Ginouxe

Sails and Spells

The captain saw beyond the mage’s appearance. In a way it was good to see his powers were weakening. The changes of an escape would be less. Yet it also ment, had he to be a proper pirate mage, his stamina had to match his bravado. There was work at hand. But that would come later, if he survived the way back and had not been stabbed in the back by one of the maids.
She looked up from her thoughts as Malcador addressed her and gave him a slight nod. With not too much interest she watched as he cast his spell, yet there was the slightest smile as he started to act as a musical conductor. Yes, too much bravado indeed. The other maids watched in amazement, for they had not ever seen such a thing happening in front of their eyes. A few giggled at the sight of coins moving to the bidding of the mage’s hands. The faint smile was still on the captain’s lips as she heard the suggestiveness in his tone and slowly shook her head. “Just about. Spare your strength for the way back. I do not want my maids to be needing to carry you, instead of the gold.”
She turned away to give orders to the others and whispered to the boatswain in the passing: “Do not let him out of your sight. I’m not in the mood for surprises.” Only a firm nod in confirmation.

Runa had just surfaced as she saw how Malcador was performing another spell. It seemed he had them all wrapped around his little finger. Though she knew that her captain would see through all this. It probably was all just a big scheme. Why else would she let a man join them?
Yet, at the back of her mind, there was a tiny voice emerging. What if it was a good thing they had found a mage? She glanced over at Trish, who rested against a rock as she had managed to get out of the water by herself in some way or another, glaring at the mage with a glimmer in her eyes. Sometimes Runa wished she was as easily swept of her feet as her friend. In moments like this, when her muscles felt sore and things felt strangely peaceful, she wanted nothing more than to be able to let her guard down. But doing so would be a mistake. Letting your guard down would only give others the opportunity to make advantage of the situation. And so she shook off the tiny voice in her head and climbed out of the water to join the parade back to the ship.

The way back seemed a lot longer, even though they were in a bit of a rush to stay ahead of the setting sun. As it turned dark, the wildlife and bugs were taking back more of their territory. With a small barrel on Runa’s shoulder, it made it all even more frustrating. Especially since she wouldn’t have the chance to pay attention to observing things for making the map. Luckily she wasn’t the only one grunting along the way. Having no need to surprise any men before them, more were exclaiming their annoyances. For some reason it was a bonding thing for the crew. Sometimes they even made a game out of it who was having the hardest time, making it all a bit more pleasurable. As most of the maids were given the task to carry the treasure back to the ship, only the boatswain was truly keeping an eye on Malcador.

They all had had a long day and couldn’t wait to be back at the ship, filling their bellies with warm broth and enjoying the satisfaction of having found the long awaited treasure. As the crew finally reached the beach, it wasn’t a wonder the ‘Dreadful Lady’ was a sight for sore eyes, making some of the maids sigh and quietly cheer in relieve.

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Sails and Spells

Trish was one beam of light as she got Malcador’s smile, which made Runa wanting to puke. Her friend was always so easily captured by a pretty face and some smooth words. Pretty little lamb that she was, it probably was too much effort to look beyond that. Maybe that was why they were such good friends. Runa would take the effort, she didn’t mind being the coldhearted shield if that would keep them save.

Some of the maids grabbed more of what they could carry, while the rest watched as their new maid disappeared in the water, followed by his disciples of gold. After a moment, the others slipped into the water, collecting what ever coins might be rebelling by floating down to the sands below.

Runa decided to stay behind, preparing the next load of treasure to be hauled away. Though it wasn’t really necessary. Mister Mage would swung by and do his magic tricks again. He had mentioned his name.. She thought on it for a moment. Decided she couldn’t care less. And changed her mind again. A name could be powerful, at least when used in the right way. It would be stupid to let that slight advantage she could have slip away. She frowned as she was moving things around. It had sounded rather fancy, of course. A mage's name was probably half of one's reputation. Her posture relaxed as she examined a rather rough looking gem. It looked dark and light at the same time. Fluctuating between translucence and solidness however it was being held. It was Ravenwood. Malcador Ravenwood.

