Take Back the Crown


Lilith blinked and waved at the elf as she fled. "Nice to meet you." She muttered. She shrugged and went to see Yaroslav.


"Anything else I can do?" She asked with a smile.


Lucasta sat on the side of the boat, watching the waves hit the boat as a refreshing spray of ocean water hit her face. She looked to see the others and how they were handling the bay. Three of them were missing, probably below deck. Lucasta noticed Hjalmar in the shadows and approached him. She hasn't really talked to the boy other than insulting him. She cleared her throat and sat next to him.


"How's the money helping you...?" She asked, twiddling with her thumbs, and staring at the ground.





@Lo Alyssa
​
 
Bo smiled at Santo's affectionate nudge of his shoulder, but wasn't really sure why it was funny. Of course, he really wished to join in the laughter, but he found that diffiucult since he seemed to miss the punch line. So he just watched Oceana with a toothless grin, trying to figure out what was so hilarious that she was rolling around laughing. Maybe she spoke horse? It wouldn't really be too far off, probably. She was mumbling to them in what he assumed to be an elven language, so for all he knew, maybe horses understood that too. Or maybe she just understood horses. Of course, in that vein of thought, he couldn't help but wonder if Santo said something funny to make her laugh. Did Santo have a sense of humor? I mean, she is a horse. Do horses make jokes? He didn't know. He hoped he wouldn't kill the joke by asking.


"What, did she say something funny?" He smiled happily, patting Santo's face and petting her hair.


@OlKaJa77 @plasticlizard022
 

The sails cracked like a whip as they dropped, puffing up as a large burst of air pushed the ship off the shore and crashed through the soft waves of the water. Svetlana walked past the shrouds, her wrinkled hands lightly sliding along the rope. She stood at the edge of the bowsprit, her face dampened by the sea spray as the bow plowed through the froth. She closed her eyes as the strong breeze swept back her locks of grey hair.


Yaroslav's heart elated, old skills and instincts returning to his memory as he gripped the helm in exhilaration. The town became a speck on the shoreline in the distance as the wind flew them over the bay. It rustled his fiery hair, causing strands to fall loose from his bun.


When Lilith approached, he tried to hide his excited smile, but had a hard time in doing so, "No, no." He said to his old friend, "For now, we glide." He looked ahead. In a few hours they would see the other side of the bey, the deserts of Kebrun.


Hjalmar snapped his head again as he heard yet another guttural noise, this time it was louder, and sounded several times before stopping. He even caught a glimpse of a husky body moving from one shadow to another. His sword was pulled out half way, but he didn't make a sound. He liked to watch and listen, figure out the cause before jumping to conclusions... It looked like a wolf, but there were plenty of magicians on the boat. A couple he recalled were shifters of form, meaning there could be any explanation for the shadow. He watched carefully, silently... His eyes narrowed as he honed in on the shadows, trying to spot any movement at all so he could identify the culprit.


He was snapped out of his concentration as a small voice uttered beside him. He had been staring for a couple minutes and didn't find anything unusual, so he had been close to ignoring it anyway...


It was the princess.


Hjalmar's cheeks flushed as he remember the last time they spoke. He had kissed her hand and made a fool of himself.


He regained his composure but stuttered at first, "I-It has." He said, turning to face her. He looked behind him one last time for safe measure, still wondering at what happened, but quickly returned the princess' gaze, "Um-yes, yes it has helped." He declared again, though he was lying through his teeth. All the gold did was delay the inevitable. What he really needed was the big money he was promised for lending his skills, but that meant going on a very long journey, and his boss was not known for being patient... Despite this, he was still grateful.


"Thank you again." He said, folding his arms and leaning against a wooden beam, "Not just for the money either... thank you... for trusting me."


@Queen of Fantasy @L1d1ja
​
 
Oceana sat up and grinned at Bo, brighter than she had in what felt like ages.


"Well," the elf said, still holding back giggles."I was asking Bjorn what he and Thora thought of you."


Looking at the horse then back at Bo she continued.


"He said he thinks you're thick as a rock and Thora must believe in you a lot to bother explaining things."


Here she gestured to Bo's own horse.


"So then I asked Santo what she thinks and she said that you're" Oceana dissolved into a fit of giggles.


