Jean merely nodded in acceptance.

        The Stridesmans wet countenance beams upon hearing the wenches
revelation.  He adeptly downs the contents of his drinking horn and hands
it back to the serving wench.  Gultunga reaches for one of his secreted
coin pouches, opens it, reaches in, and places a gold coin onto the table
before him.

        Through slurred speech the wet Stridesman continues to address the
wench, "Keep Gultungas horn topped off with strong brew till the coins spent!"

        Gultunga rises from his water logged bench, saunters over to the one
whom looks to be hiring a crew (Miraslov) in order to speak with him.  The
Stridesman contiues to drip salt water onto the floorboards as he speaks
his mind . . .

        "Gultungas veteran Stridesman upon my peoples longships.  Only Gultunga
lost ship on a fools gamble.  Johann bet Gultunga could naught walk the gun-
whales edge in full gear as ship break waves.  Gultunga lost bet and nigh drown-
ed after longship fell into trough from high cresting wave that was as high as
two of myself!  Gultunga now knows not to stride edge of gunwhale drunk while
water gods are furious.

        Gultunga had much fun.  Sing song of it one day!

        Twas good for Gultunga that shore lay near.  Twas bad for Gultunga as
longship was caught in strong tide and carried far out to sea.  Good for
Gultunga that he get hired as Stridesman on ship in much need to man its oars.
Gultunga strong of arm and wit!

        What say you who hires for ship needful of crew?"

        Gultungas countenance brightens with a confident smile as he awaits a
reply.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:25, Mon 02 Nov 2009.

When the Gultunga finishes his tale Loukas looks down at his empty cup wishing desperately that it were full, This is how a looong day becomes looooonger, he thinks to himself.

Taking a bite from a crust of bread he motions for the serving wench and with a blank face glances at Miroslav.

"Thankyou," said Conn to the white/blond-haired man, and smiled plesantly. Neither that one nor the Frank chose to introduce themselves, but all in good time, he supposed.

Then the soaking-wet fellow who had been sitting at a nearby table stood and moved across to them, introducing himself - after a fashion - and apparently offered his services. Even to one fluent in Norse, Conn couldn't really tell what the man was talking about, or what he was looking for. Perhaps that one had over-indulged on the brew this morning...

From her seat Jaleh watches as the men go to their sport.  She rolls her eyes at the display and sips her drink, finally turning her head to ignore the display.  Unfortunately she turned her head and found herself staring straight at A'kos.  The Magyar looked angry...and abashed all at the same time.  She saved her secret smile for a better time as she raised an eyebrow and asked, "It seems you've found some companions - so will you go join your barbarian friends?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:01, Tue 03 Nov 2009.

Miroslav catches Loukas's glance then turns back to Gultunga..."What says we, would be more appropriate. I only seem to take the lead since I am more acquainted with the sea than some of the others plus we are here in the lands of the Rus, my home. I think best is that you tell us why we should hire you. I have heard nothing yet to make me want to take you on. Drunken balancing does not impress me.

        The Stridesman continues in his attempt to sway his peers . . .

        "Gultunga has been borne at sea by my peoples longship for o'er eight
seasons without relent.  My oar caloused hands are toughed by a mix o' rigorous
rowing and the salts of the sea."

        Raising his palms towards his peers, Gultunga shows his hands to
prove his point.

        "Stridesman Gultunga has repeatedly tempered his battle skills
and swordsmanship against pirates and raiders along the coasts of Gaul,
Britania, China, Greece and other nameless lands.  The stars be my gable
and the sea my lave.  The stars guide my course and battle is my constant
companion.

        Talk is like the chaff in the wind, it means nothing.  Action bespeaks
truth."

        Gultunga rests his right hand on the pommel of his sword as he continues.

        "The life a Stridesman is for me.  If it is your desire to test the
metal of Gultungas blade, I shall fight one o' ye."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Tue 03 Nov 2009.

Miroslav looks around to the others and says..."Are there any takers? Will any of you step up to this mans challenge? Though I would suggest a slightly less deadly for of combat be chosen over live steel."

As Miroslav speaks to Gultunga Loukas waves over Conn, "Come, join us. I am Loukas Ouranus."

The wet fellow is perhaps almost as soaked on the inside, as it appears no-one can make much sense of his ramblings. Conn had seen such folk before, and although he knew they could be useful warriors, they had their drawbacks too, which made some of them insufferable.

But one of his new shipmates called him over, the white-blond-haired fellow, and Conn smiled and moved across, offering his hand out to clasp in greeting.

"A pleasure to meet you, Loukas Ouranus. I am Conn, as you may have heard. How long have you served in this company, and who are your companions, if you do not mind my asking?"

Jean stepped forward slightly.

"There is no need for combat. We have but to look at his blade. If it is in disrepair then he is of no use to us regardless of figthing prowess and if it is well looked after despite his own condition then, by luck or by guile, he is man who will be of use."

Accepting the hand hand Conn offers Loukas grins, "Well... That is an oddly complicated question, let us save that until after we have this recruitment business complete. Until then..." Looking around the table he names the party members present, "Behind Miroslav is the indomitable Sir Jean of the Franks, next to me here is lovely Jaleh the Archer, next to her is A'kos the Lion of the Magyars, this is Roderychus Venturos the Holy, and, finally, Oleg the Vangarian. There are others, who you may look forward to meeting as they join us."

