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Post by Ringulf on Nov 6, 2010 18:15:11 GMT -5
"For now, new man." Then he walked away and took a seat on the upper deck, where no activity could escape his vision and he could be as sure as anywhere that these fools would not lose him his pay.
In about 15 minutes a sailor came over to Wesley with a big tray of food and a large mug with a wooden pitcher of beer. he set it down next to the big man and said,
"The Barron wanted to make sure you got to eat, he said you would most likely not leave your post to do so so he told me to bring it to you out here....um I can taste a little of it all for you if you don't trust him," Then he whispered to him behind his hand, "Just between you an me I think he was upset that he had to confront you like that, he may not be the kindest man in the world but if you do a good job he is fair and generous and I ain't never seen him do nothin but exactly what he says he is gonna do an that's no lie! It's kinda like he is powerful enough he don't have to lie about what he is doin, he just does it! Well anyway enjoy your grub we will be gettin into port in a few hours."
And with that he walked off leaving Wesley with the food and advice, sitting on the deck in the afternoon sun. It was all in all a fairly nice day at sea for this time of year.
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Post by Firehead on Nov 7, 2010 11:51:03 GMT -5
Sklaw scowled, debating the merits of signaling for a parlay with Tony verus waiting to see if Tony signalled a parlay first. It all came down to wether or not Tony would want to talk. And speaking of which..."Ah, rats!" Sklaw muttered. "I forgot. He's got more manpower, more firepower, and I'll bet anything he's got a stronger hull too--it's a warship, after all." He scowled down at the railing again, mulling over new thoughts, and planning new possible courses of action to take.
“Something on your mind, Sklaw?”
Sklaw looked up to see that Tony had moved his ship to sail closer to the Waveblade, and that he had raised a parlay flag. Sklaw studied the other man for a moment before answering. "Why would there be something on my mind?"
“You thinking to take on that warship when we catch – rather if – we catch up to it?”
Close guess. Sklaw feigned innocense. "Who, me? Why would I do something as crazy as that? I might be faster and more manueverable, but all he'd need is to land a few shots, and he'd sink me in a minute. Although I did think about it." Sklaw added.
“I have been pondering the problem of how to outmaneuver them when they have all those oars.”
"Fowl them up with rope." The inane answer popped out of Sklaw's mouth as though it had a will of its own. "What else?"
Sklaw paused a moment, then switched lines of thought and went on. "What are the baron's weaknesses? And where do you think he's likely to go, now that he has the king? It's not very likely that he'll stay out in the middle of the ocean for an indefinite period of time."
Sklaw paused then added, "We have three course of action we can take. There's three courses of direct action: out-and-out action, subtle action, and infiltrated action. And then, of course, there's no action at all. But that sort of defeats our purpose, now doesn't it?" Sklaw leaned on the rail and smiled at Tony. "I've got a few ideas but I'd like to know, do you have any plans?"
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Post by Brandwyn on Nov 8, 2010 15:20:31 GMT -5
Tony just dropped his jaw open in disbelief at Sklaw’s comment about fowling the oars with rope. It would never work, not to mention they would have to get so close to the warship to apply the rope that they would be sitting ducks for all those crossbowmen. Same thing if they were to try a strafing run and shear the oars off. Chances are they would just ship the oars until the danger was past and then keep right on their merry way. Tony wasn’t going to argue the point with Sklaw, however. Let him try something like that, he would find out soon enough how bad an idea it was.
"What are the baron's weaknesses?”
“Bloody few from what I could see.” Tony scowled. "He has more firepower on the ship than we have combined, he has more men and most of them are armed with crossbows, so they have range on us as well. If we get close enough to do any damage, we will have to do so under the hail of bolts. He has a battering ram on the front of the ship, so he can go against the wind, powering the ship by rowing and ram us and rip out the underbelly of either of our ships quicker than we can maneuver out of his way.” Tony ticked off the items on one hand. “He also has the home port advantage.”
