Firiona Vie Everquest

The Shadowbanes and Ralnu bowed politely to Jetamio as she made ready to depart the Inn. After all of the festivities were over, Gilliadson took his wife by the hand and almost stumbled.

"Shall we head to the ship, Leofa?"

"Indeed, let us." came the melodious reply.

Gilliadson was indeed feeling the effects of the wine even though he had not drunk much of it. He was not accustomed to drinking much since most of his time was spent in the field either doing battle or training his skills. Sineliniel, on the other hand, was quite the socialite of the House. She was no lush by any means but she could hold her wine better than most Dwarves and Northmen.

"Will you be well, Father?" Asked Myrikel.

"Fluffy and I will get him to the ship, Daughter. Will you be coming?

"I would like to visit with Ralnu a bit longer but I will be there before Midnight."

"Very well. Have fun and it was nice to meet you Ralnu." Sineliniel bowed politely to the Vah Shir warrior.

"You as well M'Lady.' Ralnu knelt reverently before the elder Shadowbanes. "I look forward to spending more time with you all in the future."

Sineliniel and her Elemental companion helped steady Gilliadson as they departed the Inn and headed to the berth.

Back at the ship Driegh was preparing some snacks in the galley...

Cooked crab with raw veggies, rolled in seaweed and rice then flying fish ro. He was truly having fun now there was no one to see him. He did not think it proper that an officer of wolf cult would be engaged in anything enjoyable even though his leader seamed to revel in it. He cut the rolls and began to pop them back. He dipped one now and then in some hot spice he had ground to a paste from a special root he had bought in distant lands. Spices being chief amongst his many hidden passions, he had obtained this one in one of his many purchasing trips for his tribe.

Everything was in order aboard, he had made very sure of that. Checking everything within her 14 cubit length three times and now even a fourth while he ate his favorite delicacy. The compass had been installed at the tiller, even though Stormfollower insisted he did not need one to pilot his vessel. Driegh thought it prudent someone keep track of their exact position on proper charts. Stormfollowers well worn charts had all been replaced with new ones for this voyage as they had been deemed illegible for all of their wrinkles and folds. Each chart was neatly rolled and stored in a dry bone case. The hatches had all been secured and sealed water tight. The sails had been neatly furled and covered, ready in an instant when Stormfollower called for them. The stays had been tensioned and the mast held firm. Every contingency at sea had been foreseen and provided for even though Stormfollower had told him the trip would be largely uneventful. Driegh left nothing to chance and put little trust in any prophesy... his honoured leaders bone flung auguries had proven wrong before. Best to be prepared for the worst and be pleasantly surprised when it does not happen. In this way did he maintain his strange brand of optimism.

Driegh continued around the small ship checking the cupboards and hatches below decks and even though it was a confined space he had personally seen about making every square inch count so that the cabins limited free space was optimized. As he reached the stores in the forward berth he had to crouch low to check all their hatch clasps. He wondered with some amusement how it was Stormfollower would managed to squeeze both he and his wife into such a small space and then remembered how they usually juxtaposed the same space while they were together anyways.

Fully satisfied that things were in order inside he set about lighting the whale oil burner of the heating lamp in the corner and then headed on deck. He stuffed another delectable crab filled seaweed rice ro roll in his mouth (He was still working on a name for his recipe) and swung open the cabin door just in time to be startled by Jetamios dexterous leap into the Goblin Queens cockpit.

"Ah Lady North Wind!" he tried not to look too surprised. "How good it is to have you aboard." He bowed low and then clasped her hand. "Everything is in order as far as I can tell. Unless of course there is anything further you might require for the journey"

She smiled at the serious Drakkin as he took her hand. "In all honesty, I am not sure what is required on this journey. But I am sure either way I will be fine with what we have."

She let go of his hand, and looked about the boat. She had never been on it, though she had heard enough talk of it from Stormfollower that she felt she knew it inside out. But she was keen to try make Driehg more relaxed and open up a bit.

"Perhaps you have time to show me around?"

