Fantasy Tales of Ristafel

[Xenonia]

Emerald pushed herself out of Hachi's arms, still distraught from the blow that had just been dealt to her emotions, but ready for action. She saw as Vallen turned to Ajax, gave him a verbal lashing, and turned to go. To go right back to Ayrenn's arms, of course. Emerald choked back a sob, and instead continued on her march towards Ajax. "You may be tough physically, but it's plain as day that you're just itching to fight for whatever reason you can think of. You don't care about these people, or about anything but yourself. You're an empty-hearted man who fills his soul by mocking others he knows aren't strong enough to hit back. And I'm one of those souls, I'd bet. I know I can't hurt you physically, and I would be a fool to try, but I can say for sure that your poisonous words wouldn't mean a thing to anyone if you weren't so big." She stared up at his face, tears streaming from her eyes for reasons only half-related to the conflict.

 

[MechaGhoul]

Pressmaster Crawley realized, that all the sailors already left their shoreleave. He began chuckling as he headed back outside of the tavern. He performed a quick headcount. And as such he glanced at them, annoyed. One that he had re-entered that tavern for nothing. Two because they weren't going to be immediately dragged to sea. And third for various other reasons.


"Riiiight, let's go." He reached over as he grabbed the hilt of his whip. "T'Code 'n Ordinances are in place."

 

[Nautilus]

Hadi squatted on the sidelines, a blowpipe half-drawn from his sash. He had thought, briefly, of hitting the girls with tranquilizer darts and dragging them away from the conflict, obviously inexperienced in the ways of hand-to-hand combat as they both were. He let out a sigh of relief as Hachi swooped down and rescued Emerald, while Ayrenn sort of... spaced out and stumbled over to her deer-like thing that was not entirely a deer and did not sound anything at all like a deer. It was strange how she seemed to care so much for the creature, but refused to tame it or shave down the creature's overlarge horns that were doubtless a strain on the creature's neck. Such an odd relationship, and far from any relation between master and pet that he had ever seen.


Well, now that he thought of it, there had been one. Old Arman from the human village where he would sell the pelts as a boy. Arman, a toothless, hunched-over man whose wife had left the land of the living. Too old and withered to remarry, he took to leading around the family goat, whispering sweet nothings to it as a man would his own mistress. But if this woman was anything like old Arman, then that would mean...


Oh dear.

 

[Zerohex]

"You should bother to prove me wrong! I ain't set on nothin, you're set on acting like a bitch around me and can't even stand up for yourself! Well okay the magic punching thing is pretty damn stupid I can't even try to understand why you'd do that, but your girlfriend has more balls than you do! That shit ain't right!". Before he could carry on he was once more accosted by the small green woman who'd punched him before, showing some guts by doing it to stand up for herself despite knowing she could get killed. Not like this other moron that'd tried a cheap shot for pussy.


"Who's assuming now? Talking bout me without knowing jack" He asked the etherborn with a smug as shit smile on his face. "You're right in some ways, tho. I love to fight. I think fighting is power, real power, and power rules the world. If I want something I take it. I don't care about these people, I don't care about preachy cowards who don't stand for themselves, who rely on bullshit like religion or magic or the help of others, who'd cry and feel sorry for themselves rather than nut up and teach me a lesson. Look at me, at my body. Really look at me".


Ajax spread his arms wide and spun 360 degrees to let Emerald take a good, long look at his scarred, disgusting body. "Do you think this body is god-given? Magically granted or enhanced? It took a lifetime of training, of fighting and killing with no help from anyone or anything. Endless suffering. I've earned the right to say what I damn well please. I don't give a shit if it bothers you, stand up for what you believe in and get strong enough to defend it if you care so much. That's how the world works".

