Mri
Apprentice Scribe
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Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Jan 13, 2010 17:58:50 GMT -5
Landon quickly made his way through the streets of Hallasholm, looking to buy some green onions. It was highly unfortunate that he'd puked on the fresh batch he'd bought before the trip, forcing him to go so long without tasting their delicious flavor upon his tongue. He was absolutely craving them now and after having given a quick excuse to the captain, he'd hot-tailed his way off that ship before actually hearing the man's response.
He breathed a heavy sigh of relief, exaggerating his actions a great deal, before stepping into the shop and making his way over to the vegetables. He smiled widely at a man as he picked out a fresh batch of the greens, overly delighted to be doing so. But then he felt it, that itch at the back of his neck that signaled he was being watched. He turned around and scanned the shop, frowning as his gaze settled upon a brown figure near the back.
Landon gave a shrug of his shoulders in an attempt to ease his uncomfortableness and then turned back to his shopping. He quickly bought then, shot another look at the man, and hurried out of the shop and back to the docks.
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Post by Firehead on Jan 15, 2010 14:42:55 GMT -5
The port of Skandia's capital bustled with activity, but Sklaw was seeing none of it. His thoughts were far-and-away, and centered on a certain cook. They'd just finished lowering the gang plank, when Landon had come up to him gave an excuse about needing more onions, and hustled away, before Sklaw had been able to say a word.
A heavy hand clapped Sklaw on the back, and he pulled away from his reverie to find that Vick had joined him at the rail. "So, when ya goin' ta see that there administer of the 'red herrings in bales'?"
Sklaw considered his quartermaster thoughtfully for a moment before answering. "Oh, soon enough, I expect." he paused a moment, hesitating over whether to say anything about his misgivings or not. "How does our cook strike you?" he quickly added, "Other than cooking?"
Vick frowned as he thought about Sklaw's odd question. Something had to be on his captain's mind, other than the cook's suitability to his role. He thought back to when Landon had first approached them. Sklaw had given no sign that he didn't mistrust the man, then. Finally, he gave a shake of his head, and answered, "He strikes me as a straight an' honest cook. He ain't given me any reason to think different. Why d'ya ask me this?"
Sklaw gave a careless shrug, and answered nonchalantly. "Oh, no reason. Not specifically. Just wondering, is all." Vick gave another frown, this time aimed at Sklaw. "We been friends a long time now, Sklaw, an' you an' I know each other well enough ta knows that when one of us asks a question like that, right outta th' blue, there's something more's attached to it than we're lettin' on about. Figure it out quick, Sklaw, else I'll be too scared ta to turn my back ta Voyvage fer th' rest 'o th' trip."
Sklaw turned away from the rail. "Sure, sure. Anyhow," he said, switching the subject and raising his voice, so that it carried, "You men can all go ashore for tonight, and have yourselves a time. You've earned it by now. Be forewarned, however, we are in the home port of the Skandian Raiders, so don't get yourselves into any more trouble than you can get out of on your own. Have fun. Don't get too drunk."
He listened and watched as his crew--minus the cook, who hadn't returned yet-- whooped and hollered as they disembarked from the Waveblade. Then he turned to Vick who still stood at his elbow. "Playing guard dog again, Vick?" he asked dryly. Vick gave him a smile, saying, "Ah, there'll be plenty of time ta celebrate later." Sklaw shook his head as he walked to the gang-plank.
"You just want to see if you can't get into another argument with a hulking Skandian Raider like last time."
Vick winced at the memory. "I can promise ya this, Sklaw--I'll keep my moth shut this time. I won't say a word about Skandians being swollen-headed braggarts."
"Oh, that's good. That just means that I won't have to get my head busted, trying to get you out of there. "
The two friends walked down the wharf thus occupied in this manner, paying not the least bit of attention to whomever might be around to hear this old teasing between friends who have gone through much together and who would go through still more, before they were parted by death.
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
:)
Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Jan 15, 2010 15:12:35 GMT -5
Landon made his way to the ship, whistling a jolly tune as he weaved through the crowd, his precious onions gripped tight in his arms. There was no way someone was going to rob him of these. A teenager bumped into him, causing him to scowl at the boy's lack of manners even as he gave a shake of the head and re-pocketed his pouch of coins. You'd think they'd learn a more stealthy approach than accidentally bumping into strangers.
