In all the years Ku-Jon had known Kargon, there was rarely a time he questioned the mans judgment. So when his first mate dropped back to deal with the castle guards, Ku-Jon continued on. Confidence was a rare commodity in the Low Realms. Where lives were lost or traded like the ore pulled from the ground, few could believe in any more than misery. For the pirates of the Tourniquet however, confidence was the saving line holding them together. "Leave No Man Behind," while noble, the phrase was too expensive for the Low Landers. When pressed with overwhelming odds, to make a stand for sake of a comrade could be to forfeit both lives. Thus no man on board questioned a cry to continue. In bygone days, Ku-Jon and Kargon had traded off the role of flank guard a hundred times. Even in the blackest of situations, neither man doubted the other would be swift on his heels if he turned around. It was a familiar comfort to so confidently trust someone again and Ku-Jon sped forward all the faster. The muttering mage bounced on the captain's shoulder as he leaped over tables and pivoted around chairs. Each move was a frenzied gambit, sharp edges battering softer sides and jarring bones as both Prestadeth and Ku-Jon made their way to the entrance.
Beyond, men and women vanished into the creeping mist. Ku-Jon skidded to a halt just within the roiling vapor and swept his head up. Descending from the smoky blanket came the belly of a battered ship. The captain recognized familiar scars and pitted furrows where both magic and steel and torn at wood and nail. Neither succeeded and still she flew with the saucy energy of her maiden journey. Glancing back to his battered comrade, only a look passed between the elf and he. It had been years since Ku-Jon had laid eyes on the willowy folk but it was not her head that drew his gaze. The slumped princess Oralia lay limp on her shoulder, breathing lightly but obviously subdued. He offered only a grin, the only invitation she needed to board his beloved Tourniquet and turned to the sound of a thump as a ladder of knotted rope and wood was thrown at his feet.
Hand over hand they ascended the ladder, Kargon croaking his curses and spitting blood with his usual joviality. The elf was silent however, no more then a thin shadow burdened with a guarantee the Tourniquet would come to no harm. Hauling the mage over the deck first, Ku-Jon hurtled up to grab a crossbow from a grim crewmate's hands.
Behind Kargon came the cavalry.
Sindar led, his regal thread glinting by the waning flames of the Great Hall. Five men followed, heartened from inaction by the decisive stride of their leader. With Kargon limping, pursuit had been easy. As the heavy man struggled up the ladder, Sindar poised beneath him. A far more nimble creature, the templar grasped hold of the rising ladder with one hand and swung his lithe body upwards and slashed at Kargon's back. The first mate roared as sword parted flesh and fabric, kicking down to dislodge his persistant foe. Sindar was quicker however, dropping just low enough to avoid the flailing leg.
"KARGON!" Ku-Jon roared from the deck, leveling the crossbow downwards. By this time, the elf had made the rail and threw herself and her quarry away from the captain's attack. Sindar perceived his threat in an instant, raising his sword to ward the deadly bolt.
But Ku-Jon was no marksman...and Kargon knew it.
Letting the ladder fall from his sweaty grasp, all the hefty weight of Kargon smashed into Sindar from above and knocked the man askew. His favored sword flew from his bruised grasp into the waiting night and Sindar shortly followed it, twisting even as he fell to avoid a fatal impact. Vanishing into the mist, Kargon growled a gargled insult after him, one hand surely holding the end of the ladder.
"Quite a celebration," Ku-Jon said as he helped Kargon onto the deck, "But I do believe you're ruined your outfit."
"Next time cover yer own arse," Kargon spit as he ripped the garb from his chest, "Yer addle minded plan nearly had us in the gallows!"
"How was I to know the Magi planned a coup for a birthday party?" Ku-Jon protested innocently, throwing out his arms "And why didn't your damned Castsoul warn us ahead of time?"
The few crew free from setting course of the ship away from the castle surrounded Prestadeth, the Princess, and Zagara. Grim faces marred with blood menaced the three stranges as each of the eight men pulled weapons and tightened the circle. Letting the Princess drop with as much care as she was able, Prestadeth quickly drew her curved dagger, eyes cycling around each opponent as they backed her against the rail of the ship.
"For the last time, it aint an oracle! Ye told me to watch the guards, not the king!" Wincing in pain from the wound on his back, Kargon heavily sat upon the warped wood and leaned against the rail. "You always had a troll's luck cap'n," he said with a sigh, one hand touching his back and coming away wet, "We best hope the purple bellied Sindar didn't get a good gander at me."
Zagara stirred on the deck, but only briefly. Wracked with coughing he soon succumbed to silence once more.
"Had a run in with a templar?" Ku-Jon asked incredulously, "What sort of lunacy have you been doing in my absence?"
