. Annû fired a number of arrows at them, nicking several in the arms. The foe was moving about quickly, heading for the sides of the ship. Annû fired several more arrows, most causing only minor wounds, but one sunk deep into the fleshy thigh of a Corsair. Luindal had drawn his sword, and Annû could see the two traders start back a few steps then look menacingly at him. He could not get a good shot at them. Slinging his bow on his back, Annû drew his brother's sword and leapt down to where the captain stood against the two. The tip of his blade was leveled at one of the men’s chests. An older fellow, his dark hair gone grey at the temples. The fellow’s dark blue eyes widened at the presence of the second Elf. Then he scowled, squinting fiercely at Annû. A certain rage boiled up inside the Elf, and he pressed forward, intending to run the man through. But the Lossoth feinted quickly to one side and knocked the blade away with his much padded arm. The sharp want of revenge mixed with the memories of his brother. Annû wanted to pound this Corsair sympathizer into dust. Rage rising further, he dropped his blade on the deck and stepped in close to the man, fists balled. Grey eyes flashing in his stony face, Annû felt a stab of satisfaction as his knuckles collided with the man’s nose . . . Last edited by Arry; 11-06-2004 at 03:13 PM.