He'd made it there just as the captain was coming down the plank with Vick. Landon gave a wide smile and shifted the bundle of green onions in his arms. "Found me onions." And then a thought occured to him and his face fell into a frown and his shoulders dropped in despair. "We eatin' in town tonight, aren't we cap'ion?"
So much for his freshly, brought green onions. He'd been so used to cooking every meal, he hadn't put much thought into what being in port would mean. He hung his head to hide his sorrow, afraid they might think he was about to cry, which he wasn't. Though he really did love onions. So much for not crying...
Though only a tear or two and his head was hung so they wouldn't see.......
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Post by Firehead on Jan 15, 2010 15:59:42 GMT -5
The two came across Landon as he was returning, clutching in his arms a large bag of onions, and looking as though he would eat anyone who tried to so much as touch them. "Found me onions."
Sklaw raised his eyebrows. "I gather we ran out." he stated. Only half of his mind was on the conversation, however. The other half was in high gear. That doesn't compute. A sea-going cook would know how much he needs to make it to the next port. Although...I didn't exactly tell him where we were going... Perhaps it does make sense.
"We eatin' in town tonight, aren't we cap'ion?" Sklaw jerked his thoughts back to the present. He found that Landon was hanging his head. Vick squinted at the cook. "Are you cryin' over that fact?!" he asked incredulously. Sklaw gave the quartermaster a vigorous elbow to the ribs. To Landon, he said, "Yes. It makes the most sense, really. Saves our supplies for the return trip." He tipped his head to one side, considering his cook. "The two of us were just about to go look up the Oberjarl's administrator. Care to come along?"
Vick turned his squint to Sklaw. What was with the man? Sklaw rarely asked another person besides Vick to accompany him anywhere. Secondly, Sklaw was apparently suspicious of the cook. And now he was asking the man if he wanted to join them on their official business! He could never figure his captain out. Every time he thought he had, Sklaw would promptly prove him wrong.
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
:)
Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Jan 31, 2010 12:58:37 GMT -5
"Are you cryin' over that fact?!"
"Ah course not, sir." The sniffle at the end demolished that lie, but at this point he didn't really care. He wasn't going to be able to cook any green onions for tonight's dinner. That was enough to break any man's heart. How they could be standing before him without a tear was behind his thinking capacity.
"The two of us were just about to go look up the Oberjarl's administrator. Care to come along?"
Landon gave a long, silent look at the ship, then the cargo in his hands, before allowing his shoulders to slump in defeat. Not knowing how long the operation here was going to last, and thus not being able to know how long they were going to be in port, Landon's mind was way too focused on what he was going to do with his green onions to catch Vick's squint at the captain. He figured he could order soup and simply flavor it himself...as long as nothing happened to them beforehand, but since he did have a duty to complete, he didn't see that as an actual possibility. With his luck, they'd be useless within the next few hours.
He turned his gaze back on the two sailors and with a slumped sigh, nodded. "Aye sir."
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Post by Firehead on Feb 19, 2010 10:46:26 GMT -5
The threesome didn't have much trouble in discovering the Administrator's whereabouts, and were soon discussing business, after they'd had dinner, of course.
"Ah, yes, the herrings! Yes, we've been waiting for some time now for someone to come pick them up. So you're the one, eh?" the administrator studied Sklaw with something close to amusement in his eyes. "Well, it's about time you got here, then, isn't it?"
"I suppose so." agreed Sklaw, sipping from his tankard.
The administrator waited a moment for Sklaw to continue, but when it became apparent that Sklaw had said all that he wanted to say, the man continued. "Well, we can load any time you want, though I would personally wait for tomorrow to begin. The barrels are in one of the warehouses by the wharves, and I have a key for it.... Hmmmmm."
Sklaw looked casually at the administrator, and followed his gaze to the front of the room, where he saw Vick and another Skandian glaring at each other in mutual dislike. Sklaw really wouldn't have intervened-- probably would have enjoyed watching the fight that was sure to break out-- if it hadn't been for the size of the Skandian involved.
The man was a giant, even for a Skandian, and while Vick was quite easily one of the strongest men on the Waveblade, the man who loomed over Vick--who was also on the tall side--was muscled over like a bear. An angry, short-tempered bear.
