You have set out on the river caravel Nyre, headed down the As River on a trip to the southern city of Highfall. You were to escort the Baroness Mirana there on the King's orders, and then return to the capital. The trip south by boat is expected to take about a week. The trip has been uneventful thus far, even relaxing.
The KIngdom of Anghara is slowly returning to the peace it knew before the civil war tore it apart. The broad slow As runs between a line of low hills to the south and a cluster of woodlands to the north. Beyond the woods, many days ride to the north, sits a permanent shadow, the shadowed land of Tol Nedra. The darkness to the north is a constant reminder that you now travel the borderlands.
You have learned several things by three days into this trip: the river sailors are talented fishermen, and they have brought much bounty to the ship's table. The second thing is that the Captain drinks too much, and although he conceals it in front of you, to his men, he is a ruthless martinet.
You are three days into the trip. You're due to call at the village of Llunade, shortly, for news.
FLOP! A silver fish as long as a man's outstretched arms flops to the deck at Rooker's feet. Sirius and Lilanne stand close by. The pilot, Erner, has hooked tonight's dinner, a big charafish.
Sirius says, "Well done Erner!"
Rooker quickly places his foot on the fishes gills, as he learned many years ago. "Good catch, Erner."
Quickly, Erner bends down and clubs the big fish senseless. WHACK! "Thank ye, lads, thank ye. He'll cook up good, what?"
Sirius says, "I'm getting hungry just thinking about it."
Baroness Mirana, in riding clothes, watches from the quarterdeck, silent.
Lilanne watches the activity on the deck...especially the Baroness
Sirius looks at Mirana and says, "Have you ever seen such skill at fishing Milady?"
Mirana mutters, "Charafish...my favorite. I'll take that one, Erner. Surely you can catch another."
Sirius looks like he stuck his foot in his mouth.
Erner, a grubby-looking, unshaven fellow, tugs his forelock. "Aye, yer ladyship..." To you all he makes a sour face.
Sirius gives Erner a sorry look.
In no time, the rest of the afternoon's catch, including two more big fish, are cooking in a stewpot, with some vegetables and broth. The smell is intoxicating.
The Baroness' meal is prepared separately, with much of her big fish going to waste.
You sit near the rudder with bowlfuls of stew and some good As Sedrai ale,talking queitly and enjoying the serenity of the river.
As the pilot, Erner sits close near the rudder, spooning stew into his maw. "So how'd you lot wind up with a cold fish like her ladyship?" he asks, sure that she's safely away in her cabin.
Lilanne says, "Short straws, I guess."
When Mirana is not around Sirius slips Erner a silver coin and begs his pardon for the Baroness.
Sirius says, "You must forgive her behavior Erner. She hates the world, due to the loss of her father."
Erner accepts the silver drake--he's paid like a sailor, after all--and nods. "Did you fight for her father in th' war?"
Sirius says, "That I did."
Rooker clears his throat pointedly and sips his ale with a smirk.
Sirius says, "I realize now that I was on the wrong side."
Erner looks to Rooker and Lilanne. "You as well?"
Lilanne says, "We serve at the King's pleasure. He wished for an escort for the Baroness...and here we are."
Erner clinks his tankard against each of yours. "Good luck to all o'ye, then.
Sirius says, "You should have known her before her father died. She was a different person."
Rooker refills his mug and mutters, "Thank you, Erner, I think we'll need it before this trip is over."
Erner says, with a nervous glance northwards, "I heard her father was a'one of them...cold ones."
Lilanne says, "Cold ones?"
Erner amplifies, "Them what doesn't sleep when dead."
Rooker says, "Erner, I was there at his end. You shouldn't believe everything that you hear.""
Rooker says, "And you certainly shouldn't go spreading those rumors." Erner takes the wheel and steers the ship in the channel between two islands in midriver. He shrugs, superstitiously. "Let's not talk of it, gents. Let's talk of happier things. Llunade's around the next bend...ever been?"
Sirius, wanting to change the subject, asks,"No how is it?"
Lilanne finishes her stew.
"You should be hearin' the music soon." Erner says, gulping some of the fine ale, navigating the big ship with a practiced hand.
Sirius says, "What music?"
Erner explains, "This time of year, harvest comin' in soon, the village children all take the time t' make reed flutes. Then play 'em all day long. Talented little buggers." He points to a bend in the river hidden by some tall trees, where the ship is making for.
Lilanne says, "Sounds charming!"
The ship rounds the bend, with some of the crew rushing to the rails to hear the music...but the only sound is the sound of the sails snap-filling with the afternoon breeze.
Rooker says, "Mmmm, yes, little ankle-biters tooting away all day long. What could be better?"
Lilanne smiles wryly. "Why Rooker...no ankle-biters of your own somewhere out there?"
