Jammers:Turn 8, Chapter 6 Summary pt 1

The Ongoing adventures of my Spelljammer PBEM game.

Comments, questions always welcome:)

----------- = Meanwhile, elsewhere...
*********** = Later...

IC:

Holland watches the cards being flipped over and after Talus flips his last
card Holland looks at Talus' cards and mumbles quizzically, "Is that good?"

Pate rakes the final coins into a pouch with his other winnings and his
seed money from Ferric. "Oh, yeah," he grins, "When I get back to the
village, Silver Dove and I are playing for clothing!"

He nods... "Ginsese, Herminard, thank you for an excellent game, and I
apologize for our Captain's reticence to fight for his own bounty."  He
winks at Ginsese, "A good Trickster beats Fate any day."  He passes both
enemy players a platinum coin. "In the custom of my people, please accept
this gift as a token of good faith and pleasant will. I hope that we never
have cause to be enemies again."

Then 'Pate turns and hands Ferric the pouch full of the winnings, and
Ferric's generous seed money offering. "Here you go, with interest. Oh, and
have you _ever_ seen me unwilling to give my _own_ money, you silly golem?"

Raken lets out a good laugh.  "Well played, Coyote!"  When Italapate passes
he pats him on the back.  "You'll have to teach me some of these games one
day.  Perhaps I'll learn to actually win solitare for once."

"Not a problem, Traveller," Pate smiles. "Though, its harder playing
against Luck than it is to play against another person... just ask Post
Captain Willie's first officer." (Pate furtively looks to make sure
Wilhemina didn't overhear him).

Holland's confusion is wiped away as Italapate rakes in his winnings.
Holland smiles and says to Talus and Italapate, "Good playing guys," before
turning his attention to Herminard, "I didn't quite understand some of the
games, but it was fun to watch." Holland then says, "Not to sound rude but
I would like my scarab now please."

Herminard stands and with a grimace hands Holland his scarab. "Well, I
didn't expect to lose. But a bet is a bet. Do you still hold a grudge?"

Holland flips the scarab over and looks at it for a second before clipping
it on and then jerking his head up, "What's that? Grudge? No, I do not hold
a grudge.  Thank you for the opportunity to gain back my stuff, if you
would excuse me."

Ferric says, "Holland may not have a grudge but I do. Maybe I can buy you
and the ladies a drink and we can discuss it privately." Ferric smiles,
"What will you have ladies? Herminard?"

Herminard and his two companions look at Ferric curiously. Herminard
finally shrugs and says, "Why not?" They follow him and order drinks.

Ferric waits for the drinks to arrive and says quietly, "Before we left
chasing after you someone did me the discourtesy of putting a crossbow bolt
im my back. Interestingly enough it was coated with the sap of the yiki
tree from Ginsel. I would appreciate any light you could shed on the matter
such as whether or not it was you and if so whether Milken or another hired
you to do it. If it wasn't you I assume you would be the man to talk to
about finding who could readily get their hands on the stuff. I have my
suspicions but I'd like to hear what you have to say first. Of course I
don't expect something for nothing so what's say I recoup your losses at
the table in exchange for anything useful you can give me?"

Herminard listens to Ferric's story. "Never heard of that poison, I'm
afraid. I don't know who would want you dead, or why, aside from the
Shipwreckers and Red Masks. Either _might_ have ordered the hit, but I
suspect not. Both groups expected to eliminate you in the ambush at the
asteroid."

Herminard drinks from his glass and continues, "Now, you likely have other
enemies, perhaps you haven't told me of them and I can understand that. The
hit sounds very professional. If you'd like, I'm willing to take you on as
a client. I'll find out who ordered the hit and why. It will cost you 100
gold a day, 300 gold in advance. interested?"

Ferric swirls his wine in his cup and finishes it in a quick swallow. "I am
pretty certain I already know who did it. Why don't you just consider this
as a
retainer for anything interesting you might happen across. If you hear
something and I'm not in port you can leave word for me at House Moune.
It's been a pleasure talking to a professional such as yourself Herminard.
Especially when you keep such enchanting company." Ferric leaves
Italapate's winnings in a
pile on the table and tucks the pouch away as he stands. "Please try to
avoid taking another job against us. It would give me no pleasure at all to
be forced to draw steel on any of you."

Back at the CoSS table, Allagan claps Talus and Italapate on the back and
says, "Good show!"

Raken offers to buy Holland a drink. "Well done. For once, we solved a
problem without swords drawn or my services being required."