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen quickly turned back around towards Ajax, glaring at him menacingly. "Alright fine! You're wrong when you say I'm afraid to stand up for myself! Did you not see Ayrenn come right between me and you? She made it very clear she wanted no one to get hurt, and that's the entire reason I backed down! But then she decided she hated you enough to attack you herself! That's why I attacked when I did, not because I'm a coward who looks for ways to make fights unfair! You just happened to be distracted when I had reason to believe you were going to strike both Ayrenn and Emerald down! False reason, perhaps, but reason nonetheless! And lastly, you're wrong about that animal because he's well trained but had no idea how to react to a bunch of two-legged creatures eyeing him like prey! He had firm reason to believe I was a threat to him as well! Did I leave anything out?!"

 

[CallSign]

Following Hachi to his mount, Lily watched things unfold. She was disappointed that Ayrenn's determination fizzled out after a single punch and attempt at lecturing, and even more disappointed that the Etherborn monk still wished to meddle in affairs that were not his own. She was glad he wasn't harmed enough to be crippled, silently thanking Ajax for his display of self-control.


Lily noted with slight surprise that Ayrenn didn't react to Vallen getting beaten, threatened with death, or even Ajax's statements directly to her. In fact, it seemed like she was stuck in some sort of world all her own for the duration of the events. Only when Kyubi roused Ayrenn from her daze did Lily realize what was going on. Ayrenn was one of those professional damsels-in-distress that Lily had met on quests. It was clear to her, but didn't seem so to Vallen, that Ayrenn would make herself a victim, get a man to rescue her, then suck the man dry, either as a guard or as a bank. Lily was quite unimpressed, and lost a lot of respect for the deer-loving Etherborn.


However, she noticed Emerald step up and confront Ajax without anyone else prompting her to do so. She also told the mountain of flesh off, and did so firmly and without losing her head. She knew she was outmatched, but she found the courage to stand up anyway, greatly impressing Lily. Lily's respect for Emerald grew three sizes that day, and Lily felt there was something more to this green-haired Etherborn.


But taking to Emerald came second to Lily's desire for meat, and Hachi said he would provide. Lily couldn't wait to sink her teeth into whatever exotic meat this samurai had hidden in his saddlebags. Was it some rare fish? A unique livestock breed? Some sort of tasty monster? Lily licked her lips in anticipation.

 

[ComradeSenpai]

Hachi pulled a large, long sack from his saddle, and reached inside, produced three grasshopper legs, each twice the size of Ajax's leg, then folded in half. All were fried, dried, and preserved with salt and various spices.


"If it's meat you're after, this is pretty tasty; we actually give them to our hornets as treats. It's also all the meat I have. I haven't seen this kind of animal here, so allow me to explain the proper way to eat, Miss Dragon. The shells are more or less inedible, so you have to crack them open, then spear the meat out, like with a crab." he explained.


"These actually grow quite a bit bigger, but since I was traveling it was necessary to bring ones from the younger ones. I think it should be enough for your customary feast, though." Hachi continued, offering one to the Dragonkin.

 

[Xenonia]

Emerald sighed, calming herself down. "I disagree with you that one can ever 'earn' the right to look down upon others. All people should be treated with respect and... I apologize for losing my own calm. I am not in a very stable place emotionally." It was true, if her gem's fluctuating glow was any indication. "I am very sorry. However, you had no right to say those rude things, and you certainly have no right to go looking for a fight amongst allies." She sighed again. "Now then, if anyone else has had enough of this dramatic nonsense, I say we should be on our way."

 

[MechaGhoul]

The Pressmaster Crawley's right eye twitched. This was an unruly lot of seamen. Obviously merely talking wouldn't get them to the ship. He knew when to press. The light and soft touch of dialogue, appeared to score no attention. No, this called for a different sort of touch. This would require the harsher form of discipline.


Keeping a stern appearance on his face, he quickly reached for the cat of nine-tails on right side. The dark brown whip unfurled, as the nine separate cords revealed themselves. He switched it into his right hand. With an apathetic expression still plastered onto his face he shouted out, "AVAST YE UNRULY LOT!"


Pressmaster Crawley kept a good hold of his whip as he glanced around. "Y'see this 'ere? This be the cat'o'nine."