“And where do you think he's likely to go, now that he has the king? It's not very likely that he'll stay out in the middle of the ocean for an indefinite period of time."
‘I still wish I knew for certain how the heck he knows anything about the King,’ thought Tony as he looked at the direction of their travel. He was fairly certain he knew of the trajectory of the northern most ship, if he kept on course that is.
“I am betting he is heading for La Rivage.” Tony answered. “If he gets there too far ahead of us, he could get lost in the crowd and we would never be able to find the Baron. Then again, he is a rather imposing figure and likely his presence, as he made his way through town, would be remembered.” Tony mused.
“SAIL HO” The lookout in the crow’s nest called down.
“Where away?” hollered Tony and the man pointed ahead of them and slightly to the east. Tony nodded. They had made up some ground and it seemed the ship they were pursuing was heading straight for La Rivage, the main port city on this coast of Gallica. “Like I said, La Rivage.”
Sklaw paused then added, "We have three course of action we can take. There's three courses of direct action: out-and-out action, subtle action, and infiltrated action. And then, of course, there's no action at all. But that sort of defeats our purpose, now doesn't it?" Sklaw leaned on the rail and smiled at Tony. "I've got a few ideas but I'd like to know, do you have any plans?"
‘Yeah, to get rid of you before we go any farther,’ Tony thought again, but didn’t voice his comment. Upon reflection though, Sklaw and his crew could possibly come in handy. “Okay, let’s assume, for a moment of course, that your ridiculous notion about the King being on board that ship is correct.” Tony eyed Sklaw challengingly. “If the Baron gets him to shore before we catch up to him, what would be his likely course of action?” Tony paced back and forth along the rail, thinking out loud. “Hmmm if I were him, I would plop him into a covered carriage and whisk him away to some place secure and out of sight before anyone was the wiser.” Tony looked to Sklaw to see if he agreed with that assessment.
“Of course then what will he do? Send out a demand for a ransom?” Tony thought back to his conversation with the Baron. “No, he is not going to ransom him. He is going to transport him back to Araluen and then be rewarded a hefty sum by the King in thanks.” Tony thought, then remembered he was speaking hypothetically, “if he actually had the King, of course” Another part of the conversation with the Baron was poking at Tony’s mind, something about politics. “At least that is what a sane person would do, somehow I think the Baron has something else up his sleeve,” Tony breathed softly. Out loud he said, “Or he could sell him to one of Araluen’s enemies.” That would be very bad. “A full assault on his ship, even with both of our ships would likely end quite badly for us so I say your option one is pretty much out” Besides, Tony had a promise from the Baron that if he fought he would not be lenient or merciful. It just seemed like a bad idea to antagonize the Baron directly. He also had the letter of marquee and the pardon and he didn’t want to jeopardize those.
They were outmanned and outgunned on the ships. They could lose the King very easily once they made port. But if they could get there ahead of the Baron then they could follow and possibly get a chance to seize the King back.
Tony looked at the Waveblade thoughtfully. She was higher in the water, sleek and fast. A tad faster than the Razor, but not by a whole lot, except for right now because the Razor was loaded down completely. Could the Waveblade make it to port ahead of the Baron’s warship? Had the Baron seen Sklaw’s ship on the horizon and would they know they were currently being followed?
Ulrich came up beside his captain and said, "Maybe we don't fight them at sea, Tony. Follow them into port, put up false sails so they don't recognize the Razor and fight them on land. It at least gives us a chance, don't you think?"
“I was thinking along similar lines, only perhaps without the fighting part” Tony nodded, “at least without fighting all of them.” Tony added. “I would suspect that the greater amount of his men would stay on board the ship. We can hope anyway.”
Tony turned back to Sklaw, “Think the Waveblade can beat the Baron into port?” Tony asked. “If you can get in ahead of him, you can keep tabs on where they go. I doubt I can catch them, but I won’t be far behind. Send a runner back to me so I know where you are and we can form a plan based on what the Baron does, assuming that he has anything we want, of course.”
