Author: Keira, Posted: Sun Jun 5, 2016 12:53 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

The cheers made it sounds like they were doing something amazing. A chuckle left her lips as she tilted her head back to look at Torn. Though it faded as soon as she could tell him her real reason for wanting to hide. His touch was enough to distract her a little but her body still felt the pain. A sad smile reached her lips as she listened to his words. They were sweet and if she were still a naive girl it would be enough to have made her heart flop dead. Her spine was sent chills as he delicately untied her. “Aye,” she chuckled.


It wasn’t rough or really demanding, that’s what crossed her mind. Closing her green eyes, she tried to relax and focus her mind off of the pain but onto him. It was the affection of the kiss to her neck that caused her to jerk her head softly and let out a laugh. It tickled but only because she had been so focused she wasn’t expecting it. Opening her eyes only slightly just to see enough of him, she watched him speak.


She was more interested in his words to even respond as he turned her around. Fluttering her eyes open all the way she gave him a smile. “You may.” It was a long journey but if he was sincere enough maybe the ice would break. Though with a man like Torn she wasn’t sure what to expect with him.


The night came and went. The pleasure had been long enough to avoid most of the dual moons. She cuddled up to him unlike the last time, she was exhausted, but more so it was her mind fighting everything back. Things were going to be interesting, more so than they had been.



Time would go as it pleased, it had already proved that before. It was a long journey and time was the story teller again. This time though, fate had chosen an interesting character to help Keira.

Author: Torn, Posted: Sun Jun 5, 2016 12:19 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn followed Keira into the captain's cabin (to the cheer of his travelling companions), wondering a little about the haste Keira seemed to be in. He soon got his answer, however; Keira was in pain from the moons. Torn looked at her, contemplating the situation. All great gifts come with a price, I suppose, he thought. He walked over to her, and standing behind her, he caressed her waist gently. "We can talk until the seas run dry," he said, his left hand defly working on her corset. "But pain, I find, is best remedied by something else." On that cue, one of his hands slid under the edge of her trousers and down between her legs, while the other hand finished undiong the corset, taking it off gently before reaching up to Keira's breasts.

Torn just stood there, enjoying the soft touch of Keira's body, for a few seconds. It occurred to him that he truly enjoyed it - not like he had some other women, but in a more special fashion. With her flesh in his hands, he felt as though he was experiencing something more personal, more mutual, with a kindred spirit. Unlike Keira, however, he was not unnerved by the realisation. To him, love and romance was but another chapter of his life, one which could end well or ill as it pleased, as long as Torn could enjoy the journey. In response to this sensation, he bent his head down and kissed her neck, with more affection than he had originally planned. "This time, I would sooner be gifted your body than take it by force." He let go of Keira's breast (but kept his other hand in place) and turned her around, gently, so he could look her in the eyes. "So I ask you, Keira… May I have your body tonight? May I experience you naked form, in full, and anjoy all the pleasures it can provide?"

Author: Keira, Posted: Fri Jun 3, 2016 6:00 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Keira chuckled a bit at the men. “Best fun I’ve had in a while.” Her life was exciting but nothing beat having a good bed mate. Well, that was what her mother always said. Reaching into her bag she pulled out a pipe and put some tobacco in it. A small flame sparked at her fingertip as she lit it. She puffed a bit on it and blew. “God damn, Aunt Angela knows how to grow good tobacco.” She offered it up to the  men. “Grown and given out by the Goddess of Fertility and Earth herself.”

She listened listened to them while eating their dinner. It was quality stuff, the stuff she was used to her mother cooking. It was no Aunt Angela’s cooking though. Giving Torn a smile she reached down into her bag and pulled out the maps needed for the trip. “Until we reach the edge of these maps. We should be good.. After that I’ll have to navigate by other means but we should be alright.” 

After that the whole crew sang for them. It was like being around her sister, Holly, and Calanthe all at once. She smirked a bit more and closed her eyes to listen to the song. Leaning her head back she looked up at the sky and watched the moons. It tingled her flesh and hurt. Her breathing went heavy and she closed her eyes once more. A blessing and a curse as always.

Turning her attention towards Torn she gave him a smirk. “I think I’ll share the cabin with you.” She got up and pulled him up. “You’ll have to show me.” After he led her to the cabin she opened the window again and watched the moons. “I lied when I said it was all good. It hurts.” She gripped at the window and the wood chipped in places. “The two of them full… hurts. Like something clawing at the deepest pits of your soul.” She bite her lip. “I need a distraction. Something. Anything. Even if it’s talking.”

Author: Torn, Posted: Fri Jun 3, 2016 7:01 AM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn got up on the main deck together with Keira, spawning instant cheering and hooting from the band - who clearly understood what the two had been up to. Torn grinned and held up his arms to quiet the boys down, which took some time to accomplish. "Well, lads, I am sorry for vanishing like that - probably should have given you a heads-up about that," he said, which only spawned more laughter from the men. "I trust you two had fun, eh, Torn?" said one of the raiders, and Torn, for only a second, looked absolutely horrified - before he grinned broadly again. "I cannot speak too well for ms. Keira here, but I most certainly did," he said, offering Keira a wink.

