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Post by Flax on Apr 27, 2008 22:42:29 GMT -5
The young woman had docked just a few moments ago and she was already halfway through the small town. Pulling her cloak tighter around her, she slid into a shadowy alleyway that would bring her directly to her destination. Nevertheless she took the time needed to inspect her surroundings. The look of disgust on her face was not suprising at all, compared to the other towns of the Kytonian Iles, Ulios was falling a part. The wooden town had once been the main port of the Iles, that was until Kytonia was built on the other side of the main island. Commerce had suddenly shifted to the new city and Ulios had slowly sank to this sorry state. The dirt roads were laden with thrash and the building who had not collapsed were a jumbled mess of patchwork. The woman finally entered in one of the largest of these buildings.
The alehouse's interior was not much better than its exterior. The roof was a cobbled mess of different materials, the floor creaked with every step that didn't outright break through it and old beams of wood held the whole thing together. Without looking at the other patrons and with careful light steps, the cloaked woman took a seat the table the furthest away from the door with her back to the wall. The keeper of this forsaken place grunted and called out to her. Irrated, she went to him, dropped a piece of silver in his palm and took the empty mug he had just taken out. His dumbfounded look soon attracted the attention of almost everyone present in the room and their greedy eyes followed her. Their thoughts were interrupted when one of the drunkards placed his hand firmly on her shoulder.
She tried to shake him off, but he would not budge. She wheeled around and glared at him as is he was inconsequential. Indeed, the man did not look like much, he looked the part of a warrior well passed his prime, his dark hair already turning white, and by the smell of ale emanating from him, he had surely passed the day dreaming of lost glories. Her eyes narrowed as they crossed the sword at his hip. She seemed to consider her options for an instant.
« Let me go please. » She pleaded with him. He shrugged.
« It wouldn't be fun that way. » She took an instant to absorb his slightly slurred words. Deciding she didn't like the forceful tone his coarse voice had taken, she tried to jerk away from him. His strong arm bounced her back closer to him.
« Now now little girl, we wouldn't want you to get hurt, right? ». Conscious that nearly all patrons now looked at them, whispering to each other, she decided to be more direct. In a fluid motion she brought up a knife to his face and slahed him in the neck. Immediatly she was shoved away and fell prone, but in a moment she sprang up again, expecting the man to be choking on his own blood.
Kaspax chuckled as he saw the girl's eyes go wide in shock. He had anticipated the attack and had moved out the way, not completly though. Because of the all the alcohol in his system, he had been slower than usual in his reactions and now sported a deep gash on his left cheek. As his attaquer reversed her grip on her long knife, he took out his falcata and touched his wound with it before positionning himself in a fighting stance.
« Now it will taste your blood, killer! » His face hardened as he spat out the last word in disgust.
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zim
Childish Geek
Posts: 75
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Post by zim on Apr 28, 2008 1:09:23 GMT -5
Capeneus watched the scene with growing disdain. It had taken him weeks of bribing everyone from servants to minor functionaries to find this woman. Even after he had made contact with her it took weeks more, and a great deal of silver to convince her to meet him in this dump of a town. The woman had information that, if revealed, would be the ruin of that bastard Evangelos, who had nearly managed to have Capaneus kicked out of the diplomatic corps last year. All that time and effort was about to be ruined because some drunken thug wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Capeneus hesitated briefly. The man appeared quite brutish, and intervening could be dangerous. Nonetheless, he needed the information she possessed. Besides, he was obviously a commoner. A strange woman in a bar might be fair game, but however drunk he may be he surely wouldn’t attack a nobleman in front of all of these witnesses.
Steeling up his nerve, Capeneus moved up to about half a dozen paces behind Kaspax, hopefully far enough away to dodge a slash of the man’s sword.
“Excuse me, but I have prior business with this young woman. Perhaps I may be allowed to speak with her a moment before you make the dubious life-altering choice of murdering a woman in cold blood in front of a dozen witnesses?” Capeneus’ voice contained a strange mixture of arrogance and fear.
