Piratical Enterprises (Phrost)

[Elloria]

(OOC: chuán = boat/ocean-going vessel. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk_(ship) is the type of ship they’re on.)

Genji glared down at the reports splayed on the table before him. His four guards were ranged about the room, eying their ward very carefully. There had been six pirate attacks on Teirm ships in the last month alone. Six. Not counting several dozen that had occurred in the past six months. To say that he was displeased was something of an understatement. He had flayed the man in charge of port security to within an inch of his life. The ships been in sight of Teirm when attacked! And worse, still? The most recent ship had an escort. A damn escort, for Kami’s sake! Only three sailors survived between the who-knew-how-many both ships had started out with. No, Genji was positively livid. Pirates had been a minimal problem since he had assumed control. But now...now they had suddenly become bold. And he had a feeling who was behind all the activity, bastard that the man was. Some foolish brute calling himself Alasdair Dubh. Whatever the hell that last word meant. He vaguely knew that Alasdair was a name used on some distant continent or island or whatever. Some of the Savage Faithful apparently hailed from it, which made Genji somewhat wary. Of Broddring’s troops, he liked the Savage Faithful the least and respected them the most. Which didn’t mean much - it just meant he respected them, period. He held them in no great esteem, but considered their fighting skills to be higher than that of native Alagaesians. He naturally approved of that. This Alasdair had never been one of the Faithful, but he apparently hailed from the same general area.

At least that was Genji’s impression of the situation. At the moment, the man’s origins were utterly irrelevant. His actions, on the other hand, were enough to make Genji want to kill someone. He rose abruptly from his seat - knocking it over - gripped the edge of the oak table and flipped it. The table skidded across the floor a few feet, the papers scattering everywhere. “I am going to kill this imbecilic Alasdair Dubh with my own hands![/i][/color]” he screamed in Itasu. He paced the room furiously, muttering various curses in an odd mix of Itasu and Common. The attack had happened about a week ago, shortly before the arrival of the fleet from Itasus. Things had been fairly quiet ever since, but Genji knew it was only a matter of time. This would absolutely have to be dealt with. And rather than let some incompetent idiot deal with it, he was going to take care of matters personally. He had lost all patience on the matter. “Where the hell is Shinobu?” His demand was greeted by a deferential knock on the closed door of his ‘war room.’ Raiden, who was nearest to it, asked for the person to identify themselves. Shinobu’s gruff, quiet voice could be faintly heard and Raiden opened the door to allow the fleet captain’s entrance. Shinobu looked about the room, curiosity in his eyes. “You must be quite upset, cousin,” he said blandly. “As I recall, you despised disorder in your abode.”

“Do not provoke me, cousin,” Genji snapped, continuing to pace. “My patience has worn thin enough. You recall those damnable attacks I spoke of?” Shinobu nodded. “I wish to deal with it whilst the fleet is still here. This...this...Alasdair Dubh...has insulted my capabilities for the last time. He dares to attack MY ships when they are within sight of MY port! And these idiots that are supposed to handle these things have made an utter mess of it! I will not allow this to continue![/b][/i][/color]” Genji stopped in his tracks. He clenched his fists and took several deep breaths. His voice had ascended rapidly in volume as he had ranted to his cousin. He waited a few moments before continuing calmly and considerably quieter. His pacing resumed, his tread slow, measured and thoughtful. “I wish to teach Alasdair Dubh a lesson, cousin. And I wish for you and your flagship to aid me in doing so. You have the finest Itasus has to offer on your ship.” He halted once more and turned to look directly in Shinobu’s eyes. There was a rarely seen fire in the depths of Genji’s sea-colored gaze. “Will you help me?”

Shinobu raised an eyebrow. “The fleet and Itasus owes you much, Genji.” A small smile quirked his lips. “What did you have in mind?”

