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Post by Jordyn on Sept 25, 2017 9:34:03 GMT -5
(Closed thread between Emily and Tony the Razor)
The moon had set an hour ago, the Ranger guessed. She'd been up all night, packing a bag full of her belongings and clothes. She had to get out of the castle. She had no other choice.
She also guessed that Crowley wouldn't be happy with her decision, but Emily couldn't care about that now. She gently touched the silver oakleaf that hung from a chain around her neck and felt her stomach tighten, but ignored the feeling. Tony would be waiting for her. There was no turning back now.
There were two bags of coins sitting on the table next to her bed, and she grabbed them, placing one into her bag and tying the other to her belt. She slipped on her cloak, putting the hood up over her head. Her boots were already on her feet.
She grabbed her bag and quietly made her way to Crowley's room, taking off the hood, and grabbing the oakleaf, taking it off her neck. She placed it on his desk, and quickly scribbled a note for him, before glancing at him, and leaving.
It took her a few minutes, but she finally made it to the place where Tony had promised to meet her. She looked around, a little nervous about leaving the castle and/or country without Crowley or Duncan knowing.
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Post by Brandwyn on Nov 21, 2017 21:09:56 GMT -5
Antonio de Cortona lounged in a corner of The Golden Compass Inn’s common room located on the banks of the river. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone else, but he was still a bit nervous about appearing openly anywhere in Araluen City. Outwardly he looked like any other sailor taking advantage of shore leave with a bit of dinner and a tall draft of beer.
Tony saw the young woman enter the common room and pause to look around. She looked a little nervous, but had a determined set to her mouth. As her eyes swept the room and passed over him, he nodded his head towards the chair opposite him. He still wasn’t sure if helping her was a good idea. Anyone close to King Duncan was someone to avoid if he wanted to maintain a low profile and his freedom. He scooped in a forkful of mutton stew and shoveled it into his mouth while he waited for Emily to come sit down.
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Post by Jordyn on Nov 22, 2017 9:43:07 GMT -5
Tony saw the young woman enter the common room and pause to look around. She looked a little nervous, but had a determined set to her mouth. As her eyes swept the room and passed over him, he nodded his head towards the chair opposite him. He still wasn’t sure if helping her was a good idea. Anyone close to King Duncan was someone to avoid if he wanted to maintain a low profile and his freedom. He scooped in a forkful of mutton stew and shoveled it into his mouth while he waited for Emily to come sit down.
Emily saw the man nod toward the chair in front of him, and she quickly, but quietly made her way over to it.
In truth, she was terrified, but she tried to let none of what she felt show on her features. She sat down in front of the sailor, and gave him a tense smile. "You must be Tony." She said, quietly. She quickly glanced around the room, before returning her gaze back to the man in front of her.
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Post by Brandwyn on Nov 27, 2017 20:36:34 GMT -5
"You must be Tony." She said, quietly.
“That I am,” he scooped up another forkful of food and took a moment to study her. “And you undoubtedly must be Ranger Emily.” He took a sip of ale, “or perhaps not ‘Ranger’ any longer?”
“Our mutual contact said you wanted to get out of the city quickly and have the means to pay for passage. Are you certain this is what you want to do?” He fixed her with a stern look. “Once you set foot on my ship, there could be… complications… that could make it difficult for you to return to Araluen should you be discovered by any of the King’s agents.” Of course the whole thing could be a set-up, Tony thought for the thousandth time. He had triple-checked the background of the request and those involved and could not find any hint that he was in fact being lured into a trap, but then it wouldn’t be a very good trap if he could see it coming. “…Unless, of course, you are really going under cover on some mission for the Rangers”
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Post by Jordyn on Nov 29, 2017 10:39:03 GMT -5
“That I am,” he scooped up another forkful of food and took a moment to study her. “And you undoubtedly must be Ranger Emily.” He took a sip of ale, “or perhaps not ‘Ranger’ any longer?”
