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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 22, 2011 11:59:18 GMT -5
Tony barely heard Dave say, "Assassins, incoming," when he heard scuffling behind him. He glanced back to see Dave engaged in combat and Kurohi swiftly dispatch one of their followers. He turned back to scan the sides of the trail ahead of him where the trees were thicker. They had just exited Redmont and Pierre’s carts of merchandise should be just up ahead at the crossroads waiting for them. Tony hoped nothing had happened to it or he was going to be out the significant amount of money Pierre was paying him to get them to Arridi safely.
He heard something off to his left just ahead and strained to see. "You three, get down!" Kurohi shouted and Tony wasted little time. He threw an arm over the boy and grabbed Pierre’s forearm and plunged to the ground just as a crossbow bolt sang through the air where his head had just been. His eyes narrowed in anger as he located the spot the bolt had come from. The familiar flash of purple in the trees caused Tony to curse under his breath.
“Friend of yours?” Pierre asked him as they cautiously got back to their feet, a poisoned laced throwing dagger in Tony’s hand.
"Someone knows about this operation," Kurohi said quietly. "More importantly, they do not simply want to stop the shipment. They want either you or the captain dead Pierre. There is at least one Genovesan after us. They are hired for one thing only around here: to kill."
Tony didn’t say anything at first until he quickly examined the bodies and the nearly unrecognizable face of the unconscious man. “I don’t know who these three are or who they were after, but that Genovesan was most likely after me. I doubt he would have hired these guys though. They like to work alone or in groups of two.” Tony scanned the area around them again, feeling rather vulnerable. “We should get moving. What we going to do with him?” Tony poked his foot at the unconscious assassin.
Pierre looked closer at the man with the slit throat. “I think I know this man. He works for a rival of mine and I thought I saw one of Marcus’s men snooping around my warehouse early this morning.” Pierre looked up ahead. “We need to hurry! My merchandise!” he exclaimed and tried to set off down the road nearly at a run.
Tony reached out and grabbed him by the collar, “Hold up there, Boss. You are going to get yourself killed if you run off alone. That purple robed murderer is still out there you know, and just ‘cuz he is after me, doesn’t mean he won’t take you out too.” Tony let go when Pierre nodded agreement. “Besides I think he is a bit miffed I killed his brother two weeks ago when I put in at Hibernia to sell off some cargo.”
Pierre glared at him, “You didn’t mention that the best assassins in the world were after you when we first talked.”
“I told you there is a bounty on my head – in several countries – I thought it was implied.” Tony glared back. Tony looked down at the unconscious man and abruptly picked him up and slung him over his shoulder, holding onto the man’s lower legs. “We’re wasting time.” He started walking on down the road figuring that with the man slung across his back, it would be that much harder for a crossbow bolt to bury itself in him. Besides, the man might wake up and they could question him and find out who had hired him, just to be sure and if he didn't talk, they could always jsut toss him over the cliff into the sea.
Tony passed Tom and said, ‘Better keep that bow out and ready, Boy.” Not that it will make much difference, Tony knew, but he kept that comment to himself.
Within five minutes they reached the crossroads and Tony saw his guide huddled nervously next to one of the three tarp covered wagons. Pierre did a quick check of his merchandise and conferred with his wagon master who said they had not seen anything unusual. Within minutes they were heading out and away from Redmont and toward the western coast with three oxen drawn wagons. Tony chafed at the slow speed and wished Pierre had hitched draft horses instead of oxen to the wagons. Whatever was in them must have been heavy for the ox had a hard time pulling the wagons up the slight inclines. Fortunately from here everything sloped generally downhill toward the coast, although there were a few hills they had to climb along the way. It was going to get tricky when they got to the cliff and Tony realized that was another perfect spot for an ambush. He scanned the sparse countryside intently looking for a flash of purple as they walked.
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Post by randomman on Sept 26, 2011 20:32:09 GMT -5
"Better keep that bow out and ready, Boy.” the Captain said. Dave knew it wouldn't really make much of a difference, but it be best that Tom didn't know.
When they approached the crossroads, the party was off in an instant, pausing only so Pierre could talk to his driver. Dave elected to guard the front with Tom. The boy was shaken by the attack.
Dave looked over at the boy, "Nervous?"
"You can tell," Tom blushed.