Torn and keira were both served some food - a stew, boiled in thick broth before separated from the water and served in a velvety gravy, filled with chunks of vegetables - chiefly potatoes, cabbage, and spinach - as well as a mix of mutton and pork. Together with the ale found on board, the meal was, all in all, fairly good; not luxurious, but certainly servable at a respectable tavern. Torn found a seat next to Keira and began talking with the band about duty and living arrangements - Torn was soon appointed as daytime lookout, and being the de facto leader, he also got the captain's cabin - and the queen-sized bed therein, which was reportedly large enough for two. After all the roles had been divvied up (the eldest of the raiders became the helmsman, and Keira was tasked with navigation) Torn finished his meal, and made a gesture to the men. Suddenly, all was silent, and a few of the raiders produced small instruments, and provided some basic background music. And Torn took his place atop a crate, and did as he always did at the beginning of a new adventure - he sang.

A sunny springtime day we went, to new and thrilling lands
To carve our way through time and world, a fate with our own hands
We lept on board and took our due, our way to new adventures
A means by which to see and smell, new dangers and a new world!

Here, take us home, to that place we call our calling -
Draw your swords and shout!

There is a hero in each heart, and a monster in each mind!
We'll charge ahead like beasts, so we won't be left behind
In this world so pale, we gather and set sail,
As we ride from our cradles to our graves!

The horizon calls us forth to live our petty mortal lives
A legend may be slain, but he'll be laughing as he dies
So on to myth and mystery we sail to join the greats
We'll stand, resentful, as the times resists us and berates

Fear, take us home, to that place we call our calling
Fear of unsung lives!

At this point, the rest of the band joined in, causing the refrain to boom across the ocean, a mighty roar in the midst of an otherwise calm sea.

There's a hero in each heart, and a monster in each mind!
We'll charge ahead like beasts, so we wont be left behind
In this world so pale, we gather and set sail
As we ride from our cradles to our graves!

Once the song was done, it was met my cheers from the raiders. "How long did you work on that one, Torn?" came from one of the men in the back, to which he replied "About five minutes before I got up to sing it. Got a little stunted, lads, sorry about that. However, it is late, and I do suggest we all get about the business of resting." A few of the men looked disappointed, but the suggestion was mostly met by approval. As Torn stepped down from his crate, he knelt down beside where Keira was seated, and spoke to her softly. "You can have your own cabin, or you can share the captain's cabin with me. What do you say?"

Author: Keira, Posted: Wed Jun 1, 2016 3:20 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Keira smiled down at him and laughed. “If I lived believing it was a curse then I would be miserable. I was born a halfling and I could shift even as a babe. If my mother hadn’t dealt with that when Jayden was born then I am sure she would have flipped out. In a lot of ways, it is freedom. To be one with your pack in the light of the moon… It’s amazing. Even my mother runs with us even though she has to transform using magic and it’s not natural for her. Her and my father run together as mates. Forever.” The halfling laughed at the innuendo. “I’m sure he was pleased.”


She nuzzled his neck for a moment as he caressed and smiled. “I can spring some inspiration for more words of your’s.” It was hard for her to be close to someone but this was temporary and that was alright with her. She rolled on her side and stared at him. “Sounds good to me, I worked up an appetite of my own.”



Coming up after dressing she listened to the Merry Band of Misfits having fun. She got some food and found herself a seat on a barrel thinking about everything. “Parvpora, wonder if Ynarrah has been there yet.” She looked up at the moons and thought about her twin sister. She waited for Torn to introduce her to them all.

Author: Torn, Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 8:39 AM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn welcomed Keira back into the bed, smiling. He just lay still, listening to her pristine voice. "Lycanthropy is often described as a curse, but you make it sound like an excercise in freedom and serenity." He snuggled a little closer, letting his flesh do the talking for him. As she mentioned how he had climbed to Canelux and wooed her, however, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Woo her to her knees, huh?" he asked, musing, allowing the innuendo to hang in the air for a little while.

Torn kept cuddling Keira, occasionally caressing an intimate area. "I speak what words spring to me naturally. I cannot promise more poetry on the voyage…" He snuggled closer and playfully bit at one of Keira's earlobes. "At least not without proper… Inspiration." Then, he abruptly rolled out of bed and began dressing. "Well, this was an astonishingly pleasant escapade, but I cannot neglect my other companions. Come, join me on deck, and we can acquaint you with them, hm?" He smiled at Keira innocently, finding a spare belt in a drawer to replace the one he lost.

Author: Keira, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 8:37 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Keira gave him a laugh. “You just might feel it. I’m sorry if I was a little too rough, on tonight my strength is a lot more than normal so I’m not use to it.” She gave him an apologetic look. 

Out of the bed she listened to his words and tilted her head as she heard his beautiful poetry. “You certainly know your way with words.” Coming back to the bed she slipped into it and kissed him softly. “Let me tell you what the moon feels like.” She leaned in and whispered in his ear. “It’s that warm love that only your lover could give you. It fills you with warmth like the perfect herb bath. The moons together transform you and suddenly nature takes you away. The ground beneath your paws is the greatest thing you would ever feel. The feeling of your pack around you even if they are leagues away.”

Again she had that apologetic look on her face. “While it is not poetry like your words… I thank you for being my moon tonight, perhaps not a true lover in that aspect but still. You are soft and gentle even if you come off rigid.” She laid with him and tried not to think about her words wholeheartedly. “You are the man who climbed the rope to Canelux herself and wooed her to her knees.” But could he be the one who stole her wings as well? It scared her.

She smoothed back his hair and gave him a smile. “Your poetry really did melt me. Perhaps you can craft more for me on our journey?”

Author: Torn, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 8:24 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn, having realised how Keira apparently only wanted some exciting play before he could claim his prize, allowed himself to slow down once victory was assured, and endeavoured to give Keira the most pleasurable experience he could.