Tony wasn’t all that sure he was following the ship containing the Baron and the King. That little spinning maneuver they had done had thrown him off, but since he had intended to port just north of La Rivage, he had decided to follow this one that was going virtually in the same direction. If they did have the right ship, there might be a chance to get the King back. If not, well, they would see just how good the Baron’s pardon paper was since there were several people in La Rivage who knew Tony by sight.
“Mortimer, have them hoist the light blue sails to replace these – a few at a time so we don’t lose too much momentum.” Tony said to his first mate. “Get some men to scratch off ‘The Gray Lady’ and paint on there… hmm… something Ibernian …” Tony thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. He snapped his fingers, “I got it! Have them paint ‘San Domingo’ for the name. That ought to throw a few people off."
The San Domingo was reputed to have been sunk last year by an Aslavian warship during the war, but the reports were unconfirmed the last Tony had heard. The Razor was nearly identical in build to the Domingo and they ought to be able to fool most people. Maybe not the Harbor Master, but as soon as he saw Tony’s face, the game would be over anyway. It should allow them to get into port, though, without being arrested on sight since the Razor was as well-known as its captain. “Oh and hoist the Iberian flag,” he added. It was a very good thing he knew a wonderful seamstress that could manufacture any official flag with the greatest ease. Tony was well-stocked on all the major countries and even some major noble's personal colors.
La Rivage was a very busy port. With any luck they could blend in with a few other ships entering the bay and no one would be the wiser, particularly the Baron on his warship. One could hope anyway, Tony thought again.
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Post by Ringulf on Nov 9, 2010 1:10:28 GMT -5
The admiral came to attention as the Barron topped the ladder rising up to the bridge deck and strode purposefully toward the helm.
"At ease Admiral what is our status?" The Barron said in a low voice so that he and the admiral only could hear their discussion.
"We are very close to home we are at six bells and their is a freshening breeze." said the officer efficiently.
"Any sign of pursuit" The tall noble asked quizzically.
"We saw several sails over the horizon your excellency but have not seen anything for a while." said the admiral flatly.
"Very good, keep me informed as to our time of arrival and do post a few marksman around the bulwarks and make sure their quarrels have been....enhanced please? This Wesley is a loose dragon and I am not sure at this point if he can be relied upon, I would rather be sure he does not have the ability to gain the upper hand should it come to it."
"Aye Your Excellency I will make sure he is well watched and that he is dispatched if their is any sign of trouble!."
"Be discreet in your vigil over him as I have said before and your men will not fire upon him unless I give the word, understood, he may yet be a valuable resource and is still under the employ of the Lady so let us not be hasty, do I make myself clear?
"Crystal clear Your Excel ency" It shall be done." said the admiral
The Barron turned on his heel and strode once more to the gangway ladder. he paused to look down upon the resting ogre of a man sitting in a large pile on the deck addressing his dinner.
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Post by Firehead on Nov 9, 2010 16:09:43 GMT -5
"What are the baron's weaknesses?”
“Bloody few from what I could see.” Tony scowled. "He has more firepower on the ship than we have combined, he has more men and most of them are armed with crossbows, so they have range on us as well. If we get close enough to do any damage, we will have to do so under the hail of bolts. He has a battering ram on the front of the ship, so he can go against the wind, powering the ship by rowing and ram us and rip out the underbelly of either of our ships quicker than we can maneuver out of his way.” Tony ticked off the items on one hand. “He also has the home port advantage.”
Sklaw crossed his arms and sloched against the railing, eyeing Tony. "Well, gee, thanks. You've told me stuff I already guessed at or knew about him. All his strengths. How about his weaknesses? We know he has very few--now what are they?" He let a touch of the exasperation and sarcasm he was feeling seep into his tone.
“Think the Waveblade can beat the Baron into port?” Tony asked.
"Of course she can." Sklaw replied. "Why do you have to ask?"
