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8th of Vhalar 716

The Orm'del Sea is an ocean that separates Eastern and Western Idalos. It is said to have many horrors awaiting those that wish to travel through its waters.
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Freya DuCarinos
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Welcome Aboard the Arbiter [Valkan]

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Common Rakahi
8th Trial of Vhalar, Arc 716
Commotion sounded on the deck of the ship, loud yelling echoing out against the hull and over the waves that reached everywhere the eye could see. A language, Rakahi, was being shouted from an angry, female voice as noise of something breaking woke all who still lay dormant in their beds.
“By the Fates... Who's making all the sarding noise?” Haraji grumbled, clomping up the wooden stairs in half laced, leather boots. Caed was already awake and on deck with a rather expensive looking fishing poll in hand, cast to the waves in hopes of catching tonight's dinner. He nodded toward the mast of the ship where a small female with chocolate brown hair stood over a giant of a man.
“Who do you think be makin' such russ at the 7th break?” The corner of Caed's mouth turned up before his attention went back to the ocean.
Haraji frowned, his eyes shifting to a glimmering shade of red with annoyance, “Oi, yah rookid wench! Keep it down!”
He was only offered a sideways glance from Freya, one that spoke volumes of anger, before he watched as she pulled her foot back and kicked the tankard next to Gorroc onto the man, spilling what ale was left in it onto him. Gorroc shot up from his resting place against the mast, towering over the Biqaj with a fierceness that spoke violence in a few short trills.
“Woah, woah, woah..!” Haraji muttered, stepping hastily to the two who were now in each others faces.
Freya glared icy red eyes to the giant, her words hissing at him in deep Rakahi, “I should throw your fekking arse overboard, you sarding foul born! You think this ship is a buffet to sate your hunger and quench your thirst?! The ale is to be rationed!” She yelled.
“And I said, piss off!” He grunted at her, his hands coming up to shove the woman back.
Freya stumbled back and landed on her ass, effectively surprising her just as Haraji got to them. He stood between the two with his arms up, as if that was going to prevent her from attacking Gorroc, or at least trying to...
“What the— Freya!”
She'd launched herself at Gorroc, springing up from the deck and running at him with such haste that it knocked the air out of both people when she tackled him back into the mast. Haraji was already on her, grasping her petite shoulders and pulling her back even as she continued to swing her fists at the giant.
“You bitch!” Gorroc yelled, his words slurred.
“Knock it off, you idiots! We're on a ship!” Haraji tried to reason with them, still dragging Freya from Gorroc while the man used her leg to pull her back. She kicked him in the nose, thrashing against the man who held her.
“Tell that sarding cunt to lay off the kegs! He drank through an entire one last night!”
Qyona appeared next to Haraji and was upon Gorroc when he lifted his body up to go after Freya. With a quick shove to the chest, the drunk Lotharro was back on his butt, cursing the air and everyone who could hear him. The raven haired woman said nothing as her foot rested on Gorroc's throat.
Haraji tossed Freya back further from the scene, pushing her away even as she tried to go at the giant again, “Knock it off, Freya. What do you think you're going to do?”
“Beat him to a bloody pulp..!”
“With what, these?” He held her hand up, tiny and lightly callused, which she jerked away.
“Don't touch me...” Fisting her hand, Freya turned, “Tell that bastard I better not find anymore missing kegs from the storage or he'll be swimming with the sharks. I swear it to the Immortals themselves.” Then she turned and stormed off toward the other end of the ship, putting what little distance she could from the crew.
Caed still stood in his spot, fishing. He was grinning with amusement when Valkan would finally come to investigate the racket. “Sleep well?” The man would greet the other. “Yah might be wantin' to stay away from them folk. They be acclimatin' slow to the sea, yah know.”
word count: 724
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Valkan
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Welcome Aboard the Arbiter [Valkan]

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Valken was many things. A sailor was not among them. The sea was a new phenomenon for the Hiladrithian, and an experience he had not bargained for when he chose to escort Freya through the madness of that night to her ship. But, in a very unexpected turn, it had paved a way for exactly that which Valkan sought, a new beginning.

The seasickness had subsided as his body grew accustomed to the sway of the vessel, and Valken did his best to aid the crew without a stitch of knowledge regarding sailing ships. He was strong and possessed stamina, which proved helpful for numerous tasks. So far, though, the crew and Valkan were by no means comrades.

