01-07-2017, 01:51 AM
The small caravel set out from Cinnabar Island with a strong wind at its back. The Sage had to admire the effectiveness of the crew that Daedlin had manning the vessel. The deck was organized, and the ship moved along at a solid clip. The Dwarf was a competent seaman, and the crew seemed quite eager to follow his simplest of commands. A fresh ship and a shiny young crew… The Sage mused as he stared out at the dwindling form of Cinnabar Island. There really is an interesting story going on here. he thought, turning back to regard the ship he was on. Daedlin was quickly inspecting the ship before they arrived at the Imperial blockade. The Sage watched him as he made his way around the vessel. You’re doing a marvelous job of not explaining what’s going on here, dwarf. This isn’t a trading vessel… surely you must have some knowledge of the Empires interests in my location? Whatever you’re planning, you are certainly willing to take some significant risks to accomplish them.
The Sage’s gaze drifted away from the captain as he continued his inspection and ahead to the growing silhouette of the imperial blockade. Even languishing in their fixed positions, the galleons of the Imperial navy were a sight to behold. The tall masts stood stark against the horizon, sails furled, but the flag of the imperial navy flew proudly from the mast of every single member of the armada. The thought of even attempting to challenge such an array of warfare was enough to give the Sage a headache. And yet his current course was likely to put him on a direct collision course with their efforts sooner or later. It would be some time before he could begin to challenge them in force however. For now, my ways must be those of the wisp… He had slipped past them on his way into Cinnabar by going underneath the ocean, but it did not seem likely that Daedlin’s ship would transform into a submersible. The dwarf must have some other plan in mind.
The Sage made his way down to intercept the captain as he finished up his inspection. “I don’t mean to be forward, but I would assume you are aware of my status in the eyes of the Empire?” he gave the dwarf a meaningful look, “I don’t think it would be a good thing for any of us if I was to be found aboard your vessel. It could lead to a very awkward line of questioning about my most recent…escapades on Cinnabar that I would prefer not to…”
Daedlin waved the Sage into silence with a grin and a shake of his head. “No need to worry on tha’ account laddie, I have no intention o’ letting myself get nabbed by them imperials for stowin’ a fugitive.” He crossed his arms and his grin widened, “Can’t kill many trolls when you’re stuck breathin’ water in Impel Down now can ye?” he made a sweeping gesture with one hand and led the Sage down into the belly of the ship. “We got a plan together already for this part o’ the journey.” He said, weaving his way between a very haphazard assortment of boxes and barrels, making his way towards the back of the vessel.
We? The Sage thought as he followed the mercenary captain, I don’t think Dasha gave you this detailed a plan, friend dwarf. As they neared the back of the ship, the Sage considered confronting Daedlin then and there. While he didn’t doubt the mercenary would be able to over-power him in a fight, the dwarf seemed to be going to decent lengths to keep the Sage on board with his story. Perhaps he would be better suited to play along with whatever scheme the dwarf was plotting, at least for the present.
They reached the back of merchant ship, and the Sage was slightly confused to find a hammock and light set up in the very back of the boat. “If you’re plan is that they won’t find me back here, I think one of us has a very skewed view on the scrutiny with which the imperial navy will be inspecting this ship.”
Daedlin gave him a sort of lop-sided grin, almost like he was confused. “Do you think we’d just have ye sittin’ on yer thumbs back here? of course the Imperial dogs are gonna come sniffin’ around my cargo-hold. How else are they gonna ‘confiscate’ whatever portion of my goods their quota is making them take now?” Daedlin reached up to clap the Sage on the shoulder, a task he was almost too short to accomplish, and the Sage found himself resisting the urge to lean down to make it less awkward. “No sir, you are gonna use your little orb friend and make a wall here fer you to hide behind.” There was slight pause before he continued, “That’s somethin’ you primes can do I’nt it?”
The Sage studied Daedlin’s features for a moment before nodding slowly, “I do believe that could be done, but it will take time.” And I will have no way of knowing when it is safe for me to come back unless you were to tell me… The Sage was not finding himself particularly keen on this particular idea, but given his lack of alternatives, he saw very little else he could do. The Sage moved over to the crawlspace and began to concentrate, doing his best to absorb the details of the wooden wall he would be summoning a replica of.
