Jammers Summary: Chapter 2, Turn 26

----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

On the STAR: Grigree almost falls down after his not so graceful landing on the deck of the 'Star. As soon as he regains his balance, he looks out over the water to where Jamila may have fallen.

Deigatt stops intimidating his prisoners long enough to call over to the newly alit hadozee from the GHOST's deck: "Comrade Grigree, what hof Comrade Jamila? Did you see her fall has well?"

Grigree looks over at Deigatt and shrugs. "She fell there," he calls, pointing out over the dark waves. "Tried to, grrh, catch her. She had, hrrr, head start." After a quick look around, as if noticing that the ship has landed for the first time, the hadozee asks, "What, rrr, happened up there?"

"We suffered from conflicting horders," Deigatt calls in reply from the GHOST. "Har you well enough to climb to the crow's nest?" he says, beckoning to the FLOW GHOST's mast. "Hif we har to rescue Comrade Jamila, we must start hout quickly, has soon has Comrade Talus returns with that cursed Chalice."

Grigree nods and glides over to the GHOST, then up the mast to the nest. From there he looks around for any signs of movement under the moonlight.

On hearing the news, Billy sniffs once and then a large tear rolls down his left cheek. He wipes it off with the back of his hand and turns, head downcast, towards the fallen Periander, with more tears staining the deck.

"Celestian's Mercy," Raken says after finishing praying and finds Periander dead. He sighs deeply, and brushes his hand over the dead man's eyes, closing them for the last time. He then takes stock of the actions on deck. After a few minutes of listening quietly to the crewmen's comments he signs again. "Poor Jamila. At least your soul is now at peace."

Kain pales as Grigree lands without Jamila, then shakes his head once Raken says that Periander's dead. "Not exactly the.. ah.. outcome I'd envisioned when we were, well, planning our raid," he sighs as he rubs his temples.

Kneeling next to Periander's body, Kain shakes his head again, and runs his fingers over his leather headband. "Raken," he says softly, "what kind of burial should we give him? What's the custom with the spacefaring peoples? A true burial in the earth, one at sea, or maybe a funeral pyre of some sort? Or maybe we should just take him belowdecks for now?" he asks with uncertainty in his voice.

Billy, with tears unashamedly running down his face, brushes Periander's hair with one hand, and amid sobs answers Kain softly. "Burial at sea would be proper."

Ferric grabs a rope and throws the loose end over to the galleon. He yells, "Hey Deigatt, pull us over."

Ferric holds the rope and braces himself as the minotaur draws the ships close. In a voice slightly strained from the effort he grunts "Someone take care of Holland. We don't need to lose anymore of our lot to Pate's stupidity."

With a sudden look of determination, Billy walks over to where Holland is lying and orders, "Someone help me take him to his bunk. We can't just leave him lying here on the deck!"

"Sure Billy, lets get Holland below," Kain says as he walks over and helps Billy lift the unconscious mage. "Okay, I'll lift under his arms, you.. ah.. mind getting his legs Billy? My, that's a nasty bump on his head," Kain grimaces when he sees the goose egg on Holland's skull. Favoring his injured leg, Kain helps Billy get Holland to his bunk.

Billy helps carry Holland to the bunks and, once arriving down there, proceeds to loosen Holland's shirt so that he may breath easier. Billy carefully probes Holland's head for injuries. After finding the nasty bruise, Billy dashes off to the galley and gets clean cloths and a pitcher of water and applies the cold compresses to the bump. Every once and a while, Billy whispers, "Wake up, Holland... Wake up...", tapping him gently on the hand.

On the GHOST:

When the ships are alongside one another Ferric ties the railings together with a quick simple knot and says "Keep a sharp eye out for that other ship. I'm going to go keep mine on our good captain there." Hopping over the railings brings a slight grimace to his face as some of his burn wounds are opened back up but Ferric draws his blade and heads to the helmsroom.

Entering the helmsroom Ferric sees Crynar, Talus, Nilaroo, and the helmsman. "So then, Crynar what shall we do first? Negotiate or loot?" Looking at the helmsman he smiles, "Speaking of booty, we're in the market for a cup. Would you care to show us where it is?"