Sleep, however, can sweetly. The gentle swing of the hammock brought deep sleep. That was until a leviathan of a Lotharro lumbered on deck, and the bellow of his course tongue clashed against the higher pitched bark of the Biqaj captain. Rolling from the hammock, Valken landed in his boots and tugged a shirt over his limbs, leaving it hang open. Then Val climbed up the steep, narrow steps to the upper deck. The soldier raised an arm to shade the blinding sun. Caed's mellow tone sounded from nearby and Val turned to see the dark-skinned man fishing over the gunwale. Valkan grunted a greeting and turned his head to follow Caed's comment. Haraji, his long mane dancing in the stiff sea breeze, was trying to placate the hukling Gorroc, who stared lances towards the bow of the ship where Freya stood, her back to them all. Qyona stood nearby, arms crossed over her chest, unamused by the incident.

Valkan drew closer to the mast, casting a glance at Qyona. She was one of only two of the others on board that spoke Common worth a lick, but very short on conversation. Still, there was something about the aloof woman. Dark, dangerous, prickly, Qyona was a mountain of intrigue. The smallest of smirks crossed Valkan's lips as his eyes shifted from the mysterious woman to the big Lotharro. Though the pout of her lips did not flinch, Qyona's hard eyes offered a smarmy glint. They shared the same impression of the large sailor. Trouble. Not that a little trouble was a bad thing.

Moving on, Val gave Haraji a head nod as the Biqaj coaxed Garroc to empty his ale-laden bladder and get a bite to eat. Once across the deck, Val stepped up next to Freya, his gaze following hers as it was cast out at the endless horizon. There were still some questions left unanswered by the beautiful barmaid-captain, and precious few places on the Arbiter to hide from them. But Valkan was patient. In the meantime, he stood by his fuming friend, whether she wanted company or not.

"It would be a shame to gut the big ox and roll him into the deep." He commented snarkily. "But there is no shortage of people on board who would."
word count: 506
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Freya DuCarinos
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Welcome Aboard the Arbiter [Valkan]

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Common Rakahi
Seething by the stern of the ship, Freya kept her eyes on the open ocean, wishing to find some answers within the waves. Of course, there were none and the only thing the Biqaj could really do without wanting to stab a letter opener through Gorroc's eye was focus on what she'd been doing before she found the cursed Lotharro and the missing keg of ale: cleaning the ship.
Freya had been up, having taken the next shift to watch and guide the ship across the sea from Haraji. She'd taken care of the tiny bit of leaks that she found scattered across the hull, washed the deck, even lathered a couple coats of a stain to help preserve the wood of the ship. Normal ship maintenance, however, Gorroc had come stumbling from below deck and chucked over the side of the ship an empty keg. The same keg Freya stashed in a special place within their storage compartment to keep wandering mouths from finding the delicious drink.
But the bastard had found it. He found it and drank right through it then tried to hide his misdeed by tossing the empty barrel into the ocean. At least, Freya hoped on his life it was empty...
Now the sun was up, glaring down upon her flesh while the rest of the crew tried to calm Gorroc. She couldn't care less, really. Freya regretted bringing the buffoon aboard the moment they left Ne'haer...
A familiar voice caused her head to turn just as she'd taken the bucket of dirty water and tossed it over board. Wiping her brow, Freya smiled lightly in greeting and tossed the bucket to the side along with the brush. Valkan was an odd one, she was learning. He was also very curious and tempting with secrets that hid beneath those gold flecked eyes. Something about him put her off and as the days passed, Freya was becoming more concerned with the nagging suspicion.
Valkan was a regular at Ne'haer's Crest Break tavern, where Freya worked before the sudden spur of coin opportunity and the attack on the city. They'd even shared a night together, drinking and telling stories many arcs ago. But between then and now, the man was changed. Freya tried to put her finger on it— maybe he lost weight or changed his hair? He looked the same as ever but the way he carries himself was different. As if he was always looking over his shoulder, silently suspicious of all.
The man covered it well though, but no man would be as comfortable as he appeared to be when they sailed away from the city and it's raiding monsters. The woman was still unsure of what those things were, but if it hadn't been for Valkan, Freya most certainly would not be alive right now. He saved her, protected her, and got them both to the ship alive and unharmed which was certainly a task. For that, she allowed him to freely roam the ship and help out where he could, but Freya never told them where they were going or why.
She tried to tell the others to keep their voices low or to not speak at all when discussing the politics of drug trade, but her crew already spilled many stories of their lives with Valkan over the course of the trials. He knew of their involvement in drugs from previous tales so the woman was certain he'd figured out their little secret.
Now it was a matter of if he would agree to keep his mouth shut, run with them, and get paid, or get thrown overboard.
Leaning back on the railing, Freya perched an arm upon it while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Mistake I make to bring Gorroc.” She admitted, irritation laced through her words as she eyed Val. “Mistake I make to bring you?”
“Valkan no mad for journey from Ne'haer. Seventy trials to Sea. Valkan no mad? Why?” Gorroc had smashed away her mannerisms and pleasantries for the day, thus, she was in no mood to beat around confrontation any longer. Freya then crossed her arms, a brow raised as she faced the man who'd only come to comfort her. Maybe she would find comfort after she knew what he was hiding from her.
word count: 737
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Valkan
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Welcome Aboard the Arbiter [Valkan]