With a glance Kaspax could tell he had been addressed by a small balding man, with dark hair and eyes, possibly in his thirties, thin but rather pudgy about the middle. If not for the sharp eyes, the first image he would bring to mind is that of a field mouse. The man seemed to be nervously fingering a dagger badly concealed under his robes, but didn’t seem intent on using it. His utterly harmless appearance was countered only by his watchful eyes, and the seal of the diplomatic corps of Dellos. Dellos being an important city to the north of Ulios, and a rival to Kythonia; what was one of their representatives doing here?
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Post by Flax on Apr 28, 2008 15:05:12 GMT -5
Kaspax looked at the man from Dellos, a glimer of surprise briefly playing in his eyes until they narrowed themselves on his badge of office. A tense moment passed, silenced filled the room as all eyes were now laid on this new man who had spoken. What sort of fool was he?
Suddenly, Kaspax erupted in a hearty laugh that soon swept through all of the room. The woman, unsure of what was truly going on, decided to end the matter with a thrust of her knife. Once more, to her surprise, her target shifted out of harm's way. She didn't have much time to ponder what had happened before the brutish man sent her sprawling at the diplomat's feet, smashing the hilt of his blade against the back of her head.
« Keep her then, little man! » He chuckled and sheated his sword. The room fell silent once more and Kaspax tilted his head, as if straining to hear something. His brow furrowed as he look at the alehouse's door expectantly.
« Better get a table for you and the girl, I'll get you something to drink. » As he passed Capeneus, he whispered: « Hide that badge... »
Then, without looking back, he joined the proprietor of the establishment at his counter. As soon as he had paid for two tankards of ale, soldiers bearing the symbol of Kythonia entered with a look of utter disgust on their faces. Kaspax greeted them with a smile and lifted a tankard in their honor before guzzling it down. Some of the soldiers, clearly recognising him, smiled. Yet their captain seemed none to happy...
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zim
Childish Geek
Posts: 75
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Post by zim on Apr 29, 2008 23:00:32 GMT -5
Capeneus glanced disdainfully at the woman sprawled before him. Who did this commoner think he was, damaging his contact then giving him an order? He wasn’t going to hide his badge of office. It was the only thing keeping him safe in this seedy town. Surely noone would violate sacred law and attack a diplomat?
After taking a moment to straiten his badge, slightly hesitating as if he was considering removing it, Capeneus bent down to put an arm around the woman’s shoulders to help her up. She groaned slightly but did not awaken. Gods, she’s heavy for such a small woman, Capeneus thought as he dragged her to the nearest table. After a short moment of hesitation, he proper her up in the best chair at the table, which had a stunning three legs roughly the same length, and took the one next to it.
As the Kythonian soldiers entered the tavern, Capeneus realized why Kaspax had told him to hide his badge and cursed. Ah well, it’s too late now. They’d notice if I moved to take it off now. Instead he tried to shrink into his seat so as to escape notice. Not that it would do much good. An ambassador’s robes were a rare sight in places like this.
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Post by Flax on Apr 30, 2008 0:10:16 GMT -5
Kaspax spared a glance at the man from Dellos and sighted when he noticed he had kept his badge of office in prominent view. This should be interesting, he thought. Luckily for Capeneus, the Kythonian guard captain was solely focused on Kaspax.
« We heard there was some sort of ruckuss here... and here you are again. I'm growing weary of these so called coincidences! »
Kaspax simply shrugged. « I spent my days here, are you going to associate me with every trouble that happens in the alehouse? Why not the whole town while you are at it? » He chuckled at the captain's glare.
« One more disrespectful comment and I'm dragging you to the barracks myself. » The man wanted to sound intimidating but Kaspax was not so easily impressed.