"You're heavy haha- and awkward-d-d-d... B-but hehe but you're alright!" Once again she collapsed into laughter, clearly amused by that revelation.


@soundofmind @plasticlizard022
 
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Valeiah was just ignoring the elf laughing her behind off about something a horse said, and gave Mapiya a sugar cube. "I wish my brother would stop being such an arse and let me take care of you. I'd do much of a better job, anyways. Look at your mane." She sighed. "Poor thing. Want another sugar cube?" She was talking softly so the others couldn't hear her.
 
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He smiled, somewhat shyly. He honestly felt bad that he was so heavy - he was acutely self aware in that regard. He knew that it was probably rough on her to carry him (and because of that, he'd hop off and walk periodically, to give her a break). "Well, at least it sounds like she still likes me despite those things." He did, however, have to remind himself not to take those things to heart in a negative way. They weren't really bad, necessarily, but apparently they were humorous. Still though, it could've been worse.


"You're alright too, Santo." He closed his eyes and grinned widely at her, in a kind of silly way.


@OlKaJa77 @plasticlizard022
 
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Bo seemed like a kind man and Santo thought so too.


This made Oceana's distrust of him dissipate almost immediately.


She would perhaps always be on edge around humans but these new companions seemed to prove that wariness was a bit misplaced.


Smiling at Bo, the elf maiden leaned back against her palms, legs outstretched before her, relaxed.


She knew that this voyage was just the beginning of the hard road they would have to journey but at least she had better company than she could have ever hoped.


So she just decided to sit back and enjoy the calm before the storm
 
Foxrun noticed how most people seemed to slink into their own thoughts, minding themselves with their fear or love for being on the waves. He stifled a yawn, not really from boredom, but more from actually being at ease. He found it a bit of a chance to relax on this ride, though he did not let this stop him from following any orders that may come. For now, it was easy sailing it seemed, as most of the makeshift crew was waiting just as he had. He even eyed the woman with the long braid speaking to yaroslav, who seemed more than content with steering the ship and with their conversation. He found it strange to see how there was no line between New companions or old friends when it came to the redheads attitude towards others. Strange, yet admirable. Not to say that he wasn't cautious around people he was not accustomed to however. He recalled the watchful eyes when he first stumbled into their merry band. In fact, he laughed at how many hostile reactions he acquired. To think I thought it was a grwat time... "yet how was I to know it was the princess and those who swore to guide her to save their land?" He muttered to himself. Thinking of her, he looked over to see the princess and the thief. Both seemed, bashful? Now that would make for an interesting song he snickered to himself.


@Lo Alyssa @Queen of Fantasy (just trying to fill some of the space and time I suppose heh. Apologies if this seemed to make nos sense. Between work, there is little free time)
 
It seemed before Valeiah had come down to check on the beloved horse, she'd changed back into a green skirt, just like the one she had been wearing at the start. It just didn't have blood on it. She'd stuffed her brother's stuff in her bag. Maybe she could bribe him for it. Or trade them for some money. She was thinking up evil plans.
 
Lucasta smiled and nodded. "That's good..." She muttered. "And you're welcome. If I didn't trust anyone, no one would be on the journey." She noticed his worry and suddenly felt like she needed to worry too. "Is everything okay? You seem...startled." She pointed out. She wasn't sure if it was because of her approaching him, and bringing up the money, or something genuinely scared him.


Lilith nodded and grinned. "Alright, Yaro." She patted his back and went down to the deck. She looked around, but couldn't see Jinx (her cat.) anywhere. "Jinx!" She called out, when a small meow caught her attention from behind her. She turned and smiled at the adorable sight of Lucas holding the cat. "Hello there." She knelt in front of the boy. "MY name is Lilith, and that cat is named Jinx. Who may you be?" She asked.


The small boy looked at the witch and huffed. "I'm Lucas!" He muttered. "I like your cat. She's funny." He giggled, as the cat jumped from his arms onto Lilith. The cat sat on her head and stuck out her tongue at the boy. Lucas just laughed. "Yes. She is quite silly, isn't she?" She said as the cat jumped from her head, onto her shoulder.
 
