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Post by ivory on Sept 23, 2009 15:21:01 GMT -5
Angel didn't open her eyes to the touch on her arm, not sure it was friend or foe until he started to cut through her bonds. She peeked them apart to see Rick and gave a single nod of thanks before taking Rip's two knives and sliding them up the sleeves of the top part of her dress. She frowned at the memory of the bottom half, but quickly dismissed it; she had more important things to think of...though she really did love that skirt...
She cast her eyes through the darkness, constantly moving them so she wouldn't fixate on only one thing and thus 'lose the ability to see.' [OOC: you're better off looking at something through the corner of you eye than head on in the dark] The guards were currently asleep and she started to move slowly so as not to awake them. She wished they'd been tied up beside some trees that they could easily escape into, instead of the pretty much open area they were in. But knowing it'd be useless to hope and wish, she turned her attention to actually making escape possible.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 24, 2009 15:44:58 GMT -5
Rick saw Ulrich approaching right after he'd cut Rip free.
"Damn! Ulrich's heading this way," he whispered as softly as he could. "Pretend you are still tied up." He doubted they would fool the pirate, but he had to hope so.
He was still kneeling, with the strung bow laying nearly on the ground. He leaned over as if talking to Angel, planning an escape. As Ulrich got within hearing distance he said, "-waited too long. Now we are going to have to-" He broke off abruptly as if just discovering Ulrich was approaching and clamped his mouth shut, pretending his hands were still tied and as if he couldn't launch an arrow in less than two seconds if he had to.
He'd put a look on his face as if he were a child getting caught raiding the tribe's sugar stash. Then he tried to cover up his discomfort by being friendly.
"Morning Ulrich!" Rick smiled congenially at him. "you are up awfully early! Out for a morning stroll?"
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Post by JezusBagels on Sept 24, 2009 18:17:46 GMT -5
Ulrich raised an irritated brow. "Are you always this peachy in the dark of morning? I haven't even gone to sleep yet," he said, glumly. The thought commanded a yawn, but he swallowed it. He swiftly drew his rapier and brought it inches from Rick's neck. "Somebody wants to talk to you. Come on. Sooner we get you on board, the sooner I can get to sleep."
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 24, 2009 21:29:01 GMT -5
'Huh!' Rick thought, 'I haven't slept in the last two nights.' But he didn't want to think about sleep, he was more concerned about the sword at his throat.
"Hey! no need for the steel!" Rick dropped his bow, leaving it lying next to Angel in the dark, the quiver of arrows and three he had in his hand beside it. If he stood up with it, Ulrich would be sure to see it and then they would have to kill Ulrich and then all hell would break loose. With as many pirates as were around there would be little chance of them getting away after that.
"I'll come along. Wanted to speak to your Captain anyway. Maybe he will have some time for us to chat." He struggled to his feet, pretending his wrists were still tied, but also trying to keep Ulrich from getting a good look at them. He started walking toward the ship, yawning profusely.
"I must confess that I am generally a morning person - or maybe a night owl. Actually I don't sleep all that much. Too much to do, things to see, you know what I mean?" He said to Ulrich conversationally as he trudged across the sand. Every step away from his bow gave him this growing feeling of something being very wrong. He hated leaving it behind, because he was sure to need it to get out of here, but maybe this would give Angel and Rip the chance to get away now that they were free of their bonds. Besides, he still had his knives, if push came to shove.
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Post by JezusBagels on Sept 25, 2009 15:43:40 GMT -5
Ulrich shrugged at Rick's comments. He was uncomfortable. Something about this felt odd to him, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Something he'd noticed at Rick stood up? It drove him mad, this confusion. He knew he was probably just tired and imagining things, but he couldn't get it out of his head. He remained physically calm, however, and managed to make it onto the ship and below deck.
Below deck, with the dim light of a torch and other lights shining from beneath doors, he finally found what was troubling him. He pushed Rick in front of him and they walked with his sword at Rick's back. His eyes flicked to Rick's hands and he sighed. "So..." he began, not slowing their pace. "What was your plan?"
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 25, 2009 19:43:54 GMT -5
Rick hesitated a step at Ulrich's words and felt the cold steel bite into his back, leaving a slight puncture wound. He stepped forward again and shrugged, knowing the game was up. He stopped pretending his hands were tied and held them out away from his sides in plain site for Ulrich.
"I am pretty much making it up as I go along." Rick eyed Ulrich over his shoulder. "You seem like a decent fellow, how'd you get mixed up with pirates anyway?"
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Post by JezusBagels on Sept 25, 2009 22:49:12 GMT -5
"I am pretty much making it up as I go along."
Ulrich smirked and quietly said, "Improvisation? A bold move." He saw Rick spread his arms and lowered his rapier; a sign of trust. However, he didn't sheathe it; a sign that he wasn't stupid.
"You seem like a decent fellow, how'd you get mixed up with pirates anyway?"
