Instigator

[Tyrun the Norseman]

The small group sat around Tyrun, as he flagged down the tavern-lass for another round of ales. They all leaned in closely, listening to his words, a vague sense of outrage about them.

"So, the scrawny git, 'e says th' Zephyr be unseaworthy, 'ey?" This was spoken by Elsana Firelock, Tyrun's first mate. She was reknowned for her cool demeanor, but now, her nostrils flared slightly.

Tyrun nodded, almost ruefully. "Yeap...that's what he said, this Captain De Sennis. Remard De Sennis, that's his full name, in case you misheard me previously. Terrible, to cast such aspersions against that fine vessel." The group nodded emphatically, but Tyrun continued on. "Not to mention her crew."

His crewmen leaned in even closer, as the captain nonchalantly took a sip of ale.

"What did he say of us? Speak!" This command came from the sullen Mongol, the archer Yurchak. His grasp of the language was somewhat limited, and so Tyrun tolerated his brusque way of speaking.

"Well," Tyrun drawled, "I am sure he was just blowing a lotta hot air, seeing as he never met any of you. But, he said..." The group leaned in closer, all ears. Tyrun continued in a hushed voice. "He said that you all was too cowardly even to sail in a fog."

A gasp of outrage seemed to burst from all of them simultaneously. The crew leaned back in their chairs, muttering darkly amongst themselves.

Harl Grimface, the grizzled old quartermaster, drew his dagger, inspecting the blade as he spoke. "A man should be more careful who he insults, aye captain?"

"Yes, well," Tyrun replied with a wave of his hand. "It wasn't personal. He never mentioned anyone by name. He just referred to vague groups...such as Norsemen. For example, he claimed that all Norse are a bunch of blathering, lying fools.

Torla Bloodaxe, the ship's cook (who happened to be seven feet tall, and broad as a doorway), slammed his massive fist down on the table, causing tankards to wobble. The rest of the group hastily grabbed their ales, lest a drop be spilled.

"I'll kill him! I'll eat his guts! And then I'll find all his brothers, and kill them, too!" At this, Elsana gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Settle down, Bloodaxe." Torla slouched back in his chair and fumed.

"In any case," Tyrun continued, "This was strictly a personal disagreement, between him and me. I'm certainly not about to command any of you to harrass his men, just because of the terrible, insulting things he said to me...and, by extension, to all of you. No, I cannot expect any of you to fight on my behalf...unless you really wanted to. Again, this is between me and him...NOT between you and his crew...the crew of The Forell. That's the name of his ship. His ship, that harbors a buncha dirty woman-beaters. Did I mention, that he claimed his crew could bugger the lot of you?"

At this, the crew-members, almost in perfect unison, stood from their chairs and gathered up their gear. Their demeanors were, by this point, dark enough, that a few of the tavern patrons edged silently away from their vicinity.

Harl slapped Tyrun on the shoulder. "Thanks fer the drink, Cap...we have some business to tend to." And with that, the gang strode out the door, moving with a new purpose.

Tyrun leaned back in his chair and allowed himself a smug grin. "Oh yeah, Mister De Sennis...it was a big mistake, to tangle with me." Then, letting out a reckless laugh, he called for another ale.

[Dorian Hawkmoon]

Strictly OOC here....that just HAS to be the funniest post I've seen all year.....*wipes the tears away, and holds my aching sides*.....You're a man after my own heart, Tyrun...completely evil and a born sh** stirrer ....grins and stands you to a few flagons of "the good stuff"...

[Sadie the Bar wench]

((ooc agrees with Dorian..... superbly written scene Mister Tyrun ))

*She had watched while they talked, as if talking was an apt description. More raised voices than anything else. The group was indeed very noticed and loud....there were times she thought they would start fighting amongst themselves. And when the tall one stood...well...she wondered if his head would reach right through the ceiling!. A right motley crew if ever there was one.

There was a coin or two to be made for sure, and all the while she kept the ale coming and wiggled in the appropriate manner.....then she was safe from harm. The faces of the men were familiar to her, for often she served them when thier ship docked in the harbour.

