Chapter 1
She'd seen the golden opportunity the instant it came: Word of a great ship from Tian Xia dropping anchor in Katapesh, set to make the return trip in a week's time.
Mihara, of course, couldn't turn away that chance. She'd not expected, or planned, to remain in Katapesh for an extended stay. A visit home would allow her to get her affairs in order, and truly settle in Khalharum, not as a visitor, but as a resident lady.
Her new diadem, of course, confirmed that.
She'd said her apologies and goodbyes, hoping to make up for three months' absence by returning with the support of the Moon's Whisper. Khalharum represented, for her family, an opportunity to expand their trade and holdings, and she was certain Hakeru would see it the same way.
That said, it was not Mihara of the Yao Clan who approached the Tianese merchants in the port of Katapesh.
Kitsune, Mihara knew all too well, had a bit of a reputation as tricksters. Her three tails, marking her as a higher rank of her vulpine kin, would do her no favor either.
Instead, the woman who offered the sailors a round sum of gold for safe transport was Kala Vestos, a tan-skinned half-elven Katapeshi native. Kala sought to visit an old friend who dwelled on a small island some miles removed from the ports of Goka.
Thusly began her trip back to the east, so that she may truly be prepared for the adventures to come.
Mihara, of course, couldn't turn away that chance. She'd not expected, or planned, to remain in Katapesh for an extended stay. A visit home would allow her to get her affairs in order, and truly settle in Khalharum, not as a visitor, but as a resident lady.
Her new diadem, of course, confirmed that.
She'd said her apologies and goodbyes, hoping to make up for three months' absence by returning with the support of the Moon's Whisper. Khalharum represented, for her family, an opportunity to expand their trade and holdings, and she was certain Hakeru would see it the same way.
That said, it was not Mihara of the Yao Clan who approached the Tianese merchants in the port of Katapesh.
Kitsune, Mihara knew all too well, had a bit of a reputation as tricksters. Her three tails, marking her as a higher rank of her vulpine kin, would do her no favor either.
Instead, the woman who offered the sailors a round sum of gold for safe transport was Kala Vestos, a tan-skinned half-elven Katapeshi native. Kala sought to visit an old friend who dwelled on a small island some miles removed from the ports of Goka.
Thusly began her trip back to the east, so that she may truly be prepared for the adventures to come.
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Week 1
On the ship, Kala mostly kept to herself. though she did join the crew at mealtimes. Mainly, she kept to the cabin lent to her by the captain, who had passed on her word that she was not to be disturbed.
On a ship this large, faces came and went, and remembering each of one's fellow workers was an unlikely task at best.
With this, few noticed that the sailors working on deck or enjoying their assigned break times were numbering one more than expected.
It was somewhat of a game the ship's unusual guest had taken on to keep herself amused during the long trip. It was an interesting experience seeing how far she could push her disguises before whispers began going around.
She was only somewhat concerned about getting caught. Worst case scenario, she'd confess to the subterfuge and offer double her original payment as a show of good faith.
Week 2
Mihara lounged on her cot, quill and scroll in hand, pondering her next verse, when shouts came from the deck.
"We're being boarded! To arms!" the quartermaster shouted.
Kala Vestos rushed out, bow in hand. She was no combat expert, but she had a vested interest in keeping this ship sailing. She'd battle alongside her ferriers, and no amount of convincing would do otherwise. The half elf leapt onto a barrel and surveyed the frey. An arrow soared through the air, knocking one of the pirates' club out of his hands before he could strike at the captain from behind.
Hawke Sarro tumbled out from behind a barrel, twin scimitars at the ready. As a sailor hired in Katapesh to bring the ship safely to Tian, it was his duty to join the combat. He moved through the chaos of battle like a storm of blades, disarming and disemboweling as he went, expertly parrying blows. Eyes turned to watch, equal parts impressed and frightened. Yet, in the chaos, the brawl lost track of the lithe man, and he vanished through thin air.
Sirran Flamehart, a young swabbie, was cornered by a frighteningly large half-orc. She slowly backed away towards the edge of the ship as the brute, knife in hand, crept towards her.
Garrod Greytooth retreated to his captain's side. He had not just been knocked out with a sap and thrown off the ship. He was better than that. "I got your back, captain!" The half-orc shouted over the din of combat, standing back to back with his superior, parrying a sailor's attack with great ease before tripping the man and shoving him away.
This is too easy.
