Pirates of the Sorcerean II

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"I been a pirate since I was a child. When I was 4 they used me to clean the cannons. As I got older I advance to firin' them. I dont know how to be anything else. When we leave, we cant come back. And I'm a little scared. If we pull something off and make some money, I'm scared that I wont know what to do."

Looking uncertain of himself, he looked over at Eldon, "All I know is, yer me only friend, and we got a chance to make some real money for once. We have to take it. Or we might never get the chance. LeVarde is a good Cap'n, but I think that if I stay, I wont live too long. I heard that people can have a short life span around that Jackel."

 

Eldon smiled easing Percival's worries a little.

"Don't worry, I know what you mean, and I'm not planning on staying near the Jackel any longer than I have too."

Percival looked to Eldon, wondering if he was having the same thoughts.

"I'm only a young man still, I have the chance to make my fortune over many years, but I don't think it will be aboard this ship."

 

"yes, ye still have a life ahead of ye. I just donnae want ye going the way I did. Pirating isnt the life I wanted for ye. But yer in it now, so lets hope we can get those land deeds, and make our fortunes. Then we can give this life the laugh, and find ourselves something better. I'll go talk to LeVarde in a bit. Right now I be needing a few moments. I'll check on Lamira and see if she needs anything. That lass took quite a beating."

As Eldon rose and left, percival remembered the last time he saw Lissa.

After having grown up with Lissa aboard ship, they had formed a close bond between the two. Since they were the only two of their age, they saw each other almost every chance they got. In the years that passed they became closer then brother and sister, fighting together in battles.

The last he saw her was duing one battle. They were fighting together, but got seperated. As he turned to look for her, he caught sight of her being dragged unconcious onto the enemy vessel. Percival knew then what was to happen to her. Try as he might, he couldnt fight his way to her. As she disappeared from view he recieved a blow to his skull, and the deck rose to meet his blackening vision. When he woke, the battle was over, and Lissa was gone.

Percival remembered seeing Lamira lying on the decking. And her features reminded him of Lissa, as she was. Gathering himself together, he went to see if Lamira needed anything.

[ July 15, 2004, 11:17: Message edited by: Takara ]

 

Lamira almost cried out in ecstasy as she strained her eyes to pick up on the conversation on the other side of the way. Most of the words, she couldn't make out, but the ones that she did made her blood sang. She got the gist of it, basically: The quartermaster, while they were looting the ship that she was on, came across some precious gems and some documents which he kept for himself. She almost snickered at the risk he took. She didn't know much about pirates, but she could guess that if anyone found out, everyone in the room would be shark food. Except for herself, naturally. But, this was the leverage that she needed, the very thing that would get her anything she desired from the quartermaster, she could get. Even though he was a hardened pirate, Lamira knew that a man would do practically anything to escape death.

She stayed crouched on the floor for a bit longer, gleaming what she could. It was particularly hard to listen through a solid wall, even harder because of the ruckus above decks, but she managed somehow. Lamira let out a soft breath as she heard more little tidbits of information. It was something about someone else being alive and how they would have to get a longboat for something and about some port, whatever it didn't matter to her. Every little bit counts, girl, she thought, forcing herself to listen for as long as she could, occassionally looking to and fro to make sure that her eavesdropping went unnoticed.

What piqued her interest even more was the mentioning of breaking into someone's home. A huge grin covered Lamira's face as she rubbed her hands together gleefully. What an amazing opportunity for me! What do pirates know about the trade anyways? Not only can I make him add me to this little expedition, I can get an extra bit of coin as well! Lamira, girl, you've hit the jackpot! She couldn't believe her wonderous luck! Now, Lamira was certain that being on that prison ship was the best thing that could've happened to her!

She got to her feet and dusted off her knees, which were a bit stiff from kneeling for so long. Normally, that would've have bothered her, but with her body being so out of shape for her craft, it was to be expected. Lamira laid her hand on the door with the full intention of crashing the pirates' party when two gun shots ran through the air. She frowned deeply, almost banging her fist against the door in frustration before catching herself. She knew that the shots would cause that room to empty in a few seconds and would have to leave now and still remain undetected.

She immediately ran away from the door and down the corridor until she once again found the quartermaster's cabin. She fell down on the cot and flailed her arms and legs wildly then banged her head into the pillow, letting out a scream of anger and pain from her still tender wounds. After her spasm, she sighed gruffly and banged her head into the pillow one final time. "Why is there always something happening to mess up my plans? What did I do wrong," she asked herself.

