Lucy took her time.  She slowed her heart beat, and focused on the shot.

When the serpent rolled to the surface, she fired her arrow, smiled as the arrow hit the beast.

Then she began to wheel the thing to the deck.  she got some help from a nearby sailor.

When the thing got to the deck, the sailor hit it in the head with a huge hammer.

Lucy gave him a nod of thanks.  Then she renotched her arrow and went looking for another serpent.

 with  ate 'big' ones on the Deck, Kree tells the   crew to cast the last body as far astern of the ship as they can.

  Then he calls out,..Bring the Nets in... take  6 of the nicest ones, and  let the rest go...

  as they are doing this  Kree  walks the Dec a bit of a smile on his face, ask the LAdies to give us  a hand dressing the serpents,  and  some one see to cooking up those  we bring in from the nets.. z Tonight we eat like kings

 he  draws his  dirk to help with the cleaning of the  big ones.. half  would be going with the  freed slaves, the other half would be sold at Mok.

Orlin helps in the cleaning.  He seems to have fatigued easily but pushes through it none the less.

Riku kept attentive above the others as they perused.  Brie kept her eyes peeled as the others fished so that she could be ready to retaliate in case they were attacked.

  they serpents that would be given to the  ex slaves to take with them to the Trace  Wood  would keep thier  heads... they ones  the Arrows  would use  for Trade Goods well have there heads  removes  and  tossed over the side  with the rest of  the  cleaning.

  a few smaller ones were taken by the   seaman who had  some cookigjn  skills as he  went  to the aft  and began to prepare the  braziers, he  was able to get one of the women to go help him.

  He took a  sack of flour  from the   goods  , to use  as  well as some spices.

    Kree looked   for Luthien.. he   stood before the Holy warrior  and said,..You will be dealing  with  dockmaster, when  we  reach  Mok...I would not ask you to lie.... so.....

  Writing in the manifest , in a rather  neat elven hand,..I have Added the serpent meat to the manifest... i have subtracted the slaves and some good   i am going to give them.... As of this Moment.. for as long as we have this ship.. you are not the Purser..... I am giving you this  Manifest...now. The elf  hands  Luthien the  ledger.

 .. YOu  are the new Purser of this ship... as  of a Moment ago.... the books have been balenced...BEFORE.. you were made purser. So. In all good  heart5, you may say that... Kree winks  and begins  to walk to the front of the ship.

    Orlin is standing near Luthien.  He looks after Kree, then back at Luthien, then back at Kree "I don't think I'll ever understand how can such an Evil little man be such a good little man?"

.. The after noon was moving on... the  shining speck that was Mok was  a bit away...

   kree   called Back to the  Helmsman,..I want us to skirt Mok..and   find a landing on the north- west shore.. so  these good people  may disembark and   travel to the trace wood...

 the fellow at the Helm shouted back,Aye , Sir.... witht he wind  now?  we should be  past Mok near to midnight..if i recollect ..there is a ferry of sorts  on  down the way towards the Sea.

 ..Alright.. I leave it in your hands then...

 The Helmsman grinned proudly and Saluted   Kree.

 he  walked d own the  deck again, the    pitch and Yaw of the ship did not seem to  bother him.. the smell from the cook, Under the   sterncastle  was that for  roasted Serpent and  the smell of some kind of  cooked  vegetables.  he went  around the   for'csle and stood near the bowsprint watching the water    cleave around them.. his eyes  also searched  , both   shorelines.. the High grasses on either  side  could hold  anything..or?  nothing..

  what did bother  the  elf, was the   slight clouds of  Dust, that came from far away on the  south eastern shore.... the  sands  were alot closer , then one thought... the   the clouds   had to be riders...

Luthien shakes his head at the clever way things were phrased.

Yes, he isn't being asked to lie, per se. Just to...tell the exactly worded truth.

"...This strangely works. It shouldn't, but no lies are technically being told."

