Illarion.org

"We gotta fall-back to the Dahud!" Brodie yelled as he fought for his life hopelessly out-numbered.

"We can't fall back! This is it!" Luke roared as he drove his own sword deep into a Mercentile sailor.

"Theress to many of them!" Grissel hissed as his spear hit a shield.

Grant deep into one Mercentile sailor then cut another across the belly. "It isn't hopeless!" He yelled.

Luethien was in the middle of all the Mercentile crew members. He began to tire and became sloppy. He might have been one of the best sword fighters in the world, but even the best couldn't defeat all of them. He didn't know which side the first sword came from, nor did he know the second or third or fourth. He just knew it was over, and after being feared by all the crew members, it didn't mean anything, he was invincible like he thought, and he died on the Mercentile's deck.

Anora threw a hatchet at the nearest Mercentile sailor, but he had his shield ready and blocked, but he wasn't ready for her large axe, that cut him almost in two.

Grant and Grissel were now surrounded by Mercentile crew members, they had drove into all the Mercentile sailors, but had been stopped and were now circled, no way to escape. Grant saw the 3 canons firing at the Duhad, if he could get to them, it might change the whole fight...
Grant found a rope that was connected to the mast, if he angled it right he could drop right behind the canoneers and get them by surprise.
The problem was Grissel would have to be left behind. Grant told Grissel his plan as they stood back to back waiting for the Mercentile sailors to attack.

"Grant gets there, I'll be fines." Grissel said.

He didn't need to tell Grant twice, he was running toward the rope, leapt, grabbed onto and swung toward the cannoneers. He let go at just the right time and got behind them, all 6. The first 2 never saw it coming, in two quick swipes both were dead.

The next 2 were more prepared, but weren't completely ready and in a few more seconds they lie dead. The last two had their short swords our and were prepared. Grant slashed as he much as he could, but they parried it every time. Luckily Peter and Chris nailed one with a bolt and Grant got the last one alone.

With the Mercentile's canons down the Duhad's could fire at the Mercentile's crew. The tide was changing, Grant knew that, he also knew that Grissel was in grave danger. He began to fight his way to Grissel, a lone figure surrounded by men.

The men surrounded Brodie, Anora and Luke. They had no way to escape, they had to try and jump back to the Duhad and hope they made it.
The 3 sailors had grown tired, every swing seemed to take all their energy. Luke's sword had broken at it's tip and he had many minor cuts on him. Brodie had gotten hit by the flat end of a sword on the top of his head and he had a major headache. Anora seemed to be in the best shape of the 3.
A large Mercentile sailor leapt into combat with Luke, the sailor had two axes and it seemed as if Luke wouldn't survive, but when it seemed like Luke could no longer parry the sailor's axes a bolt flew into the sailors chest. Peter and Chris were quickly reloading and soon again they fired into the Mercentile sailors, killing 2 or 3 at a time.
Soon Peter and Chris had cut the Mercentile crew lines line. And now the Duhad's crew outnumbered the Mercentile's crew.
Grant fought 2 Mercentile sailors to get to Grissel, the lizard had been run through near the shoulder but was still alive. Grant stood next to the lizard for the rest of the fight, which wasn't very long. Soon only 2 Mercentile sailors were left, and their captain.

"We surrender!" The captain said.

"Spare us please!" One of the sailors begged.

"Lets 'em to the cap'n." Anora said to Brodie and Luke and the three took the prisoners to the captain.

Captain Carpathia seemed pleased to say the least, and he was even happier to find the Mercentile's Captain captured. Everyone waited to see what Carpathia wanted to do with the prisoners...

John stood before the prisoners, he eyed up the captain then looked down at his Red shirt. It had been newly aquired from Grant not a few days ago, but now was adorned with sword nicks, a couple of which were edged with his own blood.
He lifted his gaze back to the capitve ships captain. 'I am a reasonable man sir,' he spoke sternly, his eyes never leaving the captains flickering stare. 'You men fought well, a credit to you sir and to your ship, but... it seems not well enough.' He looked over to the bodies strew about the blood soaked deck.
'I will give you a choice... join us or join them. Be one of us and share in the proffits of the cargo you carry, or join them and leave more for us.' He gestured with his hand to his own crew, as a silence, but for the creeking of the ships left room for the Mercentile's Captain to answer.