======

Genji leaned against the rail of Ryu no ko, the main chuán of the Itasan fleet. His eyes flicked across the expanse of water, seeking a sign of the impending attack. He was going to face this Alasdair Dubh on the brute’s turf. And he would not lose. He squinted his eyes as he at last caught sight of something. “I believe the bait has been taken,” he called casually, so that all on deck could hear him. “Ready yourselves.” As the crew prepared for what was sure to be an intense battle, Genji continued to stare at the speck that was quickly growing into a ship. His guards waited patiently nearby. The moment would come. But not quickly enough for Genji.

[phrostphyre]

”Ship sighted, Cap’n! She appears to be a fat merchantman, loaded down with gold or spices. Distance to Teirm, fifty leagues. It’s probably a trap; the Itasan fleet is in port now, and they seem to not like us honest pirates.”[/b]
Alasdair poked his head out of his cabin. Blood-shot green eyes glared at his first mate, an Alagaësian gutter-rat. Flan, as he was called, grinned back at his Cap’n. Alasdair threw an empty bottle of rum at Flan, eliciting a curse from Flan and laughs from the crew on deck. ”Damn your eyes, Flan. I was sleeping! I dinnae care if it is a trap, bait, or full of women; if it’s a ship, go attack the damned wee thing! If the Itasans are trying tae trap us, I dinnae care! Now, let me ken once it’s fighting time.”[/b] The head withdrew, but shouted Gaelic curses flew through the door, letting every man and stowed away woman, that dammit, but this had better be a good haul, although not quite as…polite. The crew set to work, tightening rigging, loosing sails, furling other sails, and working the oars.


Alasdair glared at the mirror mounted on the wall. He still didn’t quite understand how he hadn’t shattered it yet, but the face looking back at him was a pitiful thing. Alasdair swore and set about shaving. Lather up the cream, flick open the straight razor, and began trying not to slice his throat open. Alasdair maintained a fairly full beard on his jaw, but kept his throat and the sides of face shaved. He ordered a copper tub full of hot water, to bathe in. It had been a week since the last bath, and Alasdair felt grungy. He laid an unstained dress kilt, white shirt, and blue coat out, and then submerged himself in the tub that had innocuously appeared. He scrubbed himself with a handful of sand, and then washed his hair. Finished, he stood and toweled himself off with a large, fairly clean rag. Alasdair put the shirt on, wrapped the kilt around his waist, belted on his sword belt, and then put his waist coat on. He stepped onto the deck feeling slightly more human.

”Cap’n.” “Captain.” “Cap’n Mac.” “Cap’n Alasdair.” Alasdair was greeted by several members of his crew. He glared at them, but when nothing was thrown at them, they grinned at him.
”Archers into the rigging. Spearmen, form the Turtle. Rowers, double ramming speed. Boarders, prepare your selves. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a prize, simply waiting to be taken! I am your Captain! I have found myself in the jaws of Death himself! I escaped! I expect every whoreson and bitch of you do to better! Because I will do better!”[/b] Alasdair bellowed every bit of it, hoping it carried to the crew members of the merchant man.

[Elloria]

(OOC: Forgot to mention, but "This" is dialogue in Itasu, Genji's native language. Just an FYI. ^__^)

The ships drew closer together and Genji felt a thrill of excitement race through him. He had not been in a proper battle since leaving Itasus. His left hand stroked the hilt of Seisui lovingly. “Kazan-sama...should we not move to a slightly less...open position?” His head turned slightly to eye Mami, who had hesitantly posed the question. A slight breeze ruffled his shaggy hair as he returned to contemplating the ship now pacing beside the Ryu no ko. “I suppose that may be wise.” His voice was heavy with sarcasm as he continued. “So if I have your permission, I believe I will move to the mast.” He whirled around and strode across the deck to the mast. He leaned against it, Hinote's sheath and the light lamellar armor digging into his back from the pressure. Confidence seemed to radiate from him as he continued to eye the enemy defiantly. Or perhaps it was arrogance that made his pose relaxed and loose. His hand continued to caress Seisui's hilt as a rough bellowing voice floated across the gap of water to his ears. A sneer twisted his face. The jaws of Death? That fool would find himself in those jaws once more if Genji had his way. And there would be no escape. He lifted his right hand casually. Shinobu, still at the helm, responded accordingly.

