Chapter Two - All Aboard!

[Yurie Yileen]

   Able Seaman Aimen watched with interest as the small group of passengers assembled on the quay.  It wasn’t a long journey over to them from the Southern Arrow, but it gave him enough time to observe one man, obviously a ‘lubber, spewing the contents of his guts into the harbour waters.  “Not a very good offering to make to Baveras before a sea-voyage,” he thought to himself darkly.
   Soon, the small cutter had moored up alongside the quay wall, and Able Seaman Aimem had clambered ashore.  Then, with a smile and a friendly voice, he addressed the small group.
   “Good morning!  I believe you’re travelling on behalf of Jorn Ranskjun aboard the Southern Arrow?  I’m Able Seaman Aimen, and I’ve been charged with escorting you over to meet Captain Fjorwek.  Please, gather your belongings and follow me.”
   Once everybody had got aboard, Aimen gave the order for departure, and the cutter was soon skimming across the harbour, propelled by six, skilled oarsmen.
   “Ah, here we are!”  Aimen said happily when the cutter pulled up alongside the magnificent Southern Arrow.  “Please, leave your luggage here; the men will bring it aboard presently.”  He then signalled that the first of the group should stand, and offered his assistance to help them climb the boarding ladder onto the main deck.  Once all the members of the group had boarded, he started organising the rowers to haul the luggage up after them.

   First Mate Udghrin pulled her shoulders back slightly, and lifted her head so that she could peer down her nose at this ignorant ‘lubber.
   “You took yer time, didn’t yer?  Yer lazy ‘lubber!  I ‘ope yer picks yer feet up, else I’ll ‘ave yer in irons afore the watch is out!  Now, go ‘nd ‘elp them other ‘lubbers with their luggage.”  She pointed to the group of passengers that had just clambered on board.  “Go on!  Don’ just stand there a-gawkin’ at ‘em!”

   Captain Fjorwek, Doctor Jorek, and Lieutenant Ustaskjan stood on the quarterdeck, watching the rapid approach of the cutter.  Once the small group of passengers had all arrived safely, and their luggage had been brought on deck, the captain gave the order to set sail.  Then, with both the doctor and lieutenant following close behind, he strode over to the rather bemused group of new arrivals.
   “Ah!  Good morning!” he said heartily.  “Welcome aboard!  I’m Captain Fjorwek, this is Doctor Jorek, and this is Lieutenant Ustaskjan!”  The doctor bowed deeply when his name was mentioned, and then doffed his hat.  Well, he would have doffed his hat, if he’d been wearing one; instead, he just made the motions.  The lieutenant snapped to attention, and saluted.  “I wonder, have you broken your fast yet?” the captain continued.  “We’d be more than happy to have you join us at my table!  We have much to discuss!  Come, follow me.  One of the men will bring your things, don’t worry.  You!” the captain pointed at Mallorix, “Bring that luggage to my table!  Yes, that’s right.  Now, would everybody follow me, please?  It’s right this way.”  The captain turned sharply, and started walking towards his quarters.

[Mallorix Volinkov]

Mallorix was sent to pick up the luggage of the passengers, with a very threatening remark from the woman in charge of the watch. He decided to act as servile as possible while he was on board the ship.
Mallorix said:
"Um, yes, right away ma'am. I'll do it very very quickly, yes, very quickly."
With those words he ran off and went to the small boat thing that he didn't have a name for that he went to the pier with. He jumped in, and rowed as quickly as possible to the pier. By then, Mallorix was extremely tired and he stopped for a moment to catch his breath on the pier. Then he quickly loaded the heavy luggage one by one on the small boat thing  and tried to row as quickly as possible back to the ship. Mallorix pulled at the oars, but the boat barley moved. He was sure if there was another person there it would be easier, but then he looked and saw how frighteningly close to the water the edge of the boat was. Mallorix suddenly started rowing three times faster, as it appeared the boat would sink if he stayed in it for too long. When he approached the huge ship, he called for someone to lift the boat out of the water. However, the boat was probably too heavy to lift, even with whatever devices they had on board. Mallorix climbed up the rigging, careful not to look down, and helped use the thing to lift the small boat. He unloaded the luggage, and carried it to the deck. Mallorix asked the seafaring woman:
"Do I put this in the hold, or do I bring it somewhere else ma'am?"