One of the Mercentile crew turned to his fellow sailors and said "Well boys, I dont know about you but I am not about to die when I could still get part of the profits." Turning to the captain of the Dahud the sailor said "I will join your crew in exchange for part of the profits."

'Your a wise man sir, and I hope your wisdom will be further more. For if you cut and run, if you should abscond or play any trick,' John glanced at Anora with a slight smile on his lips, then back to the Captain. 'let there be no mistake, you wont make it far. Well now the formalitys are over, welcome to the motley crew,' His expression soffend as he chuckled.

Captian Carpathia looked around at the crew then in a loud voice continued, 'Lets get this booty aboard and back on track, anything of value bring it over and we will devide it up. As for the pixes, NONE OF THEM and I mean none of them are to be harmed or let out of their cages... better still, put them all together in my cabin, dont want any of you lot spoiling them or pulling of their wings before we get chance to sell em. Right, about your dutes with you all'

John started the business of carrying over the good from the raid, back and fourth carring small cage after cage, a pixes in each to his cabin, stacking them against the far wall.

"Grissel was hurt pretty badly, but he would be ok, he just needs rest." Grant said to Brodie and Luke.

Luke who was wrapping cloth around his larger cuts said, "I can't believe we did it..."

"Aye me neither lad, but no rest for the weary, lets go get some booty!" Brodie said and the three men began their decent into the hull of the Mercentile.

"Wow!" Luke exclaimed when he saw all the treasure.

"I'll be damned..." Brodie said.

There was treasure chests, golden armor, weapons of the finest craft, rings and necklaces made out of jewels.

They began moving the chests over to their ship. It was slow, but they were all excited about what they had gotten.

The men began to grow tired, the chests seemed to be hundreds of pounds and every step felt like a thousand. Finally it happened, Luke lost his footing going up the stairs from the Mercentile's hull and he dropped a chest. It landed on the stairs and proceeded to fall down stairs, when it hit the foot of the stairs it popped open, and out came 2 pixies...

"Ahh!" Luke yelled when he saw the pixies come out.

"Run!" Brodie roared.

"I don't trust 'im, Sir," the dwarfess growled at the captain.

**

"Blast you imbeciles!" Anora yelled and swung her axe for effect. The pixies fluttered down the hatch into the hull of the ship giggling and plotting.

After all the worthwhile cargo had been stowed, Anora scouted the ship on her own, selecting anything that the ship could use. She ransaked the Captain's office taking ship logs and intruments as was her practice, to add to her collection.

She ordered a few men to take the best of the yards and stowe them on board. A few barrels of wine were found and taken as well.

"On we go then to port," she called happily as she moved back aboard the Dahud with a small, red box in her hand. As they moved the heavily loaded ship away, the Merchantile grew smaller and smaller. A loud explosion broke the silence of the night and the Merchantile was no more.

In between dinner, which was filled with much more food and wine then before, they all, save for the 3 Mercentile crew, made a toast to their vistory and drank for the sacrifice of Luethien. They had left him aboard the Mercentile when it blew up.
Grissel was still healing during dinner.

"How many do you think you got?" Peter asked Luke.

"I am not sure, maybe 7?" Luke replied.

"Wasn't it all exciting?" Peter asked all the crew members save for Carpathia and Anora who were talking quietly between themselves.

"I 'spose, thought I was'n goin to make it..." Brodie said.

"Grant probably got the highest amount of them!" Peter said. "He got 5 alone when he helped us, plus however many to save Grissel and before the fight!."

"I doubt I got the highest... I bet Luethien got higher..." Grant said solemly.

"Aye, he t'was a good fighter, depised, but a 'ember of the Dahud still." Brodie said and drank from his new golden goblet.

"We have just 4 more days of sailing till we reach the port." Chris said changing the subject.

"What is the name of the city with the port?" Grant asked interested.

"Hm, I believe Brenford..." Chris said. "Named after a king who used to rule the kingdom which Brenford is in."

"That kingdom being Herion of course..." Grant said, he remembered the stories of his family becoming rulers of the kingdom, a large battle was fought and they were victorious, it happened over 100 years ago.