Thora giggled softly. She was able to communicate with the horses but not in the same way that Oceana was. So she found it quite amusing to know what the beautiful creatures were actually thinking. She rubbed the nose of her beloved stallion and watched as Bo interacted with his own mare. "And what do the horses think of you?" she asked the elf bashfully. She was genuinely curious to know what the horses had to say.


@OlKaJa77 @soundofmind
 
The elf went silent for a moment, a entire 360 degree turn from her boisterous laughter.


The horses were staring at her oddly. They had understood Thora's question.


She was a bit afraid of their answer.


So her spine bristled when they chuffed at the same time, seemingly in the same tone.


At this reaction, Oceana hid her face by looking down, her long, ebony hair acting as a curtain. Her ears though, were visible and quite red all the way to the tips.


And in the softest voice she could manage she said,


"They think...For such a small person, I'm... Very loud..."


@plasticlizard022 @soundofmind
 
Dorian decided to let the thief think over the fact of spotting a wolf, and slithered down bellow-deck to try and see what the reaction of other people should be. He soon saw the little regroupment of people near the horses.


'Can't elves and dryads speak to animals?' He thought.


He soon shifted back to his wolf form in the shadows, intending to at least freak out the animals. They would probably annoy the people in return.
 
Thora smiled at the elf and let out a happy laugh. "They are not quite wrong," she chuckled. That's when a shadow caught her eye. She assured herself that surely it was nothing. They were at sea so what could it be?! Not a sea monster that had snuck on board. . . right? She felt her stomach begin to churn and her smile fell from her face as she reached for her stone necklace. She took a deep breath to calm herself. She had finally calmed down after the boat had begun to sail and so there was no reason to get worked up over nothing. She put her hand on her horse to balance herself and smiled meekly at Bo and Oceana.


@L1d1ja @OlKaJa77 @soundofmind
 
Oceana watched as Thora twitched nervously, reaching for her necklace.


Had she seen something, Someone, below deck with them?


She knew the nymph was easily spooked but she felt something odd in the air.


Something human but not quite... It seemed familiar...


The elf shook her head, to clear it. Maybe it was just the lack of fresh air.


Trying her best to shrug it off, the elf tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and got out her small carving knife and the piece of antler she had been carving. Her glove creaked as she clenched the knife, it's blade gleaming in the dull light.


Panic didn't have a place in a Hunter's mind, but caution? That was a given.


@L1d1ja @plasticlizard022
 
Dorian saw that the elf and the dryad had started to react to his presence. Had they seen him? Oh this was fun, he always loved to toy with people. Plus, this was a rather good way for him to examine which of the teammates were the most watchful, and how they responded to undetermined threats.


He retreated further into the shadows, before once again letting out an angry, loud growl. After that he instantly shifted, slithering away as a snake.


@OlKaJa77 @plasticlizard022
 
The aggressive growl was enough to end Thora stumbling backwards. She tripped over some loose rope and fell to the wooden floor. She had been right! A sea monster had snuck on board! She knew this wouldn't have happened on land because should would have sensed a dangerous presence sooner. Now this sea beast was going to eat her and she would die at sea - what a terrible death for a dryad.


She fumbled for her bow for a moment before remembering that she had stowed it on the back of her horse. How stupid! She had no other way to defend herself. 'Maybe Oceana and Bo can protect me,' she selfishly thought.


@L1d1ja @OlKaJa77 @soundofmind
 
Bo was initially confused at the concern expressed in the faces of the elf and the nymph. Thora in particular had seemed a little spooked, but he was quickly filled in on the why when he heard a low growl come from the corners of the ship. He got up quickly to catch Thora but he was too slow coming up from where he was sitting. "Are you alright?" He asked the obligatory question, but it was genuine. She seemed ok. Frazzled, if anything. Now that he was on his feet again though, he was reminded of why he really didn't like being on ships. There was no way out. They were stuck on this ship - and the only way out was in the water, which was worse.


Was there... some sort of animal on the ship? How did something that growled get on the ship undetected. He could understand it slipping past himself, since he knew he had been terribly preoccupied by... things. He shook his head, drawing his focus to only the situation at hand. He frowned, looking around at the wooden room with suspicion. Whatever it was, it sure had fun teasing them, because it wasn't just coming out in the open. He wondered if it would be better to wait for it to show itself or to go out and look for it - whatever it was.