"Don't worry," Dave said, "battle is always scary,"
Tom looked at the ground, "The mercenaries at the pub never were scared,"
"Those men are liars," Dave scoffed, "Trust me,"
Tom seemed happier, "I guess," he said, "Thanks,"
"No problem," he said, "Now keep you eye on the road, we can't let ourselves get off our guard,"
The pace set by the oxen was slow and monotonous, but Dave knew that these animals would be able to pull heavy cargo much better than horses could.
They reached the cliff as the sun began to rise. The sight was awe-inspiring. The sea seemed painted by the sunrise. Dave's gaze was broken when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye.
"Sir," Tom said, handing him a piece of cloth, "what's this?"
The cloth was purple and made of a fine fabric that Dave immediately recognized.
"Oh no..." Dave knew what this meant, "Get down!"
No sooner had he said that than a Genovesan crossbow bolt slammed into the ground near him. He pushed Tom behind the oxen, knowing that the poison on the bolt was deadly. He drew his sword and advanced at the assailant, doing his best to stay out of his line of fire. The mans cloak was blowing in the breeze and was doing well to expose it's wearer to Dave. Whoever, these men were, it was obvious that they weren't experienced. Dave was about to strike when he realized that he had been tricked. The second man was right behind him, a crossbow at his back.
Dave kept his sword ready, he could take one of them before the second got him. Luckily, he didn't have to do that. The man behind him gave a grunt and dropped to the ground, dead, an arrow embedded in his heart. Tom had been useful after all.
Dave reacted instantly, launching himself at the other man, as he drew his knife. The assassin managed to avoid the full force of Dave's lightning fat attack, catching only a scratch to his chest. But before he could counter, Dave was back at him, the man did his best to avoid the strikes, but Dave was too fast for him. The Genovesan could not completely avoid Dave's attack, suffering several bruises and cuts before he fell to a series of lightning fast lunges that drove through his body.
Their was a 3rd man, but the moment he had a chance to shoot, one of Tom's arrows entered the tree trunk he was near, and he quickly sunk back into the forest.
"That's right, run," Dave spat at him, "and don't you dare come back, or I'll be waiting for you!" He turned back to assess possible damages.
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Post by Brandwyn on Oct 4, 2011 11:48:05 GMT -5
Tony ducked behind one of the wagons and watched Dave fighting the assassin. He had a knife out and was prepared to throw it into the Genovesan’s torso if the opportunity presented itself, but Dave wasn’t giving him an opening. As it turned out, there had been no need. Tony cursed however, when the third man managed to get away. He scanned the rocks and sparse trees but didn’t see any more men lurking in the shadows.
It was time to get back on his ship and off land. He stepped near the cliff edge and pulled out a mirror and deflected the rays from the rising sun down to the Razor that looked like a toy ship sitting in the harbor below. A series of answering flashes greeted him and he smiled. He sent back several more flashes and then his grin broadened at the series of replies. It was a code he and Mortimer had worked out long ago to communicate from long distances. The flashes had been noticed by several people below and there was now a bunch of young, burly men winding their way up the cliff face. They wouldn’t have been able to tell what the flashes meant, but they did know that someone was at the top of the cliff and there might be some pay if there was cargo that needed to be lowered.
Tony grinned at the merchant, “Well I have good news! The Razor is fully stocked and the crew is all on board. As soon as we get your cargo loaded we can be on our way.” This harbor was deep and sheltered and they shouldn’t have any trouble with the tide, even if they were going against it, at least not until they got out around the horn of the bay where the waves would try to push them back into the rocks along the shore. It was a tricky departure from this secluded cove, almost as tricky as the approach.
“We best start unloading the cargo from these carts.” Tony nodded to the cliff face where one could make out snatches of a trail here and there. “The wagons won’t fit down that.”
“How we going to get it down then?” Pierre asked indignantly. “We can’t carry it down that!” He leaned over the edge and tried to look down without getting too close to the edge of the cliff.
Tony pointed to the trail, “As soon as those men get up here, you’ll see. Just be sure to pay them. Not much, mind you, but you will have to pay them a bit. You might want to unhitch one of those team’s of oxen too. It will make things easier.” Tony suggested. No sooner had he said that when the first of the youth’s came into sight, barely breathing heavy from the long steep climb he had done in record time. Tony had spoken to him when he had landed and knew the kid. He was about 17 and one gigantic muscle from head to toe. He had a big grin on his face and his green eyes sparkled almost as much as his bright blond hair.
