The Baldur's Gate - Waterdeep cargo run

[Silver_Lining]

There were reasons, personal reasons she'd chosen the night's watch for her own.
She'd been leaned up against the bow watching the very lanterns Aidan later makes mention
of as she found solace beneath Selune's light.. Her attention only lifting as he neared.
He'd find himself greeted with a warm, personal smile as he approached. The history the two
shared was somewhat extensive and their friendship long since solidified. As he began to
speak of Michael, the Captain's head bobbed a few times, both agreeing, and to show her as
attentive to his every word. Her attention drifted with Aidan's as the CTO began making an
offering of her supper to the fish below.. With a playful grin Des called back.
"When they advise t' leave Umberlee an offering in th' depths when traveling.
. . . I don't think that's th' kind 'f offering they're suggesting!"
With a soft chuckle and shake of her head she looked back to Aidan, then up to the nest.
"Aye. We've two up there. Hired hands, granted, but one's elven."
With a moment's pause she called up to the nests..
"Eyes Sharp! Let nothing go un-noticed!"
With that she turned to Aidan.. A soft sigh seeping from her lips as a frown took hold of her
expression before she followed his gaze toward the door leading below deck.
"Aye. He's a good sailor. We're lucky t' have him."
Her expression was nothing short of pensive. There would be little question remaining that
she perhaps, had much more to say on the subject of her new bosun. A subject she had just
as clearly opted not yet to breech. . . Turning then to Aidan she smiled up to him.
"You've done nothing short of an amazing job yourself, QuarterMaster.
It darkens th' night t' know you'll be leaving us again, come our return home."

[Necrotic Shadows]

*As the night marches on Aidan goes below decks and returns with a spot of hot tea and his lute. He also brings up an emptied tar barrel and turns it upside down, tying it to the aft deck railing. Settling upon it he quietly plays the lute and hums to himself. Murmuring from time to time as he tries to recall words*

"I'm working on an adaptation of a song from an old tune, just new words. I'm sure it'll be ready before we reach Waterdeep."

*He looks up to Desrah* "If you so desire I can take the helm if you've a moment and want to walk the decks and check on the men. As for quartermaster, you'd be wrong to call me such. We both know my true talents remain with the repairing. But in the end I've many callings that take me to shores and away from ship. I'd likewise not be as quick to leave Hoiha short a boatswain. I've made the mistake once of walking off on a crew, I wont make it twice. Besides I've no place with a crew that pays homage still to the Sea Bitch... she and I are like old lovers. I'd be glad to hear of a tree falling on her while she's out to market." *he smiles sadly*

[Silver_Lining]

She'd watch him a long moment. Her brow lifting softly.
"In my own opinion, Aidan. . . no matter what one's faith, it's never wise to traverse her waters
without a small prayer asking for safe passage. To do otherwise is near begging for trouble.
It's like entering one's home without knocking.. I truly believe, be you a paladin of
Torm or bard of Lliira, a small prayer to the Bitch prior to sailing is simple common sense.
As much so as asking Chauntea to bless the year's growth, even if you are not of the fields.
That is, of course, if you intend to eat when the farmers finally take in at harvest.
I would never limit my prayers to one, even though I consider m'self a faithful of Selune.
There are many one should at least offer prayer to, and for many reasons. Many affect one's lot in
life, their safety in various circumstances, and I'm not too proud to ask for safe passage on th' Sea 'f Swords. . .
I also ask Auril to take mercy when in th' cold-lands.
Tymora for luck when rolling th' dice.
Sharess for a smile, before laying with a lover.
While I respect your opinions, I don't think it alone should be cause to not come home.
Simply because as a crew we opt t' offer her due respects."
She gave a simple shrug. She wasn't intending to argue. Simply to present a point, or
another way to look at things. She respected his opinions as she said, but she didn't share them.
Usually, or, at least frequently, they saw eye to eye. This wasn't one of those times.

Something Aidan might take note of is that the shrine has been removed from the ship, as
has the chapel, leaving only a small flag in it's place out of respect. That flag directly beside Selune's. . .
The entire lower deck now little more than a few cabins and sealed cargo filled hull.

[Necrotic Shadows]

*he sighs heavily*
"I wasn't letting it keep me from "coming home" as you say. It was in jest... thus the bit about her and a tree falling on her at market. A simple excuse to mask the frustrations of things."

*He turns grabbing the railing in hand and looks up at Selune* My place is on the Wanderess. As for Umberlee in truth, I'd rather piss on her than pay her any prayer. If that's dangerous, if that makes everyone on a ship utter a quick prayer asking for my ignorance to go unnoticed, Perhaps I should hang up my boarding axe over the home fire."

*he frowns heavily at his own omission* "I've been to sea as often as not to anyone on this ship or the Wanderess... I've seen good men believe a simple prayer paid their accounts and been on two ships that sank where men were pleading to her as their ship disappeared below the waves. We all have our causes." *smiles at her and nudges her* "My accounts if any paid at sea go to Valkur... and if that puts me at a table betting against Umberlee..." *he chuckles* "suppose I'll start praying to 'Tymora for luck when rolling th' dice' in the end, I'm to proud to kneel to a bully"

*he smiles as he watches her* "like old times... if we had those. This ship never truly so much as crawled out of port when I were with her. To busy fighting off accusations about piracy back then. You've a hard battle up hill with that. I'm sure Elvina still gives you as much of a hard time as the ignorant sods about the candlekeep fires who assume wearing a tricorn makes you a pirate."