Holland accepts, "Hear, hear.."

After Wilhelmina and her crew give Talus and Italapate their
congratulations the two groups noisily exit the Beholder and staggers down
to the docks, singing and laughing all the way. Such a large group makes a
poor target, and they reach their ships with no incidents of note.

Date/Time: 12:30 am 16th day of the 7th Month, 5049 OC

-------------------

After returning to the NIGHTWIND, more than a little tipsy from one to many
Balli's Brew at the Laughing Beholder,  Dhebun sits out on the deck,
staring at the stars for awhile. Taking out his pipe, he stuffs it and
lights it with difficulty, then blows a few puffs into the night air.
"What we do NOT need," he mumbles aloud, "is another, decidedly uglier,
enemy."

"And who would that be," Billy says. Billy leaves the shadows of the NIGHTWIND
as he stands up and walks over to the dwarf. "Looks like you lived it up
tonight."

Removing the pipe from between his teeth, Dhebun blows a smoke ring above
his head, and smiles to the halfling. "Aye, I had my share, 'tis true. Let
it never be said that a dwarf couldn't put away his own weight in beer. I
didn't see you turn down the opportunity for revelry either, as I recall."

Dhebun puts an arm around amicably. "What did you think of all that talk
about Wolf's heads eh?  It made my whiskers bristle. Mahl's teeth, there
are some strange things in these stars my friend, and not a few of them are
older than we. I tell you though that I have not seen the like of these
creatures, but I fear that we may yet come to learn just who and what they
are. Seemed as good a reason as any to get sauced, wouldn't you agree?"

Billy raises his eyebrows. "I'm suitably impressed. You must have had more
booze than you thought. I haven't left the ship all day. Tell me more of
what was discussed." Billy listens attentively as Dhebun repeats the
evening's events.

Glancing around the deck, the inebriated dwarf takes another draw from his
pipe and stands up, looking for VAIS.

Dhebun meanders over to the stalwart sentinel and leans his head back to
look up into his metallic face.  "VAIS, can we talk for awhile?  How well
do you know the history of the C.O.S.S?"

"Very well." Vais answers, "What I was not present for I interviewed the
others about during our long days among the stars. It is in my nature."

Smiling, the inebriated dwarf continues. "Among my people tales of valour
are oft recounted by the those we call the Mazarbun. Hearing the mighty
deeds of our long fathers retold can inspire us to such deeds ourselves. I
have heard it may well be so among other folk as well. Such a noble company
as we must have a great history indeed. I would learn it so that I might
make of it a worthy song!  What say you Vais, will you help me?"

Vais nods, "I would be happy to teach it to you. But perhaps we should
start tomorrow, when you are less drunk?"

Dhebun snorts. "Drunk? Me?  Why I've barely had enough to wet my beard! Any
dwarf worth his name could have put away ten times as much."

Suddenly the dwarf's ruddy complexion turns pale and he quickly nods to Vais.
"Tomorrow," agrees the dwarf as he runs for the bucket sitting on deck and
buries his head inside it.

Date/Time: 12:30 am 16th day of the 7th Month, 5049 OC

*****************

Freneth is awake early in the day, well before the 6th hour. While sitting
on the deck, he watches out over the docks as he eats a cold breakfast of
bread and cheese.

Waking around seven bells, Kain dresses as quickly as he can manage, though
he looks bleary eyed from the night before. Belting on his shortsword and
then slinging his crossbow over his shoulder, Kain heads to the maindeck.

When Kain appears on deck, Freneth silently approaches the young man and
bows his head for a moment. "Master Kain, perhaps this one could presume
upon the master's valuable time?"

Rubbing his eyes with the heel of one of his hands, Kain smiles at Freneth.
"G'morning Freneth," he says cheerily. "What can I.. ahh... do for you?" he
asks.

"This one would be interested in gaining some supplies, and as Master Billy
is presently indisposed," says Freneth, "this one thought that perhaps the
master would be best able to offer assistance. This one has noted that the
master has a beatiful collections of sketches and drawings. This one would
be interested in trading for some sheets and drawing materials."

"Ohh... certainly good Freneth," Kain replies, looking around and then
setting his crossbow down on a spliced coil of rope. "I'd... ahh... hmm...
planned on going into the city this morning to get a few things myself,
would you.. errr... like to go with me?"

Grinning through his braided beard, Freneth nods, "This one would be most
appreciative."