“Johnny, this is Pierre. You found some lads to help, I see.” Tony shook his hand and Johnny grinned and then shook Pierre’s.
“Sure did! That is if he’s pay’n what ya said he was gonna.” Johnny eyed the merchant with a suspicious look, “5 coppers each ya tole’ me.”
Pierre looked at them dubiously, “You gentlemen are planning to carry all this down that cliff for five coppers each?” He asked Johnny.
“No sir.” Johnny said and when Pierre crossed his arms, Johnny finally went over to a large pile of rocks and a fallen log. By that time four of his friends had also topped the cliff and rushed over to him. They grabbed the log and hoisted up into a round slot carved into one of the stones. It slid home with a ‘thunk!’ and now it appeared as if the rock had sprouted a yardarm. The end in the air contained a cross piece and they were able to rotated the boom out over the cliff face. It was an instant crane. “See we lower it down the side, but you better git down there Mister, after ya pays us all, o’course. If’n ya don’t have anyone below, ya’s likely ta end up with empty nets at the bottom.”
Tony glanced over the side and shook his head. “Don’t worry, my men are waiting down below and keeping the other cutthroats at bay. Lower away.” He said, placing a large crate on the cargo net that had been already spread out on the ground at the base of the crane. They were able to set several more crates on the net and then pulled it tight over the first load of cargo. Hooking the team of oxen to the end of the rope that looped up through the crane, they could now control how fast the cargo descended.
“Pay the boys, Pierre and then you get on down there. I will make sure all your cargo gets down safely – barring the ropes giving way of course.” Tony grinned.
“I don’t want to leave my cargo up here; those men might come back and steal it.” Pierre protested.
“I would worry more about the men down there.” Tony disagreed. “One of us has to go down there and one stay behind up here. I just figured you would be more comfortable with me up here, since my men won’t sail without me.” Tony winked at the nervous merchant who was eyeing the cliff with distaste. “I doubt they would have any problems sailing with your cargo without you.” He hinted. “Of course we could also lower you over the side if you want to get down quick.”
“Good heavens, no!” Pierre shuddered. He coughed up the coins for the young men, thinking they were doing a lot of heavy labor for a very low price, but who was he to argue if they wanted to work so cheaply? Then he started down the path with the boy that had been guiding Tony the whole way.
Tony turned to Dave and Tom and Kurohi. “Nice shooting there, Tom! Now you stay near that wagon for cover and keep your eyes peeled. There is a ship full of those purple rats out there looking for me.” Tony chuckled, “They are in for a surprise when they try to get out of this harbor. Mort had their tiller fouled up and it is not likely they will find it until it is too late. With any luck they will crash on the rocks.”
He scanned the rocks around him and thought he saw movement over to the north of the cliff edge. He drew his throwing knife again. “We need to cover these lads here while they do the heavy lifting.” He wished once again he had a crossbow with him. Tony positioned himself at the back of the last wagon to guard its contents and hopefully direct any Genovesan firepower at him instead of the village men that were working with the cargo.
A shadow moved over to his left, on the south side of the wagons. Tony resisted the urge to turn his head and look. He followed the flash of purple out of the corner of his eye, his knife ready, gauging the wind and the distance. When the assassin stood up behind a rock and pointed his crossbow, Tony let the knife fly. It soared through the air, tip over pommel and buried itself deep into the man’s chest.
Tony didn’t see if he’d gotten the man, however. He had ducked down behind the wagon and felt a crossbow bolt skim past his head, nearly giving him a new part in his hair. “Look out, here come the reinforcements!” He shouted and another knife was already in his hand. “I hope we run out of assassins before I run out of knives.” He muttered under his breath to no one in particular.
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erevan
Apprentice Cook
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Post by erevan on Oct 4, 2011 20:15:23 GMT -5
Kurohi looked over at Tom as they took up positions to protect the cargo while it was being lowered down.
