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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 17, 2023 14:45:49 GMT -5
Captain Hadley 'The Fox' Addington Ship name: The Night’s Rose Cheers came from within a tavern. The roar of men and the clink of their glasses. Within the tavern a woman stood upon the bar, black leather boots reached up to the tops of her calves with a thick folded cuff at the top. The boots were decorated with silvery golden skulls at her ankles. The mark of a pirate. She wore leggings of black and grey stripes that hugged against her petite form. She had a corset of black that cinched in her waist atop a white tunic that was sleeveless. Upon her arms she wore black leather wrapped gloves that reached up to her biceps with a metal clasp at the top. Her fiery red hair seemed to almost glow in the dim light of the tavern as she led a shanty. She swung her mug from side to side and the froth of the ale splashed over the sides several times. She kicked her boot upon the bar to create a rhythm as she led the group of patrons in song. A smile curved up her lips smoothly before she took a long drink from the large mug of ale. After the shanty was over the woman hopped down from the bar with ease, she wore a sword upon each hip, a pistol upon her thigh and a dagger upon her other thigh. She reached forward and grasped a leather tricorn hat from the back of a hair and she placed it over her head. She staggered slightly and giggled as she took another swig of her ale. She moved about through the thick of the crowd until she came to a table which she placed herself in the lifted chair that sat open for her. “Have you had your fill, Captain?” A man asked as he looked to her curiously. He had short well groomed hair and a short well kept beard upon his face. His eyes were dark as the night – yet held a glisten like the stars in the sky. He flashed a smile to the captain, “What is our next stop?” He questioned curiously. The woman looked to him with her striking emerald hues. “Hm, wherever the sea takes us, Emery.” She replied and took a long drink. “That is where our next treasure will lie.” She held a hand up and then giggled drunkenly. The man laughed and threw his own head back to drink from his mug. He wiped away the froth of the beer from his upper lip. The crowd within the tavern called out as they began another shanty. “Well, the next treasure I am certain will be just as fruitful as our last.” He smirked as he watched her sway to the new shanty that was carrying through the tavern. The doors burst open then. Silence swept through the tavern as knights clad in shining armor with blue capes upon their shoulders rushed into the tavern. A knight looked about the tavern, his eyes settled in on the captain. “Hadley Addington. You are under arrest. Come peacefully and we will not need to harm any of the innocents in this room.” “You’ll never take our captain!” A man called out. Chaos ensued after that. The dance of blades. An age old tradition. Hadley stood from her seat, a smirk upon her lips as she pulled her rapier from her hip and she sliced forward. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” She questioned with a beautiful smile as her sword locked with that of the knight that had announced her arrest. “You’re a thief. You’re wanted for murder. The king has had enough!” He grunted as their swords broke free of one another. Hadley staggered back and giggled, “Isn’t every pirate?” She swooped forward with ease and spun before her sword locked with his once again. She leaned in close to him as she gazed into his eyes. “There must be something more interesting to this.” She grinned. “Now!” The knight called out. A harsh blow landed on the back of Hadley’s head which caused the captain to crumple to the ground. “That’s enough!” He called out – the room filled with silence. “Seize them!” He ordered to his men. The crew of the captain were shackled and marched from the tavern… ** The shackles were the first thing she noticed as she began to wake – then it was the stench of the dungeons. She gagged slightly to the smell as her eyes opened and took in the dim world around her. She tugged slightly at the shackles and a sigh escaped her lips. Captured. This was a first for her. Hadley always got away – in fact – most were even afraid to approach her. This had truly caught her off guard. “Get up.” A knight ordered. Hadley stood and stared to him, her brows tugged together as he stepped into the cell and grabbed the shackles. He towed her from the cell. “Captain!” Several shouted as she was dragged through the dungeons. They gripped onto the bars and shook them in an attempt to free themselves and save their captain. She jerked back against the knight, “Where are you taking me?!” She demanded. The knight looked to her, a bored expression. “To the king.” He replied as he pulled her along. She was forced up the stairs of the castle and down several different hallways. She took note of each one. She would escape. The doors were opened to a large throne room that held blue banners with a lion upon them. The sigil of the kingdom. She was shoved forward and the backs of her legs were kicked harshly which caused her to fall to her knees before the king. The man had a white short beard, he looked down to her from his throne and then to the knight. “You are dismissed.” He spoke as he stood from his throne and walked down the three short steps to stand before the pirate. “Rise to your feet, Hadley.” He spoke and then waited. He looked her over a moment before he drew in a breath, “I imagine you are wondering why you are here.” He spoke and allowed a moment of pause for her to think. “I need you to retrieve something for me.” He stepped to a chest and opened it. A compass and a map lie inside. “Your crew will be at your ship. You will retrieve this. If you fail me – I will ensure your death is much less pleasant than hanging in the gallows.” He turned to her and searched her eyes. “The war is looming. This kingdom will fall if I do not have this artifact.” “What makes you think I’m going to just bend over and do as you order?” Hadley snapped at him as she pulled at the shackles. “I am no puppet to the king.” “I thought you might say that.” The king turned and looked to her, his brows tugged together. “I will destroy your ship then. What...was the name of it?” He tapped his chin in thought. “The Night’s Rose.” Hadley spoke with a scowl upon her face. “You cannot threaten me. Just hang me at the gallows if that is what you wish. I work for no one.” She tugged harshly at the shackles. “Don’t you dare touch my ship!” The king chuckled as he turned and stepped to her. “You will do this and I will pay you for it. Get the artifact.” He shoved the compass and the map in her hands. “Return with it and you’ll never have to work another day in your life.” He promised as he removed the shackles. “Do we have a deal Captain?” Hadley looked to her bruised wrists and to the golden compass in her hands. She opened up the map and a scoff came over her lips. “Atisoll Isle?” She questioned. “This is a death sentence. No one has returned from that island.” The king watched her carefully. “You are the only one I believe that can sail those waters. Get the artifact.” “What is a statue going to do for you? A statue will not win your war.” The captain quipped back swiftly. The king furrowed his brows, “Just bring me the artifact.” The king ordered. ** The captain stood upon the dark wood of her ship as it sliced through the waves of the ocean. Rose red sails were tied taut to caught the wind and push them in the right direction. She stared to the compass that the king had given her. Hadley adjusted the wheel of the ship and a sigh escaped her lips. The ocean had grew more and more violent the closer they drew to the island. “Do you think we stand a chance?” Emery questioned as he gripped onto the railing of the ship. “All we can do is try.” Hadley responded as she glanced over her shoulder to him. “We had no other choice in the matter. I’ll not lose my entire crew to the wrath of the king who wants to win a war that he will surely lose.” She raised a brow slightly. As they drew closer to the island a thick fog surrounded them. Waves smashed against the sides of the ships. Other waves cascaded down on the deck. Hadley called out commands to her crew. They scrambled about to follow her orders. Some leaped and grasped lines, others adjusted the sails rapidly. Somehow they made it passed the storm and the gorgeous paradise of an island was revealed. Jagged cliffs lifted high above the sea. Hadley maneuvered the ship until they were as close as she could get them. A small beach of white sand welcomed them. She bit her lip slightly and looked to Emery. “Stay with the crew. I will get the artifact.” “Captain.” He began to protest but she held her hand up. “I will not lose my entire crew to this. If I do not return – leave and sail clear of the kingdom. You will captain the ship well Emery.” She searched his eyes a long moment. “Captain...I...I cannot.” He protested. Hadley gave a smirk and removed her hat, she placed it upon his head and then pat his cheek. “You can, and you will. Until I return.” She climbed into the dingy and she was quickly lowered into the ocean. Hadley rowed to the shore, her eyes only gazed up to the deck of her ship where her crew watched after her. She’d never left them. She didn’t have to. But this – she didn’t know what was lying upon this island that was shrouded in mystery. She tugged the small dingy onto the white sandy beach and turned with compass in hand and walked into the thick of the forest. Gorgeous colorful flowers reached up from the forest floor. She carefully plucked a white flower and tucked it into her fiery hair as she walked along. It took several hours before she found the entrance of a cave. Water flowed from it like a fresh spring. The water was a beautiful crystal clear blue. The captain walked along in the dim light until she had to strike light to a small torch that she carried in her pack on her back. She held it up and wandered along the cavern. She glanced to the compass as it led her forward. Soon enough she could see light before her. She furrowed her brows slightly as she came to an opening in the cavern. The sun cascaded down on a single tree that sat within the center of the water, a thin path led to the tree. Hadley jumped across the rocks that led to the tree. She moved swiftly and then paused at the base of the great tree. “This must be it...” She muttered as she looked to the compass that spun rapidly in circles. She walked about the tree and knelt before a small wooden box. She unclasped the latches carefully. As she opened the box something sliced into her hand. She jumped and winced as she looked to the blood that leaked from her palm. She cursed beneath her breath as her eyes fell upon the strange artifact. It was in the shape of a globe with a woman that sat upon the top of it. It was truly a gorgeous piece. Hadley grasped the artifact and her blood seeped into it. “What...” Her brows furrowed as cracks appeared along the globe of the artifact. She let out a cry as she was thrown back by a wave of magic. The artifact clattered to the base of the tree. Hadley blinked several times – her vision blinded from the flash of light. |
