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There had to be someone willing.
Heike Eisen had spent a good day and half scouring the massive Allirian harbor for an agreeable captain. Ships had come in, docked, she had sought the ship's captain to ask, she'd be turned down, the ship would leave and another would pull in. Vessels of all sizes and classes came, and their captains to a man rejected her proposal. Here and now, as the afternoon sun stood sentinel amidst a spotless blue sky, Heike was asking just one more captain whilst aboard his ship.
"And where is this place yer tryin' to head off to, Herr Heike?" asked Captain Mendelev of the Thunderhead. He had the most promising tone of voice of all the captains today. Receptive.
Heike, with a renewed confidence because of it, said her piece, "'Tis an island, close to Falwood's eastern coast, and west of the Bayou Garramarisma. Mayhap you've heard of it? There seems to be no official name, but I have heard it called--"
"--The Fang," Captain Mendelev said, nodding grimly. "Aye. I've heard of it. What, by Astra's good graces, could you possibly want from there?"
Heike, straightening her posture ever so slightly, replied, "I have a duty to which I must attend."
"What sort of duty?"
Even if he seemed hesitant, now that he knew the destination Heike had in mind, he was still receptive--if her ears were not tinged with wishfulness and playing into a kindling of hope. Regardless, she had to press on. "I have told you that I am a Knight of the Golden Blade, but, as well, I am a honorary Templar of the Night Watchmen Chapter. Of this affiliation I have no insignia to provide proof, but I am a Templar all the same. The Night Watchmen have sent for me, and it is imperative that I secure passage to The Fang."
Mendelev pondered for a moment. "Night Watchmen...oh, the Pandemonium Crisis. That's where I've heard that name before. Heh, well, was my impression that they had all perished fightin' those demons."
"Many. But not all." Heike paused, and then spoke as sincerely as she could. "Captain, there is a saying that I have heard in Reikhurst--it may yet be prevalent throughout the world and among many martial orders and bands of warriors, but I heard it spoken in Reikhurst first. 'They whose deeds are daring claim victory.'"
She looked out over the Thunderhead's deck railing, to the dockworkers and sailors unloading and moving freight below. Briefly. Then back to the captain. "The Night Watchmen dared greatly, sacrificed much, and claimed victory in the Crisis. I went to them in a time of dire need, and they helped me. It is not only duty, but gratitude, to which I am obligated to aid in their mission at The Fang. What ill tales you have heard of that accursed island are likely true, for they have come to know that loathsome vampires are hoarding an unholy artifact there, and that these foul creatures guard it viciously. The Night Watchmen seek to destroy this artifact. They are few, but I am one of them, Captain. Despite this, we shall through daring claim victory. Will you help me go to them?"
Captain Mendelev, though obviously swayed by Heike's impassioned plea, said with a heavy expression. "I am sorry, Herr. I hate those bloodsuckers as much as the next right-minded man, and I hope that you find the passage you seek. But...I'm afraid that no amount of coin could convince me to sail to that forsaken island."
Heike, though disappointed, nodded cordially. "And so I am bound to try again, aboard a different ship. Fare you well, Captain."
With that, Heike disembarked from the Thunderhead, walking down the gangplank and to the docks, her plate armor rattling with each descending step. She placed her hands on her hips, head downcast in contemplation. Time was moving steadily on, and thus far she'd made no notable progress. Captain Mendelev looked as if he might be convinced, somehow, to sail for The Fang, but coin would do nothing to sway him. Perhaps she was approaching this wrong, to think these Allirians would speak only the language of currency. For many Allirians it was their wont, this was true. But what coin did she offer Captain Bronmarch of the Allirian Guard? None. None, and he still helped her. At the time Heike had been a miserable vampire, whom he'd scarce reason to trust over any other. But Bronmarch's example was clear: coin was not everything to every Allirian.
As Heike thought further on what to do, she did not yet know that there was another who was also seeking passage to The Fang.