“If you can get in ahead of him, you can keep tabs on where they go. I doubt I can catch them, but I won’t be far behind. Send a runner back to me so I know where you are and we can form a plan based on what the Baron does, assuming that he has anything we want, of course.”
"Of course." Sklaw paused then asked, "The Baron wouldn't happen to have a weakness for women, would he?" He knew most did, but one never knew, now did they? "If so, I might have an idea." Might being the operative word.
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Post by JezusBagels on Nov 15, 2010 21:19:52 GMT -5
"Well anyway enjoy your grub we will be gettin into port in a few hours."
Wesley nodded in thanks for the advice and sniffed the food impetuously. In truth, he hadn't expected any tricks. The lady was watching over them, after all. Still, with the idea now in his mind, the brute became a bit more cautious of the Barron's opinion of him. As sure as he could be that the first sip wouldn't off him, Wesley chugged half the mug and started in on the food that lay before him. Besides, the Barron would have needed a whole lot of poison to kill a man of Wesley's size.
When the mug sat empty and the tray held nothing but bones and seeds, Wesley stood up, stretched his giant arms in the air, and yawned a big bear yawn. Then he paced a little, making sure his legs didn't fall asleep. While he walked, Wesley eyed the sailors and other men--they weren't doing anything except standing there with weapons ready. What did that make them? Bodyguards? Sentries? Those that dared meet his gaze didn't seem to like him too much. That made them enemies. He took in their faces and clothing so that when he had to kill someone, he knew who he was aiming for.
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Post by Brandwyn on Nov 16, 2010 10:28:59 GMT -5
Think the Waveblade can beat the Baron into port?” Tony asked.
"Of course she can." Sklaw replied. "Why do you have to ask?"
“Because he has quite a lead on us right now and we are not all that far from port.” Tony answered Sklaw. The man just seemed to rub him the wrong way and he gritted his teeth in irritation.
“If we are to carry out my plan, pathetic though it is, then you would need to get moving right away.” Tony suggested.
"Of course." Sklaw paused then asked, "The Baron wouldn't happen to have a weakness for women, would he?" He knew most did, but one never knew, now did they? "If so, I might have an idea." Might being the operative word.
Tony considered the question, “I would guess he just might. He did have two lovely little vixens at his feet who looked to have been sorely used.” Tony shook his head, still marveling at that little Maureena’s decision to stay with the Baron. “He seems to have put some sort of spell on them too, from what I could tell.” Tony thought back to the Baron’s personality and shook his head, “I don’t know if he is weak enough to let one distract him though. He seems to be very intelligent and focused.”
Tony looked back at Sklaw, “Care to let me in on that idea?”
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Post by Firehead on Nov 16, 2010 14:49:14 GMT -5
Tony considered the question, “I would guess he just might. He did have two lovely little vixens at his feet who looked to have been sorely used.” Tony shook his head, still marveling at that little Maureena’s decision to stay with the Baron. “He seems to have put some sort of spell on them too, from what I could tell.” Tony thought back to the Baron’s personality and shook his head, “I don’t know if he is weak enough to let one distract him though. He seems to be very intelligent and focused.”
Tony looked back at Sklaw, “Care to let me in on that idea?”
Sklaw gave Tony a lopsided smile as he straitened from his slouched position at the rail. "As you said, I should get a move on if I want to beat the Baron's ship into port. Why don't you and I meet at the Broken Oar, when you arrive and we can discuss our 'pathetic' plans and ideas there....if its safe to do so." he added.
Turning from the rail, Sklaw signaled for Vick to give the order to raise all sails on board, and went to take over the steering. With the jib sail raised and Sklaw at the post, the Waveblade pulled away from the Razor with gathering speed, and was soon out of sight of the pirate ship. Vick approached Sklaw. "Sklaw, have you thought about the fact that this may just e a grand scheam of Tony's to get rid of us?"
"Yes. And I wouldn't worry too much." Sklaw replied , keeping his eyes on the ship ahead of them. "I've got a hole card up my sleave." he added, before Vick could protest anymore.
