To Tame The Sea [OPEN]

[Sigrun the Volatile]

Time and Date:: Devastating winter is coming.
Weather:: The tail end of a rough storm, sunrise.
Previous Threads?:: N/A

The clouds hung heavy in the sky, dark and thick like a blanket for the stars. The wind howled like the fiercest of dragons, threatening to tear the land apart. The ocean below threw itself about, frothy waves high enough to cut over the top of any ship. Crashing down, ocean foam scattered and disapeared back into the water from wence it came. It was no weather to be out and about in, and yet one lone ship fought the odds. The waves tossing it back and forth, the sail snapping about as the wind would change its course with out warning. On board the ship was not a crew of several able-bodied vikings, but one. And the one occupant of the ship was struggling to keep it under control.

"Is that the best you got?" A booming voice roared above the noise. "Has the mighty ocean gone soft?" The taunts did little, but it made them feel better about the situation. But when a crate of supplies flew from the deck, any good feelings left with it. "No! Thor have mercy, these crates are my life!" But mercy would not come, instead the storm reared it's head. Torrents of rain began to drop from the sky, and thunder roared through the sky. In a panic they attempted to take as many crates down below as they could, but alas good things did not come to those who mocked the sea. The wind ripped the sail from the mast, the sheet dancing away.The mast itself began to moan, the wood tearing at it's fastenings. "Oh Gods no..." But it was too late, the mast crashed down, knocking the lone sailor to their knees.

Head spinning, they shuffled a few steps before even their knees gave way. Everything... was fading, into darkness. This was it, the end.

But the end would not come so easily to one who has tamed the sea. The viking groaned, and began to cough as her lungs screamed for air. But instead all that entered was water, and this just caused more coughing. Sitting up, the sailors face was slimy from ocean salt. Spitting up water, she shook shook head. "Eugh... what..." Bring a hand up to steady her head, she looked around. What had happened? The boat was now rested on a sandy shore, wrecked and splintered. "No, no this can't be happening!" Crates had spilled their contents, some where floating out in the ocean. But the most precious cargo... she had to check...

A deep snarling rumbled from the hull of the boat. "Oh thank Odin it's alive." Scrambling across the splintered deck, she descended into the belly of the boat. Chained up, and half submerged, was a dragon. A Monsterous Nightmare to be exact, but that didn't matter right now. It's snout was held below the water level, and bubbles of steam rose from it's nostrils, as its growling grew louder. It started to struggle against it's bindings, water whipping about around it. She pulled a dagger out from her belt. She couldn't get it out of the water with out letting it go, and if she let it go she wouldn't be able to re-chain it. And then it would likely try to kill her. Naturally this wasn't ideal, and instead she brought the knife to it's neck. "Shame, some one was really looking forward to you." She gave it a pat on the shoulder before bringing the knife to it's neck. A final sad croon escaped the dragon, before she dug the dagger in between the scales of it's neck. The order would have to wait, her ship was beyond repair and almost everything she had gone with it.

Dragging the blade through the water, she rinsed most of the blood off. Returning it to her skirt, and she left the hull of the boat. Now that she was more alert, the throbbing pain in her skull became very evident. "Oh right... the mast." She had been knocked out by the mast collapsing on her. It was now no longer even on the boat. She considered herself very lucky that she even made it to... wherever here was.

A sinking suspicion hit her as she looked around the rocky shores. She had seen a shore-line like this once before. A dragon loving place, where they rode them, and befriended them. The thought made her shudder. Ride maybe, but would you befriend a yak? Or a sheep? But still... if she was on that tiny island, that she had found by mistake, than she might have more trouble than she cared for. Nightmare blood spread through the water around her wrecked ship, and it would be quite obvious what was going on should they find her. She didn't know what they did to dragon killers, but she was sure it wouldn't be anything good.

"How... do I get out?" She starred up the massive cliff wall, basically surrounding her. If she was where she thought, than they would have no problems with this. Just hop on a dragon and fly out. Grumbling she folded her arms. "What a waste of my time..." A shiver ripped through her body, now was no time to be standing around thinking about things. She was soaked to the bone, and the brisk winds didn't help with that either. Taking a few dry pieces of her ship she began to build a small pile which she could set on fire.

