[IC] Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

[Spiffy]

Cicero Bladewalker

Cicero nodded as Gwyn revealed her plan to him. The crew looked more and more oblivious the longer the evening went on. It was now or never. He whispered back to her, "Be careful and stick to the shadows. I only need my weapons, leave the armor. Not like you could lift it anyway." Cicero smirked at her. Despite their situation, a little levity could be helpful.

He turned back to the merry crew. Cicero walked over to the tankers, picked one up and filled it with grog. It wouldn't hurt to play along with them and enjoy a drink while at it. Cicero took a long swig from the beverage. By no means was it good quality. Though it had the effect of getting someone drunk, "This is quite the crew you have here Captain Joss! Finest band of sailors I've seen this side of the sea!" Around them lay several incapacited men. Some drooling others snoring. A few stumbled around the deck, clearly drunk.

That's when he spotted someone out of the corner of his eye. The former Captain. He snuck along the railing and headed for the Captain's quarters. Cicero took another swig of his drink thinking to himself, "Should I give him away or distract the crew more?" Cicero did not trust anyone who called this vessel their own. However, perhaps having another man to fight the crew if it came to it would be advantageous.

Cicero began laughing boisteriously. He stood up suddenly and announced, "I'M IN THE MOOD TO FIGHT! WHO HAS THE GALL TO STAND UP TO MY CHALLENGE?!" Cicero began shadow boxing at the various crew members. Any drunk sailor worth his salt would step up to the plate. Cicero smirked to himself. Despite his previous injuries, he figured he could put on a good enough show to distract the men.

[Cyrania]

SS Libertalia

Cicero Bladewalker

@Spiffy

Four more pirates had fallen to the effects of their grog, but three shambled over to take up the challenge. The captain hung back and observed for now, curious about how this would turn out. The three came from different corners of the deck and therefore ended up assembly to join the fight sequentially as time drew on. Yet his challenge did complete the objective of keeping all remaining attention on him. The first one up threw a right cross at our fearless, still injured knight.

Dalious & Gwyneria

@Sol Grim

Gwyneria rolled her eyes as she heard the commotion Cicero started up. The fool better not get himself more injured! But she pushed onward, walking silently through the shadows. She was near the Captain's chamber's now. Why Cicero would choose now to do a distraction like was beyond her. Unless it was also a warning? It seemed obtuse for a plea for help. She set aside the image of Calypso possession and focused on a simple blind spell. The crew ought to be accounted for, but one could never know for sure. She carefully opened the door...

[Sol Grim]

Dalious& Gwyneria

"Ah, right where I left you," Dalious muttered aloud as he opened a drawer revealing a bottle of fine whiskey. Either Joss didn't know it was stashed here or he was saving it, either way the look of the liquor was extremely tempting. He opened the bottle and began chugging it when he started hearing some yelling and fighting coming from just outside the cabin. Good, they were distracted. He took a few more swigs of the bottle as he stood in thought of what his plan should be.

The door suddenly came open just as he was about to exit, thinking it to be Joss he panicked and fell backward. At the same time the ship took on a rough patch of waves, helping to mask the sound of his fall along with the fighting. He quickly found his footing again and saw that it was the newcomer elf instead. Dalious closed the door behind her, holding a finger to his lips to keep things quiet.

"I forgot my whiskey," was the first thing to blurt out of his mouth. If she were sneaking in here without Joss, it must have been for her and her groups equipment. "If you're doing what I think you're doing, then perhaps I misjudged the lot of you. Does this sneaking about serve purpose of a plan? While they are distracted, what's say we barge out there and start cleaning up the Libertalia?" He glanced over to a few chests, thinking them to maybe have her friend's belongings.

[Spiffy]

Cicero Bladewalker

Cicero smirked as he watched his opponents come forward. It was like being back in the Colosseum again. Ah yes! The Colosseum that he would not see until his name was cleared for the framed murder of his own king! What a cruel fate. Cicero's smirk turned into that of a fierce continence. Then he went to block his opponent with his left and gave a haymaker punch to his opponent's jaw at the same time with his right.