They made good time, and swooped into the harbor ahead of the Gallican warship they had been following. Once anchored, Sklaw went ashore to begin his search for what constituted as his "idea", leaving Vick in charge and giving him strict orders to watch the warship discreetly and to send someone for him the moment anything happened on the ship.
Beginning his search at the waurf, he asked about among the ships currently at harbor, came up with exactly nothing, and went to the harbor master to post an urgent message.
To: Cat Castelle (if recieved one week after the above date, please ignore and burn.)
Cat,
When I saved your life at sea, you said that you would owe me--I'm calling in that debt. The King of Araluan has been captured by a Gallican Baron--unsure yet, just which one--and am cooperating with Tony the Razor in rescuing the King. Tony says that the Baron has very few weaknesses, but I think you may be able to help us. Meet me at the Wild Swan and I will explain further. Sklaw
P.S. If you don't arrive within an hour of said time, I will conclude that you aren't coming.
P.P.S. Wear a dress--if possible. Money included.
Sklaw added the time and date and sealed the letter and after giving it to a mutual friend to be delivered, returned to the Waveblade to leave a message with Vick for Tony, switching the place of meeting to the Wild Swan. Then he headed for the upper-scale establishment to await Tony's arrival. he chose a table at the far end of the room, in a corner where he could sit with his back to the wall, and proceeded to wait.
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Post by Ringulf on Nov 25, 2010 0:28:38 GMT -5
The large Gaulican galley had furled it's sails and was making it's way under oars into the harbor of La Rivage to come to anchor in the naval section among some other of it's sisters.
The captain ordered all hands to make ready the ship for birthing and stow all gear. He bade them to make fast all rigging and set crews for shore leave Then he and several officers boarded the small gig to come ashore.
Not too far away down the coast a Gaulican galley had furled it's sails and made ready to anchor amidst a large fishing fleet in a southern Gaulic port.
The captain gave orders to make fast the ship and called for his officers to form a shore party to negotiate their refitting and several men got into the small launch and rowed into the quay in the sun drenched rays of the setting sun.
Somewhere between the two Gaulican galley's, a third had furled her sails as well and was making her way carefully into a huge sea cave that was set into a sheer stony cliff face.
It rowed forward into the gaping maw to be swallowed by darkness.
"Light the torches!" the Admiral said and nodded to the Barron who stood at his side along with the King of Araluen.
"Your majesty you will be safe and ashore in minutes, . We have returned to "The Arie". My chateau is above us, there you will be afforded all the comforts of your own palace until we can arrange for your return." The Barron said to Duncan.
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Post by JezusBagels on Nov 25, 2010 22:16:31 GMT -5
Wesley looked out towards La Rivage, wondering what was to occur next. The Lady was never very clear when it came to how her plans would end. Wesley was only to know his part in them. Still, he trusted her. He had no reason not to. He remembered his first job for the Lady; It was here in Le Rivage, in fact. He had been hired to kill some fishy man... Goldfish? Trout? Dolphin? He wasn't sure. The point was, all he had to do was stay by the King until she had him do something else and he would receive his pay.
He saw The Barron, the King and another man entering another boat and quickly joined them, not daring to be left alone on this boat with all the itchy trigger fingers and the king unaccessible. The cave this smaller craft took them to made Wesley uneasy. He hadn't been in many caves in his life, if only because he would have had to stoop down to fit inside them. He also know their ceilings had a reputation for collapsing on top of the people inside.
"What now, new man?" he asked the Barron.
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Post by Ringulf on Nov 26, 2010 14:36:41 GMT -5
(OOG: please read the entire post Wesley is not in La Rivage, nor is he on the boat in the southern port but he, the Barron and the King are on the third boat that is now entering a huge sea cave in the side of a cliff.)
"Well Wesley as I was saying to His Majesty we are going into my special port that is under my Chateau, my castle. We will take the king up to the castle and you and he will wait their until we get further instructions. I will make sure your room is next to the kings and I will not post a guard on the door but if you would care to watch I will have a seat put there for you to do so."