« Look, it's all over, no need to make a wuss over it. The trouble has been settled and I'm sure you fine gentlement have something better to do than investigate every friendly brawl... » He raised his hands in the air, seeking approval from the patrons. They cheered in response, it was obvious they thought little of soldiers from Kythonia. The captain once more glared at him, but seemed content to let the whole thing go. Yet, for all his brashness, the man was thorough in his duties and scanned the room for anyhting suspicious before leaving.
Kaspax sighed has the captain spotted the diplomat from Dellos. Why did no one listen to him? No matter, he felt responsable for this mess and he was not one to put someone in trouble without bailing him out if he could. He followed the three Kythonians has they made their way to the diplomat's table, staying a few pace behind them. If they made any threatening move against the man from Dellos or the woman with him, he would knock out one of them with his mug. To hell with consequences!
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zim
Childish Geek
Posts: 75
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Post by zim on Apr 30, 2008 23:47:07 GMT -5
Crap, they're coming over here. Better try to allay their suspicions. Capeneus looked up at the Captain with what he supposed to be a disarming smiles, ignoring the groaning of the woman beside him, who seemed to be waking. "Greetings, Captain. I suppose you are wondering what someone of my station is doing in a place like this. You see-". The Captain never got the chance to hear Capaneus' explanation, as it was interrupted by a loud crash. The woman had woken, and upon seeing the soldiers tipped over the rickety table they were sitting at and shoved it toward the Kythonian soldiers, knocking the captain over and causing his men to spread out to dodge it.
Capeneus cursed to himself, but noticed that only one of the soldiers was now standing between him and the door, while the third stooped to help his captain up.. He reacted to this knowledge without thinking, resulting in one of the few brave acts in his life. He grabbed the nameless woman and made a beeline for the guard still standing between them and the door. Rather than stop to fight, he barreled right into the soldier. His plan did not turn out quite as he had hoped, as all three of them went crashing into the ground, but the soldier obviously did not expect such a crazy maneuver, and had not even had the time to draw his sword. Somehow or another, Capeneus managed to drag himself and his companion back up, and continued for the door, not even looking back to see if he was being chased.
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Post by Flax on May 1, 2008 0:57:04 GMT -5
The instant the man from Dellos barrelled into one of the soldiers, Kaspax erupted in action. His empty mug connected in a solid blow to the head of the soldier helping his captain. The man fell to ground as his leader rose. Fumbling after his sword, he cursed Kaspax.
« Damn you to stygia, I'll have your head!. »
The man's sword had not even cleared his scabbard, Kaspax was already over him. Twisting the captain's arm behind his back, the sword falling to the ground, Kaspax dragged him near a table. The old soldier spared no word for the man, preferring to simply smash his head repeatdly on the table, to the point of breaking it.
In all his effort on the first two men, Kaspax had forgotten the third soldier. Now having regained a measure of his senses, the Kythonian jabbed his spear into the older man who was slowly killing his captain. Sudden pain flared up Kaspax's backside and on instinct wheeled around as his opponent was readying another thrust of his spear. Only the adrenaline was keeping him in the fight and he new he had to finish this quickly if he wanted to live. Feigning to reach for his sword, Kaspax instead rolled towards the woman's dagger on the floor. It had fallen from her grasp when Kaspax had knocked her out. The man facing him still managed a glancing blow to his right shoulder, but he was now armed. Before his opponent could fully launch another spear thrust, Kaspax rushed him. The desperate manoeuver caught the man by surprise, once more, and both men tumbled together in a mess. A moment later, only one man rose. He placed a hand on his wounded back as he plucked the dagger from his foe's corpse and stumbled out of the alehouse.
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Post by Banzai Kamikaze on May 3, 2008 0:36:41 GMT -5
Rhouuutchouuut. "AHHHHH". rhhouuutchouuuut. "AWWWWah.. Please... master....please....
"You ask for mercy ? You dare speak ? You insolent rat ! I spit on your mother ! I spit on your brothers and sisters ! They rot in their graves, inside which they will drown... DROWN... Drown in the warm urine I will grant them. For I am merciful !"