The evening was long and very much enjoyable, with the two interchangably dominating and being dominated in the ensuing bedgames, each having a lot of fun. Finally, however, Torn's more mortal stamina gave way to his fatigue, and he could go no longer. After finishing, they simply lay in bed for some time - while the Merry Band of Misfits were apparently having some sort of drinking game abovedecks.

Torn, despite his earlier vigor and promise of domination, was very gentle after the two had pleasured one another. He was stroking through Keira's now messy golden locks when she spoke up. "I am not like you… I cannot feel the moons." He felt Keira pull the blanket up, and he pulled her a little closer, enjoying the snuggle. "But considering your stamina, I have a sinking feeling I might feel it tomorrow," he jested.

When she a few moments later slipped out of bed, Torn took care to memorize every curve. He smiled when she called the moons beautiful, deciding that it was a good time to practise his poetic skills.
"Behold, she said, for there's beauty in the sky.
Why, I replied, for a beauty most blinding is right before me, in the shape of a golden woman.
Neither moon can match her tonight, for the light of Canelux and Pravpora is pale, a mere reflection of the warm rays of the sun, but in this room before me stands a star as warm and bright as that which makes the light of day."

Author: Keira, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 7:40 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Like most of her mother’s race Keira was light but her strength came from her father’s blood. It was rather ironic considering the wrestling her siblings had endured hearing growing up. “The pack wasn’t strong enough then.” She smiled at him. There wasn’t even a trace of hard breathing since her stamina was amazing on this eve.


Finally he had covered her face and she was laughing underneath of him. She felt restrained but nothing she couldn’t deal with. “Alright I give.” She was easily able to remove the pillow and pull him down to her. It was still rough but she was no fool to think it was going to be otherwise. Torn loosened his grip on her enough for her to sit up and help him get rid of what was between them.


Discarding the armor they dipped into the evening. It was long and soon she had been in control if only because of her large amount of stamina. At the end of the evening she laid on his chest. Her mess of blonde hair had come undone thanks to their fighting. “The moon is up. Well Canelux is,” she rolled next to him and put her hand on his chest. “You should feel it.” Her eyes were slit slightly as she snuggled her forehead into his neck.


Keira pulled the blankets up onto them and took a long deep breath. “I’ve never been to Parvpora before. It feels good to adventure again.” Slipping out of the bed for just a moment she left his arm to open the cabin’s window. She watched the moons for a moment to pour into the room. “It’s beautiful.” She moved back over to the bed and cuddled up to him.


“So I told you where I was born, what about you?” She pushed her fingers through his hair and smiled. She was a lot more gentle now and seemed to have a lot less attitude about her. There was a kindness to her that did not seem to show anywhere else. 

Author: Torn, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 7:15 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

[Disclaimer: Godmoding approved by Brittlez]

Torn giddily followed Keira into the cabin. He shook the corset off before they got in (so it wouldn't get in the way) and grinned at her question. "By no means, you'll probably whack me into the ground with little to no effort at all. But I'll try my damnedest, for a conquest like you is worth risking my life for," he said, and as the door closed behind them, Torn wasted no time.

He pulled her close, grinning, apparently about to say something cheeky or pseudo-romantic, putting his hands on Keira's waist. However, it was a ruse. Torn pulled Keira's trousers down to her knees, and tackled her with his shoulder, knocking her over with a yelp. At this point, Torn's eyes burned with only one desire - victory. As such, he didn't react to Keira's now fully exposed body, instead focusing entirely on getting her to concede defeat. With a momentary advantage, Torn got on top, trying to pin down Keira's arms.

It proved to be a futile endeavour, for Keira was not lying about her strength earlier. Despite Torn putting all his weight on his hands, he couldn't pin Keira's wrists to the floor. She spun her torso, crossing Torn's arms in the process, and lifted him off her with her feet, causing the poor man to sail into the wall behind him with something of a crash. Torn, however, grinned, and even laughed a little. "A hard victory is all the sweeter when won!" he exclmaied, pressing the advantage he still had.

Keira hadn't managed to get her trousers either on or off before Torn was upon her once more, grabbing her ankles and twisting her around, resulting in her lying on her stomach. He straddled her, but couldn't quite place his weight where it needed to be, so she threw him with relative ease.

As Torn was rolling across the floor, she removed them entirely, deciding he might use them again if they were kept on. She lunged at him, tackling him into yet another wall as he was trying to get back up, and grabbed his belt. With one violent pull, the belt torn in two; dagger, sword, money pouch and a small bag of direwolf teeth fell to the floor. As he was pinned against the wall, trying in vain to get out of Keira's vicegrip, Torn grinned and came with a smug remark (while fighting for air): "See those teeth? I… Got them while the bastards were still alive and fighting."

Torn then bent up and finally got a good grip on keira's waist, lifting her up so her head was towards the floor. Knowing she'd probably rather prepare to brace her head than keep gripping his torso, Torn then flung the woman into the bed - however strong she was, she wasn't all that heavy. He saw his chance and followed her into the bed, throwing himself on top of her and trying to get her into a full body lock, using the sheets as wrapping and holding the pillow against her face to prevent her from seeing too well.

Author: Keira, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 6:03 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Keira found his giggle to be pleasing to her ears, after all what woman wouldn’t take pleasure in knowing she was doing a good job. Seeing the frown she tapped his lips with finger and chuckled in exchange.