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Post by Raven on Feb 18, 2023 16:40:25 GMT -5
Signe Helvig  A thousand years prior – the world was entirely different. It was a time of untamed magic – where societies thrived in the time of curiosity and power. The people of magic were guided by the unknown, the fae, and the pure energies that sept from the crusts of the earth. It was by no means a peaceful time, but it was a time of exploration across all scopes of earth. To the point where electricity and modern day concerns were folly, as magic could fuel the needs. Flickering candles of endless wax – never needed a light, floating brooms swept the halls and food often cooked itself. The highest of all magical societies was actually Dragons. They held their own culture and existence that was far superior over humans. In many ways some were the protectors of the Ancients, of the lands, and magics. Only select few could even communicate with them, and often were the liaisons between humanity and their kind… in many ways the Dragons directed the future, as often it was said certain ancient dragons could even see this future. In the Northern Mountains of the Great Fjordinak rest the greatest of Ancient Dragons – Glauryig. A young Witch would spend her every new moon trekking the tallest peak. She had built a Shrine to his name a top, where she would give sacrifice and prayer. And every time she prayed – she would see the span of his wings in the distance, giving her a glance of his appearance in response to her words. Her prayers would often lead to good fortune – her Clan winning wars, prosperous harvests, and even the greatest of sicknesses won. Many looked to this Witch – as the speaker of Glauryig, and within time she became revered in the mountains as his voice. Many from the ancient Viking Clans would travel from far and wide, many across the seas from distant islands – to pray with her, and receive guidance. Though it was the Blood New Moon when she made her last hike up the great peak of Glauryifygmir. When she reached the top – there was something over her shrine. It was almost as big as the peak of the mountain itself, black wings that rest outwardly over the jagged scape. Glauryig rest, his giant head resting on the ground. The huge dragon grunted and weakly lifted its huge head as she approached. The Witch dropped her things to the ground and rushed forward – it was clear he was injured, as blood pooled in the thick snow and leaked freely down the mountainside like a free flowing river. “No – “ her voice chimed. “Glauryig” she approached him with no fear and placed a hand on his huge head, fingers grazing over hard skin that was like stone itself. The golden eye of the dragon watched her and he slowly blinked to her. One who seeks my power has cast me from the skies A deep voice shook her chest – the sensation of its power itself was enough to make her crumble to her knees. “Who?” she whispered. A mage who can manipulate time itself… his voice was growing weaker by the minute. You are devout and true, I give you my power…. So that they cannot take it from me…Suddenly the dragon burst into ash, clouds of darkness rolled in from the depths of the atmosphere. Pieces of ember began to gather from the dust of his remains and formed a nodule of magic, small and round. It float forward and then shot into the core of the Witch – who tumbled down the mountainside. When she woke – she peered into the eyes of a woman. This woman was a shocking image of herself, who peered back. “What?” she muttered. “I am a fool” the woman spoke to her and then tilted her head. “But our fate is sealed…” she lifted a brow. “You will learn one day to not play with the powers that are not yours, it is simply this version of me who shall suffer… for eternity, you shall be sealed in this orb. As I need you, myself, the power of Glauriyig to keep the balance of nature from collapsing…” What she would come to learn is that a cycle of time had been disrupted. Herself from a different reality had used the power of Glauryig to manipulate time, which forced a loop of time to occur. It was her future self that caused Glauryig to fall, so that her younger self could absorb his powers, and then proceed to the future where she manipulated time… to do it all again. She had cursed herself in pursuit of power, and doomed this particular alternate reality… To return to her realm with this power – she had to seal herself of this dimension in the orb, and she could return and use her own power to her advantage. However the action itself caused a butterfly effect in the realm, resulting in the crumbling of the balance. The world would rupture, magic would suffer, dragons would die, people – thousands of people. Die to the poor decision of one woman, a thousand years ago in a different realm. The convoluted nature of it became a myth, an ancient story spoke in the sagas, forgotten so long ago that it seemed to not even be real. A balance was eventually found when the orb was sealed in a enchanted island, by a powerful Goddess who sought to fix the lands. It would be under certain conditions that one could enter the island, and even more so to retrieve the orb. Only would the power be sought if the Goddess of Balance willed it. There were times the Orb and the Witches’s power was used for Good, and Evil, under the approval of the Goddess of Balance, as balance comes from both Evil and Good…It was the way of the world balancing out the forces of the unknown. *** When the Orb was touched – It would have been the 7th time she had been summoned since the time she was sealed. Which was a significantly low amount, but considering what often happened when she was summoned – it was a dreadful feeling in the gut of the Witch as she was freed. Hundreds years of silence – went by in a blink as she became one once again. A woman apparated from the orb, which then began to glow brightly, swirling with a Golden magic within, lively for as long as she remained. The woman wore dark black robes, with a fuzzy black wolf cape that hug her neck. Her hair was as raven black as the dark wings of the forgotten ancient dragon, yet her skin as porcelain as snow. She had a powerful jaw and strong cheek bones that resembled beauty and power. She was quiet as she looked around – taking in the space. “I have never been risen in the place of my sanctuary before..” her voice was thick with a forgotten accent, that of the Viking sking of the now-ruins of Glauryifygmir. She lifted a brow and peered to the young woman who summoned her. She tilted her head to glance to her bleeding hand “You… do not know, do you?” she chuckled. “I am Signe Helvig, Seer and Witch, bound to the Orb of Glauryig. You have performed the sacrifice of binding, therefor you now command me… until the day our bind is broken.” She smiled, as if she had said the words before. “But you should know – the Goddess of Balance has every intent to test your worthiness... and that test has already begun..." she glanced to the tree, which swayed with the strong breeze that shifted inward. A great storm was brewing outside, the wind and waves grew in strength as it churned. “I follow you, [/i] Captain [/i]” |
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 18, 2023 17:51:01 GMT -5
The world was a blur, her breath stolen from her chest. She blinked several times as she felt the air shift in the room to a warmth that only the rays of the sun could give. Then everything settled once again and silence filled the chamber as the captain slowly rose to her feet. Her eyes fell upon the woman dressed in black with raven hair. Her heart sped within her chest as she glanced around the room a moment, but then she looked to the glowing golden orb. Her lips parted slightly as the woman before her spoke with such a thick accent that she didn’t recognize.
You...do not know, do you?
What didn’t she know? Hadley had her hand on the hilt of her blade, she swallowed to the sound of the chuckle of the woman that looked like darkness incarnate. She brushed her fiery red hair from her eyes as the woman introduced herself. Seer? Witch? Those words were rarely used in her time. What was Glauryig? The questions kept mounting. Then the woman spoke of the Goddess of Balance – a test of her worthiness?
Hadley gazed up into the skies above as the wind whipped into the chamber. “No...no no...” She stepped back a few paces. She looked to Signe and shook her head. “I don’t want to be bound to you!” She breathed. “I didn’t even want to come to this island!” She clenched her hand into a fist. “That good for nothing king! The reason his kingdom is in such turmoil is due to his stupidity.” She spoke swiftly, “I have to return to my crew...I have to help them.” She didn’t wait to see if the witch followed her. Hadley quickly swiped the orb – the artifact that she was sent to retrieve. She shoved it into her pouch at her hip and she rushed with swift nimble leaps over the rocks that bridged the gap to the tree.
The captain sprinted through the caverns and skidded to a stop at the entrance of the cavern, she held her arm up as wind whipped against her, rain pelted against her face. She grit her teeth slightly as she lowered her arm and ran forward down the hill into the thick of the forest. The trees danced about back and forth as she hurried along. One tree snapped and Hadley was nearly flattened by it – if not for the swift reaction of a roll to the side. She grit her teeth as she scrambled back to her feet and continued on. The wind howled as the storm churned. By the time she reached the shore the waves crashed against the rocks and sand violently. Though this didn’t stop her. She could see the red of the Night’s Rose’s sails upon the sea as it was pushed about by the huge waves.
