Kirra
Noble
Kirra Okunote - Queen's Rider Nadia Konnors - Rogue, Spy
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.
Posts: 116
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Post by Kirra on May 21, 2006 23:18:51 GMT -5
Kirra was out on the deck when the storm hit. Minutes before she had gazed upon the bright blue sky, in wonderment of the astonishing beauty. Kirra could hardly believe that now, with the wind whipping around, the waves like large hills (with more than a passing resemblance to small mountains), and the utterly miserable pelting rain. Indeed, the entire storm was utterly miserable.
Yet instead of being on land and inside, like any sensible person was, they were on a ship full of Tortallan delegates in the middle of the ocean heading to the Yamani Isles.
As soon as the storm had hit, Kirra was thrown accross the deck without any warning, and as any reasonable person would do, she latched onto the nearest thing that was attached to the ship. In this case, it happened to be a mast. High above her, Kirra saw Rhianna, who looked like she was currently trying to untangle some lines. Kirra cursed at some people's seemingly idiotic "bravery" as she looked around the ship to see what could be done.
Claw was now trying to hold the ship together with magic, or at least that was what he looked to be doing. Rose soon went to help, but it wasn't long before he was hurtled overboard.
Kirra had the same words appear in her mind as Jazz yelled out. "Idiot! Gods-cursed imbecilic idiot!"
What was Claw doing wearing full armor? In a storm? Kirra was still clutching the mast, shaken by one of the other masts falling when she saw both Jazz and Rose go into the water after Claw. Great. Now there was no one to hold the ship together.
Kirra couldn't help with that, but she could try to help steer it so it didn't fall apart at the seams. Steeling herself to let go, Kirra got ready to sprint to the wheel. As soon as she let go, Kirra pushed off and started sprinting, or rather, slipping and sliding, towards the wheel. Flinching as an icy wave hit them, then slipping as the ship accelerated downwards into the trough.
Cursing, she reached the wheel and saw that someone, or rather, two people were already there. The commander of the King's Own, and someone she didn't know. Kirra shrugged, it didn't matter as long as long as they helped, but Kirra had a nasty feeling it was the Queen of the Rogue.
Kirra had to yell in order to be heard over the tempest. "Need any help?" Without waiting for an answer, she joined the fight to keep the ship from overturning, until the commander of the King's Own requested a compass and a map.
Letting go, Kirra again traversed the ship to the one place she knew it would be. The navigation room. Grabbing a compass and a map, handily a waterproof one covered in an oil based coating, she tried a quick reading on them, trying to find their position. Unfortuanately, it was pratically impossible, since they had almost no bearing. Still, she slipped and slid back to the wheel and pinned both the map and compass down on a nearby table that was attached to the ship.
Kirra yelled back to the commander, "Here!" before seeing Claw and another girl start climbing up the mast to Rhianna. Kirra cursed under her breath, muttering "Idiots." Especially Claw. Didn't he know that lightning was attracted to metal? And even more so to high places. Claw would be a main target until he got down.
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Avelia
Noble
Avelia Sarael - Rogue Queen, Assassin
.:Inside my heart is breaking/My makeup may be flaking/But my smile still stays on:.
Posts: 69
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Post by Avelia on May 22, 2006 9:41:29 GMT -5
It wasn't often that Avelia accepted help from anyone, let alone a person of greater authority. But she wasn't a sailor, that was for sure, and she knew when to give in. Relinquishing her hold on the wheel with relief, she settled for watching the Knight Commander, considerably stronger, take control of the wheel. He could keep the ship steadier than she could and she was ready to accept it.
The slight panic in his voice was scarcely detectable, such that Avelia thought she had imagined it.
"I need a map and compass here, quick!"
Instantly she reacted, retrieving an old, battered compass from her pocket and handing it to him. Map... she thought. Where had she seen one? Downstairs, in the scullery. She couldn't think why a map would be useful- they were nowhere near land. But he doubtless knew infinitely more about navigation than she did and she hurried to comply.
The boat was less inclined to lurch from side to side with the Commander's newly gained control over the boat, however the slipperiness of the deck was still a major barrier. She almost lost her balance once, careening into a sharp edged crate.
The map was where she had last seen it, lying innocently on a table. She grabbed it, and returned to deck. As she reached the Commander she unrolled the parchment, placing it beside him. All around her the ship was chaotic- some girl she didn't know foolishly perching herself upon a mast, Claw up to his usual antics and Rose and Jazz following him blindly.