Matthew took a few steps away, making absolutely sure he would not hit anyone in his demonstration. After all, he didn't need to lacerate any of his sailors prematurely. There'd be plenty of time for that. Besides, he didn't even prepare a rack of sorts to place the ill-tempered crew upon. And it was a needed thing. After all, Pressmaster Crawley wanted them to stand after such a lashing. Only one of them looked like they could possibly take it without needing that assistance, the beast of a man known as Ajax.


He swung his arm upwards, as he then brought the whip down in quick and practiced motion. CRACK. The sound of the whip crackled through the air. The sound was sickening, even without striking against flesh. "This 'ere, be the tool o'discipline, fer unruly mariners. It be a useful tool indeed."


He glared at the group, as he kept a firm hold of his trusty tool. "Now then, t'lot of ya better start actin' shipshape fer 'venturers." And that is when he glanced at another shedevil. With his free hand Crawley pointed at Emerald.


"Now she, she gets t'program. Thar be tombs t'loot. 'Venture is callin'. Now listen t'directions from t'purple haired shedevil. Fer she knows which mountains t'tomb be in."


He tapped on the hilt, "Any last qualms before shovin' off?"

 

[CallSign]

"Ooh," mumbled Lily, staring hungrily at the offered leg. She thought it looked somehow familiar, but had no idea what made it so familiar, so she eagerly accepted this new, unknown meat. "What, the shell is inedible? Bah, nothing's inedible. You just have to chew hard enough."


To illustrate, she lifted the end of the massive grasshopper leg to her mouth, which had enlarged and seemed to disjoint like a snake's. Her fangs, coupled with her jaw muscles, easily cut through the shell of the leg as she took her first bite. As she chewed and swallowed, her mouth returned to its original form.


"Hmm... seems a bit dry, but I guess that's as expected of traveling food. Otherwise, it tastes great! I'd love to try some that's much fresher," she said, casting a meaningful glance at Kyouko. However, the silly grin on her face made it obvious she was joking. She didn't want to get into another NOT FOR SALE debacle, after all. "Would you mind if I kept the rest of this as a trail snack?"

 

[MechaGhoul]

Pressmaster Crawley shot daggers at Lily. Metaphorically daggers of course, not literal daggers. The daggers being shot was a glare.


He was dragging this lot into service. These unruly fellows needed proper discipline. Though of course, they weren't aboard the ship just yet. Perhaps they thought they could get away with disobedience since they were not aboard the ship. Perhaps they didn't fully realize that they were under his authority as lower ranking seamen.


They were on land, and he still needed to properly drag them to port. Though he did agree to go to the mountains, but only to obtain that legendary ship of the sky. However, disobedience was disobedience. Truly, he'd need to set a quick example. With a quick swaggering step he walked towards the shedevil who paid no attention to the chain of command, and was distracted by eating.


With his cat of nine tails still drawn, he proceeded to head towards the dragonkin. "Thou committed an infraction. As ye didn't listen to t'officer, myself, when calling for attention. That be worthy of a floggin'." He gestured towards his whip. "We may not be 'board t'vessel, but t'Code 'n Ordinances be in effect."


"Find somethin' secure t'latch onto, before t'strike be done. Grab 'hold of a near wall."

 

[Boomrocker]

"If I may interj- ay Dios mio that man is loud!" El Saldo said, somewhat hypocritically considering his own penchant for extreme volume. His eardrums had been rocked by the sailor's bellow.


After Vallen had broken away from his firm embrace, El Saldo had to waddle back up to where he was confronting the hulk, again, all the while cursing boys and their impetuousness in the name of Marad. "Do you not hear the man? We waste time with these arguments of most petty nature," he said, allowing a touch of frustration into his tone.


"And you," he turned and jabbed a finger into Vallen's chest. "Did your master not teach you that it is rude to depart a conversation in such a way? I fear your master has failed you completely. Come." He put his hand around Vallen's wrist and started walking, intending to drag him away from the confrontation and towards the pirate sailor and some form of actual progression in their shared stories. "I will teach you to be a strong warrior. A canny warrior. A wise warrior. One that can fight against the likes of even the gigantic man here."