An almost unnoticeable spark showed in the captain’s eyes as the coins appeared above the surface. She gave a slight nod as Malcador addressed her. The maids that had stayed behind were dragging bodies away to create space for the treasure. But with a few words of the boatswain they stopped and prepared some minor containers to put the loose coins in.
“Mage, can you direct the gold into these?” The captain formed it as a question, but it was clearly spoken as a command.

Sails and Spells

Runa’s eyes squinted more as he worded his assumptions, though it wasn’t a strange thought to have of course. It made her aware that he could indeed do something against them and she grabbed her little dagger that she kept hidden in her boots, just in case. Her eyes followed his every move, hoping she would see it if he chose to make himself scarce. Yet she had never seen a mage cast magic before, let alone right in front of her. If anyone would ask she wouldn’t admit it, but she was getting mesmerized by it. Her eyes were wide in surprise as she saw the sparks jumping from his fingers and not much later, the coins floating around as honeybees.

The other maids were surprised as well and paused their hoarding to see what the mage was doing. Trish, of course, was full amazement and excitement, not yet clapping and jumping like a little child.

Runa came back to her senses as she heard his instructions and nodded slowly. Hadn’t he made that last comment, she might even considered him not too bad. But alas, he did. And the smug face didn’t make it any better.
Her hostile expression came back with a roll of her eyes. “More like arrogant and flaunting I would say.” She mumbled in return, which resulted in a poke and a scolding look from Trish, whispering: “He did what you asked him to, didn’t he? A little thank you won’t hurt.”
Runa gave her friend a dead stare, but she knew Trish made a point and answered with a hushed grunt: “Fine.” As she looked back at the mage she let out a small “thank you” begrudgingly and waited for him to jump in the water to follow him once more.

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Sails and Spells

Runa startled almost unnoticeable as Malcador appeared beside her. Her eyes narrowed by the sight of him, but it did return her to the present moment and she followed him out of the water, briefly shaking her head as she saw him struggle. The other maids followed easily and were just as in awe and cheerful as they saw the treasure, glad to know that the efforts had and would pay off.

Trish was one of the latest to come to the surface and took a few deep breaths before she was able to swim to the edge. Her eyes went to Malcador as he was tossing the coin around, not yet drooling by the sight of it. Runa followed her gaze, only to look back again with a look that clearly said ‘You really let yourself be fooled by some tricks?’ She grunted softly and lended her friend a hand, since she always had a little trouble with climbing for some reason.
“Don’t forget to focus.” She mumbled as she grabbed her friend by the arm.
“Oh I will.” Trish answered with her eyes still on the man as she scrambled onto the rocks.
“Ugh, you’re the worst.”

Runa and Trish came to their feet and upon hearing his voice, they all looked at him for a moment. First their expressions were rather blank, but it changed a little grimmer at the words “I’ll grab what I can”, though some eased again as he finished his sentence. Some nodded in agreement and started to collect pieces of treasure. A few even took out their shirts to use it as some kind of bag.

Runa observed it all for a moment. Then her voice sounded through the cave, cold and harsh. “Why don’t you use your magic?” A frown accompanied her serious expression, her arms crossed in front of her chest. Trish quietly pulled on her and said hushed: “Runa, come on, just start collecting.” But she waved her friend away. “No, he became part of our crew as a mage, then he better start acting like one.” Her eyes pierced through him. “Until now I’ve only seen a landlubber who got lucky..”

The others were getting all they could carry, but stopped for a moment as they heard Runa speak. Some maids made agreeing sounds, while others just shook their heads and sighed, whispering to each other: “There she goes..”

Sails and Spells

A few maids bursted into laughter by the sight of his enthusiasm, yet there were also those who shook their heads in disagreement and had a much less friendly expression on their face. Runa’s was one of those. Luckily her blouse didn’t reveal her breasts that easily, for she had wrapped them in soft linen strokes of fabric.

A shadowy smile appeared on the captain’s face. “Splendid.” She looked back at her crew and divided it into two parties, one to go with the mage and the other one to clean up the mess they had made. As she stood with her back to the man, the boatswain took her aside for a moment, whispering in her ear: “Are you sure about this? Even though the maids adore you, making a man part of the crew is stroking the cats against their hairs.” The captain locked eyes with the woman next to her and placed her hand reassuring on her shoulder as she nodded. “Don’t you worry, he’ll be as comfortable as we make it.”

