• Graded • Haul up the Spanker!

[Wendell]

33 Ymiden 717

Climbing to the crow’s nest was a challenge in itself, especially when the wind was up. Wendell took it steady, watching where his feet went to make sure they were secure on the rope netting before reaching up for the next grip. At the top of the mast, he climbed into the crow’s nest and lifted the looking glass from his pocket, turning south to check the distance they had travelled overnight. With no landmass in sight, Wendell knew they had moved out of Rynmere’s waters and were nearing a smaller landmass to the north. In the distance he thought he could see it the islan, but it was further east than he had expected.

“We’ve gone off course,” he said to himself, checking his map before looking across the masts to see that all sails were open. Turning the ship about, he knew, could be tricky without the right maneuvering when the breeze was this strong.

They would need to use a technique called tacking in order to point themselves in the right direction, but Wendell needed the full attention of his crew in order to achieve such a feat. He rang the bell at the top of the mast, and Haraji appeared below him on the deck.

“Haul up the spanker!” Wendell gave the order. “Fifteen degrees, turn starboard!”

Haraji crossed the deck quickly to relay the message. “Clew up the mainsail men!”

“Ready about!” another man called.

The ship started a slow turn, moving as if to travel in a wide half circle. The ship’s heading was altered to starboard, and Wendell yelled at the top of his lungs to give the men the hurry up. “Slack off the headsail sheets!”

The sheets let go as the ropes were loosened, falling slack against the wind before whipping about with no weight to hold them. The man at the helm called up to him, “aft let go!”

The sails on the back caught the wind and started pushing the bow around to starboard. “Brace round forward! Wendell replied, feeling a little green as the ship swayed. As soon a the headsail started to fill again, the ship was brought around, Wendell waved, holding his fingers out splayed. “Ease out the spanker!”

The spanker sheet was eased off by the men, and the mainsail was set again. The crew stood ready at the weather braces as Wendell checked their direction again. He peered through the looking glass and squinted, spotting a boat on the horizon, one noway near as large as the galleon, but that meant it was probably faster. Wendell stared through the looking glass for some time, trying to catch sight of a flag or colour.

“Iron Hand,” he said, their sails made that clear. He collapsed the looking glass and slipped it back into his pocket.

Over the edge of the crow’s nest, he climbed down the netting and was happy to have his feet on the main deck once more. “What is it, Captain?” Haraji asked.

“Iron Hand making a beeline for us, they will be on us within the next break. Secure the goods and have the men clean up their cabins, I don't want to give them any reason to stay aboard.”

“What about the prisoner?” Haraji asked.

“I’ll deal with her, you make sure everything else is in order.”

“What about Freya?”

“I'm sure she's about.”

Haraji nodded and jogged along the deck. “Hide your gold, boys!”

Wendell disappeared into his cabin and made sure the gold and drugs were hidden away before locking up. He walked towards the rest of the living quarters and knocked on doors. The galleon took a crew of thirty men to sail well, and Wendell had only just managed to gather enough to see them out of Rynmere, knowing he would lose a handful in Rharne for different warrants they had out for their arrests. The trouble was, he couldn't afford to lose them before then or it would be even more difficult to get the ship to their destination.

“Make sure you have your papers ready!” he said, and made his way down the hall to find the stairs, and headed down into the holding area where a lot of their stock was kept.

It was there he found Freya, sitting in one of the hammocks near the holding pen for the horses. “I don’t know how you can stand the smell in here,” he turned his nose up, the youngest crew members seemed to need another kick up the backside for letting it get so messy.

“Iron Hand ship is heading our way. I hope they aren’t looking for you,” he said. “We have two hundred barrels of grog onboard to deliver to Rharne by the sixty fifth of this season or they will tear up the trade contract I purchased with the change from paying off this thing.” In other words, he couldn’t afford to waste time entertaining U’frek Sailors. “I don’t suppose you have your papers?” he wondered then, if Freya’s papers were in the bag he had saved from Ne’haer, “I suppose if you’re on their most wanted list it won’t matter,” though he doubted her name had gotten any further than Rharne where she was meant to have hanged.

There were plenty of hiding places on the ship otherwise, but Wendell hoped it wouldn’t come to that. “Caed tells me he’s had some of his drugs go missing in the last trial or two,” Wendell turned his eye on Freya and leaned against the makeshift stock fencing, as if to ask, without asking, if she might happen to know where it had gotten to.