Crynar smiles mercilessly, "Well, seeing has how beat up your group is, I think negotiating will be quite in my favor." Before Ferric or the others can interrupt, however, he continues. "I don't like leaving enemies, or killing weakened foes unless they force me too, however. That Chalice is valuable both financially and politically, which is the kind of attention I don't want. So that's yours along with any loose change. Then, you take this crate to Bral and sell it. We'll follow and collect the big end of a 70/30 split from the proceeds of the sale. I hope you can live with that, because I doubt you can live with your counter offer."

As Crynar finishes, the pirate helmsman says, "The Chalice'll be somewhere in the sterncastle. I'm not sure where. Me lads an I'll be happy to point out the valuables, to help inspire you to keep the bargain you made above."

Nilaroo makes eye contact with the members of his crew and nods resignedly.

Ferric sheathes his blade, "Crynar you drive a hard bargain, I respect that in a man. How about meeting us at House Moune. Perhaps you would even do Lady Moune, the company, and myself the honor of dining with us."

"Very well. We'll sail with you to Bral and a pair of my crew will help you crew this tub till we get there. Once there, you sell this and send word to our berth when the sale is complete, then we'll meet at House Moune to collect our share." Crynar smiles. "Shame it's a furnace helm, don't like being cooped up in one sphere, myself."

Ferric turns to the helmsman, "Alright take my friends here and start showing them where everything is stashed. Give it _all_ to us and we'll give you a few gold when you go. Crynar, shall we go back above decks? We still need to get some people over here to crew this scow before we make a run for Bral."

Talus heads off with the pirate helmsman to find the hiding spots he knows of.

Nilaroo nods and follows, one massive hand on his belt knife, bow once again in carriage across his broad back.

Coming back above decks Ferric shouts "Raken you will need to come over and helm this scow after you fix up Holland." Ferric then leaves Crynar and walks over to where the pirates are being guarded by the minotaur. Walking up next to the Taurian he says quietly, "Jamila's dead, there's no way she could have survived a fall like that and we'll never find her body in the dark. This being the case we need to get off this planetoid post haste and get back to Bral before that deadline for the chalice is up. I was thinking that you, Talus and I should crew this ship with Raken at the helm. Nilaroo can go back to the Star and take charge there. If Holland's alive and well enough to assume command we could even have Nilaroo use some of his shipwrighting skills to patch up the Star. She won't survive another encounter like this one. In a few hours we can shift personnel around after our priests do some healing and we're sitting in space. Does this sound acceptable?"

"No, Agent Ferric, hit does not," the minotaur replies curtly. "Comrade Jamila his a member hof the company, hand hit his hour duty to try to find her. We cannot habandon her hif she lives. Perhaps Comrade Raken has some power left to look for her, hor perhaps we can hask hour new hallies, but we must make what hefforts we can to find her. I hunderstand hour need for haste."

"I understand your sense of honor, Deigatt. We look for an hour then we declare her dead. If the gods saved her from the fall we'll either find her by then or they'll take care of her but either way we need to get spaceborne while it is still dark. We are too beat up to risk running into a couple of vengeful pirate ships."

Crynar steps on deck, "Phil, Garril! Come aboard. You'll be sailing to Bral aboard this tub."

Two young lads, one in padded armor and carrying a crossbow, descend from the dragonfly and walk across the beach to the GHOST. Wading out into the water they climb aboard.

Ferric approaches the two sailors from Crynar's vessel, "Welcome aboard gents, I'm Ferric and I'll be your sailmaster for the next few days." Ferric holds out his hand to shake with the two new crewmen.

Smiling roguishly, they each shake Ferric's hand and then smile at Crynar. "So I guess this means we don't kill 'em, eh boss?" the one in the padded armor says.

"Not as long as we stay honest partners." Crynar responds giving Ferric an unsettling smile. "Just don't let 'em wreck this ship."