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen allowed himself to be dragged for a bit before wrenching himself of El Saldo's grip, thinking of something. "I still do not know if Ayrenn is up to this journey anymore. If she's somehow changed her mind again and deems to come along, I will bring her to the Pressmaster along with myself. If not, you'll likely never see either of us again and won't have to trouble yourself with me." With that he briskly walked over towards Ayrenn.


"Ayrenn, are you going on this journey or not? Wherever you go, I'll follow."

 

[CallSign]

"Eh? Who're you?" Lily turned to face the pressmaster as he approached. "What's this about an, erm, an 'infraction'? Isn't that what pieces of glass do? And is this Code something used for cheating?" She spun her axe to embed the blade in the ground, leaning on the upright pole.


"I don't understand a thing you're saying, except that you want me to sell some goods under the table for you. I'm sure you'll find I'm quite a good fence, or as you put it, flogger. Is this what you want sold?" Lily reached toward the pressmaster's cat of nine tails, preparing to appraise it.

 

[DrBones]

Beltway watched the group crumble at the seams, but didn't worry too much. So long as he had Laria, Pressmaster Crawley, and a number of useful workers, he needn't worry. So what if a few morons got angry at eachother and fled for more obscure pastures? In the end, they'd be the ones who avoid the fame and the riches and those two would be the ones bumming around in the woods, a pair as romantic as mallards. Spotting Pressmaster Crawley preparing to flog Lily for perceived insubordination, Beltway gingerly sauntered to Crawley's side. He spoke gently but with a hidden firmness that spoke volumes to those well-versed in romance.


"O captain my captain, 'twould be folly indeed to show thine lash 'fore we leave for the ship! Thine switch-hand wouldst wither the crew's spirits long before mutiny would be a mutual endangerment! Prithee, stay thine hand, else thou wouldst fear for thine relations with me!"

 

[Boomrocker]

"Children," El Saldo muttered again to the sky, presumably to where Marad was watching. The boy was impetuous. Lovesick. But he had great potential and El Saldo did not want to see it squandered on a girl and her deer.


"Young man!" the pagan missionary bellowed as he approached the monk once more. He began to speak once more. "You have tremendous potential as a practitioner of the Marad Arts. But you lack discipline." His tone was gentle, but firm, almost grandfatherly. "This girl, you fight for her with passion but you are wild, untempered. And the girl, she spends time with her deer rather than assist you. You fight blindly, ruled by emotion that belies your talent." He put a hand on the monk's shoulder, and did a wide sweeping gesture. "Come with me. I shall train you. Temper you. You will be not only a wiser fighter, but a wiser man."


He paused, and said, "If the golden lady and her deer truly care for you, they will follow. Come, you must not hamstring yourself on the whims of others."

 

[MechaGhoul]

Pressmaster Crawley just kept a glare at Lily. "Yer Commandin' Officer, Pressmaster and Captain, Crawley. No goods t'be sold. Only a flogging fer not listenin', an' paying attention. For y'see, when thy Commander speak, thou art t'listen." He pulled back his cat of nine tails as he was preparing for a good whipping.


And that's when Beltway approached and spoke in an interesting tone. When it came to the later part of the dialogue, Pressmaster Crawley looked a fair bit perturbed. "Thou make a fair case. O'er use o'the lash bring little to bolster t'spirits of many a mariner. T'some it brings morale, but most it leaves scarred'n withered. Tis be true." He wagged a finger on his free hand, "But t'crew need to listen. Allowin' fer such a condition be madness. For they think naught o'their actions havin' consequences. Both eventually could lead to t'same outcome of mutiny."