The ship was rowed along what seemed to be an underground canal that twisted a bit back and forth until it opened up into a large grotto.
It was large enough for the warship to be maneuvered to the dock.
Once there the gangplank was dropped and the party disembarked.
The Barron looked over at the ship tied behind them at the quay.
"Ahh! I see Valentigne has arrived when did the L'oiseau Noire make port? Rathbone asked the seneschal.
Yesterday your Excellency, Valentigne and his mistress are in the guest suite in the east wing." The Seneschal replied.
"Mistress? That dog! he went and found some Araluen trollop to scratch his loathsome itches?"
"Your excellency she has been here before, I believe you may remember her from last years Victory ball her name is Lady Thistledown." The seneschal said with a slight leer.
"Thistledown...Thistle...Lady Heather? Hmmm she was quite an interesting bit of pastry she was. Make sure you seat them by me and his Majesty this evening at dinner."
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 28, 2011 10:55:09 GMT -5
Tony looked over the message from Sklaw and with a sigh handed it to Mort who read it and chuckled at Tony’s lack of enthusiasm. “Keep most of the men on board, letting them go in small groups with only four hours each shore leave.” Tony instructed him. “I want us re-supplied and ready for sail at a moment’s notice as quickly as possible.”
Mort nodded the grin just a ghost playing around the corners of his mouth now. “You always get a bit jittery every time we stop here in La Rivage.” Mort pointed out the obvious. “With that paper the Baron gave you, do you think we need to be as cautious as this? It might draw attention to us.”
Tony shook his head. “Look around this port, there ain’t an unmanned ship here in the harbor, not even the small ones.” Tony gazed around the other ships in port, most of them laden with sailors and bustling with activity. “Leave your ship unattended here and it won’t be your ship for much longer.” Tony shook his head. “No, we stick to this plan and keep track of our boys on the shore so we can recall them at a moment’s notice, just in case that letter from the Baron is bogus.”
Tony recognized the harbor master as he saw him heading this way. “Guess we are going to find out real quick how legit this document is.” Tony inclined his head slightly up the pier. “Here comes ole Pierre LaBoufe and he looks as arrogant as ever.”
Mort nodded, a scowl crossing his face this time. He harbored a specific dislike for the Gallican harbor master. Tony knew it stemmed from a series of run-ins with the weasel, but probably the biggest reason was that LaBoufe had cost Mort his chance at being captain of his own ship many years ago, long before Pierre had become harbor master.
Pierre LaBoufe was a good looking slender man of average height. He had straight, black hair that hung down to his shoulder blades and it was nearly always tied back in a pony tail with a jeweled hair ring. His eyes were green and his roman shaped nose a bit too large for the rest of his face which only enhanced his haughty appearance. His cheekbones were high and his teeth exceptionally clean, white and straight. He generally had a few women following him around, ready to do his bidding at his beck and call. He stopped in front of Tony’s ship and eyed the flag and the newly painted lettering on the hull declaring it was the San Domingo whom everyone had thought had been sunk last year. There was a look of total disbelief at first as he scanned the ship and then his eyes came to rest on Tony and the look of disbelief changed to one of contempt as he realized this was not the ship everyone believed to have been sunk. He knew this ship and loathed its Captain.
He waited for Tony to walk calmly down the gangway and present his papers before he would call on the harbor patrol to arrest the pirate and get him out of Pierre’s way once and for all.
Tony shoved the paper which concerned his pardon that the Baron had drawn up for him into Pierre’s face. “Better take a look at this before you go embarrassing yourself.” Tony crossed his arms, rocking back and forth on his widely spaced feet at the base of his gangplank.
Pierre read the document three times straight through and each time his look of contempt changed slightly until after the third time he looked up at Tony with suspicion. “Where did you get this?”