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Common Rakahi
If Valkan had learned anything about Freya DuCarinos in those past few trials since setting sail, it was that she was volatile. As hard as the Biqaj woman drank and laughed, she could spew fire from sweet lips and launch arrows from her brightly hued eyes. Freya had garnered admiration and respect from the soldier and former drinking partner, demonstrating a strong spine, a fiery spirit and a decent vocabulary of expletives, even in her broken Common.

Valkan's gaze darted to the crew. They were a far cry from the sort of disciplined unit he had once lead. To their credit, they kept the Arbiter sailing straight, a task the Hiladrithian knew nothing about. But the only thing that seemed to compel the thin strands of loyalty to Freya among them was a payoff, and he was sure at least a couple of them would off the others for their share with little regret. Then again, his tightly knit military unit fell apart and betrayed him after he lead them safely through the slaughter on that moonlit night. He did not ponder on those days much. It only fed a dangerous need for revenge.

The fresh salt breeze tugged at their hair and garments as the two leaned on the rail. It was refreshing after the stale air that lingered below decks. Valkan's gaze swung down to Freya as she spoke, her tone edged, pointed, bright eyes a swirl of hues, attesting to the Biqaj's shifting emotions. She was questioning her choice in crew. She needed to know who her allies were, and even Valkan himself bore scrutiny. Both she and Valkan were different than the old days of drinking, each sensing the secrets of the other. Valkan had an inkling of Freya's unspoken business, Some of the crew's tongues loosened with the lubrication of alcohol, boasting tales of contraband and shady encounters. But the captain had yet to confess any such dealings to her stowaway.

His gaze drifted back out to the endless sea. "Gorroc will be trouble for you." Valkan had yet to interfere with the affairs of the crew and Freya, nor would he, unless someone threatened Freya's life. After fleeing the nightmare in Ne'haer, he had vowed to himself to protect her, even if she didn't know, or ask. "He has no self-discipline and therefore will accept discipline from no one." Gut him and feed the sharks. Perhaps the Lothar would give Val reason to kill him eventually. The red-head merited watching too, he knew those eyes, too many secrets, too little conscience."And Qyona... do not turn your back to her."

A slight turn of his head and his hazel gaze fixed on Freya, the faintest smile catching his lips. "Me... I won't cause you trouble." Valkan paused, considering the last part of Freya's question. His eyes scanned the deck of the vessel, the crew back to their own business. Like it or not, Val realized, he was part of Freya's crew for the voyage. As he looked again to her, sized up the attractive woman with approval, he decided he was certainly better off. "The real reason why I have not been in the Break for over an arc, or in Ne'haer at all is... I bear a bounty on my head, I am labeled a deserter."

Valkan still defended his decision to that day, but the confession still stung. His eyes fell to a thick rope wrapped around the rail, his hand rubbed across the course binding. "I don't regret what I did. I saved six men and women of my squad from slaughter, from the stupidity of my superiors. For that I am called a deserter." Clear orbs lifted to meet Freya's strong but soft features. "To be a thousand leagues from that place does me no harm. You have done me a service, Freya, and my sword arms is yours for it." The rest of the story remained untold.