Hadley made it to the small dingy and quickly pushed it from the shore. She glanced to the witch with irritation in her eyes before she leaped into the small boat and grasped both oars. The small dingy creaked and cracked. Water sloshed over the side and nearly knocked the captain overboard. She gripped on and gasped as water dripped down over her features. “I didn’t ask for this!” She snapped as another wave threatened to capsize the ship. It seemed that the Night’s Rose grew further and further away the more she paddled. She rowed and rowed – her arms began to sting as she was pummeled by wave after wave. It was a great wave that finally overtook the dingy. It encased the entirety of the small boat and rolled Hadley into it’s violent wave. She let out a cry against the water as she fought to find the surface. She kicked at the water only to be tumbled again and again. Her lungs cracked as she felt the need for air. She fought it as long as she could – she knew better than to let the water of the sea into her lungs.
Just as she was nearing the state of unconsciousness something gripped onto her arm and jerked her from the water. Her back slammed against something hard. She coughed and gasped as her eyes blinked. “You can’t get rid of us that easily, Captain.” Emery grinned as he helped her to her feet. He reached to his head and slapped her tricorn hat back upon her head. “Besides – I’m not ready to be the captain of the Rose yet.” He winked to her before his eyes settled upon something else. The witch. They had managed to pull her aboard as well. “Who’s your friend?” He questioned. “I thought this island was uninhabited?”
Hadley rushed away from the deck and up to the wheel of the ship. “We’ve no time to discuss it, Emery, just put her somewhere safe.” She ordered as she gripped the wheel that spun wildly. The captain began to shout orders as waves crashed over the deck of the huge ship. She watched as the sails rippled against the harsh winds.
“We can’t hold against this long, Captain!” One of her men called as he tied another rope taut.
Hadley nodded, she knew. She knew this was a horrible situation. But there was no choice. She turned the wheel into the wind and rode the storm. She turned into the waves and made each and every turn with careful calculation. It was a night of terror. One that allowed no rest. Though by the time the morning sun crested over the horizon – the storm had passed and not even the gentle breeze of the ocean was left. Hadley stood at the wheel, her eyes heavy as she rested one hand upon the knob. Her eyes blinked closed for a long moment and her body swayed slightly as she fought the urge to fall asleep. She'd refused to check on the witch. The seer. Hadley was too busy fighting off this horrible storm to check if the woman was even alive. Though she imagined if the woman was truly of magic as it seemed that a storm wouldn't be what could kill her.
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Post by Raven on Feb 19, 2023 20:27:42 GMT -5
The woman began to panic and easily a chuckle slipped from the dark vested woman. She simply followed behind the woman with a click of her booted step and hummed softly with the whistling of the swift winds. She seemed untouched, unfazed by the power that whipped around them.
“Go easy on her, Freyja” she spoke aloud, as if Freyja herself may have been watching her. In truth she had only seen the woman a handful of times, she liked to do her work from afar, or hidden. Signe followed the red haired woman out into the open island.
Signe had never seen the island itself, her tomb that Freyja had put her in so many hundred years ago. Usually she was already sealed in the orb, or released else where. “It is quite beautiful” she whispered out loud as her fingers rolled over the bark of a swaying palm tree. It had a thick forest that circled about the small mountainside that hosted the cavern within. The Isle of Atisoll, who’s name originated from an ancient language that meant ‘Forgotten’.
As Hadley hurried, leaping and jumping – frantically making her way to the shores… the waves came crashing down with brute force. Signe walked peacefully and nearly regally, she made her final step from the weathered forest pathway and sunk her boot into the sand. She watched the woman climb into the dingy and shove it forward.
Signe took this moment to flex her power, plus it felt good to be free. For the past hundred years or so – she felt cramped, squeezed tightly, her power yearned to breath free. She stepped towards the ocean and then – atop it. Her boots seem to clash with the surface of the water as if it was the forest floor. Magic swelled around her and cut through the water.
While the waves swelled high and crashed with gusto and power – they did not around her. A straight pathway was cut into the waves, creating perfect walls of water as the waves moved past her. Not a droplet of sea water sprayed her as she made her way.
She watched with a slight grin of her face – the small dingy boat was thrusted and thrown. A huge well grew and crashed into the dingy, smashing it into threads and slivers of wood. Signe stopped where the woman sunk under the water and simply looked down. She did not attempt to help, she only watched. There were times she had been retrieved – and it didn’t take long at all to be returned… which was a magical tether by Freyja. Should her host die – the bind would be broken, and the orb would relocate itself to the Island once more. The cycle would continue again, eternally.
Signe glanced up to the boat and smirked as she saw a man leaning over the edge of it. The words were muffled over the chaotic power of the storm – “There she is!!” a man set his tricorn hat down and then leaped into the water with a beautiful display of a dive.
This man, Emery - swam downward with an aggressive breast stroke, until his fingers slipped around Hadley’s clothes. He hugged her close and kicked upward to the boat, to which he grasped the built in side ladder and climbed up swiftly.
A string of water lifted Signe upward from the sea and she float towards the boat, with the aid of the magical water. She stepped onto the boat and brushed her hands off. While the boat swayed and wind pushed them around – not a strand of her hair moved. As if the air stood still for her.
“Signe Helvig – the Artifact” she smiled coyly and she lifted a brow as Emery let a sigh out and placed a hand on her back. “Please, do not touch me” she brushed his hand away and followed behind him willingly. She followed him below deck where she swung open a guest chambers and peered to her.
“You’ll stay here, stay out of the way and we’ll talk more when we’re out of this storm…” he shut the door and then hurried up the stairs to help.
Signe chuckled and stepped over to the window that peered out to the chaotic sea. The ship was lifted high, and then thrown downward into the valley of the next wave. Another wave crashed into the side of the boat, it was unpredictable and it pushed the ship in every odd direction, threatening to pull it apart with every second that passed.
It didn’t take long before the ship was nearly rolled. There was shouting as men tumbled from one side to the other. A clattering of steps came down the stairs and several men shouted “Fuck – we need a medic!” they were dragging a body down the stairs. The boots of the man thumped with each step until they tossed him down onto a bolted down table.
“That IS the Medic” another man shouted. The boat swayed and several men shouted to get their grip.
Signe opened the door and stepped forward, the boat swayed again but her balance was not bothered. She titled her head and glanced to the man “Get me a piece of wood, a plank or something” she waved a hand. She approached the man – his bone splintered out of her flesh of his arm, broken in half at the midst of his ulna.
Signe held a hand out and a bag appeared, she sifted through it and pulled out a small bottle. “For the pain” she chuckled and poured half of it into the bleeding wound and the rest into his mouth. “And bite down on this, hm?” she stuffed a rag that was soaked in tasteful oils into his mouth. “And… deep breath hm?” before he could take the breath – she gripped the two portions of his arm and gave it a strong shove.
His bone snapped back into place, though not a perfect fit no doubt. The men hurried back with a the piece of wood as requested. “break it in half” she spoke very calmly. The men were huffing, and more shouting came from uptop as the boat swayed.
Meanwhile, Signe packed the wound and wrapped his arm tightly with bandage. She then took the piece of wood handed to her and set it on the outside of his arm and wrapped it tightly into place, tying it off. The man muttered in his state of bliss – as the drugs she gave him were very potent.
Just as she finished, another man came limping in – a shard of wood stuck from his thigh, from the damages of the ship. Signe chuckled and pat the table as he came, several man helped the wounded up to the table and she tended to him…
By the end of the storm – she had tended to at least 4 men who were wounded, others trickled in for superficial injuries, but she helped them none the less. The ship settled and one of the sailors handed her an ale – as the others all stood with a mug in their hand. Beaten and weathered – the only thing to settle the soul was a good ale. They raised their mug to the woman.
“So, who are you?” One of the men questioned as he took a drink.
“Signe Helvig, your Captain retrieved me from the Island… I am now bound to her as her Seer.” She lifted her mug and gave it a sniff. She lifted a brow and then took a long swig. Her Viking nature settled in – a good brew she could appreciate. She finished her mug in four long swigs and then men all cheered in surprise. “Skol” she grinned as they refilled her drink.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 20, 2023 0:42:33 GMT -5
“I’m fine. I’m fine get off of me.” The voice of Hadley sounded from the stairs as she was led down the stairs by Emery. Her emerald hues looked to the witch just as the woman spoke the world ‘Skol’. Her brows tugged together slightly. She had a hand on her side. At one point she had been thrown against the pegs of the wheel during the storm. “Emery.” She spoke, her tone irritated. “I thought I told you to put her somewhere safe.”
“She is somewhere safe, Captain.” One of the men spoke up, a smile upon his lips. “She actually helped a lot of us out. Peter over there broke his arm during the storm. He wouldn’t have been able to tend to us if he tried.” The man spoke as he handed a freshly frothed mug of ale forward. “Skol? Was it?” He asked and then chuckled as he glanced to Signe. “Thank you.” He nodded his head to her before he pat his Captain on her shoulder and walked up the stairs passed her.