[Silver_Lining]

"My place is on the Wanderess."

He would notice her entire demeanor shift with those words as they tore through her heart like
a berg through a ship. Her gaze divert a little as she gave a small nod..
"Think I'll take that walk for a few. Check on th' others.
Thank you for watch'n her for me Aidan. . . I'll be back shortly."
Giving Aidan a small smile she nodded and headed across the deck.
His having left the crew would never be easier than it was now.
Never hurt any less than it did now.
This she knew.
She, however, had no desire to linger.
To let that fact be seen any more than it already had been.
She wanted Aidan happy. Whatever the cost to herself or her own crew.
Turning to duty, when conversation grew too close to home..
was the best she could do in that moment ~for him~.

[Necrotic Shadows]

*he'd take the helm, having seen the captain grow silent a few times in the past he offers but a nod and does the work he was set about to do. he'd utter the words to a song under his breath*

[Silver_Lining]

With time passing, Desrah's attention grew sharp on the waters before them.
It wouldn't be long before she'd hear the call. . .
"Land Ho!"
She was looking forward to that moment.
A chance to give the crew some much needed shore-time as she and a few others
secured the healing supplies and prepared for the long return.

[Hoihe]

The Wanderess cruises into the port first, and at the acting captain's word, Tella rings the bell to hail the heavemen to warp the ship into the trading wharf for mooring.


"We're going to need to wait for Koba to handle the purchases so you lads are free to visit some taverns - just don't drink so much you pass out!"

Hoiha would then look to Soora "The City of Splendours. I say we should visit this fair city in simpler times again and explore it more thoroughly. For now, let's stick to the docks so we can handle our duties proper, aye?" and with a grin "I do know of a fairly swell tavern fit for finer folk. Dare say we deserve a dance there, no? You did well working the nights!"

And with a sigh "But first I need to take care of the harbour fees. I'll be back."

[Silver_Lining]

As the DragonWing was brought to berth, the Captain began to display signs of personal discomfort.
The look in her eyes as they settled on the Dock Ward for the first time in so many years was
a combination of sorrow and fear. However subtle it may have been, it was unmistakable. A
leap to the conclusion that she knew this port intimately was nearly inevitable.

"Shore leave tonight only! Drink! Rest! Enjoy! Tymora's Luck at the tables!"



She watched them head off for a short, though much needed shore leave, then turned to Marcus.

"With me to oversee th' incoming cargo please."

Desrah would be on high alert as they moved about the docks.
Her eyes finding every nook and cranny in passing. Her posture tense.

[Necrotic Shadows]

*Aidan grabs up his hat and other effects before climbing up out of the belly of the ship, hat tugged down tight around his ears as he slips off the ship with the other sailors once the docking boards are down. He makes way to the Wanderess to speak with captain Hoiha*

"Reporting in Captain, we've made good time. If you've anything for me to do. I'm here. Should you have no need of me however I intend a hot bath, a hot dinner and a bit of fairer company to converse with over drinks."

[Silver_Lining]

Desrah watched as one of her three her dearest friends made
his way for the Wanderess. She'd give a nod to Marcus and start off
only to give pause. Turning back she'd call toward the lot heading for the inns. . .
"Mary, would you mind come'n with us please?"
She feeling safer with her best friend and guard at her side. . .

[Silver_Lining]

Koba may occassionally be seen emergingn on deck. However, it is not for the stunnign views or the refreshing sea breeze that he comes up. He always tries to find a moment when Captain Desrah Asher can spare a moment from her duties. He inquires her about her contacts in the City of Splendors, even the smallest details of their looks, personalities, characters and preferences. He apparently wants to know as much as possible about the people he will be bargaining with.

Desrah would explain to Koba that she did not know any of the people they would be meeting with nor who they might be associated with. She advised the best one to speak with on the matter would be Captain Hoihe. That he may know something of them.

// My sincerest apologies for having missed that. Please assume she would have answered him forthright.

[Aspx]

Marcus would follow the Captain off the ship, lute of his shoulder, blade on his hip, and a song on his lips. Smiling and looking around, but his eyes would betray an alertness that his gate and attitude would suggest.

[pattu]

Mary starts to make her way to the Inn along with the rest of the Dragonwing crew. The promise of a strong beverage dominates her thoughts. The voyage took a little bit of a toll on the Captain's personal bodyguard. Her inexperience aboard a sea vessel would have been quite apparent after stumbling frequently to strong waves testing her sea legs. Her stomach, however, fared better than the chief tactical officer.

Mary turns hearing her name called and gives a look of are you serious to Desrah after hearing the request.

After a brief moment of silence and staring at the captain, Mary gives a sighing answer

Fine..

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Michael steps up on deck upon hearing the welcome sound of 'Land Ho!.' Three high pitched blasts issue forth from Michael's pipe as the ship reaches the City of Splendors. He barks a few orders to his fellow crewmen so as to be heard over the noise of sea and wind, but they know their tasks already. As the DragonWing nears the pier he makes ready, and then tosses her mooring line across to a dock-hand. And the ship is soon secured without incident.

Ropes are tied, boarding ramps are secured, and he is quietly back at his work of inspecting the ship at large. He pauses at one substation, and then resets the rope securing the forward spring. And he's on his way again, studying each line of the ship's mooring scheme in silence. Soon as the task is done he's headed toward the bow, making sure to inspect the ship's cargo wench before the needed supplies have arrived.