Even though he was more suited to using weapons, he was no slouch in the many bar fights he found himself in. His fault or otherwise. Even still, his shoulder did ache as he went for the move, but he was confident some scallywag sailor would be no match for him. If they ganged up however...

[Cyrania]

SS Libertalia

Cicero Bladewalker

@Spiffy

The knight's punch connected, sending the pirate reeling. But he was still on his feet and conscious. The pirate behind him charged in with a left hook. The third was going to be here soon and the captain smirked as he continued to watch.

Oh what could our brave knight possibly do? Continue to fight back? He really ought to be somewhat mindful of his injuries. Dodge and come up with a plan to incapacitate the guys? There is a ocean behind him he could utilize as well as whatever's on deck such as rope, stuff from the dinner.

Dalious & Gwyneria

@Sol Grim

"Let me grab our things first, then we can consider part two." Gwyn finally replied, forcing herself to not be as tense as she was being. For right now, the guy did seem to be an ally and there was no point in worrying too much. She could probably handle him on her own if worse came to worse, but as long as there was no need to test that... Another thud came from outside. "Though it sounds that Cicero has already started on that part." Her eyes fell onto the chests and she tested first to see if they were locked or not. "So, how did you manage to escape? Or is that a trade secret?" Yep, of course they were locked, but it was good to check first. Now were some likely places for him to have his keys? Her eyes scanned the room and fell upon a bed, a desk, a rug, travel souvenirs, and assorted clothes lying about the place. She started immediately towards the desk and searched the drawers.

Is Dalious going to help her in her search? Search for something else? Be creepy? Or do something else?

[Spiffy]

Cicero Bladewalker

Cicero flipped a table nearby toward his opponents. While they were distracted he grabbed a tanker of grog and went to smash the face of the nearest man with it in the face. He really hoped Gwyn would be coming back shortly, hopefully on the same page with the former captain.

Considering how things had gone so far he didn't expect much. But hope was one of Cicero's better traits. He never truly let it die. He hoped this sailor liked a face full of grog.

[Sol Grim]

"Yes I see, your friend might just be as crazy as myself," he muttered upon hearing the fight just outside. He smiled when she asked how he got out, sticking the fishbone he still had into his mouth to pick his teeth creepily. "Well, yes and no. There's only one simple reason on how I escaped, as I'm sure you'll learn soon enough. That reason, I'm Captain Dalious Durendail. No matter the odds, I will prevail. Savvy?"

Behind her back while she searched for a key, he attempted to pick one of the chests with the fishbone. However, the bone snapped in half almost instantly rendering it useless. "Blooming hell!" He looked around the room, having no clue where Joss would keep the key except on himself. "It's probably on the captain, though he is forgetful so you never know." He started going through the clothes spread about, searching the pockets as quickly as he could. He didn't know how much longer her friend would be able to distract them.

Making a disgusted face, he tossed some pirate trousers off to the side. "Ah, dirty bastards!"

[Cyrania]

SS Libertalia

Cicero Bladewalker

@Spiffy

Whack. Smash. Thud. Thud. Thud. Left over food and grog was sent flying to his other two opponents, stunning them before the table knocked them over and fell on top. The third sailor finally careened to the ground after his face was smashed in, though he hardly noticed that as he licked off the remains of the grog. A hush fell over the scene. Then the Captain called out as he rose from his seat, weaving as he stood "Well,well. You've put up quite the fight. But did you really need to waste our feast, laddie?" He drew out his cutlass, the moon shining down the blade as a jingle of keys was heard. "Seems like I need to teach you a lesson in manners, boy. May as well have some fun with you before reaching port." And with that he charged forward, blade first.

Does Cicero dodge, find a sword, trip him up, send him over the side, or what?