Turning casually on his heels, Valkan leaned back against the rail, his elbows resting upon it. He was getting the hang of standing on the rolling deck. "Now, if I may be so bold, captain, what exactly is the purpose of this lengthy voyage? I believe saving your life merits the truth."
word count: 728
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Freya DuCarinos
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Welcome Aboard the Arbiter [Valkan]

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Common Rakahi
“Gorroc will be trouble for you.”
His answer to her scrutiny only added to the suspicion she carried for Valkan. His presence aboard the Arbiter wasn't necessarily unwelcome, as they had saved each other during the raid of the city. Freya noticed as the days fell away that Valkan was slowly becoming accustom to her way of life on the high seas, and even appeared to hover, though from afar and quite subtly, she almost felt like a spirit was watching over her.
Was he planning something? Did he carry malicious intent within those dark eyes to do harm to her or the crew members? They'd had history and the biqaj was sure he wouldn't do something like murdering others in cold blood, but the two had changed over the arcs. Changed in notable ways that coaxed hesitation.
Freya turned then, to look upon Gorroc as he stumbled below deck. Her fists clenched in anger, “I know. You no tell me what I don't know.” Turning back to him, she pressed, “You're avoiding my question, Valkan. What happened to you..?”
When he finally turned to look at her, those hazel eyes glinted something familiar within Freya and in that instant, the anger she felt from her recent encounter with Gorroc dissipated. Valkan wouldn't trouble her, he'd said, his accent shaky but still fluent enough. Then he turned away, as if trying to decide whether or not it was the time and place to give her the information she wanted. It showed on his face when he came to a decision and when he looked upon her again, Freya found a bit of trust building there.
As he spoke, the woman couldn't help but show surprise toward his confession. If she was honest with herself, Valkan was the last person she'd have pegged as a deserter. The was he carried himself was unlike most deserters she saw sentenced in Ne'haer. However, a scowl descended on her soft features as she realized the situation they found themselves in. Valkan had a bounty on his head and if the others found out about it, they would surly want to drop him off in Hiladrith for the payout...
Freya cursed.
“Do not utter another word of this. If the crew finds out there is money on your head, they will surly cut it off and demand a visit to Hiladrith...” Pausing, Freya did something she normally wouldn't do in front of others. Reaching a hand up, she offered comfort to the man by caressing her thumb and palm against his cheek, hoping to ease the pain from his gaze.
“My life is nothing worthy of protection, Valkan, but by my own hand.” She smiled, letting her hand fall away. “If you feel so inclined to help me then I will accept your offer only to help man the ship, though I'm sure you have no experience sailing, do you?”
Then to her surprise, he'd asked her of her own secrets. Freya hesitated for a moment, balancing truth and lies and the consequences of them. Frowning, the biqaj sighed and pushed a hand through her hair, “I suppose...” Was her answer before she pulled out a little black book: her ledger.
She didn't hand it to him, but explained its existence and the business that she was involved in, finding some spots of her story difficult to tell.
“I tell Valkan clan abandon me, yes? Life hard... hard to find job to get nel. So I go into black market and I get job moving drugs to Ne'haer. Job pay well but harmful... I get out of job but life becomes hard. Too hard and whisper in black market says big payout for drug moving in Rharne.” She tucked the black book away. “So we go to Rharne. We move drugs and we make big payout.” Or at least they hope to...
“That bad choice I hide, but nel is good. Now Valkan knows, choice you make. Travel with me and make good nel, or no. But no is bad... harmful. Knowing is power and nel and now Valkan knows of us.”
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Welcome Aboard the Arbiter [Valkan]

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Freya was as unhappy to hear the truth than he was to tell her. It was true, the bounty on his head was over an arc old, fading from the attention of the hunters and even the Hiladrith militia. But it stood none the less, and it was precisely why Valkan had not said anything to her about it. The less that knew, the more time passed, the more the bounty faded from the minds of men. But when the Biqaj asked, Valkan felt compelled to tell her the truth. At least the general truth. It could indeed cause trouble for them both. But Val was surprised and genuinely touched by Freya's show of compassion, the warm touch of her skin against his cheek. Rarely did someone make him feel that way.