More whipping, more screaming... The boat was filled with worthless slaves. Haziz had not been able to sell them. This slave had tried to escape... One of Haziz's guards catched him. Haziz was fond of whipping his slaves, an act which released his inner fury.
Haziz was also fond of magic spice from the East. A gift from ancient gods, this spice gave the merchant a feeling of wholeness, a feeling of passion, hate, love and wisdom. He had eaten some of this spice, before hitting the slave.
Haziz was whipping, this should be clear by now. Blood was flowing from the slave's back, tears were running on the deck. The crew of the boat didn't seem to care, and they were preparing the large boat for a new trip, one which should bring Haziz much gold.
The whipping was done, so were the effects from the spice. Haziz climbed back to the main deck. As he glanced at Ulios, he puked his stomach out.
"Curse you Ulios. You sorry excuse for a port. May God strike down your women and children. You refuse my slaves ? MY SLAVES ! So be it ! Keep your money, and I will keep my slaves for worthier cities. Do not cry for me when my boat sails aways ... "
There was more rambling from the delirious merchant, when he saw some kind of noble running with a girl. They seemed to be running for their lives. They seemed to...
"They're running toward my boat ???"
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Post by Flax on May 3, 2008 10:13:40 GMT -5
The unkept dirt roads cluttered with detritus muddled into one and other. Kaspax was struggling to remain conscious, warm blood flowing from his back. He felt he was going in the right direction, yet everything seemed so hazy, he was not sure anymore. The few people he had crossed at left the half dead man with a bloddy dagger to his own devices. He wondered if he was going in circle, maybe he was, would he simply bleed to death? How embarrassing that would be...
His nose twitched as a familiar odor came by. He sucked it in, taking time to taste it fully. Salty air! The sea was near! He urged himself to push on, concentrating on placing one foot over the other. It seemed to take an eternity, but he managed to clear the last of the mangled streets of Ulios leading to port. As he lifted his head, the liberating breeze of the sea washed over his face. Now he only needed a ship.
The diplomat from Dellos was but twenty paces away, running toward one of the ship. Seems as good of a choice as any. Kaspax stumbled after him all the while holding his right hand to his wound and groaning in pain.
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zim
Childish Geek
Posts: 75
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Post by zim on May 6, 2008 20:54:44 GMT -5
Once he was halfway to the docks Capeneus spared a glance back towards the tavern. Noticing Kaspax, running in his direction, was wounded, he figured out what must have happened. It didn't look like any of the soldiers had made it outside.
As he neared Haziz's ship, a foul smell assaulted Capeneus. it took him a few moments to realize it was coming from the captain. Gods, does the man never bathe? Well, this is the only ship in port not flying Kythonians colors. Beggars can't be choosers. Waving at Haziz, Capeneus addressed him. "I need to buy passage on this ship to Dellos or anywhere else, whatever the cost, and medical attention for our friend" He pointed towards Kaspax. "Time is an issue of some importance".
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Post by Banzai Kamikaze on May 7, 2008 21:35:15 GMT -5
"Get off my deck ! Get off..."
Strangely, the guards were not reacting. A smirk widened on their faces, exposing their lack of respect for Haziz. Noble Haziz... Slave Merchant from the East, harvester of men and women from the far eastern plains, and the southernmost tip of the world. Noble Haziz, unable to get these men... and this woman.. off his deck.
"You.... You bleed on my deck !? Do not make me whip you... you drunken idiot !
Passage on my ship ? MY SHIP ! The Hopeful Harvester ! Why would I grant passage and help you idiots from Ulios. I spit on your port."
Pffff pfffff.... And so Haziz tried to spit, not too far from his feet... too much pipe smoking had made him short of breath.
"I..."
As Haziz was about to continue his endless babbling, he noticed the noble wore the symbol of Dellos... Dellos... his next destination... The gods were with him...