So Sklaw stood, stretched, and with a murmured "Excuse me a moment", glided to the front of the room. He stepped in between Vick and the giant Skandian, and spoke directly to Vick. "Vick?" When the quartermaster shifted his gaze to him Sklaw said, "Trust me." and threw a short, hard, punch, hitting Vick squarely on the jaw. Vick sank to the floor like an empty sack, and Sklaw turned to the Skandian.
The Skandian glared at Sklaw. "We were just starting to warm up." he growled. Sklaw gazed calmly back, blowing lightly on his knuckles, before dropping his hand to his side.
"I'm sure you were, but I prefer my quartermaster in one piece, thank-you. And for making me do that--." he left the rest unsaid as he unwound a punch to the big man's stomach, throwing all his weight behind it, and leaving the Skandian doubled over gasping for breath. A second punch struck the man on the underside of his jaw, effectively straightening him and sending him crashing to the ground on his back.
Sklaw turned away. "It only seemed fair." he remarked, mildly. He ignored Vick, who was climbing to his feet and complaining vigorously, and walked back to the table that he had previously abandoned. Vick joined them, rubbing his jaw and silent now. A look to the front of the room confirmed that the Skandian had also regained his feet.
"My apologies for the interruption, sirs."
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
:)
Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Apr 8, 2010 8:51:11 GMT -5
Landon watched the interruption with a straight face despite his dislike for violence. Really, he had to wonder why he chose this profession, or rather, why he'd decided to take that rotten bet in the first place. But alas, he had and so now here he was in a room of giant Skandians and two equal fighting seamen, praying that no blood would be shed before the deal was struck. As soon as it was, he could signal the others to start closing in on Sklaw's band and his role would no longer be necessary. Of course, he'd just be shipped to another mission, but still... He frowned ever so slightly on the outside, knowing that it was only going to be an endless cycle until he died or quit.
He wouldn't mind quitting after this one, maybe travelling the countryside as an actual bard instead of just pretending. He'd travel all across world, making sure to keep his face hidden from the places where he'd captured criminals and the like. Though he wouldn't mind visiting that lass in Toscano again. It was a shame he didn't know her name though; only her profession. A dressmaker and a beautiful one at that.
He slowly began to drift into his daydream, before the present caught back up to him and with a sigh, he turned his thoughts back on the man he was supposed to be 'kidnapping' into the King's service. Though he doubted King Duncan would like the word 'kidnapping' to describe this particular mission, but as for Landon, he kind of liked the sound of it. A childish grin swept across his features before he could help it and though he quickly tried to wipe it off his face, the Skandian that Sklaw had just taken down caught it and obviously thought Landon was insulting him.
Oh hot pokers and blackened coal.
After giving the man a weak smile, that he hoped contributed to saving his hide instead of ending it, he prayed that this meeting would go over quickly so he could hurry up and scadaddle.
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Post by Firehead on Jul 23, 2010 10:57:31 GMT -5
The meeting adjorned sometime later, well after midnight, after the haggling finally ended with the settlement on a price high than Sklaw would have liked. But then, it wasn't so bad, he decided, since he was also paying less than the Administrator would have prefered. They parted with a shaking of hands, and an agreement to begin the loading of the cargo tomorrow-- or today, if you were technical about it.
Vick parted ways with them near the docks, on Sklaw's orders to go round up any stragglers in the crew, and Sklaw headed for the ship with the idea of a good restful sleep before the day started. Making his way toward the Waveblade's gangplank, he glanced over his shoulder asking, "How are the supplies running, Cookie? Low on anything?"
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
:)
Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Oct 14, 2010 7:54:04 GMT -5
Landon was quick to exit the room as soon as the haggling ending in a compromise. And remembering that animals were threatened with direct eye contact, he was sure to keep his away from the giant Skandian. Despite his skill with a meat cleaver, he doubted he'd stand up for long fighting this chuck of meat. The stars were out in full numbers tonight and he couldn't help looking up freezing in awe. Inside the doorway. Right in front of the gunning Skandian. His breath left him in a rush as he staggered forth a few steps before righting himself. He turned quickly, rounding up on his toes, to see the glaring eyes of the man. Oh crud, oh crud, oh crud. Landon's throat dried quick as a cactus and even when the man just shoved past him, it stayed sticky as a summer's day. All this work really was going to kill him some day. Retirement seemed very well like a good idea. Pity he had three more years til his agreement was over. Blast his sneaky, little sister. Breathing out a sigh of great relief when Vick and Sklaw came out, he tagged along with them before splitting up with Sklaw. "How are the supplies running, Cookie? Low on anything?"It took Landon a second to realize he was talking to him. Cookie? Then he shrugged. It was kind of fitting, though Onion would've been better. At least that way not everyone wanted to eat him...His eyes glared over into a kind of pout. "Just onions, cap'ion. I'll have ta get some on the way before we leave. When will that be?" ~ * ~ He was dressed in three different shades of brown: shoes the darkest, shirt more of a lightest tan, and pants a plain brown. He never was one for a lot of necessities nor of that fancy garbage foreigners and high-courts liked to wear. Plain and simple - easy to move around in and harder to snag. An axe was belted at his waist, never sheathed and ready to draw on the fly. His eyes black and that of an angry man. He knew that blasted onion lover and though, he knew him by something other than Landon, he'd never encountered someone who loved onions as much as that guy. So when Landon left, the man left as well. Silently stalking him until his chance to strike was in good light with the heavens.