"Yes of course! Though there's not much to see, shes a small vessel compared to many but swift and sure! She`s easily managed by one if need be and handles like a ship twice her size in a good blow."

He began to show her around. The vessel sat low in the water and was white with light blue accents on her deck. From front to back she was no more than 30 feet and perhaps seven feet across. Long and lean Stormfollower had commented once before. Her mast was stepped up on a metal tabernacle so she might slip under a low bridge. The cockpit was small, where maybe 4 close friends might sit though there was a small back deck behind it where the tiller might stand for a better view ahead. A small dory was fastened to the foredeck and all her lines led back to the small space in the aft so that one man might have access to trim all the sails.

Over the cabin door was her name, Goblin Queen in elven runes. Once below decks it was apparent that her keel was suprisingly deep and full for a vessel of this size. There was only enough room below for one person to walk the length of the cabin with a small gally directly to the starboard and 3 sleeping berths which doubled as seats when the table was set up for dinner. The forward birth was large enough for two but came sharply to a point in the bow with a small space where the anchor and chain was stowed for quick access to the foredeck through a hatch in the roof. In the small space between the main cabin and the forward birth there was a head to the starboard and a cupboard to port. The interior was all made of a fine teak and polished to a glow. the few lamps were lit and it was warm and dry inside.

"She wasn't always so elegant I`ll tell you, it took allot of elbow grease to get her back in shape she was so sorely neglected before Stormfollower saved her."

Dreigh looked proudly about the ship and it was clear his elbows had done much of the greasing.

"She doesnt look like much at dockside M`Lady but once we`re out at sea you`ll see her true beauty and grace."

Gilliadson and Sineliniel arrived at the ship and stood on the dock for a few minutes admiring the beauty of the Goblin Queen.

Fluffy helped steady the intoxicated Knight as he called out.

"Request permission to come aboard!"

Gilliadson was not drunk enough to slurr his speech though he was a little unsteady on his feet. The effects of what he had consumed, though, were creeping up on him.

Elven Wine has a tendency to be absorbed more slowly than most other drinks, therefore delaying the effects of intoxication for a little while. In the case of Humans, It does not wear off as quickly as most other drinks so the effects mount for a while before slowly fading away. Gilliadson usually consumes no more than two glasses at a function but this time his wife and friends got him to drink a few more than that.

Dreigh popped his head out from the cabin. "Hail once more good sir, and your lovely wife. Of course... come aboard and make yourself at home. Stormfollower isn`t back yet but I am sure he wont be long. Come in, sit and be welcome." He opened the cabin door wide and hurried over to help the couple safely aboard.

Sineliniel and Fluffy helped Gilliadson into the cabin and into one of the seats. The Elementalist held her husband's hand as she dismissed the Elemental.

Gilliadson laid his head upon Sineliniel's shoulder as he passed out.

Sineliniel kissed Gilliadson's forehead.

"Thank you Dreigh. I believe we will be well for now. I fear we may have pushed my dear husband into drinking more than he is used to. He will be well after a while. I will sit with him and if we need to move him I will recall Fluffy."

Once everyone was inside and things were quite in order Driegh visibly relaxed. He sat in the small space that lead to the forward double birth while the others sat: Jetamio in the smaller starboard berth which now served as a seat and the couple in the port birth made for someone of human height which was perfect for the two of them to sit side by side.
Outside the wind was heard to pick up in the tri-tonal whirring of the rigging. The cord of their resonance mixed with the rhythm of the modest waves against the hull making a generally peaceful tune. The boat lulled forward and back on her dock lines while they all relaxed and enjoyed the cozy confines of Stormfollowers vessel. On the docks there was still the light sounds of the occasional night person. Or wandering adventurer. The guards left this section of the city to fend for itself so one or two early revelers were also bound to be heard.
Driegh kept them well supplied with food and drinks from the icebox to his right as he sat facing aft. It was well stocked with elven wine and Nothron ales. The small galley beside Jetamio had a gimbaled oil stove top and a sink with fresh glacial spring water in seemingly endless supply at its ingenious foot pump faucet. A stock of nuts, meats, fruit and berries was held in the side cupboards in preserving jars and pottery.
On the small panel beside Gilliadson hung a strange device like a spyglass fitted with a pendulum and angle gauge. In a small pouch behind it were several colorful star charts. Their seats were soft and covered in a soft fur that felt like silk yet was not slippery. Several long thin windows set high on the low walls of the small room framed in the roof above them. The final birth lay on the same side as the one Sineliniel and Gilliadson sat on and was opposite the galley. It tucked under the port cockpit stows and a bow, some arrows and some fishing gear could be seen poking out behind the bulkhead that divided the cabin from the cockpit.
"Perhaps your husband would be more comfortable lying down" Driegh suggested, gesturing to the empty seat/bed.