Clicking her tongue a laugh left her lips. “It’s a double full moon tonight I wouldn’t be so sure you could wrestle me down but that is a challenge I’m willing to accept. By the end of it you would have my consent but only if you could win.” A wink left her green eye as she issued the challenge.


Soon though he began a lot more gentle and it was relaxing to an extent. “I like a man who knows his limits but also goes beyond. A man who is worth his salt is a lot more fun compared to a pretty boy who sits on his ass.” She did hate the noble types some days. They felt entitled to everything and were hardly any fun to play with. “That was rather poetic though and I’ll give you credit for that darling.”


Her head turned just a bit letting the golden locks escape his fingertips. Her eyes peered towards a set of cabin doors. “I’m way more fond of a good tryst on a bed my dear. If you can win at wrestling me down I’ll let you have way more than just a play.” Throwing the corset over his shoulder, she took his hands and brought him back to the cabin. Closing the door behind them she gave him a grin. “So do you still think you could wrestle a werewolf on a double full moon?”

Author: Torn, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 5:18 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn grinned as Keira straddled him, enjoying the light touch and returning the kiss. He giggled a little as she nibbled on his lip, but gave a (clearly exaggerated) frown as she slid off and picked up her corset. As she implied there may be more if Torn could offer her incentive to go further, he stood up with a sigh, getting right next to her, putting his hand on her neck and rubbing it - his grip was strong, and possibly a bit uncomfortable, not unlike a deep tissue massage. He was grinning, all bravado and boyish charm.

"You're right, it's a long trip… Could be made shorter, however, with some… fun and games," he began, putting a hand on the arm she held the corset in. "But you wouldn't be the first lycan I've wrestled… So, looking at you, I might very well be inclined to take what i desire by force," he said, smirking. "As evidenced by this ship, it wouldn't be the first time."

As if to check how she might respond to the advance, Torn pulled Keira a little closer, his previously rubbing hand now gently following the locks of keira's golden hair. he bowed his head down to speak to her a little more intimately, and his words became a little less playful, lending more gravitas to his statement. "And I know I am good companionship. You seem just like my type of woman… Beautiful, honest, daring, free… And if you let me take you, I can promise you I will respect you, just as I do anyone I call my companions. And I love every last one of them, for they are part of the greatest adventure of all… My life." He looked down at Keira with a smile. "Of course, if you'd rather just play… I do love a bit of fun," he said, cheeky grin plastered over his pristine face.

Author: Keira, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 4:35 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

For a human he was surprisingly strong and Keira laughed a bit when he pulled her on top his lap. “I can agree to those terms.”

The halfling listened to his story and found his attention greatly appreciated as she turned her head to watch his eyes. It was more than she had been having the past few years and she tried not to think about the situation since it made her scoff everything it got brought up. Compared to most Rosenites she was solitary but when she finally found interest in someone they never had it back. Go figure.

“Sounds like an honorable bunch of men, that or you are just too good with your words.” She smirked towards him for a moment or so before a devilish thought went through her mind. He let the corset hit the floor and she let him caress her for a bit before turning her body to straddle his own. “It does sound like you need a woman’s touch though.”

Her finger reached up and trailed his face softly as she leaned in and kissed him. It wasn’t a very longing kiss as she took his lip into her mouth for a moment nibbling on it before letting go. “However, I’m not convinced there is enough in this deal for anything more than a caress and fondle.” She chuckled towards him. “It’s a long ship ride to Parvpora you know.” Keira slid off his lap and grabbed her corset giving him the smile she was known for. "Unless you got something else to offer up."

Author: Torn, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 12:37 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn smirked at Keira's suggestion, clearly liking what he heard. "Very well," he said, sitting down on a crate and pulling her onto his lap, ready to regale her with his story. "But I'll want to reap my reward with my own hands," he added, before beginning to tell the story.

"Half a year ago, I was travelling the northern reaches of Canelux, hunting down adventures - monsters, bandits, the lot. The snow fell heavily, but the roads could still be traversed. Nevertheless, it was slow going. I was making my way across the land, still recovering from a fight I'd been in with half a dozen adolescent drakes some weeks prior, and I was chasing down a rumour that a two-headed ogre was ravaging the countryside up there." He looked into the air with a smile on his face, the story clearly being a fond memory. "I had nearly given up hope, as I was very much lost and with little to no idea where I was situated. Night was creeping in, and just as I was fearing that I'd be forced to sleep in the snow and potentially freeze to death, I was surrounded by bandits." He smiled up at Keira, one of his hands tracing her chest, resting over one of the mounds and getting ready to remove the cover.

"They demanded I give up my posessions, but I didn't have anything of particular value," he continued, "and so they took me with them to decide what to do with me. They wern't heartless, so I was given a spot by their fire and a little morsel to eat. They asked where I was from, and I told them. They asked what I was doing, and I told them. They asked me what I had done… And I sang." He grinned up at her, clearly eager to claim his prize - but under no circumstance would he let the reward get in the way of the tale. "I regaled them with tales of my adventures, and I was given mead to whet my voice. I shared in stories I had heard from other men, and they gave me mutton to steel my stamina. Then, I inspired them with tales of my dreams and aspirations…" He looked up at Keira, smirked, and pulled, removing her corset and revealing the flesh beneath. Torn took a second to drink in the visage before smirking back up at her.

"And they gave me their companionship, that they may share in my ambition." He dropped the piece of clothing on the floor, and his right hand traced Keira's collarbone before coming to a rest at a mound of newly exposed flesh, caressing it, inviting Keira to keep the ball in play.