A wince formed on Hadley’s face as the man had pat her shoulder and as she’d shifted for him to walk around her. Emery watched her with careful eyes a sigh came over his lips. “Why don’t you introduce me to your new….friend?” He asked as he hopped slightly to take a seat on one of the barrels. He reached to one of the men and stole his mug of ale. As the first mate he could get away with nearly anything he wanted, so long as Hadley didn’t argue against it.
Hadley glanced to the woman, she pressed her lips together as she sat on an empty cot. She looked about the room to those that remained with patched up wounds. She then looked back to Signe before she took a long swig of her ale. The last thing that Hadley remembered was something that was not possible at all. She saw Signe as she walked across the water. She saw the dark figure of the woman as she rowed and rowed...and then as the dingy was capsized...she saw the woman as she stood above her one the water. She looked to Emery whom was still looking to her for an answer.
“Signe Helvig.” One of the men spoke with a smirk upon his lips. “You’ll have to forgive our captain.” He looked to the witch and gave a nod. “I’m sure she knew your name.”
Emery chuckled and shook his head, “I’m sure she didn’t.” He replied as he looked to the mysterious woman. “You have magic, I saw you out among the waves of the ocean, then the next thing I knew you were on the ship.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Hadley held up a hand, “Enough.” She stood and took a long drink of her ale. She set the empty mug down. “You.” She looked to Signe. “With me, now.” She grit her teeth slightly from the movement – her hand moved to guard her side once again. “Emery – get to the helm until I return.”
“Yes, Captain.” He shot up and quickly ran off – his demeanor completely changed the moment that the Captain had a sour look on her face.
Hadley climbed the stairs to the deck of the ship. The sun shown down upon the deck to reveal a beautiful pattern of a rose and a moon in the center of the deck. The ship’s namesake. She glanced to look to the splintered boards, a sigh escaped her lips. They were lucky to have made it through the storm. Or perhaps luck was not the proper word. The crew was bustling about with hammers in hand to put the ship back together enough to sail – one of the masts had even broken in two during the storm. They would have to find a port to fix the damages and Hadley knew it was going to be a hefty amount of gold to piece it back together. If that was possible.
Hadley climbed up another flight of stairs and pushed a pearl black door open which pushed into the captain’s chambers. The room held a large bed with an expensive bedspread of black and red. A huge window over looked the sea behind the ship that was as flat as could be without the storm looming down on them. Her desk was completely bare – though several items lay upon the floor from the storm. Hadley scooped to lift a small trinket from the floor, a groan came from her as she grasped the small globe and set it roughly down on her desk. She sat heavily in the padded leather chair and leaned her head back – pain across her expression. She drew in small steady breaths as she kept her eyes shut for a moment. The fiery haired woman then looked to the witch once again. “So, tell me...about this.” She pulled the artifact from her pocket and set it on the table. The globe still held a golden glow – the woman that had once sat atop the globe had disappeared from the artifact entirely. “What exactly are you?” She questioned with furrowed brows.
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Post by Raven on Feb 20, 2023 1:17:58 GMT -5
Signe smirked to the man who spoke in return – Skol, and she drank once more. A tickle pricked the back of her neck and she felt a presence linger down the steps. A grumpy fiery headed woman stormed her way downward. She felt the energy of the crew shift. It was not a displeasing feeling, she could tell they respected her… but yet her mood was not to be toyed with.
Signe simply smirked slightly as Emery riddled her magic. “Indeed, I do have magic” she set her empty mug into the hands of a random crew member. She lifted a curious brow as Hadley chirped at – and commanded her to follow. She gave a simply nod and followed behind the Captain.
She took in the boat – it would surely go into her historical archives of her mind as a new unique tale. Signe had been in many precarious situations, but upon a Pirate’s boat was new, especially one captained by a woman no less. Though, she wasn’t sure how far time had advanced she last emerged…
As they came to the captains chamber’s – Signe stood in the center before the desk with her hands crossed before her waist, respectfully and quietly. Though as her orb was placed before her she slowly stepped forward, her cloak shifting slightly as she reached for it. She grasped the orb and ran a thumb over the crystal glass. The swirling golden mist churned to her touch and she turned it about, a huff from her lips as she did.
“Ah, you really don’t know…” she set the orb back down and chuckled. “You mentioned a King… I suppose he sent you to fetch the Orb…” she nodded slowly and then peered to the woman. “And our binding was accidental... but fate made it so, everything is intentional…” she nodded.
“That is the Orb Of Glauryig, who was once the Black Ancient Elder Dragon, the first of his kind. I worshipped him as part of the Viking clans of Fjordinak, the first of my own kind as well. A long mystical tale in short – I killed Glauryig, and absorbed his power. The Gods were not to keen of this, and I was punished. Sealed into this orb to do the bidding of whomever would be able to claim it… placed within the Isle of Atisoll by The Goddess Freyja. An artifact to restore balance, only to be retrieved if allowed… who’s test you passed.” She crossed her hands once more at her waist.
“To summon me from the orb – a blood sacrifice must be made. I am then bound to that person, you… I do your bidding, so long as you ask me to. My power… is yours. There is some limit to my capabilities, but having the power of an Ancient Dragon, creation of the Gods – well, it hardly has bounds that reach your imagination. Some things I can do at will, others I must do rituals or other means of spellcraft… depending on the need…” she recited these words, almost like a given speech. “Our bind lasts until your death. I do not have the capacity to die, as I am inanimate. The Orb cannot be destroyed, but would return to the Isle upon your death. So… I am sure if the King wished to claim me, he now cannot. You have to die, and the orb will return. Another retrieval would be required…” she relaxed her hands then and nodded. “You see, you have been chosen to bring Balance to this world, ultimately. And I am your tool…Whatever that means, or does not mean to you, is yours alone to understand. All I can say is that I will do anything you ask, with no regard to my own opinion. I will not pursued you, nor share my thoughts unless asked upon… I live to serve” she bowed her head to the woman. “In my previous life, I was called a Seer, though today – I am simply ‘The Wake of Glauryig’ or ‘The Black Witch’ if we’re being simple…my history has won many great and horrible wars, depending on what side you are on…but my history matters not of who I am, for I am now an extension of your capabilities.” She smiled.
“Questions, Captain?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 20, 2023 1:53:09 GMT -5
Hadley held her side as she looked to Signe. “No, I really don’t know...whatever it is that you think I should know.” She spoke as she watched the woman set the orb back down. She grasped the orb and lifted it into her fingertips. The golden mist did not swirl about to her touch as it had to the witch’s grasp. “The King I spoke of is in a losing war – that he started nearly 20 years ago...I’d be lying if I said I thought he deserved to win the war….and if fate truly does play a role in things then perhaps she has all of our threads crossed. This world is an absolute disaster.” The captain scoffed and then winced as she held her side once again.
She quieted down as Signe began to speak of the orb – the history. Words she did not know. Galuryig. It was a dragon? “Dragon?” She had an amused look in her eyes, a chuckle came over her lips. “The mythical creature?” She questioned as she held her side from the bout of laughter. “The closest thing we have to dragons are….iguanas...” She pondered the thought and then looked back to the woman. This woman killed a dragon for its magic? Her story involved the Gods even. She held a hand to her own forehead to feel for a fever. She must have been ill. Or perhaps she had truly drank the sea into her lungs. Was this some sort of cruel joke?
Hadley stood and walked across the room to a cabinet. She opened it and flinched back as she quickly caught several items that threatened to fall. A groan escaped the captain as she grit her teeth. She returned to her desk with two glasses and a bottle of aged bourbon. “Sure I passed the test.” She smirked as she poured two glasses. “You drink right?” She waved her hand and took her own glass to down it quickly. She had to drown away the pain with something. “I’m a fuckin’ pirate with a damn good crew that I almost lost to a storm. We’ve been in precarious situations before. We’ve had cannonballs shot at the hull and yet we still stand.” She grinned and poured herself another glass before she downed that as well. “Go on.” She nodded to the witch.
She listened as the woman spoke of a blood sacrifice. “Well the damn chest your little orb was in.” She spun the orb about on the desk with her fingertips almost absentmindedly. “It sliced my hand open, almost as if it was designed to do such a thing.” She scoffed again. She then settled down as she listened to more of the woman’s story. The power of an ancient dragon….belonged to Hadley? She raised a brow as she listened to the woman. Disbelief in her eyes. Balance. Hadley was to bring balance to this world? She stifled a laugh and took a swig from her glass. She allowed Signe to finish her well polished speech and then she lifted the orb and turned it around in her grasp a few more times before she set it upon her desk again.
