Leaving the throwing contest, Balthazar starts his scimitar training with either Barmark or Oleg, whoever is up for it.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Mon 16 Nov 2009.

"There are many dead men who could already attest to that, if they could but speak."

Conn smiled at the woman, but his expression was for once rather cold. He said no more, then continued to watch the contest between the woman and the Frankish knight. It occurred to him that anyone who crossed their path had better be friendly...

Balthazar realizes that he is probably the only person in the group who has never killed anybody (directly), and decides to not mention it.

Jaleh studies the Knight's throw a moment before stepping again to the line.  She finds herself full of nervous energy - the thrill of the competition has grown!  Still, she's able to calm herself with a deep breath, release to halfway and concentrate.  Lifting her arm she flicks her wrist - not her best throw this day, but closer to the center than the knight's.

Bowing grandly to Sir Jean she says, "You are a fine competitor, Sir Knight.  I will take my prize now!"

Smiling, she turns to A'kos and winks.

 18:47, Today: Jaleh rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Contest.

"Well done indeed,well done."

Jean retrieved his axe and retired to his room and returned with the promised Gambeson. It was indeed finely made of red linen and embroidered with golden thread depicting horses on the run.

"I will have it altered to fit you as well as may be expected on the morrow if you wish."

"That will not be necessary," she smiles grandly.

Taking the proffered shirt she brings it back to the table and offers it to A'kos.

"A noble raiment for a stout heart," she says to the Falcon.

A'kos takes the gambeson and holds it up, studying it.

"A fine shirt," he notes, and looking at Jean he calls out, "Where'd you have this made?"

Loukas stands and raises  his cup, "To those who threw better than me... I am glad you are on my side!!!"

"It is the work of Thestrios the Weaver in Byzantium. His work is perhaps not the most visually appealing that is available but it far more durable and I find that such is useful in the garments of an adventurer."

Despite Jeans words the shirt is of very fine appearance.

Miroslav smiles from ear to ear, raises his horn and says to Jaleh..."Well played!"

He then drains the green wine from the horn and sets it down..."So, now we have our crew! In two days time we join Sviatoslav's fleet in the raid upon Khorsun. I would suggest you gear up now and take care of anything you might need to do before moving out with Sviatoslav."

In reply to Balthazar the Hedonite (msg #170):

Oleg is overjoyed that Balthazar has taken up his offer to help him learn the weapon he gained from the Persian. In a less rowdy corner of the tavern, Oleg draws his own weapon, perhaps a few inches shorter and slightly heavier than the scimitar, but a close match to Balthazar's eye.

First he goes over the basic grips and footwork to be used when employing the weapon, then the angles of attack and defense. A good basic introduction tot he weapon in a short time.

Balthazar has some trouble at first but warms tot he weapon and instruction fairly well.

For all of Oleg's crudeness he was obviously taught his skill at arms in a military or at least a disciplined setting.

"A fine gift, little woman," smiles A'kos broadly, "and well won!  You do me too much honor with your generosity."

With Miro's pronouncement A'kos sits and begins to plan a well thought out drunk, then perhaps a conquest of Jaleh in the later hours.

He grins to her and says, "Let us celebrate today and worry about tomorrow at the appropriate time."

When the crew have divided up in their various groups, Barmak approaches Miroslav. "We sail tomorrow, you say.  Might I take a look at our vessel even this night?  There is not a ship built that does not leak and I would fain have no sleep and do the repairs while she is still in dock, than discover them at sea."

He pauses for a moment, then adds politely "You may of course accompany me aboard while I look..."

"Two days, Barmak!  Mean's there's time enough to recover!" A'kos shouts.

Taking a deep drought of ale he smacks his lips happily as he cozies up to Jaleh.

        Gultunag quietly consumes his sausage and blackbread with cream.  The
Stridesman slowly sips his brew from his drinking horn as he patiently awaits
the liason with the serving wench later in the eve.  He quietly takes in the
goins on within the Inn without a word.  The future crews demonstrations of
their weapon skills do not impress the Stridesman . . . as target practice
is quite different than actual combat.  The true metal of a warrior can only
be demonstrated in battle.

Balthazar winces and says, "Even though you spoke it aloud, I could tell that you spelled it 'metal' in your mind, when in fact the word is spelled 'mettle'.  No worries, I'll have you educated in no time!"

;-)

Jaleh grins in vast amusement at the Hedonist's interpretation of the barbarian's thoughts.

Turning to A'kos she says, "You are welcome, dear."

Intrigued as he is to see the boat for himself, A'kos's reminder that there are still two days until they sail has Conn smiling, and he lifts his drinking horn once more.

"Here's to a good day's drink!"

Fast forward through the rest of this day, spent relaxing and drinking by most.

We are now just a day away from sailing with Sviatoslav.

Miroslav takes those interested in seeing the ship to the pier and gives them a brief rundown of the situation and the ship and what their duties will be. He is ready to field any questions they might have.

For the rest, this is your last chance to purchase anything at the markets, at these markets have everything. They rival the best markets of Byzantium. Sviatoslav chose this site for his capital because he called it the crossroads of the east and west...he was right, but it is also the crossroads of north and south.

Balthazar will take on the role of ship's cook.  Being the food lover that he is, he's quite a good one.

As for supplies, we need lots of arrows, pitch, oil, tinder boxes, flints, you name it, so that we can shoot flaming arrows at our foes.

Loukas does not need much personally, though he does acquire an extra tunic, pants, and cloak. He'll buy these while assisting Balthazar to acquire supplies for the ship. In addition to the materials the Magus has already listed, Loukas will check to see if any "capital" stuff ought to be stocked, like extra oars, sails, rope, etc. It's unclear just how well stocked the Heart of Oak was when we acquired it...

Barmak will check the caulking, the planking (and the keel if the water is not too cold), the bilges, the lines and make sure that on board there is a decent stock of wood, nails, tar, cloth and tools for performing repairs.

If they do not look at him to askance, he will try to chat to the existing crew if there are any to see how the ship handles.

Between Balthazar and Michael the Greek who has taken to almost acting like the Hedonite's servant, Loukas and Barmak, the Heart of Oak finds herself well stocked with both common and some extravagant items and supplies. No one will be going hungry for any time soon, thirsty either for that matter and there is a good supply of arrow/pitch to attack other ships with and plenty of supplies for maintaining and repairing the ship.

Barmak finds it hard to get a decent answer on how the ship handles...from both Oleg and Miroslav he hears..."It handles like it should." From the Greek farmers turned sailors he gets even less information.

Anything we need to finish up on this thread is fine to continue here with. The story will move on to the "Setting Sail" thread. Don't feel the need to make sure all your sullpies are bought and on your sheet. I am not a huge stickler for this sort of thing. I mean if some how you are claiminga ballista has been brought along without an earlier ref, then than it one thing but saying you have soap or rope is another. And as we know all good sailors have soap on a rope right?

        Once the wench is relieved from her duties and she has made her way
to her quarters, Gultunga follows soon afterwards for an eve of lustful
escapades.  Who needs sleep whence dropping anchor in a new port.

        The Stridesman knock on her door and is promptly received.

Gosh I almost forgot about him.  I wonder if he'll survive long enough to break out of the spell.  In any case, Balthazar takes Michael to the seedier side of town to give him one last chance to sow some wild oats.