Freya claimed she was not worth protecting, or maybe that she didn't think she needed it. What she thought she needed was irrelevant, he had made up his mind. "In this matter, I do what I will, regardless, brave captain." He flashed a teasing smile. "No, I don't know the first thing about sailing a ship. But I am strong, and a quick learner. I will earn my keep on board." He assured the Biqaj sailor.

Valkan felt he had nothing to lose by turning the tables and asking Freya a pointed question. She was free to deny him an answer, it was her ship. Valkan was a military man, and respected chain of command. This was Freya's ship and he would abide by her word. But when it came to poor leaders, the Hiladrithian had a record of resisting.

The man saw the same reluctance he had felt wash over Freya's face. He believed he had the right to know, whatever befell the Arbiter and her crew would befall him as well. She yielded, as he had, and produced the same little black book she had with her at the tavern the night before. His brow quirked as the Biqaj began to explain.

So, the attractive, flirty barmaid was a drug running outlaw. Valkan looked from her to the other end of the ship. He was trapped aboard a ship of drug traffickers. He supposed he had been amongst worse. Besides, his slip to the wrong side of the law was a deliberate decision of his own. Freya didn't have much of a choice.

His hazel gaze returned to the shifting brights of the woman. A very small smile appeared. " Well, it seems we both have landed on the outs of society. We are a far cry from the days of tall tales and too many ales at the Crest Break, my friend." Valkan did not miss the subtle inference in Freya's last comment. It was an unexpected veiled threat. The ex-soldier did not take well to threats, and he had a hard time believing Freya would harm him or have someone else do it, but given his circumstance, and the outside chance that there was more to the list of Freya's secret vices, like murder, Val would comply.

"You don't have to worry about me. I don't have anywhere to go, I am already a wanted man, and I got nothing to lose. Besides, where will I find another ship with a captain that is both beautiful and can drink me under the table?"
He teased, but his smile did not return.
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Welcome Aboard the Arbiter [Valkan]

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Freya


Points!:

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/ 5
Structure: 5/ 5
Knowledge:

Detection: Searching for small details to identify what's changed.
Interrogation: Probing deeper with questions
Intimidation: Size matters, but not a lot.
Intimidation: Yelling is always an option.
Psychology: Emotions impact behaviours
Psychology: Shared vulnerability promotes closeness.
Seafaring: Basic tasks aboard ship
Seafaring: Basic maintenance
Seafaring: A clean ship runs more effectively.
Seduction: Slight gestures can be more effective
Unarmed Combat: Run up to an attack to give more momentum.
Unarmed Combat: Running tackle
Unarmed Combat: Thrashing kicks
Valkan: Changed somehow.
Valkan: Initially seasick
Valkan: Has a bounty on his head
Valkan: His sword arm is yours

Loot:
None
Fame:
None (see comments)
Devotion:
None
Magic:
These points may NOT be used for arcana
Valkan


Points!:

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/ 5
Structure: 5/ 5
Knowledge:

Detection: Noting small details in a confrontation
Detection: Biqaj eye colour denotes mood
Endurance: Seasickness
Freya: Volatile
Freya: Strong
Freya: Can her crew be trusted?
Freya: Drug trafficker
NPC: Gorroc: Will be trouble for Freya
NPC: Qyona: Not to be trusted
Persuasion: Pointing out good deeds to ensure someone trusts you.
Seafaring: Basic tasks aboard ship

Loot:
None
Fame:
None (see comments)
Devotion:
None
Magic:
These points may NOT be used for arcana

Overview:

General comments.
Freya: I've given you unarmed combat but not identified it as a particular kind. It could be brawling or wrestling and I see you've got both, so I leave it to you as which one you choose.
Both: I've not given you any fame here because it seems to me to even out (did you do a good deed by telling each other the truth? Yet, what you said was breaking a law etc). However, I umm'd and ahhh'd over that for a good long while, so I'm more than happy to chat it through and revisit it. Drop me a pm with what you think?

Story Love it! Freya is so scrappy and Valkan is so smouldering danger, and you both write together like you've written together a long time. The two characters work really well together, I'm really impressed with how easy to read and engrossing their story is. Great stuff!

Structure All good! Lovely interaction and clear description, really well handled.

Please do PM me if you think I've missed anything or you have any questions!
word count: 401
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~~Red in hoof and claw... ~~


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