Post by Duquin on Dec 1, 2013 22:38:33 GMT
Wave splashed against a small weather-battered fishing vessel. Despite not being meant for the high seas, it was the only boat a small trio of young easterners could get their hands on. The poor captain who owned the ship knew that their chances of surviving a voyage to Sermonus from Tetsugoku were slim, but how could he refuse the young lords request? Their country was about to enter a warring state period once again. Bloodshed and turmoil would be all that awaited these young adventurers if they remained in their homeland. He felt honor bound to see Shou Akamura sage passage to neutral foreign country such as Sermonus. The fisherman's name was Ikamoshi Sawashima and he would use all his skill and experience in 40 years of fishing to brave the high seas.
Alas, the ocean is a cruel mistress and Poseidon's wrath is never far. They were fortunate to avoid any sea monsters, however the weather turned fierce after just a day's time and never really seemed to calm for the whole trip. After a week at sea the weather finally cleared but much damage had been done. The hull was battered, ropes were snapped, and the sails were torn. Thankfully the three "kids" were more resourceful than an old fisherman would have thought. When things got bad, Shou always rose to the occasion as a leader and swiftly guided his friends into action. When the hull was battered Shou and the monk Tenju threw water out by the bucket full buying just enough time for Ryuko to smith up a metal seal using only the base tools she possessed on her person. When ropes snapped, Shou and Ryuko grabbed the two ends buying just enough time for Tenju to cast Dulab Ublah sending life magic into the natural fibers of the rope making it come alive and tie into knots. When the sails were torn, Shou used Ikamoshi's fishing net to sew the sheets back together. Thanks to their efforts, after 14 days at sea the weather cleared and Sermonus finally came into view!
"Whooaaah! Look at how many ships are here! Tenju exclaimed as he stood at the bow of the ship. "That's because Sermonus is a trade state. They have ships coming and going all day..." Shou said as he joined Tenju at the bow, but he didn't look as excited as his monk companion. His eyes were squinting as he scanned the harbor in the far distance like a hawk searching for its prey. "There! My brother's ship!" He shouted as he pointed to the docks. Tenju squinted and then sighed, "You sure? They look like dots in the distance to me." Ryuko came up behind the two boys and swiftly hit them both squarely on the head. "Get back to your positions watching for leaks! It'll still be another couple hours before we make it to the docks and I don't feel like sinking when we're this close, do you!?" The boys laughed it off and went back to work knowing there was no point watching their goal get closer.
Once they arrived at the docks the ropes on the harbor sprung to life and reached out to tie the small fishing boat into dock. They all looked in surprise but mainly Tenju, "Magic tools..." Tenju said to himself as he inspected the ropes closer and saw that they had metal sleeves every few feet with magic symbols etched into them. "Bwahaha, first time seeing them?" A fat man called from the dock. He waited for everyone to depart before continuing, "Welcome to Sermonus, my name is Merrick and I am the harbormaster here at Sermonus. Now...before I can let you leave, I must discuss the docking fees." The man's chubby fingers moved to indicate "money" in case they didn't speak common tongue. However just as he said this the poor fishing vessel fell apart and sank into the drink. There was a collective silence as everyone stared with blank expressions. Shou slowly turned his head to Tenju and Ryuko and they both looked back as if to confirm, 'That...just happened right? It wasn't a dream?'
"Ahem!" Shou was the first to recover. He reached down to a small pouch on his waist and smiled. It was filled with gold coins taken from what was left of the treasury after his brother burnt their manor down. He turned to Merrick and handed him a the entire pouch. "My name is Akamura, Shou. I'm a noble from Tetsugakure looking for my brother, Shun." Shou intended for the sum of wealth to back up his claim. His cloths were tattered from being at sea and he came in on a poor fisherman's boat after all...he didn't exactly look noble. But his plan would have worked even if he'd only dropped his family name. The moment he did the fat harbormaster's eyes practically turned into dollar signs, "Aaaaah! Shun-sama's younger brother! We weren't expecting you. Please! Come this way and I'll show you to your brothe-" Shou saw where he was going and quickly interjected, "That's because my brother didn't know I was coming and I want to keep it that way. I'm here to surprise him see? Its his birthday in a week and I wanted to show up when he least expects it!" He made an innocent smile one would never expect to be fake from a 16 year old kid. "I see...I'm not familiar with the custom, but as you wish. Shall I find discrete rooms for you and your companions then?" Shou nodded and then looked back to Ikamoshi who was still staring at the water where his boat sank carrying a look of despair. Shou smiled before adding, "Secure us a weeks stay and use the rest of the money to purchase Sawashima-san here a new ship along with the latest in your magic tools that could help with fishing." Iwamoshi looked up at the young lord with tears in his eyes, "Such kindness! Thank you Akamura-sama, I'll never forget this!" Shou shook his head and moved to the fisherman's side placing a hand on his shoulder, "It's an investment. Take this ship back to the village and use it to make sure there is enough food for everyone. With the conflict back home we don't know if the trade for meat we rely on with the Shouno clan will still be possible." Shou wasn't just thinking of how to repay the man, but how to help his village despite abandoning them during a civil war. But there were things he had to do here and he didn't want Iwamoshi around to get caught up in them. This would also serve as a good way to send the fisherman away from Sermonus as soon as possible.