Ander'ashan Merellien
Heike Eisen had spent a good day and half scouring the massive Allirian harbor for an agreeable captain. Ships had come in, docked, she had sought the ship's captain to ask, she'd be turned down, the ship would leave and another would pull in. Vessels of all sizes and classes came, and their captains to a man rejected her proposal. Here and now, as the afternoon sun stood sentinel amidst a spotless blue sky, Heike was asking just one more captain whilst aboard his ship.
"And where is this place yer tryin' to head off to, Herr Heike?" asked Captain Mendelev of the Thunderhead. He had the most promising tone of voice of all the captains today. Receptive.
Heike, with a renewed confidence because of it, said her piece, "'Tis an island, close to Falwood's eastern coast, and west of the Bayou Garramarisma. Mayhap you've heard of it? There seems to be no official name, but I have heard it called--"
"--The Fang," Captain Mendelev said, nodding grimly. "Aye. I've heard of it. What, by Astra's good graces, could you possibly want from there?"
Heike, straightening her posture ever so slightly, replied, "I have a duty to which I must attend."
"What sort of duty?"
Even if he seemed hesitant, now that he knew the destination Heike had in mind, he was still receptive--if her ears were not tinged with wishfulness and playing into a kindling of hope. Regardless, she had to press on. "I have told you that I am a Knight of the Golden Blade, but, as well, I am a honorary Templar of the Night Watchmen Chapter. Of this affiliation I have no insignia to provide proof, but I am a Templar all the same. The Night Watchmen have sent for me, and it is imperative that I secure passage to The Fang."
Mendelev pondered for a moment. "Night Watchmen...oh, the Pandemonium Crisis. That's where I've heard that name before. Heh, well, was my impression that they had all perished fightin' those demons."
"Many. But not all." Heike paused, and then spoke as sincerely as she could. "Captain, there is a saying that I have heard in Reikhurst--it may yet be prevalent throughout the world and among many martial orders and bands of warriors, but I heard it spoken in Reikhurst first. 'They whose deeds are daring claim victory.'"
She looked out over the Thunderhead's deck railing, to the dockworkers and sailors unloading and moving freight below. Briefly. Then back to the captain. "The Night Watchmen dared greatly, sacrificed much, and claimed victory in the Crisis. I went to them in a time of dire need, and they helped me. It is not only duty, but gratitude, to which I am obligated to aid in their mission at The Fang. What ill tales you have heard of that accursed island are likely true, for they have come to know that loathsome vampires are hoarding an unholy artifact there, and that these foul creatures guard it viciously. The Night Watchmen seek to destroy this artifact. They are few, but I am one of them, Captain. Despite this, we shall through daring claim victory. Will you help me go to them?"
Captain Mendelev, though obviously swayed by Heike's impassioned plea, said with a heavy expression. "I am sorry, Herr. I hate those bloodsuckers as much as the next right-minded man, and I hope that you find the passage you seek. But...I'm afraid that no amount of coin could convince me to sail to that forsaken island."
Heike, though disappointed, nodded cordially. "And so I am bound to try again, aboard a different ship. Fare you well, Captain."
With that, Heike disembarked from the Thunderhead, walking down the gangplank and to the docks, her plate armor rattling with each descending step. She placed her hands on her hips, head downcast in contemplation. Time was moving steadily on, and thus far she'd made no notable progress. Captain Mendelev looked as if he might be convinced, somehow, to sail for The Fang, but coin would do nothing to sway him. Perhaps she was approaching this wrong, to think these Allirians would speak only the language of currency. For many Allirians it was their wont, this was true. But what coin did she offer Captain Bronmarch of the Allirian Guard? None. None, and he still helped her. At the time Heike had been a miserable vampire, whom he'd scarce reason to trust over any other. But Bronmarch's example was clear: coin was not everything to every Allirian.
As Heike thought further on what to do, she did not yet know that there was another who was also seeking passage to The Fang.
Ander'ashan Merellien