It didn't take long, and she found herself huddled quite close to the fire. She would have to get a new boat, gather what few things she could and put them on it, the thought of it all was a bit boggling. Especially since she was stuck in some stupid ravine beach. She had grabbed some mostly dry furs that had survived the crash. The edges were a bit damp but overall they helped. "Gods save me, I don't think I can save myself." She mumbled, hugging her knees in tight. A shiver ravaged her body, teeth chattering as water dripped down her back. A quick glance at the sky greeted her with the distant lights of mornings approach. At least the sun would aid in drying her, but she still had much bigger problems to deal with. Like trying to survive until the mornings rays reached her.

[Harvast]

It was a good morning, having managed to find safe harbor for the storm and clear dawn meant that Harvast would have a good day of sailing.  The waves were somewhat calmer and he hadn't seen a dragon yet today, what wasn't to like?  He has spent some time sailing the waters in the region, but had never taken the time to stop off at the tiny island, unsure if profit was possible or not.  Locking the rudder, he stepped down onto the deck and examined the rigging and made sure that the cargo he held was still tied down.

Sighing softly, he spotted a grounded ship off the bow and frowned.  Any sailor worth their salt wouldn't have been out in the waves and wind from last night, unless this was just one that had gotten away from the docks nearby.  Best to see if there was anything or anyone that needed 'liberating'.  Pulling in the sails took a little bit and let himself slow before he pitched the anchor off the side.  He waited until the ship was rooted in place before he pulled the small water craft out and placed it into the water.  Stepping in and picking up the paddle, he made his way to shore.

The surf wasn't so rough, but he was able to get onto the beach.  Jumping out and pulling it far enough out of the water that it wouldn't be swept away.  Picking up the harpoon, he began to make his way towards the ship, looking around for any footprints or possible people he was missing. "HELLO!?"

[Sigrun the Volatile]

Lifting her head slightly, the stranded trader picked up a shifting in the water. A certain sound that any good sailor should know, a boat being hauled over the sand. Shifting in the furs she bent her knees, crouching to prepare for whom ever came her way. Taking two daggers from her belt, her weight shifted and she began to rise. Sure enough, a cry echoed over the rock ridden beach.

As she scanned the beach, a figure could be seen against the sand. And they were heading towards her downed ship. Lifting the daggers in front of her, ready to stab and slice, Sigrun found herself slinking through the cliff-cast shadows. "Don't get any ideas there." Emerging from the shadows she made sure that it was known she meant business. "Unless you're here to help, get back from my wreck." Still damp, and chilled, it was clear a fight wasn't the first thing on her mind. But she wasn't about to let some thief hijack her hard earned loot.

It would be such a pain having to build the boat again, but at least what little trinkets she still had in her possesion could gain things of worth for her. And she would see Valhalla before any one laid a finger on her things. "What's your name? Do ya' sail these waters often?" She needed to know if they would be of any use to her, or just another useless idiot with a boat thinking they can sail the world and see it's wonders.

[Harvast]

His head was scanning the scene before he heard the sound.  His body went ridged and he flattened the shaft of the harpoon against his arm as he outstretched it towards the voice.  In one fluid motion with the harpoon stance, he drew the sword from the flat of his back, the wicked hook tip caught the gleam of the light.  He looked prepared for anything as he examined her.  Damp clothing, a slight tremor in her limbs, were her knives shaking.  She saw his body relax just a touch, "No harm meant here, was coming to see if there were any survivors is all.  You look a little banged up and cold.  In need of a fire?"

He cocked his brow as she asked his name first rather than give her name before hand.  Strange customs some of these folk had, "The whalers from home call me Harvast.  I'm a trader from abroad.  Who're you?" He asked as the harpoon tip dipped to the sand before the blade went back to it's sheath.  It was buttoned before it was taken from it's cradle, he didn't re-button it.  He watched her for a long moment, the way he was built might have spoken of a fisher used to hard fights.

"I've sailed plenty of waters, these aren't that new.  Where were you headed?"