Meanwhile Ryuko was biting her tongue as tears streamed down her face. Only Tenju would here her whimper, "All our money..." She didn't like the idea of parting with all that gold. But it was spent as Shou had asked and in no time they found themselves seated in the lobby of an inn for foreign delegates. The lobby doubled as an open eating area where food and drink could be ordered. The group were having lunch before heading out into town when suddenly another trio sat down for a meal next to them and began acting rather rude to the waitress. Shou's group wouldn't pay them any mind until the waitress came back later and spilled drinks for the guests all over the table. The sound of crashing cups and splashing drink caught Shou, Tenju, and Ryuko's attention and all three looked over to watch...
Alas, the ocean is a cruel mistress and Poseidon's wrath is never far. They were fortunate to avoid any sea monsters, however the weather turned fierce after just a day's time and never really seemed to calm for the whole trip. After a week at sea the weather finally cleared but much damage had been done. The hull was battered, ropes were snapped, and the sails were torn. Thankfully the three "kids" were more resourceful than an old fisherman would have thought. When things got bad, Shou always rose to the occasion as a leader and swiftly guided his friends into action. When the hull was battered Shou and the monk Tenju threw water out by the bucket full buying just enough time for Ryuko to smith up a metal seal using only the base tools she possessed on her person. When ropes snapped, Shou and Ryuko grabbed the two ends buying just enough time for Tenju to cast Dulab Ublah sending life magic into the natural fibers of the rope making it come alive and tie into knots. When the sails were torn, Shou used Ikamoshi's fishing net to sew the sheets back together. Thanks to their efforts, after 14 days at sea the weather cleared and Sermonus finally came into view!
"Whooaaah! Look at how many ships are here! Tenju exclaimed as he stood at the bow of the ship. "That's because Sermonus is a trade state. They have ships coming and going all day..." Shou said as he joined Tenju at the bow, but he didn't look as excited as his monk companion. His eyes were squinting as he scanned the harbor in the far distance like a hawk searching for its prey. "There! My brother's ship!" He shouted as he pointed to the docks. Tenju squinted and then sighed, "You sure? They look like dots in the distance to me." Ryuko came up behind the two boys and swiftly hit them both squarely on the head. "Get back to your positions watching for leaks! It'll still be another couple hours before we make it to the docks and I don't feel like sinking when we're this close, do you!?" The boys laughed it off and went back to work knowing there was no point watching their goal get closer.
Once they arrived at the docks the ropes on the harbor sprung to life and reached out to tie the small fishing boat into dock. They all looked in surprise but mainly Tenju, "Magic tools..." Tenju said to himself as he inspected the ropes closer and saw that they had metal sleeves every few feet with magic symbols etched into them. "Bwahaha, first time seeing them?" A fat man called from the dock. He waited for everyone to depart before continuing, "Welcome to Sermonus, my name is Merrick and I am the harbormaster here at Sermonus. Now...before I can let you leave, I must discuss the docking fees." The man's chubby fingers moved to indicate "money" in case they didn't speak common tongue. However just as he said this the poor fishing vessel fell apart and sank into the drink. There was a collective silence as everyone stared with blank expressions. Shou slowly turned his head to Tenju and Ryuko and they both looked back as if to confirm, 'That...just happened right? It wasn't a dream?'
"Ahem!" Shou was the first to recover. He reached down to a small pouch on his waist and smiled. It was filled with gold coins taken from what was left of the treasury after his brother burnt their manor down. He turned to Merrick and handed him a the entire pouch. "My name is Akamura, Shou. I'm a noble from Tetsugakure looking for my brother, Shun." Shou intended for the sum of wealth to back up his claim. His cloths were tattered from being at sea and he came in on a poor fisherman's boat after all...he didn't exactly look noble. But his plan would have worked even if he'd only dropped his family name. The moment he did the fat harbormaster's eyes practically turned into dollar signs, "Aaaaah! Shun-sama's younger brother! We weren't expecting you. Please! Come this way and I'll show you to your brothe-" Shou saw where he was going and quickly interjected, "That's because my brother didn't know I was coming and I want to keep it that way. I'm here to surprise him see? Its his birthday in a week and I wanted to show up when he least expects it!" He made an innocent smile one would never expect to be fake from a 16 year old kid. "I see...I'm not familiar with the custom, but as you wish. Shall I find discrete rooms for you and your companions then?" Shou nodded and then looked back to Ikamoshi who was still staring at the water where his boat sank carrying a look of despair. Shou smiled before adding, "Secure us a weeks stay and use the rest of the money to purchase Sawashima-san here a new ship along with the latest in your magic tools that could help with fishing." Iwamoshi looked up at the young lord with tears in his eyes, "Such kindness! Thank you Akamura-sama, I'll never forget this!" Shou shook his head and moved to the fisherman's side placing a hand on his shoulder, "It's an investment. Take this ship back to the village and use it to make sure there is enough food for everyone. With the conflict back home we don't know if the trade for meat we rely on with the Shouno clan will still be possible." Shou wasn't just thinking of how to repay the man, but how to help his village despite abandoning them during a civil war. But there were things he had to do here and he didn't want Iwamoshi around to get caught up in them. This would also serve as a good way to send the fisherman away from Sermonus as soon as possible.
Meanwhile Ryuko was biting her tongue as tears streamed down her face. Only Tenju would here her whimper, "All our money..." She didn't like the idea of parting with all that gold. But it was spent as Shou had asked and in no time they found themselves seated in the lobby of an inn for foreign delegates. The lobby doubled as an open eating area where food and drink could be ordered. The group were having lunch before heading out into town when suddenly another trio sat down for a meal next to them and began acting rather rude to the waitress. Shou's group wouldn't pay them any mind until the waitress came back later and spilled drinks for the guests all over the table. The sound of crashing cups and splashing drink caught Shou, Tenju, and Ryuko's attention and all three looked over to watch...