[Royce Brodlyn Kristoph]

His stomach contents emptied, Royce spit a few times, trying to rid his mouth of the rancid flavours assailing him.  He felt a slight tugging on the back of his shirt, and noticed the diminutive bald girl from last nights supper.  He couldn't really tell what race she was, but it did not matter.  At the assertion that he looked terrible, Royce chuckled good naturedly, and took the water proffered.  He rinsed his mouth and spit the water into the sea.

He was aware of the other woman approaching as the two conversed briefly about remedies.  So, they were both healers.  That was good to know.  On a quest like this, they were bound to need the talents of these two.

"No, thank you, er Ladies?  But, this isn't the first time brandy has turned from lover to witch.   I prefer to suffer through it, in the vain hope that I'll remember this in the future and pass on it.  Save your tonics until we really need them."  He smiled at both healers.  He would have preferred to chat a moment, get to know them, but they were interrupted by a seaman calling them to.

"It appears our ride is here."  Royce then joined everyone else as they left the dock and were carried over to the Southern Arrow.  He was by far, no master of ship design, but he was impressed with the vessel.  What impressed him more so, was the greeting they got by the ships officers.  It appeared that the crew here, and its Captain, were well disciplined.  He obediently followed the Captain, after the invitation for breakfast.  Not that he planned on eating.

[Fu Luft]

Fu was still lying slumped against the wall in the cargo hold. Neither the sun-rays that now fell through the porthole on the opposite wall and suffused the room with a soft yellow light, nor the hustle and bustle on deck just a few ped above his head, woke the wizard’s exhausted body and drained spirit. While he slept …

… he was allowed to dance with Bronya. His daughter was small and one year old, just as she had been when he had last seen her, but she was standing upright and confidently on her little legs, without timidity or swaying. The little girl grabbed both of Fu’s hands with both of hers, greedy for the dance, and led him into a swirl of leaping legs, gracefully gesturing arms, and boisterous laughter. Round and round they went, submitting to the music that sang in their ears, dancing over soft grass, around kindly old trees, while they carefully and joyfully avoided stepping on any of the flowers whose red and blue and yellow faces looked up at the dancers, sharing their delight. The music was calm and powerful like waves rolling onto a sandy beach on a soft summer morning, and it was deep like a clear mountain lake whose bottom you could not see. The musician was another Fu, who sat on a stone, legs idly and comfortably crossed, and merrily blew into his flute, playing tunes more beautiful than an awake Fu ever could. The melody swooshed in strong, gentle waves and made the green grass sway, and made the tall trees bend, and it took the dancing pair up with its notes and bore them high into the air, above the tree tops, up into a the land of clouds.

Bronya laughed and sang and skipped about, effortlessly stepping on thin air. Fu’s heart leaped with joy at seeing his daughter happy. They danced around a friendly dense cloud, and found that behind it yet another Fu was waving to them. This one pointed at a round shape that floated next to him in the sky. It was a porthole. Fu and Bronya stuck their heads together to look through it, and they saw a wide landscape. Within it, a small figure was walking along a lonesome road, dragging his feet and hanging his head, visibly weary. The grass by the roadside towered over this wanderer – he was not much bigger than a rat. But the wanderer, also was Fu! He looked about him. Where was Bronya? He had lost her in the sky between the clouds! He tried to call out to her, but out of his throat came only a shrill pathetic squeak, as of a mouse in the claws of a cat. Wanderer-Fu began to cry. He had lost his daughter. Was the other Fu still with her? Would she be afraid, all alone among the clouds? When would he see her again?