A strange thought crossed his mind then, one that made the man’s stomach turn. What if the ship had caught up to them to take Freya back, what if her new family actually gave a damn? He pushed the thought from his mind, she had chosen to stay after all, had she not?

“He thinks it's the new kid, Gavin. I might cut his fingers off and find out.”

[Freya DuCarinos]

○ Common ○ Rakahi ○ Pailtic ○ Hussian ○

Three days.
Freya had been on this rookid ship for three sarding days. Haraji released her the morning of the second and, with much anger, she greeted him with a right fist to the face. As if that was going to help it look any better… Where the Fates had Wendell been? He told Freya that she was free to leave and, deep down, she wished he was at least upset about her choice to actually go. Maybe the time apart had changed him… Changed her.
The quarters she’d been given were foul and disgusting. Her bag was hung on whatever was available to keep it from being soiled by anything… strange. When the woman caught herself being rather feminine about the whole thing, Freya paused. Had noble life really rubbed off on her so much that being back in her element was now so unfamiliar? Regardless, the biqaj retired to her hammock for the night with nothing more on her stomach than what Haraji brought for her.
It wasn’t enough, nor was the comfort of sleep enough to actually tempt her to such realms. She was awake well into the late night hours and could hear the slosh of water against the ship while it sailed across the sea. Her fingers played at her lips, a distant memory of time spent in Wendell’s company faded by distance and despair. He didn’t know how much she’d thought about him in the prison cell she called home. How she’d been willing to sacrifice her place for his, if even an Immortal deemed her soul worthy enough for such a trade. Or how crippling it was to realize that maybe even her soul was worthless too.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Freya’s stomach growled once again and before she knew it, the woman was navigating the halls trying to find the kitchen. She didn’t know why, but every time she heard a creak in the floor or the sound of footsteps overhead, she’d pause and shift into the shadows. Breath would cease for only a moment as she tried to hide away from the others. It took a moment, but the biqaj finally found the kitchen and started to sift through the many sacks there, lifting anything edible from it. Once satisfied, she’d wander back, only to stumble upon some groups of sailors that looked a little too lifeless to be sleeping.
Freya had come into another area of sleeping quarters and around the center sat some men who were limp and snoring. Between them was a bag, though poorly concealed, peeking some kind of grass from it.
Drugs.
Mouth watering, Freya snagged the bag before taking off towards her own quarters and proceeded to take the rest of the night, and much of the early morning, smoking away the grass. By the time a familiar face popped in to speak to her, Freya was kicked back in her hammock, letting the last bit of ‘bakedness’ fade away. She’d felt the sway of the ship and the drumroll of feet above, but the woman cared not for such chaos. What was the point? Sarding ship…
“You just imagine a smell you hate more and suddenly, it doesn’t smell so bad.” She retorted to his comment. When Wendell made mention of the Iron hand, Freya finally looked at him, but didn’t keep his gaze for longer than a minute and said not a word. Trade contracts and enemies on their tail. What irony was this, the past repeating itself?
Freya laughed at the mention of papers and tilted her head, “If you consider bounty papers feasible documentation, then yes.”
Again, Freya’s golden eyes turned toward Wendell and held his gaze, a smile forming on her lips after a bit of time. “Oh? Well, Captain, as you know in the pirate business— secrets come with a price.” Her fingertip eased its way up to tap on her lips, “If you want to know, then pay up.” When he didn’t move, her heart sank, but she brushed it off easily with a wave of her hand. “Cut the boy’s fingers off. I’m sure his tongue will be more useful than his hands.” She paused. “Actually, that doesn’t sound half bad.”
She hopped out of the hammock with some effort and got ahold of her belongings before stepping towards her former lover, smelling of the grass she spent all night smoking.
“Don’t ask me to hide in the holding pen. I will gladly jump overboard.”

[Wendell]

It took every ounce of willpower for the man to stay his hand, and mouth. Freya had teased with pursed lips, her eyes drinking him in as they often did, until he found himself leaning closer and was forced to correct his stance. She walked by him like a cat, confidence evident in the subtle sway of her hips. Freya was a seductress, but did she know it, he wondered.

Captain, just the way she said it made his blood boil, what had he done to earn such attitude from the person he had given up everything for? It happened then, in the blink of an eye, so quick the man had shocked himself, but finding his fingers in her hair, knew he must go through with the split-second thinking or appear weak.

Freya was pushed up against a large post in the middle of the holding area, almost twice as wide as her at the shoulders. In the same step, Wendell managed to kick her feet apart so that she stood with one arm pinned behind her back and legs spread. He released her hair from his grasp and patted her down as he went to a knee. She smelled like the drugs we was looking for, but would he find anything?

