Closed Into the Lion's Den

[Anchor]

6th of Spring, 513AV Sunlight graced the docks of Syliras, Syna having reached her zenith and bathing the area in her warmth. Several ships sat docked by the piers, all of various sizes and shapes, busy loading and unloading cargo. However, for two people roaming the wooden platforms, there was only one ship that would hold much interest to them. A streamlined ship with triangular ship, crewed by a large number of large, muscled, and grizzled men. Their laughter seemed mocking as it rolled off the deck and reached the ears of the regular denizens of the port, their presence imposing on the Sylirans. At the end of the gangplank, a group of three men sat among the last of the cargo to be loaded. They were clearly heading out soon, though they seemed in no great rush. Even so, anyone hoping to talk to them would have to do so soon.

[Crypt]

Syliras. A city that he had wished to escape from, but now, due to a particularly interesting twist of fate, he had returned to it. The duo had arrived at the Docks, the same place where he had met Kirvan for the first time in about two years, towards dawn, just as Syna was replacing Leth as the sovereign of the sky. They were supplied with the information that Braten's crew occasionally docked at Syliras to restock supplies, but as to when they would do so was unknown. Crypt was supposed to infiltrate Braten's crew by any means neccessary, and help bring it down from the inside, leaking essential knowledge to the Svefra Lias that had assigned him and Gabriel with this duty. Finding the pirate, or one of his ships, and joining it would be the first of many hurdles he had to overcome. It was a bell or two before the two would-be-infiltrators found a likely prospect. The contrast between the orderly, perhaps even polite, disregarding the friendly banter filled with uncouth phrases, sailors one would often see in the Docks and the unruly, broad-shouldered and grizzled men conversing with coarse words, words that would have most cringing when in hearing range. They appeared to be what Crypt believed pirates were like, but it required further investigation. "Stay here, Gabrielle. It'll look suspicious for us both to be approaching them. I'll see if they're Braten's." Crypt walked towards the three men nonchalently, approaching them from the front such that they would be able to see him clearly. They stiffened slightly as he stopped before them, but continued their conversation. “I'd like to join you, if you're hiring. Who is your captain?”

[Anchor]

As Crypt grew near the severe-seeming bunch, their banter and snarling grins grew to a halt as more eyes riveted on the Drykas. Though there was one, a red-haired lass, who only reached Crypt’s shoulder, the rest were either his height or towering over him. The tallest, a bald olive-skinned man wearing nothing but breaches, stood up off his barrel and looked down on Crypt, several inches taller. On his shoulder, a large animal skull of some sort was fashioned into a pauldron with rope, more for the intimidating appearance than any real use as armor. He stepped right up to Crypt, looking well down on the Drykas. Then he grinned, showing two full rows of yellow teeth, with his incisors apparently sharpened to a dangerous point. “You’ve no idea what you’re getting into, little man,” he chuckled darkly, met with a chorus of chuckles from his compatriots still crowding the end of the gangplank. “What we do is not something we hire for, and even if we were looking for more crewmembers our captain is only interested in the mighty. Come back when you can lift a barrel on your own, until then you have no place on this crew.” A jeer or two began to emerge from the other snarling crew, but they were quickly silenced by a new voice carrying from the deck of the ship. “Who is it that wishes to see me?” asked a rough voice worn by the wind and sea, a gruff unkind shout that rolled down the gangplank. All the men and women turned to face the stout man on the ship, who was not much taller than the lass at the bottom but seemed infinitely more massive. Wrapped in layers of leather and hide, dark red hair that was almost brown billowing from the front and back of his head, eyes a subdued storm waiting to be let loose. “I’ll be the judge of who I’m interested in, Mundaz. Many of our brothers and sisters are not like us, but they are our brethren all the same. Do not judge an outsider by their appearance, for inside they can be every bit as savage as we.” This miniature rousing speech was met with growls of agreement through grinning teeth at the foot of the gangplank, and the olive-skinned man returned to looking at Crypt. “It appears you’ve gotten the captain’s attention,” he grinned, a glint in his eye that was either interest or malintent. Bowing satirically, he brought his chest down low and gestured to the gangplank, which the other crew cleared quickly, grins on some of their faces and stern frowns on others. “Please, enter the great vessel of our oh so strong and wise captain Braten, where he will graciously receive you with all the honors of a lanky skinny-armed gentlemen such as yourself.” A snort of laughter erupted from his bowed head, and that was followed by another few chuckles by the crewmembers around Crypt. “That’s enough Mundaz,” Braten called, though whether it was the description of Crypt or himself that prompted the scolding was impossible to say. There was also no way to hide the grin that pulled at his beard. Turning to Crypt, he then returned to the stern man he had been when he made his appearance. “Joining us is no small thing, Drykas,” he warned. “While it may seem as if we transport cargo, and that is true, our methods or acquiring it are less straightforward. If you can’t figure out what I mean, I won’t spell it out for you.” Braten crossed his arms and looked down to Crypt, their eyes meeting. “You’ll have to agree to leave behind the niceties of the land, commit totally to the sea. And you’ll have to live under the shadow of the blue-eyed hunters called Svefra, who would see us ended whenever they get the chance. It’s because of them we’re shoving off soon, so there’s no room for indecisiveness. You’re either going for it or you’re not, and even if you’re committed there’s more I have to see before you’re in. Choose now Drykas, we’re not in Syliras forever.”