[Sigrun the Volatile]

As she noticed they were armed, her stance shifted. Ready to spring into attack at any moment. She could see their stance slacken however, apparently they did not mean to attack her. This did not however mean she was lowering her guard. "Very well, I was the only one on the boat, and the only one left alive." She briefly remembered the now deceased Nightmare chained in the belly of the ship, giving her even more reason to keep the sailor off it.

She did however lower her daggers slightly. She hadn't noticed, but the furs had slid from her shoulders as she had moved. "I have one behind, sparked with what little dry tinder I had." She motioned vaguely towards her crude firepit. "But it's small, dying and I haven't a thing left to bring it back to life." She didn't want to admit it, but her supplies had been soaked. Anything that might have aided her before would be useless now.

Her brow raised out of it's furrowed position. Another trader? How had she not heard their name before. "I have sailed these waters for years, and yet I have never heard your name before." She sheathed one knife, using the now free hand to brush some stray sand from her clothes. "Sigrun Agnarsson. Trader myself actually. Or, I was until the rocks took my ship." She groaned as she looked over to the wreckage. And that lead into his next question. "I can't go far, my life's work is on that ship." She finally straightened from her defensive position, knife still in hand but now resting by her side instead. "Does this island have a port that you know of?" She glanced back at the ship for a moment. "Perhaps there I could get what I need to ... repair the old thing." She used the term repair very loosely. It would almost be to the point of rebuilding it. 

The conversation was dragging on longer than she wanted, but this was likely her only chance of getting off this Gods forsaken beach. She forced herself to be patient, and hoped it would yield decent results on her behalf.

[Harvast]

"Well, it is good that the Morrigan didn't come calling for you then, I doubt you would have preferred to become a water Banshee," a chuckle escaped the clearly younger man as he watched her, "that being said, are you wishing for passage, and a warm fire, I can give you passage.  As for the area, as far as I know there is a port.  I was just on my way to there now." 

He laughed softly, "Well, I should hope that I have a degree of anonymity, as I have been sailing from the western islands."  He watched her for a long moment as if considering something for a long while, "Grab what you can from the wreck, I have areas that you can dry product out if you wish.  Until then, let's get off this beach."  He waited, wisely not moving towards the ship to help her move things.  "What do you trade in?"

The question was pointed, as if for him to discern what he was going to request for payment.  He looked like an honest young man, as he leaned against his harpoon, the butt now pressed into the sand.  His eyes went out towards the waters, scanning for a moment, "And where are you wishing to really go?" 

[Sigrun the Volatile]

Nodding slowly, she simply gave a small grunt in response. "Excellent, if you could offer a ride there I would gladly take it." Folding her arms, one palm resting on her other arm and then the flat of the knife against her arm. "I have not encountered this island before." A blatant lie, but what did he need to know of her travels? Just because they shared a profession did not mean she wanted to be his new friend. In fact she would rather he just stopped conversing with her in general and they got down to business. But you cant win them all, can you?

As he moved from where he sailed from, she blinked slowly, narrowing her eyes again. But the show of kindness would likely be followed up by something else, she knew because it's what she would have done. "Thank you kindly." She watched him carefully as she turned to make her way towards the ship. Back to him now, she scowled at the next question. She had to pick her words carefully. After all he knew of this island, and that was enough to make her cautious. "Mostly leathers and weaponry. But one acquires many things and skills when they have traveled as much as I have." She turned her head back to him, to see him resting on the harpoon.

"I had been on my way to small island north-east of this one." She returned her gaze to the ship a head and began to walk towards it. "Unfortunately the cargo I carried for them was lost in the storm." She looked at the water around the ship, the thick blood had dispersed slightly, leaving the water murky and dark. Thankfully due to dim lighting it wasn't easily visible, unless you knew what to look for. "Naturally I will have to go and find another for them." She didn't want to let on that the thing she needed to get was a living dragon, and that the kind she wanted wasn't terribly difficult to find.

As she reached the ship, Sigrun hoisted herself up onto the broken deck. It groaned under her feet, each step creaking slightly more than the last. However most of the things that had been on deck where gone, thankfully she hadn't left much up there. But that also meant most things to be grabbed, where below deck partially submerged in water and crowding around a rather large body. She was hoping right now this Harvast fellow wasn't the type to get overly curious.