Pressmaster Crawley mused on the situation, "Hm. Discipline need t'be done. That be known." He glanced at Beltway, "Pray thee, I shall inquire. Have thou a cane or rope 'pon thy possessions? A true floggin' shall be saved fer sea. But a swift blow from a startin' shall not. Rule of thumb, be simple enough t'fulfill."

 

[Darksoul180]

Gustav watched silently, as his new group of rag tagged "friends" bickered about. Although, it seemed as if they were going to depart soon. Gustav knew that this group would be hard to convince away from volence, but the Priest would keep to his ideals, and do his best to keep his new friends safe from harm, and hopefully teach them a thing or two. Or, more or less have Crea teach them a thing or two through the Priests body as a vessel.


This Ajax fellow, he lived in a world of his own, and he made his own rules, that was his way of life, he would be one of the hardest to crack. Although, next to him El Saldo would be a very hard person to convert, already being so close with another god. The Priest got lost in thought, thinking of ways to prove the strength of his religion and faith, a way to show others to also have faith. Gustav knew Crea would give him the answers when situations arrived. He started to remember what El Saldo was talking about, dramatic situations where he will shine! He was hopeful and excited for those times to happen.


Gustav toke a long and large breath, and headed over to where Mathews was shouting orders. He was ready to go, just waiting on the rest of the group to get in line. El Saldo seemed to have Vallen under control. Soon they shall depart. The Priest was ready to follow!

 

[DrBones]

Beltway grinned as Crawley caught the subtext in his urging. However, that grin faded when Crawley still decided to flog Lily. Better a simple tool than a weapon, Beltway thought, I suppose this will have to do. Beltway untied his belt and handed it to Pressmaster Crawley with a look of consternation. As Beltway spoke, he held his pants with one hand while motioning towards Lily with the other.


"I bring with me no switch or lash, but mine belt will serve as well as any flail. I'faith thou wilt put it to good use, and turn it to mine possession with nary a scratch? Measure thy blows and take mercy 'pon yon scoundrel, for my sake as much as hers."

 

[CallSign]

I don't remember getting roped into some sort of military service, Lily thought, confused. She watched as the pressmaster pulled the cat of nine tails up and away from her, realizing that he did not intend to sell it. It was just as well, as she didn't think it would fetch a particularly appealing price, anyway.


Once he had finished, Lily spoke. "I don't remember entering your command, sir, but if you need some rope, maybe this will do?" She reached into her bag of holding and drew out a rope an inch in diameter, sturdy and well-maintained. She held it out toward the pressmaster. "I don't know what you intend to do with it, though it'll likely serve better than a belt for your purposes."

 

[MechaGhoul]

Pressmaster Crawley gave a nod towards Beltway, as grasped at the belt. "Worry not good sir." He held out the belt as he began feeling out the weight of it. He analyzed the condition of the buckle as he spoke once more. "Aye such' a belt, shall serve me we-" He glanced as Lily spoke and offered a rope to him. With an amused expression, lightening his face he took the rope with his other hand.


Pressmaster Crawley gave a simple nod to Lily, "That be t'behavior I expect from my men. Tis be condition an' behavior of a crew, I'd fight t'death defendin'." He reached over to hand Beltway back his belt. "Aye, returned with narry a scratch. Though, I still wish t'see such a belt in action." He said with a smirk to Beltway.


"As fer measurin' thy blows, I art a man of both action and discipline." He switched the rope into his other hand. "And behavior seems t'be calmin'. I have yet t'go o'er all the code proper. Mine hand shall have mercy, in deliverin' such discipline. If ye be squeamish on matters o'discipline, divert thy gaze."


"One" He noted as he started the swinging motion. For some discipline he swung the rope out in an attempt to strike upon Lily's left side, a few notches below her rib-cage.

 

[Zerohex]

While Valenn explained himself and tried to rationalize his jumpy and cowardly behaviour, Ajax gulped down pure honey from a jar that he was starting to get tired of carrying around. Mentally, not physically of course. He didn't mean it as a way of disrespect, although clearly he did not respect the man, but after all this he realized that no, he hadn't had breakfast yet. A big athlete needs a lot of food and can't just skip breakfast, it's the most important meal of the day and a good diet was as important as learning how to punch someone in the face, his dad used to say.