[Crypt]

Crypt ignored (for the most part) the jeers directed at him; he had proven himself in combat many times despite his relatively young age, and would not be deterred from his mission by such puerile insults (albeit with much use of vulgarities). He had faced down a serpent the size of many men a mere two years ago, and compared to the creature these men were nothing. "Shut up, you. I'll deal with you soon enough." Crypt answered Mundaz dismissively, though he subtly shifted his left hand underneath his cloak to the sheath of his longsword attached to the left side of his waist. It would not do to be caught off guard by such a bulky pirate. Braten is certainly an impressive figure - he carries quite a lot of weight to his crew. I'll have to prove that I'm no weakling though. Might be a bit of trouble. Given his animosity towards the Svefra, Gabrielle would have a bit of trouble attempting to get into his crew. "Fine by me. I have no love for the Svefra - they're too open. They've tried to steal my possessions before. I'm in for the money - and for a good fight, if any of the Svefra can provide it. The hardships' no problem to me - I've travelled across Mizahar for quite a few years, and survived." Crypt met Braten's eyes, unwavering. "I have some... proof of my abilities. If you've visited Syliras often enough since last Winter, you might have heard rumors of a man tearing out a bandit's throat with his own mouth in a rage after taking on a few bandits. The Knights speak of it every now and then. That I am." Crypt proceeded to remove his cloak and his shirt, revealing his upper body with all of its enigmatic tattoos. "There's the one I got from a giant bear up north in Taldera," Crypt pointed to the large scar cutting diagonally across his chest, "And there's the scars I received from a nasty dire wolf in the Bronze Woods." He motioned to the white lines on both of his shoulders and arms. Donning the grey garment and cloak again, Crypt looked at Braten again. "I use a longsword most of the time. I won't say I'm an expert at it, but I can handle it just fine. Have one of your men fight me if you wish to test me."

[Anchor]