Beside the road, on a tree trunk, another porthole opened. Wanderer-Fu looked through this one also: and saw (again!) himself, sitting at a desk illuminated by candlelight. Desk-Fu had abnormally large hands, and in his right he held a quill, writing something on a parchment. He appeared to have written three letters, but there were like no letters Fu had ever seen before. He could not understand their meaning. Fu stopped to rub his strained eyes. When he removed his fingers and looked at the parchment, he saw that a small porthole had appeared right below the third letters. Looking through it, he saw a sleeping Fu, slumped against a wall in the dark cargo hold of a ship. Desk-Fu shouted: "Fu, wake up, the ship is about to set sail! You must wake up and get back on land, Fu!” But Fu didn’t hear...

… and slept on and on and on, groaning in response to his feverish dreams.

[fionn]

Fionn found her attention flickering from one thing to another, trying to take in the new people and surroundings. The air smelt of salt and fish and seaweed, among other things, but also slightly clearer and sharper than it had from the shore. The boat moved weirdly under her feet. The water looked completely different from what it was used to – darker but still blueish, and ruffled by constant, rhythmic movement.

She smiled and bowed politely to the captain, doctor (another one? Brilliant, this could be a real education), and the other members of he crew, before following them, along with the rest of the adventurers. Surrounded by the small crowd and dwarfed by them all, she turned her silvered gaze on them in turn, trying to remember names.

Royce looked peaky, but he’d be fine by lunch time. She just hoped they weren’t offering very greasy or pungent food for breakfast here or there’d be a mess… fish lay eggs, so do sailors eat them for breakfast? Urgh, I don’t know about Royce, I think I’d be ill if that’s what’s on offer.
no wait, we’ve treated seafarers before, they eat land food whenever they can get it. Don’t be stupid, Fionn. Who’d eat fish eggs!

Ylva was clearly experienced as a healer, and Fionn was keen to learn from her, as well as glad of the company of someone who seemed to have a decent stock of medicines – at her last check, Fionn had a few scraps of bandage, some ice plant that might or might not be going off, a fever reducer of dubious quality, and an assortment of dried mushrooms she really didn’t think were suitable for any of the assembled adventurers. Having no money made it hard to be a good doctor.

The moody looking man was an enigma wrapped in a pickle, and she wasn’t quite sure what to make of him, if anything at all. He had offered to help, which counted for a lot, but I was fairly sure Ylva and I could manage to look after one hung-over man by ourselves.

A slim-built man, no wait, he said he was an elf, though I can’t remember his name… the girl who looks not much older than myself (though all humans look a bit older when you view them from underneath), umm, Rhia? Something like that. The dwarf, very hairy and very neat – exactly my opposite. Dunno his name, though I’m sure I heard it, did it start with a K? the soldier lady, with pink armour. I really wasn’t paying much attention last night, was i? can’t remember many names.

She heard a noise from beneath her feet, a little like creaking wood, which wood make sense. It was just her over-exited imagination that sought out a human voice.

[Ylva Rasmussan]

"Maybe I can help , I have seen many times how the healers work , too many times ..." Ylva glanced over at Fionn, wondering what she thought of this offer of help. Ylva herself was a bit uneasy about the man. The murmillion was about to tell him that his help would not be needed, but was suddenly distracted by the sound of a stifled but distinctive giggle, Ylva looked round and raised her eyebrows at Jenlyn in bewilderment towards her attitude, she vaguely remembered the girl from the night before but now was beginning to feel that this girl was very different from her. I've never had the time or inclination to giggle....

The man called Royce finally seemed able to communicate, "No, thank you, er Ladies? But, this isn't the first time brandy has turned from lover to witch. I prefer to suffer through it, in the vain hope that I'll remember this in the future and pass on it. Save your tonics until we really need them." Ylva just nodded and gathered all her things back together, smiling slightly at Royce's choice of words, From lover to witch...hmm....he's had a worldly experience of life.....
 
Ylva turned back towards Malavon and shrugged, “Help or healers needed no more.” Unless he feels like carrying my stuff for me....that'd help my spine...