“Well...you’ll be sorely disappointed to hear that our world is in shambles. War looms at every horizon. One has to be careful for raiders, pirates, kings, queens...so on.” She took a swig. “I’ve read of the vikings...years ago...the Seer was one of the most important members of their society. A guide.” She leaned back in her chair and winced after she polished off her second glass. She appeared to be a bit more relaxed now. “If you are a viking seer...that makes you...centuries old...like...a thousand years old.” She pondered the thought with a smile upon her lips. “The last mentioning of a dragon was nearly a thousand years ago now...they are a creature of myth now...I have always had a theory that the magic of the dragons disappeared from this land in their death and slowly until each and every dragon was slain. But that’s just a theory. Many scholars won’t even claim that dragons truly flew these skies...and magic...well...” She gave a soft laugh and then held her side again. “That is a thing that very, very few have. Healers mainly...most of them...though few are employed by kingdoms...so they are kept quite safe behind castle walls.”
Hadley pondered for another moment, she looked to the golden liquid within the Decatur. Her emerald hues then looked back to Signe. “So what is it that you wish for me to do? You want me to free you?” She asked with a wild grin on her lips. She leaned forward and lifted up the bottle and swirled it around a bit. “Or do you wish for me to restore balance? Whatever that means. I couldn’t tell you what balance is, I’m a pirate. Getting a golden coin to pay our next endeavor is all the balance in the world that I need...and...that I’ve found.” She smirked then as she set the bottle down with a sigh. “I would lead this world into further unrest, I imagine.” She spoke after a moment of silence before she shrugged. “I have to fix my ship. Do you know how expensive that is going to be? I don’t have time for saving the damn world.” She rolled her eyes slightly before she looked to Signe once again. “So you tell me, Signe. What am I to do?”
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Post by Raven on Feb 20, 2023 2:30:47 GMT -5
Signe stepped forward to the glass of bourbon. “Do I drink?” she smiled and then lifted the glass to her nose. She took a wiff and raised a brow, a long draw and she let out a gentle content sigh, and an approving nod. “I drink tonight, surely” she smiled and continued on her tale. “The storm you prevailed from is likely the most powerful storm to exist in the lands, a God summoned it to test you… you should be proud to have survived” she lifted the glass up in a nod of respect and took a sip. “Skol” she muttered and finished her glass. As the woman continued about the box, how it cut her – she made herself welcome to the bourbon and topped their drinks off. “I am hardly disappointed, I am a seer” she took another sip. “I am quite aware of the future, though in glimpses… and yet, as timeless as I am – the state of the world is no longer my care, nor my desire. If it is magic-less and full of hate, or butterflies and rainbows – it’s not mine to adore any longer. For my time has come and past” she set her glass down and listened to the captain rattle of the time that had passed. “A thousand years since dragons?” she hummed slightly. “I saw the last one perish. To the hands of King Gregandaire… and then I saw the Fae perish some 200 years later. This means it has been at least 800 years since I have seen the state of the world… seemingly – that with magic has died away then? As I predicted” she hummed again. “What is it that I wish for you to do?” he laughed then “You’ve got it backwards, my dear. What is it that I may do for you?” she raised a brow. “Sometimes balance is simply the absence of, as well. You may control me – so that no one else can, or perhaps you’ve yet to determine that your fate is… and that is also okay… but unfortunately one of the few things I can do – is tell you what to do next. That would be intertwining with the Gods, yet again” she glanced out the window briefly to admire the relaxing sea. “You cannot free me, this is the punishment I deserve. I sought power, and I got it… but in return, I may not use my power for my wishes. That is the sentence. Until eternity’s end…” she smiled then as she peered into the captains eyes. “But you are the first who has not actively sought my powers with intention. Many of times I have been summoned and immediately used to murder hundreds, thousands, to overturn cities and collapse entire mountains…” she gave a relaxed sigh. “None have ever asked what it is that I ever wanted…” she turned around and paced forward briefly. “Let us not worry about what I need, or what your fate means… all of that is to be determined hm? Let me show you what I can do…” she waved the woman forward and she stepped out of the captains chambers, onto the overlooking deck that peered downward to the main deck. The ship was in shambles, busted wood and rails about, the main mast broken in half – a deep crack down its rigid break. The sails were ripped and torn… men hurried about to repair what they could, but the Captain was right. The ship was torn. Signe reached to a horn on her waist – it was a simple ivory horn with two brass etchings fitting onto it, a mouthpiece to use. She blew into it and a wave of magic emit from her being. The sound was not a war horn, but rather a singing trumpet’s call, a relaxed feeling would wave over the crew – but mostly draw their attention. If Signe was good at anything – it was theatrics of her power… She lowered the horn with one hand and raised the other – pieces of wood began to lift from the cracked deck. As if time wound backwards, or her magic wove the life back into the ship – pieces began to move and meld back into their pieces. The mast lifted upward and sat upright, the crack and break mended to perfection. Rips in the sails now gone, the fabric taught and whole. The deck’s cracks sealed, and the railings smooth and fresh, even dents and breaks from before healed over as if the ship was alive. There was a final wave of refreshing power – it was perfectly clean, smelling as if it was just crafted the day before. Fresh pine and oaks, the smell of sealant over the woods. Even the objects that had clattered to the ground had found their home once more, and any broken and shattered glasses were once again. Signe lowered her hands and slipped her horn back onto her side, hanging from a large belt that was synched about her waist. Several other trinkets and a pack rest about it, hidden under her cloak. Her crystal blue eyes lost their glowing nature and she peered to the Captain. “Do not feel as though the weight of the world rests on your shoulders… no one person can save the world. If any advice I can give it is – do what you want, when you want it, hm? Viking and Pirate are much alike, you should know. I am a firm believer of – your life is yours alone. Should you want something, you seize it. If it is.. ale, and women, land and crops, or king and country” she chuckled “I will not be the judge of what you do, that is not my place…” she peered to the fresh ship. “But I will sail with you wherever, I will drink your ale, and I will protect you, should you ask it. So, Captain. What is it that I can do for you?” she lifted a brow to her. “I can only do what your will commands of me, that is how my curse works.” |
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 20, 2023 3:04:34 GMT -5
Hadley raised a brow as the woman gave her a nod of respect. “The most powerful huh?” She shook her head slightly. “Hm, Skol then.” She lifted up her glass and took another swig. She watched the woman curiously as she spoke of how she was aware of the future of the world – of how she knew magic would disappear. How she was even there as the last dragon was killed...as the Fae perished. “The Fae...” A smile twitched at the edge of her mouth. “Again, something that does not exist...it’s more of a myth to me than fact.” She leaned back in the chair and gripped her side again from the stabbing pain that threatened her every breath and move.
The captain watched as the woman laughed to her question. “Hm, you see...your rules...I’m not one to demand something of another.” She raised a brow slightly. She then grinned as Signe spoke of intertwining with the Gods once again. “Ah, perhaps that is exactly what we need to do then?” She seemed to tease before she took another swig. She leaned to the side in her chair slightly to favor her aching side. As Signe revealed that Hadley was the first to not truly wish for her powers surprise filtered over the woman’s expression. She then laughed lightly after a moment. “Ah yes, because you’ve been risen by kings and queens, I’m certain of that. They are so full of themselves that they would bring you to life just to murder and overturn cities. That is what they do. They find each and every pawn they can and use them at their disposal.” She stood and took a bow artfully and then groaned with a wince. “You’re looking at a pawn herself. The king imprisoned my entire crew as well as myself...he threatened to kill my crew...and me as well of course. What could I think of? My crew. It was my duty to lead them and protect them. So I did as the king asked even though I knew this was a suicidal mission. I was determined to let that death be only mine.”
Hadley took a drink and finished her glass again and set it down on the desk as she followed after the woman. She grasped the old wood of the railing and gazed down to the shattered deck of her ship. The Night’s Rose was barely holding on. It was a wonder that the ship was not taking on water as it was. Any longer in the storm and she was certain that they would be resting at the bottom of the sea with Davy Jones himself. A sigh escaped her lips as she realized that she’d nearly cost her crew their lives. That was the opposite of what she had planned for them. Though she was ripped from her thoughts as she heard the tone from the horn. Her emerald hues focused on it, the magic that flowed from it. Her lips parted. It was a beautiful tune and what followed was extraordinary. She found herself gazing upon the deck of the ship as it mended together, as the mast rose from the depths of the ocean and found itself back in perfect working order.
The captain ran her fingertips along the perfectly slick railing. The ship was gorgeous. Unlike any state she’d ever seen it in. The ship was old when she bought it – but it did the trick. For years it had done the job. But now. She looked to the dull eyes of the witch. She was speechless. The words that Signe filled the void with were needed, Hadley could not have found words if she tried. The fiery captain stood almost frozen as she listened to her. Then the witch asked what she could do for Hadley – a chuckle came over the Captain’s lips. She winced and gripped her side once again. She could feel the bone shift from her movement.