She did catch some of the louder parts of the conversation...and putting two and two together, she got the distinct impression that a few brawls may ensue. They were always good for business, even though there was a lot of clearing up to be done. Nary a good fight was enjoyed without an ale or more.

As several patrons moved away...she lifted two full jugs of ale from the bar, winking to the Landlord and started to make her way over to where the one eyed man had asked for more drink.

Her ample bosum was fighting against the ties of her corsets.....if allowed, they would certainly break free their restraints and inflict a black eye or more. The rounded curves of her body did the old skirt justice as it swayed from side to side.....she grinned and winked as a few revellers gave her a friendly slap. All in a nights work.

She placed the jugs down making the slops already on the table splash beneath their weight. This was to be long drinking session...she could tell by their faces....already seeming to be filled with devious plans.*

[Remard de Sennis]

*raises eyebrows, then smiles benevolently* Let them come... it will be a glorious fight! ;D

[LE OOC]

((Oh heavens... *LOL* ))

[Bethy]

Yyyyyeeeeeeeeesssssssssssss!! Sic 'em!! *g*

[Sinold Bragasson]

*Orders free ale for Tyrun and his crew for the remainder of the year!*

[Elsana Firelock]

Elsanan and the rest of her comrades in arms returned to the Tavern where they had left their Captain earlier that evening. Looking around the dim Tavern seeing the Viking Captain sitting where he had been upon their departure from his company but now surrounded by pretty wenches one sitting upon his lap in complete comfort, an arm draped around his neck and the finger of her other hand drawing down the side of his face in a caress, his one good eye burrowing down inside her exposed clevage looking for a better view.

With a brow superciliously raised and a self satisfied smirk on her lips she and the rest of her party came to the table and sit, tho looking relaxed they were on guard taking in all that was around them. Tyrun looks over at her questioningly. Slowly her smirk broadens into a wicked grin, the sparkling in her eyes answers any questions he has and with a short almost imperseptable nod turns his attention back to the lass on his lap.

Pounding her fist upon the table, she calls out loudly. ^Ale here for me and my crew mates. And none of that piss water you normally serve... Bring the good stuff!! Ohhhhhh and put it on Sinold's tab!!!!!^

[Tyrun the Norseman]

((First of all, I must say that I am usually very jealous about letting other people play "my" NPCs. However, in this case....BRAVO, whoever you are! You did a fine job of it, and I also must thank you for picking up the slack on my behalf.

Secondly, I must correct you in regards to how you described Tyrun's behavior. Normally, he is far more subtle when ogling a girl's cleavage. *L* Also, he would likely give his crew a little lecture about behaving themselves, and not causing trouble...all with a wink and a smile, of course.))

By now, Tyrun had a nice glow about him, from a dedicated afternoon of drinking ale after ale. He had slouched in his chair, one boot propped on the table, as if he had decided to claim this territory for all eternity. As usual, he talked loudly, his brash voice ringing throughout the tavern, as he shared jokes and insults with the regular patrons. Nobody took his jibes too seriously, though, as he was always generous with ales and tobacco.

He was feeling quite smug with himself at this time, and when the plump young tavern-lass, Sadie, settled in his lap, this served to make the day perfect. Normally, he didn't flirt too blatantly with any pub employees, not wanting to disturb their toil. But, he wasn't overly fastidious about following this rule.

...And now, his crewmen were with him again. The looks on their faces, an odd expression of grim exhultation, told him that they had indeed been out helling around. Tyrun chuckled inwardly, reminding himself how lucky he was to have such fine people in his employ. Then, with a hearty slap on Sadie's ample rear, he sent her on her way, before resting his elbows on the table, leaning forward to address his crew in a quiet voice.