Dalious & Gwyneria

@Sol Grim

"Figures." She replied as she finished her examination of the desk and turned around. "They don't seem to be here and the captain's belt does seem likely. Rats!" Then a giant smash was heard. "Double rats! He's still healing from yesterday's battles!" Or was it even yesterday? She had no clue. But the situation required her to focus and focus she would, Cicero was counting on her. She examined the room again until her eyes laid upon two daggers. Well, better than nothing. Slightly hesitating, she handed one to Dalious. "Not ideal but workable. We can grab something better from the sleeping armed drunks if given a chance." Then she hastened from the quarters to see what the situation was.

And Dalious? Does he follow after? Grab something than follow? Stay out of it entirely? Do something else?

[Sol Grim]

Dalious

"Rats!?" Dalious spat shockingly, quickly jumping onto the desk and looking around the floor. "Where!?" He hated the little vile rodents, sickly creatures that deserved no place in this world. The large smash knocked him off the table and back to the floor, nearly toppling him to his face. He collected himself once he realized it was just an expression and that there were actually no rats.

"Sure, but if there are rats out there you lot are on your own," he muttered as he took the dagger from her. While she seemed entirely focused on the fight outside, Dalious slipped out the way he had come in. The waves made the wood of the ship slippery but he was used to it, so he climbed from outside and onto the deck where a crew mate was idly steering the ship solo. Dalious grabbed him and quickly tossed him overboard quicker than he could scream. He then ran his fingers across the ship's wheel and smirked. "Did they treat you well?"

Looking down the grate below he had a clearer view on what was going on with the fighting. Joss was about to take on the newcomer in a game of fun, which seemed to be the only opportunity they had to overtake them. He watched and waited with a hand on the anchor wheel, if things started to turn sour he would pull the lever and release the anchor. This would halt the ship and hopefully daze those below long enough, or if the newcomer gained the upper hand he would simply jump down and join in the fight.

[Spiffy]

Cicero Bladewalker

Cicero dodged with all the speed he could conjure up to the right side. He aimed to pick up a fallen cutlass that lay near a drunken sailor. If he could outpace his opponent he had a chance. He spoke back to the sword-wielding man, "Hey now! You wouldn't make mincemeat of your guest, now would you?" This was a long shot, but if he could pick up the weapon he could defend himself until Gwyn came back.

[Cyrania]

SS Libertalia

Cicero Bladewalker , Dalious , & Gwyneria

@Spiffy@Sol Grim

Joss's lunge missed by a drunken mile, but he simply smirked and said. "Oh, I'm not making mincemeat out of ya. I'm making you dance for our wasted feast." Then he swung the cutlass at his "guest". "As long as ya're liv'in, a few more scratches won't 'urt your price." (Cicero was able to successfully pick up the sword.)

Gwyn rushed towards the fight, trying to think. Cicero was still heavily injured and shouldn't be in another sustained fight. His opponent at least seemed heavily drunk, but there was no telling how much that would really affect his actions. All the other crew seemed out for the count at least. Three against one were better odds than they initially had. But she was still low on power. Well, there was one thing she could still do, but was there a way to use light to blind Joss without blinding Cicero? She'd still prepare a light spell though as well as the dagger and see if Dalious had any better ideas.

The sounds of Joss's voice carried up to Dalious at the wheel as well as the fray below. Only the three figures were visibly moving. All others seemed soundly asleep.

[Spiffy]

Cicero Bladewalker

When Cicero grabbed the weapon he smirked, "Here's my reply." Then Cicero lunged from his crouched position where he picked up the sword at his opponent attempting to slash upwards with the cutlass. He was hoping to do some damage and maybe even blind him in his other eye.

"Where's Gwyn when you need her?" He thought anxiously. He wasn't in the best place to be fighting this hardened criminal. Obviously not some honest sailor that he claimed. And there was now a price on Cicero's head? How quickly had word of the King's death spread? This was getting worse all the time...

[Sol Grim]

While the others were busy or asleep, Dalious moved around the deck of the ship grabbing some ropes. He tied the grate shut over the crew's quarters, making it so that when they awoke they could not come back out. This only blocked the few that were in there sleeping, the rest would have to be taken care of by other means.

