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Into the green horizon.
Posted: 08 Jun 2005 03:01 PM |
The round eyes stared out from beneath the thick brow. He scratched his unshaven face. How long would it take? It did not matter. He had already been at sea for thirtyfour sunrises now. He stretched out, greeting the rising sun that gently touched his brownish hide. So many scars. Hopefully he would not recive any more of them. He turned his gaze to the east. To Vives. What was going on at the moment? He did not care. He had now left the shores as the last remnant of his people. He was free. Free from his past. Free from those who wished to destroy him for his rightful vengence. Free from the oath he swore to Nu'umen so long ago. He had fulfilled it without regret.
The planks of the deck creaked as his powerful body moved over them. But the sound of his footsteps were different. No longer did the sound of iron boots surround him as he walked. There was no need for his armor now. He had stashed it underneath his hammoc, along with all his other posessions. They had not been of any use since he had driven the pirates off their own ship.
A well planned departure it was. Stealing a pirate ship, dock up in Port Royale for supplies, and then sail away before dawn. He had picked his crew carefully, making sure none of them left anyone dear to them behind. They were far from the most competent sailors, but they had learned quickly, and could now rig a ship faster than any marine. They also shared his vision...his dream.
A world without any gods, temples, and zealous mobs with torches. He did not know where he would find this world, but he would certainly not find it if he did not try.
"Captain Usko..." The young man uttered, disturbing Vurbag's daydreaming. "Someone has been in the cabin again...a bread is missing."
Vurbag gave a single nod. He had long suspected they had an uninvited passenger aboard the ship. He had just not cared to take a closer look at it. But now the men began to complain about missing food, so he had to do something about it.
He glared across the deck with his deep eyes.
Several years of experience was one of his assets. He knew that pirates often had hidden hatches for smuggeling. If someone was to hide on this ship, it would have to be in one of those. But that was the problem...they were hidden. Such problems had not stopped him in the past, and he would not make a problem out of it now. He inhaled the salty air. He could smell the tar they put on the deck some days ago. He could smell the uncleaned armpits of his crew. And he could someone famliar to him. A woman.
With a sudden movement, Vurbag smashed his fist through the deck, and then fished up a young woman...perhaps even just a girl...from a hidden room. She was poorly fed, and seemed tired and unrested. He grinned out of memories, and frowned out of pity and worry.
"Good mornin' miss Carshall. Had a comfortable night?"
Melinne looked up at Vurbag with her amber-brown eyes. She looked over the broad half-orc that stood before her wearing only his tattered pants.
"You know my name?...then you are truly Vurbag Usko" she uttered, her throat clearly dry due to lack of water.
Vurbag remembered that Faldan mentioned her loss of memory. Had she come out here just to have it confirmed that he was the one who had trained her?
No. There was something else.
Vurbag forced a waterskin into her mouth, not allowing her to take it away until it was empty.
"Drink while you can. We might run out of water any day now".
Melinne drank a little slower when she heard these words.
"Don't you worry Mel. I taught you to gather rainwater, didn't I? Trust me, we will not lack rain".
These words seemed to put her at ease, and the regained her drinking speed.
When the waterskin was as dry as the Kobai desert, Vurbag spoke to her again.
"Tell me Mel...why did you come? Don't you realise dere will be no goin' back?"
She sat up again, some of her strength regained. She then looked at Vurbag with the same tearful expression she had worn since lady Haji's "betrayal".
"That's the reason I came" she uttered "to make sure there will be no going back for me".
Vurbag felt a strong desire to send her back, but it was too late now. There was no hope of getting back with their scarce supplies. He had seen no land so far on the journey, so their only hope would be to continue.
"I will make you a 'ammoc. You will work alongside da crew. Your skills when it comes to sailing might quicken our pace. An' we'll be able to catch some fish if required."
Melinne gave a single nod of understanding.
"Go an' change. We got a couple of women on board who'll gladly lend you some clothes. Bad luck da men say...good luck I say. We don't want you running 'round naked when your clothes needs cleaning, do we"
Vurbag was standing alone at the front of the ship. He did not like the situation. One more mouth to fill. Still, he had been through worse. He glared over the surface. He had become rather familiar with it. A blue mirror for the sun. Sadly, not a single rock broke through it with hope of finding shore. Suddenly, his eyes caught something in the surface. It was not moving, and it was not a carcass. He concentrated his eyes. After some seconds his worried face broke into a broad grin. It was a branch from a tree. Not a tree he was familiar with, but still a tree.
Melinne came out from underneath the deck. She had recived a proper wash, and was wearing a dashing shirt and some pants that ended just beneath her knees.
"Come 'ere Melinne" Vurbag said. She walked up to him. He put his trunk-thick arm around her, like a father does to his daughter, and pointed at the green horizon in front of them.
"Look at da sun Melinne. This is not Vives. We are somewhere else"
In front of them, a green horizon stretched out as the haven they had sought. One of the crew members came up to Usko, clapping him on his shoulder.
"This trek is your doing captain. You will be the one to name this shore".
Vurbag looked up at the setting sun, the pride from his younger days grew once again in his heart. "For my fatha'...my motha'...my sista'...my people...I will name dis land Usko".
The ship turned towards the nearest coven, letting its anchor sink to the ocean floor for good.
They did not know where in the wide world they had landed, and that was their purpose.
Never would they return to the shores of Vives. |
Vurbag Usko - Missing
Melinne Carshall - Missing |
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A letter in Buckshire
Posted: 08 Jun 2005 03:38 PM |
*A letter delivered to the order of the seven sisters by a man of the Artio clan. Is hanged up for everyone to read. A package follows the letter.*
Dear friends and companions. When you read this, I will be beyond the reach of any of you.
Do not despair, my departure was of free will and planning. I left for some of you items and messages of personal value.
Vrodo...inside you will find the keys to my hut in Tanglewood. The hut is yours now. Mind the door...it often gets stuck.
Calia...for you I made a necklace bestowed with the blessings of my ancestors. May it protect you.
Lady Haji...a comb carved from the finest malar bone. May it make your hair fit your gown and make you look even more beautyful.
For Garrak and Azrael, I have put in a good word for them in the Artion clan, where they may find shelter whenever they need.
For Sister Therese and all the other sisters...thirty thousand gold pieces for you to keep the order going for some time. May others follow this example.
For Sara and Glordong...I can give no more than my eternal love as a brother in arms and peace.
May your ancestors protect you at the present, and future moments of your lives.
We will meet again beyond our dusk and death.
Signed ~ Vurbag Usko |
Vurbag Usko - Missing
Melinne Carshall - Missing |
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Re: A letter in Buckshire
Posted: 21 Jun 2005 05:42 AM |
As Calia read the letter she paused and wondered what could have happened to her gentle friend..
Calia took a breath and uttered a prayer to Aros to watch over him, where ever he might be and quietly thanked him for his help and his friendship.
Alsarti looked at the large letter posted apon the wall of the buckshire taven. She walked up to Doc and asked him for her comb and looking at it she wondered why he hadn't told her where he was going or why. She hoped he was doing well and taking her comb she smiled and wondered what kind of people he was meeting now. |
Its easy clinging to your moral high ground when you have everything, try it when you have nothing left.
Cain Angus |
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