Emily felt the blood rush to her cheeks, and she tried to force herself to not glare at the pirate in front of her. He was right, she thought, to assume that she wasn't a Ranger any longer. She resisted the urge to reach up and feel the pendant that she'd left at the castle.
"That I am." She repeated his words, allowing a tight smile to bloom onto her features.
“Our mutual contact said you wanted to get out of the city quickly and have the means to pay for passage. Are you certain this is what you want to do?”
Emily felt her stomach tighten slightly at his words. A thought was racing through her mind: You can still get out of this.
She nodded. "It is." She said. "It's the only option I have left right now."
“Once you set foot on my ship, there could be… complications… that could make it difficult for you to return to Araluen should you be discovered by any of the King’s agents…Unless, of course, you are really going under cover on some mission for the Rangers”
She'd been thinking about those complications over the past several days, trying to hide her scheming from Crowley, who most likely had guessed what was going on. He most likely be the one to find her, as she herself had been the one to tell him about her thoughts of running away.
"I'm not." Emily said, looking at the pirate. She thought about ordering an ale, to calm her tense nerves for a moment. She shook her head, then continued.
"I understand that there will be complications. I'm taking a risk here too, you know. It's not easy to hide an escape attempt from the King, or the Ranger Commandment."
She reached to her belt and untied the purse of money she'd set aside to pay Tony. She placed it onto the table. "Our mutual contact told me that you'd most likely want to be paid upfront. Here you are. I just need to get somewhere safe for now." She hesitated. She wasn't sure if she wanted to tell him where she wanted to go before she set foot onto the ship.
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 24, 2017 18:43:08 GMT -5
"I understand that there will be complications. I'm taking a risk here too, you know. It's not easy to hide an escape attempt from the King, or the Ranger Commandment."
She reached to her belt and untied the purse of money she'd set aside to pay Tony. She placed it onto the table. "Our mutual contact told me that you'd most likely want to be paid upfront. Here you are. I just need to get somewhere safe for now."
Tony reached out and picked up the small pouch and gave it a slight toss, estimating the coin inside. He nodded and slipped the purse into the sash around his waist. “I have to make another stop in Araluen to pick up some cargo in HIghcliff,” Tony said. “After that I can drop you off any place in Araluen, or are you wanting to leave the Kingdom altogether?”
He raised an eyebrow, studying Emily. “Are you sure you don’t have a particular place in mind?”
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Post by Jordyn on Dec 24, 2017 18:52:20 GMT -5
Tony reached out and picked up the small pouch and gave it a slight toss, estimating the coin inside. He nodded and slipped the purse into the sash around his waist. “I have to make another stop in Araluen to pick up some cargo in HIghcliff,” Tony said. “After that I can drop you off any place in Araluen, or are you wanting to leave the Kingdom altogether?”
He raised an eyebrow, studying Emily. “Are you sure you don’t have a particular place in mind?” Emily hesitated again, looking down at her hands. "I need to get to the Fens." She admitted. "As close to the Mountains of Rain and Night as possible." She looked up at him. "I have...friends there. People that'll be able to help me."
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 24, 2017 19:10:48 GMT -5
Emily hesitated again, looking down at her hands. "I need to get to the Fens." She admitted. "As close to the Mountains of Rain and Night as possible." She looked up at him. "I have...friends there. People that'll be able to help me."
Tony was surprised. He rubbed his jaw with one hand, considering the dangers surrounding the Mountains of Rain and Night. “Well… Hmmrphff… I certainly wasn’t expecting that destination. You do realize the waters down there are rife with pirates, don’t you?” The gleam in his eye was the only giveaway at how funny he thought that phrase was. He nodded his head, “lucky for you, I happen to know a couple of them, but that is still no guarantee we will have safe passage or you won’t end up in the hands of some slave trader once you leave The Razor.” He had an idea that this slip of a girl, correction; young woman, knew exactly how dangerous the area around the Mountains of Rain and Night were.