The woman followed the others, not enjoying the short unsteady trip on the small boat, her feet weren't made for such an unstable and wavering element, Ylva had always preferred the earth and mountains to be under her feet. Yet here I am stuck on a boat, what was Mari thinking? Her tired eyes scanned the group she was now stuck with, strange how we're all now stuck on this boat, the dreamer has plans for all of us it seems, her sight passed over the young girl named Rhia, when I was her age...I was still at home, I hadn't even started cleric training...yet here she is, someone with no obvious combat training or magic, on this boat...

The small cutter got closer to the Southern Arrow, which towered over the small vessel. Ylva managed to pull herself aboard, clunking sounds to be heard from her pack. Damnation, one of the ormelin jars must have broken again....the woman sighed and checked her bag, a long line of cursing in strange mumbo jumbo could be heard, as Ylva saw that yet again her pack was soaked. A rather damp spider peered up at her and tried to leap about within the pack. The healer was too busy struggling to get the spider back in its wooden box, to hear much of the speech being made by the captain of the ship.

[Koka Bentarm]

Koka smiled - a tad wanly - at the words of the captain, once she had managed to struggle on board from the small cutter. She felt as if she was on some wild beast, and already at the port she could feel the depths of the water pulling down. She couldn't help but notice that they were essentially riding a waterbubble (with some wood around it) and she was pretty sure that the sea was constantly trying to win back the space it had lost. It was not a comforting thought.

She had, in fact, already broken her fast, and she did not feel as though she could break another. She paled visibly - or what would have been visible if not for her beard - at the mere thought, but she did not think it would be polite to refuse. She could probably get away with sitting at the table without eating, so long as she was being social.

She followed the captain on unsteady legs, where normally (i.e., with solid floor under her feet) she would not have faltered. Once in the captain's quarters, she chose a seat pretty close to the exit. The food that was laid out for them was turning her stomach; she just hoped that she would not make a fool of herself in front of her companions. At the very least, she hoped she could make it outside and to the ship's side if worse came to worst.

Her first hope proved vain. No sooner was everybody seated then Koka felt how the ship lurched and cast off. If she had thought that the movements of the ship earlier were bad, she had been badly mistaken. Pressing one hand to her stomach and another to her mouth, she muttered "You'll excuse me" to whoever sat nearest her, and ran back outside on her stout legs. Lucky for her, her second hope did not prove as vain as the first. Emptying the content of her stomach over the ship's side, she cursed the day - well, yesterday - when she'd said yes to the venture. She could forsee very little enjoyment in the coming journey.

When her breakfast was lying in the sea, she found a bucket of water on the deck - salty water, she discovered when she dipped a finger in it - and carefully cleaned her face and beared with it. The scrubbing she was doing made her cheeks turn a rosy red colour. The water stung a little cut she had on one of her stubby fingers, but she ignored the pain. When she was satisfied that nothing was left, and that she could hopefully stand being in the same room as food without more coming out for a little while, she returned.

"Sorry about that." she said, as she took her seat again, ignoring the queasy feeling in her stomach.

[Rhia]

Heart winging in anticipation, Rhia followed the others on board the ship. The dull thud of her feet on the boarding ladder was comfortingly familiar, as was the floor of the ship. She glanced about her and saw that the ruddy-cheeks of the dwarf were now tinged with an unpleasant, apprehensive green that fairly shouted, "We'll be expecting a visit from the inhabitants of the stomach district any moment now, can't imagine what's keeping them." Rhia felt lucky; she hadn't thrown up yet this morning, though her own belly felt rather tumultuous and rather rebellious on the whole. She grimaced, hating the thick, smacking feel in her mouth. That'd be the last time she ever sampled that type of beef!