Tony grinned and held out his hand for it back. Pierre looked at the seal on it again and then finally handed it back to Tony slowly. “Times have changed, my good man!” Tony grinned. “It came from His Majesty as you can well see by his signature there at the bottom.” Tony wasn’t about to tell the man who he had gotten it from directly.
Pierre didn’t look too pleased, especially when he saw Mort glaring down at him from the deck. “How long in port?” Pierre asked, pulling out his notebook and charcoal. He wrote in ‘Krackatowan Razor – Tony the pirate’ and held his hand poised to include the dates.
Tony shrugged.”No idea.” Tony grinned more broadly as Pierre’s scowl deepened even further. “Hey, I think you have the name of the ship wrong, not to mention my name.” Tony pointed at the erroneous entry in Pierre’s harbor logbook. “Scratch that out and put that as ‘Anthony de Cortona’ and the ‘San Domingo’.”
Pierre glared at him. “If you think painting a few hastily painted words is going to disguise that pirate vessel, you are sadly mistaken.” He said hotly.
Tony drew himself up to his full height, inhaling to add mass and ‘leaned’ on Pierre mentally. “If you don’t change that straight away, I will report you to the harbor authorities as falsifying official documents. You think I don’t have back-up around here? How do you think I was cleared of all those false charges against me if I don’t have friends in high places?” Tony glared, waving the document under Pierre’s nose. “Need I remind you that I know a certain nobleman’s wife was…”
“All right!” Pierre snapped and scratched out his first entry and recorded the correct information below it. “How long in port,” he asked again.
Tony looked up thoughtfully, “Not more than two days I should think. Got cargo to deliver on down the coast as well, schedules to keep, you understand?” he grinned good naturedly, thoroughly enjoying irritating LaBoufe.
Pierre made the note next to Tony’s name and closed the book. “You know the harbor rules, though I don’t expect you will follow them.” He said haughtily. “In fact,” Pierre lowered his voice to a growl through gritted teeth, “please do ignore them.”
Tony’s grin widened and he chuckled as Pierre moved on down the pier to log in the Baron’s ship and two others that had pulled in further up the quay.
Tony shot a hand signal to Mort that all was well and sauntered off to the Wild Swan to meet with Sklaw. He spotted him quickly and moved to join him.
“Now what is this plan of yours Sklaw?” he asked after ordering a rather large amount of food that would probably fill three people. It had been a while since he’d had the luxury of a good Inn’s meal and ale and if he finagled it right, he might just stick Sklaw with the bill.
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Post by Firehead on Jan 28, 2011 11:40:10 GMT -5
Sklaw had been waiting all of thirty long minutes, when Tony finally appeared, weaving his way through the tables to join him at the table he'd staked out. The minute Tony was seated, the waiter pounced, asking if they would be ordering now. Sklaw barely contained an eye roll at the man's persistance and waited as Tony ordered enough food to feed the entire group. After the waiter scurried off, Sklaw remarked drily, "Better watch out for poisoning in the food. Somebody might mistake that large order as being for all of us, not just you. That waiter is slightly annoyed with me." Maybe that was an understatement, but who cared?
Tony ignored Sklaw's remark and asked, “Now what is this plan of yours Sklaw?”
Sklaw tipped his head to one side and studied his hands rather closely. "We-ellll,......it's not much of a plan yet. I was thinking that we might be able to work one of the baron's weaknesses against him. Namely the woman angle. I have a friend....who might be able to help us with that. Might being the oprative word of course."
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 28, 2011 12:50:53 GMT -5
Tony’s appetizers arrived within moments along with a tankard of ale. Tony peered into the mug, considering Sklaw’s words and then shrugged and took a long swig, sighing in contentment as he set the mug down. ‘Figures he would alienate the staff in one of the better Inns in this city,’ Tony thought. What Sklaw hadn’t seen was the 5 copper pieces he had palmed the waiter to ensure the man’s best service. The bribe, although not huge, had certainly paid off if the alacrity of the arrival of his first course was any indication. He lathered bread and honey on the rich dark bread and stuffed it in his mouth as Sklaw looked on in disgust. Tony’s mood lightened even further, despite the fact Sklaw was still beating around the bush.