He stood up, “Fine, I will take you. We’d best get on the ship and out of here so we hit the tide right when we get to the mouth of the river.” He held out a hand to assist her to her feet as he would any fine lady of the court. It was second nature to him, having been raised in the Great Court of Iberia. “Are you ready now? Have you any luggage that needs to be loaded?”
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Post by Jordyn on Dec 24, 2017 19:23:57 GMT -5
“Well… Hmmrphff… I certainly wasn’t expecting that destination. You do realize the waters down there are rife with pirates, don’t you?” The gleam in his eye was the only giveaway at how funny he thought that phrase was. He nodded his head, “lucky for you, I happen to know a couple of them, but that is still no guarantee we will have safe passage or you won’t end up in the hands of some slave trader once you leave The Razor.” Emily nodded her understanding. "I know," She replied. "I know how to protect myself, you know." This wasn't said to be boastful at all. She'd trained in the same school all Ranger's were taught in, and she knew how to use her weapons well. “Fine, I will take you. We’d best get on the ship and out of here so we hit the tide right when we get to the mouth of the river.” He held out a hand to assist her to her feet as he would any fine lady of the court. It was second nature to him, having been raised in the Great Court of Iberia. “Are you ready now? Have you any luggage that needs to be loaded?” Emily flushed red again and took his hand, coming to her feet as well. "Thank you. And no, I packed light." She replied.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 29, 2018 20:47:04 GMT -5
Emily flushed red again and took his hand, coming to her feet as well. "Thank you. And no, I packed light." She replied.
“Well then, we should be going.” Tony glanced around the room, making a quick mental note of anyone that seemed to be interested in them, but other than the occasional glance here and there, no one seemed to be watching them. There was hardly anyone left in the common room at this time anyway. He tossed a rather large coin to the Inn Keeper as he went past the bar and tipped his hat to him.
Outside he quickly scanned the area around the door and across the deserted street. The night was dark and it was very late. The Nightman was walking away from them, turning down all the streetlamps to a soft yellow glow which cast deep shadows between the small patches of firelight. A scruffy-looking man huddled in a doorway two doors down trying to stay warm in the chilly night air.
Tony headed straight for the docks along the river where he had a small skiff moored to take back downriver to where the Razor was anchored in a secluded eddy. He stepped into the skiff and lent a hand to Emily to steady her so she could climb aboard.
Mortimer, his First Mate, arrived on his heels with three new crewmen in tow, each carrying a moderately large cask of what was most likely ale or beer. Tony eyed the casks ruefully, one eyebrow raised, “a little side action, Mate?” he asked.
Mort laughed as he set his cask carefully down in the belly of the skiff. “Just a little bet I won earlier tonight. The loser decided to pay in goods rather than coin. I will make sure the lads don’t overdo it.” Mort promised. His eyes were giving Emily the once over as he talked. “Pleased to meet you, Miss.” Mortimer ducked his head and toughed his fist to his forehead in a salute to Emily. “My name is Mortimer, but they mostly call me Mort,” He chuckled softly, “When they aren’t cursing me out for making them swab the decks.”
They settled in the boat and soon it was being rowed downriver by the three crewmen. Tony looked each one over as they pulled farther from the Araluen city docks. One of the three seemed tantalizingly familiar, but he couldn’t place the face, and wasn’t entirely sure he had ever seen the man before. He then turned to Emily to see how she was reacting to the fading site of King Duncan’s castle.
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Post by Jordyn on Jan 30, 2018 10:26:42 GMT -5
“Well then, we should be going.” Tony glanced around the room, making a quick mental note of anyone that seemed to be interested in them, but other than the occasional glance here and there, no one seemed to be watching them. There was hardly anyone left in the common room at this time anyway. He tossed a rather large coin to the Inn Keeper as he went past the bar and tipped his hat to him.
Outside he quickly scanned the area around the door and across the deserted street. The night was dark and it was very late. The Nightman was walking away from them, turning down all the streetlamps to a soft yellow glow which cast deep shadows between the small patches of firelight. A scruffy-looking man huddled in a doorway two doors down trying to stay warm in the chilly night air.