“Nice shooting,” he said with a nod. “I believe you will prove invaluable to our side. Don’t let your guard down, it sounds like there could be as many as six or seven of these assassins.” With that, he pulled his hood up and drew his twin blades, taking them in a reversed grip (pointing back along his forearm) and settling into the stance of his form’s ultimate refinement. He called it the Hissatsu Kage no Mai, or Dance of the Deadly Shadow. Scanning his surroundings, he caught a flash of purple within the trees to the right, and quickly disappeared. The only indication of his arrival was the flash of light off his blades as he brought one across the assassin’s throat, driving the second through his heart before kicking him out towards the trail. The thud of a crossbow bolt hitting the tree behind him alerted him to the presence of a second assassin within the trees, and he set out on a diagonal path, drawing out a pair of knives and sheathing his swords. He threw the first knife behind his target, and the second to drive him into the open to set up one of Kurohi’s partners for the kill, before moving on to check on his allies and continue the hunt. Retrieving his knives on the way, he ducked over to where he saw Tony taking cover, who he had seen throwing knives at the assassins when able.
“How is your supply holding up?” he asked, offering the captain the knives he had used. “It looks like you could use these more than I will right now. Three are accounted for. I killed one, drove a second out, and I saw you take down one. I estimate there were six or seven total, so that leaves three or four to put down from my knowledge. We should try to capture one, see who hired these Genovesans. Whoever it is must have a lot of money; these assassins are anything but cheap.”
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Post by randomman on Oct 5, 2011 15:12:50 GMT -5
Dave took up a position behind Tom. He took up a different approach in congratulating the boy than that of his partner's.
"Not a bad shot," he said, "for a boy. You could do much better. Let's see how you do against these guys,"
"Yes sir," Tom said. The boy looked confused. The other party members had just payed him compliments, yet the man who suggested him in the first place told him to do better.
However cold the comment might seem, Dave knew that if the boy became to cocky, he would never improve. It may seem mean, but Dave was simply adopting a tough-love strategy.
Anyways, there was no more time to think about that. Dave noticed Kurioh adopting a new stance, so he did likewise. He position himself with his knees bent and sword drawn horizontally in front of his chest. He had to call upon all his training for the fight to come.
Kurioh took off first. He moved so fast that Dave lost sight of him. He regained hos visual when he saw Kurioh's sword flash down on his unfortunate victim. Next Dave saw a man stumble int the open.
Dave jumped on the opportunity. He leaped from cover as fast as a deer. The man didn't even see him coming. Dave swung hard, burying the sword in his victim's side.
Dave saw another man approaching the cargo. He smiled and pushed a switch on his sword's hilt. The compartment came open with a soft clang, revealing a small, throw able dagger. Still following the momentum of his swing, Dave picked up the knife and launched it at the man. He screamed and fell to the ground, the dagger buried in his leg. Tom was the first one to react. He removed the man's weapons and knocked him out with a small club Dave gave him for close ranged defense.
Dave removed his sword from the man, who was now dead, and hurried over to the wagons, where the Captain and Kurioh knelt.
"I got to of those buggers," Dave said, "one's dead, and the other one is taking a nap over there," he pointed to the unconscious man, "There should only be one or two left," with that, he hurried off to back up Tom, who was now all alone with a man who could wake up at any minute,"
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Post by Brandwyn on Oct 12, 2011 12:21:39 GMT -5
“How is your supply holding up?” he asked, offering the captain the knives he had used. “It looks like you could use these more than I will right now. Three are accounted for. I killed one, drove a second out, and I saw you take down one. I estimate there were six or seven total, so that leaves three or four to put down from my knowledge. We should try to capture one, see who hired these Genovesans. Whoever it is must have a lot of money; these assassins are anything but cheap.”
“Thanks.” Tony accepted the knives from Kurohi. His eyes kept scanning the area for any sign of movement. “Not a bad idea. It would be nice to know which country is most anxious to bring me down at the moment. Of course it could be a certain shipping company. Heh heh.” Tony grinned as if recalling a fond memory, but he didn’t go into any more details because Dave came up.
"I got two of those buggers," Dave said, "one's dead, and the other one is taking a nap over there," he pointed to the unconscious man, "There should only be one or two left," with that, he hurried off to back up Tom, who was now all alone with a man who could wake up at any minute.
“Good work, now we can kill the rest and interrogate that one.” Tony jerked his thumb at the unconscious assassin. “Seems these guys are not quite of the normal caliber of Genovesan assassins, they are a little too easy to kill, don’t you think?”
The ambushers seemed to be keeping a low profile for the moment, waiting them out. Tony was worried they were going to target the men moving the merchandise, but so far they seemed to be interested mostly in killing Tony, not anyone else. The standoff lasted a full two minutes before Tony got antsy and couldn’t take it anymore.
