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Stow Away

Baron Arkon

Adventurer
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
The Night was thick with fog, a storm was brewing on the horizon. With careful guidance, the captain of the Tokuno style ship, Minoc Wave Waker coasted the vessel into New Haven docks; Casting the mooring lines to the pier the shadowy figure tied off the small ship. Sliding down the rope the soft padded boots met the wood planks - he ordered his crewmen to remain on board and prepare to change ships.

Keeping his head low, the captain - Arkon, Baron of Minoc - made his way to the vessel at the farthest end of the docks. Not brushing against another, taking ample room to avoid even crossing anothers path as he made the distance. With clawed ... gloves ... Arkon took hold of one of the mooring lines of the dark, beaten up old warship, and leaped aboard. Wood splintering even more from his skidding halt. His single serpentine eye glancing about to make certain he was alone, and to see of any tracks of unwanted visitors.

The captain came across the door of the hold, slightly ajar - he was certain the hold was sealed off. Summoning the enchanted blade to his side and opening the door ever so slowly, Arkon came within an inch of skewering the elf maiden inside. Quickly pulling back - to say he was caught off guard would be an understatement.

Dismissing the blade, he leaned in to check on the woman in his hold. Without touching her ... to much ... he came in close to check her pulse and breathing. "Sleeping ..." the man muttered to himself.

Did she realize she was in his ship? How did she find his ship? Well the Undead certainly seemed to know how to find his ship so why not the woman he's been flirting with. Then again perhaps ... just perhaps, she needed a quick shelter from the coming storm and passed out? It was all coincidence?

Quickly coming to his senses, he began the casting of Sleep, to make certain Isabella was out for the rest of the encounter. "In Zu" he whispered, feeling the mysticism course through his body, and flow into the workings of the spell. The magic coating the beautiful dark elf like a warm blanket. "There now darlin`, sleep and dream o'pleasant things."

Leaning in and scooping Isabella up out of his hold, Arkon looked over his shoulder and gave word to his crew. "Begin transferring the heavy cannon supplies, iron and wood to the Hydra, make sure the drink, food and everything else are on the Wave Waker. And snap to it ye lubbers."

Cradling the delicate body of Isabella with one arm, he took hold of the moorline and swung to the docks of New Haven, only to be accompanied by Cannibal the Parrot sweeping down from the mast of the Wave Waker and landing upon the captains shoulder. The skree gave Isabella a sniff, nuzzling against her cheek. "There now, we're going to get this lass to the inn where she can get a good sleep. And perhaps forget stowing about away in a Pirates ship."

Carrying the body of Isabella in his arms, as though he were carrying a porcelain doll, Arkon made his way up the streets to the Gentle Rest Inn.
 

Baron Arkon

Adventurer
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
Standing on the pier watching the waters in the harbor go from mildly irritated to angry forced a hand Isabella was reluctant to play. She had happened upon a familiar ship and was hoping to greet its captain. Hiding behind pilings was becoming futile against the cold wind, and once the icy rains fell the decision was made for her to slide aboard ship and hope she would not find trouble.

Years of roaming in shadows and slithering through the mist like a vapor proved beneficial to boarding a ship full of distracted crewmen. Lithely dancing the mooring lines like a cat on a fence the elf made her way to the main deck without being seen. Pressed hard against the side of the ship just under the rails Isabella carefully examined the scurry of activity on board waiting for the moment to move. A break in the action cleared a way to the hold and she moved with the grace and speed of a tiger.

Once at the cargo door she carefully jimmied the lock hoping not to make too much noise before she slid into the cover of darkness out of the brewing storm. Finding a quiet corner proved a bit more of a challenge in a full hold. The boxes and crates had been positioned with an organized chaos that would certainly mean the Captain would notice anything out of place. Her only option was to curl up near the door, yet out of the line of sight from the door.

Sitting huddled by a pile of crates and boxes Isabella hugged her legs against the cold wind invading under the door. She hoped the Baron would return soon and find the intrusion funny. The rocking of waves and creaking planks began to drone a melancholy lullaby making her eyes heavy. Her last thought was spent hoping he would not be furious and throw her in the drink.

Late into the evening the rock of the ship shifted from heavy weight. She tried to wake herself up but had difficulty telling if her eyes were open or closed, the darkness was so complete. Keen hearing told her that the cargo hold door had opened, but light was not proving one way or the other. She had to be dreaming.

A low rumbling whisper forced her back into a deep sleep. Images of large leathery hands and screeching skrees filled her mind yet were not frightening. The feeling of flight made her embrace the dream. Wind in her hair and the world at her feet brought a smile to her face as the feeling of floating made her invincible. Nothing could touch her from way up in the clouds!

The next day was spent in a fog of intermittent sleep. Finally she was awake enough to realize she was no longer in the cargo hold. Startling herself awake, Isabella almost cried to find herself in a soft bed covered with a cool cotton sheet and some blankets. Not only did she miss the Baron, he had discovered her and removed her from the ship all together. It was terribly disappointing. She just hoped he was not angry with her.

Sitting up in the bed her bare feet touching cool wood floors she noticed tiny claw feet marks on the foot board. Was she dreaming, or had she actually been here all night? The night was such a blur. Hopefully someone would be able to help her, or maybe just shake it off and hope it was a dream.
 
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