[OOC: Hope I haven't missed anyone present! Is so it was not purposefully!]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:24, Tue 03 Nov 2009.

Miroslav smiles at Jean and says..."An excellent test my Frankish friend!"

He looks to the Norseman and says..."So, let us see your blade Gultunga! I have noted your calloused hands but Jean here makes a fine request."

"My thanks, Loukas. I hope to get to know all of you better, in time."

Making sure to put a face to each name as Loukas introduced him to the others, Conn also kept an eye on the proceedings between Miroslav and the Norseman. When Jean stepped up and made his proposal, the Scot could not deny the logic of his words. It would be interesting to see what happened now.

Roderychus salutes the newcomer,and awaits for the result of Jean's proposed test.

        Through Gultungas drunken haze from strong drink, Gultunga realizes the
importance of asking one relevant question before commencing in any type of
swordplay.

        "Afore bringing sweat to brow and me steel to bear, how much coin will
one such as Gultunga get for his services, and what be Gultungas cut if there
be booty to split from our vanquished adversaries ships or domiciles?

         Gultunga treats his steel better than his women, just as it should be
and so shalt you soon see with envious orbs.  Above all else Gultungas people
rever their weapons o'er riches and the land itself!"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Tue 03 Nov 2009.

"'Tis the falcon, Loukas - A'kos means falcon in the tongue of my folk," says A'kos, though he is distracted, his attention on the drunkard making a fool of himself.

"What proof those callouses weren't from playing with your blade," he shouts at the viking warrior.  "After all, what lady worth calling herself such would have anything to do with one such as you?"

        Gultunga turns towards the man that questions his word.  The Stridesmans
icey blue orbs stare at him in cold disgust as he replies in like kind.

        "Though Gultunga be drunk, tis obvious that one whose foul warbled
vindictive words of doubt roll from betwixt their tongue and cheek like bird
droppings should be so aptly named after a fowl.

        Ignorance is bliss sir Raven . . .  Common knowledge it is that even the
most ignoble of Stridesman has the salt of the sea coursing through their besot-
ted veins.  Assuredly Gultunga did naught get here by walkabout, but landed here
by longship, and one such as Gultunga doesn't man such a vessel without working
the oars or battling foes whence called upon to do so.

         If sir Raven is Captain of the ship needful of a crew, Gultunga shall
look elsewhere to give service as a Stridesman.  To diminish another without
just cause dishonors those whom point the accusing finger, and gains the
disrespect of their peers.  Leave the lampooning to skalds sir Raven."

         Gultunga turns back to Miroslav and continues to address him as though
nothing ever happened . . .

         "Once Gultunga hears an answer to his voiced concerns and finds them
fair, Gultunga shall gladly show his steel as requested . . ."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Wed 04 Nov 2009.

Miroslav laughs and says..."A'kos my friend, you have a way of making friends! And Gultunga, while it is clear you enjoy the sound of your own voice...I think you may have forgotten who is applying for what here. We do not apply to be your ship mates, you are applying to join us! But for now I will overlook this, we split the booty even after expenses. If there is no booty then there is no pay...now the sword please."

As the group talks to the wet talkative one, another Norseman comes into the tavern and stands towards the door. He looks to be waiting his turn. This man is massive and hairy, in fact he could even be called massively hairy. He looks to be a bit older and his mail shirt is a bit old looking as well. He carries a large single bladed axe and no shield.

        Gultunga unsheathes his finely made steel double edged sword and
raises it into the high guard position for all to see.  The weapon appears
to be well cared for and shows no signs of wear or imperfections.  Intricate
runes are engraved upon the blade right next to its hilt . . . From what can
be seen of the swords pommel, it appears to be inset with ivory that has been
inlaid with silver.


        The Stridesman declares to one and all . . .

        "Giramir remains my closest companion, and none other may bear it but
Gultunga . . . lest blood be drawn!  Does Gultungas Giramir pass your inspect-
ions?

         If Gultunga and Giramir are fit in your eyes, then Gultunga is willing
to join your ships crew."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:05, Wed 04 Nov 2009.

The Norseman brings forth a fine-looking blade, when he at last shows it, but a playful smile appears on Conn's face as a (mischievous) thought comes to him.

"Nice sword, my friend," he says, before turning to Miroslav. "But who's to say he didn't take it from some dead, but worthier, companion? No-one questioned my skills, but on the other hand I did not arrive as a soaking-wet, drunken madman. Just a thought..."

In truth, Conn meant the fellow no ill-will. Gultunga appeared to enjoy words, but he did not appear to be able to place them in a comprehensible order - not today, anyway.

"If he did take such a blade by guile, and I do not believe that he did, then that too would be a skill of use to us."

Loukas nodded in agreement with Jean, "Aye, guile would be useful thing, but what about this fellow so far suggests that? Perhaps the story of attempting to walk armored during a storm on a dragonship's gunwhale?"

A little impatiently, "So, the blade is beautiful, but how worn is the handle? If the man's hand is war-weathered and the sword's handle matches, then odds are he's a meet warrior."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:03, Wed 04 Nov 2009.

"True enough. Nevertheless he has passed the test we set him. He has clearly maintained his weapon in fine condition through his recent trials. The rest can be determined at a later time."

He looked to Mirislav for final approval of the hire and then looks at Ulfr.

"We have many others to apeak with today."