“I am going to flush them out. You three ready?” He looked at his three companions to make sure they were as ready as they could be and then he chose a large boulder on the other side of the wagon that would offer some cover. He stepped out behind the wagon and dove for the shelter of the boulder. A crossbow bolt nicked his sleeve at the shoulder, narrowly missing scratching him and another thudded into the wagon bed behind him.
Tony now knew where those two bolts had come from, however and he stood up, hoping they didn’t have a double barrel crossbow and were both reloading. He blindly threw one of his daggers at the thick clump of scrub brush and heard a sickening thump of blade hitting flesh followed by a shriek that was cut off in a gurgling sound. Apparently he had struck one in the neck, although he still couldn’t see the man.
To his left, out of the corner of his eye he saw movement and turned his head just in time to see a crossbow bolt pointed straight at his heart. He started to duck, but didn’t think he was going to dodge the bolt from the third and final assassin.
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Post by randomman on Oct 12, 2011 18:12:05 GMT -5
“I am going to flush them out. You three ready?” Tony rushed off to a boulder. Dave wanted to protest, but it was already too late. Tony was already at the boulder.
Suddenly, something caught Dave's eye. He noticed one assassin creep into the bushes as the other came and flanked the captain. He saw the captain avoid their first 2 bolts and dispose of the one in the bushes, but he knew the captain couldn't dodge the next bolt, which was already being aimed. He had to act fast.
He told Tom to stay put and raced toward the captain. He never could recall a time when he moved faster. He knocked to the ground just as the bolt came within inches of his heart.
He saw the shooter reload, but Dave had a trick up his sleeve. He reached under his cloak and into his "bag of tricks" as he liked to call it. Inside were little pieces of exotic equipment. He found what he was looking for and pulled out two small egg-shaped objects.
These objects were a trick he picked up on a small island along the coast of Toscano. His parents had been trading with the locals for salt. There he had met a man who studied the works of an ancient scientist whom- he claimed- once enabled the capital of that small island to hold of the old Toscano army for years. One of his most interesting creations was a large object that spit flames at it's enemies. The old man had managed to use his techniques to create throw-able bombs that could car[et an area with fire. Dave had picked up a few secretly, and now he would finally be able to use one.
He had no intentions of killing the hidden attacker with it, that could well light up the entire forest an the neighboring port.
He pulled out the bomb and aimed at a good spot where the fire couldn't set the trees on fire. He yelled out in old Celtic, "Queime puta queime!" which meant, "Burn, dog, burn!" Dave had discovered that to those who didn't speak the language, the words would sound almost wizard-like. He let the bomb fly.
He was right, the bomb didn't set the trees on fire, partly because of where it landed, and partly because the trees were still soggy from the previous nights rain.
It was then that he noticed something strange. There was a bolt in his side. He smiled and yanked it out, it hurt like hell, but Dave was able to keep grinning.
He pressed his hand to his side to stop the blood. By that point, the final assassin had just started to run from the approaching fire, which he thought was magically summoned.
Dave saw Kurioh nearby, "Kurioh, finish him!" he called out.
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Post by Brandwyn on Oct 20, 2011 21:27:21 GMT -5
Tony watched Dave dive in front of him, as if in slow motion, he saw the bolt hit Dave but it seemed that Dave hadn’t even noticed. "Queime puta queime!" Dave called out and launched what looked like a clay egg at the rocks near the assassin. Tony was already moving toward Dave when the area around the egg erupted in flames.
“What the?” Tony ducked, throwing up his left arm to protect his head. With his right hand he was already reaching into his shirt. He reached Dave who was now just noticing he was injured. Tony had to work fast – faster than the poison that was most likely on that crossbow bolt.
"Kurohi, finish him!" Dave called out, but Tony wasn’t paying attention to the assassin now. He was counting on Kurohi to protect them both for a few minutes. He pulled a small glass vial out of his shirt and popped the cork stopper and then held the vial up to Dave’s lips.
“Here, drink this quick.” Tony ordered and poured in half the vial. “Let’s hope this is the right anecdote to the poison on that bolt.” What he didn’t say was that he also hoped there was time for the anecdote to do its job before the poison shut down Dave’s organs. “Swirl some under your tongue and then swallow it.”