“Nock arrows!” A flurry of activity greeted the order as the archers prepared themselves. Genji's sneer turned into a wolfish grin. At least a quarter of the archers had poison-tipped arrows. He held his hand up for a moment longer before dropping it as casually as it was lifted. “Fire!” His eyes danced with delight as the arrows sailed across the span of water.

[phrostphyre]

Alasdair watched the archers on the ship. He was still unconcerned. His were in the rigging, and his boarders could get out of the way. He moved forward to the prow, whispering to the ship, trying to coax more speed out of her. His crew looked at him askance, but how many times had Alasdair done it, and the ship responded? Every time he did it. They ignored him once more, and the ship did seem to respond, going slightly faster. The archers fired at will, going for the killing factor of aimed shots, instead of massed volleys. The Itasan volley did work it’s gory duty, and an arrow hit Alasdair in the shoulder. He giggled at the pain, then yanked the arrow out and licked it. It tasted of blood and poison. They were poisoning arrows?! What had become of naval piracy and anti-piracy, these days?!

”Watch yourselves, whorespawn! The Itasan dock rats poison arrows! Triple ramming speed, rowers! The brig closed faster, but still not fast enough to suit Alasdair. He began bellowing in Gaelic and drew his sword, laying about with the flat of his blade.

[Elloria]

Genji watched dispassionately as the archers exchanged arrows. Although the Itasans were currently firing in volleys, that would need to change quickly. Alasdair's crew was taking the time to aim and a good half dozen or more of the Ryu no ko's crew had been wounded. He personally had not been, though an arrow or two were currently lodged in his armor. His guards were still in good shape - Hiroshi was even taking aimed shots with her crossbow. More importantly, Raiden was nowhere to be seen, though Genji suspected the man had slipped off to some shadowy corner to await his chance. Genji expected no less. Mami tugged the arrows out of his armor, quietly cursing his brazenness. He waved her away and straightened up. A man matching the description of Alasdair Dubh had just pulled an arrow from his shoulder and was now bellowing to the crew in some strange tongue. “Brace for impact!” he shouted a moment before the oncoming brig collided with the Ryu no ko. He fell to the deck hard, Seisui's sheath jarring his hip painfully. He swiftly clambered to his feet and shook his head clear before the sounds of the invading force met his ears. Genji's eyes snapped open as his hands flew to Seisui and Hinote, unsheathing them in one fluid motion. “Alasdair Dubh!” he screamed as he leapt into the fray. “Where are you, you filthy thrice-cursed rat?!”

[phrostphyre]

Alasdair was the first onto the Itasan ship, sword hacking through armor, flesh, and bone as he brought it down and across in great, heavy arcs that shattered man and wood. A great battle cry ripped itself loose from his throat, as he set about bludgeoning a sailor to death with his sword, ignoring any sort of finesse or skill in favor of brutally hacking and beating them down. At the cry of the Count, seeking him, Alasdair hoisted his sword aloft and waved it, towering over nearly all the pirates, soldiers, and sailors. ”Here, ye wee Itasan rat! And it’s nae Doovh, ye arse-wipe, ‘tis pronounced ‘Doo’! Come one ye, gobshite! Come at me, brother![/color]

[Elloria]

The sounds of swords clashing and the cries of the dying were oddly nostalgic to the Count. Genji remembered the days when he had battled on Itasus - the coppery scent of blood, the groans of pain, the ache of his muscles after hours of fighting...the thrill of victory. Yes, he felt this now as his blades bit deeply into one of Alasdair's men. They slid through the man's flesh like a hot knife through butter, cleaving forearm from elbow and leaving the ribcage exposed before kicking him aside. He whirled to block an attack from the side and as he engaged this new opponent, he heard what he had been listening for. “Here, ye wee Itasan rat! And it’s nae Doovh, ye arse-wipe, ‘tis pronounced ‘Doo’! Come on ye, gobshite! Come at me, brother!” He knocked his current opponent’s sword aside and in one swift move separated the man's head from his body. He turned in the direction of the voice and began cutting a swath of destruction through the fighters in an attempt to reach the monster of a man currently waving the sword he had used to obliterate an impressive numbers of Genji’s people.