Brie had been silent for most of the ride along the river.  She listened and learned as those who were much more experienced than her lead the way.  Sometimes it was easier to just watch and learn than input your own thoughts.  In this case, her thoughts were much simpler and naive considering she had never covered this part of the world.

  the ships  cruised  well through the    late after  noon and  evening.

  The 'cook' had  done a  fine  job with the Serpants and Stores   that were allotted to him... he  even   let the  kids   'break the belly'. a Game  played  with   dried   serpents  Bellies...
The Kids  would   take a Belaying pin and   smack the  dried belly to see what 'goodies' are in side.. most times  was  just a  few  shint pebbles   and such.. but , often one  could  fine    good items   such as Coins , lockets , and such..

 the  Kids   laughed  and  whacked  thier  'gifts'..  a couple were lucky enough to find a  silver..some fould a  couple   coppers... all seemed to have   found something.

 Ivy watched  with a soft smile and  sipped   wine from a wooden Mug....Funny...Good Cook.. who  all of them found something.... every one...

 The Cook  smiles  and winked,..luck o' the Ladies..eh?

 Ivy  noded , his msile grew a bit.....aye..that  must be it...

    Kree watched  fro the stern castle, leaning over the  railing as the  navigator    watched the dark river... the First moon shining  onto the  waters... Captain?... If the winds  remain  fair, we'll be   Even with Mok   a Ring  past Mid of night...

 Kree looked at the watch Candle  it was one ring above  Mid-of Night,..Very good  Helmsmen .. go for another Ring past Mok, then we set  our passengers on thier    journey... Then You will Come  about  and Sail to Mok...

  The  Night  moved on , mostly uneventful. Sounds of  beasties on the shores  and in the water  would  Break the sounds  of the    water  sloshing against the bow and the beat of the  Rigging against the mast.

  Kree   was  smiling a bit  as the    air tossed his ponytail  about.

  ..If ya beg me  pardon , Captain? Ya seem a bit  at 'ome on a ship...

  If  you say so Helmsman.... But i like the feel of the forest Floor.. and even the dark alleys  of the   City..... Though i would be lying, if i said this was not nice.... My cousin and Eye travelled through the Mists a few times... served on an Ironmound  sloop  on the coast.. trying to run down those  fast  Red Halfling Ships?... Its a good  way to Hunt... but.... i do not fancy the bobbing around in the water, should  my vessel sink

 ..me name's   Broth?  ye  sailed through the Mists a few times?... I ain't  never  ventured close ta that wall of clouds....I was One  a merchantman...." The  Blue Wake "..Fast she was..and could haul  lotsa goods... we veered towards the  Mist as the Sun was goin' down..  shut all the lights   and  turned hard back to Laynak?... The Pirates  who lost us, went into the Mists.. we waited.. watched The darker it got.. the worse it  got... Lights  flashin' inside...  Noises   and screams... voices calling out.. and Howls of beasts?  No thankee CAptain... I'll fight the  Red HAlflin's  any day.. then go into that!

 Kree grinned,..I'll tell you a secret. Broth.. those lights you see?.. that's  Lighting from the constant  storms... that are brought  about , by the  places where world  touch,, you sail into those lights... and You come out...somewhere else.... the  hard part?.. making sure you chart that spot, or you don't  find your  way back..... There  are Rocks  as Bih as  the  walls of Ironmound in there.. with  jagged  ones   below.. there are creatures  that  lair there.. waiting for   those  ships that broke up....... sometimes.. folks take  small ships into the  Mist... and  anchor near   the rocks.. then send out  long boats to look for salvage... if you can do that... and the Sisters  smile on you?.. You can make alot of coin... but... there are beasts out there that are worse then serpents.. 9 hells?  they eat serpents...

 ..But the  thing is?  The Mists don't hurt you.. the rocks  and Beasties  do... and many of the ships that  go through to another  ..world?... can't find their way back..or?.. don't want to...

"The mists do reduce visibility, so in a way, they are damaging. Men might better prepare for monster attacks if they can see them coming. With the mists lowering visibility, it's often too late for those on a ship to take precautions by the time the monsters get there. The use of arrows, particularly, is lost in the mist."