"Yes, Herion is the kingdom which Brenford is in. And now that I think about it I have heard rumors of Herion having been taken over and the Herion bloodline being destroyed... In fact I hear that the Kingdom of Tethlu has sent bounty hunters to look for the missing Prince of Herion... His name is Grant like yours, and he is described a lot like you..." Chris trailed off something forming his own conclusion. "Your Grant Herion!" Chris said loudly and everyone looked at him.

"Yes you are correct Chris... But what difference does it make?" Grant asked.

"It makes a lotta difference, come on, the captain has to know of this!" Chris said making his way to the captain. And everyone waited to see what the captain would do...

One of the Mercentile crew heard Grants confession. Quickly turning and going over to his fellow crew members. The sailor soon told his companions of what he had overheard. "The man that they called Grant is really Grant Herion" the two other former Mercentile crew listened intently to there fellow crew member describing his plan to kill Grant and get the reward offered. "We wait until they are all asleep then we sneak to where they are sleeping and slit their throats while they sleep." The other two crew members agreed to this plan and quickly looked around seeing that nobody had overheard their plan the three Mercentile crew members went back to their meals

John paused in his conversation with Anora and looked up as Chris tapped him on the arm, the pirate kneeling down at his captains side.
They wipserd, John openly awear at the looks of others around the table.
'Aye, and I am the good lady Goddess Tanora her self,' he spoke aloud before bellowing out with laughter and giving Chris a playful nudge.
'Ever pirate was someone big before they 'wanted to join the life for a change, or adventure,' he continued his voice full of humour. With that he went back to his tankerd of ale, passing a brief sly glace at the three mercentile crew, now talking descreatly together.

Grant sighed with relief, the last thing he needed was for the Captain to turn him in for whatever bounty it was for him... Chris returned to the table thinking about what the Captain had told him, and maybe the Captain was more then a Captain...

"Well then, there you have it." Grant said taking a drink from a silver goblet.

"Aye, so you are a prince?" Brodie asked.

"I believe I am no longer a prince... For you need a kingdom to be a prince and if my kingdom is truely over run by those damn Highlanders..." Grant said angrily.

"So, that is what Tethlu is made of? Highlanders?" Luke asked.

"Yes, Elven Highlanders. They have been wanting to take over my kingdom for a long time now, because Herion is right next to Stratin Lake, and we are rich because of the fish we get out of that lake." Grant said remembering all the times he fished there.

"I 'ave 'eard of those fish... I 'ave also 'eard of those Highlanders, good archers..." Brodie said eating a peice of meat.

"Well ya, they are good archers, but they aren't very good warriors or horse back riders like Herion's soldiers are." Grant said eating a roll.

"So, how do you plan on saving your kingdom?" Luke asked, his curly blonde hair over his eyes.

"Well, there are two other towns in the Kingdom of Herion... Brenford and Trentin. I hope to get some soldiers from those towns, I am sure they will help protect their kingdom... They would hate to see Hill Diggers in their lake." Grant said finishing his drink, he patted Luke's shoulder and bid them all a goodnight, then went to his bunk, hoping for an undisturbed sleep.

The 3 crew members of the mercentile waited until the dead of night when all but the man on watch were fast asleep. They slowly and as quitly as any rat got out of there hammocks. Withdrawing there dirks from the inside of there ragged shirts the 3 crew members quitly went on deck and before the man on watch knew they were there they had knocked him out and tied him up. The leader whispered to his crew members " Tie up all of the Dahud members they will make good slaves for selling. But kill Grant and that Dwarfess nobody would pay a silver for her." As quitly as they could they continued to knock out and tie up all of the Dahud member with the exeption of the Captian, Anora the Dwarf, and the princeling Grant.

All the Duhad's sailors were tied up before they could say a word. Grant was sleeping a deep sleep and probably wouldn't have woken up even if he heard a thud on the ground. However, the red snake that he had put into his pack was not so unaware. It had it's head out from under the pillows and was barely visible. It smelt the air with its tounge and found new scents.
It coiled itself up into a defensive position, if anything came for Grant the red snake would be ready.

The 3 crew members split up one going to each the Captian, Anora, and Grant. The 1st crew member walked silently into Grants room. He put one hand over Grants mouth that brought Grant slightly awake. The crew member lifted his dirk when he felt a sharp stab into his hand. Looking down the mercentile crew member saw a small red snake slithering quickly away. The crew member opened his mouth to scream but no sound came out. The man was dead were he stood. After a few seconds his body fell to the deck with a slight thud.