Hadley took a moment to recover as she leaned against the railing. “Could you mend my ribs? Like you’ve mended my ship?” She asked in a broken tone. Almost as if it broke her pride to even ask such a thing. “I can promise you this, Signe.” She finally stood herself up and looked to the witch. “As much as I would enjoy leveling a few cities. That is not something that will ever be on my request list of you. In fact...all I ask of you is to protect my crew.” She paused a moment in thought. “Is that something that you can manage?” She smirked – as if she knew the answer already.
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Post by Raven on Feb 20, 2023 12:26:55 GMT -5
Signe turned as the ship was whole and peered to the defeated captain. She placed a gentle hand upon the back of the woman and lead her back into the Captains chambers. Meanwhile the crew had been standing on the deck – peering up to the Witch in awe, and now with nothing else to do – but drink.
Down below the deck a celebration was stirring – drinks poured and food was cooking. Several men cast their rods from the side of the ship to catch up a meal, as they had made it another day, which was enough to celebrate for them.
“Undress then, let me see this injury” Signe pulled her pouch out and sifted through it. She located a small jar and set it down on the table before them.
“Lay down on your bed, this will be swift” she nodded and stepped towards the bed. As the woman sprawled over it the witch leaned down and dipped her fingers into the jar. A thick black goo covered her two fingers and she gently rubbed it over the swelling and bruised spot over Hadley’s ribs.
“You may never level cities, but you always could…” she leaned back and then she approached her face. She knelt down and then drew a Viking letter, a symbol, upon the captain’s forehead, with the remaining goo on her fingers.
“But” she caught the chin of the woman with her forefinger and thumb. “I vow to protect you and your crew until your last breath…” she smiled and then stood. She then hovered her hand over the injury of the woman and she hummed softly, until words of her ancient language crept over her lips.
“Med jordens och lågans kraft laga detta kött och blod framför mig.”
An unknown breeze kicked up in the room – her hand began to glow a bright white. She sucked in a breath as the magic flowed through her and into the captain. A surreal sensation of joy and even pleasure would sink into the woman – as her bones shifted and mended into place. The flush of red and pink would sink away and the swelling of the wound disappeared. The black goo seeped into the flesh of the woman and she was as right as ever.
Signe stepped back and smiled as it had been done. “Right as new” she capped the jar and slipped it back into her bag.
“Some magics I can do without a second thought, dark magics especially… but that of light magic – I need assistance. Alchemical provisions that draw the magic out of the air, words of spellcraft which weave it, and you are as whole as the very ship you rest…” she stepped over and offered the tunic back to the woman to slip back on.
“Your crew celebrates below, shall you join them, Captain?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 20, 2023 13:51:44 GMT -5
Emery stood at the wheel, his eyes cast down upon the two. His jaw loose. He chuckled as a peg of the wheel mended itself back before his eyes. He ran his thumb over the newly sealed wood and glanced over his shoulder to one of his crew mates. “I told you she had magic.” He spoke with a smile before he gave a gentle turn to the wheel, his eyes gazed up to the repaired main mast.
**
Hadley felt the gentle hand against her back, her emerald hues gazed to the witch a long moment before she allowed the gentle direction back into the captain’s quarters. She gave a nod as Signe instructed her to remove her clothing from the injury. The Captain pulled her tricorn off of her head and set it upon her desk. “You know, most don’t get to come to my quarters, much less see me without a shirt. Especially when I’ve only just met you.” A light chuckle came over her lips, though she gripped her side and grit her teeth as she regretted her laughter. It took a few moments before she calmed herself enough to stand upright once again. She then reached and tugged at the corset strings which she’d already loosened quite a bit earlier after the initial injury. The captain slipped the hooks that held the corset together apart and set it upon her desk. She glanced to Signe and stared to the small jar that she’d pull from her pouch. Magic was an uncomfortable thing – she’d never been around it. She’d heard great stories of the healers of the castles, but Hadley had never been graced with such magic. She was born to the streets of a busy kingdom. A kingdom that would easily overlook her as the orphan she was.
As she unbuttoned her tunic and folded it carefully she revealed her thin frame, her collar bones were pronounced, and though she was small it was clear that she was strong in the way that her muscles moved in her arms as she set the folded tunic down. She had scars along her body from injuries that she’d sustained. A scar ran along her spin at a diagonal between her shoulder blades, another scar rest just below her ribs on her left side. It was clear that she’d fought for everything that she had. Hadley walked over to her bed and glanced to Signe a moment before she lay down. A pained groan escaped her lips as she adjusted the way she lay on her stomach. Her entire right side held a deep purple bruising. Even her muscles were tense around the wound. At least three of her ribs had been broken in the collision with the wheel of the ship. Deeper bruising marked the points of impact with the pegs of the wheel. She flinched to the cold thick goo that Signe rubbed upon her side.
She had her head to the side, she could see Signe slightly but from her position she couldn’t truly see what the woman was putting on her wound. Then Signe came to her face – her emerald hues gazed to the woman as she spoke of the ability to level cities. Her brows tugged together, “That would make me no better than the kings and queens before that summoned you.” She replied just before Signe drew the symbol upon her forehead. She stared into Signe’s eyes as the witch gripped onto her chin. The touch was gentle, yet strong enough that she couldn’t easily pull her eyes away.
I vow to protect you and your crew until your last breath...
Hadley felt the woman’s fingertips slip away and then she felt the hand upon her side once again. The humming caused Hadley to close her eyes. It was soothing and held a melody unlike anything she’d ever heard. Though as Signe began to speak in her ancient tongue the Captain opened her eyes once again as the breeze filtered into the room. Her fiery red hair pushed about and filtered into her eyes. As the magic flowed into her she couldn’t help but smile – it was overwhelming. A laugh came over her lips as the sensations overtook her. She gripped onto the soft blankets of her bed as a sigh escaped her lips.
The Captain slowly pushed herself up when it was finished, she brushed her hair from her eyes as she sat on the edge of her bed – her eyes gazed to the woman in awe it seemed as she listened to her speak. Hadley grasped the tunic from her and stood as she slipped it on and buttoned it carefully. She lifted the shirt as she walked over to a mirror that was hung next to a dresser. Her eyes looked to her perfectly mended side. “The fact that you are capable of such tings...is incredible, Signe.” She glanced to the woman as she pulled her corset over her head and she cinched it down tight. It was clear that she was used to doing most everything on her own.
Hadley stepped over to her desk and pulled on her tricorn, a smirk upon her lips as Signe posed the question. “Yes, we shall join them.” She spoke as she straightened out her hat. She then walked over to Signe and gazed into her eyes a long moment. “You get to celebrate just as much as we do. To your freedom.” She grinned, “At least – more freedom than I imagine you’ve ever had.” She winked, “I’m not a jailor. I never have been. I don’t take prisoners and we do not torture unless it is absolutely necessary. And well...” She paused with her hand upon the handle of the door. “I’ve found more often times than not – that it isn’t.” She spoke as she pulled the door open, “Yet, I’m still feared.” She grinned playfully as she walked out onto the beautiful deck in the warmth of the sun.
“Emery!” She called up to her first mate. She grasped a rope and swung easily down to the decoration on the deck of the ship. “Do you want an ale?” She asked as she looked up to him with a smile, the sun cast a shadow over her eyes from her hat.
Emery gazed down to his captain, he chuckled as he watched her move about as nimbly as possible. He knew in that moment that the witch had healed the wound. “Aye, I’m parched, Captain.” He called down to her. “This sun is relentless. But it’s a walk in the park compared to that storm.” He chuckled.
“Then come and get an ale, Emery! And give one to Ryker!” She waved to a man up in the crow’s nest that was keeping a watchful eye on the sea. Hadley laughed as she walked over to the doors that led down below the deck. “Signe.” She spoke as she held the door for her and then followed her in. She slipped around her with ease and made her way toward the sound of men singing. She pushed the door open to the galley and the sound grew. The clinking of glasses – the scent of ale. A round of cheers sounded and several of the men rushed forward and lifted their captain up as they began to chant a shanty. Hadley laughed and joined in as a mug was thrust into her hand and she stood atop the table. Ale sloshed over her mug as she danced about. She hopped down and stole a fresh mug from one of the men and placed it into Signe’s hands as she continued to move about the room. Her men were in great spirits. She drank deeply of her ale and sang several songs with the men. Soon enough the captain staggered, giggles came over her lips. She placed a hand on Signe’s shoulder, “Thank you, for this.” She motioned to the room, her words slurred slightly. “Hey!” She called out to the men that celebrated.
The whole room seemed to become silent. “Raise your ale!” She held her own mug up in the air. “We drink to Signe! We drink to freedom!” She smirked to the woman then, “Skol!” The word sounded as though Hadley had spoken it a thousand times. She downed her mug and hiccuped. The fiery haired captain giggled as the men cheered and chanted as they began another shanty.