Emily followed him, pulling the hood of her cloak up over her head and stealing a glance around her surroundings. She had been to the village before, had greeted people on the docks, but this felt different than usual. It felt more exciting.
Tony headed straight for the docks along the river where he had a small skiff moored to take back downriver to where the Razor was anchored in a secluded eddy. He stepped into the skiff and lent a hand to Emily to steady her so she could climb aboard.
Emily grabbed his hand, and climbed aboard the skiff, and watched the byplay between the two men. They looked to be close friends, and she suddenly felt alone. And scared.
Mortimer, his First Mate, arrived on his heels with three new crewmen in tow, each carrying a moderately large cask of what was most likely ale or beer. Tony eyed the casks ruefully, one eyebrow raised, “a little side action, Mate?” he asked.
Mort laughed as he set his cask carefully down in the belly of the skiff. “Just a little bet I won earlier tonight. The loser decided to pay in goods rather than coin. I will make sure the lads don’t overdo it.” Mort promised. His eyes were giving Emily the once over as he talked. “Pleased to meet you, Miss.” Mortimer ducked his head and touched his fist to his forehead in a salute to Emily. “My name is Mortimer, but they mostly call me Mort,” He chuckled softly, “When they aren’t cursing me out for making them swab the decks.”
Emily smiled timidly at Mortimer. She mentally cursed herself for sudden;y becoming so shy. "My...My name is Emily," she answered, stealing a glance at the cask. She wondered how rude it would be to ask for a glass of whatever was in there. She smiled a little wider at his final words and told him that she would remember that.
They settled in the boat and soon it was being rowed downriver by the three crewmen. Tony looked each one over as they pulled farther from the Araluen city docks. One of the three seemed tantalizingly familiar, but he couldn’t place the face and wasn’t entirely sure he had ever seen the man before.
He then turned to Emily to see how she was reacting to the fading site of King Duncan’s castle.
Emily was staring at the castle wordlessly, a small frown on her face. She was doing something bad, and she knew it. But she also knew that there was no other choice in the matter. "And no one leaves..." she muttered. It was something that he father told her often as a child, but, now, she was leaving.
She felt eyes on her, and she looked at Tony, the frown changing into a small smile.
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Post by Brandwyn on Feb 2, 2018 21:59:11 GMT -5
Emily was staring at the castle wordlessly, a small frown on her face. She was doing something bad, and she knew it. But she also knew that there was no other choice in the matter. "And no one leaves..." she muttered. It was something that he father told her often as a child, but, now, she was leaving.
She felt eyes on her, and she looked at Tony, the frown changing into a small smile.
Tony smiled back, wondering yet again what he was getting himself and his crew into. He had heard her mutter, "And no one leaves...” and didn’t miss the fear and doubt in her eyes. He smiled warmly at Emily and said, “What’s life without a little risk, eh?” He winked at her and then turned back to study the new crewmen again.
In a few minutes they were rowing up to the Krackatowan Razor. At Mortimer’s loon call a couple of lanterns were un-hooded and a rope ladder thrown down over the side. “I am sorry for the crude means of boarding the ship,” Tony said to Emily. “I hope you don’t mind climbing a bit,” he chuckled good-naturedly, “I hear you rangers have a liking for climbing.”
The ladder was about 8 feet wide and made of coarse rope woven in one foot squares. It was anchored at the top of the railing and trailed down into the water. It looked easy to climb, but actually the whole thing moved while you were climbing it, almost like it was a wild, living being trying to buck you off.
“We can lower down a board on a rope if you would prefer, Miss Emily,” Mortimer suggested. He motioned for two of the crewmen to bring more light to shed onto the rope ladder. Then he secured his kegs into a cargo net and motioned for them to haul up the net.
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Post by Jordyn on Feb 3, 2018 22:32:20 GMT -5
He smiled warmly at Emily and said, “What’s life without a little risk, eh?” He winked at her and then turned back to study the new crewmen again.
Emily nodded at him. "Right...risk..."