Ulrich sighed. "That, my inquisitive acquaintance, is a long story that would be best told in a setting with less pressing circumstances. Long story short, I'm hunting down a very bad man who I owe some cuts, and I figured that best way to find a bad man would be to live among his kind," he said plainly. He shrugged. "It hasn't been particularly successful thus far, but I haven't given up yet." Rapier lowered, Ulrich continued to usher Rick down the corridor as he spoke. "In the meantime, I've found myself quite useful in the endeavor of convincing my crew mates to spare a few lives here and there. If I'm right, I might have to save yours in a few moments."
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 26, 2009 7:07:59 GMT -5
"...and I figured that best way to find a bad man would be to live among his kind," he said plainly. He shrugged. "It hasn't been particularly successful thus far, but I haven't given up yet."
"Sounds like a reasonable plan. Still, it must be hard to go along with the raiding and pillaging and what not." Rick answered.
"In the meantime, I've found myself quite useful in the endeavor of convincing my crew mates to spare a few lives here and there. If I'm right, I might have to save yours in a few moments." Ulrich said.
Rick smiled to himself, little did Ulrich know, but quite likely Rick had just saved his life from Angel or Rip. Rick had no doubt that either of them would have just killed Ulrich and been on their way. Rick hoped his generosity wasn't going to get himself killed, but maybe - just maybe - saving Ulrich would actually save himself.
"Very decent of you. I would be much obliged should it pan out that way." Rick grinned at Ulrich. "I am hoping your Captain can be reasonable, though."
Rick let Ulrich usher him down to the Captain's cabin and Rick rapped on the door. Voices inside abruptly stopped, but not after he had heard the word ranger. 'Damn! They know.' he thought as the door was opened by a rather menacing pirate with a large ring dangling from one ear, and a scowl on his face.
"Ah, the Archer. Come in, you too Ulrich." Tony said, throwing open the door and stepping back, out of Rick's reach. "I just told Lee to bring him here, I didn't say to cut him loose!" Tony pinned Ulrich with a 'what are you doing?' stare. "And where is Lee?"
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Post by JezusBagels on Sept 26, 2009 9:40:06 GMT -5
"I just told Lee to bring him here, I didn't say to cut him loose!"
Ulrich showed no acknowledgement of the anger in Tony's eyes, but he understood the intent behind that hard gaze and knew it would be best if the matter was left unaddressed. It would do no good to inform him of the attempted escape. He held his tongue and the conversation quickly turned in another direction.
"And where is Lee?"
Ulrich shrugged. "Beats me," he said calmly. "Told me to bring the archer--" careful not to use Rick's name for fear of being thought a traitor, "and then he disappeared." But Lee's whereabouts was only an afterthought as he tried to consider what events were about to take place. He was almost positive that they wanted Rick dead, but how would Tony go about it? He would have to play it by ear.
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Post by Cutebabys on Sept 26, 2009 9:56:06 GMT -5
[OOC: Gee, I'm trying my best already! I've got lots of homework and the exam's in less than two weeks!]
Lee had been checking the surroundings when he heard Tony scream. Oops,he thought to himself. Being a moment late wouldn't bring him a scolding, would it? He sincerely hoped not. He pushed his way through. "I'm here!"he said, looking at two of them. What was wrong? Why was Tony angry? He looked at the two of them, eyebrows raised. Had he done something wrong? That he wasn't sure, but he waited for one of the two to say something.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 26, 2009 11:43:49 GMT -5
"Ah Lee, there you are." Tony waved him, the cabin was getting to be a bit crowded now. "I was just wondering what makes you think this guy here is one of those Araluen Rangers. Ulf seems to think he is an awful shot."
In fact Tony was fairly certain of it now, seeing as the man had gotten loose somehow and Ulrich was avoiding the issue. He glanced a suspicious look to Ulrich, one of the newer members of his crew.
But before Lee could answer, Rick interrupted him, "now that hurts!" he joked, sensing that he had to handle this Tony guy just right. "Almost as much as Ulf's cuffs hurt." He gently rubbed the blood encrusting his temple as testimony. "I happen to be an excellent shot!"
Tony turned his attention from Lee and Ulrich back to his prisoner. Was the man daft? Or was he just very bold to be openly joking around when he had to know he was minutes from death. Too bad he was a ranger, he might get to like this guy, if he hadn't already been planning on killing him. "So you are a ranger then."
Rick could deny it, but to what purpose? They were likely going to kill him anyway. He was a threat and they knew it. "I am," Rick said levelly, looking Tony square in the eye, "and this might just be your lucky day."
Tony glanced at Mort who was sitting on his desk stool whittling a piece of wood into a dolphin. Mort shrugged, as if the man were loony. "It might, eh? What makes you say that?"
"Well, as a ranger, I am responsible for those people that got washed up with me on your cozy little island here." Rick lowered his hands to his side since they were getting tired. "Now there ain't any of them that got much money on em, so far as I know, but there are a couple of em that have relatives that ought to pay handsomely for their return." Rick was still looking Tony square in the eyes. "Not to mention I got a bit stashed away and would give it all to you if you take me and my companions back to Araluen - anywhere you want to drop us on the mainland, Captain Razor."