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Rose
Noble
Roseanna of Castlemaine - King's Champion, Knight, Mage
Posts: 231
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Post by Rose on May 22, 2006 10:23:59 GMT -5
"Am I insane? This armour stopped me from shattering most of ribs in my cabin. And I was helping! I can get out of situations like these! But you've left Rhianna on a mast! IN A STORM! WITH LIGHTNING!
Rose's eyes widened. What king of knightmistress was she?!Not even bothering to acknowledge the sting of Claw's voice, she barreled after them towards the ship. When she got to the ship, she pulled herself up, following Jazz. Jazz had been quiet, but Rose didn't say anything. There was to much to concentrate on at the moment. As her feet found solid ground, she tried casting her magic over the ship as a net. It glowed briefly in her hand, then died out completely.
"DAMPENING SPELLS?! Goddess curse it!!"she shouted.
Now she glanced up to where her squire was. Rhianna was still on the mast, with her foot tangled in ropes. Kaidreni and Claw were now ascending the mast, both trying to get to her. Rose prepared to shape into a bird then scolded herself for being stupid.
Thats suicide! You'd be blown away and then where would that leave you?!
She ran to the mast where Rhianna was caught, shouting furiously at herself for diving into the water when Jazz had been perfectly capable of handling the situation herself.
Glancing around quickly, she noticed that Avelia had appeared from nowhere and that she and the Knight Commander of the Kings Own now had control of the ship. And Kirra was there helping also.
Good, at least someone is steering us along. she thought, turning her attention back to Claw, Kaidreni, and Rhianna.
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Post by Jazz on May 22, 2006 10:34:32 GMT -5
"Kaidreni, come here!" she called up to the girl who, Jazz was sure of it, was ignoring her. Sighing in frustration, she turned to the small group of people that remained in front of her. Everyone else had hurried to perform the task she'd assign to them, as it was a pretty situation and Jazz seemed to know what she was talking about. The people assembled in front of her were mages, of assorted types and strengths, but mages nonetheless. She pushed her soaking wet hair out of her eyes and shouted to be heard over the howling storm.
"Right. Listen up," she said, struggling to mantain her calm demeanor. "I think this is a natural storm, but there are dampnening spells embedded in it. You lot, over here-" Jasmin pointed to a little over half the group - "Will get to work on lifting them. Resa know how, she'll show you. You lot-" here she gestured to the others "-will perform spells to protect and keep the ship together, as well as forming a barrier against them storm. If you are in the dark, get a more experienced mage to help you, or simply give you power. Oh, and tell Kaidreni what to do when she gets here. Clear?"
There were murmers of agreement among the group as they rushed off to their givn tasks. Her orders seemed perfectly reasonable, even if ordering around older, higher ranked people was speaking out of station. All Jazz really cared about at that moment was keeping the ship safe. As they scurried off, Jasminai ran (if that is even applicable, in the situation), or tried to run to the other side of the ship. "Avelia, Sir Wayne, Kirra," she said, stopping briefly, not bothering to question the Rogue's presence, "Map's no use. We need to head roughly nor-northeast, from calculation before the storm. I have no idea how much we've been blown off-course, though. Still, map's no use. You've got everything under control here?"
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Lirael
Noble
Lirael Charter - Seer Una Cimmaron - Rogue (Thief) Kaidreni of Hollyrose - Music Mage Katya of Carmine Tower - Healer
Posts: 204
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Post by Lirael on May 22, 2006 11:04:28 GMT -5
Kai saw sparks of magic from the deck. So they were doing magic down there. She supposed if they were doing what they were told, she should too. Even though she was convinced that she would be better with magic up there. Her feet moved her fast down the rigging, she took care not to wind her leg into the rope even though it felt safer that way. She did not want to get stuck. She last bit she slid- because the rope was so wet that she could not get a firm grip on it. She finally landed on her back on the deck. It hurt badly, but Kai was glad that it was not badly hurt. She scrambled along the deck, stopping when she reached the group of esembled mages. Wondering if any one of them had ever performed weather magic before. She reached for her flute, she didn't exactly know what to do- all of the others seemed to have the gift, but Kai had no magic like that. What she usually had was a trial and error kind of magic, but she supposed it would have to do. She sat on a piece of deck that was not as wet as the rest. It was not ideal, but it was probably the best place to sit. She blew into the flute, warming up her instrument befor she played, then began a slow tune, reflecting the dismal weather. Some of the other mages gave her strange looks, as if to say 'she's playing flute at a time like this?'