“You should find a decent store o’ food there too. If things go according to plan and it’s just a standard inspection, ye won’t need it. But ye can never really count on anything being standard when it comes to these inspections, so I didn’t want make any kinda assumptions.” The Dwarf gave a sort of apologetic grin which the Sage didn’t bother to acknowledge, then turned to go. “We’re getting close to the blockade, so I’ll leave ye to your summoning.”
The Sage watched him go, this last conversation seals the deal, Daedlin. I can’t wait to see who is really behind all of this.
The Sage’s gaze drifted away from the captain as he continued his inspection and ahead to the growing silhouette of the imperial blockade. Even languishing in their fixed positions, the galleons of the Imperial navy were a sight to behold. The tall masts stood stark against the horizon, sails furled, but the flag of the imperial navy flew proudly from the mast of every single member of the armada. The thought of even attempting to challenge such an array of warfare was enough to give the Sage a headache. And yet his current course was likely to put him on a direct collision course with their efforts sooner or later. It would be some time before he could begin to challenge them in force however. For now, my ways must be those of the wisp… He had slipped past them on his way into Cinnabar by going underneath the ocean, but it did not seem likely that Daedlin’s ship would transform into a submersible. The dwarf must have some other plan in mind.
The Sage made his way down to intercept the captain as he finished up his inspection. “I don’t mean to be forward, but I would assume you are aware of my status in the eyes of the Empire?” he gave the dwarf a meaningful look, “I don’t think it would be a good thing for any of us if I was to be found aboard your vessel. It could lead to a very awkward line of questioning about my most recent…escapades on Cinnabar that I would prefer not to…”
Daedlin waved the Sage into silence with a grin and a shake of his head. “No need to worry on tha’ account laddie, I have no intention o’ letting myself get nabbed by them imperials for stowin’ a fugitive.” He crossed his arms and his grin widened, “Can’t kill many trolls when you’re stuck breathin’ water in Impel Down now can ye?” he made a sweeping gesture with one hand and led the Sage down into the belly of the ship. “We got a plan together already for this part o’ the journey.” He said, weaving his way between a very haphazard assortment of boxes and barrels, making his way towards the back of the vessel.
We? The Sage thought as he followed the mercenary captain, I don’t think Dasha gave you this detailed a plan, friend dwarf. As they neared the back of the ship, the Sage considered confronting Daedlin then and there. While he didn’t doubt the mercenary would be able to over-power him in a fight, the dwarf seemed to be going to decent lengths to keep the Sage on board with his story. Perhaps he would be better suited to play along with whatever scheme the dwarf was plotting, at least for the present.
They reached the back of merchant ship, and the Sage was slightly confused to find a hammock and light set up in the very back of the boat. “If you’re plan is that they won’t find me back here, I think one of us has a very skewed view on the scrutiny with which the imperial navy will be inspecting this ship.”
Daedlin gave him a sort of lop-sided grin, almost like he was confused. “Do you think we’d just have ye sittin’ on yer thumbs back here? of course the Imperial dogs are gonna come sniffin’ around my cargo-hold. How else are they gonna ‘confiscate’ whatever portion of my goods their quota is making them take now?” Daedlin reached up to clap the Sage on the shoulder, a task he was almost too short to accomplish, and the Sage found himself resisting the urge to lean down to make it less awkward. “No sir, you are gonna use your little orb friend and make a wall here fer you to hide behind.” There was slight pause before he continued, “That’s somethin’ you primes can do I’nt it?”
The Sage studied Daedlin’s features for a moment before nodding slowly, “I do believe that could be done, but it will take time.” And I will have no way of knowing when it is safe for me to come back unless you were to tell me… The Sage was not finding himself particularly keen on this particular idea, but given his lack of alternatives, he saw very little else he could do. The Sage moved over to the crawlspace and began to concentrate, doing his best to absorb the details of the wooden wall he would be summoning a replica of.
“You should find a decent store o’ food there too. If things go according to plan and it’s just a standard inspection, ye won’t need it. But ye can never really count on anything being standard when it comes to these inspections, so I didn’t want make any kinda assumptions.” The Dwarf gave a sort of apologetic grin which the Sage didn’t bother to acknowledge, then turned to go. “We’re getting close to the blockade, so I’ll leave ye to your summoning.”
The Sage watched him go, this last conversation seals the deal, Daedlin. I can’t wait to see who is really behind all of this.
If history is to become legend, it first must be recorded.