The big man injects himself into the conversation about women. "I have found that some women thrive on the struggle, just as some men do." As he says this he warily looks out of the corner of his eye towards Jaleh.

"That, my friend, is because we lacked enough archers and enough sorcerers.  I still say that a battle is best won at a distance.  If you have to close to melee, you've already lost the contest in many cases.  That said, I'm still determined to learn how to use this scimitar.  I know I'll need it someday."



"Ah yes, the deadliness of women. It's because they are so darn attractive that we men let down our guard! Many Hedonites struggle with the concept of becoming slaves to their desires, but the advanced among us understand that it is our desires which make us strong, not weak, and a healthy desire should never weaken us.  Unhealthy desires ... must be cut off.  After a period of indulgence, of course."  The last he says with a wink.

Balthazar's comments inspires another laugh, "Yes, 'indulgence', quite. Well, you are probably quite correct on all matters here, Balthazar... But as your interest in learning to use a blade suggests you know that they are philosophical rather than practical. And philosophy is rarely useful outside the classroom, eh?"

"Our whole lives are based on philosophy, whether you realize it or not.  When it comes to adventuring, my philosophy is be prepared for any situation, hence my interest in the weapon."

He takes a sip of mead, then continues, "Loukas, there's a matter I'd like to discuss with you.  The other day, you got into a diatribe with our Knight here, Sir Jean.  This occurred because you drank too much, lost your inhibitions, and had not yet found an outlet to mourn for your Uncle.  As a Hedonite, I encourage the losing of inhibitions.  It allows you to be the person you really are, and I applaud that because hedonism is, above all things, about the search for one's true self.  Well, now that we've seen your true self, Loukas, I think you'd best keep it in check.  Frankly*, I sleep better at night about this mission knowing that Sir Jean is with us, and I will be quite sore if he is driven off by bickering.  Miroslav and the rest of the warriors here are quite fierce in combat, I am sure, but do they have the formal training and combat skills that a knight possesses?  I doubt it very much.  Let's not blow a good thing, eh?"

**************

* pun intended
This message was last edited by the player at 15:32, Fri 13 Nov 2009.

         Gultunga smiles at the wench and continues to address her . . .

         "Whats your name fair maiden?  Are there any available rooms for this
eve, and what may be its cost."

          The Stridesman gestures for the wench to lean towards him in order to
allow him to whisper into her ear . . .

          Gultungas countenance brightens with a warm endearing smile towards
his serving wench as he awaits a reply.

The serving girls giggles a second then leans in close and says something to Gultunga.

"We have been instructed to have rooms available for those who crew with Miroslav...they have been paid for by the Kniaz already."

In reply to Balthazar the Hedonite (msg #123):

Loukas was beginning to take a sip of wine when Balthazar spoke, but stopped. "I agree with you that one should never lose oneself in his cups. It is a matter of discipline at the least. I apogized last night for upsetting Sir Jean."

Radvila replies to Miroslav, "I have been north in Novgorod serving with Vladimir and his uncle Dobrynya. I am not as young as I once was and even though I hail from the Baltic sea coast, I need warmth every few years. I am just lucky I saw your advertisement but I think I could have signed on to a crew before too long though. I take it you still have room for one more?"

"Good, then let us speak no more of such unpleasantries.  Now, Loukas, let me tell you that the best way to mourn for your uncle is to pursue one of his passions.  Perhaps there is an unfinished painting or manuscript you could complete for him."  Balthazar takes a sip, then adds with a laugh, "Or perhaps there was a certain type of lady he was attracted to.  You could dedicate a romance to his memory!"  He high fives you, then adds after another sip, "That's certainly how I would like to be memorialized.  If I pass on, please liaise with a fiery redhead to commemorate my passing."  He drinks up.

Conn only smiles at Loukas, and gives him a wink. "My misinterpretation was quite deliberate, I assure you."

Hearing Balthazar's last comment, concerning redheads and memorials, he grins once more.

"Can we kill you now then, Balthazar? I'm all for liaising with fiery redheads...as long as they are female..."

He looks to Gultunga, with an amused smirk, and then drinks of his wine.

Balthazar spits his wine out and for once has no quick retort.  He gives you a sly smile, then says while trying to hold in his laughter, "Pretty good, pretty good. I'll be watching you, Conn of Skye."

