The Floating City

[Brother Afgero Bzal]

Afgero was tired of waiting. What was supposed to be a few days to Mar Verde felt like several weeks because of not knowing what had actually happened to Central Shrine and the constant fear that General Markel would be following close behind. Worry and afraid…not a great combination when traveling on a boat. For the most part of the trip, remained silent and alone in the hull, with only Ban keeping him silent company every now and again, even if it was to escape that damned chattering skull, Morte.

Up on deck, Morte was floating around, bored. He was actually tired of chasing Evelyn and making fun of Ban. It was a relief to see the port of Mar Verde come into view. Never actually have been there, he found himself still having a slight disgust towards the city. From what he remembered, Mar Verde was once part of Aquoria and was now an independent city, or something like that. That wasn’t what made him distrust, though, it was the fact that they could pack up and move at any time they like. It reminded him of a black market that traveled by wagon he got in caught up in. Technically, he was sold in that black market as a talking aphrodisiac. Someone got it into their that grinding him down to a powder and, voila, somebody else would be living Morte’s dream. He shuttered, remembering what he had to do to escape that situation. It was just the strangest feeling that something illegal was going on in that port.

Poking his nose around, Pox searched around for Mar Verde, singing to himself whatever he could rhyme:

“Oh, broken bones I love to mend,
Medicine I make always forefend,
Texts and knowledge I perpend,
So I do feel so propend…”

And kept along those lines. He was there on Weaver’s orders, looking for something new to create medicines. Of course, he had no way of getting off the port, not yet anyway, but when Weaver wanted him, he would send for transport. So, instead of worrying, Pox made it his enjoyment to be stranded.

[Evelyn]

"Ugh, I'm so sick of boats and pirates," Evelyn groaned leaning over the rail of the boat as she felt another wave of nausea hit. It had been far too long since Edward's fishing trip went awry, and the elf was beginning to feel that she might go mad if made to stay on the vessel much longer.

She turned away from the ocean when she was finished, and slid down the deck's wall onto the floor where she sat with her head resting on her pulled up knees.

"Land!"

The sudden cry brought alertness back to Evelyn and she looked up to find Al behind the great wheel of the Leviathan peering through a scope.

"Captain," the pirate cried, "It would seem that we've found land where land ought not to be!"

She climbed down the heavy wooden stairs to the lower deck and disappeared behind a door, only to ore appear with a map in hand moments later. She unfurled the map and with her finger traced the approximate route that they had taken. "How...odd," she said to herself before beckoning the ship's captain forward.

The elf pulled herself back up, roused by the sudden excitement and peered out into the horizon, and sure enough, there it was. A black mass loomed off in the distance, so out of place in the great expanse of blue water. For a moment, Evelyn was suspicious, just as the pirate had been, but after another wave a nausea, she found that she could only muster up joy at finally being able to walk on land again. "Who cares of all that, pirate, how fast can you get us there," she called to Alice who was now bent over a large parchment, studying what she could only assume was a map.

[Drake Lugosi Blake]

Edward ended up boasting with laughter at the confusing everyone seemed to be having. Of course this land would not be on the map, for it wasn't land. The old great pirate Captain knew immediately what laid ahead. "Ar! We find ourselfs comin' up on Mar Verde! It be a traveling floating city mates. It set sails but every third week to a new location." Edward made his way to the front of the ship and stood there to overlook the upcoming city. Ah, it had been so long since he had set eyes upon Mar Verde, he had thought he heard word of their location. The place is always a headache to find when it always seems to be moving.

A city of merchant ships, a pirate would think it be a perfect place to loot and plunder. Ah, but only a foolish pirate would try and loot a plunder and entire city, which happened to be an armed fleet. Mar Verde wasn't so foolish to be just mere merchant ships. They can hold their own if they were attacked. Edward wagers that he would need at least three other ships, exactly like his Leviathan, in order to put a dent in their numbers in hopes of looting anything. Of course, he had no plans of actually attempting anything like that to Mar Verde, he finds them respectable, even to his eyes. People who live at sea for months, if not years on end. Great sea bearing men, no doubt perhaps better sailors then himself.

"Listen up me hearties. Ye mind tongue and hands when we arrive. This be a holy place for respectable sailors like myself. If ye feel the need to break these warnings, then its the plank with ye." Edward started giggling at the prospect of being able to make someone walk the plank. It had been a very long time since he had last done that. Ah yes, three years it's been. Of course he made sure to chain the poor chap to an anchor, and dunk him into ten feet of water. Drowning is bad, but it's much worse to drown in shallow water, when you're so close to the surface that you can actually reach your hands out of the water. To think you have a chance to get a breath of air when the tides draw out, but the waves come crashing over just mere inches from that hopeful breath of air.


"It's a floating city?" Drake questioned as he went out to starboard, he had never heard of such a thing himself, and he thought he was quite knowledgeable when it came to traveling. The prospect of a city out in the ocean... open to all the nature and trouble that it can cause is definitely a site to behold. "I thought we were heading to Central Shrine?"