Author: Keira, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 12:09 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Keira laughed a bit. "You need to learn who you're dealing with. Rosenites throw the best parties." As he traced her scar she moved a finger up under his chin. "We know how to have fun but when it comes to war, that's what we live for the most… At least most of us. We were, after all, created to destroy."

She let her finger tip from his chin as she thought for a moment. They would be stuck at sea for a long time and perhaps a bit of fun now and again wouldn't hurt. Her mother knew that and had taught the twins when they were old enough just when to give in. A long ship ride was certainly among the top contenders. "Fine, but I have an exchange." She leaned in close to him and put her mouth to his ear. 

"I'll lose it if you tell me," she leaned back and winked as she undid the back of the corset and held it to her chest. "So story tell away. I'm a fan of making deals."

Author: Torn, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 11:49 AM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn leant on a beam and listened intently to Keira's story - altogether convinced she was, in fact telling the truth. As she spoke, Torn used his ears to listen and his eyes to explore - Keira was, without a doubt, very attractive, and the allure of female companionship was certainly not lost on Torn.

As she finished, he smirked, and moved closer, lightly, almost lovingly, tracing the scar with his finger. "Your family sounds like it could benefit from a good party," he said, smirking at her. "I have some stories, yes. Perhaps the most imminent story to tell would be of how I met the Merry Band of Misfits. I could be convinced to tell it… But like any good bard, I'd have to ask for a fee." His smile turned into a smirk, and he locked eyes with Keira, eager to see what kind of fee she'd be willing to pay to hear the story.

Author: Keira, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 11:31 AM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

"East? I have yet to go east! That is exciting and means I can make maps I never have before. There might even be a market for people looking to go west as well. If we need the extra silver I'm sure that could come in handy."

She could feel his eyes on her scar and let her hand go up. "About a year or so ago my aunt decided to wage a total war against the other four courts. She was already about to be hung by my Aunt Angela. See she had poisoned my cousin Nathaniel, the first son of the Red Court. Sons are incredibly rare as it is and my aunt didn't take it well. My cousin, his sister, Aaryona had to kill him or else a vampire clan was going to do it and it was the most honorable thing in her eyes."

This would be a long story as she leaned against a barrel. "She started to infect Rosenites with a disease that turned them into undead beings called Luzil. They are decaying creatures covered in ichor… Once the ichor gets inside the body it begins the process. My mother needed help as they begin to invade the forest and there wasn't enough recruits to help so I joined in with my, at the time, poor swordsmanship. Got caught by a Luzil claw across the chest. Mother about freaked out and took me to my aunt Angela to be healed. I blacked out for a month and if it wasn't for my aunt being a divine being I would be dead. The scar is what divine magic couldn't heal."

Her green eyes watched him. "Not the most beautiful story in the entire world. Certainly not one of glory like most warriors have but it is my story none the less. It's also why Mother took it upon herself to train me to defend myself better, though it took months for me even to be able to walk after everything was done. After all, I'm a scholar not really a warrior like she is." She gave him a smile. "What about you Mister Charming, got any good stories?"

Author: Torn, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 11:00 AM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn led Keira down to the holds, looking around and finding plenty of provisions to carry the ship across the ocean to Pravpora. Furthermore, there were trade goods that could be sold for extra profit, so Torn was, all in all, a happy camper. As Keira asked where they were going, Torn turned around to respond, and noticed the scar. He perked an eyebrow, also noticing she was now standing in front of him wearing nothing but a corset on her upper body. He perked an eyebrow.

"Uh… We're simply heading east, then we'll cruise the coast for a good port once we get there." His eyes were locked on the scar, drinking in the visage. Something primal stirred within - a morbid curiosity, and overwhelming urge to hear the story behind it. To him, the scar hadn't marred her, it was simply fascinating. He even forgot to be attracted for a moment. "And… What's the story behind the scar? It's… Odlly alluring." The question was presented with Torn's trademark charming smile, and looking back into Keira's eyes, his gaze was full of hunger.

Author: Keira, Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 10:06 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Keira had always been on the good side of things. When she was the second command in The Order of Eris she was the utmost of good but then she seen the side of the man she had given everything for. A hand went to her scarred chest underneath her clothes as she thought about Icarus's reaction and even her father's. It was a mistake she didn't want to happen again. "I'll be behind you." She echoed softly to him clenching at her shirt now.

Her fingers were nimble and fast as she cut the ropes and she climbed if she had to the fastest out of anyone. Her movements were flawless and it reflected the years of training her mother had given, not only that but her wolf heritage. Listening to Torn he was the sort of charismatic that Icarus had only hoped to be and she shook her head violently as she cut the final rope on her end. "ALL CLEAR." Her words rang out before the shanty broke out. 

Keira chuckled as she had never envisioned herself with someone else who could sing, the first being her sister. She relaxed up top a barrel and threw her bag to the ground now that they were safe. The weather by the sea was far as she pulled the shirt under the corset off, which took some skill considering how little the corset actually moved. The scar underneath stretched far from what looked like her right breast over to the top of her left shoulder. It was  jagged like claws had done it, in fact that was exactly what had done it. The luzil… Again Keira shook her head from it as Torn called to her. "Yeah let's go."

The halfling jumped off the barrel and met up with Torn before going below deck. She ducked below a few nets and looked about the barrels. "Fresh fish even." Closing the barrel she looked over at Torn. "So where are we even headed, not that it matters much."