Not that Genji would ever openly admit it was impressive.

His guards were somewhere in the mess, but he was decidedly unconcerned about them. Even Raiden. Right now, he had a barbaric pirate to kill. Deftly disemboweling the last pirate between him and his target, Genji leapt forward to engage Dubh. He swung his katana at Dubh's chest while stabbing his wakizashi at the man's shield. His hope was to remove the shield before moving in for the kill. It would only prove troublesome to leave it in the pirate's hands.

[phrostphyre]

Alasdair saw the Count coming towards him. Madness seemed to descend upon him, battle madness. He finished off his current opponent by catching their sword in his lower leg, then bashing their skull in with the basket hilt of his sword and his shield. Alasdair jerked his leg back, removing the sword from it, but splattering blood across the sand strewn deck. He turned to face the Count. Alasdair drew his dirk with his shield arm, and kept it there, pointed downwards, adding a third tool to his arsenal. He let the blade headed for his shield be caught upon the studs, then twisted his arm as he brought his sword down in a sweeping arc, headed for the place where the arm met torso, intending to sever it, and all the while Alasdair was moving his torso to the side, twisting it to let the sword blade swoosh past him. He felt it slice his coat, shirt, and chest. He would pretend to be more heavily wounded than he was, because it always worked. They moved in for the kill, he trapped their blades in fleshy, unimportant parts of his body, and then Alasdair delivered the killing blow, not them.

[Elloria]

(OOC: Short and uninspired, but I hope you have enough to work with.)

Genji cursed silently as Hinote got caught on the studs of Dubh's shield. The way the man twisted it threw off the trajectory of Seisui slightly. Genji didn't feel the usual tug on his arm caused by the sword carving through flesh. He jerked back and to his left, feeling Dubh's sword nick the crease where shoulder met arm. He began tugging at the shield with a surprising strength for someone his size. He jerked it backwards, forwards, and any which way that he could. He was determined to rid the man of it before going in for the kill. And if he was lucky, Dubh would have already been hit with an arrow or two that was poisoned. He gave the pirate another six minutes at most. Less if he could get the man’s blood flowing fast and heavy in his veins. While preoccupied with the shield-jerking, Genji began jabbing and slashing at Dubh. He aimed for any exposed area he could without closing the distance between them. When facing a wildcard like Dubh, one did not rush inside of the defenses to deliver a blow. It could mean victory or death and Genji had held on to life far too long to let it end here at the hands of a godless heathen.

[phrostphyre]

Alasdair felt the strength in the Count’s arms as he parried the blows with his sword, intent on keeping the other man’s second blade caught on his shield. He jerked the shield again, intent on keeping the second blade out of play. Alasdair danced back, hamming it up to make it look like his chest and leg were hindrances. He limped as he tried to dance back, grinning as he did so. Blood dripped from his chest, further staining his shirt and coat, and his kilt was slowly gaining a very large dark stain. His leg locked up, an old wound coming back to harass him. Alasdair fell genuinely, swearing. He vainly tried to keep his shield, but the loss of balance, the effects of the Count’s endless blows, and his tugging on the shield caused its straps to break, leaving Alasdair with only a dirk and sword to counter the Count’s dual blades. Alasdair tried to stab upwards with the dirk, but it was thrown back down by one of the enemy blades. He reversed it in his hand, and then the grip fell into place on his hand and Alasdair drove it up again, while he powered back up with his leg, ignoring the pain in place of softly speaking a war cry. ” Tulach Àrd, Tulach Àrd, Tulach Àrd, Tulach Àrd!”[/b][/color]