"Aye! And we be, but sailing straight through is tiresome even for this captain. We stop at Mar Verde and restock supplies unless ye feel like fishing for food."

Drake looked from Edward to let his gaze settle on the upcoming city, "... Fair enough."

[Brother Afgero Bzal]

[Three long posts...and now this.]

“Hey, I don’t mind not having enough supplies. Hell, I’ll even fish! So, let’s just skip the whole moving city thing and get to solid land, eh?” Morte floated over to the pirates. He had no intention of stepping foot into that city, but then no one else should, either. At least that what he felt.

Ban’s ears pricked up. He had heard the commotion above deck and was happy with the idea of land. He wasn’t used to all the traveling on the boat, and when it came to fishing, he failed miserably. He much preferred soil to water. He stood up, and looked at Afgero. “Coming?” Afgero didn’t answer, but Ban noticed his eyes were closed. Watching for only a few moments more, he made his way to the deck.

“What land?” Ban looked around, but only saw what seemed to be buildings upon the water. Not another dock…

“We already had this conversation, Hoods. We’re not gonna go back to the beginning just so you can catch up,” Morte said, not really in the mood to get sold again.

[Drake Lugosi Blake]

"Do we even have anything to sell?" Drake questioned as they pulled up to the docks. He certainly had very little on him, and anything that he did have was absolutely necessary for survival. It doesn't help matters that due to their 'fishing' trip, Edward never went back to land before coming here, so whatever they didn't bring with them, was left there.

"Ahoy ye mateys!" Edward shouted excitedly as he waved to the dockmen. "Aye!" He answered Drake, "We be havin' lots o' things to sell. If worse come to worse, we can always sell the skull for a handsome price. Never seen a cursed skull, worth lots o' gold."

Drake looked over towards the floating skull, "Well, it would be good to get it off our shoulders." Drake had to agree with the pirate on that one. Not to mention the fact that a floating talking skull would probably be considered a collector's item. After all, how many floating skulls do you see around in the world. Drake has only seen one, and that same one is currently on the ship with them.

"State your business here." The man at the docks said when the ship was tied off at the the make shift dock. Which happened to be another ship all together.

"Tradin'. Nothin' more an' nothin' less mate. Aye! Got some valuables aye needn't anymore."

[Brother Afgero Bzal]

Morte spun around to Edward and Drake and snorted. “Funny, berks. At least I’m worth something! Drunken pirates and silent dark strangers are a more then a-plenty in this world.” He looked up indignantly. “Besides, the way I see it, I’m cost effective to keep around. Not like I eat or drink anything. And I’ve certainly been around longer then any of you, and know damn well more then you. I am, after all, your resident expert on all things.” He looked back down. “I say we sell the elf. She’s only been casting the food you give her overboard anyway, and that‘s after she‘s done with it.”

Ban was in agreement about selling Morte. Let him be somebody else’s burden. As far as worth was concerned, only Morte managed to do nothing and still stick around. Worse of it was that the skull didn’t even seem guilty. Ban really wanted to crack that thing into a fine powered and be done with it.

And, in the hull, Afgero stayed asleep. He had heard some commotion up on the deck, but when he heard Edward yell “trade,” he didn’t bother to move. It wasn’t home, so it didn‘t matter. It didn’t help Afgero any, this new found depression. He knew he’d normally love to go out onto deck and see what was going on. But not now. When…if…they ever got back, and this was something he gave much thought about, he still wasn’t sure….but there was a good possibility he would stay home. He couldn’t take this not knowing.

[Evelyn]

"I vote we stick that troublesome skull in a sandbag and watch it sink to the bottom of the ocean," Evelyn grumbled under her breath. She had been prepared to have her feet back on land, but instead she had made it off one boat and onto and even larger one.

"And I think it would be best if we got rid of them both, they would both make us a pretty penny," Alice chimed in from the back of the group. She would have been more than happy to sell them both to the highest bidder. Not only would she then be rid of their nuisance, they would no doubt both sell for a small fortune if the right buyers could be found.

"How far are we from Aquoria?" She asked Edward, she hopped not far, and she hopped that by nightfall they would once again be on their way. The elf sighed, doubting that they would ever reach solid land again at this rate.


((So....it only took me....three million years to post. Hope You weren't expecting anything great from me.))

[Drake Lugosi Blake]

"Half a day's sail." Edward answered as he headed towards the village, "This stop be one of timing. Need to work out all the kinks in me plan." He didn't worry about the group wandering off on their own, they wouldn't be able to hightail it without him anyway. This town doesn't take on new passengers, only customers. Not to mention they won't be setting sail and moving their business elsewhere to begin with.

Drake glanced around the group as Edward moved on ahead. Someone is missing, at least he was sure of it. Evelyn, Al, Edward, floating skull... He turned around and noticed their cloaked friend as well, Ban. "Where is the monk?" He questioned him. If he recalls correctly, Ban had been with Afgero for at least towards the end of their trip.