The group was greeted enthusiastically by a... Hmm... tall, sunny-haired, blue-eyed, and generally good-looking... Rhia shook herself and listened to his words as she surveyed the two others with him. There was a manly-looking woman, also tall, but burlier, woman with black hair. There was only one way in Rhia's mind to describe her apperance: one tough b- one tough lady. The other was, well, less tough-looking and generally physically the first man's opposite in that he was quite short and pudgy. And had no hair. His pate gleamed with sweat from the muggy air. Despite herself, Rhia wondered what his own particular use in the company would be. She rather sympathized with him. She'd been catching speculating glances directed at her all morning, not to mention the previous night, although Sir Despana had been the only one to directly question her purpose. (And by now she was more than a little sore about it, though the speculating glancers did have good reason to wonder.) Yes, she thought, she and the bald little man were probably two of a kind.

Then she heard the tall man address him as "Doctor Jorek" and all her kindly resolutions concerning 'two of a kind' disintegrated on the spot. She was still fuming at having discovered that another person was potentially useful when the ...tall, handsome... Ahem! first man, Captain Fjorwek, invited them his quarters for a breakfast. At this point Rhia's mind and stomach began warring with each other. The mind recognized that she was, in spite of whatever the stomach said, hungry. On the other side we have the belly, in which you'd think there was a hyperactive squirrel, for all the leaping and tumbling that went on inside it.

Rhia went -hah! 'Went' is too vague a word, it was more like 'tottered'- with the rest of the group to the captain's quarters, and stood by the table. Wait to seat yourself until the host seats himself, Rhi... At length the conflicting body parts seemed to come to an agreement- without the consent of the person herself. Rhia promptly buckled over and spewed a few watery contents onto the floor. With the stomach problem relieved a bit, her stomach now allowed her to feel properly hungry. She straightened herself. A few silent moments. "The beef really got to me," she offered finally.

[Yurie Yileen]

   Captain Fjorwek gestured for his guests to be seated at his table, which was laden with various kinds of fruit and bread.  As he scanned the assembled faces, he noticed more than one of them looked a little green around the gills.  Then, as if on queue, the lady he assumed to be Rhia promptly spewed some watery muck onto the floor.  Almost instantly, a young-looking boy fetched a mop and a bucket of water, cleaning the offensive mess away.
   "Thank you, Aiden," the captain said to the boy.  Then, turning to Rhia he said, "Please, have some bread, it might help calm your stomach."
   The next to go was the dwarf.  "Well, at least he made it outside," the captain thought to himslef.  It was quite normal for those unaccustomed to sea travel to feel a little nauseous at the beginning.  Captain Fjorwek just hoped that they would get over it soon.  He didn't even like to consider what would happen, if and when they hit rough conditions.
  When the dwarf had returned to his seat, Captain Fjorwek offered his opinion to the group.  "I would ask the doctor here to give you some kind of herbal remedy to help, but I fear that it would only be a temporary solution.  In my experience, it's best to get on with things, and trust that your body will grow accustomed to the motions of the ship.  Of course, if anybody gets particularly bad, then I'm sure Jorek will be more than willing to help."  The doctor merely beamed a grin around the table, and nodded his head in assent.
   "Now," the captain continued, "I plan on splitting you into two groups during the daytime.  The warriors among you will be under the care of Lieutenant Ustaskjan, and the healers wil be working with Doctor Jorek.  And those that don't fit into either category," the captain was looking direcly at Rhia, "can move between the two."
   "Permission to speak, sir."
   "Yes, lieutenant, permission granted.  Though, you know, you don't have to ask me every time."
   "Yes, I know, sir.  But I wouldn't feel right if I didn't."
   "Very well; maybe one day you'll grow tired of it."
   "I advise those who will be working with me not to eat much," the lieutenant said, her lips twisted slightly into what might have passed for a smile.  "I find that rigorous training is best carried out on an empty stomach.  It seems as though at least two of our company shouldn't have any problems with that!"
   "I also advise my group not to eat too much," the doctor added, without any further explanation.
   "Very well," the captain said.  "In that case, I need only say a few more things, and we can conclude our breakfast.
   "Firstly, I'd like to point out that this ship, indeed, any ship, runs according to discipline.  If I, or Lieutenant Ustaskjan, or Doctor Jorek, gives you an order, then it must be carried out immediately, and without question.  I understand that you're my guests, of course; but rules are rules.
   "Secondly, you will take your meals here, and at the end of the day we will meet here to relax, chat, and generally unwind.  I hear that you play music, Rhia?"  The captain turned his attention once again to the lady he assumed to be Rhia.  Jorn Ranskjun had given him specific instructions regarding her.  "I'd very much like to play with you, though I must confess, my own ability is somewhat limited.
   "And finally, if any of my crew give you, how to say, unwanted attention, and I'm referring mainly to the ladies among you, then please inform me at once!  I won't stand for any leching on board the Arrow!
   "Now..." the captain started his sentence, but trailed off as something occured to him.
    "Where in blazes is your luggage?  Aiden!  Go and find that lazy 'lubber I instructed to bring the baggage here!"
   "Yes, sir!"  the cabin-boy said smartly, before leaving the cabin with a purposeful stride.