[Elloria]

Though Alasdair appeared to be quite hampered by the wound Genji had delivered him, the man's grin told the Itasan otherwise. Not to mention the fact that the man was continuing to match blows with Genji and keep the Count’s second sword out of play. Either the pirate was crazed or the wound was not that serious. It was probably both, actually. Regardless, it was wearing on Genji's patience. He continued to strike at the pirate, pleased to see the large dark stains spreading across Alasdair's shirt and skirt. ‘What are they called wherever he’s from? Kilts? Might as well walk around naked if all that’s covering you is something like that.’ Even as he thought it, Alasdair toppled over with a loud curse. A sadistic grin twisted Genji's face as the leather straps securing the shield to the pirate's arm gave way with satisfying snaps. However, the grin soon turned to a snarl. There was just one slight problem. Hinote was still caught in the shield. “May Zhayu the Executioner strike you!” he cursed, slipping easily into his native tongue as his left hand was jerked down from the sudden deadweight of the shield. His body soon began compensating for the change and he resumed his shaking of the shield, trying to rid himself of it even as he parried a blow from the knife Alasdair had been concealing all along. “Filthy swine,” he muttered as the pirate fumbled to fix his grip on the knife. “Tulach Àrd, Tulach Àrd, Tulach Àrd, Tulach Àrd!” The warcry was his only warning and it was not enough to bring Seisui up to parry the powerful thrust. Instead he swung Hinote up, hoping to dislodge the knife with a jarring enough blow to the pirate's arm. 'As irksome as he is, he's proven a somewhat more interesting opponent than I've faced in years.'

[phrostphyre]

Alasdair stood and swore softly. The bastard had parried the dirk. Well. Time for a change, then. Alasdair twisted the dirk in his grip again, now holding it at a downward angle. He brought his dirk arm down, hoping to send it into the man's neck, but the man's version of the dirk shattered his arm bone, making it useless. Alasdair dropped it, then let his arm dangle uselessly. He scrabbled for an idea in his head, while it was now sword on sword. The man could still use Alasdair's shield to attempt to bludgeon him, though. Alasdair caught the blade on his sword, then attempted to drive a knee into the man's bollocks. It might work, but if it didn't, there would always be the old bait them into stabbing you with both blades, then take them with you into the cold embrace of Hell's mistress. Alasdair knew if it came to that, he would have enough strength to drive his sword through both torso's. Well Hell, it looks like I'm finally on my way. I'll be sure to bring you an Itasan rat, though.

(OOC: Lol. First post on my laptop! You should feel honored, lol. But I was thinking, Alasdair would bait Genji into the above move; stabbing him with both blades, then adding his sword to the mix through Genji's body? Where could we take that?)

[Elloria]

(OOC: Shite. Total and absolute shite. Have fun with it!)

Genji grinned. He couldn’t believe that had actually worked! He’d never actually bludgeoned anyone with a stolen shield before. Normally, it would’ve been dislodged quickly from Hinote to allow for the full use of both blades. Pleased, he exchanged a few more blows with Alasdair. As the brutish pirate parried yet another blow, Genji caught movement from below. He took a step back and bent slightly forward, only to find himself wheezing for breath. But for the clenching of his right fist, he would have dropped Seisui. Unfortunately, he did lose his grip on Hinote, sending the blade skittering across the deck.

But what the hell did that matter? The man had tried kneeing him in his testicles! Genji felt his eye twitch as he continued to try and parry blows while regaining his breath. After a moment - in which he mentally cursed, damned, and otherwise abused the pirate in every way imaginable - he lunged upwards blindly, pleased to feel the satisfying give of flesh even as his torso suddenly burned with pain.