Grant was wide awake after the man put his hand over his mouth. He looked at the ground and the man stood there his mouth wide open trying to scream, but the venom was to quick. He looked around and saw none of the other sailors were in their bunks and Grant knew immediately something was terribly wrong.
He grabbed his sword and was about to go up the stairs when he saw a figure moving in the Captain's room. The figure had a weapon in his hand, some sort of dagger maybe a short sword. Grant slowly went into the room, the figure was now at the Captain's bed, the figure brought the weapon down at the captain. But the captain was not taken by surprise, he had heard the creak of the door when the first figure crept in and was waiting.
Carpathia caught the man's elbow before the man could get the dirk into Carpathia's flesh. The man panicked and got free and was going to finish his business but Carpathia already had his own sword out, the man bolted for the door but didn't know Grant was there, Grant swung his right fist hard into the man's face knocking him out cold.

"You ok?" Grant asked Carpathia.

"Could have been better. I was waiting for you to get to this man before he got to me... Good thing I'm a light sleeper." Carpathia joked lightly.

"I think they tied the rest of the crew up on deck. What do we do?" Grant asked.

"You got one of them correct?" Carpathia asked and Grant nodded, "Well, we got another here, so that means there is only 1 left. I think we can take him."

The two men went out to find the man, not know where he was.

While the 1st crew member was in Grants quarters the 2nd crew member slipped quitly into Anora's quarters. Looking at the Dwarfess the 2nd crew member mumbled silently to himself "I am sure we could find some use for this little creature.hehehe". Looking around the crew member started to take the Dwarfess weapons out of arms reach. The second crew member thought "Damn fool of a 2nd mate. We havent seen a women in 3 weeks." The 2nd crew member started to tie up the Dwarfess.

(( Sorry about this ooc, but Ewwwwwwww a human with a dwarfess, he must be very desprate. *shudders* ))

((Hey you have got to realize that any women would be better than what he has probable gotten because it used to be a common practice for sailors to have homosexual tendencies. Sorry about the OOC))

Gagged and tied, Anora cursed through the filthy rag at her assailant. The scurvied man bent down toward Anora menacingly, his wretched breath hot on her face. He laughed at her muted screams and grabbed at the boy-sized clothes she wore, his intentions quite plain.

Fluttering above the scene, were the two escaped pixies. They glowed softly in dank hull of the ship.

In a high, tinkling voice one spoke, "I think he wants to sleep with the ugly one!"

The other cackled mischievously, "I think we ought to help them!" With a flick of the wrist, both pixies dropped a handful of golden dust on the man.

"You were supposed to get the ugly one," they twittered in harmony.

Anora saw the man yawn and fall slowly to the ground. Still tied up, she began screaming again and used the weight of her body to knock loudly on the wall behind her.

The two pixies zoomed from the room.

Carpathia and Grant both heard the screams and thuds. Carpathia told Grant to go check on the screaming and he would go up on deck and see if the third crew member is up there.

For some reason the mercentile crew member was not as effected by the pixie dust. Struggling with weariness he slowly rose to his feet

Still groggy the man eyed Anora carefully.

Anora stopped screaming and moving and eyed the man calmly. Her dagger-eyes bore into him. Just get a little closer, she thought.

((Oh, no...you just delete that last post! You started this! I'll finish it! laugh))

The crew member saw Anora giving he a cold hard stare. Reaching in is shirt he withdrew his dirk. "Your about to die you Dwarfess wench" the crew member said to Anora and started to walk towards her his dirk held high.

Grant rushed into Anora's cabin. She was tied up in a corner and the man had his dirk in his hand. Grant walked up slowly and put his sword to the man's back.

"Stop right there, don't make any quick movements and turn around to face me. Don't be foolish for if you do make a foolish move I shall cut you down." Grant said.

She mumbled calmly into the rag stuffed in her mouth, watching his movements carefully.

The last crew member slowly turned and looked camly into Grants face. Suddenly he spit a large wad of goo into Grants face and jumped back his back to the wall his eyes warry.

With great effort the dwarfess spit the cloth out of her mouth. A half strangled voice full of rage and furry yelled out, "Kill the son of goat, Grant! Run him through!"

Her hands worked twisted and turned, the ropes finally losing just a bit. She began spitting insults and curses out that would indeed make a sailor blush.