Wendell closed a hand about her ankle, pushing his weight into her in order to keep the woman pinned, and worked his way up her leg, trading hands at the small of her back, to venture down the other leg. One more run up her leg saw his pace across her thigh slowed, he cupped her backside and squeezed before burying his fingers in her pocket to pull out a small parcel of folded paper with the leftover drugs in it.

Righting himself, Wendell got to his feet and smacked the packet against her cheek before pocketing the goods. His fingers went through her hair again, this time with the utmost care, and he loosened his hold on her arm, as if to set free, but instead turn her about to face him. Wendell locked eyes and moved in for a kiss, but inched aside at the last possible second to close his mouth against the lobe of her ear after pressing warm lips to the edge of her jaw. “Consider the secret paid for and kept,” he told her, and then met her mouth with his own.

Oh how he had longed to kiss her, how he had dreamed of this reunion, her body trapped between his, with little need or reason for escape. How their tongues would dance, hands left to explore what time had forgotten and memory made dull. How he longed to stay, locked in this moment, of which duty would soon dissolve, his responsibility to protect her far outweighing any desire or lust. They had moved from the post to the wall, where knowing hands blindly sought out a secret lock, and door did open.

Freya fell into darkness and the door that had swallowed her closed with a bang. “For your own good,” he whispered, “I won't let anyone take you ever again…”

The sound of his footfalls grew quiet as he left the floor to return to the upper decks, ready to welcome the Iron Hand aboard.

[Freya DuCarinos]

○ Common ○ Rakahi ○ Pailtic ○ Hussian ○

Freya was hardly expecting the reaction she received from him and, within a moment’s time, found herself pinned against a post, her cheek pushing against the warm wood as golden eyes reddened. One of her arms was trapped against the post and her body, the weight of the Captain against her form enough to subdue her, while his hand locked her other arm behind her back. In this state, however, instead of fighting like she usually would, Freya smiled and a humorous giggle echoed from her throat.
Her lids slid shut as she felt his hands move over her form, inspecting her curves for the product he was looking for. Biting her lip to keep a sigh contained, Freya’s body warmed as the memory of those familiar hands shot across her mind’s eye, telling their devious stories once more.
Freya didn’t mistake the squeeze of her backend, Wendell gave, and for a moment, her body expected the familiar smack of his palm. Instead, she felt his fingers dig into her pocket and pull from it the drugs she’d taken.
Shit.
Who was Wendell now? Was he a man of punishment? Would she have her fingers cut off now? The light smack of the drugs against her cheek, as well as the coaxing fingers in her hair, saw those thoughts burn away. His gentleness in that moment made Freya want to curl around and trap him against her with as much fury, desire, and… and?
Her heart sped up as she sucked in a small breath, red eyes finding azure as she was turned to face him. What was she thinking, playing a game with this man? But he was moving closer and by the Gods, those lips… That scruff, those eyes, that look…
Freya almost groaned when she felt those lips press into her jawline, not anywhere near where she wanted them to be and, for a moment, she thought that was it. Did he really consider that to be payment? Then, suddenly and overwhelming satisfaction greeted her as his lips overtook her’s and she sighed, hands traveling slowly from his chest, to his neck, and finally his hair.
By the Fates, he was better than drugs in this moment, just from a hot kiss. Freya didn’t hold herself back either, she gave and she took just as much as he, remembering and taking and craving. Gods, did he know how much she missed him?!
Heart pounding within her breast, Freya never noticed his body move her, nor his hands search for something. She was entrapped by him, only to suddenly be pushed into the darkness of a tight spot. Gasping, red eyes shot up, seeing Wendell for only a moment before the trap door closed and aching body pressed against it, hands banging at the contraption to be freed.
“Wendell..?!” Freya breathed, lips swollen and body singing. “Wendell, wait..!”
She’d thought she heard him whisper something, something that made her heart ache but between the noise of the ship, the noise of the crew, and the noise of her own racing heart, Freya could have been mistaken. Gods, how this man could play her and she hated it! But in that moment, within the darkness, all she wanted was him…