Sineliniel smiled sweetly as she contemplated moving her resting husband and decided that it best he not be disturbed for now. Besides, she so enjoyed feeling the warmth of his body next to her whether they were asleep together or awake sitting or standing together. These occasions had been rather rare of late since she had been questing for her Staff of Elemental Essence and he had started his quest for a new Holy Sword. The Elementalist was hoping to assist him with his quest at some point now that hers was complete. Sineliniel looked with pride upon her new staff leaning against the wall by the doorway to the cabin that they were seated in with her husband's Fiery Defender glowing softly inside its translucent crimson scabbard leaning next to it.

"Too much time away from each other." She thought to herself. Hopefully soon that would change. She had no doubt about his love and devotion to her and did not need Myrikel to remind her of it.

"He will be well where he is for now, Dreigh. I would not wish to disturb him by moving him around but thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Just then a commotion broke out in town in front of the docks. Harried calls from the guards headed off in the direction of Fishes bar.
Driegh jumped from his place and with one fluid motion was up the hatchway. "Stay here" He shot a parting remark back at the two ladies. " I will see what this is about!" And with that he hurried off.

Jetamio also leapt to her feet and bounded nimbly out the door. There she stood on deck, golden eyes trained upon the docks, her fists blazing with magics, one fire, one ice. She stood tense and ready to defend, though she knew not yet what from.

Myrikel and Ralnu heard the commotion and ran to the scene to see what was going on.

Sineliniel, not being one to let friends face trouble without her, gently laid her passed out husband down on the seat.

The knight stirred a little but did not awaken. Sineliniel grabbed her staff, recalled her elemental companion, and bolted out the door after the druidess.

Up ahead a crowd of guards and townsfolk had encircled someone, upon getting closer Driegh could see it was the bard Stormfollower had left the Lions Mane with. It was instantly apparent he was in great distress, covered in blood he stammered and struggled to rise to his feet while frantic Qyenosian guards tried to incite a response from the dying man. It looked as if he had been mauled by some wild beast, clawed and bitten in many places. He struggled to speak.

A vivid trail of blood led back towards Fishes bar. From the shear quantity of it it was hard to believe he had made it this far. He drew a few gasps before desperately uttering something finally discernible.

"Storm, taken...the wilderness inside...Whalebeard Village." and then he died.

Upon recognising the bard, Jetamio pushed her way to the forefront of the crowd just in time to hear his words. She stood frozen for a moment as though trying to digest this information. Then she abruptly stepped over him, pushed her way past the guards and followed the trail of blood to Fishes bar, her magics glowing brighter with her anger.

Dreigh followed close behind her, shaken by the death of the bard he remained silent.

As they opened the door to Fishes bar the scene was horrific. The bard was not the only one who had succumbed to whatever beast had raged through here. On the floor in front of the bar two men lay sprawled in a mangled heap, huge bites and claw marks their obvious cause of death. Beside them a dwarfish body lay headless on one side in a pool of blood its iron toed boots had been knocked from its feet in the carnage. The trail continued around behind the bar and into the back rooms. There, signs of a struggle were abundant. The furnishings lay strewn about and everywhere where spray marks of blood. The bard had suffered repeated savage swipes if all theses marks came from him. A bloodstained note lay crumpled on the floor near the smashed out shutters of the back window.

Behind them the guards could be heard to enter the scene.