Price of Passage
The Thirty Eight of Elnu-eza [Elnu Ascendant], Year Unknown
The girl's words were soft but sure, no error in translation there. The man's were harsh and commanding as one evicting a trespasser from his lands, or his waters you suppose, but you cannot imagine that he and his kindred hold the straights between the rich cities you have heard of and the sailors of the Sunset Islands. Brigands then, opportunists looking for an excuse to fight?
Those furs will not turn a well shot arrow much less sharpened steel and they would struggle to come over the ship's side, but these Stout Folk have numbers and you do not doubt they have courage to sail in such small boats as these. To fight here and now would be a risk, but perhaps you might feign a withdraw then turn about and breakthrough the ambush.
Yet still something gnaws at you, the thought of shedding the blood of those you know so little of and more even than that at the word 'curse'. Had that the dead sorcerer laid some lasting harm upon you or upon the ship? You must know, and if the answer should allow you to see the end of this without bloodshed so much the better. "Ask him what manner of curse this is and if it might be of some kinship with the dead that walk," you say to Inge.
The girl says something, speaking slowly, her eyes darting to the advancing boats while Antonio curses under his breath and looks to Nico and the others with hands upon the bow string, but he gives no order to attack for the men are yours to command.
There is a quick back and forth of explanations, Inge sounding pleading and the leader of the strange men still unrelenting, pointing back the way you came. Then quick as lightning the girl pulls a knife from her pocket and before anyone can react slits it across her palm and lets the blood flow into the sea.
A oath in blood, that you understand even without words.
The man speaks at length then and finally Inge turns to you and explains. "The ship feels strange to them, to their spirits, distant, far, not from here, but heavy with magic. I swore on life that it is no work of mine, no weapon, curse or... er, sickness."
Part of you wants to ask what does it mean to be 'heavy with magic' but you doubt she would be able to get that across with the words she has, certainly not in good time, so you instead asks. "Why do they fear it?"
As doctor Zaia moves to bandage her hand with a annoyed look she recounts. "When much magic, when
there is much magic in place, the world grows thin. Powers, ghosts... no,
spirits can pass like through a door half open." Inge waves at the sea and sky. "Good spirits have friends to call them to this side when they want, bad spirits must walk through unguarded door, dangerous yes?"
"Bullshit, my ship is full of magic and fit to sprout goblins!" Antonio spits much to your surprise after all you have been through and all you have seen, then you looks around to the faces of the men, both yours and the sailors, changing from fear to anger and you understand. Whether the captain believes it or not he cannot allow the notion to stand unchallenged.
"Is there any exorcism, banishing of dark spirits that they would be willing to do in order to let us pass?" the doctor asks before Inge can reply to the outburst. "True or false we must get through and I would rather do so smelling of mirth than blood."
Again another back and forth you are not privy to then the child turns to speak to the captain. "The Stout Folk do not know workings to cleanse wood, sail, rope and oar, but..." she takes a deep breath. "I do. It is dangerous for... doing alone, unless you have no choice, call the Veiled Ones to... eat magic, to close door from the other side."
Behind her Zaia freezes like a man suddenly in the path of a sword stroke and then he says in French. "I would not advise that, these Veiled Ones are specters of sorts, souls given to Ikomi who may return in death for an offering of blood. Even if the good captain were willing to allow it the men would mutiny at the sight more likely than not."
Inge is having none of it though, she continues to speak to Antonio. "You can leave ship on south shore away from Stout Folk, then take men off for bit at moonrise, ship cleared and maybe blessing on something, good magic for you to use."
As she speaks the captain opens his mouth to refuse, then stops when he hears the last. You are not sure if you should be glad of the child's insight into his character or curse it. Before you can decide the white haired elder speaks again, briefly, and this time Inge translates word for word. "He says he will not let us pass with wild magic, but if I can tame it then the spirits will be still and he and his will have no quarrel with us."
What do you argue?
[] Turn back and make for one of the other cities, perhaps you will find a more experienced magician there
[] Feign a retreat then try to push through
[] Allow Inge to attempt the ritual
[] Write in
OOC: Inge was rolling 1d20+1 against a DC of 15 to prove her sincerity. She got an 18.