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Wayne
Noble
Wayne of Malorie's Peak - Knight Commander Meredith of Malorie's Peak - Priestess, Healer, Mage Garrett of Eldorne/Flynn Leilani - Noble, Spy, Rogue, Blacksmith
Posts: 81
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Post by Wayne on May 22, 2006 15:23:00 GMT -5
Wayne was absorbed in his thoughts and didn't notice the map and compass next to him. Still clutching the wheel tight, he looked down at the map and compass. According to the compass, they were headed the wrong way, roughly southeast. With the wind blowing west, they were probably blown southwest, off their course. And according to the map, they were getting blown towards the Copper Isles instead of the Yamani Islands.
Wayne looked up and couldn't see a thing with all the water and wind whirling around. He cursed and muttered, "By Mithros, I hope this storm lets up."
As he looked up, he found Jasminai nearby shouting out to him, 'Map's no use. We need to head roughly nor-northeast, from calculation before the storm. I have no idea how much we've been blown off-course, though. Still, map's no use. You've got everything under control here?'
"Everything's under control, Jazz," Wayne managed to shout back. "Northeast, it is. At this rate, we'll be at the Copper Isles by the end of tomorrow if the storm continues. Are your mages fine? We're counting on them," Wayne yelled grimly, while turning the ship, attempting to go against the wind towards the northeast, constantly checking the compass.
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Rose
Noble
Roseanna of Castlemaine - King's Champion, Knight, Mage
Posts: 231
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Post by Rose on May 22, 2006 18:20:07 GMT -5
Rose bit her lip, torn between what to do. Rhianna, her squire, was caught in the ropes halfway up on one of the ships mast. In the middle of a storm. Claw had already climbed up to help her, and Rose had tried to magic the mast so that it couldn't be damaged, but for some reason there were Dampening Spells in the storm. For the first time in her career as a knight, she was truly frightened. She'd hadn't been frightened at Masbolle. Sure, she'd been concerned and worried about her friends, but not frightened. Suddenly Jazz's voice cut through the wind, the rain, and the growling thunder. She was surrounded by a group of people.
"Right. Listen up, I think this is a natural storm, but there are dampnening spells embedded in it. You lot, over here-" Jasmin pointed to a little over half the group - "Will get to work on lifting them. Resa know how, she'll show you. You lot-"-will perform spells to protect and keep the ship together, as well as forming a barrier against them storm. If you are in the dark, get a more experienced mage to help you, or simply give you power. Oh, and tell Kaidreni what to do when she gets here. Clear?"
Rose glanced over as the group seperated, half to go to work on lifting the dampening spells, half to to protect and keep the ship together. Where should she be? She'd work from here.
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Avelia
Noble
Avelia Sarael - Rogue Queen, Assassin
.:Inside my heart is breaking/My makeup may be flaking/But my smile still stays on:.
Posts: 69
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Post by Avelia on May 23, 2006 3:36:26 GMT -5
Avelia glanced at the map, wondering how the Commander could hope to use such a thing. Orienteering seemed far easier on ground, not that it had ever been one of her strong points anyway. Jazz said something about the uselessness of the map, and the need to go northeast. The Commander replied with something about everything being under control, and Avelia couldn't help but laugh.
"Under control? We're about as in control of this gods-forsaken boat than you're in control of the sun rising each day," she pointed out, unhelpfully. The compass the Commander held in his hand wavered with each jolt of the ship. A dark patch on the map she'd retrieved caught her eye. A quick scan over to the left, to the legend, caused her eyes to go wide. "I think we might just have a problem. Turn left! LEFT!" she yelled, backing up her words with a tremendous pull on the wheel that wasn't as effectual as she'd liked.
She could see the rocks now, rising out of the water like the sharp, jagged teeth of a terrifying sea monster from some sailor's tale. The waves crashed around them, sending white froth into the air. And the boat was set on a steady course straight for them. She estimated about thirty metres to go until the hull rammed into the rock and the boat splintered. With renewed vigour she tugged at the wheel, cursing the storm, Tortall, the boat and Mithros very audibly. The boat veered slightly to the side. Avelia was sceptical that the mages' spells would hold the boat together in the event of a collision. At this rate it'd only be the side of the ship that caught on the rocks, she thought sourly.