"I... am sorry... noble lord.... I... but where are my manners... Guards, bring this man and woman to the guest room, provide them with anything they want. Bring their bleeding bodyguard to the crew quarters and treat his wounds !" "Crew ! Sait sail for Dellos..."
Addressing Capeneus:
"Say... noble lord... should we bring you to Dellos... would you be so kind as to.... kindly help me avoid the annoying slave taxes at your port ? I would be eternally grateful..."
And so did Haziz start daydreaming about gold... much gold... his boat would sink under the weight of the gold... Yes... This noble from Dellos would be of great help.
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zim
Childish Geek
Posts: 75
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Post by zim on May 8, 2008 22:33:17 GMT -5
At the thought of safety and a good meal Capeneus perked up. Things were finally beginning to look up. To think that just minutes ago he had a groupd of Kythonian soldiers to deal with and an unconscious contact on his hands. Come to think of it, she was still rather silent even after waking. She seemed to still be a bit dazed from her injury.
With the threat of danger fading again into the back of hi mind, Capeneus was able to reflect on his surroundings. The hip was short and squat, with a single white sail but most likely able to be rowed when the wind was not cooperative. Most of the crew seemed to ignore or outright avoid the captain, but they all seemed to go about their jobs skillfully enough.
That smell he noticed earlier seemed not to have been coming from the captain, at least not all of it. Instead it seemed to be mostly coming from below deck. Of course, the captain has said this was a slave ship, and apparently the slaves were kept in none too sanitary conditions. Well, Capeneus thought to himself, it's none of my concern how this man conducts his business.The ship seemed clean enough up here anyhow. Capaneus seemed to stand a little taller, and his officious manner returned as he began to address Haziz.
"I might be able to do something about the customs taxes. I have friends among those that collect them. In return I would ask that we leave swiftly." Capaneus momentarily loses his composure as he sends a frightened glance back in the direction of the tavern Capeneus had fled from, but oddly the soldiers did not seem to have followed them yet.
"My name is Capeneus. On future trips to Dellos that name will gain you a sharp reduction in any slave taxes you may have to pay. I thank you, captain, for your aid. The lady and I will take a meal in the guest quarters. We would like our 'bodyguard'", he nods towards Kaspax, "to join us as soon as his wounds have been seen to."
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Post by Flax on May 9, 2008 23:00:28 GMT -5
Kaspax let himself be carried off by two sailors. It seemed the diplomat had taken care of everything and that he would not die today. They brought him below deck, where he was assaulted by a pugent odor. He chocked on the foul air as they placed him face first on a crude wooden table. Kaspax hoped it would not give way under his weight and that they would hurry with his wound, he wouldn't stand that horrid smell much longer. One of the man tried to remove the dagger from his bloody hand, but Kaspax kept a tight hold on the weapon, preferring to simply to let it rest near his head.
Moments later he felt his ruined tunic being ripped open and then a sharp sting as someone started cleaning his wound. He grunted at the pain, yet kept still for the most part. Midway through the process he grabbed a man by his arm and pulled him closer.
« Get me something for the pain. » The man looked at him blankly.
Kaspax sighted and mimicked drinking from a cup. « Something to drink! »
The man nodded and quickly brought him a canteen from which the older man quickly took a sip. He spit it out immediatly.
« WATER??... I said something for the pain! »
The sailor, obviously now annoyed, snatched the canteen from his hand and stormed off.
« Just don't come back with water you... »
A sharp pain interrupted him as the other man had started mending his wound. Kaspax let out a loud curse, he felt he would stab someone if this was not over soon. An eternity passed and the sailor returned with a wine skin which Kaspax eyed greedily.
« Thanks, much appreciated my good man. » Kaspax reached out for his prize, but the sailor kept it out of reach. An open hand greeted him intead and he scowled. The man actually expected him to pay!