"Great, let's get.. ahh.. going so we can be back for our watch," Kain
nods, picking up his crossbow as he does so. "We're going to the.. er..
marketplace to pick up a few things," Kain says to those on watch. "We'll
be back in ahh.. plenty of time to take over for you," the young human adds
reassuringly.

-----------------

Later in the morning, Italapate bids farewell, and travels through the
streets of Bral to the Elven Forest. Once inside 'Pate sends word that he
wants to meet with Valiss. Valiss arrives after a short wait.

He hugs his old friend, then sits down under a tree. "Well, we've retrieved
Holland," he says. "I hope he's all right. He seems... different. But I
suppose the treatment he suffered can do that to a person. He wished me to
convey his, and the Company's good wishes to you and the Fleet."

Valiss smiles and nods, "I am glad he is now safe."

'Pate asks, "The Company was interested in anything the Fleet might have in
the way of job opportunities, and anything they might have in reference to
a legend called 'Blackjammer's Cutlass'.  Apparently the pirates that took
Holland are hot for the thing, and Holland thinks a measure of revenge
would be to stop them from getting it. Have you ever heard of it?"

"Yes, it's quite famous. I have a summary of everything the Fleet knows
sent to the NIGHTWIND. Your aid to Spiral has earned that much favor, at
least." Valiss answers.

Italapate continues, "I've decided to take some time and study under some
of Father's friends in Kayanerenh. I've seen a lot, and done a lot, and I'm
interested in learning more about who I am, and what I am, and what Coyote
wants for me. Though, I suspect the Old Dog is to busy tricking the other
spirits to care about his sole shaman in Bralspace."

"I am not certain that you should settle yet, Italapate." Valiss looks
pained, "The men who slew your parents are still running their business on
the Rock. You are still a loose end for them. A minor loose end, but one
most likely best snipped, from their perspective."

'Pate looks at Valiss, then down to the ground. He fidgits with a small
pebble for a while, then picks it up, and flicks it away with a sigh. "You
know, Valiss, I almost hope I do draw them out of the shadows. I'm sick of
running. Maybe I need to draw them out and make them pay. I mean, what's
the use of serving with the Company to avoid those damn murderers, when we
_keep coming back here_!" He leans back against a tree, looking up through
the leaves into the starscape beyond. "If they wanted to get me, they've
had plenty of opportunity. I'm going to go back to Kayanerenh Manito, I'm
going to talk with the shamans... and, when the Company decides to leave, I
will make my decision then. Seriously, Valiss," he grins, "What's the
difference if Mom and Dad's killers get me? Or the Scro do? Or Pirates, or
Red Masks, or the things guarding the Cutlass, or.... or.... or Post
Captain Wilhemina?" He laughs out loud. Then he leans forward and winks at
Valiss. "The Company isn't the safest place to be you know... I'd almost
rather walk through Bral naked and alone in the dead of night.... into the
ROCKRAT!" Spent temporarily, 'Pate leans back and puts his hands behind his
head.

"On board the NIGHTWIND you have friends, yes? Friends who face those
dangers with you? Kayanerenh Manito is a neighborhood, not a refuge, but I
think your plan wise, as far as it goes. It certainly never hurts to seek
enlightenment. But beware the daggers of friends and foes alike, 'Pate. I
do fear for you." Valiss looks concerned.

"You shouldn't fear for my, Valiss," Pate says. "I do quite passably on my
own.  Spirits favor fools and children don't you know."

He thinks a moment, rubbing his chin and tapping his temple... though not
simultaneously. Finally he looks up. "Oh, you know what? Last night, we
were drinking with Post Captain Wilhemina (man, giffs can drink!) We had
helped her, drove off some attacking ship or another. But, you know what?
No one recognized the race on the ship. They were like... what did they
call them.... Noles.  Noles or something. They were humanoid, with
wolf-like heads.  I thought maybe they were tied into the Scro, you know,
stupid dirt-kicking bandits that suddenly got smart and got ships. Has the
Fleet crossed anything like this?  And if not, you better warn them, cause
that ship shot outta the battle like crazy.  Neither our ship or
Wilhemina's could keep up with it. The ship looked like a winged wolf... a
black one." Then he grins.  "See?  This is the type of thing I face when I
leave this stupid Rock!"

Valiss nods, "Yes, I've already spoken with the Post-Captain. It is a
disturbing development. I am not certain what to make of it. Most likely,
however, it was just a group of pirates with a new ship design."