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Post by Claw on May 23, 2006 9:58:21 GMT -5
Claw continued climbing, oblivious to the deck below. Rhianna was just above him now, and he was about to reach her when insticnt told him to look left. He did so, and saw nothing but storm clouds... and a light growing in one, crackling. He froze momentarily, torn between the sensible decision and the suicidal decision. He chose (suprise suprise) the suicidal option, and scrambled up the last few rungs, making a grab for her leg, throwing himself up. His fingers clutched empty air and he fell backwards, arm still outstretched.
Time seemed to slow as the situation span out of control. He was falling through cold air, eyes still locked on Rhianna as a streak of lightning hit the mast below her, which instantly burst into flame. He was suprised she hadn't been hit but found himself yelling all the same, as time seemed to speed itself back up again. He slammed to the deck with force next to Jazz, smashing through the wood and finding himself in the hold.
As he lay there he felt a curious sensation of calm sweep over him. Admittedly the mast was on fire, and someones life in danger. Actually, why was he calm? His spine felt broken, and he generally felt like he was in incredible pain. But despite this he seemed to float... oh wait.. he was just blacking out.
"Crud."
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Rose
Noble
Roseanna of Castlemaine - King's Champion, Knight, Mage
Posts: 231
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Post by Rose on May 23, 2006 10:19:07 GMT -5
A low rumble of thunder took Rose out of her meditative state, which she was using to try to kill the dampening spells. Her eyes snapped open and as they did she says a streak of lightning hit the mast just below Rhianna and just above Claw, causing Claw to fall from the mast.
Rose watched in horror as time seemed to slow down and Claw came crashing to the deck right next to Jazz and actually went through to the hold. Rose winced, and hoped that the armor had saved his life.
"Jazz! See to Claw!" she yelled over the wind, though she knew Jazz wouldn't need to be told.
Maybe it is a good idea that he put that armor on she thought.
She turned her attention back to Rhianna, nobody was left up there to help her. She glared at the storm, grabbed two lengths of rope, and ran to the mast. This was her duty as Rhianna's knightmistress, not anybody else's. She grabbed a rung and started climbing quickly, the wind and the rain being very big impediments in her climb. She had to get to Rhianna! She couldn't let anything get to her.
Rhianna, use your belt knife! Quick! she yelled silently at her squire as she reached the part where the fire was. She tied the rope to the mast and then tied the other end around her waist.
I hope this works. she thought.
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Post by Jazz on May 23, 2006 12:20:09 GMT -5
"Everything's under control, Jazz. Northeast, it is. At this rate, we'll be at the Copper Isles by the end of tomorrow if the storm continues. Are your mages fine? We're counting on them."
"Yes, the mages are getting to work. Unfortuanetly, this d**ned stormed doesn't look like it's letting up. The Copper Isles, you say? That might not be so much of a bad idea. Look, if the ship proves impossible to steer, head for the Copper Isles, okay? We'll be able to wait the storm out, then." Jazz shook her head, concern and worry in her eyes. She stood a little straighter, seemed a bit more alert. Someone had to take charge. Someone had to keep things going. And it looked like it ws going to be her. She sighed, running her hand through her hair. She didn't need this. Her injuries - from the storm, and her hurriedly healed ribs - screamed at her, but she had to see this through. She had to ma-
Jazz jolted as lightening struck, and she ship gave a sudden lurch. Jazz grabbed hold onto a rope to stop herself from falling over, but she didn't miss a familiar shape crash through the deck... Although Jazz didn't hear Rose's call of "Jazz! See to Claw!", she didn't need to be told. For a moment she hesitated, torn between keeping things running, and rushing to Claw's aid. "Avelia, you keep things going. You're good at that. Please? I'll be quick."
She didn't know Avelia all that well, but Jasmin thought that she was someone that didn't like being told what to do. But when situations like these happened, it was all she could do not to give a direct order. She did have complete faith in Avelia, if she chose to help; if she was capable of ruling the Tortallan Rogue, she was wonderful at taking control.
Peering down through the newly made hole, Jasmin jumped down into the hold, against the protest of her sore body. And there was Claw, lying on the floor and almost unconscious. Cursing, she ran to and knelt by him. He had a weak spine already, by the Goddess. It was probably broken. "C'mon, don't faint on us now," she pleaded. He was one of their strongest mages, they needed him... "Can you sit?" She didn't like this. She wasn't a mage, not that that would mean anything in the conditions. But she hated feeling so helpless...