"I hate sailing." He sighed, being visibly frustrated (but mostly just done) with the trip on the water already. A few sparks of blueish energy fizzled from his fist, which was clenched at his side.


@plasticlizard022 @L1d1ja @OlKaJa77
 
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Oceana heard the growl before Thora even fell. She knew she saw eyes flash from the shadows it came from.


The small knife had flown from her hand before thought was even possible. She had already drawn her wicked hunting knife before it hit.


But the carving knife merely sailed through the air and harmlessly lodged in the wood of the ship across the room.


The elf maiden blinked.


What?


She knew that it had come from there. She knew. It came from right there.


Didn't it?


Bo had finally caught on and the horses were flicking their ears nervously, some even trying to stand up.


Oceana backed up towards the human and the nymph protectively, brandishing her hunting knife, eyes flicking at every loud creak of the wooden ship.


@L1d1ja @plasticlizard022
 
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After aimlessly circling the perimeter of the ship for several long minutes, Nameen huffed, turning to head below deck.


Stepping down into the cover of the sheltered cabin, Nameen was immediately faced with the several steeds, appearing quite tense, and another several of her companions, looking very perplexed. Bo, Oceana and Thora all wore a similar confused expression, while staring at a dark and empty corner of the room. Taking a closer look, Nameen noticed a knife protruding from a spot between the wood planks.


No amount of shyness could smother Nameen's curiosity.


"Is something going on down here?"


@L1d1ja @OlKaJa77 @soundofmind
 
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This was way too much fun for Dorian. So Thora was the panicky one, Bo was the one who stayed back and helped others, and Oceana was the one he should watch out for, because she instantly sprung into action. All useful insight for a person who built their life on manipulating others.


He slithered to another dark corner before repeating his stunt, but careful to turn back to a snake even faster: he did not wish to receive one of Oceana's knives to the face.


@OlKaJa77 @plasticlizard022 @Rydellius @soundofmind
 
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Bo didn't need to explain because moments after Nameen entered, there was a growl again. "That." He explained shortly, nodding in the direction they were all now looking, and stepping in front of Thora.


He knew he couldn't use his magic inside a boat (another thing that bothered him), so he simply prepared himself to jump at whatever was there. If it were an animal small enough to hide in the shadows of the boat, he could probably just grab it. Maybe sit on it. Why stab things when you can just crush things under your body weight? Ok, maybe he shouldn't joke about that. It wasn't even that great of an idea.


@OlKaJa77 @plasticlizard022 @Rydellius @L1d1ja
 
Oceana's eyes whipped to look at Nameen then whipped to another dark corner of the room.


The horses were getting spooked now, nickering and chuffing.


"Nameen." Oceana said tersely, already annoyed with this hide-and-seek game they seemed to playing with the creature. She took her eyes off the corner to glance at tense Bo and trembling Thora. Clenching her teeth she turned back to the corner.


"Can you get the others down here?"


She hissed, frustrated she had to ask for help, yet again, with some sly animal who's identity she felt was perhaps less of a mystery than they had all initially suspected. But she couldn't leave those two alone to fend for themselves.


@Rydellius @L1d1ja @plasticlizard022 @soundofmind
 
Knowing that others would soon get called down here, Dorian made sure to quickly slink away outside, where he found another corner to come back to the hawk shape before flying off to find Garrett.


'What were you doing? I can feel you grinning in my head.' Garrett questioned, only receiving a wage murmur as an answer.
 
Thora scrambled to her feet. "I will," she quickly volunteered in Nameen's place. She wanted out as quickly as possible. Maybe it was selfish, she was sure it was, but she knew that the three down there could fend for themselves long enough for her to retrieve the others. She darted up the wooden steps and ran onto the deck. She gasped for air, not because she was short on stamina, but because the monster below deck had given her quite the fright.


"There's - There's a sea monster," she squeaked to no one in particular. She wished she could have found her voice and alerted the whole crew, but the squeak was all she could managed. "Help!"


@OlKaJa77 @Rydellius @soundofmind @L1d1ja (and everyone else)
 
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