Runa, Trish and a few other, more stout women joined the man in the water. Once Runa was in the water, she immediately took a deep breath and went underwater, ensuring that the murk wouldn’t get to much in her clothes and hair. She quickly passed the mage, and couldn’t help to “accidentally” kick her foot against his crotch as she swam on, giving him the message that the captains wishes wouldn’t also mean that he was accepted by the crew. She couldn’t wrap her head around it, they were in no need of a mage. This flimsy tunnel was easily reached without one too, all be it that not everyone would find it so. Still with some effort there was no need for magic. It annoyed her beyond measure.

But that annoyance had to make place for some sheer wonder as she came to the surface and saw the shimmering shine of gold and gemstones. Her eyes reflected it for a moment. She loved the first site of a well hidden mystery. It gave her the chills and it always took her a while to recover from the beauty. Though it often was a far more immaterial feeling that took hold of her, as the raw essence beyond the glimmering surface was what lured her the most and let her forget everything around her.

Sails and Spells

“Ah, a mage. It’s been a while since the last time I met one.” Captain Rose grinned at the sight of him being disgusted by the blood of his fellow men. “We didn’t had the time really, to get acquainted. You see, It would have lacked the surprise of their.. heroic ending.” Her voice was almost as sweet as honey, the words came out as if spoken by a lady. Not quite the pirate slang that would be expected.

Hushed laughter could be heard from the maids, knowing all too well that this man was a cat’s toy to be played with. His charms didn’t make it any better. Though it seemed all fun and games, Runa was still on her guard. She didn’t know much about mages, but she could imagine that they probably kept a trick up their sleeve in cases like this.

The captain raised her hand to her mouth as she thought on his proposition, tapping it lightly with the tips of her fingers. “Hmm.. escort us to the treasure and spare your life.. I feel like I’m granting you two wishes there..” She slowly walked along the edge of the pool, eyeing him every so often. At one point she stopped and bended down towards him. “Only on one condition. You’ll serve as our ship mage for as long as needed.”

Runa was taken aback by this idea. She had been member of the ‘Dreadful Lady’ for a few years now, but never ever had a man be part of the crew. Other sounds of protest were to be heard as well. The boatswain frowned and mumbled something incomprehensible. But all were hushed by a plain raise of the captain’s hand, which after that, summoned Runa and Trish to step forward as the captain stood up again.

“These girls would be in need of.. escorting, if you’d agree to my condition. Food and lodging aboard included of course.” The captain gave only a faint smile as she placed her hands on the back of both girls, pinching them a bit which they both knew to be a sign to act accordingly. Runa sighted hardly noticeable, but her annoyance as she rolled her eyes was something different. She hated this part and had rather stayed behind. Trish on the other hand, was very obedient and loved to play along, as she showed by shyly blinking with her long eyelashes at the mage. Runa was less motivated to play along, but did what was expected of her and slowly started to unbutton her blouse.

The captain awaited his reply. "So, what do you say, Mudskipper?"

Sails and Spells

Ripples in the water had caught Runa’s attention as she eyed over the shoulder of the man she had just pierced her knife in. She looked back at her captain and pointed towards the water with a gesture of her head.
Just as her captain wanted to take a look, a man came out, coughing up water and seemingly surprised by how he found, what she could only assume, his crew. Some maids started to whistle as the man raised his hands above the surface, while others just smirked at his situation.

Runa pushed the dead man in front of her out of her way, eyeing the other warily and ready to act if necessary. He was definitely different from the other men that lay dead at their feet. She could tell by the looks of him that he wasn’t used to the seafaring life, his appearance was far too refined for that even with all the murk covering him, which made the man look rather silly.

“Why would we need you for that, mudskipper?” Captain Rose’s voice was calm and reserved as she walked up to the man, looking down on him as she stood near the edge, but making sure she was out of reach. The boatswain stood right behind her, playing with her knife, keeping an eye on every movement he made.