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Post by Firehead on Nov 3, 2010 8:50:40 GMT -5
"Just onions, cap'ion. I'll have ta get some on the way before we leave. When will that be?"
"No later than the day after tomorrow." Sklaw stretched slowly and cracked a yawn. "Alright Voyvage, go and fetch your onions." He flipped his last gold crown toward Landon and turned away, heading for the ship. He had just crossed the gangway, when the realization of what Landon had said finally sank in. Had Cookie said onions?
Blinking, Sklaw stood stock still where he was. "I thought he already got onions?" now frowning, SKlaw headed toward the galley with a purposeful stride. Yes, he distinctly remembered Landon coming back from wherever with a large sack in his hands and saying, "I got me onions." Sklaw reached the galley and looked around. It didn't take him long to spot the onions, thanks to Landon's organizational skills.
Sklaw frowned at the onions a moment, then spun on his heel and stormed topside. The ship was still relatively empty of crew, Vick not being back yet, but that didn't deter Sklaw from starting out after Landon. Sklaw forwent the gangway, taking a loose line and swinging to the dock by it, and setting off in pursuit of his errant cook.
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
:)
Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Nov 24, 2010 13:38:59 GMT -5
Landon took the back alleys on his way back to the shop, trying to stay out of an burly Skandians' way, and when he arrived his lips sunk into a frown. But of course, what shop would be open at this hour? Still though, he wanted those onions...maybe if he knocked load enough the shop owner would let him in. He did after all, live above his shop so it wouldn't be that hard to wake him. But then, it would be rude to wake someone at this time of night and he could always come back tomorrow...
Puzzling over what he wanted to do, his lips had pulled to the side and his eyebrows had come together in thought.
"Frankie!"
Landon's blood ran cold at the heavy, deep-pitched voice. And then the image of the shop flashed into his mind. He hadn't recognized the man because it'd been three years since he'd last set eyes on him and the guy was as plain as a well-disguised spy.
Landon muttered under his breath, "Cookie-eaters," as he turned around to face an old adversary. His choice of words brought a small smile to his face, but it was quickly replaced when he caught the look of the man facing him.
"Hey, Span! How's it going?" He tried going for a friendly greeting. It didn't work.
"Frankie, you bastard! You left us to hang!" He started to charge, his face contorted into an ugly rage.
Landon backed up with his hands raised in surrender. "You seemed to have slipped out of it well enough."
Span swung his hatchet in a rage, forcing Landon to duck and backpedal a few more steps before stepping to the side. Best not to get his back to a wall, best to keep circling and buy himself some more time.
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Post by Firehead on Feb 1, 2011 15:00:53 GMT -5
Sklaw turned the corner and halted, wondering where Landon would head now. Toward the store? Probably. Sklaw started in that direction, purpose and determination in his stride.
As he neared the location, his ears caught the sound of metal striking stone--rather violently, too, if he was hearing it right. Stepping around the courner, he spotted the trouble....and his cook. Who was in trouble. Backed up against the wall with a man weilding an ax threatening him. "Oh wonderful." he muttered to himself. Speaking louder, he demanded iratably, "Oy, leave my cook alone, will you? He's the only one I got, and if you kill him my crew will mutiny, an I doubt highly that you can take his place! So kindly back off!" he ended with a growl, placing a hand on his sword.
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
:)
Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Aug 16, 2011 1:43:38 GMT -5
"Oy, leave my cook alone, will you? He's the only one I got, and if you kill him my crew will mutiny, an I doubt highly that you can take his place! So kindly back off!