But, all wasn't lost, she realized. The quartermaster would still have to come back here. She didn't know when they had planned on leaving, but she was positive that he had to come back. At least she hoped that he would come back. Lamira sat back up, letting her legs hang over the side of the bed, looking over at her forgotten food. "Guess I don't have much of a choice, do I?" She smiled ruefully as she picked up the plate and began to eat the remaining pieces of food and merely waited.

 

As he approached his cabin door, Percival hesitated, not sure whether to wake Lamira. But considering she needed to eat, he gently opened the door to his quarters.

Seeing Lamira up, he walked into the room. "How you be feeling lass? I see ye have got some food in ye. There has been some commotion up on deck, and I'll have to be seeing what's up shortly"

 

Lamira nodded and smiled graciously at the quartermaster, her mind practically exploding at the trump card she had up her sleeve. "Sir, I understand that you have business you need to attend to, but I just want to say thank you for helping me out in my time of need."

She sat the plate back down on the stool, took a long sip of water and continued, "And now to return the favor. I heard, you know. Everything that you told to whomever you were entertaining in that room. I'm not too familiar with the pirate law and all, but I think what you did could be called mutiny! What do you think would happen to you and your cohorts if a little birdie told your captain? I shudder to think of the terrible thought."

Lamira smiled again, observing the quartermaster's every move and completely prepared to run out of the cabin should he choose to accost her.

 

Percival's smile froze on his face. Very carefully he walked over to the doorway. "Ye have a vicious side to ye I see. I should have expected as much, since it's the life we chose, is it not."

Evaluating Lamira as a threat now, rather than someone in need of help, Percival carfully planned his next words.

"ye overheard much that could cause me trouble, and much that could cause ye trouble. Aye, The Cap'n could string me up fer this. But what makes ye think ye will get to him alive? I may be old, but I didnt get to this age by bein' slow."

Leaning on the doorframe, feeling a little anxious, Percival decided to learn what he could before he had to make a decision on her life.

"What exactly did ye hear, and what do ye want?"

 

"What I heard is truly unimportant at this point, good sir," Lamira said, leaning back against the bed. "It's what sort of damage I could do with the knowledge that I now hold." She studied the quartermaster, sizing him up for any weaknesses or any indications that her life would be in danger.

Deciding to play on that, she stood up and raised her hands in supplication. "Would you hurt me, sir? I am but a woman, a defenseless woman, and a woman who's already been beaten and nearly raped. I'm sure you remember, for it was you who stopped that awful fate from happening."

Lamira noticed that the man before her was stoic as steel, not giving her any hints whatsoever to his state of mind. Sighing softly, she stared him dead in the eyes and continued, "To be honest, I have no wish to cause my savior harm. However, there is something I want, and that's to get off of this ship. A pirate's life is most certainly not for me. I crave the city and the anonymity that it affords me.

"But, you won't get something for nothing," Lamira said, winking brazenly at the quartermaster. "I know what you have planned, my ambitious sir! And you'll need me, you'll need my talents as a seeker of information and misplaced goods. Yes, I'm a thief, if you will, but that doesn't have a good enough flourish, don't you agree?

"With that said, my offer is clear. You take me with you, I help you get that which you seek and get to take a share of it with me when I decide to part your wonderful company. Or, you can attempt to silence me forever, and I do say attempt, and I tell the captain of your attempt and mutinous actions. The answer's pretty clear, at least to me. Do we have a deal?"

Lamira stuck her hand out to the silent man, her heart beating ferociously in excitement, anticipating his next move.

 

Percival carefully examined the woman in front of him. She was extremely brazen, to be so bold, and that tempted to jerk a smile on his face. He always loved to see fire in people. Quickly killing the impulse, he turned a stoney expression on the lass.

"Blackmail never goes down too well with me miss, and I dont be likin' people muscling in on my deals. I dont know if I can be trustin' ye, but I guess ye dont know if ye can be trustin' me."

Percival scratched his beard in thought, trying to see if the wait made her sweat. Seeing no reaction, he was further impressed.

"ye be right in that we need a thief, fer I have no talent fer it. But I dont know if ye be right fer the job."

After a few more moments, he started to chuckle. "Ye have a fire in ye lass, somethin' I remember from a long time past." Taking her hand, he sealed her involvement.

"I'll have to be watchin' ye, I be thinkin'"

 

Lamira chuckled and shook the quartermaster's hand to seal the deal. "Excellent! I'm happy you see things clearly. As for trust, friend, there is honor among thieves. Too bad you aren't one."

She laughed once more as she released her grip from his hand and sat back down on the cot, wincing slightly as she crossed one of her legs over the other one, setting her hands on top of her knee. "Not to worry though. There'll be no knife in your back, unless you give me reason to. But, that's no way to start a profitable relationship! My name is Lamira, yours, kind sir?"