It was awful all on its own, just a goopy mess of too much sweetness that made his mouth feel like a swamp, but he'd had worse so he didn't complain. It was actually fairly filling. Oh right, little Fancypants Magichands had been talking and being dumb, couldn't just let that go, had to get the last word in. Before he could reply, however, Vallen had been dragged away once more by that other guy that seemed set in trying to preserve some manner of health and dignity for the little bitch. It went against everything Ajax believed in but at least he wasn't preaching to him.


He decided it was no skin off his back, he'd remember and go at it later, for now he had to deal with the little one in front of him that the oh-so chivalrous "monk" had somehow managed to completely ignore. "Respect is earned kiddo, and you've done more to earn mine than Fancypants Magichands over there". He gestured towards Vallen. "Don't apologize, you didn't do nothin wrong. They're not my allies, they're...co-workers, tops, and you should do what I do if something's botherin you. Get strong enough to crush it".


And with that inspiring phrase for the ages, he left Emerald to her own devices and approached the man that'd been screaming about ships and ports and shores and flogging. "You running the quest? I thought a little girl was running the quest. Why are you beating on Amazon Lily? Anyone know where can I get more food before we go?".

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen simply stood for a moment, gazing wistfully towards Ayrenn. He then sighed very heavily and, though he had a bad feeling about this, simply said "...I suppose it is your descision Ayrenn, not mine." He slowly turned towards where El Saldo was beckoning, and began to head that direction. He's right... if she truly loves me, as I do her, she'll follow me wherever I go as well....

 

[MechaGhoul]

Pressmaster Crawley did not divert his gaze as the hulking beast of a man Ajax approached. "An infraction was committed. Eatin' when the commandin' officer be speakin', and gatherin' attention of his crew. It be a measure o'discipline. Mine strikes be fair, not cruel. I seek not t'be overzealous in assigning discipline. As fer thar tomb, t'little one of which ye speak of, has thy map coverin' t'location. She knows that she is to be service, but it is a diversion in which my crew shall be partakin' on. If ye wish fer more about thy tomb, speak t'her."

 

[Blumenkranz]

The librarian scribbled with her faithful quill over a blank sheet. An impressively detailed map (or at least, for a map drawn in a few minutes) started to form in the paper thanks to Laria's quick and precise strokes.


"Alright, so we are right here in this moment", commented Laria as she drew a thin circle around a small square, separated by a few centimeters of the nearest cluster of similar structures, assumed to be most proximate village. "We shall follow this narrow path for around... thirty minutes, more or less, and then turn north when we reach the first bifurcation", she added, drawing small lines all over the map as she explained to Hachi and Beltway how to reach their destination. "I have heard this terrain is very steep, so I calculate we will take around one hour to traverse it. However, after this..."


Laria sighed before drawing some really intimidating curves around one of the mountains. "The path becomes even more difficult, and while not specially long, I assume it will take two hours from this point onwards until we arrive our destination", she explained, a faint hint of sloth in her voice. Clearly, her delicate gem heart wasn't prepared for something like this. "A total of three hours and a half from here to Winter's Valley. Considering it is around eight in the morning right now, and implying we find no setbacks, I suppose we will be back for supper, depending on how much time we stay inside the tomb".


"Still..." - she continued - "It wouldn't be a bad idea to buy some supplies in town. Since you are the only person with a...". Laria shivered; even remembering that thing made her heart stop. "Huh, mount, I think you could go to town and buy some for the team. Namely, edibles and something we could use to build a campsite in case we don't make it in time. Those... things... are pretty fast as far as I know, so you should be able to catch us in this little clearing", said the girl while she drew a circle for Hachi. "We will be waiting for you in case you don't get there before us".


The librarian handed the map to Hachi. "Here, you can take this one. Does the plan seem acceptable for you or would you like to find an alternative?".