Jammers Summary: Chapter 3, Turn 38
----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere... *********** = Later...
Dragging a large chest behind him and carrying his belongings, Kain watches as the crate containing the helm is loaded aboard the SWORD. "Good," Kain says quickly when Elrohir says the ship is leaving soon.
"I.. uh.. don't have anything against gnomes, but my head hurts," Kain complains. "Here's the coin you require sir," Kain adds as he offers a small bag to Elrohir Amroth.
The elf hefts the bag, "Thank you and welcome aboard."
The rest of the company finish putting their gear away, soon everything is stowed in the cargo hold, which appears to be empty of everything save the company's crated helm and other gear.
The SWORD lifts anchor and slowly slips out into Lake Crashsplash under the careful direction of a conservatively dressed gnome standing next to Elrohir on the stern castle. The crew of the vessel seem competent enough, though they don't have quite the snap of Captain Wilhelmina's crew on the old FLOWFISH.
The odd boxes along the rails turn out to be cases for a pair of sail wings which the crew extends as soon as the SWORD has exited Ironpiece's atmosphere. Once they are set the gnomish first mate, who introduces himself as Blinggood, runs the vessel through a few quick maneuvers. The SWORD seems surprisingly quick and agile for a groundling vessel, far more so then additional rigging would suggest.
Over the next few days the members of the company pass the time in their own ways as they watch the stars sail past. Many attempt to get to know members of the SWORD'S crew, an easy enough task as they all seem personable enough. None really standout aside from the captain and the two helmsmen. The crew is small, aside from the captain, first mate, and helmsmen there are only eight sailors aboard. The crew's lack of discipline nearly drives Deigatt batty. Their are no watches, crew members seem to simply come and go on watch as they please. When the ship makes a course adjustment and the rigging needs to be altered the gnome simply calls on whomever is present.
Elrohir Amroth proves to be a charming host, he spends a great deal of time on deck talking with whoever happens to be about, or playing a game of chance with one of his crew. Despite his friendliness, however, he never really reveals anything about himself or his past adventures. He can often be seen speaking with the gnome first mate on the quarterdeck, looking at the route marked on the map and comparing it to their readings.
The helmsmen are a pair of magelings shopping their skills about. The first, Tomi Tomoshi, is a beautiful oriental woman, barely into her twenties. She keeps pretty well to herself, but can be seen every morning on the forecastle practicing some sort of meditation technique. The other is an ill-tempered albino who introduces himself as Drustan Ladek, ship's healer and mage. He appears seldom on deck and seems to prefer hiding in the shadows of the crew quarters.
Pate makes himself comfortable on the return voyage, counting his winnings from the Knights and Dragons game, and wagering when he can with the crew of the SWORD. He spends a large part of the voyage telling tales of the Silent Star's exploits, and the legends of Coyote. In the crew of the SWORD he finds a very ready audience. Italapate even gets requests for some of his stories to be repeated.
On the fourth day of the voyage Elrohir invites the party to dinner in his cabin. The meal is passable, though not equal to one of Holland's creations. As everyone sits and talks quietly while letting their food digest, Elrohir says casually, "I've decided not to go to Bral. Instead, we're heading to a place called the Barre Sinister. We should get there in the morning."
Pate shakes his head and sighs.... "Well... like I didn't see _this_ one coming......."
After a brief pause, Grigree asks, "We stay there long? We need to get back to Bral."
Elrohir smiles and sucks on an orange slice, "A day or so. I have business there."
Grigree nods slowly as he warily watches the captain.
"So, you folks lost your ship, eh? How'd that happen?" Elrohir asks with a smile. "He pushes a bowl of oranges forward, "Please, enjoy yourselves."
"We... had a little trouble with a couple of scro ships," Raken says warily. "They took exception to the appearance of our ship and decided to make their own improvements."
Grigree relaxes, having come to some sort of conclusion. "But we showed jetatin' scro good. So good we not leave any, rrr, ships to in better shape than ours." He looks over to 'Pate and add with a small grin, "Maybe Coyote tell his tale?"
Leaning forward Ferric takes one of the proffered oranges and uses a knife to begin taking the peel off in a thin spiral. "Might I inquire why we were not informed of our detour prior to this?" the warrior asks while he works.
Elrohir smiles disingenuously, "It never occurred to me."
Talus sighs and mutters, "I knew it was going too smoothly, it may have been quicker to get a ride with the gnomes." He asks, "What sort of place is Barre Sinister? I have never been there before."
Elrohir shrugs, "Your typical hive of villainy. It's a pirate bar, a place for the sphere's scum to get together for a few ales. Many of those pirates have a price on their heads, or so I've been told."
Date/time: 6:00 pm 20th day of the 6th Month, 5049 OC