[phrostphyre]

Alasdair let out a small breath as he felt the blades enter his chest. It escaped softly, but then Alasdair drew in another breath, rotated his sword, and drove it through Genji's chest and into his own. He smiled at the man, then let go of his sword and wrapped his arms around the man, trying his best to crush him, in addition to the sword running through him.

"I will see you in Hell, Count."[/color]

[Elloria]

(OOC: Late, I know. I’m terrible. But here’s the post and if you feel it’s god-modded too much, let me know?)

Genji grunted as he felt the sharp burn of a blade running through his chest. He couldn’t tell where it had pierced him exactly – a mixture of shock, rage, and pain numbed his mind too much for that. He began to push away from Alasdair, but found his attempts thwarted as the pirate pulled him closer. The grip was tight…almost unbearably so. The wretch sought to crush Genji in his grip. As if the Count needed further confirmation, quiet words brushed against his ears. “I will see you in Hell, Count.”

Hell? Ha! Whatever hell was. At that simple statement, rage won out. Genji began pushing against the larger man again, hissing every now and then as his movements twisted the sword in his wound. And yet it seemed to make no difference. His chest tried to heave as he sought to pull in the breath that was slowly being choked out of him. Kami, how long would this pirate hold out? More importantly, could he afford to wait until the man weakened from the poison and blood loss before Genji could wrench himself free? He doubted it. He pushed against Alasdair again, feeling Seisui slide further into the pirate. His ears seemed to be filled with the pounding pulse of his lifeblood. Was there a slight give in Alasdair’s hold?

No, but there was a gradual loss of that pressure. The moment he realized, Genji finally noticed the presence of his guards as they steadily pried Alasdair’s arms away from him. In a few moments he was being gently pulled from the pirate, Alasdair’s sword sliding out of its owner’s body even as it still rested in Genji’s. He saw the brute sink to the deck as if in slow motion, though he was certain it was merely a misperception due to his own blood loss. Not to mention that he, too, was being lowered to the deck by Raiden’s gentle hands. Orders were shouted in Itas for medics to arrive post-haste to treat Genji’s wounds and quiet assurances made that all would be well. But the Count’s eyes were on Alasdair.

The man had put up a good fight. It had been far better than any of the Alagaesians he had piloting his city’s ships. Alasdair could be useful after all…couldn’t he? He struggled to lift a hand, pointing at Alasdair even as Raiden told him to be still. “Shut up and…treat the pirate…for poison and…his wounds…he is…possibly…use…ful…” His voice was cracked and quiet, but he knew Raiden obeyed. He could hear the order being given, though it was a bit harder to tell if the medics were treating Alasdair for they had crowded around him to treat his wounds and had blocked his view. Genji would have to trust they would not be foolish enough to disobey him.

[phrostphyre]

Alasdair felt someone prying him from around the Count. He struggled to maintain his grip, but now he was as weak as a kitten. They laid him onto the ship's decking, away from the Count. They began ignoring him in favor of treating the Count's wounds, but Alasdair heard the Count say something. He wouldn't let it end this way. So Alasdair steeled himself and began crawling to the Count, hands searching for a blade as he drove himself forward, world dimming around him. He struggled forward, but someone rolled him over and opened his jaws, shoving something into his mouth and holding his nose, making him swallow or choke. Alasdair swalloed whatever the liquid was down, snorting and coughing as he took another breath. Sometime the swords had been removed from his chest, and someone was poking the stab wounds and at the hole in his shoulder, not bothering to be gentle. On the deck, Alasdair's crew had laid down their weapons and were being herded into a corner, where they were guarded.

Alasdair ignored all this in favor of keeping to try and kill the Count, doing his best, which was far from his usual best, to kill him. It was far from succeeding, as now someone was holding him down. He kept poking Alasdair in the nose and speaking, but Alasdair didn't understand. Instead he poked the person holding him down and muttered in Gaelic, not truly making sense.