Sure, there's some master archers who can get around that, but they're 1/1000, and they're not usually on every ship.

    Broth, The Helmsman was   just about  right in his Timing. As   they   slowly  neat the shoreline, Look  for a Place to  stop a bit further away  from the  trade  road.  Kree had  Ivy  make, and Fire off  two   fire  arrows..

  some 5 Minutes   Later   two more   came  up to the  north east... Ivy Answered  with  One  more... with was answered almost   right after.. by another  one.

    The   men who served as a  crew.. set the  gangplanks  down.. a Loading cart  from the hold was sent down the ramp.. and the  crew loaded the Serpent meat and some other goods  on the cart...

 two of the crew  left  the ship with the ex-slaves.. to serve  as Guards.

   Kree stood at the bottom of the ramp,..I want  you to travel    to  the  Trace  Wood... even  as we speak.. there  are elves and  others whom guard the   trees.. headed out to meet you. he hands  the oldest of the women  one of his arrows...give this to the leader.... Tell him or her, Kreee sent you. Tell them yhou have some goods to trade, and would like to settle in the Trace.... for those who want to move on.. they can get you to the coast... or  to Trok.... Good  travels, and may the Sisters  watch over you.

 the two  crewman nod to Kree  each on grabbing   the handle of the cart and begin to  pull it  through the grasses  until they reach the  road.

  the kids  wave.. Shadow says,we will wait a bit.. make  sure they make the road.... then we   will push off and  sail to Mok...

  The Ship was  sailing back down towards MOK. the Docks  were spread  across the   southern shore.. some rather Big ships were there...

   a one-masted Long  Boat  came towards them in the   dark.. the second Moon was almost half.. adding to the Light.

  ..HAIL..THE SHIP!.. WHAT NAME..WHAT BUSINESS...

 The  fellow called  kree forward Ivy  looked as well.. 12 darkskinned    troopers of  the Mok city guard  sat  in the boat..at the stern  were two robed  figures.. at the Bow, a felw with a  flapping cloak and   bright red silk  flowing from under  a silver Helm.. a point  rose from that hem...

  the  troopers  had similar hems, but  appeared to be  bronze or  steel..it was  hard to tell by the moonlight- torch light.

 ..I am  Captain Kree...Quickshadow...This ship is a priaze.. we have Named her the Floating Arrow.. she is  Mine, but her rights  will go to the  Crimson Arrows, next  Port we  arrive in... right now? we have goods  we wish to sell.., including serpent  meat...

 ..If You do not mind?..  I will board your vessel  with some of My men to have a look at your Manifest..and search for  any  ill-gotten goods?

 ..By all means!.. Come abaord.... we are eager to   dock, sell our goods  and see what the City of Mok , has to offer?

 ..........

  The  Captain came  aboard..Dusky. darkbrown eyes  as  they shifted  to look at the women.. Six guards  came aboard... and  both robed men.. One had a silver Hem, with  no spike..he wore a Grey robe with yellow trim, what appears to be a ...Silver  Ring  hangs from a sliver  chain , around his neck....The other  fellow just wears the   Dark Red Robes of the Sand  Folk.. in his  hand  wis a 3 foot  staff..of  sorts, inlaid  with silver.

 ..I will see...and talk with your  purser? and examine  the Mainfest, as my peole look about the ship?

 ..Of  Course... Sir Luthien is My purser..and he has the  manifest..   Kree waves him over  with a smile... Ivy is having a staring  contest with the SGT in the boat below.. the other   six   troopers have  crossbows  ready

 Ivy has his bow  in his  hand , one  foot on the railing  as he stares at them.

In reply to Kree's Unit (msg # 286):

Diana came out of the main cabin, watching the soldiers board. Her hand hovered over her sword blade, ready if the need arose.

She covertly moved close to the two men in robes.  They would be her first targets should things go wrong.  She figured they were mages or something like that.

In reply to Kree's Unit (msg # 286):

Lucy had been sleeping on the deck.  She had been taking a "cat nap", when the soldiers came on board.  She watched both her own crew's reactions and those of the soldiers.