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Post by Raven on Feb 20, 2023 14:18:26 GMT -5
Signe couldn’t help but crack a smirk as the captain’s fingers curled into the sheets of her luxurious blanket. As the spell came to an end – she watched the frazzled woman sit upright, mystified by the experience that had washed over her. The eyes of the witch washed over the woman before her, sitting comfortably now on the edge of her own bed – aloof and free from the shackles of pain.
“I know it is” Signe quipped with a devilish smirk across her lips. She was incredible, she knew this, and never denied it. What she did to get it – she certainly was not humble about it. “Well, I am thankful then. The Gods have willed me a wonderful host” she bowed her head slightly and followed behind the woman. “Let us write you into history, Captain Hadley” she stepped out onto the deck
Signe peered to Emery who stood at the wheel and she watched the two interact. Her crew adored her, it was a comforting feeling to see. It reminded her of home, nearly a thousand years ago…
The Witch found herself with ale in hand, listening intently to the shanties – watching the pirates dance and sway. The entire crew joined in – some on pitch, some now, but the joy was thick in the air. Signe smirked over her ale and she drank with them. Even at one point a crew mate grasped her hands and swung her into a broken and unorganized dance. She partook with a youthful joy, a smile plastered across her face.
Many drinks in – two barrels tapped – the Captain raised for toast. The room grew quiet and their mugs lifted into the air. Everyone all together chanted Skol in some fashion of unison. A brimming tear collected on the rim of Signe’s eye – a huge wave of comfort wafted over her. She did her best to disguise it – and instead she downed her entire ale after the shout. “Skol” she returned to the crew, who burst into cheers.
After a while – Signe found herself standing out on the deck of the ship, looking out to the grand sea. It was as endless as the sky – as peaceful as could be.
She felt the eyes of the captain upon her and she turned. The night had set in by now, they had drank for many of hours. The Witch’s cheeks were heavy with rose colored hue, and she simply smiled to the woman. She stepped forward towards her and reached over to the mug in her hand – the witch took the mug and drank a long swig from it and handed it back.
“You Pirates are so close to Viking” she chuckled and then turned and peered out. “Your ships are much bigger, but otherwise the same…” she gave a gentle scoff. “A thousand years, and yet something has never made me feel so at home” she sighed softly.
“They would go out, in long boats, karves, 30 men rowing in unison. The Shanties you sing – we began. They kept them in unison with their row, then eventually those songs sunk into our drinks. Parties that last all night and into the morning – constant singing, dancing, drinking…” she gave a chuckle as she remembered it all.
“They would leave for months at a time, raiding distant lands for gold and money. Like you might pirate, search for treasures and take from those who don’t need it” she smirked. “I wonder” she glanced over her shoulder to the captain. “If pirates are just descendant generations of Vikings, reborn to plunder” she smirked. “You hoist wounds like a shield maiden, command respect like a Jarl, and drink like a Viking mammoth” she placed a hand on the shoulder of the Captain.
“So, pray tell what you intend to do about this King? Hm?” she let her hand fall away and she glanced out to the sea once more. “Endless power rests at your fingertips. This King… he holds no power against you, not while you breath” she peered to her. “So, what will you do?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 20, 2023 14:55:22 GMT -5
“History you say?” Hadley chuckled and shook her head, “Hm, we shall see.” She spoke before she’d stepped from her room. As the crew partook in the celebration the captain danced about. She danced with several, her ale sloshed over the edge of her mug, she smirked to Signe as the woman was pulled into dance with one of the crew. It was a time filled with joy. A time to really let all doubt and worry melt away. When the Captain made her toast she grinned to the witch and held her mug up in the air toward her.
It was several drinks later that the Captain wandered her way onto the deck of her ship. She whistled a tune of an upbeat shanty, her mug of ale in hand. Her eyes caught the witch in the silvery moonlight and she walked in that direction. Hadley had a bit of a stagger to her step, but she held the alcohol well. A chuckle came over her lips as she released the mug for Signe to take and drink from. “You keep up with my crew well.” She commented before she took a swig from her mug as it was handed back to her. Her emerald hues focused in on the woman as she spoke of the Vikings. Hadley leaned against the perfect railing of the ship and ran her fingertips across the smooth sheen of the railing. “Hm, I hate to tell you that there isn’t much written down about the vikings. At least – the books that I’ve found. I’m certain that some kingdom somewhere holds plenty of lore on your people – but it is kept from the common eye.” She took another swig. Her own cheeks were pink, her body loose. She had a warm smile upon her lips as she listened to the woman speak of the long boats.
“I’ve never heard one of the old Viking tunes, you’ll have to teach one to two to my men.” She smirked and took the last drink from her mug. “We rarely spend more than a night or two ashore. It is the way of the sea.” She then raised a brow as the woman spoke that perhaps she was a descendant of Vikings. She shrugged slightly, “I wouldn’t know. I grew up in Blackburg, it is a rather large kingdom...it sits that the base of a great mountain made of black stone, hence the name.” She chuckled lightly. “But I never knew my parents – I have tried to find information about them, but I’ve failed each time.” She sighed as she stared into the empty mug that the silvery moonlight illuminated. “But I’ve got a ship and a crew. What more could a girl ask for, hm?” She chuckled lightly. What Hadley didn’t know was Blackburg was the base of the great mountain that Signe had once lived beneath, the northern mountains of the Great Fjordinak. Though they were no longer called that today. The black stone of the mountain was a nod to Glauryig...a change that happened when his blood seeped into the soils.
It was then that the witch asked the hard question. The king. What was to come of the king. A long sigh escaped the woman and she hugged the mug with her fingertips curled around both sides. “You say he holds no power. But he does.” She watched the witch. “These seas.” She glanced to the beautiful glass like still sea. “The king has ships in all of them. His control over the sea is greater than his control on land. He has a fleet that could easily defeat the Night’s Rose.” She pat the railing of the ship. Her ship was big, but it wasn’t the quickest ship in the sea. She knew that. It was the only ship she could afford at the time.
The Captain seemed to think deeply as she stared to the witch. “We turn the globe into the king.” She spoke as she watched Signe. “He won’t know that I’ve become bound to you. Perhaps he will believe the legend to by myth when he attempts to summon you. That is my hope.” She gazed up to the beautiful clear sky. “Otherwise he will come after my crew, and that...I just cannot have.” She pondered another moment before she smirked to the woman, “I’ve had my eye on a ship for awhile. It is at the docks of Grandby. The kingdom that this king is in...we could procure that ship.” She watched Signe carefully for a moment. “It’s said to be the fastest ship in the seas...the best build...it’s smaller than our Rose...but...we’ve never had a crew large enough for her. No need.” She pat the railing. “With her condition we could turn a pretty coin and easily afford this other ship. We buy it and leave Grandby before the king realizes that the orb is useless...because once he does...he will most definitely blame me. That is how the king works. He blames others for his failure rather than looking into himself.” She thought a a long moment. “What would you do Signe? I want to know. Fuck the rules.” She pat Signe’s cheek playfully then. “We’re pirates, there are no rules.” She winked and then giggled, it was clear that she was feeling the alcohol quite well now.
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Post by Raven on Feb 20, 2023 15:16:13 GMT -5
“Your crew are light weights in comparison to my people” she gave a chuckle. “We are what you would call alcoholics, before it was considered a bad thing” she followed suit and leaned against the railings. “There is not much of the Vikings because the concept is a terrifying one. The idea that you may worship who you wish, do as you please, and take what you want? Oh no… The Kings of the world do not want to wish such hope for people” she chuckled. “They made us taboo, and evil – to make the weary too scared to commit to our ways… but it is liberating, in truth” despite her many drinks – her thick accent was still heavy, but she held herself as if she was completely sober.
Signe listened to the woman and watched her face – studying her eyes, and her stance as she spoke. There was a small line of fear hidden under her flesh, she could feel it in her voice. “What I think?” she took in a breath. “Since you command it, I shall speak freely” she nodded.
“Your imagination is lack luster, captain. This King has no power in comparison to you. It was I who killed every last dragon, it was I who sent the last Fae to their grave, it is I who will give you power beyond any King. That is why he wished for me, for I am the turner of Tides, the bringer of death, the keeper of fate” she cupped the cheek of the Captain and let it go just a second later, with a smirk across her lips.
“Unfortunately the globe is tethered to me, it would not remain in his possession long before it returned to us. Even if you did, or supplied a fake – you are a Pirate. When it turned out that it did not work – he would hunt you regardless. If he knew or not – you would be to blame. They care little of truth, only what they want to see…” she lifted a brow “Trust me, I have been commanded by a few. I know exactly how they think… a thousand years doesn’t change the mind of the corrupted…” she hummed slightly as she peered out. “What would I do?”