Rooker says, "If there are, my ankles are thankfully out of range."
The village of Llunade sits on the north side of the river, a large village, almost a town really, with people bustling back and forth, but no music is heard. An air of gloom sits over the quays and buildings.
Sirius says, "Doesn't seem like a very happy village today."
Lilanne says, "That's a shame...I was looking forward to the music."
Rooker mumbles under his breath, "Maybe they heard that Her Ladyship was coming to visit."
Captain Sammar, two sheets to the wind, bellows at his crew from the foc'sle. "Heave to, you dogs! Erner, heave to! Plenty o'room, the quays are empty!"
Baroness Mirana emerges from her cabin. "Rooker? Are we there?
Lilanne whispers to Rooker "Speak of the Devil!"
Rooker says, "Why, yes, Your Ladyship."
Janor, the halfling sergeant of Sirius men-at-arms asks, "Order, sir?
Sirius says, "Round the men up. I want them all in order before we make dock."
Janor nods. He whistles to the men and they set down their ale and stew and fall into order near the rail.
The ship approaches the quays. Some of the villagers rush excitedly to the water's edge. As you get close, you see at least two wrecked ships sunk near the quays, their masts barely protruding from the waterline.
Rooker says, "Erner, keep the men alert. Something is wrong here."
"Ahoy there!" Sammar yells in his Captain's voice. "What news, Llunade? Where's the music??"
Sirius looks to see if he can identify where the sunken ships were from.
A voice pipes back, "'ware pirates, sirs!"
Lilanne says, "This could be bad..."
Mirana asks, "Pirates? Captain, land this boat at once!"
The villager on the quay asks, "Surely you've come t'help us? King's men, surely!"
Rooker says, "If Your Ladyship would let the Captain do his job, the worst place for a ship to be when pirates attack is tied to a pier. Note the results sticking out of the water."
Sirius says, "Perhaps some of us should go ashore ,while the rest sail the boat to a safe distance?"
Mirana tells Rooker: "But the people on shore may need our help!"
Rooker says, "Yes, m'lady, but we can help from here without giving the pirates another target." He moves to speak quietly with the Captain. "I would recommend lending what assistance we can from the safety of the river, Captain. If the pirates return, we will need to move quickly."
Lilanne says, "I concur."
Sammar takes a drink from a bottle close at hand, unsure how to proceed. He nods at Rooker's words. "Stand to, Erner. Not too close, now. All o' you, keep a weather eye out." He gulps down some more cheap hooch.
Mirana appeals to Sirius. "Will we just anchor here?"
Rooker catches Sirius' eye and nods emphatically.
Sirius says, "We will do what we can Milady, and try not to endanger the ship in the process."
The villagers are moving excitedly to the quays, pointing. "A royal vessel! Surely it's come to save us!" you hear, among other comments of relief and excitement.
Mirana says, "Captain, I order you to dock this ship at once and let me debark."
Sammar blinks. He looks to the royal constable.
Sirius says, "Milady, the Captain and the rest of us have every intension of helping these poor villagers. It may be safer for you to be inside until we have ensured the docks are safe."
Mirana asks, "Don't you think my father taught me to defend myself? If you'd let me carry a sword..."
Rooker says, "Might I remind your Ladyship that you are not in command here. The Captain has final say on all matters of the ship and its' safety."
Mirana nods, folding her arms. "Very well. But we must do something."
Sirius says, "Milady, I do not doubt your skill with a sword, but I am charged with your safety-- and I must respectfully insist you stay to your cabin until we know it is safe."
Rooker says, "If you wish to take your sword and fight the pirates on your own, then you may feel free. We are not here for this matter. We will lend what assistance we may and then move on."
The ship heaves to a few dozen yards from the quay, not anchoring. Some of the crew man oars to keep station against the current, so as not to drift into any snags so close to shore.
Mirana looks like she wants to retort to Rooker, but holds her tongue.
She turns and skulks into her cabin, slamming the door behind her.
Rooker steps to the rail and yells to the shore: "Where is your mayor? Who can speak for your town?"
Sirius says to Rooker, "I propose I take a few men ahore to see what the situation is. What think you?
Rooker speaks to Sirius under his breath. "Let's see what the situation is first, eh?"
The mayor, a fat old fellow, totters to the end of the quay. "I am he, sir! Whom do I have the honor of addressing?"
Rooker shouts, "I am Rooker, Constable of His Grace King Henrick. Can you come aboard to talk of what has happened?""
"Aye, Constable, of course." He gives orders to his men and clambers into a small launch, which two young Reith set to rowing out to you.
The men-at-arms shift their weight from foot to foot. The mayor, a fat old bearded man, arrives and climbs aboard, bowing to you each in turn. When he gets to Lilanne, he pauses, solemnly, terrified, not looking up.