"Times were tough Cap'n," Kargon shrugged, "We did what we could to survive." With another glance at the blood soaked hand, Kargon groaned. "We can talk after ye've sewed up me back. Sindar is a cross-eyed pisspot, but he can swing that damn sword o his."
Seeming just to notice the condition of his first mate, Ku-Jon dropped the crossbow and turned toward the crew. "Look alive dogs! First Mate needs a medic!" Lowering a blade, one of the men around Prestadeth stepped out and was quickly replaced by the tightening circle of blades. Helping the woozy pirate to his feet, the two descended beyond view.
Stepping between the men, Ku-Jon shoved the pirates away from the elf. "Blades away men, I'll not have the blood of such a guest spilled on my deck. Least not after she brought us such a valuable gift."
Prestadeth narrowed her eyes, slits of venom as she poised over the princess. "She's mine."
Ku-Jon grimaced, blades whispering as the crew drew their swords once more. "You're on my ship now elf, and it would not be so hard to throw you overboard."
Prestadeth smiled mirthlessly, holding the dagger out and body crouched. "You can certainly try."
Chin captured with his hand, Ku-Jon evaluated his options. "Fine, keep the girl your prisoner for now...unless you have wings tucked somewhere 'neath your skin I doubt ye'll be leaving." Nodding at a man to take Zagara, Prestadeth only followed the dragged mage's form for a moment before returning to Ku-Jon's level gaze. "So long as ye won't be using that pretty knife of yours on my crew or myself, I see no reason to shed needless blood."
"Am I a prisoner then?" The elf asked, her voice a cold threat within the shrieking wind.
Ku-Jon turned from her and waved his men to follow, traveling toward his quarters at a saunter. "A passenger," he answered without turning, "And ye best be thinking about how you'll pay us for your passage." The slam of a wooden door cut off her response and Ku-Jon took a seat in the middle of the room. The crew waited for the door to shut before grinning, each man pulling a drawstring bag from among their unkempt clothes and jangling the sound of coin and gem.
"A good haul Cap'n," one man, Sharty, said with a gap toothed smile, "Our hull is filled with silk and gems from the High realm and..." at this he shook the bag emphatically, "A little gift of coin from the coffers of Lady Elanore and the proud Castigation."
"How thoughtful," Ku-Jon grinned, "We'll have to spread word of her generosity...but what of the gem?"
"Here Cap'n," wheezed Rascol, an older member of the crew with his left eye cast in wood, "It was hard to find it was, but a pirate always finds a treasure." He held up a smooth blue orb about the size of a human heart and Ku-Jon gingerly took it from him. The raw magic sizzled within the nearly flawless gem and Ku-Jon could feel the radiation of this legendary item. Only one spot on the bauble was rough, a small sliver cut into its otherwise perfect shape...a small matter certainly, but troubling. Could a shard of the gem hold the same abilities and if so, where was it?
"Lights to starboard!" Came a muffled cry from beyond the room, "The navy comes!"
"Back to stations," Ku-Jon ordered curtly, grasping the orb in his palm. "We make for the Low Realms!" Scattering away from the captain, the men left Ku-Jon seated cross legged on the floor of his quarters.
Extending his mind and influence into the gem, it was hard not to be lost within the swirling potency of its magnitude. Certainly no aeromancer could even summon half the force contained within this single item...a powerful tool to leave so relatively unprotected. Beyond the Tourniquet clouds darkened and gathered with the speed of locusts, filling the sky with the angry retort of thunder and the twisting fingers of lightning. As the storm began to brew, Ku-Jon hurled off his clothes, body already shifting into that of the beast. He could feel the power beyond his room of wood and stone calling to him, communicating with the wrath of the monster within him. Forcing the thoughts away, Ku-Jon bent his mind into the storm. No simple squall would do, nor menial tempest. Ripping from the heavens, a maelstrum was given birth in a torrent of destruction. Sailing smoothly within the center of the storm, the crew of the Tourniquet could only watch as the faster navy pursuers were hurled toward earth as timber and tiny bodies.
The magic flowing through his body, Ku-Jon was concentrating too hard to feel the sharp twist of pain from his chest. Beneath his skin, the tendril of a vine burrowed deep within his body, spreading roots and influence throughout his system. Fed on the magic of both himself and the orb, the geomancy curse imbued in all Nocta Syr residents began to slowly...but surely...kill its host.
Summary: On the ship, templar deferred...Kargon and Zagara taken for medical attention, Prestadeth allowed to keep watch and ownership of princess. Mission success, new blue gem makes big storms. Path set for Low realms and Ku-Jon's curse is growing.