'Pate cocks his head... "Uhm... yeah. New ship, new heads... all at a
discount at the Pirate General Store on Shipwrecker. Well, if you don't
have anything on them, and aren't that worried, I guess I won't be either."
'Pate looks into the sky to gauge the time.  "Its good to see you Valiss,
but I have to return to the Pueblo. I owe Silver Dove about a hundred gold
from a game just before I went after Holland...." he winks, "I have her
right where I want her."

"Farewell, my Friend." Valiss says.

'Pate stands and leaves the forest for Kayanerenh Manitou.

------------------

Debarking from the NIGHTWIND's berth, Kain and Freneth head down Dock
Street and then Grand Street, approaching the Great Market. With the
morning bustle of the Rock around him, Kain stops at a pastry booth,
picking up a morning rolls and gasping when the hawker tells him the price
of eight silvers.

"Swords," Kain curses softly as he digs the coins out from his pouch, "I've
yet to get used to these prices on the Rock."

Freneth looks at the pastry as Kain picks it up, and then digs out 8 silver
coins as well. Picking up one of the same type of roll, he hands the coin
to the man as well.

"All I normally do is ahh... wander the market til I find the merchant I'm
looking for," Kain shrugs. "If we.. emm.. find a bookbinder, we'll be able
to buy what you're.. ahh.. looking for Freneth," he adds.

With a nod, Freneth says, "This one is not very knowledgable of these
'merchants.'" He brushes a few crumbs out of his beard.

..bit later...

"Now all I have to do is visit Dal's Locks and Keys (#43) and make.. ahh..
inquiries as to the purchase of that lock for our strongbox," Kain says as
he watches the crowd around Freneth and himself. "Did you.. have anyplace
else you wanted to go Freneth?" Kain asks quietly.

Taking one of the javelins from his quiver, he shows it to Kain. "This one
would like to trade for one of these as well. This one can not remember
which merchant created this before." Turning the javelin so Kain can see
the back end, Freneth continues, "Most of the makers of javelin's in this
place do not make them with this." Freneth runs his hand over the smooth
hole bored through the end, wide enough for a narrow rope to be passed
through.

"Looks like a small harpoon, like the ones they used on my father's ships to
spear some of the larger... err... fish," Kain smiles as he looks over the
javelin "But.. I... ahh... don't have a clue which weaponsmiths around here
might sell those. Err.. maybe if we just wander long enough we'll find
them?"
Kain says inquiringly.

Freneth nods."Yes, perhaps. This one traded for these here, but this one
cannot remember where. This one might recognize the craftsman if this one
sees him."

"Hrmm.. was it an.. ahh.. established shop from where you bought your
javelins Freneth?" Kain asked as the pair made their way to Dal's Locks.
"And if so... do you remember.. err.. of what race the proprietor of the
shop was?"

Looking at Kain quizzically, Freneth says, "This one does not understand
'established shop.' This one was shown to one of the strange homes by a
childling." Freneth thinks for a moment, then adds, "Ths one is not very
comfortable with the tall ones, and then, most of the tall ones looked the
same to this one." Looking at Kain, he says, "This one believes that the
crafter was of the master's kind, though much larger. The crafter had an
unkept beard.  Disgracefully messy, though the beard was long and the
crafter wore it proudly.  This one remembers little else of the tall one,
save for the crafter smelled much as Billy after eating those spicy roots
that the master is so fond of."

After a short searh the pair find the small harpoons Freneth is looking for
and Kain talks the halfling through the transaction.

Leaving the Market by way of Anchor street, the pair turn onto Round street
and come to the locksmith. "I'm... ahhh.. looking to buy one of your better
locks," Kain says when he's approached by the clerk on duty.

The young gnome behind the counter shows Kain three lock types, going for
30, 60, and 240 gold each.

"The.. ahh... big one please," Kain mumbles, working through his rucksack
until he digs a small bag out of the bottom of it. Making a small pile of
coins in a mixture of platinum and gold on the counter, Kain waits for the
gnome to check his coin before he appropriates the lock. "Good day to you
sir," Kain adds as he stows the lock away and leaves the shop.

As noontime approaches, Kain and Freneth return to the NIGHTWIND, Kain
carrying a few small bundles.  "Ho the ship!" he calls as he takes to the
gangplank. "We are returned," he laughs.  "Now anyone on.. ahh.. watch who
has plans, feel free to.. well.. to get going," he finishes, kicking off
his boots and walking barefoot across the deck, his packages still in hand.

Continued in Part 2

Paul Westermeyer,  westermeyer.3@???.edu
Phd Candidate, History, Ohio State University
Instructor, Humanities, Columbus State Community College