-=- + -=- + -=- The Trip to Dragons' Isle -=- + -=- + -=- THE CAST Adain.........Cat (Unreachable) Brianna.......Ann "Tammar" Straut-Esden Melmar........Andrew Stoner Prytzouth.....Chad "Chewie" Walstrom Thainin.......Darren Robinson Thwuck........Mark Vanhommerig Copyright (c) 1998 This is unpublished material of the above authors. Reprinting and redistribution of this material for non-profit viewing is allowed provided no alteration is made to the document, and provided this copyright notice remains with the document. -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- [Dragon] 1.17: Battle! -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- + -=- The chaotic ring of steel against steel, of shouts, and of battle songs created an eerie symphony over the dark waters. The performers twirled and dodged to the deadly beat in time with their undesired partners. Sweat and blood slicked the wooden decks of the ocean vessels as the dance had spread over every available foothold. The cries of death and suffering attracted the scavengers of the seas. Gulls circled hungrily overhead and beasts below the surface stirred the water in anticipation. Keirgan Crull grinned in satisfaction as he cut a swath through his prey. The flash of his cutlass stained red pleased his eye and quickened his heart. This was his love! This was what he was born for! His blade slid through the light leather ring armour of another of his prey; the scrape of bone and metal he felt through the hilt of the sword sent shivers of pleasure up his spine. Any minute now, he mused. He could order the distruction of his prey any minute. All he had to do was say the word to his mage. His overpriced mage, he growled to himself. As his blade dug home once again, he thought, no, I want to enjoy battle a little longer. The prey's head rolled off his body, an expression of surprise and fear frozen forever. Crull laughed out loud in his esctacy! * * * [Prytzouth] The wolf darted inbetween the legs of the combatants, hamstringing those pirates that presented an open target, or ripping the throats of others. The taste of blood sweet and pungent, and still, foul. Human blood never had tasted good to him, though he sourly remembered one of his kin who did enjoy it. His teeth ripped into the back of the knee of another pirate. He needed to get higher. He needed to see the entire battle, to plan where next to attack. He knew the crew of the ship was split into two groups, one at the foredeck, one at the aft. A quick glance aft showed that his friends were holding their own, even making progress. Before him stood pirates yet to engage. They had effectively formed two lines, only the aft line weakening. His decision was made. The wolf lept up among the rigging with surprising agility. He seemed to cling to the boom and rigging like a spider, only slowed by dodging a few sword swipes and flying daggers. He had almost cleared both lines when a sharp sting encircled his hind legs, and a strong yank pulled him free of his foothold. With a yelp, he fell to the deck between the two lines of pirates. * * * [MARK] Thwuck was heavily pressed by the large number of pirates surrounding him, until a bunch of sailors joined him. Valjean's crew was not as skilled in battle as the companions, but they were greatly inspired by the daring of these passengers. The pirates definitely had to work harder than expected, but still their losses were low compared to the trader's. The sailors tried to defend the bridge and entries to the cargo holds, because they new that the fight was lost as soon as the pirates took hold of these. Occasionally, some slipped past the line of defenders, but Thwuck and his fighting mates had no chance to look whether these were taken down by others. They needed to focus on staying alive. * * * [Thanin] The dwarf's eyes blazed as he fought against the swell of pirates that threatened him. He was on the defensive now, despite his earlier success. Thanin cut down one opponent and quickly had to jump back to avoid being gutted by a large man wielding a battle-axe. He grinned wickedly as the unexpected attack came from behind their ranks. Another group of sailors, grim and desperate to save their ship, fell upon the raiders swiftly and without mercy. Now free of the melee, the dwarf spotted Crull. The pirate captain battled ferociously against those brave enough to engage him, and had decimated a large portion of the merchant crew. It was time to change the tide of the battle. "YOU!" Thanin roared to be heard above the din of the battle. And pointed his falchion at the pirate captain. "It's time to wipe the deck with your face!" Kiergan Crull laughed at the dwarf's boast and advanced upon the diminutive warrior. * * * [Brianna] Brianna felt someone push past her from below and caught a glimpse of Melmar out of the corner of her eye. He appeared to be feeling much better. Just then a quick movement caught her. She instinctually deflected the blow and stopped the advancing pirate. This guy was going to be tough to kill, he was really good. She decided to make the odds more in her favor and cried out to the gulls. She didn't know if she would be heard over the noise, but hoped that if nothing else the screaming would scare the attacker. He hesitated slightly, but not enough to make a real difference. Just as he ws about to pin Brianna against the wall, gulls started swooping down out of the sky. In the ensuing confusion, Brianna stuck her sword through the pirates belly and cried a song of thanks as the gulls kept swooping in. This could be good or bad... How