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Hirilaelin · 02-21-2003, 12:29 AM

Narwen was on her way back to Umbra, on order of Yr Saldin. Her duty was to recruit more men and ships to help secure Dol Amroth. The sleek little cutter flew through the waves, with only the barest of crew, as speed was their highest priority. They were five days out from Dol Amroth, and nearing their destination at last.

With the sun almost high overhead, and the waves slapping at the sides of the ship as it skimmed the over the water, they sailed on.

* * * * * * * * * *

They had arrived. Briskly disembarking, the crew set out into the streets of Umbra, searching for men and ships. Everyone carried a small bag of gold, which might help in persuading men to their cause.

The crew combed the taverns and inns, while a few searched along the docks. Narwen herself searched for captains willing to sail. They had to hurry though, before word got to The White City of the attack. They had to have more men.

* * * * * * * * * *

The crew met back at the docks as evening was drawing near. They had manages to recruit about fifty more men, and Narwen had convinced eight captains to "lend" their services, and ships. She had the cutter to captain. Arranging the men on the docks, she assigned them to different ships. They were to sail right away. If they did, they could be back in Dol Amroth in little more than four days. With the sun sinking in the sky behind them, they lifted anchor.

* * * * * * * * * *

Three days out, they sighted a ship. Pulling out a telescope, Narwen inspected the sail and flag. Gondorian, probably a merchant ship, bearing arms and gold for Aragorn. Ordering her ship to move in and intercept, she signaled to the other captains to do the same. The three ships pulled into a tight formation, and closed in on the slow, heavy merchant ship, with their flags pulled down, so that the corsair sign was not visible. They would capture her, and sail her back to Dol Amroth, an additional prize. Within moments, the three ships were level with their prey. Narwen ordered the pilot to pull her ship along the other. She shouted up to the captain on deck. "Aye! Where do you be going friend?" The man looked down, suspicion written across his features. "We're bound to the capital, bearing gold and arms for the King. Who may you be, that you fly no flag?"

Narwen stalled for time, as men from the other ships swam to the merchant, and boarded her. They would be among the unsuspecting crew in moments. "Simple traders." The man nodded, but he was not yet ready to accept the explanation. He said, "The other ships look enough like merchants, but your doesn't. What, and who are you?"

She had a story. "We are the scout ship. Don't you have one?"

"Scout ship?" His voice was doubtful.

"Indeed. To sail ahead and make sure that the sea is clear. It is dangerous after all, with corsairs and pirates sailing." The man nodded again. Just then, she heard a cry from the ship. He heard it also, and his eyes suddenly bulged, her deception revealed. He roared to the pilot hard to port, but grappling hooks were thrown. In moments, the deck of the ship was swarming with corsairs. Climbing nimbly up one of the ropes, a knife in her teeth, and two short staves in her belt, she reached the deck, where she was met with a sailor, bearing a club in one hand, and a knife in another. She avoided him, knowing she must get to the captain, and secure his surrender. Or, at least what was her kind of surrender. Death.

Dashing along the deck, which was covered with the bodies of sailors, and a few corsairs, she found what she assumed was the captain's cabin. No though. He would be at the wheel, trying to get the ship away. Running to the wheel, she found her assumption was correct. In the narrow position by the wheel, he was admirably defending himself. Even as she watched, he felled a man wielding a long knife. As she came forward, he smiled at her. "So," he called, "you were right. The seas are dangerous, with corsairs and pirates sailing them. It's a good thing that you had a scout." He laughed. "But come. Let us not parley words. Cross swords with me, and we will see who will win the ship."

"Indeed," Narwen smiled grimly. "We will see who wins the ship. But even if I fall, I believe that we will win it yet."

"We will see." With the agile grace of a seasoned fighter, he sprang at her, moving fast. Ducking a swipe, she attempted to block it with one of her short staves. But, he slid the blade around, and brought its point to slice along her right arm. Feeling muscle sever, Narwen dodged to the side, and backed away warily. He was very good. She flexed the arm. It was still mobile, though it stung fiercely. He did not allow her a moment's reprieve though, and flashed towards her again. Instead of facing him head on though, she used her old trick, and dodged again, coming up behind him, to kick her feet around under him, bringing him down.

Even as he fell though, his arm swept out, catching her as well. Springing up, he caught her with a blow to her face as she was on her knees. She fell heavily to the deck, he kicked her onto her back. But as he prepared to finish it, she brought her leg up, kicking hard and up. He swayed backwards, doubled over in pain. She regained the knife he had relieved her of, and came towards him. With a flick of her wrist, she sent it into his neck, and he toppled backwards, falling over the rail, and onto the sea with a splash.

Panting, she turned to see another man felled by a corsair. Regaining her breath, she picked up her other weapons. But, the battle was over. The ship was taken, and with few casualties. Apparently, the ship, while large, had been undermanned. After making sure that they really were in control, she surveyed the plunder. Gold in plenty, and arms. This was a prize catch indeed.

* * * * * * * * * *

A few days later, they arrived at Dol Amroth, nine ships, and many men wealthier, not to mention the plunder of the Gondorian merchant. The city was well under Yr Saldin's control, his rule already solidified. The plan was ready to proceed.

* * * * * * * * * *

OOC: Wow, sorry that this is so long. I just went a little crazy with my capture scene. In the future, I'll try to trim it down. Sorry again!

[ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Hirilaelin ]

[ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Hirilaelin ]

[ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: Hirilaelin ]

02-21-2003, 12:29 AM	#32
Hirilaelin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Immersed in a Good Book Posts: 367	Narwen was on her way back to Umbra, on order of Yr Saldin. Her duty was to recruit more men and ships to help secure Dol Amroth. The sleek little cutter flew through the waves, with only the barest of crew, as speed was their highest priority. They were five days out from Dol Amroth, and nearing their destination at last. With the sun almost high overhead, and the waves slapping at the sides of the ship as it skimmed the over the water, they sailed on. * * * * * * * * * * They had arrived. Briskly disembarking, the crew set out into the streets of Umbra, searching for men and ships. Everyone carried a small bag of gold, which might help in persuading men to their cause. The crew combed the taverns and inns, while a few searched along the docks. Narwen herself searched for captains willing to sail. They had to hurry though, before word got to The White City of the attack. They had to have more men. * * * * * * * * * * The crew met back at the docks as evening was drawing near. They had manages to recruit about fifty more men, and Narwen had convinced eight captains to "lend" their services, and ships. She had the cutter to captain. Arranging the men on the docks, she assigned them to different ships. They were to sail right away. If they did, they could be back in Dol Amroth in little more than four days. With the sun sinking in the sky behind them, they lifted anchor. * * * * * * * * * * Three days out, they sighted a ship. Pulling out a telescope, Narwen inspected the sail and flag. Gondorian, probably a merchant ship, bearing arms and gold for Aragorn. Ordering her ship to move in and intercept, she signaled to the other captains to do the same. The three ships pulled into a tight formation, and closed in on the slow, heavy merchant ship, with their flags pulled down, so that the corsair sign was not visible. They would capture her, and sail her back to Dol Amroth, an additional prize. Within moments, the three ships were level with their prey. Narwen ordered the pilot to pull her ship along the other. She shouted up to the captain on deck. "Aye! Where do you be going friend?" The man looked down, suspicion written across his features. "We're bound to the capital, bearing gold and arms for the King. Who may you be, that you fly no flag?" Narwen stalled for time, as men from the other ships swam to the merchant, and boarded her. They would be among the unsuspecting crew in moments. "Simple traders." The man nodded, but he was not yet ready to accept the explanation. He said, "The other ships look enough like merchants, but your doesn't. What, and who are you?" She had a story. "We are the scout ship. Don't you have one?" "Scout ship?" His voice was doubtful. "Indeed. To sail ahead and make sure that the sea is clear. It is dangerous after all, with corsairs and pirates sailing." The man nodded again. Just then, she heard a cry from the ship. He heard it also, and his eyes suddenly bulged, her deception revealed. He roared to the pilot hard to port, but grappling hooks were thrown. In moments, the deck of the ship was swarming with corsairs. Climbing nimbly up one of the ropes, a knife in her teeth, and two short staves in her belt, she reached the deck, where she was met with a sailor, bearing a club in one hand, and a knife in another. She avoided him, knowing she must get to the captain, and secure his surrender. Or, at least what was her kind of surrender. Death. Dashing along the deck, which was covered with the bodies of sailors, and a few corsairs, she found what she assumed was the captain's cabin. No though. He would be at the wheel, trying to get the ship away. Running to the wheel, she found her assumption was correct. In the narrow position by the wheel, he was admirably defending himself. Even as she watched, he felled a man wielding a long knife. As she came forward, he smiled at her. "So," he called, "you were right. The seas are dangerous, with corsairs and pirates sailing them. It's a good thing that you had a scout." He laughed. "But come. Let us not parley words. Cross swords with me, and we will see who will win the ship." "Indeed," Narwen smiled grimly. "We will see who wins the ship. But even if I fall, I believe that we will win it yet." "We will see." With the agile grace of a seasoned fighter, he sprang at her, moving fast. Ducking a swipe, she attempted to block it with one of her short staves. But, he slid the blade around, and brought its point to slice along her right arm. Feeling muscle sever, Narwen dodged to the side, and backed away warily. He was very good. She flexed the arm. It was still mobile, though it stung fiercely. He did not allow her a moment's reprieve though, and flashed towards her again. Instead of facing him head on though, she used her old trick, and dodged again, coming up behind him, to kick her feet around under him, bringing him down. Even as he fell though, his arm swept out, catching her as well. Springing up, he caught her with a blow to her face as she was on her knees. She fell heavily to the deck, he kicked her onto her back. But as he prepared to finish it, she brought her leg up, kicking hard and up. He swayed backwards, doubled over in pain. She regained the knife he had relieved her of, and came towards him. With a flick of her wrist, she sent it into his neck, and he toppled backwards, falling over the rail, and onto the sea with a splash. Panting, she turned to see another man felled by a corsair. Regaining her breath, she picked up her other weapons. But, the battle was over. The ship was taken, and with few casualties. Apparently, the ship, while large, had been undermanned. After making sure that they really were in control, she surveyed the plunder. Gold in plenty, and arms. This was a prize catch indeed. * * * * * * * * * * A few days later, they arrived at Dol Amroth, nine ships, and many men wealthier, not to mention the plunder of the Gondorian merchant. The city was well under Yr Saldin's control, his rule already solidified. The plan was ready to proceed. * * * * * * * * * * OOC: Wow, sorry that this is so long. I just went a little crazy with my capture scene. In the future, I'll try to trim it down. Sorry again! [ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Hirilaelin ] [ February 21, 2003: Message edited by: Hirilaelin ] [ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: Hirilaelin ] __________________ ...so I fired two warning shots. Into his head. - Chicago Let Helky stay! Bree\|Imladris\|guess you'll never know...