Under her blanket, she slowly drew an arrow, and unslung her bow.  Should things go down, she would be ready.

The knight steps forwards, and goes over the details...everything is in order...because he's giving the truth of exactly what the ship contained at the time he was put in charge of it.

  The   Fellow with the silver Helm, but no spike, but wore the grey robes, simply said,..the Infidel speaks  truth....

  Kree Looked hurt,..You do not  trust a Holy Warrior of the Empire?

  ..I do not  trust...infidels...
......

 the  two troopers   returned  from below decs   another SGT  looked at Kree, as he spoke to  the Captain..My SGT  says the Decks  below  have been cleaned, but there  are   shackle Hooks  for slaves   below...  even with the cleaning , there is  signs of slaves  having been there.

 ..what part of.... Crimson Arrows....do you not understand... Ivy said  with venom, but never took his eyes off the  boat below.

 ..Silence  , GFools.. I am talking to your Captain...

 Kree Bowed his head  slightly.. but his eyes  and voice bore a cold warning,..That  Elf is My  LT..  and should be treated  with the respect, due  any offcier...that is..if you  expect any  respect  from us...

 The CAptain changed the Subject.....if you took  slaves  from this  ship.. they may have been the property of the  Great Sands... did you sell them?

 Ivy snorted,..gods..no  damned  wonder thier most of them are shepherds...

 ..If I may , Good Captain... drawing his attention away from Ivy,.. we do not sell slaves..... we have on ...occassion, given  slavers to  Orcs, Goblins  ect.. as a gift... since i believe in the  balence of the scales....

 The SGT looked visibly  taken aback  by this..the Captain seemed to anger.,,now.. The Carvern Market? It is on  the Empire side of the   river...and there is a place , on either side of the river..where neither law  holds sway... so we took care of  the slaves  there.

  River  Law says we hold sway over  a 5 mile area  from our Docks.... Where  did you free the slaves?

 With out a second  thought, Kree answered,..the slaves  were freed, the moment  we took control of the ship... the slavers  were dealt with....harshly... The  slaves   were able to make thier  own way, after  we  cured  and fed them.

  The Captain Looked at  Luthien,..Is this  true?

"Of course. We've been freeing slaves pretty much everywhere since I joined this unit. The slavers are dealt with...harshly, except for those I find whose spirits aren't completely black. These I give an opportunity for redemption, when I can."

Luthien kinda shrugs, "To be fair, though, only about one man in 40 proves to not be stained entirely black from such things, but it's nice to pick that one man out when I can."

    The Captain looked at the   Fellow in Grey. Again, the fellow gave a  curt nod.

   Turning back to Kree,..so?.. the ..'Great'  Crimson Arrows..just  let  some  slaves  wonder off.. no protection? They may have been better  off with the  Slavers....

  NAY!.... the  word   shot like a bolt.. the   Grey robed  man's  eyes   widened,..no one ..is better of a slave.... we have seen slaves, who have bioned to thier masters  , liked  whipped  curs?...Worse?  we have seen them become ...trustees... and  treat thier  fellow slaves  as animals... I will assure you.. we treat them..as  we treat any slaver.

 The Elf  calmed  down a bit , after seeing the dark grin of Ivy's  face... but  Ivy was nodding looking at the boat below.

 ..The Slaves  were freed at the Carvern's Market..... where they chose to go from there, was ...quite up to them...None of the slavers  or  boat crew  were kept alive...I saw  some  Sand folks ships  at the Docks..they enother aided us..nor aided the slavers...I suppose they knew what the outcome , might bring.

 ...i feel..there should be some form of punishment , for  taking a ship... Pirates  are not   held in high esteem in Mok...

 Kree laughed,..I do not need to ask my friend to see if you are lying... Pirates  are the sand Folks best friends... The fellow with the staff and the grey robed one stiffened.. The   Captains   dark eyes shifted    hard towards the elf.

 ..becarefull...Elf... The  Sand Folk do not take insults likely...