Deigatt asks Ferric, "What his to be done with these prisoners? Har we taking them to Wrighters before we return to Bral?"

Ferric grimaces, "In order to stay alive and find the treasure we cut a deal with them. They go free ashore when we leave."

Deigatt's frown makes very clear his opinion of the arrangement, but says nothing.

Once the helmsmen has told all he knows, Talus and Nilaroo take him up to join the other prisoners, then return below decks and begin a thorough search. It doesn't take Talus long to discover, in the captain's quarters, a small trap door in the floor. Inside, Talus finds a small, heavy steel box. He discovers it's defended by both a poison needle trap, and most likely a warding spell of some sort. This looks like the most likely place for the Chalice to be kept.

Talus and Nilaroo quickly tally up the take; an ivory chest chess set and board, 54 gp, 156 sp, 1 set of gold dice, a small golden acorn on a chain tied to an owl feather, 30 blank parchment scrolls, 2 ledgers, 30 ivory rings on a string, an IOU stating that the IEN will pay the bearer of the note 200 gp, 2 shortswords, longbow, 80 arrows, 3 sets of leather Armor, a two-handed sword, 3 daggers, a morningstar, a horseman's mace, a spear, chainmail, and a shield.

Talus is suspicious concerning the lack of spellbooks or holy symbols, "Are you a mage or a priest?" he demands of the pirate boson.

"Neither. The priest of Ares, Froa, was are only spellcaster. The furnace helm doesn't require a spellcaster to fly it. There's a box in the helm room which holds some small, black stones. Froa would feed one of those into the opening in the back of the helm each day and that would power the ship. Once powered, anyone could helm it."

Talus finds the stones, and checks the small door to the furnace helm's burning chamber under its seat. Sure enough, a small black stone sits in the middle of the mystical flames. Talus counts 29 of the stones remaining in the box.

Nilaroo and Talus transfer the loot across to the STAR, then force the three pirate prisoners to help get the GHOST ready to fly again.

On the STAR:

Leera remains on the helm of the STAR, exerting just enough effort to keep the deck fairly level as the waves roll into this cove. Fairly sure that hostilities aren't imminent after seeing the two lads from the dragonfly dispatched to help crew the GHOST, she calls out to those on deck. "Raken! Nilaroo! I need some assistance!"

Italapate gasps as he starts to an awakened state. He jerks upright, then relaxes when he sees that he is alone still with Leera. He leans forward, rubbing his eyes forcibly. "I know I couldn't have been asleep long," he mutters. "Where are we? "He yawns as he clambers to his feet and stretches languidly.

Leera speaks sharply, "Stay right where you are, master 'Pate." Calling again to those on deck, she asks loudly "Raken! Kain! Grigree! I need some help down here!"

"Excuse me?" Italapate says. He blinks a couple of times, and tries to stifle a yawn.

"What! What's the matter," Kain says as he comes through the door, hand on the hilt of his shortsword.

Nodding, Raken walks down to the helmroom. "What is it you require?" he says.

Leera tells them "'Pate here is acting strangely, even for him. Perhaps it would be a good idea to keep him supervised... for our protection and for his. Would you see that Deigatt or Grigree keeps an eye on him?"

"I doubt there is much to worry about. 'Pate is extremely unpredictable at the best of times, and in battle... who knows what he'll do." Raken says. "Please excuse me, M'lady, I've got to go and do my best to patch up the crew. I'll try to get Holland on his feet again and pack some wounds." With that, he heads out and begins to attend to the wounded.

"Now wait a minute," Italapate says. "There's nothing wrong with me that a little rest won't cure. I was on that damned helm for a long time. It <yawn> it really wiped me out. I'm going to go take a quick nap... then I can help with whatever needs to be done topside." He shakes his head tiredly then strides out of the helm room.

"That's.. ah.. probably for the best Italapate," Kain nods as he pats the shaman on the back. "You.. ah.. were on that helm for an awful long time. But, we've.. ah.. got most everything taken care of up top, so just get yourself rested is what I'm suggesting."