[Harvast]

Harvast didn't seem to pay attention to any lies that she might have said, giving no indication one way or the other.  Instead, he seemed to be more focused on leaving that beach, something about the place wasn't sitting well with him at the moment.  His skin crawled a little as he rubbed his chest, a small sign of his discomfort.  His eyes scanned the beach as a frown came over him, "Do you need help with the cargo?  Personally, I'd like to see us on our way a bit quicker."

Swallowing, he stayed where he was, viewing it best to remain there until he was given permission to enter her ruined 'home.'  His frown remained as he kept looking out at the waves, "Morrigan's boots," was he mumbling to himself?  Moving off, he stepped over towards his small water craft and pushed it further into the surf to allow a faster departure from the shore.  "Janus, keep the gate closed for a little while, please?" The question seemed to be to the open air.

He remained there, standing vigil unless Sigrun called to him for help.  Taking a deep breath, his eyes caught the sight of a fin or two in the surf.  Squinting, he spotted the source, "Sharks?  This early?  And this close to the shore?  What's gotten you all worked up?"

[Sigrun the Volatile]

She tried to work around the Nightmare, ankle deep in bloodied water. She scowled as she noticed some of the crates had been stained by the water, hopefully no one would pay it any mind. She untied the bindings from the beast, making sure to salvage those. Finding something that could restrain a dragon was no easy task.

Shifting some crates, she only just heard his call. Cringing a bit, his mood was pushing her nerves. She enjoyed moving it a long as much as he wanted, but this was a ... delicate operation right now. Popping head above deck once more she called back. "If you wish to stand on deck I can pass you crates from below. That would speed this up faster than me bring each up on my own." She started shuffling things towards the steep steps to the deck, trying her best to hide the bloodied mess behind them. She grunted slightly as she hefted a few crates up to the top of the steps ready for grabbing. Instead of waiting for his reply, she just began to shove more onto the fractured deck. She wanted to speed it up as well, and the less he saw the better.

Carrying what looked like a sack of more personal belongings she emerged from below. "Very well, shall we get a move on then?" Her impatients had done half of what she had asked only moments ago for assistance with. Her belongings slung over a shoulder she stacked a few boxes before hoisting them up. "Come on then." She jumped down from her own boat. "I'll come back for the ship herself later." She made her way towards the smaller boat in which he had arrived on shore. After the few she grabbed, only about four more crates remained, most a medium size. Some had runes painted on them, warnings about the contents. "Watch the larger one, it contains several flasks of varying content we might not want mixed."

[Harvast]

He turned back and stabbed the harpoon into the sand, looped the rope around it to keep it in place and turned back to go help out with the crates.  The uneasiness became worse when he climbed on deck and moved towards the stairs.  "Gladly," he said as he reached down and stacked the boxes up one at a time.  This feeling didn't happen often for him, just on the rare occasion that something bad happened.  Maybe his superstitions were just acting up.  After all, a ship beached was some sort of omen, right?  Was she bad luck or something?

No turning back now, best get this business over with and get her out of his life, at least one would hope.  Taking up the series of crates that she had left for him, he dropped onto the sand and steadied himself after her warning.  Great, he thought, now I might just go out in fire before the pyre is lit.  Once the crates were tucked away in the small craft, he retrieved his harpoon and shoved off.  The short trip back to his boat was quick, and hopping up on board, he reached down to take each of the crates and set them on the deck before he helped her aboard.  

Once the small water craft was on board and secured, "Alright, let's get your things locked down.  I would rather like to hope that another storm doesn't kick up.  One ship is enough for a beach to claim."  Hauling up the anchor and setting sail, they were underway once more, "Alright, to the closest port or your home port?"

[Sigrun the Volatile]

They made their way to his smaller boat, loading it up before getting in themselves. All the while, staring at her own ship as they left the beach behind them. And then she noticed that she wasn't the only one with an eye on her ship. Perhaps if water dwellers dragged the dragon out to sea for breakfast she wouldn't have to deal with it herself. But she was still anxious.

