RP:Disaster At Sea; The Merfolk Attack
Part of the Tales from the Row Arc
Summary: After some time of inactivity, the merfolk rise again to enact vengance on the landwalkers. The Cenril/Rynvale Ferry is attacked and sunk. Terra and Hanan flee the vessel in a life boat and are stranded on a deserted island.
Characters: Terra,Hannan, Arien, Rhocielle, Dergious.
Location: Rynvale; the channel.
The Merfolk Attack..
It had been too long since their previous attack. The humans had only grown complacent, certain that the threat had diminished since the attacks had all but ceased. Such wasn't the case. The merpeople still lurked, waiting for the chance to strike once more. Their operation is similar to the ones from the past only they have found a way to strike multiple vessels at once. There's a merchant vessel leaving from both of the ports this evening and their first would be the earlier one being dispatched from the small island of Rynvale and sent towards the port city of Cenril. Their man was already on board, settled in for a game of cards and shots with crew and oddly two females, one of which had no problem with sounding the part of the rest of the sailors. They're far enough into the dark and frigid waters that the leader of the horde of merpeople swam forward, fish held high as though asking them to wait for just a moment longer, a little bit further, and then his fingers spread and their harmony began. A song, beautiful for its harmony alone started to bubble up from the water, surrounded the ship as though it were a caress instead of mere words. That lad, the one that had seemed so energetic on quite the winning streak would stand then, led by the strings of the magic woven into the words of the song. Terra is left to give Hanan an odd look - did she hear it too? Their friend vanished below deck and it was suddenly quiet, so quiet.
It had been too long since her last erotic encounter. The hookers had only grown expensive, and Hanan certainly wasn't running back to Yasmine's cottage. It'd been bad enough that she'd had to spend the last night there, tending to wounds that she half-suspected were inflicted for that purpose. This is what composed her thoughts, and not so much the cards--which was likely why Terra was kicking her ass--when the song was sung. Sirens? Hanan looked up, saw the young man singing--no, that's no siren--then returned Terra's look. "That's…" She'd never actually encountered merpeople, save the horror on the beach during he invasion of Cenril… but she knew stories. "Mermaids." She refused to call them merpeople. That sounded dumb. "Got a weapon?"
It doesn't last, that silence. Instead it's the calm before the figurative storm. The song approached its climax, a crescendo that seemed to be the harold of the next few minutes that were key to survival. All the ammunition stocked below, the kegs of powder and melted silver and crates of supplies were compromised by the spilled oil and knocked over lanterns that had been tossed about haphazardly by the human creature. It was pathetic how easy it was to bend their minds, force their wills. This song was the key to it, it started the attack and would continue as background noise, heard even over the sudden rumble. The front of the ship went first in a sudden explosion - splintered wood and bits flew in every which direction and those not low to the deck would likely be impaled. Then again, if one chose to remain they would likely receive the incentive to run when the boards started to collapse to fiery remains that composed the underbelly of the ship in those moments. Those select few that had run at the mere mention of Hanan's stated 'Mermaids' and hopped on a lifeboat were seized as soon as they hit the water and nothing could be heard over the crackling and sizzle of their sinking ship, but if you were granted the ability to hear beyond normal human standards you may have heard the last screams and dying breaths and gargled pleas from men who had been superstisous all their life and received nothing in return. See if Terra ever tipped a drink towards the bust in the Barrel anymore. Right, she'd have to survive this moment to make it to that one and there's likely only a few minutes before what they're standing on is engulfed in flames as well. A blade is pulled from the side of her boot, a sheath crafted just for that type of weapon is revealed in the process and the empath looked pretty grim at the prospects. Only options they had left were to dive straight in and fight their way out - if such were possible. But even then, where would they go? They were too far out to swim to any one port and not to mention the bone-chilling temperature of the water in those cold months. Another look to Hanan in those fleeting moments. She certainly didn't want to lose her or leave her behind but ... the options seemed limited. What were the odds of survival and not getting separated out here?
Hanan had been expecting the attack, but certainly not the explosion--it damn near knocked her out of her chair. And she'd had a decent hand, too. She rose to her feet quickly, rapier in her hand before she even thought to pull it from the sheath. Terra got a quick look as she calculated, buttoning her jacket--that one--against the cold. She could look cool as a cucumber, sometimes, even if her damn heart was in her throat. "We need to get a lifeboat; there's little islands around here. We can make for 'em; put in for a bit, find our heading." She heard the screaming alright as she made for the door--couldn't be helped. She wasn't about to swim to Cenril. "Terra.." Damn the odds. She was good. She knew she was good. She had no idea about Terra. And she'd likely need a healer before the night was done. "Stick with me." Out onto the deck, blade in front of her. Best to find a close boat, get into the water quick as possible... maybe slip away as the sea demons ate the slower ones. She'd swashbuckle when she was alone.