“So I take it this friend might be as irritated with you as yonder waiter?” Tony took another draft of ale and then leaned back in the chair to study Sklaw for a moment. “Not to burst your bubble or anything, but I don’t even know we followed the right ship, you know. Could be the Baron isn’t even here. Seems like the first thing we need to know is if the ‘cargo’ is here or not.” Tony glanced around the room to see if anyone was listening in. He was loath to speak of King Duncan in such a public place since it couldn’t be common knowledge yet that the Araluen King had been abducted. The less the locals knew about the situation the better. Tony scowled for a moment remembering how he’d been duped into this scheme. ‘When I get my hands on her…’ he left the thought unfinished. “As to women, can’t say as I trust any of them at the moment, especially if they are beautiful and smart.”
The waiter plopped down a plate of sliced cheeses of various types and topped off Tony’s ale. “’ow iz ze bread, Zir?” he asked in a Gallican accent. Tony nodded to him. “Excellent, My Good Man! Will it be long before the soup is done?”
“Ze cook iz dishing eet up right now.” The man bowed. “I go an git eet now.” Then the waiter slipped away from the table with a glare at Sklaw.
Tony popped some more of the bread into his mouth with a large chunk of white cheese and chewed. He was trying to figure out what Sklaw had in mind. “A woman might be able to distract them on that ship enough to get a tour and find out if the ‘cargo’ is on board.” Tony mused out loud.
“Or we could capture one of the crew and torture it out of him.” Tony said distastefully. He really had no stomach for such base tactics, but knew that was a viable option. He didn’t think it was a very great option though. They would have to pick the right crew member that would cave in to torture and that knew enough to tell them if the King were on that ship or not. At least Tony’s own crew was keeping an eye on the Baron’s ship, so if they hadn’t already removed the King, then the King could possibly be recovered. If not… again he let the thought trail away.
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Post by Firehead on Feb 1, 2011 14:28:33 GMT -5
“So I take it this friend might be as irritated with you as yonder waiter?”
"Not exactly....more like whether or not she's in port." he choose not to add anything to that.
“Not to burst your bubble or anything, but I don’t even know we followed the right ship, you know. Could be the Baron isn’t even here. Seems like the first thing we need to know is if the ‘cargo’ is here or not. As to women, can’t say as I trust any of them at the moment, especially if they are beautiful and smart.”
"Well, I don't think you'll have much to worry about then. She's an exceptionally rare beauty, and quite intelligent." Sklaw spoke wryly, as the waiter returned. When the waiter departed, Sklaw ignored the glare with a reflection of grim humor, and added. "You don't have to trust her, just keep your hands to yourself unless it's a matter of life and death--she doesn't trust men as far as she can throw them."
He turned away to hide the hint of a smile that had reached the surface at that remembrance, and spotted her as she entered the room. Anyone would have noticed her from the moment she entered the room--she stood out like the most exquisite sapphire would amongst the most dull of jewels. Her black hair was swept back from her face into an elegant bun and set with an embroidered lace hairband of rich blue. She wore a gown similar to that of a woman of royalty; the skirt made of satin, the bodice made of velvet, and its color a rich, deep, royal blue that shimmered in the light. Her chocolate brown eyes scanned the room, and when they found Sklaw, they snapped with annoyance.
Sklaw's hint of a smile rose from the dead, as he watched the waiter approach her and bow low to the ground--as if he really were addressing royalty. The young woman answered him with a cool and, at the same time, haughty look, and the man's jaw dropped open in obvious shock at whatever it was she had said, yet his only reply was to give another sweeping bow and lead her toward their table. As they approached, Sklaw rose from his seat and gave the lady a cordial greeting, acting the perfect gentleman as he assisted her into a chair and made the introductions. "Tony the Razor and assorted other names, meet Catalina Rose. Catalina, meet Tony."
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