 Then? You best get used to it. YOu cannot  say one thing, then do another.... the  crates in the hold are from.. Black Timber merchants and  Merchants from Tou... Seldom..if ever.. is trade made with Sandfolk who travel the river..so ..I have to believe they got them, the  same place they got  the  slaves....

 ..so?.. you have seen our Books.. checked our goods and asked your questions?... If you do not want us in Mok..let me know, we shall head to the coast..Vall and the Trace wood is on the way?.. I'm sure they will take our Goods.....

 ..Be careful..Captain Quickshadow... there will be people in Mok, who are not as friendly  as me..

 ..For thier sake... I hope not....

 The Captain Nodde3d   , then   waved his  people  over the side. Ivy gave a  finger wave to the SGT in the boat.

 ..Have your  Helmsman slip  at the   eastern most berth...

In reply to Kree's Unit (msg # 292):

Diana relaxed as the soldiers turned to leave.  He hand relaxed as she watched the grey robed men leave.

Truth be told, she was glad nothing came of it.

In reply to Kree's Unit (msg # 292):

Lucy didn't relax till the last grey robed and soldier had exited the ship.  Then she relaxed, and sheathed the arrow and put her bow away.

She watched till they were out of sight.

A tickle at the nape of Brie's neck raised an air of ill at ease and while she didn't grab for her bow or an arrow, she did brush her finger along the hilt of her dagger ready to draw and defend if necessary.  She gave the men as they strolled along the boat examining their load and discussing with Kree what was to come.

She gave a quick glance over to Kree and Ivy and at a snap of a finger she would react just as quickly making the closest man rethink just who he was messing with.

When Kree and the main guy had completed their conversation and it appeared that they would be able to sell the goods, she did ease up but still remained anxious.

Lafisual gets out his recorder and considers playing but figures he better not push it right at this moment as he shakes his head at all the dick measuring and is glad that it's over.

  The 'Floating Arrow" glides into the Berth..Some dock workers  toss ropes  to  deck ands and Ivy.

  The Ship is being secured, as  Kree looks   up at the 2nd Moon. He Call down to the Nearest Dock worker,..when  do the Markets  Open?.. who do we see to  sell our  Goods?

 The Dock worker  looks  up, bowing a few times , first,..Ahh  Good Sirrah , the MArkeys  do not  Open until the   Sun is fully over the  treetops of the Trace.....there will be merchants who come to you..Sirrah.. to buy your  Good to take into the  City to sell themselves, if you do not wish to  buy at Stall...

  he  walks  up the Gang plank slowly, bowing a few times  as he does, he says in  a soft Voice, while lookign left and right,..I...I would make the suggestion, Sirrah,  That you sell to the Merchants.. the price you will have for the Stall  will cut deeply into your  profits ... The ....Merchants do not like  competition from Outlanders... he bows his ehad a few more times.

  When the  sun passes  the mark... Merchants will send their Buyers to the docks.... I am..Most certain the Captain has  sent  Runners.... There is  another ship, in the middle..a highly prized place to be... they sailed from the Coast... there is ..sometime as many as 10 ships here.. right now there are 4....

  Then He looks around, back towards the   wooden 'road' that leads  from the Dock into the city,..the smaller  Merchants have to fight  for each goods they can buy, to sell... There is a group of the 5 , most wealthy... they will come down before the time..and try to buy all....Most ships   will take thier offer... some ships refuse, and  give  all the Buyers a chance... The Merchant Lords... They are known by the  Golden Disk of the sun, rising from   a black pot..they are....not..good  men...

  Kree opens  the purse on his  hip.. he takes out a  Gold coin and hands it to the man.. then 3 silvers...for your   honest words..and your aid to outlanders.. this gold  coin is yours... you give   each of your men the Silver for  helping is dock.... should you wish to make more Coin, be here when the time comes  for ..ALL.. the Buyers..  if yo help unload, we will pay you again...

 His eyes go wide  at the coins, he bows  and nods his head, as he leaves  calling his men together, Kree adds,..let the  3  other ships know... we will not be selling to Buyers, until all of the groups arrive...  the Dock workers  praise thier  god, or the sun as the man hand out the coins .. they rush off  to  start the rumor.