Terra really doesn't know why but she's already starting to pull her cap lower and over ears as though this was do any bit of good. Even worse? She'd bite down on the hilt of the dagger and collect the cards that hadn't been lost in the blast which was nearly all, surprisingly. They're well worn, obviously used, and they're valuable enough that she'd risk finding them and pocketing them before she followed at Hanan's behest. Could she have survived out there? Probably. Despite looks and masks she's quite skilled at hunting and more importantly at surviving. Would she have wanted to without knowing Hanan's fate or wherebouts? Maybe not. Guilt, of all the damned emotions was crippling and a distraction. Below in the waters, they swam like sharks, circled and preyed on the weak and any sign of bloodshed. Like the captain, Terra is not oblivious to the cries of distress but her life, as horrible as it may have sounded, was more valuable in these moments. There's a few more boats left, secured in position and likely caught easy enough by Hanan's own eyes. When they hit the water, they'd be in for a fight.
Terra had collected all the cards. For some reason Hanan thought this was funny. Her grin only lasted until swung over the side and into one of the lifeboats, then peered over the lifeboat's edge. Yeah… mermaids, alright. They'd heard her boots connect and had been drawn to the sound, or the movement, a couple circling around directly beneath them. Damn it! No point in stealth now. "LIFEBOAT!" She yelled, perhaps another survivor, another person to punch merfaces, but no--what she heard was screaming, the groaning of the ship as it started to pitch forward.. and she smelled blood. Blood everywhere. Great, death, destruction, and now she was hungry. "Terra--you winch us down." She took a spot on the bench, propped her blade against her knee, grabbed the oars, tensed. "Drop us in fast as you can. I'll row."
bystanders: -----
Dergious stands upon the dock looking out over gentle waves. They appear black in the night, as if midnight itself was reaching hungrily out towards the beach. He turns to leave but stops, and slowly turns back towards the see. There was light off in the distance, and it was not a gentle one. Even at this distance, the fire looked out of control. He turns to leave again when he heard it, and for a second time he turns back. The waves were gone, replaced a dead, foreboding calm. He gazes out over the now-calm waters, searching for the source of of the deepening rumble. It sounds like rage. Without warning, the stars above begin to wink out one by one starting where the water met the sky, and rising impossibly fast. It was then that he put it together. The stars were not winking out, whatever was coming had hidden them from view. The rumbling was clearer now, and the roar of the waves is identified. The dwarf simply turns and runs as fast as his stubby legs could carry him. He races through the streets with the sound of rushing water and cracking wood behind him. He does not slow as he obliterates a door leading to the gates. Gates that would take him to safety. He leaps through a gate, and is seen no more."
"Pappa..what’s that?” the curious question from the elfling floated down from the outcropping of rock on which she was almost precariously perched, were it not for the steadying hand of a squire enfolding her own. Free hand was pointing toward the horizon, where the oddly misplaced glow of a fire in the middle of the channel might be seen. Above the glow, a billow of white slowly dissipating into the cloudless sky. Arien looked up from where she was squatting low to the ground before their son, a glowing piece of jet black stone held between her fingertips as she explained what lava was to the wolfling. Eyes momentarily fee of care shifted to find her mate. “What is she talking about darling?..I can’t tell from here..” the elf murmured, pausing to wipe the smudge of ash streak from Shyr’s still smoothly pale cheek. “Stop mamma! I’m notta baby!” he grumbled before likewise lifting silvery pools to his sister’s perch. “I wanna see too Eru!”
Rhocielle stood beside the squire. It was not out of fear that Pippa might somehow endanger his daughter, but out of a sense to spend some time with the elfling. Most of his time was all but monopolized by the wolfling in tales of grandeur and adventure. Eruanna had a father too. Silver eyes in a High Elf's face followed the little elf's direction towards the horizon. Even he had been in wolfen form, he would not have been able to discern what it was. There was no doubt it was a fire, but no sense in worrying anyone present to it without knowining what was the cause of it. "I do not know, Eruanna," he spoke out with the same curiosity as the girl. Turning to her, his arms were extended and the elfling was plucked from her perch and replaced upon his shoulders. He felt his hair immediatly become imprisoned in small hands and shout of glee from above, "Hehehe. Mamma!.. Mamma!... I'm tall!" From atop her new pedestal, she exchanged a quick duel of tongue-sticking with her brother
Meanwhile...fleeing the burning ferry..
Terra is somewhat amazed that none of the mechanisms had been sabatoged and that she remembered how to work them all from those brief lessons with Leoxander in a past that seemed further back than it really was. Settled as well as she would have been in this situation she'd work the crank and shaft, turning it as quickly as possible and ever so grateful that gravity would be working with them. That was until they dropped into the water, none too gently, and the splash and presence is enough to alert the revenge-seeking monsters to the presence of fresh blood. As soon as one of their hands latched on to the side of the boat she'd aim low and hard, severing a few of the fingers in the process which ... was only somewhat satisfying. She still didn't have a clue where they were going and if they would make it there. What remains of the fingers that had fell against her feet are plucked and tossed out, the empath still tense from that first and brief confrontation.