Accepting the assitance onto the boat, Sigrun glanced about it. But as he spoke again, she turned her head. "I couldn't agree more." She walked over to where her things had been placed. She watched him pull up the anchor as they set off, not liking the idea of being under someone elses guidance. But what other choices did she have? But when he mentioned home her scowl worsened, teeth gritting slightly behind tightly closed lips. "That ship was my home, the closest port will do quite fine." Instead of looking at him she put her belongings down beside the crates and glanced at the horizon. A shake of her head and she returned her mind to the here and now.

"I doubt another storm will rise up quite so soon." She glanced back to the beach. "Last night was devastating enough to last a week." Glancing at the wrecked ship once more a faint sigh escaped her. "Let us hope at least."

[Harvast]

With the ship in their rear view, he pulled away, making his destination the small port of the local village, "What do you know about the people around here? What are they like?" His voice rose over the whipping wind that filled their ears as he locked the wheel and stepped away to stoke the fire that was smoldering in a enclosed metal stove. When it was roaring once more, he motioned for her to come over and warm herself by the fire.



His conversation remained absent as she got a good look about the deck of the ship. Crates were nearby filled with all manner of items.  One of the main items visible were several large bones that were carved with fine detail.  Scrimshaw wasn't exactly common in these parts, but it was a wonder how human hands were capable of creating such a beautiful work of art.

Other items sat by in the barrels and crates tied down to the red deck.  Weapons, food stuffs, alcohol, and even building materials of strange wood were visible.  "You hungry?" His voice carried loud and clear from the helm.  If it gathered her attention, he would point towards the crate marked 'food.'  "If you are, there's some bread and salted meat in there."

[Sigrun the Volatile]

"The people?" Sigrun blinked a bit as he asked, had he not been here before? Or did he simply want to know her opinion on them as well as his own? "I have not been round this island before. Not for long anyways." Folding her arms, she made sure to not seem aggressive towards them. "If I am correct, they are dragon-loving folk." She wanted to sneer as the word dragon left her tongue, but she didn't yet know his opinions on the scaled beasts. He hadn't commented on her helm, so either he knew little of the beasts or did not object to their horns being adorned on viking clothing. Or the wing webbing stretched across her back in a strange cape of sorts.

She came over to where his stove came to life, and nodded her thanks. Crouching beside it she glanced about at his wares. Her gaze didn't spend too long on each thing she could spot, but when she noticed the bones she did become slightly curious about what manner of beast they came from. However it was not enough to ask him, just simply wonder.

When he asked if she was hungry, the thought did cross her mind. But she was already indebted to this man, and would rather not push his so called generosity any further. "Thank you for the offer, but I am fine at this moment." There was already a suspicion that he would ask for something of her, she didn't want it turning into something larger than she was willing to part with. Besides, she could hunt for herself later on. Waiting for food wasn't a new concept to her. "Earlier, you asked about the locals." Her gaze turned to him, and was slightly quizzical. "Have you not sailed her before?"

[Harvast]

Harvast listened from his perch behind the wheel.  Though as she spoke of dragon-lovers, she could see his eyes snap to her.  His body instantly tensed as if he had bad memories with dragons.  As soon as it was there, he tried to hide away the reaction, his shoulders relaxing as he turned his eyes and the wheel to avoid a large wave.  The ship made a smooth turn and there was only a light slap from the wave.  He wasn't bothered by her personal adornments, just the idea of a living, breathing dragon set him off.  Especially an island filled with people who rode the wild beasts.

When she responded to the offer of food, he nodded, "As you will," his eyes flicked back to her when she asked about where he had traveled, "I recently arrived in the area, following the currents and some of the fish schools.  Smaller fish schools, the larger ones tend to attract the scaly kind of attention.  Had enough of those beasts, so I'd rather avoid them if given the chance."  There was history there, he must have had a few interactions with the beasts that weren't positive.  With the way he held himself, spoke of the fish schools, the weapon that he carried to the beach, and the scrimshaw bones, she might be able to come to the conclusion that he was formerly a fisher of some sort.

His eyes turned towards the wheeling seagulls off in the distance, "Looks like that's the destination.  Hope they're open to outsiders."