   First Mate Udghrin looked at Mallorix as though he'd grown a second head.
   "What's this?" she demanded.  "Where did yer get all this stuff from?"  Then, shaking her head, she said, "you'd better 'urry up 'n get them bags into the cap'n's cabin, boy!  Why, 'e'l flay thee alive!"
   Just then, Aiden the cabin-boy arrived.
   "The captain wants to know why our guests' luggage hasn't been delivered yet.  I think you'd better get a move on, mate!  Here, I'll help you!"
   Udghrin nodded her agreement, and ushered the pair away from her.  Aiden hurried over to where the guests' bags had been placed, and picked up a few pieces.
   "Here, you grab the rest, and follow me!" he said to Mallorix earnestly.  Then, when he saw that Mallorix had picked up some bags, he quickly made his way back over to the captain's cabin.  "Just keep your mouth shut," Aiden advised Mallorix as they went.  "And don't make excuses!  Just say that you're sorry and that it won't happen again!  Hopefully, he won't be too harsh infront of company!"  Then, with a look that seemed to express some kind of pity, Aiden entered the cabin again, and announced Mallorix's arrival.
   "And about bloody time, too!" the captain roared, rising to his feet.  "Where have you been, lad?  Did I not give you a clear enough instruction?  When I want something done, I want it done now; not next week!  By thunder, I should have your hide for your insolence!"  Captain Fjorwek's face had turned red with anger, his fists were clenched, and his eyes blazed.  Then, he marched over to Mallorix, and roughly grabbed his head, peering into both ears.  "Doctor!" he continued, "Is it possible for a man to grow carroots in his ears?  Or maybe to have a pompion for a brain?"
   "No sir, I believe not; though stranger things have been known."
   "Indeed!" the captain snapped as he marched back to his place at the table.  He was visibly calmer now, and his voice had lowered.  "Well, it's not for me to say what should be done with you, lad; it was our guests you inconvenienced, not I.  So I leave it to them to decide what should be done with you.  Fionn," the captain knew the name, for he had been informed of who would be sailing with him, but he didn't know who its owner was.  "What say you?  Should we clap this man in irons?  Or throw him overboard for a morning swim?"

[fionn]

Fionn started when her name was called by the enraged captain, but composed herself quickly and looked the man up and down, or rather up and further up, as he was considerably taller than her.

She bit her lip in thought, and dug her hands into her pockets, trying to work out how to be diplomatic. She’d never really understood the human emphasis on punishment for it’s own sake – whilst she could see that the captain needed to keep order on his ship, it seemed a waste to spend time and effort humiliating this lad, who she guessed probably already felt pretty sorry.

Finally, she said, “Smile. I think he’d have a nice smile. I don’t think it’s entirely necessary for him to get all wet or… iron-y. I have to admit I’m not entirely sure what’s meant by “clap him in irons.”

She displayed her own, pointed teeth to the young sailor, and threw a similarly pointed look at the captain. Then her common sense kicked in, and she wondered if maybe she should have been a bit more respectful. Ah well, she was small, surely she could find places to hide on such a big boat.

