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Post by Storyteller on Feb 1, 2021 11:07:47 GMT
Some few days after my mating ceremony, I gather together those of my companions whom I can conveniently find. "I know that my lord Árón is absent and often will have to be. We are the ones on whom the injunction of seeking the sun has been laid. And to do that we need a ship." I glance over at Iritari, whose hand I hold. "We have been thinking, and we have determined that it is most likely that we could take a ship from the ports of Nirrion. The dead surely do not sail, so their sailors will have to be living men. To them we can appeal, or perhaps simply take the ship, if it comes to that. For most of the ships in the port of Nirrion belong to the Crown, and the Senate and the Triumvirate are clearly deposed or in hiding." I do not have to remind everyone of the dragon, I am sure. "What say you? Who will go with me and Iritari to fetch us a ship?"
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Feb 1, 2021 22:09:43 GMT
Aethyl frowns darkly and contemplatively, but the twinkle in his eye is unmistakable. "I assume, Cousin, that your question is meant only for our friends, seeing there is no question of my coming with you."
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 1, 2021 22:38:21 GMT
I smile and say, "Well, I had ventured to be sure you would come with us."
Then, I suggest, "If nothing else, we three--you, Iritari, and I--could go ahead and scout? See what ships we could find?"
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Post by Diocles on Feb 1, 2021 22:52:42 GMT
Iritari nods. "I'm fine with that. I know how to move about unseen and unheard."
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 1, 2021 23:17:52 GMT
If there is no further response forthcoming from Rajit or Drusinicus, I say, "Then let us go."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 2, 2021 0:59:49 GMT
Rajit says "I can scout as well but am afraid that my skills are of less use in this environment than my homeland. Still, I would gladly come along to safeguard our party."
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 1:01:54 GMT
"We appreciate that, Spear of the Shezazi," I say. "And I know that you can walk unheard and unseen, as my Iritari can, so perhaps you two could take the point?"
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Post by Diocles on Feb 2, 2021 1:04:55 GMT
You all know that Nirrion is inland a bit, up the Clearlow, but the docks at Rania (where the Clearlow flows into the sea) serve the city and its environs. There the mightiest of ships dock, as they cannot all make use of the river.
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 1:09:37 GMT
"I think that the docks at Rania will serve us best," I say. "I think it wisest we not enter the city yet."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 2, 2021 1:10:02 GMT
"You all know this area somewhat, I not at all. I will gladly take point but need you to point me in the right direction." While waiting for a response, Rajit attempts to use his animal lore to find the sound of a local creature that is loud and which he might mimic as a signal to his trailing companions. Rolled animal lore, made it by a lot.
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Post by Diocles on Feb 2, 2021 1:22:45 GMT
You are able to, with a glance around the area, guess at what kind of predators and prey might live here. Deer are no doubt common, so you mimic the grunts of a buck. Together you lead the way along the coastline, for the docks at Rania cannot be too far ahead. Iritari says he'll be right beside you, but you don't see him, as he keeps to the natural shadows of the land.
Ahead in a very short time you see the docks at Rania. They are bustling with men going here and there, loading and unloading, and among them you see strange figures: men in red robes and others standing unnaturally still.
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 1:23:19 GMT
I trust to Iritari and Rajit to figure this out between them, for I follow Iritari's lead on this.
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 2, 2021 1:29:50 GMT
Rajit stays long enough to get a sense of what's happening and then will go back to find Mairwyn and Aethyl to report. I've prepared him that two grunts from a buck mean to return to the others, three means danger.
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Post by Diocles on Feb 2, 2021 2:39:31 GMT
Iritari gets the message and goes back with you, appearing when you are back with the companions. "A lot of activity," he says, "strange men in robes with silent, unmoving servants."
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 2:54:07 GMT
"Silent, unmoving servants?" I say. "Could they be perhaps the undead? For that is what they filled Nirrion city with when the sun was lost."
I am half-musing aloud. Who could answer the question, after all?
"But Galadrin goes with us. Perhaps, if they are undead, we might be able to prevail."
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