In reply to Balthazar the Hedonite (msg #123):



Loukas stares incredulous at Balthazar throughout his speech, and when the Mage raised his hand for a high five he simply sat back in his chair without raising his own. He starts to speak several times, but each time something else the man says stops him.

Conn's jest finally breaks some of the tension that had been building in his body and he laughs and takes another sip from his cup, but remains silent.

Alternately amused and annoyed at Balthazar's speech and the theories and hyperbole of the others Jaleh asks, "What would all of you know of women - like the fat Hedonist there, all you think of is the urges of your loins.  Philosophy?  HA!  The philosophy of lust, and the taking of the maiden flower of such who choose to give it...or are unfortunate enough to have it taken from them."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:57, Sat 14 Nov 2009.

        Gultunga gently pats the wench on her rump with his left hand as he
continues . . .

        "I'll have the hard sausage, black bread, and cream if you please."

        The Stridesman grimmaces as he admittedly replies . . .
"Beet stew just isn't a palatable dish to Gultunga most fair wench!"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:51, Sat 14 Nov 2009.

He looks her straight in the eye and says, "Actually, I have made quite a study of the urges of feminine loins as well, so I would say I know a great deal.  Probably why I never got very far in my occult studies."

"What you see you think you know, though I daresay you know little beyond your own pleasures," said Jaleh.

"Miroslav, are we leaving soon?" calls A'kos to the big man.  "Might be a good idea before Jaleh gets it into her wicked mind to adorn the Hedonist's neck with a second mouth."

Miroslav looks at Radvila and says..."Yes we have a space for you on the crew. We are taking equal shares of the plunder. Now I have tested some of these men with the standard test we Rus like to pull on each other. I do not need to do that with you but I am sorely tempted to punch you for being so ugly!"

OOC really that picture is wretched!

He then looks at A'kos and says..."We have two days before we sail. I know you have no control over the woman. I have never truly known a free woman who could be controlled, as Jaleh is definitely free! I would suggest you just try to keep her busy until we leave so none of the crew fall prey to her and that wicked knife of hers."
Miroslav smiles at Jaleh, hoping she gets the humor in what he says so he is not the first to taste her steel.

"Two days, eh?" replies A'kos.  "I think I can find ways to keep her occupied, though it may have something to do with urges in my loins!"

A'kos laughs at his own crude attempt at humor before taking a large swig of his ale.

Jean stood up and walked across the room to an empty Ale barrel. Upending it he marked an x on the center of the barrlehead with a coal from the fireplace.

He uncased two throwing axes and shouting to be heard above the din he said, "Be silent and listen! Speaking of contests has given me an idea!"

"I challenge you all to an axe hurling contest! Whosoever comes closest to center will win a shirt of finest red byzantine linen, double stitched and plyed to support armor (ooc a really nice Padded Armor Shirt of the type that is worn under chain mail but nice enough to wear as an overshirt)! Should I win then he who comes second will aid in my training tomorrow morning however I may ask!"

"What say you?"

There was a nod, a smile and a raised drinking horn to Balthazar, and then Conn stood and made his way across to Jean.

"A second-hand coat, or some work as a punching-bag? Hardly an incentive for a challenge! But, as we have two days to pass, I will accept."

The man of Skye had some familiarity with the hand axe, and had used one often with the Danes, so he felt he could provide the Frank with a fair challenge. More importantly, it would perhaps allow him to get to know the knight better.

Jaleh plants an elbow in A'kos ribs with a smirk and says, "Your opinion of yourself has grown out of proportion with your abilities, Lover."

Standing, she addresses Sir Jean.

"I would contest with you, Frank, if you allow me the use of my daggers.  I'll take your linen shirt, fitted to size, of course.  Should you prevail I suspect I could give you all the training you could handle."

Jean allowed the loaded comment to pass by without response and said simply,

"For this purpose a dagger will serve as well as an axe."

"Ladies first, Conn of Skye," she says to the Scotsman.

To Sir Jean she asks, "Where shall I throw from?"

When Sir Jean suggests his contest Loukas's eyes light up. Here is an oppportunity to work off a bit of tension! "I agree with Conn that neither of your prizes are particularly compelling, but I am happy to pass the time thus."