[Malavon Despana]

Malavon followed silently the group towards the dinning room , not that he was going to eat , but its was better to play along for now , to be a part of them , what a pain this was causing him , most of them were no warriors , still feeling the effects of the night before , they seemed something that the cat coughed out .

He heard as the captain spoke , most of it was rubbish but there was something that flared Malavon eyes , a phrase he caught " Firstly, I'd like to point out that this ship, indeed, any ship, runs according to discipline.  If I, or Lieutenant Ustaskjan, or Doctor Jorek, gives you an order, then it must be carried out immediately, and without question.  I understand that you're my guests, of course; but rules are rules." , now one thing was to answer to the captain but another was was to three , before Malavon could say anything , the captain started to yell towards a man that was late , as least it was as Mal understand , bringing the group´s belonging , the man itself didn´t mean much to Malavon , but the way the captain spoke to him , made Malavon wild and unruled blood boil , he just didn´t like the arrogance of the captain , because he was the captain didn´t give him the right to treat people like that ...

After Fionn finished talking , Malavon nodded in agreement and said something very unusual in him , word to defend someone " I have to agree with him captain , the word captain was full of irony , just because he is at your service , doesn´t give you the right to treat him like that .."
Looking around , he realized how weak and caring for another made Malavon feel and added before someone could realize that beneath such cold demeanor there a was a kind heart " unless we could all do it " he said with a cold smile , one that he didn´t felt at all .   

[Yurie Yileen]

   Captain Fjorwek first of all smiled, and then chuckled softly when Fionn gave her answer.
   “Iron-y,” he repeated to himself in amusement.  "Honestly, Fionn, I hope that you never do learn what it means to be clapped in irons!"
   The next man to speak clearly showed his ignorance of maritime matters with his rather naïve words.  Captain Fjorwek regarded the man for a moment, forming an initial impression of him as he did so.  Clearly he was no stranger to combat, but he seemed to have an air of arrogance about him.  He was, in the captain’s opinion, the kind of man that looked out only for himself, and was either unwilling, or incapable, of working in a team.
   “Ah,” the captain began, “I see you are unused to the ways on board a sailing vessel, sir.  I wager that this journey shall be an educational experience for you.  Suffice to say, when at sea, discipline and the ability to follow orders all too often mean the difference between life and death; even more so than on dry-land.  But, you are new to the life, and you are a guest aboard my ship.  So, taking into consideration Fionn’s words as well, I shall submit to your kindness, and allow the boy the benefit of the doubt.”  Captain Fjorwek then turned back to Mallorix, and his voice turned stern again.
   “It seems that Baveras smiles on you today, boy.  But mark my words, I’ll have an eye on you from now on.  Anymore mistakes like that, and even Grothar Himself won’t be able to save you!  Go on, then; get back to work!”
   Now fully composed, the captain turned his attention back to his assembled guests.  “Well then, now that your luggage has arrived safely, I believe we can get on with the day’s work.  I’ll leave you in the capable hands of the doctor and lieutenant here.  Rhia and Hylphan, you may choose which group you join.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have duties to attend to.”
   Captain Fjorwek then stood, and bowed slightly to the group.  Before striding out of the cabin, however, he approached Rhia and leant close to her ear.  Then, in a whisper that only she could hear, he said, “take my advice, and stay with the doctor.”
   “Royce, Malavon, Koka, Jenlyn!”  Lieutenant Ustaskjan had stood and was calling the names.  “You’re the lucky ones!  You’ll be training with me!  First things first, let’s get onto the main deck and warm-up!”
   “Ylva and Fionn,” the doctor said softly after the warriors’ had left.  “I’ve been told that you’re both fellow healers.  I hope to learn much from you over the coming days!  But first, tell me, what are your areas of expertise?”