A dark look flashed across the pirate Mundaz’s face when Crypt gave him all the attention one would a dog barking at the end of his chain, but a quick look from Braten prevented any reaction that the Myrian might have made. His own crew dealt with for now, the Inarta’s gaze swiveled to Crypt as he began talking. His crossed arms remained in their position the whole while, neither relaxing nor tensing to indicate Braten’s reaction to the claims made and the goals given. As Crypt exposed his tattooed torso, it drew the eyes of some of the crew who were less familiar with the traditions of the Drykas. They gave him a more menacing appearance than before, despite his lean shape, and those who had jeered now did a second evaluation of who they were looking at. While it was all very impressive to the bulk of the crew, this show bought no purchase in Braten’s demeanor. He’d seen those tattoos on enough corpses he’d made that the novelty had worn off. However, the scars did gain his attention and interest as Crypt began to list them. One of his hands rose from its position in his arm to stroke his beard, eyes analyzing each scar as it was pointed to. The story related was of less consequence, as there was little trust that could be invested in rumors. Not that Braten had ever heard it anyway, he rarely came to the same port very often and rarely did he stay long enough to pick up rumors. He said nothing though, only taking in the words of this prospective crewmate with a solemn stare. Then, when it was clear that the Drykas had finished, Braten turned and went aboard the ship. “Follow me,” he called over the edge of his ship. “We’ll see whether or not you’re worth the trouble.” Whether Crypt decided to immediately follow or not, Mundaz and most of the others climbed the gangplank after their captain, leaving one on the dock to watch for anyone else. On the deck, Crypt would find a largely empty space with only a last pile of crates stacked by the mast, with weapons and crafts leaning on it at various points. A few barrels were placed near the stern cabin, and atop that cabin was a higher deck from which people could observe everything on the ship. The other crew spread themselves across the ship, grouping themselves in twos and threes and muttering as they took up positions. Some sat on the barrels, some rested on the railing, some took spots on the stern platform. No matter where they were though, all eyes were riveted on Braten. Most eyes at least. The Myrian Mundaz glared at Crypt as he leant against the railing near the gangplank, his muscled olive skin rippling as if flexing for a fight. However, his eyes quickly turned to Braten as well when his thundering steps neared the mast. Picking up an axe the length of his arm, the Inarta shifted it in his hands and inspected it. The wooden handle wasn’t of the strongest make, and the axehead was attached rather amateurishly, but it was functional and would serve the immediate purpose. Turning to face Crypt, the large man twirled the axe in his hands, giving it a few doublehanded practice swings. “Show me your worthy of being in this crew,” Braten challenged, and that was all the warning he gave before rushing at the Drykas, closing the gap surprisingly quickly and bringing the axe down with both arms. It happened so quick that Crypt would barely have enough time to sidestep. Good thing he did too, for when Braten brought the axe down on the deck the wood around it splintered and broke. If the Drykas had tried to block it, there was no telling what state he’d be in now. Cheers and whoops erupted from the mouths of the crew as Braten broke his ax out of the deck and followed up with a sweeping strike towards Crypt, forcing a fast reaction once more.

[Crypt]

Crypt slowly shifted the Djed within him, carefully channeling it to his left arm in order to enhance it for the inevitable fight. Taking a deep breath, he dug deep into his reserves and allowed the fluid-like, ethereal substance (as he imagined Djed to be like) to sink into his muscles and tendons; they tingled and contracted for but a second, signifying that he was enhancing his arm. Making no outward sign that he was using the Flux, Crypt drew his longsword in one swift motion and readied it, standing in a defensive stance, for it would not do to be careless, especially against one such as Braten. And the Inarta struck. Braten was certainly deceptively swift for his enormous bulk. Caught by surprise, the Drykas only managed to narrowly dodge the blow, leaping to one side and watching with narrowed eyes and a hint of respect as Braten cut into the deck with relative ease, sending wood splinters flying. Right. No direct combat. I'll have to depend on moving fast enough to avoid all his attacks - that would split my skull in an instant. The axe was swept towards Crypt, who deflected it with the flat of his blade away from him. The sheer force behind Braten's attack jarred his sword rather badly, but Crypt was undeterred. More jeers could be heard coming from Braten's crew, who were shouting insults at the Drykas. Crypt swung his sword down diagonally from the right, moving slightly faster than an average swordsman would have. Speed was of the essence, and though he knew that he had almost no chance of downing Braten (and if he somehow did such a feat, Braten's crew would converge on him and summarily hang, draw and quarter him), he would at least impress upon the pirate that he was good enough to join his crew. As for Gabrielle... Well, he didn't know what he could do for her. The Drykas readied himself to move backwards, preventing himself from reaching out too much with his longsword and bending his knees. Guide my hand, God or Goddess of Battle. If I should draw blood in this duel, then I shall continue to do so in the future, and perhaps one day I shall fight a fight worthy of an offering to you. Lady Dira, I trust that Death will come to me when the time arrives.