Author: Torn, Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 9:55 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn listened to Keira talk about her family, letting her elaborate on the histories from her childhood without interrupting her. He drank in both the stories and the woman who told them, and before long, he found that they were at the pier where the ship was docked. He assessed the situation - the Merry Band of Misfits was arriving at roughly the same time as him and Keira - apparently, they hadn't run into trouble.

"Well, then," he responded to Keira's expression to have Torn in charge. "Classic blitz play. We'll all be on that ship and on our way within ninety seconds of making our move. I want to be out of range of their ballistas before they have time to fetch their burning bolts." He leaned out of his alley, and one in his party spotted him - Torn then nodded, and the group simply walked up to the gangplank of the ship.

What appeared to be a craftsman's apprentice had been left with the responsibility of handling the inventory check, and as he saw Torn, Keira, and the Merry Band of Misfits approach, he called out. "Oi, dekkan e ikkje sjøfolk!" Torn smirked at the comment. Yes, we are seafolk. Just not yours. Torn calmly approached the man, smiling. "We're taking this," he said simply, putting his hand on the protesting youth's face and nonchalantly pushing him backwards, making him fall into the bay. He sent Keira up the ganplank, and made sure the entire Band had joined in. The crew, upon getting on the ship, instantly began tugging on ropes and cutting the mooring ropes. One of the older men, in his mid-fourties, went straight to the helm of the cutter and nodded at Torn.

Torn bounded up the gangplank, and as two of his companions drew it up and the ship slowly began floating into the bay, Torn went to the stern of the ship. "OI! Dockmaster! We're stealing this vessel, so make sure it's reflected properly in your paperwork!" He grinned at his crew, who began laughing from the jest, before seeing the guardsmen who had hassled them before come and yell at them. He chuckled, and shouted back. "Figured we'd do you a favour and stop being an eyesore, friend! You can thank me when I get back - in fifty years or so!" Torn laughed loudly and flipped the guardsmen off, before turning to the raiders. As the men loosed the sails, Torn broke into a song, and the men joined the shanty shortly thereafter.

"Oh, black Sammy raided and pillaged as he went!"
"Oh, Valley-Sammy galley, ho!"
"His loot on good ale and good women it was spent!"
"Oh, Valley-Sammy, hey-hi-hey!"
"From his home in the valley he sailed forth like a storm!"
"Oh Sammy, from the valley, ho!"
"To war, and to plague, and to famine was he born!"
"Oh, Sammy, ye old villain!"

The song went on for four more verses, and while the raiders were mostly gruff and hoarse, Torn's own voice rang as clear and clean as a well-tuned violin, so pure and easy in fact was his song that those who heard it might even be able to see the adventures of Black Sammy before their eyes as if they were present. Once the song was done, Torn turned to Keira, gesturing for her to follow. "Come, let's check that we have all the necessitites belowdecks," he said, smiling at her invitingly.

Author: Keira, Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 9:19 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Keira gave him a blush at first but went ahead and gave him a nod to his satisfaction. "So people tend to tell me."

After listening to him she gave a slight chuckle. "You'll have to forgive me, I tend not to think about how humans run. My sprint would mean shifting and I would probably be there in no time at all, my apologies, I'm not normally with other people." She let him give orders to his men as they walked and smiled. It was weird hearing someone other than her mother giving directions like that.

"Mother is from Arri." She was quick to think about not telling him about the rift that brought her here with her family. "She is a free roaming type of woman and the court normally follows her orders from afar. I was born in the Laeato Rainforest, parents had a cottage there and raised us modestly. Though my mom told me being raised in Arri was all types of fun." She offered up another smile before thinking about her mother.

"Well, she is another type of beast all together. Apparently my mother had burnt off her clothing on accident, and thought she was landing in a village when she dove off of her dragon mid flight, which she does a lot now that I think about it. That's when she met dad and things happened. He loved her even if she was crazy and she loved all of us. All together there is six of us. Two from my mother's first marriage and then four of us."

She got them deep into the alley ways and finally onto the docks. She followed Torn from there to where their cutter was and looked around. "So I've never done this and that makes you in charge from here on out."

Author: Torn, Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 8:37 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn, having listened to the story of Keira's mother and her midair madness, gave a chuckle. "Well, if what you say is true, your mother must have given you quite a few gifts," he said, winking at her cheekily - his gaze briefly following her curves, resting for just a little longer than expected at her chest.

Torn seemed a little against being dragged into the alley, but let the girl lead on - she was clearly more familiar with the city than he was, and she had taken time to study it in order to draw maps. As she asked about the sprint, however, Torn shook his head with disapproval. "A dead sprint through the city streets would attract too much attention. Half a mile between us and the cutter - I'd rather not engage in a drawn-out series of skirmishes with city patrols. And the guys wear heavy equipment, and once we take the ship, we'll want to get underway fast." He looked at the map - he couldn't read, but he was good at looking at drawings. "Let's move through the alleyways to stay out of the guardsmen's sight for now, and move carefully so as not to alert citizens either." He trailed his finger along the route to where he realised the ship must be docked, and gave an affirming nod, before turning to his companions. "Make your way to the cutter - don't rush it. Just go there. Any guards give you trouble, you've found a ship that'll take us away. Got it?" The Merry Band of Misfits all stood up and nodded. "Got it," said one of the senior raiders.