In a few minutes, they were rowing up to the Krackatowan Razor. At Mortimer’s loon call a couple of lanterns were un-hooded and a rope ladder was thrown down over the side. “I am sorry for the crude means of boarding the ship,” Tony said to Emily. “I hope you don’t mind climbing a bit,” he chuckled good-naturedly, “I hear you Rangers have a liking for climbing.”
The ladder was about 8 feet wide and made of coarse rope woven in one-foot squares. It was anchored at the top of the railing and trailed down into the water. It looked easy to climb, but actually, the whole thing moved while you were climbing it, almost like it was a wild, living being trying to buck you off.
“We can lower down a board on a rope if you would prefer, Miss Emily,” Mortimer suggested. He motioned for two of the crewmen to bring more light to shed onto the rope ladder. Then he secured his kegs into a cargo net and motioned for them to haul up the net.
"No, thank you..." Emily said, looking at the ladder for a moment. "Tony's right. We Rangers like to climb, though I dare say I haven't climbed anything like that before!"
Putting her bag on her back, she moved to go climb the ladder. It was a challenge, but she was soon on board the ship, looking around. She had one hand nervously perched near her knives, and was looking around at the crew.
Truthbetold, she hadn't been on a ship before, much less a pirate ship. She was scared and doubtful, but she kept her mouth shut. She didn't want to make anyone angry before they'd even left the country.
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Post by Brandwyn on Apr 22, 2018 22:10:16 GMT -5
Mortimer watched her climb up the rope ladder. "Nicely done - for a landlubber" he grinned, trying to set her at ease. She seemed very nervous. We have a small guest cabin ready for you. I am afraid it isn't very large, but it is secure. It is the second door on the left at the bottom of the ladder there," he pointed to the ladder leading down to the next deck. "just remember when you stow your gear to lock the cabinets back up so your stuff doesn't get thrown all over when we hit the open ocean."
Mortimer took a small pouch out of a larger belt pouch and handed it to her. "This is candied ginger. If you suck on it, it will help with nausea should you feel a bit seasick." He patted her on the back, "You will be fine, Miss. Now i must get these lazy louts moving. Let me know if you need anything." He smiled and then turned around and started yelling orders to the crew. Suddenly there was a great amount of activity on the deck as the sailors got the ship under motion.
Soon the streamlined cargo ship was moving down the river and heading toward the ocean. Tony was nervous, but trying not to show it. He stood quietly behind the helmsman, watching the river banks, his crew and most especially his passenger.
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Post by Jordyn on Jun 14, 2018 21:19:31 GMT -5
"Nicely done - for a landlubber" he grinned, trying to set her at ease.
Emily looked over at him and smiled gratefully at the distraction from her fear. "Thank you. I've been climbing things since I was younger," she explained.
"We have a small guest cabin ready for you. I am afraid it isn't very large, but it is secure. It is the second door on the left at the bottom of the ladder there," he pointed to the ladder leading down to the next deck. "just remember when you stow your gear to lock the cabinets back up so your stuff doesn't get thrown all over when we hit the open ocean."
Mortimer took a small pouch out of a larger belt pouch and handed it to her. "This is candied ginger. If you suck on it, it will help with nausea should you feel a bit seasick." He patted her on the back, "You will be fine, Miss. Now I must get these lazy louts moving. Let me know if you need anything." He smiled and then turned around and started yelling orders to the crew. Suddenly there was a great amount of activity on the deck as the sailors got the ship under motion.
Emily nodded and watched him got get the ship moving for a moment before going to put her items in the guestroom. She put a piece of the ginger in her mouth and started to suck on it. It was spicy to her at first, but she seemed to get used to it as she continued to suck on it.
When she was finished with her task, she went to go take a look at her surroundings. There was a look of childish wonder on her face.
She took off the hood of her cloak and looked up to where Tony was before going to him. "I haven't thanked you yet," she said to him, her eyes looking around the scene. "I hope it isn't too much trouble to sneak a Ranger away from the Castle."
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