[Ylva Rasmussan]

The spider had been finally wrestled back into the box and stuffed back into Ylva's bag. The woman sighed, Maybe I should just retire....go live in a small cave somewhere....it'd be easier... The captain of the ship led them to his quarters, Ylva plonked herself down at a seat near the door and sighed. She heard a quiet mutter coming next to her, "You'll excuse me"

Before Ylva could answer back, the dwarf was out the door and looking for a place to empty his stomach contents. The healer recognised the faint sounds of seasickness coming from outside. The dwarf appeared a while later, his cheeks bright red, Ylva just nodded as the dwarf offered a small apology to the group. Its going to one of those days... Her ears heard the same familiar sound again...only much closer...her head spun round to see Rhia standing next to a small puddle of watery sick. "The beef really got to me,"

Ylva raised a sceptical eyebrow at the young woman, That's no beef.... A yawn passed her lips, her eyes were tired, no sleep made her grumpy, her eyes quietly closed, slowly slumping down in her seat... sleep called for her. Her ears only took in a bit of conversation....something about luggage and carrots in ears.... it was only with the recognisable voice of Fionn that Ylva's conscious resurfaced........
 
Hmm? What's going on? You're just rest for a bit and suddenly people are talking of iron...what does clap in irons mean? You can't clap with irons....Idiotic language....

The healer's eyes closed and Mari welcomed her again.....

“Ylva and Fionn,” Ylva's eyes snapped opened, “I’ve been told that you’re both fellow healers. I hope to learn much from you over the coming days! But first, tell me, what are your areas of expertise?”

Ylva cringed a bit, this was the sort of question which forced her to tell the truth. Murmillions weren't popular people, people heard the rumours of scary rituals and cults, they never want to find out that the rumours are true....oh well here goes.....this is when the pitchfork is sharpened.....

“I trained in Dagans as cleric and healer, then worked in Lhindal as medic for Santerran army....” The murmillion looked at her companions to see if this would mean anything for them, and then shrugged before slumping back down in her chair again.

[Royce Brodlyn Kristoph]

Royce sat silent, absently chewing on a piece of plain bread, hoping it would settle his stomach.  He watched with detachment the exchange between the captain and the healer he now knew as Fionn.  Discipline was important, he knew that, and he supposed even more so on a small ship, far from the safety of land.  The fact that one of their group was arguing against it, the same man Royce had a problem with last night, only confirmed his worries about this group.  Perhaps time aboard this ship, forced to strictly follow orders was exactly what this group needed.

He pushed himself back from the table and stood.  "So, it seems this will not be the pleasure cruise I had hoped for.  I must speak to Jorn about this upon my return."  He failed to add, If we return.  "I do hope that you do not expect to turn us all into sailors in a few weeks.  I'm a little old to be learning a new trade."  His eyes sparkled mischievously.   

Ii also suggest that this morning, you take it a bit easier on us than in the coming days.  That is, unless you want your deck to get a fetid bath.  I dear say, not all of us are feeling our best today.  Again, something I will need to bring up with Jorn when I get back.  Next time, don't serve the good stuff before a sea voyage."

With a quick nod of his head to the captain, Royce turned and made his way back onto the deck.  He watched as the harbour slowly moved further and further from them.  He stood for a moment, hands on hips and watched the land fade further into the background.

It had begun.

[Mallorix Volinkov]

Mallorix was very confused. First, the woman didn't know what to do with the luggage that she said for him to bring. Then, the captain yelled at him. It seems that he had told him to bring the luggage to his table, but Mallorix didn't hear. He didn't even know where the captain's quarters were! In the end, he was saved by someone who looked sort of like a little girl, but different. He was free to go anywhere now, until someone gave him orders.
The first thing he did was thank the girl, who the captain called "Fionn". He walked by her and whispered:
"Thank you."
Then Mallorix apologised to the captain.
"I'm sorry, captain sir. I did not hear your instructions well. I will try to not repeat this mistake again."
He then left the room and walked to the hatch of the cargo hold where the man was hidden. He decided to tell the man that the ship had left. He looked around to make sure nobody was watching him, and then he opened the hatch, and descended down into the dark hold. He went over to the corner where the man was sleeping, and he saw that he had neither eaten the food that Mallorix left, nor drank the water. Mallorix decided to shake the man awake and offer him the food.

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