Torn then went ahead through the alleys, making a point of making casual conversation with keira along the way. "So, Keira, you're from Arri? Where's that, and how was it growing up there? And you must tell me more about that mother of yours - she sounds like a spirited woman." Passing a group of the city's repressed labour class, he noted that noone was giving them a second glance - the people were too busy getting their jobs done, and noone with the money or free time to be suspicious traversed these alleyways. Heartened, he continued to walk casually, listening to whatever Keira would have to say.

Author: Keira, Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 7:22 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Keira gave him a smile back and laughed. "Some maidens are not conquered easily my dear Torn." She looked over at his companions and gave them all a fair smile. It was easily charming in its own way, she was trained by nobles to earn respect but also at the same time her mother wasn't a fragile flower.

"I love the architecture of Egjora but the guards really piss me off, so I'm not above it. After all, if I didn't my mother would be rather disappointed." She started to take her leave with them and thought on it. "Once saw my mother jump off her dragon mid flight to steal an airship. Did I mention she was trained as a dragon knight? She's all kinds of impressive but scary as my father says." 

She took Torn's hand and pulled him into an alley way. "We should take this short cut. They will try to go down to the other guard stations first and that was right down the main way." She reached into her bag and flicked through until she pulled out another rolled up map. "Here we go," she put her finger on the map. "This is where we are," she dragged her finger across the map. "This is the route we should take to the ship." She gave them a grin. "Think you and your boys could keep up if we sprinted?"

Author: Torn, Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 7:15 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn smiled at Keira as she mentioned Arri, his smile turning into a sly smirk. "Arri, hm? Sounds like my kind of recreational place." As Keira gave her name, Torn perked an eyebrow, more confused than impressed by the complexity and (apparently) royal nature of it. He did, however, shake the perplexed expression in favour of his charming smile, and gave a bow. "Torn Flashborne, conqueror of monsters and maidens alike," he said, with a cheeky grin.

Upon Kiera's implication that it might be a good idea to move, Torn gave a shrug. "Egjora was getting boring anyway, and neither me nor my companions are above stealing. There's a merchant cutter, fully stocked for a voyage tomorrow, ready in port." He gave Keira a slightly stern look, letting her know he was serious about what he said next. "Do this, though, and there's no going back. Once we've confirmed there's enough provisions in the hold, we're headed straight for pravpora, and it's a long trip." He looked at her calmly, awaiting her response, while the Merry Band of Misfits got ready to make a beeline to the ship, which rested over half a mile away.

Author: Keira, Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 5:03 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Keira let out  a chuckled a bit before giving him a smile. "If I am beautiful never go to Arri where the most beautiful women in the world live. You'll be eaten alive in minutes." It was probably true, he did look like the pretty boy type which made her heart flutter only a little bit. She was after all still young and stupid as her mother claimed.

"My beautiful huh?" She gave him another smile before taking the torn paper and rolling it up. "I'm Keira Rose-Wintercrest, Second daughter to Toya Rose Queen of the White Court of Arri, Map Maker, Adventurer, and I use to be the second in command for the Order of Eris. Wintercrest is my father's surname and he too was royalty somehow. You know how nobility tends to work out." She bowed to them.  "Though I could be third born.. I have an identical sister but my parents refuse to tell us who is older." She mused out loud with a laugh.

Her slightly tipped ears twitched softly. "While this is a beautiful spot to get aquired my dear I would suggest we get running to the docks and steal us the best fucking boat the harbor has for us." She grinned a bit more and she was glad that she was able to ride a boat with no problem unlike most of her kin. "I can hear them a few blocks over."

Author: Torn, Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 4:46 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Torn was just about to go looking with his companions for a ship when a girl bumped into him. Torn looked down, finding her very attractive, and turned his charm to the max. He smiled at her, his eyes, mouth, posture, and everything practically glinting with kindness. The woman looked flustered, and Torn was ready to disarm and charm her - but before he could speak, the guards from before came back, apparently coming for the girl. Sensing something would not go as might normally be predicted, Torn decided to stay quiet and watch the event play out before him.

Sure enough, the girl showed an amazing amount of sass in the face of the guardsmen, and it would appear to be so for good reason. Lycanthrope, hm? This could turn out to be very interesting indeed. He watched with a cheeky grin as the woman demonstrated her prowess and got rid of the guards, though Torn was certain they would soon return - reinforced.

Torn once again found himself cut short of speech (something which happened extremely rarely) by the woman in front of him, who for some reason had decided that skipping town with two dozen (male) strangers on a ship where there could be no escape from their advances apparently was a good idea. Torn, however, didn't care, much. Charts could very well be useful, and he, too, needed to skip town.

"Well, the more, the merrier, I always say - especially if 'more' entails such beautiful female company as yourself," he began, all smiles, kindness, and boyish charm. "but perhaps it would be prudent with some introductions, yes? I am Torn Flashborne, adventurer, and these are my companions - my Merry Band of Misfits." He gestured towards the men gracefully. The men were in various moods, and it became apparent in the way they responded to the woman. Some grumpy, some nervous, some smiling and forthcoming - other still either completely indifferent, or not paying attention at all. "Might we have your name, min sjønne?" Clearly, Torn not mastering the tongue of Egjora was a blatant lie. The truth was, Torn had no idea why he knew it, but he always had.

Author: Keira, Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 3:44 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

A large sack hung off of her shoulder, the bag's strap going across her chest snuggled in between her breasts. She had on a light shirt colored gold like the sun's rays, a corset of black around her body. Her pants were just average but better than most men could afford thanks to her aunt's social circles. A sword hung off her hip, it had the insignias of a wolf and rose  painted down the sheath.