[Anchor]

Most of the force behind the axe slid up into the sky thanks to Crypt’s quick reactions, but the impact still caused the sword to vibrate strongly. Braten didn’t take long to recover however, and since his ax was already raised it was a simple matter to catch the Drykas’ longsword with the crook of his axe head, dragging it down to the deck and taking the opportunity to throw a jab at the Drykas’ jaw with his left. There was not enough power behind the fist to cause much damage, but it was enough to stun and sent Crypt staggering back a step. Instead of following through however, Braten stepped back himself and raised his weapon, holding it before him with both hands. The jeers and insults receded from the crew, who were too busy watching with interest now to divert much attention to insulting their potential newcomer. Braten’s words from earlier had their effect on the crew, so beyond the token derogatory shouts and calls there was no shouting. There were plenty of grins though, some leery and some amused. Chatter had grinded to a halt, all eyes on deck riveted on the two warriors facing each other off. The tension was thick, but not oppressive. It was simply that of excitement, eagerly awaiting the outcome of something pulse-pounding. The rush of seeing two fighters brush with death repeatedly. As the Inarta and the Drykas began circling, neither advancing just yet, Braten remained silent and focused. His bulk would lead one to think that, logically, he would be somewhat slower than the average fighter. However, as Crypt had already discovered, it was the opposite that was quite true. Perhaps it had something to do with his relatively short height, or perhaps he had trained himself to be quick on his feet and with his arms. Whatever the case, this new information had to be accounted for, as it would not do to be surprised by someone so brutally strong. Then the Inarta was moving again, stepping forward and swinging his axe from Crypt’s right. With adrenaline pumping now and the red-haired captain’s speed no longer a surprise, not to mention his use of flux, there would be enough time for Crypt to either deflect the attack with his sword or outright avoid it. There was little time to counterattack though, for as soon as Braten moved forward with the blow he brought his foot down on where Crypt’s own foot should have been, using the time bought to swing again. The flurry of attacks would keep going until Crypt could think of something to break it, and going up against someone as strong as Braten he would have to be careful that the price wouldn’t be one of his limbs - or steeper.

[Crypt]

Again and again. This is feeling like another of my misadventures - with lethal consequences if I should fail. Crypt continued to move away from Braten's axe, flinching for the first few times it narrowly whistled past his limbs. It was useless to deflect the axe - Braten had too much brute strength for him to counter. He needed an opening, an opportunity to put an end to his constant dodging - it was slowly wearing him out, and a misstep would spell an early end to his mission. There. That... collection of nautical equipment and the ropes. Quite convenient, really. I hope this works - petch you, Braten! Putting on an extra burst of speed to move further away from the axeman, Crypt snatched up the coil of spliced rope and threw it at Braten, allowing it to expand as it approached the charging Braten, ensuring that Braten would be delayed for a moment or two by it. The marlinspike flew next at Braten, accompanied by a belaying pin. And now... To attack. Hoping that the assorted items he threw at Braten would distract the Inarta long enough for him to make a strike, Crypt dashed towards the Inarta, swinging his longsword towards the left side of Braten's chest.

[Perplexity]

Riddled With Rewards Crypt Experience Skill XP Earned Observation + 1 EXP Intimidation + 2 EXP Flux +1 EXP Weapon: Longsword +1 EXP Lores • Lore Earned • A Pirate’s Life For Me! • Badge of Honor: Scars of the Past • Swashbuckling and Swordfighting: Fighting Braten Notes : PM me if you’ve questions regarding your grade.