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Post by randomman on Oct 21, 2011 19:09:00 GMT -5
“Here, drink this quick.” Tony ordered and poured in half the vial. “Let’s hope this is the right anecdote to the poison on that bolt.” What he didn’t say was that he also hoped there was time for the anecdote to do its job before the poison shut down Dave’s organs. “Swirl some under your tongue and then swallow it.”
Dave was just relizing what that bolt might have had on it, he accepted Tony's assitance and took a swig of the anecdote. It tasted revolting, but, then again, Dave had tasted many revolting things in his days.
He followed Tony's instructions to the point then wiped the remaining contents from his chin.
"Thanks," he said to Tony, "You saved my skin,"
Dave then proceeded to run towards the bag that he had left near Tom. He might be safe from the poison, but the open wound was still a point of major concern for Dave. He reached in and produced a bandag. With the help of Tom, he quickly had the scar sealed. He picked up his sword and ran back towards Tony and Kurioh.
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erevan
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 57
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Post by erevan on Nov 2, 2011 18:01:34 GMT -5
((OOC: sorry its been so longn guys! but im back! no worries il delete this as soon as i post. aka later tonite. But jus wanted everyone to know im still here.))
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Post by Brandwyn on Nov 12, 2011 12:19:08 GMT -5
"Thanks," he said to Tony, "You saved my skin,"
"As you did mine. Thanks to you also." Tony answered and saw that the last man was retreating. He moved over to the edge of the cliff and looked down. The cargo was already halfway down and the men were straining at the ropes. The merchant had reached the bottom and Mortimer greeted him and then waved to Tony. Tony answered back and then looked back at the wagon. He estimated there were a couple of loads left to hoist over the side and wondered if they were going to have enough time.
There were six oxen and Tony figured each of them could make it down the trail single file. He got one of the boys helping load the cargo in the nets to help him unhitch the oxen and begin loading the cargo on their backs. They got nearly all of it loaded and then he sent the lad down the cliff trail with them.
Were there any more assassins out there waiting? Tony didn't want to stick around to find out, but they had to defend the men working on th hoist so he crouched next to a now empty cart and scanned the terrain around them. All they needed were five more minutes and then he, Dave, the boy and Kurohi could follow the men on the hoist down the trail. Once he was on board his ship, they wouldn't be able to get to him.
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Post by randomman on Nov 14, 2011 18:47:09 GMT -5
Dave backed up towards the hoist. If there were more assassins in the woods, they would have a very unpleasant fight on their hands. Dave's side was starting to smart where the bolt had hit, but he couldn't let that affect him.
It seemed like ages before the cargo was all down on the boat and the group could start off again. Dave had half a mind to ride the rope down, but decided against it. If they were ambushed, Dave was going to be there.
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 7, 2011 12:44:20 GMT -5
The last of the cargo was lowered down and Tony nodded to the villagers to get back down the cliff. He had been unhitching the oxen from the carts and now he turned them all loose, leaving the empty wagons where they stood. The oxen shambled off back toward Redmont, moving from one sparse patch of grass to the next. Tony figured they would likely find their way back home if someone didn't capture them before then.
"Let's go!" Tony gestured to Dave, Kurohi and the boy. He let them go in front of him and brought up the rear, keeping an eye on the trail and cliff over head feeling very exposed all the way down. Apparently their attackers were regrouping or nursing their wounds for they did not put in another appearance.
Tony sought out Mortimer, his first mate who was overseeing the loading of the cargo on the ship. "Get a move on that cargo, Lads! I want it loaded in record time. Extra rum for the whole crew if you get it done in the next half hour." The men cheered and hustled the crates along with renewed vigor. "And don't drop them!" Tony roared angrily as he saw one crate teetering in the arms of one of his newer crew members.
"Mortimer, have you seen a Genovesan ship in the harbor here?" Tony asked as he scanned the small secluded harbor. The men who had lowered the cargo were helping to carry it up to the deck plank but Tony didn't want them on board so he gestured them over, fishing some coins out of his pouch, he gave each of them a gold piece and they headed back off to Selsey village in high spirits at their good fortune.
"That one there, four down from the Razor." Mortimer inclined his head in that direction. Tony glanced at the ship in question and with an instant's appraisal agreed with Mort even though the ship was flying Teutlandt colors. "She pulled in not a half hour behind us. I am certain she is the one we tangled with four days ago." Mortimer answered.