The Iron Hand came upon the crew in less time than they’d expected and boarded without much introduction. Their flags were bright in the sunlight as a well dressed sailor stood among others of Wendell’s crew, weapons on their sides and looking rather intimidating for what they were.
“Where’s your Captain?” One man had asked. He was obviously the Captain of the ship.
Once Wendell would appear, the man sized him up, making no effort to hide it before stating his business. “What’s your business within these waters?”
Upon his answer, the Captain would look at his crew. “I’d like to see documentation from your crew and inspect your ship, if you truly have nothing to hide from the Kingdom.”
And so, the ship inspection began and while the sailors took time to attempt to locate any hidden compartments and trap doors, none were actually found. Freya heard it when they’d entered the holding area, and took effort to quiet her breathing so they’d have no reason to look within the walls.
Nearly a break later saw the Iron Hand depart with few words exchanged with Wendell.
Freya nearly had it being within the tight space and, when the trap door was finally unlocked and opened, she climbed out of it gracelessly and pointed a finger to her former lover’s chest.
“Don’t you ever throw me in something like that again.” Freya breathed, being more pissed off at the fact that her body still felt so uncomfortably turned on rather than being trapped within darkness for a break.

[Wendell]

Wendell had been a most gracious host, allowing the Iron Hand to board without fuss. All crew had arranged themselves on the deck with documents at the ready, and the anchor, which took eight men to cast, was put down in order to stop the ship from going off course again while they waited.

“Trade and nothing more,” Wendell had answered the captain of the Iron Hand’s ship. “Here is my contract from Rharne, purchased last season.” The White Raven flew no flags, leaving little doubt.

They searched the boat from top to bottom, leading Wendell around with them while the rest of the crew remained upstairs in sight of the armed Iron Hand members. Wendell had explained the contents and quantities of his cargo, showing them the grog, horses, and grain that had been purchased in Rynmere. Of course, the uniformed sailors, in their ease, hadn't bothered to dig through the sacks of grain to find the parcels of drugs beneath, satisfied after turning out a whole bag that there were none to be found. The Iron Hand captain paid Wendell for the damages and loss of stock, and they parted way.

Wendell had gone up to the top deck to see that the ship was well out of sight before he called for the anchor to be hoisted, and returned to the holding area to free Freya. Of course, she was not impressed, but an hour in a dark cupboard wasn't quite as bad as being dragged off in chains. Better yet, they hadn't asked about any woman at all, they weren't looking for her, he thought to himself.

“Only when you're naughty,” came his reply, partnered with a playful wink.

Wendell waved for Freya to follow him up onto the deck to introduce her to the rest of the crew while they were gathered. “You need to start pulling your weight around here,” he had told her, giving the same speech he had received upon her vessel, “no free rides, every man works.” He looked her up and down, “and woman, unless you want to end up passed around,” he warned. The rest of the women on the ship pulled their weight, and that kept them safe. The cook, well, she didn't need protection, she was a hefty lass with a butcher’s knife on her person at all times, Freya on the other hand, had been half drunk or stoned for most of the trip, and was making herself an easy target.

“Everyone, this is Freya. Her business is my business, if she's not happy, I'm not happy,” he warned the men. It wasn't much of threat, Wendell hadn't needed to punish anyone yet, so he was planning to come down hard on the first idiot that took advantage of his rules. “That was a good inspection, crew. Drink well tonight, it’ll be easy sailing tomorrow.”

Wendell turned and headed for his cabin then, surprised the U’frek Sailors hadn't asked to look inside. He turned back and looked at Freya as if to say, well, are you coming or not?

[Freya DuCarinos]

○ Common ○ Rakahi ○ Pailtic ○ Hussian ○

The comment he made did little to calm her roused body and so, she took time to sooth her racing blood as they made their way above deck. He gave her the spiel, of course, and frowned when he mentioned something about being ‘passed around’. “Your concerns aren’t necessary.” She’d muttered, keeping her eyes fixed forward even as she felt his own upon her.

How Wendell managed to garner such a crew for this massive ship, Freya didn’t know. She looked around at each one, some appearing fearsome than others, but most of them seemed pretty knowledgeable about the sea. She hated introductions and when he announced her presence, all eyes turned to her. Remaining fixed where she stood, she knew not to give the impression that she could be easily overwhelmed, even if her size suggested it. But it was Wendell’s comment that made her look at him with some confusion and a bit of embarrassment. Why did he care if she wasn’t happy? Unless he did. What was going on here?

When he’d concluded his speech to the crew, they gave a boisterous sound of praise before returning to their duties, leaving Freya alone in the middle of the deck. Where had Wendell gone? Turning, she saw him walking towards his quarters and, as if sensing her eyes, he turned back, his gaze suggesting something that pulled her feet to him.