He is clearly shocked and doesn't know what to do with the creature of legend standing before him.
Lilanne says, "Is there something the matter sir?"
He gulps. "An honor, elder one...honored."
Rooker says, "Mayor, please, come with me and tell me what has happened here."
Erner chuckles.
Lilanne shakes her head in disbelief
The Mayor nods. He mops sweat from his red brow with his cap. "A clan of Gholibins, your lordship. Been terrorizing river traffic for days now, all th' ships headed south, and two days agone they attacked the ships in my harbor. Never seen anything like 'em!"
Rooker says, "Did they have boats or were they all afoot, sir?"
"Longships, sir, with rowers along each rail. Each of them jammed with Gholibins." the mayor explains. There is never just one Gholibin. Where one goes, goes a horde, like ants.
Lilanne says, "Filthy vermin!"
Rooker says, "How many longships, Mayor?"
"Two ships, as I recall." the mayor says. He asks Sirius, "Might I have a drink of that ale, sir? The afternoon heat and all.."
Sirius hands him some ale, "Of course."
The mayor sips gratefully. "We were lucky they didn't come ashore..but perhaps they plan to on their next trip. They were led by a swarthy little fellow named Rattik. They all screamed his name as they sunk our ships."
Rooker says, "Rattik? Wasn't that the little stench-pot back in As Sedrai?"
The mayor thinks. "Perhaps a relative? Anyway, surely with Selandri magic on your side, surely nothing can stand in your way."
Rooker says, "We are on a mission for the King, sir, but we will do whatever we can to aid you before we must continue on our way."
Lilanne looks at the mayor. "Yes, with Selandri magic..but then surely all of you will die horibly if I use the power...."
The mayor swallows at Lilanne's words. He briefly considers jumping the rail and swimming for shore.
Sirius says, "I believe she is jesting, your honor."
Lilanne looks at Sirius "Am I?...Clearly we must track down this little abomination and put a stop to him."
The mayor looks relieved. "Thank you, sirs, and praise to good King Henrick!"
Sirius turns to Rooker and says, "Perhaps we should pursue these pirates and put an end to their raiding?
Sammar looks concerned about taking his ship into battle against two longships. He takes a long drink.
Rooker sighs softly and shakes his head. "Maybe we should simply tie her Ladyship to the figurehead and run her onto the rocks. We are tasked with taking the Lady Mirana to her home, not with patrolling for river pirates."
Sirius says, "At the very least we can leave some of the men here to protect the town."
Sammar asks, "What shall we do, Constable?"
Rooker says, "If we leave them here, they will be the first to die when the pirates come back. All the soldiers stay with us to protect the Baroness."
Lilanne says, "We need to stop the pirates then." The Gholibins are her people's ancient foe. Long before the Great Wrath, the Selandri fought the Numberless Horde.
Sirius says, "Rooker, you are the King's constable. You cannot just leave these townsfolk to their fate."
Rooker turns back to the mayor. "Sir, we must continue on our mission for the King, but we will patrol the river for the pirates and return when we are finished."
Rooker says, "If the pirates wanted the townspeople dead, they would be dead already."
The mayor bows to Rooker in gratitude. "Be careful, sirs. They are more powerful than they looked. Our ships were sunk like toys."
Sirius does not look happy at Rooker's decision.
Erner opines, "P'raps they thought to scare off the villagers? Come back when it's empty. Save 'em the trouble o'raiding. Gholibins are like that, what?"
Rooker says, "Mayor, if you have not yet done so, I would suggest that you send your fastest rider to As Sedrai with a message for the King. You may use my name if you think that it will help."
The mayor bows again. "I will see that it is done, Rooker."
Sirius says, "Rooker, I will bow to your authority in this matter. However I do not like leaving these poor towns people as prey to the Gholibins."
Lilanne says, "If we can find the Gholibins ..that won't be an issue"
Rooker says, "Sirius, I do not like it either. But if we hunt the pirates and get the Baroness killed in the process, the Kingdom might errupt into yet another civil war. Her safety is, unfortunately, the priority here."
Sirius says, "Then I pray that we run into these pirates before these poor townspeople do."
Lilanne says, "...or before the pirates find another town"
Janor asks Sirius, "What is your will, sir?
Rooker says, "Mayor, did you happen to notice what direction the Gholibins went after the attack?"
The mayor has sat down on a bench nearby. The heat and his weight are tough on his old feet. "The longships went downstream, sir. Towards Point Kesren, which is perhaps three leagues south of here."
Rooker says, "Then they are where we are going. We will most likely come across them as we travel and all questions will be answered for us."
Sirius says, "My men and I will be ready for them."
Janor calls to the troops: "Stand ready, men! We hunt Gholibins! Strength and honor!!"
The men at arms raise their swords. "Strength and honor!" they cry the Angharan words.