Ah, such joyous words to his ears. But obviously not to Span's as his axe lurched once more towards him, forcing Landon to duck beneath its blade. The close breadth of it threw him into slight shock and he stumbled to his knees without time to regain his balance to dodge the next strike. Fortunately, however, his sister had drilled him viciously - allowing his body to react way quicker than his mind and he dropped into a roll before coming back up on his feet.
"You heard him Span - you kill me and you'll die by a thousand swords!" Okay, a slight exaggeration given the actual number of crew members, but an exaggeration of one's enemy's potential enemies was always a good idea if it saved your life.
Jump back to avoid spilling out his insides.
"They'll peel your skin off layer by layer!"
Sidestep to the right so he could keep his left arm.
"And use it to bind their books!"
He wondered briefly how many of them were actually literate before dodging the next sweep of Span's axe.
"Before roasting your muscles over a fire!"
He snapped a foot out as his opponent raised his weapon high above his head - leaving his entire body wide open for attack - and nailed him right in the nose, forcing Span to drop his axe arm, bring his other hand up to cover his nose, and stagger backwards.
"You ma'e meh bleedh yee filxy dog!"
Oh dear. Landon teetered side to side at the sight of blood, his world tilting first one way and then the other.
"Captain? I think dis plane's goin' done. May-day. May-day."
He always did talk such nonsense right before he fainted.
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Post by Firehead on Sept 27, 2011 10:06:14 GMT -5
The man with the axe charged at Landon, ignoring Sklaw's warning, and Sklaw gave a brief shake of his head at the man's refusal to listen to common sense. Moving quickly, he stepped forward, drawing his sword as he did so, and slammed the hilt into the back of the man's head. It was easy, since the man had been totally focused on killing the cook. The man slumped to the ground at Sklaw's feet, and Sklaw stepped back a pace, sheathing his sword. A glance at Landon, told Sklaw that Landon would be of no help on the return trip. With a sigh, Sklaw stepped over the unconscious stranger's body and knelt down to pick up Landon. He packed him out of the alley over one shoulder, leaving his sword hand free to fight if need be.
Vick was ushering the last of the sailors onto the Waveblade when Sklaw returned with their wayward cook. Vick gave Sklaw a questioning look, but Sklaw ignored it, and went past him up the gangplank. He took Landon down into the hold where the galley was, and laid him out in his bunk. Then he straightened and stared down at the lanky fellow. After a moment, he shook his head and turned away. "Some cook." he muttered to himself. "a decent fighter, but he faints at the sight of blood."
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Mri
Apprentice Scribe
:)
Posts: 207
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Post by Mri on Feb 17, 2012 20:48:03 GMT -5
Landon woke with a groan as his stomach still contained that sickly feeling, then shot bolt upright in alarm.
Banana peels and charging elephants!
He was on the blasted ship again! And by the wobbling of the floorboards, it was taking sail.
Grilled onions and potato salad!
Noah was going to kill him - flatten his hide through a stampede, roast him like a stuck pig, wring him through a manger, let him drown at sea, and all sorts of other sickly things. He was going to be sick again.
No, no, wait. Maybe they weren't that far out yet. Maybe he could jump overboard and swim to shore. Would they even turn around for him? But he was already out the door and running to the deck, not even bothering to really think on it in his hurry. He was a deadman if he didn't find some way to turn this ship around.
He skidded across the deck to the railing, but before he made the fatal mistake of jumping overboard he hesistated. He didn't know how to swim... Too late.
He twisted in the air, arms flailing in a desperate attempt to grab a hold of the railing. His right hand latched on and in his relief, he accidentally relaxed his hold. Horror struck across his face before he realized his left hand had caught on seconds after the right, leaving him hanging off the side. He gripped it for all it was worth.
"HELP!'
Huh, when did they get a woman on board?
But then he realized that scream had come from him and then he really did want to let go. It was probably a better idea anyway with Noah waiting to get his hands on him for botching up his latest mission. He was supposed to have contacted them right after the meeting so they could "kidnap" Sklaw before he boarded.
He looked at the feeble, yet strong grip holding him alive - and let his pinkie go.
On the other hand, he could always find a way to get word back to Noah (maybe a message in a bottle?) with a change of plans...
He put his pinkie back on.
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