to get the gulls to stop was something she didn't have time to consider as someone jumped down on her from above. * * * [Prytzouth] Though he searched for his breath, the wolf managed a growl for the pirate with the stinging whip. He tried to gain his feet, but the pirate yanked him down again as two others cautiously approached. "Would ya look at da size o' dat mutt!" one pirate snarled in awe. "Aye, 'eed make a good cloak," grinned the one with the whip still fastened to the wolf's legs. "Now, gut 'em, afore I gut YOU!" How am I going to get out of this one, thought Prytzouth. A quick scan during the pirates cocky dialogue showed him no way out and no backup, and he wouldn't be able to chew through that leather quick enough. His eye glared as he realized what he must do. His cover must be compromised to survive. He must shapeshift into something more useful, something that wouldn't be tromped on in the chaotic battle. The pirates halted their approach, not knowing exactly what was going on. The wolf's fur changed into a dark chocolate brown. It's muzzle and head broadened, and its body grew in mass. Its claws elongated and curved wickedly. Prytzouth cut the leather whip with one swipe of his now massive paw. "BEAR!" cried the two pirates as they fell back into the third. "BEAR! * * * Crull grinned. The dwarf. He wanted the dwarf so badly he could taste it. He hacked his way easily through the melee to stand before Thanin. He'd heard about dwarves before, though he'd never really dealt with one. Hearty drinkers and worthy opponents he was told. His heart skipped a beat and his pulse raced. "I wonder what a dwarf looks like in the belly of a shark," the pirate taunted in his gruff voice, spitting out the word "dwarf." "You'll never find out!" Thanin roared as he slashed forward in characteristic chaotic fashion. Crull parried the dwarf's stroke inches from his chest and, surprised by the strength of the smaller warrior's attack, found himself immediately on the defensive. The two combatants traded a series of quick strikes, designed more to gauge the other's skill and speed. Crull's magically-enhanced weapon gave him advantage of the latter, though the dwarf's ferocity was without equal. "So ye can back up those words with that sword o' yers," Crull said, detracting from the pace of the fight. "I'm almost sorry I'll 'ave to kill ye!" With that, Crull lunged forward, stabbing rather than slashing at the dwarf. Thanin's shield came up, deflecting the attack upward and away, but the dwarf found himself to close to completely avoid Crull's sword. The attack caught Thanin on the cheek and tore upward to his left eye. The dwarf howled in pain, barely able to see through the blood that now impaired his vision. He lost his sword, but somehow managed to hold onto his metal shield. Thanin brought his shield up in time to fend off Crull's next attack, and lunged in underneath the pirate captain's weapon. He punched Crull in the throat, knocking the captain off of his feet. Crull landed hard on the deck, completely disoriented, his breath coming to him in short gasps. The dwarf loomed above him - his left eye a bloody ruin - and Kiergan Crull laughed through his pain. "Yer a sight fer sore eyes," he mocked. Crull regretted his words when he noticed the dagger in Thanin's hand. "Damned dwarf," he muttered. Thanin slashed down at Crull, and a shard of pain ripped through the pirate's stomach. Then a brilliant flash of light blinded him. Crull knew in the next instant that the mage had intervened. Slowly, he lifted himself up on his elbows to view the scene around him. His pirates still fought against the desparate merchant crew, though his men seemed to be faring worse now. Much like himself as he gazed upon the garish wound in his belly. Fortunately, the dwarf lay some twenty feet away now, his body sprawled on the deck. To the captain's left stood his mage - visible now, and surrounded by a flickering aura of magical energy. "Is 'e dead?" Crull motioned toward the dwarf, caughing up blood as he spoke. "Perhaps. We have matters of greater importance to deal with," the mage answered, and he directed his captain's attention to the grim-faced group of sailors advancing on them. More pressing was that fact that Captain Valjean and his first mate led the group. "Can you move?" "I don't think so, mage. Ye'd best be off 'afore yer dead," Crull said, not out of any sense of loyalty or kinship to the mage. Another gush of blood erupted from his lips, and everything swam before his eyes. "It seems as though my escape route has been cut off," the mage answered casting a glance behind him. Without another word, he wove his hands in the air, hoping he could cast the spell before the angry mob of sailors reached them. [Prytzouth] In short order, Prytzouth had managed to break the pirates' lines to the group of sailors on the foredeck of the ship. Few pirates were anxious to stop a large bear intent on bullrushing lines, and those that did hesitate, a swipe of a paw made the decision for them. The sailors wasted no time to advance upon the pirates, though it seemed everyone stayed clear of the raging grizzley. A bright flash to the aft of the ship drew the bear's attention. The sharp smell of burning flesh wafted with the breeze. Wizard, he though with a grimace. His eyes glanced upon Thanin's crumpled body far ahead of him, triggering a rage he didn't know existed or even why. With a throaty, crackling roar, Prytzouth dug his claws into the deck and sprinted toward his enemy, the mage, crushing and swiping aside anything in his way.