Tony scowled and motioned for Dave and Kurohi to join him. "So it seems someone has hired a rather large contingent of Genovesans to secure my demise." Tony indicated the ship with a nod of his chin but didn't point to it. He had seen them being closely scruitinized by a couple of men on her deck. "we don't want her following us when we leave this port, gentlemen." Tony rubbed his chin thoughtfully and started to lead the group down toward the shoreline where they would be out of sight of the Genovesans. The three ships between would block their view of the four men on the sand.
"Unfortunately I don't want to loose my porting privilages here, so we can't just sink her pierside, even if we had the means to do so." Tony mused.
"We could fowl her rudder." Mortimer suggested, looking at coil of rope cable lying on the pier next tot he razor.
"Good idea, that would slow her down, but not get her off our tail permanently." Tony liked the idea however. At least they could get out of the port without immediate pursuit. It would take a while to discover their rudder was tangled up and then longer to untangle it.
"What about putting a small hole in her hull below water level?" Tony mused out loud. "If we stuck a pike through the hull in the right place, it could be hours and hours before they discover it and she would be taking on water the whole time. If nothing else it should slow her maneuvering and speed should we get into battle with her out there. If we get real lucky it could sink her before they find it and are able to patch it." It was a long-shot on the liklihood of sinking but one never knew what luck could throw his way and one thing Tony was known for was his uncommonly good luck.
Tony looked at his two hired swords. "Either of you have any suggestions?"
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Post by randomman on Dec 8, 2011 11:00:54 GMT -5
Tony looked at his two hired swords. "Either of you have any suggestions?"
"I'll do it" Dave said, "I've got a score to settle with those guys."
Tom didn't seem to like this suggestion, "But sir," he said, "Aren't you hurt,"
Dave smiled at the boy, he meant well, but Dave was going to go, "Don't worry, I have my tricks and my sword, I'll be fine" With that he left the ship, waving goodbye to his friends, and walked down the pier.
The pier was almost completely empty, since the port was kept secret, but it still had quite an assortment of people. Villagers coming for fish, merchants trying to sell their exotic wares, dock workers loading cargo, and deckhands trying to enjoy themselves before the next voyage.
Dave made it down the pier and arrived at the Genovesan ship. He had taken one step onto the plank when a heavily-accented voice called out, “You stop!”
Dave looked up and saw an angry Genovesan on top of the plank, “This isn't your ship,” he said, “Get back,”
Dave decided to act dumb, “Oh,” he said, looking around, “I must have the wrong ship. Do you know where the craft from Arridi is?”
The Genovesan began to walk down the plank to escort Dave, who had not moved, off the gangplank. Dave let him get close, and then he sprang into action. He ran up, drawing his sword, and slashed the man stomach. Before the unfortunate assassin had time to scream out, Dave had pushed him overboard and into the water. He then stormed up the gangplank and onto the deck, sword in hand. Most of the actual assassins were below deck, with only the deckhands on deck preparing the girl to sail. Dave walked over to the stairway leading below deck, trying to look normal.
Unfortunately, one of the deckhands saw under the ruse and raised the alarm. Before Dave had time to run, he was surrounded by the knife wielding sailors, with the assassins coming up from below deck. Dave knew he had to complete the mission. He drew his sword, and began his bloody work.
He hacked and slashed at the sailors in his path, cutting a swath through their ranks, ducking and dodging the knife blows that were aimed at him. He finally cut through the last sailor in his way and ran down the stairs, leaving the surviving sailors behind. He met up with the assassins as they came up the stairs, but Dave just jumped over the railing the the grounds below.
Dave ducked around a corner to lose his attackers. Once they ran by he ducked back out and threw a fire bomb, screaming “Queime puta queime!” The inside of the ship was soaked to keep any fire from spreading to far, but the Genovesan robes weren't. A few of the assassins caught fire, running and screaming. Their comrades were too shocked and afraid to strike back. What was worse was that they didn't have their crossbows strung up. Dave walked to the stairs, and, at the bottom, ran his sword straight into the planking creating a huge hole in the ship. He had done this several times, and had created several large holes, before the Genovesans got brave enough to attack and ran forward.
Dave ran up to the deck and dove off the ship. He swam as fast as he could towards the other ship. Once he got to the side of the ship he began to call to the crew.
“Hello, throw me a line!” When they did haul him out of the water, he reported, “The job is done, they should be busy for awhile over there. But we really should get out of here before the Genovesans figure out who did that and come for revenge,”
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