He released the anchor then moved over and opened the grate above Joss and the newcomers heads. A wide smile on his face, he dropped down into the room and landed perfectly onto one of the wooden tables. "Here I am, you tub of shite! You had your fun, but I already told you before mate. No matter the odds, I will prevail!" Dalious held his dagger high and gave Cicero a nod. "You can put me in a cage but you can't hold me forever. For I am the great Captain Dali-" When the anchor reached the bottom it tugged the vessel, Dalious went flying from the table and smashed hard into another table with food sprawled about it.

[Cyrania]

SS Libertalia

Cicero Bladewalker , Dalious , & Gwyneria

@Spiffy@Sol Grim

Joss screamed in agony as Cicero's strike struck true, aided by the ship's lurch. Gwyneria fell onto the deck, her planned spell dissipating. His left eye now wept with blood and his mind sobered up as he blindly struck away the offending sword and stepped back before switching his eyepatch over from his still functioning right eye to the left one. He snarled as he took in his two opponents and kicked at Cicero's legs to knock him down to the deck. "Ya'll pay for what you've done this night. An eye for an eye's fair, right?" Then as he aimed towards Cicero's eye...

"CICERO! Guard your eyes!" Gwyneria hollered. Then she unleashed a light ribbon from her fingers that fly to wrap around Mutiny Joss's head, overwhelming his eyesight with pure light. While making sure her ribbon held as she pushed herself to her feet, she hoped that her allies weren't also affected. She rushed the remaining distance just in case, dagger at the ready.

Did Dalious and Cicero guard their eyes before the light or not?

[Spiffy]

Cicero Bladewalker

Cicero shielded his eyes with his sword arm before the light blinded his opponent. However, the kick from Joss battered against Cicero's weakened right leg. He fell to one knee as Joss slashed at him blindedly. The sword smashed against Cicero's own as he barely could hold it from knocking him completely onto his back. The swords grinded against each other in protest.

"I COULD USE SOME ASSISTANCE!" Cicero hollered out to his allies.

[Cyrania]

SS Libertalia

Cicero Bladewalker , Dalious , & Gwyneria

@Spiffy@Sol Grim

"On it." Gwyneria called. Knife at the ready, she slashed at Josh's sword wrist. The captain cried out in shock as his cutlass fell clattering to the deck. He started punching blindly, striking the elf once in the stomach as she tried to dodge. She stalled for a second, then forced herself through the pain to continue dodging his flails. Finally, she moved behind him and swiftly set the knife below his Adam's apple, her hand and body braced against his left shoulder so he couldn't easily turn around and attack. "Don't. Move."

The pirate rested his arms against his side, trying to force himself through his remaining drunkenness, blindness, and pain to figure out what to do now, especially since he now had a mage to contend with. There was no telling what a she witch like her would do.

Meanwhile, Gwen noted the state of her allies then stalled on what to do next. Killing him now would be the most sensible, but she'd never...She knew how to in case of need, but to actually, take a life? Have his blood stain her hands and leave her marked forever? He'd have no conpitions about taking her life or that of Cicero or Dalious. Ugh, what to do, what to do?

What happens next?

[Sol Grim]

Dalious blacked out momentarily from the crash into the table, missing the blinding light in the process. When he came to, the fight was over and the she elf had Joss on his knees with a blade to his throat. He could see that she was hesitant, so he simply walked over and grabbed the blade from her hand.

[Color=steelblue] "Eye for an eye, mate,"[\color] he said, then stuck the blade through Joss' left eye, before pulling it back out and then slitting his throat. Joss took awhile to die on the floor.

[Color=steelblue]"Thank you lot for believing me," [\color] Dalious spoke to Cicero and the elf. [Color=steelblue] "I'll take you to the nearest dock where you can carry on about your ways. For helping me, I will also give my services to you. I know it may not seem like much, but I really have nothing better to do now that I'm a lone pirate. The rest of mutinys crew can walk the plank on the way. There, it's settled."[\color]

Without waiting for a response, he made his way to the ship's deck and took his captain's wheel. He raised the anchor and fixed the sails for the current blowing wind, then set off to the nearest dock. [Color=steelblue] "Pirate's life,"[\color] he muttered to himself while the sun began to show far off in the horizon.