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Post by Sapphire on May 23, 2006 13:38:28 GMT -5
Sapphire rushed onto the deck looking flustered.T his storm was awful. "Gods, I am so sorry..........cabin......blocked....door....crate...you know. What's happening?" She listened carefully as a mage gave her a quick recount on the past events. "Oh. Ok Kai, stop whatever you are doing and come here and listen to me." She knew it was probably unfair to shout at the girl, but this was a rather stressful situation.
Jazz, I need you to help me okay? Where are you?[/color] she mentally asked her friend, before turning to the mage. "Just keep me steady and don't let me lose consentration. And Kai, I need you to sing the following notes," She sang a few notes, carefully consentrating on not letting the magic of her voice to effect anyone. "Just consentrate on your gift, you can do it OK?"
Sapphire inhaled a sharp breath, 'right now my job,' she thought, running her fingers through her dark curls. "I am going to lift whatever magic that is on the storm, then I need Kai to sing those notes and it will calm the storm. I hope."
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Post by Jazz on May 23, 2006 14:01:01 GMT -5
Jazz, I need you to help me okay? Where are you?
Fhire! There you are! I was wondering... Jasminai felt almost feint with relief as her best friend made contact with her. At the back of her mind, there'd been that niggling suspicion that Fhire was in danger... But she seemed to be fine, as far as the situation allowed. Sapphire was full of energy, and ready to go as always. I'm in the hold. Claw fell through... She sighed.
I've given my instructions to the mages. One group in working on lifting the dampening spells, the others are working on a weather spell. You're the most advanced mage available, so you'll have to take charge of them. I can't exactly help you now, though... She turned her attention back to the nearly-unconsious Claw, her frown deepening.
[REALLY SHORT. Not much to work with, no reply from Claw]
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Post by Sapphire on May 23, 2006 14:14:04 GMT -5
Sapphire shook her head and frowned. She needed Jazz. Desperately. Her head started swimming and she clasped a hand to her forehead. 'Focus,' she told herself, shaking the dizzyness from her mind.
"It's okay, I guess. I need someones help. And tell the mages who are lifting the dampening spells to stop. It inerferes with my magic and I need to concentrate. Please? I am going to lift the spell, but then i need them to take over so that I can help Kai. Driving off this storm is going to tire both of us out and she needs the help. Is that okay?" as she mindspoke this to Jazz she shivvered in anticipation. She loved using her gift. It made her feel powrful and it calmed her down. It was the place she felt most at home and she adored that feeling of comfort. She slowly started to hum and sing her warmup excersises, they made it easier to consentrate and that was vital.
"Just hurry up okay. And get Claw feeling better okay?"
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Wayne
Noble
Wayne of Malorie's Peak - Knight Commander Meredith of Malorie's Peak - Priestess, Healer, Mage Garrett of Eldorne/Flynn Leilani - Noble, Spy, Rogue, Blacksmith
Posts: 81
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Post by Wayne on May 23, 2006 14:44:03 GMT -5
"Under control? We're about as in control of this gods-forsaken boat than you're in control of the sun rising each day," Avelia pointed out, unhelpfully. The compass the Commander held in his hand wavered with each jolt of the ship. A dark patch on the map she'd retrieved caught her eye. A quick scan over to the left, to the legend, caused her eyes to go wide. "I think we might just have a problem. Turn left! LEFT!" she yelled, backing up her words with a tremendous pull on the wheel that wasn't as effectual as she'd liked.
Wayne helped Avelia turn the ship and thanked her for warning him. He turned just in time to learn of Jazz's orders on heading towards the Copper Isles. He grimaced and thought. If they headed for the Copper Isles and waited out the strom, they may be safer than if they headed straight towards the Yamani Islands. However, they would arrive at Yamani late, and that would be bad for the negotiations, which were important. So, Wayne thought, Shall I help the people aboard the ship, or help my country?
The only way heading towards Yamani would be a good thing was if the mages successfully threw off the storm and the dampening spells within the next few hours, or sailing for the Yamani Islands would be suicide. After more consulting with himself, he swore loudly, forgetting the woman nearby, and decided grimly to head for the Yamani Islands. He had faith in these mages, and he hoped his faith wasn't kept in vain.
Wayne spun the wheel towards the northeast, keeping of as firm of a grip as possible, now more determined and resolute.
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