« For the love of Nysos! You're actually expecting coin? Aren't your orders to make me better? » The man shrugged and thrust his open hand in front of Kaspax's face. Another sharp pain in his abdomen made him reconsider and he reached for his coin purse, handing over three verns in exchange for his much anticipated relief. Three large gulps later he sighted with relief. With this wineskin he would hold at bay his hangover for at least a few more hours.
While he savored yet another mouthful of wine he received a light tap on his back, indicating him his wound had been cared for. Kaspax rose to a seated position and was about the his healer until he noticed an open hand expecting coin.
« YOU BLOODY CHEAP BASTARDS! » He roared.
Disgusted, he took out a handful of verns and threw them at the man.
« Take your damned coins you filthy bastard! I hope you rot in Stygia! »
Not bothering to look back, Kaspax took the dagger he had left on the table and exited the hold. Once on the deck he ignored the crew and made his was to a barrel of water. Without sparing a look to the captain of the vessel, he took off his ruined tunic and plunged it in the murky water, using the rag to wash himself of blood and sweat. Leaving the filthy piece of clothing beside the barrel, Kaspax made his way to the guest quarter.
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zim
Childish Geek
Posts: 75
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Post by zim on May 12, 2008 6:14:43 GMT -5
The guest quarters, while rather small compared to the sort of room Capeneus was used to, weren't as bad as he had expected judging from the rest of the ship. they were rather sparsely furnished, with a couple small beds and some shelves, mostly empty except for a few dog eared books. There was also a table in the center of the room with a few chairs in decent conditon. This must be where Haziz meets with clients, Capeneus thought.
Capeneus as his contact took two of the chairs at the table and waited. After a few minutes someone knocked at the door, and a heavy set man in shabby clothing came in with a tray of food. The food was plain, a few pieces of fruit and bread, several bowls of soup, and a flagon of wine, but like the room it was better than expected. The sailor set everything on the table and held out his hand. Capeneus paid him a couple silver and he went back on deck.
Capeneus and the woman ate silently, both dwelling on the unusual events that brought them to this place. A few minutes into the meal, they heard footsteps coming towards the door. The drunken man from the tavern, perhaps?
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Post by Flax on May 12, 2008 22:17:48 GMT -5
Kaspax slammed open the guest quarter's door in fury and step in, drawing the attention of the woman and the noble from Dellos. He looked at them for an awkward moment before composing himself. He had stopped himself in time from hurling insults about the ship, its captain and crew. The wine had almost made him slip, but he remembered he had placed these two in this situation and furthermore at least one of them was noble. From what he had heard they were heading for the man's city and Kaspax was no fool, this was time to make amends unless he wanted more trouble.
At least he did not look the part of a dirty drunk anymore. With his tunic gone, his body was revealed from the waist up. Bandages covered his abdomen, yet his well honed muscles were apparent. Likewise for his arms, save for his right shoulder covered in more bandages. Despite his relatively advanced age and his habit of drinking, Kaspax was fit for his age, which showed he had kept some of the discipline of his older life. True to his calling, he held a wineskin in one hand and a dagger in the other, his sheated blade was still attached to a shoulder strap. Yet, all signs of aggression were gone from him and for a first time he seemed at a lost for words. He closed the door before finally speaking up.
« ... Sorry for all the trouble... I.. » He looked at the woman. « I thought you were someone else. I thought.. » A sigh escape his lips as he shook his head in frustration. « Because of the ale I thought you .. you were sent to kill me. I know it must sound silly, but I had my reasons for thinking so. »
Oddly, he was not vulgar like at the alehouse. This time, his tone seemed refined and his words seemed to have been chosen carefully. He was well spoken and his words would not have seem out of place in the court of a great city.
He paused an instant, placing the dagger on the table.
« I believe this is yours. » Then he addressed both of them. « I can hardly make up for the trouble I've caused you, but as you've surely seen I can handle myself in a fight. » He took a mouthfull of wine. « My name is Kaspax and I guess I'm offering you my services, if you need them. »
Passing his hand through his hair, he waited upon the pair expectantly. He only hoped he had not made a fool of himself once more.
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