[Brother Afgero Bzal]

Ban looked up towards Drake. “Down below.” No need to elaborate because it was a pretty much a simple answer.

“He has been pretty invisible turning this trip,” Morte commented. “Of course, we all know that the rum is stored down below, so I guess he’s doing pretty well for himself.”

Ban stared at Morte. Does the skull understand emotion whatsoever? Spending the time down there, Ban knew Afgero wasn’t feeling well about what had happened, and he needed to sort things out. But that was also why Ban went down there to spend time with Afgero. It was something the elders taught: even if you can’t say anything, just being there helps. While Ban wasn’t sure if it was actually helping, he liked to believe it did.

[Evelyn]

Evelyn threw a worried glance at the ship. "Come to think of it, I've seen very little of the monk on our little excursion." She sighed, "I think I had better go check on the old man," she waved a farewell to the others and turned back towards the ship to search for Afgero.

The pirate Alice scoffed, "Suit yourself, but I'd have thought that if the monk wanted company he would have joined us on the deck." She took a moment to survey the port ahead of her and smiling said, "So, where would we find the nearest pub!"

Evelyn stepped back onto the ship a bit reluctantly, she had thought that she would not have to come back here when she saw the port. She entered through the door that would take her to the decks below, and feeling sicker with each gentle sway of the vessel began her search, knocking on doors and calling for Afgero softly.

[Brother Afgero Bzal]

There is no suffering. This is a bad world and we live with good people, but still that is no world for anything. To live is to find; to need is to find some meaning in the peace. Many people would still suffer than think. In fact they do.

“Huh?” Afgero opened his eyes slowly and scanned his surroundings. He grumbled. He was still at sea. His body was stiff, his body not used to sitting down for so long. Perhaps he was moping too much. He rubbed his eyes and stood up, thinking it was high time to be meet the group above.

A knock on the door caught his attention. He opened the door and saw Evelyn on the other side. “Oh, hello, Evelyn. Is something going on?”

[Drake Lugosi Blake]

"Aye! Ye read m'mind mate!" Edward announced before barking with laughter, "Come Al, to the pub we go." He of course, forgot to mention the fact that there really wasn't a pub in this merchant settlement, just a boat that had rum. Rum that you would need to trade for, something that wasn't gold or silver pieces. When rum is on his mind though, Edward tends to forget a lot of things.


Drake looked after Evelyn until she disappeared and then after Edward and Al until they were gone. Suddenly his gaze lingered over to Morte, the flying skull. The skull that they had found on certain ghost ship; he has been nothing more than a pain in the ass since he joined their group. The thought of trading him had been a fancy of an idea; although he couldn't imagine what they could possibly get for trading a skull, talking or not.

"Morte." He called out roughly to grab the thing's attention. He turned around and started walking towards the edge of the boat where there isn't anyone standing nearby. He waved his finger in a 'come with me' fashion, "We need to talk."

[Evelyn]

"Hello Afgero," Evelyn said in a falsely upbeat tone. "It's been quite a while since anyone has seen your face, I was beginning to forget what you looked like." She smiled and motioned for him to follow her, "come now, we've managed to reach a port of sorts and the others have, by now, already gone their separate ways. I'm sure some food and fresh air will do you some good, too much sulking around is not good for you."

She led the way up to the deck, happy, that at least if she could not be on solid lad, she could get out of the cramped, dark lower decks of t he ship. She wondered how the monk had been able to hole up down there for so long.

---

With Edward leading the way they made their way to a structure that looked very much like a tent. Fabrics of all colors, shapes, and textures were draped in such a massive heap that the small ship behind, docked at the port was rendered almost invisible. The tent was a bustle with activity. People could be heard chatting animatedly with their friends whilst they filled their bellies with fine alcohol and food.

Alice pulled open the flap that served as a door and gestured for Edward to enter, "After you captain," she said with a slight bow. The interior of the pub was, even with out the sunlight, as bright as the outside. At the back of the tent stood a long bar, worn with years of use, but obviously lovingly cared for by it's owner; and behind the bar stood a rather large man serving drinks and cooking steaks over a monstrous wood burning stove. "Aye! What can I get for ye," he boomed merrily as he watched the two approach.

[Brother Afgero Bzal]

Morte, upon hearing his name called out, spun around a saw Drake, making the “get your ass here now” gesture with his finger. He was actually surprised that Drake wanted to talk to him about anything, so he floated over. “Red! What’s shaking?”

Afgero managed to lift his weary head to look into Evelyn’s eyes. She had a lovely smile, but even that wasn’t enough to put joy into his heart. He quickly remembered the children, the little ones he read and told stories to. He wondered if they were left alive. “Sure,” he said. “You’re right.” He got up and, though his muscles and bones were achy, he followed her out of the boat.