A pained scream, resonated through the crowd, and all turned just in time to see Captain Reaver collapse onto the deck with a resounding 'thump', a dagger sticking out of his upper spine. His assailant, curiously, was nowhere to be found.
Yao Mihara closed the cabin door behind herself and listened with glee as the sailors cheered and the pirates retreated. These bandits had nothing on what she'd faced in Khalharum.
On the ship, Kala mostly kept to herself. though she did join the crew at mealtimes. Mainly, she kept to the cabin lent to her by the captain, who had passed on her word that she was not to be disturbed.
On a ship this large, faces came and went, and remembering each of one's fellow workers was an unlikely task at best.
With this, few noticed that the sailors working on deck or enjoying their assigned break times were numbering one more than expected.
It was somewhat of a game the ship's unusual guest had taken on to keep herself amused during the long trip. It was an interesting experience seeing how far she could push her disguises before whispers began going around.
She was only somewhat concerned about getting caught. Worst case scenario, she'd confess to the subterfuge and offer double her original payment as a show of good faith.
Week 2
Mihara lounged on her cot, quill and scroll in hand, pondering her next verse, when shouts came from the deck.
"We're being boarded! To arms!" the quartermaster shouted.
Kala Vestos rushed out, bow in hand. She was no combat expert, but she had a vested interest in keeping this ship sailing. She'd battle alongside her ferriers, and no amount of convincing would do otherwise. The half elf leapt onto a barrel and surveyed the frey. An arrow soared through the air, knocking one of the pirates' club out of his hands before he could strike at the captain from behind.
Hawke Sarro tumbled out from behind a barrel, twin scimitars at the ready. As a sailor hired in Katapesh to bring the ship safely to Tian, it was his duty to join the combat. He moved through the chaos of battle like a storm of blades, disarming and disemboweling as he went, expertly parrying blows. Eyes turned to watch, equal parts impressed and frightened. Yet, in the chaos, the brawl lost track of the lithe man, and he vanished through thin air.
Sirran Flamehart, a young swabbie, was cornered by a frighteningly large half-orc. She slowly backed away towards the edge of the ship as the brute, knife in hand, crept towards her.
Garrod Greytooth retreated to his captain's side. He had not just been knocked out with a sap and thrown off the ship. He was better than that. "I got your back, captain!" The half-orc shouted over the din of combat, standing back to back with his superior, parrying a sailor's attack with great ease before tripping the man and shoving him away.
This is too easy.
A pained scream, resonated through the crowd, and all turned just in time to see Captain Reaver collapse onto the deck with a resounding 'thump', a dagger sticking out of his upper spine. His assailant, curiously, was nowhere to be found.
Yao Mihara closed the cabin door behind herself and listened with glee as the sailors cheered and the pirates retreated. These bandits had nothing on what she'd faced in Khalharum.
Chapter 2
"Laaand Hoooo!", the lookout bellowed from the crow's nest.
Sailors bustled on deck, waking Mihara up one morning. She took little time to get changed, both literally and figuratively, and Kala Vestos stepped out on deck, watching as a familliar island came closer and closer.
Home. It's been a while.
"Ah, good morning, Miss Vestos,", the captain greeted her as she approached. "So this is the fabled island you sought to reach? I can certainly see why someone would want to visit such a place."
I wouldn't quite say visit...
"Quite so, Captain Shang. Though I must say I quite enjoyed a trip aboard your ship. I cannot possibly thank you enough for taking me on board."
"Ah, say no more." the captain smiled. "Everyone deserves to see home every once in a while."
Mihara paused for a moment. Had he just...
Captain Shang adjusted his vest and offered a pleasant smile. "Your secret is safe with me."
Sailors bustled on deck, waking Mihara up one morning. She took little time to get changed, both literally and figuratively, and Kala Vestos stepped out on deck, watching as a familliar island came closer and closer.
Home. It's been a while.
"Ah, good morning, Miss Vestos,", the captain greeted her as she approached. "So this is the fabled island you sought to reach? I can certainly see why someone would want to visit such a place."
I wouldn't quite say visit...
"Quite so, Captain Shang. Though I must say I quite enjoyed a trip aboard your ship. I cannot possibly thank you enough for taking me on board."
"Ah, say no more." the captain smiled. "Everyone deserves to see home every once in a while."
Mihara paused for a moment. Had he just...
Captain Shang adjusted his vest and offered a pleasant smile. "Your secret is safe with me."