 Kree turns  and shrugs,we will sell to  all the ..'lesser' merchants first..once we have  emptied the hold..I want the Crew  to  keep watch on the ship...if something bad should happen to us... take the ship..head for the coast.. you can either start your own buisness... or  sail Until  You reach  Mouri.. There is  a Headquarters for Arrows there... you can  sell them the ship..or work  with them...if you wish to   have your  own Company..  Stop at Vall..and register the ship in Broth's Name... If  we should accomplish. what we seek.. and come back... we will see what course  that sends us...

  Captain!... Coming  down the Docks!  Broth was pointing... 4  men in   robes    walked  with  4 guards, in shining  armor..while 4   torchbearers lit the way.

 ..well?.. that was sooner that i expected?

  The  Group stops  at the Bottom of the GAng plank,  the heaviest of the 4 steps forward.. all four of  the  robed folks  have  shiny gold  discs on thier chest.. the Guards  are in  Silver   Chainmail...Whom is the CAptain of this....vessel... he waves a fat, many-ringed , hand  at the ship.

 ..That would be Me...  How May I help you?

 ..we have  Come.. to  buy all your  goods.... we hear you have serpent meat?.. we will pay very well..indeed and...

 ..Sorry?.. the Sun  has not  peaked the trees of the Trace?.... And what is it you people say?...." Deals  that the sun does not see, is  favored only by those of the Dark?"

 The  Merhancts look at each other  and    begin to fuss  and complain to each other,.. the Guards  are stoic... but the  torchbearers  try to hide a smile.

 The lead  man   turns back..there is  distain in his Voice,.. You will not make  as much coin, selling to  everyone, as you would selling to us...

 Kree  bows  slightly, his hood  still covering his face,..that may be so?.. but  all will get a chance to buy  our goods..by doing so?  we will enable , many folks to  be able to buy them in your MArket, rather then just the select few?

 ..that is not...Smart Business..my friend...

 ..do not use the  word..'friend'... lightly. You have not proven yourself to be a friend of mine, or my people..Now? I would suggest that you move on..  there is a good  2 hours before    we may  Deal...

 ..you will regret this, Captain...

 ..there are many things  i regret..this?  Will not  be one of them...

    as the  Merchants  stomp of.. a small lad is running up the docks, and  turns  down the wharf the Floating Arrows rests....permission to Come  aboard?.. I  Hail from the Wave Thrasher..

 ..do not people sleep in this town?... Come  aboard Lad... Broth, get the lad a cup of tea and  a roll!  The Lad  Looked at   Kree  and Nodded  his thanks... he begins to speak, but  Kree makes him wait until the roll and  tea were brought.. there is a bit of honey on the roll.

 The kid bites into the  roll and   warms his hands on the metal Cup as he  drinks some tea... after the lad   finds a seat on a crate, he  says,..My Captain.. Captain Long? He has Heard you will not sell  your goods this  night  to the  Merchant Lords... he and the other Captains  are playing  Serpent Tiles  on our Ship... They  say, if you are not  going to sell.. they will not sell.but they fear that this is a ploy?  so you can get Merchant Lord   coin  for yourself?

 Kree shakes his head,..no Lad? its  is not a Ploy..least, not a ploy to  gain coin.. we will make coin. but we  wil also make certain all the merchants have a fair chance at out goods... I have Lived in Ironmound.. i have  seen Tou and Trok  and Mouri.... none of those  cities allow merchants to eliminate  the smaller... I will not  do that  with out  goods...Go tell Your Captain  these words...If he and the other Captains wish. they may come  aboard for a chat.. but I will not change  my stance on this...

 The lad  had  finished the roll and the tea,..Thank you, Captain for the   snack... the  tea on a cool night   helps alot... I will go tell My Captain... Fair  Winds to you!


 The LAd  scampers  down the ramp..  heading to the 3 Masted ship that sat in the Middle.

 Kree  just leans  on the railings... watching.