Hanan started rowing shortly before they hit the water--which would have led to a very brief period of oars moving cartoonishly through the air, but nevermind that. As soon as they touched liquid the boat took off, Hanan putting her back into it as oars dug deep. She had no idea which way they were going, mind, save "away." She grinned gritted teeth at Terra when she watched her chop fingers--atta shopgirl--before feeling a sharp tug on the back of her collar. Shyte! She whirled, managed to land a right hook on the jaw of the merperson that was halfway over the bow, managed to shove him back in the water. Not that it helped; there he was again. They swam, remember? Hanan growled, grabbed the oars, pushed them forward, managed to clip the bastard with the wood. There, his grip loosened. For how long? She'd row, damn it. "Terr'! Do these things have any weaknesses?" Hanan had no damn idea.
Terra had limited movement in this type of boat. It wasn't like the vessel they had just been on. Even so, she watched as it capsized beneath the waves, seized in chunks and felt a large lump of sadness wash over her. There had been people on that ship and it was now lost to the depths. She couldn't hear the sound of any other slapping oars against the waters. A hard swallow and she would be pulled from those thoughts at the sound of Hanan's voice, and the sudden grasp on the sleeve of her coat. Dammit! She was fond of it, alright? It was warm, most importantly and now it's being yanked into the dark waters with an alarming force. The other arm is brought into action, fist already formed before she aimed at the water, unable to properly see her foe. She hit something, possible the top of its skull and grimaced as she pulled both arms away from the water, steadied the boat with feet planted more firmly. "Do I look like I hang out with their lot? I don't know. Just stab him. Seems to deter. Get a giant net."
Hanan growled. "All I've ever heard is, 'there's mermaids, kid, stay away from them.' And that they'll seduce guys. These ones don't look so seductive." The back of her jacket was now wet. Damn it! The chill was starting to seep in, too. Not that she could die of hypothermia, but… it'd be damned inconvenient. "We're headin…" Damn, there's another one! She managed to knock it's fingers off the side with the heel of her boot, though this stopped the rowing. "North, if that's the North Star over me, and it ruttin' is. Keep your eyes over my--" Again! Same one, too. She gave it a harder kick--felt bone crack beneath her boot--growled in satisfaction this time. "Over my shoulders." She began to row, swift as she could. "We should see islands in not too long, tell me if you do."
Terra placed a hand over mouth to conceal a smile at that, played it off like a cough at the scent that had engulfed them. Between the blood there was the distinct smell of flesh that had been burning. It's one of those that never leave you and they're already starting to cling to wet fabrics. She was going to burn this coat, cold temperatures be damned. As directed she looked over shoulders, prayed for the sign of land in the dark and wouldn't swear to it but there seemed to be a land mass in the distance. Not too far now... which is what she would have said had one of the creatures not got fed up with their ability to escape and came from the water like the half fish he was. Hanan's right - this type aren't very seductive especially not when they're half out of water and lunging at the captain, which did inspire an eye roll. Did they ever stop? Seriously? She'd gripe about this later. Right now she's trying to keep them from all tipping over and remove the problem by stabbing his side repeatedly, pressing past ribcage and muscle and... were those gills? scales? Gross. Especially now that her blade is saturated in it all as the body finally slumped over, shoved off before his weight would tilt them too far. Hanan may have started to feel the drag of sand and weeds then and Terra muttered, perhaps without any real need, "Think we're near enough."
Hanan watched Terra kick that mermaid's ass with some satisfaction. Yes, it was a mermaid. A male mermaid. Still she pulled, pulled on those oars as if her life depended on it, which technically it did. "These things are idiots," she muttered, praying that nothing else attacked; she didn't want to get swarmed if she had to stop rowing. The sudden thunk she heard on the bottom of the boat was enough. "Too little oxygen to the brain. I think they hold their breaths down there. Do you think we're clo--" Oh. Sand. Her oar hit something down deep; still, there were quite a bit of shallows to go to the dry land; a few more strokes. "Alright, I'll get my map out when we get up there, figure out where--" Her boot was wet. She noticed this mid-sentence, scooted her foot a little to the side. There was a hole there, in the bottom of the boat. How the hell did that happen? And there's a steel point, ramming it's way up through wood. "Shyte.." One of them was under, moving that thing around.. that was a big hole. "We'll have to wade, Terr'." She stopped her rowing, stood slow, keeping her balance precariously. "Make for the shore, quick as you can. Three, two"
Hanan shouted “One!”
Terra : That was the battlecry apparently or inspired by a combination of fear and adrenaline. Yeah, she could take a helluva punch and keep walking but being impaled was a whole 'nother story. One that she is certaintly not bold enough to read. So she followed Hanan's lead and ran like hell. Well, ran is putting it nicely. It was more an awkward sloshing and waddling and all in all she's like a penguin as she kept fighting against the water and waves to make it to land. Surely there they would be safe but the boat! Maybe they could save it, mend it in the process but ... nope, it's in pieces, many pieces and even as booted feet start to sink into dry sand she felt the sting of defeat. They were trapped - sure, the merpersons couldn't just climb on the land and start walking about, slaying things willy nilly... but they couldn't get off the island either. "Damn."