[Spiffy]

Cicero Bladewalker

Cicero flinched as he watched Dalious casually murder his former first mate in cold blood. Not a man they would want to cross. Dalious thanked them for believing him and Cicero replied, "If you can promise us safe passage to the nearest port we would be very grateful. We don't know much about sailing, just tell us what to do and we will take care of it. I will take your former crew into the brig."

Cicero looked at Gwyn and nodded. Glad to see they made it out of this one alive. Then he began rounding up the rest of the crew and threw them into the brig.

After this was taken care of, Cicero took his equipment back from the Captain's cabin. He also went through Joss' pockets for any valuables, bounty papers etc. Then he took one last look at him before throwing him overboard. It wasn't the most honorable thing to do, but it was better then stinking up the ship.

Cicero glanced at the Captain, uneasy to work with their new ally. Then he quietly muttered to Gwyn, "We will definately be keeping an eye on him.." Cicero walked toward Dalious and stated, "We appreciate your help. However, I will not allow any more executions of prisoners unless absolutely necessary."

[Cyrania]

SS Libertalia

Cicero Bladewalker , Dalious , & Gwyneria

@Spiffy@Sol Grim

The gruesomeness of the kill shook Gwyn, but she was grateful that Dalious had taken the situation out of her hands. The mutiny leader would have been too dangerous to keep alive in any case. She would have to learn how to not freeze if the situation happened again though. That wasn't here or now though. Right now, Dalious was offering to get them to the next port and travel with them. She shivered at the callous mention of having his former crew walk the plank, but she could see the logic of it. She nodded her head in agreement with Cicero, not seeing a need to add any more words in. Then she dissipated the remnants of her light ribbon, feeling that bit of drain finish off,before checking that Cicero and Dalious weren't too injured, only really able to stop bleeding at this point. She helped Cicero as well as she could get the crew into the brig as Dalious ran the ship before going with him to get her equipment back. The feeling of her wand and rapier back leant her a better feeling of security that she'd been solely missing as well as her book.

As they walked towards the Captain at the wheel, Cicero whispered to her and she whispered in reply. "Don't worry. We will." Then Cicero went and protested Dalious's plans for his crew. On the one hand, yes killing so many at once like that was terrible. On the other hand though, what other options did they have? They'd be facing a worse death if turned into a port. If kept alive, there was a high chance one or more of them might come back for revenge. No way to trust them since she barely trusted Dalious. Really though, what would they do with them? Besides, this seemed a little early to be deliberately provoking a fight. "What were you thinking of doing with them then?" She asked Cicero, hoping she came across as a neutral at this point and could calm things down before they got heated up.

[Sol Grim]

Dalious hesitantly nodded to the command. "Could we just throw one of them, possibly two, overboard...??" he began in protest but almost immediately thought better of it. "Fine, no more killing unless absolutely necessary."

The pirate let his old crew's fate be discussed and handled by them. While they figured that out, he set the sails proper and turned the ship toward where he believed to be the nearest land. However he was unsure of exactly where he was, the stars were fading from the sky and he would have to wait for another nightfall to use the stars as a map. For now, he coasted them in the direction they were already heading while keeping a watchful eye on the horizon with his spyglass.

"We're past the worst of the storm," he spoke to no one in general. "Smooth sailing ahead, lads. Perhaps a song could ease the uneasy morning." Dalious cleared his throat and then started to sing an old pirate shanty. "Well it'd be alright if the wind was in our sails, oh it'd be alright if the wind was in our sails, it'd be alright if the wind was in our sails and we'll all hold on behind! And we'll roll the old chariot along, we'll roll the old chariot along, we'll roll the old chariot along and we'll all hang on behind..."