 

Taking a seat, Percival kept a cautious smile on his face. "My name be Percival McSween, and it be....intersting to meet ye." Chuckling, he eyed the lass. "I may not be a thief, but I have me own form of honour."

"So ye heard most of the plan, aye? Well, ye be right in that we have need of yer skills. I dont be having much luck at breakin' into places. Nay, me strengths will show when we...talk... to that merchant."

"I'll have to let the others know, but carefully, about yer involvement, but dont ye worry. I'll set things straight."

[ July 16, 2004, 15:45: Message edited by: Takara ]

 

William rose up and roared loudly across the room; "Listen up lads! Ye all fought well today, bloody good to crack some landlubbing skulls if ye ask me. However! We'll be sailing for the Romedaos in the mornin', cap'n Pierre. If yer ship is sailing for Port.. Quinn? directly, we'll expect you to wait for us there before we proceed to Myr Islands. Cheers!"

Emptying his mug in huge gulps, he slammed it on a table and looked around to find his escort. Successfully so, he called them up; "Gents! On to the dagger!"
they finished their drinks and started heading back to their own celebration of victory on the other pirate ship.

William then leaned down to talk with Abell again.
"Hey sis, ye want go on the Dagger or stay here? I dont mind wha'ever ye choose."

 

Abell looked up at him and smiled. "I'll be goin' where ever you are, capt'n." She stood up and brushed off her plain grey prison clothes. "So, t' the Dagger then?"

 

William smiles; "Aye.. t' the Dagger. Follow me."

Thus spoken, he left the Black Wind and returned to the Crimson Dagger where his men greeted him and bid the Jackal and his sis upon a round of grog. The pirates had a jolly good time drinking their bloody guts out.

 

Eldon walked below deck forgetting to inform Percival of his preparations. As he neared the door he heard a feminine voice coming from the old quartermasters cabin.

Eldon's face turned to anger as he heard the blackmail that was unfolding inside. Why is he standing for it? And we have Matty to fill the spot of thief. though Eldon knew experience would be helpful for their job.

As he heard their little conversation come to an end he considered dragging the treacherous wench up on topdeck and throwing her overboard, but instead decided to trust in Percival and make haste to a darkened corner.

 

Lamira bowed her head softly in the quartermaster's direction. "That would be appreciated, Mr. McSween. I wouldn't like it if I did my duty in your operation and get a dagger in my side for my troubles." She paused slightly, eyeing the empty glass of water, silently wishing she had more, but kept it to herself.

"Whomever you decide to bring with you, they need not know the circumstances to which I join you. Truth be told, I would rather that they be different, but as the fates would have it, our partnership is under much more diabolical terms.

"Anyways," Lamira said, rising from her seat and stretching her arms above her head, grunting from the still lingering pain and dropping her arms with a loud sigh. "Have you any more preparations left to make? And if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to accompany you. I wouldn't mind seeing the layout of the ship...and to protect my investment in your group of course..."

 

"I wouldnt look at it as duty, merely self-interest." Chuckling, Percival stood. "Come, let me show you the ship, and I'll introduce you to Eldon."

Leading Lamira out, he headed up onto deck, where the party was in full swing. Looking around, he spotted Matty, and waved him over. "Matty, I'd like ye to meet Lamira. She's a fearless lass, and is going to be on our little venture." Winking at Matty, he asked her if she had seen Eldon.

At that moment, he spotted Pierre LeVarde, and realised he was going to have to talk to him.

 

Eldon had been stalking the pair since he overheard their conversation. He was suprised at how easily he could move without detection. He knew now that little of importance would be said now, so he made his way to the rear of the ship to think how he would play things. He didn't like seeing his friends being used and he was not about to let her get away with it.

 

"Ah, Percival!" Pierre said, laughing as he approached him and slapping him on the back heartily. "I've been looking for you! I killed that bugger kid, and now we're sailing to Mir Islands to collect some gold. After, of course, Port Quinn. Why weren't you at the feast?"

 

"I had some buisness to attend to below decks. Ye remember Lamira dont ye? Ye charged to her defence real quick." Percival started to laugh.

"I'm glad ye ditched that boy, I didnt ne'er trust him, and I'm sure ye had good reason."

Looking around, Percival lead LeVarde away from the perty a bit.

"I be having some.... difficult news. I'll be putting ashore from the ship shortly before we get to Port Quinn. Eldon and I have some personal matters to attend to. Lamira is gonna join us as it involves her. I'd rather avoid any connection to this ship, so that ye dont get blamed fer anything we might be doin'"