She had in her hands a hand done map of the city. Her green eyes were stuck to the map. There was a twisted look on those pretty light lips of hers since the lines of her map did not look straight at all. She avoided one burly man and ended up running into a pretty little thing. She bounced off of him and tore an edge of her map off. "Oh god damn it." She stood up and looked at it. "It was ruined anyways. I'm never going to get that fucking line straight."

The mass of blonde curls bounced up as her eyes met Torn's. "Apologies for running into you." She bowed her head a bit. A few guards came up behind her. 

"You! BLONDIE, you are the one who was lurking around the rich district." 

"And if I was? Got something to hide?" Egjora was her favorite city in all of Canelux but those eyes that fed on her that the guards gave her sent chills down her spine.

"Spill out your bag." The guard went for her bag but in retaliation the girl put her foot to his chest and kicked him over.

"I would be careful if I were you. It's a full moon tonight boys and the wolves come out to eat scared chicken shits who can't keep their hands off pretty girls." For a moment her hand started to morph into a wolf's claw.

"We'll be back for you Dog." The humans left her be knowing that they couldn't take on a wolf on the verge of a full moon. She took a deep sigh and turned her attention back to Torn.

"I heard you when I was walking. Something about stealing a ship? Count me in, you need maps of the sea I have them. Maps of Egjora, I have them. They have pissed off the wrong girl today. Can't even make maps of the upper district without them being on your ass. I wouldn't worry too much about the wolf thing, I'm only a halfling but they don't need to know that." She offered up a wink.

Author: Torn, Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 3:25 PM, Post Subject: East! Eastward to Glory! [P,R]

Standing at the docks, Torn looked like a character straight out of an epic - blonde, wavy hair gently flowing in the breeze, shiny blue eyes staring longingly out over the sea, his fair skin actually glittering a little in the sun. His spring-green cloak hung over his well-maintained armour in gentle folds, flapping lazily with each gust. In his right hand was a spear exactly four cubits long, its bronze point gleaming in the morning sun, and it was fastened to the shaft of the spear with a ring of gold. On his left arm hung a large, round shield, painstakingly engraved with a relief in the oaken surface, depicting the slaying of many foes, kept together by a shiny bronze band. From his hip hung a longsword and a dagger, both wrought with care and precision.

Meanwhile, behind him, the citizens of Egjora milled around, looking less at Torn and more at his companions. Large, bearded men, they wore byrnies and brutal-looking weaponry, some adorned with skins and pelts. Some had round shields, some had kite shields, some no shields at all - mace, axe, sword and spear were all represented, and they were dressed in a multitude of colours.

The one thing all aforementioned men had in common, was that they were looking completely out of place against the sailors, merchants, and uniform guardsmen of the city. In fact, they had raised quite the ruckus, and a number of guards were approaching.
"Stann! Gå nu ikke ifra oss!" Torn looked at them, eyebrow perked. "I do not speak the tongue of Egjora, friend!" he called out, a stupid grin on his face. "Is there something I can do for you, gentlemen?"

The guard sergeant walked directly up to Torn, puffed up and menacing. "You are causing a disturbance, Autlending. You and your… Savages, need to get out of sight."

Torn frowned, looking at the man with a half-stern, half-curious expression. "I would have assumed a merchant city such as this would be slightly more welcoming to travellers and traders," he began, "and experienced sailors. If our presence is causing a disturbance, certainly the local merchants would have told us by now. We have talked to them, and exchanged news."

The guard sergeant looked at Torn with a glare that would be lethal if looks could affect the physical world. "You are an eyesore," he said, growling. "And you're not traders, you're mercenaries. The city of Egjora does not welcome your ilk in the streets." He took a step closer, towering over Torn and looking down at him. Torn, on his end, decided to turn up the charm factor.

"Look," he began, breaking eye contact and looking at his men, gesturing at them lazily. "We came here because we had a job - getting a merchant here safe and sound. Now that it's done, said merchant has dumped us here - apparently he didn't want to pay for the full job of 'there and back again' that was agreed upon." He glanced up at the sergeant knowingly. "We never intended to stay here for more than a few nights - and well out of the public eye, I can assure you -" Torn said that line in a manner which heavily implied they would visit one of the shadier locales in town - "but as it happens, we need to scour the docks for a means to get off the island." Seeing that his 'conversational partner' was getting unsure of his position, Torn delivered the proverbial coup de grâce to the man's threat, with well-practised charm and verbal precision, afforded to him by years of getting into deeper shit than he could crawl out of. "You show us away from the docks now, and we may get stuck in the city - or worse, the countryside. With no means of leaving the island. I understand your position, but if you show us away now, it may take us several times longer to actually stop being a problem here. So let us look, hm? We'll be out of your hair all the sooner that way."

The sergeant looked at Torn with squinted eyes, before grunting and turning away. "If I find you standing around tomorrow, you can look forward to a few days in the stockade for disrupting commerce," he said, hounding his subordinates away.

One of the younger of Torn's companions (which meant to say he was older than Torn by at least five winters) went up to him with a concerned look. "I don't want to spend any more time here than necessary, and that damned guardsman might actually try to arrest us. But none of these merchants are going to pravpora, and those who do have their own guards. Where do we go from here?"

Torn sighed, and looked over the ocean again. "Well, you guys had that longship you sold, so you're familiar with sailing. If push comes to shove, we could steal a ship and just set off east. But let's look for a few hours more - we might just get lucky." Torn smiled, looking back at his companion. If there was one thing he had in abundance, it was luck.