Italapate starts to talk, then fails to fight back a yawn. "Thanks, Kain," he sighs. "I... I guess I'll try to get some sleep." He shuffles from the helmroom to his bunk, head hung low.

Raken enters his cabin and leans over Holland, his first patient, and casts a spell. "Celestian heal thee so ye might fight again," he says, his hands glowing a soft bluish color. Holland awakens with a start and starts to rise but grows dizzy and falls back into his bunk. "Rest still," Raken says, sleep for several hours. There is no rush."

After helping with Periander, Kain wanders about the deck of the STAR, straightening up somewhat half-heartedly. He pauses in thought for a while, then leans on the railing nearest the FLOW GHOST. When Talus comes up to the main deck, Kain whistles to catch his attention. "Hey, Talus," he calls to his half-elven friend. "Check.. ah.. their blasted food stores, it'd be nice not to have to use up all ours on the trip back to that blasted hunk of rock."

Talus calls back, "Good point, I would hate for us to leave and find nothing in the larder for the trip back." The young half-elf heads back down below to check of what stores are stowed onboard. The ship has a very full larder, easily enough to support 15 crewmen for three months.

Seeing Kain, the minotaur calls out, "Comrade Kain, his the SILENT STAR travel worthy? Will we need repairs before we sail to Bral?"

"I think she'll be alright to make it back to Bral," Kain answers. "She's.. ah.. holding together now, and we're not taking on any water, so we'll, well, probably be alright. Maybe Nilaroo could look at her once we're away from Shipwrecker though!"

As the company goes about moving the injured below, readying the ships for departure and preparing the bodies for burial Seguld is unusually quiet and somber. He simply works tediously at reloading the ballista, then his arquebus and often he rests in between rubbing his left leg and wincing. His balance is never steady and occasionally he pauses and grabs hold of his forehead as well. A large lump his now grown nearly matching the size of his gnome nose.

As Raken prepares to change vessels Seguld simply speaks, "If you have time...." he then turns and moves on to cleaning up the deck.

After doing what he can for those still on the Star, Raken heads over to the GHOST to take command of her helm. "This is going to be one interesting trip," he mutters to himself when he sees the crew of the dragonfly. He pulls Ferric aside after he comes aboard. "I'll try to patch us up between shifts, Ferric. We should give our fallen comrades a proper burial at sea, then depart this world."

"As long as its you and not that bloody priest of a wild dog sending them to the next realm. " Ferric growls, "I don't want that cur saying words over those he killed with his stupidity. Do it now and lets get off of this world before another storm whips up. The Star can't take any more pounding else she'll start coming to pieces on us."

Seguld hears the comments between Raken and Ferric, and begins mumbling aloud, "Shipwrecker.... wrongname..wrongname..wrongname .... shouldbecalled ... lifestealer ... won'tbeseeingmeagain .... nope ... nevercomingback .... toomuchdeath ... cursethisplace." Suddenly Seguld turns and looks towards the two, "Let'sget outtaherealready!!!!!" he screams. "Soonerweleavethis *$%*#*$& rock thebetter - getmeoutta here." He spits over the side as if intentionally spitting at something or someone, then he turns and resumes his silence.

Everyone on deck stares at Billy for a moment, then quickly moves about their tasks. Once finished, Crynar and the mage with him return to their dragonfly, "We'll follow at the rear. My crewman will just wander off after you dock at Bral, they're very good at staying inconspicuous." Crynar says as he leaves.

Ferric replies, "We'll be circling the ocean and such for an hour, trying to find our lost crewman, before heading to Bral." Crynar nods in reply.

For an hour the three vessels circle the seas beneath battle, keeping a sharp eye out for pirate vessels and Jamila. Unfortunately, the search is mostly unfruitful. The bodies of two pirates are found, but Jamila is not discovered.

Raken holds a short memorial service for Jamila, and a burial for Periander. Once the religious observances are completed the three vessels climb through the atmosphere, struggle through the upper winds of Shipwrecker, and escape into the stillness of space.

Date/time: 2:00 am 3rd day of the 5th Month, 5049 OC