Her body hummed. That look he gave was familiar and she wanted to remember its desires. Freya followed behind him, the cabin door shutting and locking as she leaned against it and watched him turn towards her, this time temptation an obvious color in his eyes. Her own bled red and it was then that he would understand the color. How it changed whenever he yelled at her, or touched her, or kissed her.

The tension within the room wasn’t like how it was when they first discovered each other. It was something only touch could satisfy and with that, the woman reached out and coiled herself around Wendell. Thin fingers gripped on his roots and deprived lips found home against his as she craved to take from him what he offered.

After a time, she felt his hands tuck under her backside and lift her, moving her to the table with his map before she was placed upon it, her neck held in his grasp, control given just as she was pushed to lay upon the solid wood.

A knock sounded at the door then and Freya groaned softly, watching Wendell pause. She shook her head and grabbed at his clothes, “No, ignore it.” Her voice begged.

“Captain.” A man called again, “Haraji thinks you need to check ship’s course again.”

“Wendell please...” She sighed, “I’ve needed you.” Freya having been a captain, understood what was priority and while she hated to admit it, she knew before he said anything what he would choose. Leaning up off the table, Freya pushed him away so she could stand.

“I knew this was a bad idea,” Shaking her head, the biqaj straightened her clothes, “Maybe I might let them ‘pass me around’, since I’m sure that won’t involve sarding mind games. It’ll just be honest fucking.”

Approaching the door then, Freya unlocked it and yanked it open. About to walk around the man, she paused. She hadn’t actually meant to go through with her threat, but the man in front of her was young and decently attractive. So Freya looked back to see if Wendell was watching and, once he was, she grasped the young man’s collar and exchanged a heated kiss that lasted far longer than it should have before pushing him back and walking off to her quarters.

[Wendell]

Fryea was a whirlwind of a woman with little time for games, but there was nothing humorous about running a ship as big as the galleon. Wendell balled his hand into a fish and punched the wall before opening the door to find Gavin there, but it was Fareya who stole the show, pulling the stranger into a heated kiss. She left after that, and Gavin, not sure if he was allowed to look amused or confused, excused himself quickly to return to his station.

Wendell shoved Haraji with his shoulder as he went by him. “Anyone can check our course!” he hissed.

“I know,” Haraji smiled, he knew exactly what he had done. “I just like watching you climb the ropes, captain.”

Grumpy, Wendell climbed to the top of the mast and walked out along the post holding up the sail. He held onto the taut ropes above his head and looked down at Haraji. Wendell undid his pants with his free hand then, and started peeing.

Haraji felt something hot whip across his shoulder and looked up before he started yelling and cursing. “You filthy sard!”

“Look out, Haraji! Blood big birds up here!” Wendell fixed his trousers and hurried along towards the crow’s nest then, reading to climb down the opposite side as soon as Haraji starting making his way up.

[Djinn]

Rewards Approved For Freya

Requested Rewards:
Knowledge:

• Detection: Difference Between Sleeping and Passed Out Drunk
• Discipline: Duty Always Comes Before Pleasure
• Negotiation: Trading A Kiss For Secrets
• Seduction: Honest Admissions Can Be Enticing
• Stealth: Holding Your Breath To Stay Quiet
• Stealth: Using The Shadows To Hide
• Haraji: Locked Freya In A Room Aboard Wendell's Ship
• The White Raven: Introduce To The Crew
• The White Raven: Wendell's Galleon
• Wendell: Gentle With Freya After So Long Apart
• Wendell: What was that he said?

Loot: None
Injuries/Overstepping: None
Fame: None
Devotion: None

Points Awarded: 15 points

!	Message from: Djinn
	Approved. This thread was STEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAMYYYYYYYYYYYY. Freya really wants that wenDell.

[Oracle]

This was indeed a steamy thread. I really enjoyed the little details you put into writing for Wendell. He comes off as a seasoned and reasonable captain, even if he is being rather distracted by Freya. You did an excellent job of having a clear purpose for the story here and conveying Wendell's personality. Well done, and enjoy your rewards.

Wendell

Points

15 xp : This may NOT be used for domain magic.

Renown

+5 for managing your crew like a boss

Rewards and Consequences

Contract for trade routes between Rharne and Rynmere

Injuries

N/A

Knowledges

Navigation: A better view from the Crow's Nest
Navigation: How to tell when you've gone off course
Navigation: Always check the map
Navigation: The technique of tacking to pinpoint direction
Seafaring: Slacking the headsail
Seafaring: Easing out the spanker
Seafaring: How to outrun an enemy ship
Leadership: The importance of having a second in command
Leadership: Give and take