"Right then. You all had your fun tonight, but I suspect it ain't over and done with. I expect you all to stay alert, and don't get overconfident. I was talking to Salix Razorback earlier, and he gave me the the run-down on The Forell. She's a lot bigger then The Zephyr...maybe 400 tons. I know we could sail circles around her, but she'll be holding a lot more men. I don't want any of you getting ganged-up on in any tavern...just keep your eyes open. Not only are we outnumbered, but that Captain De Sennis, he's not just mean, but he's also smart." With this, Tyrun tapped the side of his head meaningfully.

Harl and Elsana nodded gravely, while the gleam in Yurchak's eyes was the only thing in his stony face that showed he understood. Torla, however, let out a derisive snort. "What'll he do...think me to death?"

Tyrun jabbed a finger toward his cook. "Don't you scoff at me, Mister Bloodaxe! Never underestimate the advantage of a sharp intelligence. Do I hafta remind you how you came to be in my crew, after The Mjolnir took the ship you were serving on?"

Elsana barked out a sharp laugh, while Harl merely shook his head at the recollection of that particular bit of travesty. Torla muttered darkly into his ale, but spoke no more.

Tyrun leaned back in his chair and set about filling and lighting his tobacco pipe. "Alright, boys. Like I said, you had your fun, but it ain't over yet. Firelock, you'll work with Salix, and I want a full report, complete with descriptions, on any of The Forell's crew that might be dangerous in a fight...nevermind the ship-boys and waisters...just them as can swing a blade proper. Harl...I want you to see that The Zephyr is fully stocked and provisioned, within three days, just in case anything happens out on the waters. And be sure you acquire double-supplies of ballista ammunition. Yurchak, I want you to scout out every alley and rooftop in the dockside area, just so you know every line-of-fire that's possible. And if any of the local lasses look atcha as you're strolling around, try to smile at 'em, for once in your life. Christ. And Torla...you'll hafta go back to keeping an eye on Edfeil's skiff. I don't want any lowdown, woman-beating, sneak-thieving, ship-burning bastiches doing ANYTHING to that boat, just to spite me! And drink all the mead you want, this time. Any damn-fool who decides to cause hassle deserves to contend with you when you're half-drunk."

As soon as he was finished, the Norseman's crew stood in a sharp, businesslike manner. But Tyrun waved them back to their seats.

"It can wait til tomorrow...sit in, sit in! Tonight, we can bloody well get drunk! Especially if Sinold's buying!" He let out a loud laugh. "Or so you tell me, Elsana. But if Sinold takes a punch at me for racking-up his tavern bill, by God I'll order you to wear skirts and petticoats on duty for the next fortnight, see if I don't!"

They all had a good laugh as Tyrun waved for the tavern-lass. "Hey Sadie! Sadie! Ale and mead for me and my boys! And hey...you got any wheelbarrows back in the yard? because I swear yer gonna need 'em to haul us outta here tonight!"

[NPC Player ooc]

((My Dear Captain, First off I would like to thank You for your kind comments of my characterization of "YOUR" NPC chars. I do apologize for stepping in but there was a need. I tried to keep it respectful of the feel you give to them normally. As everyone knows there is only one Tyrun and He can not be imitated.

Secondly, being that this is the first time I ever took over from another Player, forgive my error in my discription of your ogling of the female form, as it is not in my list of skills. As for Your lecturing your crew about behaving and not causing trouble. That is your right to do so. ))

[Tyrun the Norseman]

((Your ability to capture the "feel" of these NPCs is amazing...trust me, others have tried it before, with jaw-droppingly bad results! And as for my critiques of your handling of Tyrun...I was only being facetious, and my minor complaints are really meaningless.

However, I will be happy to teach you the finer points of ogling the female form. And as for imitating Tyrun, it can be done easily. Just strut about like you're better than everybody else, and as if you own the place *L*))

[NPC Player ooc]

((High accolades from You, the Master indeed. Once more I thank you. But would you mind very much if I skipped the class on the finer points of ogling the female form? I really am not interested in that course. Although I would be happy to take the major's course in the imtiating of Captain Tyrun. ^lol^ Have a great day, night whatever, Captain. ))