Tony crossed his arms and studied Rick. So, the ranger knew who he was. Had one of the men told him? He then looked to Ulrich and Lee, "What I saw of 'em was just a bunch of poor people and warrior types. Ulrich, I saw you talking to him earlier. What do you think? He seem like the honest type? Think any of those peasants got money to buy their way off this island?"
Tony had only heard a little about the Rangers, but what he had heard was they were very strange (this fellow seemed to fit that bill) and their King trusted them with their country's most pressing problems which suggested they be trustworthy. Course a man cornered would say anything to save his skin.
Still, his first instinct was to kill this representative of the law, even though it was a law of a country he still had no beef with. His most profitable route would likely be to take all those castaways to Seacliff and sell them to the slavers there for the Arena.
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Post by JezusBagels on Sept 26, 2009 13:19:49 GMT -5
Ulrich looked From Rick to Tony, almost as confused as every other person in the room. However, knowing the immediate consequences of the wrong action, he spoke up and defended Rick. He nodded and said, "None of them look particularly wealthy, but who could expect them to in this state? They were just shipwrecked in the middle of nowhere. But I do trust him. He's got no reason to lie, especially if we're the only way any of them are getting out of here."
His grip on his blade tightened. The fact that he was in the same room as a ranger made him a bit nervous.
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Post by ivory on Sept 26, 2009 16:52:22 GMT -5
Dang it. She just couldn't catch a break could she?
Scowling on the inside, though careful to keep her face blank, she'd forced herself to stay still as Ulrich came toward them. She'd figured it'd be a quick kill before their escape, nothing too overbearing, but then Rick had to go and play nice. Angel ignored the fact that it was probably a wiser decision to find out some information to use as leverage in case they were chased, but dang it, she hated being tied up and wanted to take it out on somebody....Her eyes flashed to Rip and an evil grin haunted her features.
Ever so quietly she whispered, "There's our distraction. Now let's go."
She wondered if he'd take her seriously and more so, if he'd be up to leaving a comrade to take on all the heat.
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Post by Cutebabys on Sept 27, 2009 2:18:41 GMT -5
Lee looked at all three. Now he was really confused. "I was just wondering what makes you think this guy here is one of those Araluen Rangers."Tony said. Lee was about to open his mouth to answer when the man said it.
This man could be trusted? Lee wasn't too sure about that. The way he had loosened himself...he was up to something. He, too, instinctively gripped his large broadsword. He wasn't too great at it but he managed to get along. Lee was better known for his brains.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 28, 2009 13:27:20 GMT -5
Tony considered Ulrich's words, "He's got no reason to lie, especially if we're the only way any of them are getting out of here."
It made sense, but he hadn't kept his head out of a noose this long by believing everything everyone told him. Rangers were the law and he was outlawed in three countries.
"You know, I think you are pulling my leg and that you would love to collect on the bounty on my head." Tony turned back to Rick and Rick's stomach sunk at the words, but he tried to keep a cheerful attitude. “Say I take you at your word and transport your little group to Araluen, then what? If you don’t have the money on you, how are you going to pay?”
Rick looked down for a moment. The Captain had a point. “Well, if you were to take us up to Araluen City, I would invite you to my house for dinner and could pay you there.” Rick said hopefully.
Mort shook his head, “Cap’n, he ain’t got no money. He is a ranger an’ the way I heard it they don’ get paid.” Mort pointed his knife at Rick, “ain’t that true, Ranger?”
Rick grinned at him, “Well, yes and… no, actually it is not – exactly.” Tony eyed him suspiciously, so he hastened to explain, “Well, it is true we don’t get much of a real salary, but we get compensated by free housing and meals and a stipend from the King. It doesn’t amount to much.” He admitted.
“However, I have a bit more than that, quite a bit more, as a matter of fact.” Rick said eagerly. “In addition to being a ranger, I am also a painter. Noblemen pay quite handsomely to have their portraits painted so they can hang them in their great halls and I happen to be fairly good at it. I wouldn’t say I am wealthy, but I have managed to save up a considerable amount, hopefully enough to buy passage off this island for me and the others that survived the crash of the Sweet Maiden.” He looked at Tony hopefully.
“So I just sail right into the capitol city of Araluen, right under the King’s nose and off load a bunch of castaways, waltz through the city streets like I am not an outlaw and no one is going to stop me?” Tony turned around for a minute and stroked the back of his cat, Spook, who was sitting on the desk staring at the feathers in Rick’s hair with great interest.
“Why should they? You aren’t wanted in Araluen. Besides that poster they did of you could be anyone. Who is going to recognize you?” Rick countered.
“You did.” He said. "I think I should just take you back to the beach and slit your throat and let your blood spill into the sand." Tony turned back around and gave Rick a wicked smile, "unless you can give me some reason I shouldn't."
Rick glanced at Ulrich hoping maybe he would be able to convince Tony not to kill him, though he wasn’t afraid to die, he just didn’t want to die such a senseless death.
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