“Well, You have to face the King some time. You have two paths… either side with him, or against him, or perhaps neither. You could work with him, or destroy him completely, or devise a distraction – big enough to keep him from having the capability to hunt you. A famine on his crops, an internal war, destruction so great that he couldn’t spare the thought on you… for now. But he will come. To resort to me is to be at final whim, he has little left to lose.” She smirked.
“You want to play by the rules, but yet you say there are no rules. Morality means little in the scheme of things. God’s hardly have it, and it means nothing. If you do not believe in this King – then simply end this war for everyone.” She peered to her. “You think a new ship will change the course for you?” she questioned….
“Burn his ships, every last one of them…” she spoke with a raised brow. She placed a hand on the railing – along the sides of the boat – blue glowing runes became painted on the hull. In seconds the boat picked up speed. “The wind will eternally be on your side” she spoke and glanced to her. “I told you… anything you wish, there is a way. Fastest boat out there? Easy” she smirked.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Feb 20, 2023 19:20:24 GMT -5
Hadley raised a brow, her eyes curious as she looked to the woman. Since she had commanded it Signe would speak freely. That was all she wished for the witch. Her eyes never left the woman as she listened to her speak of the things that she’d done in her past. By the order of the kings. It was never Signe’s wish – at least that is what Hadley imagined. Why would Signe want to destroy everything? She wouldn’t. Would she? As Signe cupped her cheek Hadley’s breath hitched in her chest – her eyes focused more on the woman than she ever had as she watched the woman smirk and move her hand away.
She listened as Signe explained the globe, a sigh escaped her lips. The witch was right. The king would come after Hadley with a vengeance when he realized the globe was a ruse. Especially if the globe disappeared from his grasp. Signe spoke of the options. A famine would reek havoc on the kingdom, those within it that struggled beneath the king’s taxes already. That wasn’t the answer.
Hadley scoffed as Signe spoke of how the captain wanted to play by the rules. She set the empty mug on a barrel and crossed her arms as she looked to the woman. “Morality is what makes us human then – isn’t it? Or at least me...since you’re not so human anymore.” She commented with a soft voice. She raised her brows as Signe recommended burning the entire fleet. Before she could speak she watched as the runes appeared on the hull of the ship – giving a glow to the waters. The rails rippled tight against an invisible breeze. The front of the bow lifted slightly from the speed that the ship picked up. Her lips parted as she leaned into the mist of the sea, a chuckle came over her lips. “Hm, now that – is impressive.” She spoke as she looked up to the moon. “I may not be creative...no...I’ve never had a luxury. I’ve never been given what I want. I don’t know how to ask and simply receive.” She grasped her mug. “I will think on a...choice...but for now, the night is getting late and we have days ahead of us that could be filled with many adventures.” A chuckle came over her lips. “I wish you a good rest, Seer.” She smiled to the woman, “Thank you for this day, and for my ribs back.” Another hearty laugh came from the fiery red head, “I have to go before I make any poor decisions. Hm?” She turned and climbed up the stairs to where Emery stood at the wheel.
The Captain leaned against the railing and gazed to the wake behind the ship. A larger wake than she’d ever seen from it. Emery glanced to her and then to Signe upon the deck of the ship. “What are your plans, Hadley?” He questioned his tone soft.
She turned her emerald hues upon him and then let out a chuckle, “I’ve no plans. When have I ever had true plans, Emery?” She questioned and leaned her head back as she closed her eyes. “That woman is quite impressive.” She spoke as she drew in a deep breath, “We have to face the king.” She lowered her eyes back to Emery, her expression serious. “Either we choose to approach the kingdom of Lindlum….and hope that their king is receptive to a pirate...or...we return to Grandby and hope that the king does not kill me...or attempt to kill me...however it works.” She gave a playful laugh. “I vowed to never be involved in these wars. Yet I always seem to get us tangled in the mess of yarn that is this world. Don’t I?” She rambled slightly before she placed her hand upon the wheel, her thumb ran over the peg a moment before she shrugged. “None of the choices in war are ever good.”
Emery gazed to her thumb upon the wheel and then to the Captain. “No I’m afraid not.” He agreed with her. “But you trust her?” He asked.
“She has to do whatever I wish...so yes, I do.” Hadley replied, she yawned. “I’ll be up in a few hours to steer us. Just keep us….” She adjusted the course slightly. “Right there.” She turned and walked down the stairs then and pushed open the door to her room. The captain walked over to her bed and collapsed right onto the luxurious comforter. Within moments she was out cold.
**
“Up.” A voice ordered. Hands grasped at Hadley’s arms.
She jerked awake with a throbbing headache. Her eyes stared to a knight of Grandby. “Wha….” A swift elbow landed a blow against her jaw. Darkness once again followed. The darkness was blinked away as she was dragged along the cold stone hallways of the castle, her boots bounced off of each groove between the grout. Her head lulled to the side, she could feel the heavy thick shackles upon her wrists. “Get off...me….” She felt as though she was under a haze of fog. “I am going….to….” Her eyes blinked shut again and her head hung to the side.
“Get up!” A voice jolted her awake. Her arms were held behind her, a tight hold at her elbows. Her emerald hues stared to the king whom held the globe in his hands before her. They were in the throne room. Her breathing quickened.
The King has no power in comparison to you.
The king looked to the Captain with a scowl on his expression. “Is this it? This trinket is it?” He questioned as he shook it as if he expected more out of it. His blood was stained along the outside of the globe. “Where is she?” He asked as he gripped her chin with his bleeding hand. She could smell the metallic scent.
“Who?” Hadley questioned as she looked to him with challenging eyes.
“The witch. Where is the witch that lives in this globe?” He questioned, his grip tightened even more.
Hadley grit her teeth, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She spoke as she stared to him. “Why do you have me shackled again?” She pulled against the knights that held her bound arms.
The king chuckled as he looked to her. “You really think I would let you deliver something this precious and just….let you leave?” The king questioned. “Especially when you stole the witch from me.” He stared into her eyes. “If I kill you, I know this globe will disappear….I’ll lose the globe again...but you have control over her. So you will do as I say.” He grinned darkly.
“I won’t do your bidding.” Hadley jerked once again on the men that held her.
“Oh but you will.” He smiled, “I’ve ensured that you will, you see...I have a few more tricks up my sleeve that you’d imagine.” He pat her cheek then. He pulled a dagger from his hip. “I’ve studied the old blood rituals enough to know that there are things in this world I can have, even if I am told no.” He sliced into his hand and then began to draw runes upon her.
Hadley struggled against the two knights. “No, what are you doing?!” She tried to back up, to move. Anything. “Signe….-” She started to speak but his bloody hand clasped over her lips, she could taste his blood.
The king chuckled as he watched her. He then spoke words in an ancient language that she did not recognize. Her vision began to blur and then darkness followed.
**
“Captain?” Emery’s voice filtered into her ears. “Captain, are you alright?” He questioned.
Hadley sat up her eyes looked about and her chest rose and fell quickly. “Where….?” She looked to her quarters, she lay on the floor in a tumble of blankets.
“We are almost to Grandby.” Emery spoke as he offered a hand forward.
Hadley looked to him with confused eyes. The things she’d seen and felt. The blood she’d tasted. Was it real? She took his hand after a long moment and allowed him to lift her up. “Almost? Already?” She asked, surprise in her expression.
“You were sleeping...so I didn’t want to wake you...that storm took a lot out of you huh?” Emery chuckled as he stepped to the door.
Hadley rubbed her face and walked to the door with him. She stepped into the warmth of the sun and looked to her crew at work on the ship as they moved about. She looked up to the red sails of the mast. She then pressed her lips together as she climbed the stairs to the wheel. Was it a dream? She glanced to the city that she could see upon the horizon. “Get, Signe.” She spoke to Emery.
“Of course Captain.” He spoke as he turned and stepped from her side to gather the woman.
Hadley awaited as she looked to the ships in the harbor. Each and every ship that held the seal of the king. She leaned on the wheel slightly, her brows furrowed. When Signe came at her request she looked to the woman. “I hope you slept well.” She spoke before she looked back to the city. “I have to kill the king.” She said after a moment of silence. “I want you to poison him the moment he attempts to bind you to him with the globe, then make the globe disappear as if it is gone...” She looked to Signe once again. “He has a son that may make a better king than him...” She drew in a breath. “I had a dream...” She bit her lip. “At least...I think it was a dream...wasn’t it?” She looked to Signe then and bit her lip. She then looked to the ships as they began to approach. “They are going to take me...to the king...” Her heart beat within her chest a bit more rapidly. “What I saw...it wasn’t a dream...” Her voice shook slightly from fear.
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