A new stranger in town

[Tyler Dobby]

Tyler popped his head over the top of the barrel. Everyone had left the ship, "Great," he muttered quietly to himself "Now I can get out this stinkin' barrel".

Clasping hold of the top of the heavy barrel that had been his bed for the last few nights, he pulled himself up and clambered over, his feet landing heavily onto the deck of the ship. He swivelled his head around, surveying the ship, cautiously checking that there really was no-one there. He stood still very quietly for a few moments, putting full concentration on his hearing, but all he could hear was the creaking of the deck and the wind whipping around the masts. Satisfied that no-one would catch him, he smiled and quickly made his way off the ship via the nearby ramp and onto the docks.

He looked around Port Le-Noir, the night sky was black and very starry and he could hear the bustle of the night life in the main town just off the docks. A glowing light came from a harboured ship nearby, he could hear musicians playing a sea shanty and the sound of male laughter and cheer. Sounds like some pirates were having a party. "Probably just leeched some poor sod of all 'is gold" grinned Tyler.

Tyler raised his head back and sniffed the sea air. It brought a smile to his face, until he noticed that distinct smell of apples. His face screwed up at the smell that had been stuck to him for days. Pulling the sleeve of his coat to his nose he took in a deep breath of it.

"Ugh! That stinks!" he said, scratching his stubbly chin subconciously as he did so, and noticing for the first time in the last few nights how much hair had formed there.

"I really need to find somewhere where I can wash me clothes an' get somethin' to eat an' 'ave a shave" he said quietly to himself. Looking onward in the distance to the town. He took a deep breath of sea air, and started walking off the docks toward town.

[Tyler]

Tyler spent a good few days in the town but nothing of interest arised. Homeless and penniless, the town seemed to have nothing on offer to help him.

One particular day he was sitting on the pier of the docks, looking out to the sea, smoking on his pipe, when he noticed the sailors of the ship he snuck upon to get here re-stocking their vessel.

The sight made him accidently inhale too much smoke and he choked. He contemplated his situation. Should he stay here, in Port Le-Noir, the port of no action. Or should he sneak upon their ship once more and join them to wherever their destination was?

He sat there, mulling it over.

[Slither]

Slither sat by the wharf, silently sharpening his blades. He had been in hiding for a few days since his defeat at Oltri's hands - the merchant who had employed him was now after his blood. So he had "acquired" a new set of clothing and a new set of weapons - if any hired thugs decided to traipse his way, he would be prepared.
He glanced over and noticed, not for the first time, a ragged derelict of a human being smoking a pipe not too far away. He was eyeing the nearby ship with what seemed an unhealthy stare. Did he intend on attacking it? Stowing aboard? Either way, it was worth checking out... He stood up, stretched, and began to walk over.

[Tyler]

Tyler continued to stare at the ship as sailor after sailor went aboard carrying sacks, boxes, and chests onto the vessel. He took another in-take of smoke from his pipe as he pondered on whether he should board them or not. It looked like he'd have to make a decision quick, as he spotted the captain starting to board and the remaining sailors on the pier depleting quickly.

Tyler decided he was going to board, he took one last look around the wharf of Port Le-Noir and then- hold on. What's this? A strange lizardman fellow seemed to be approaching him. Tyler had never seen such a strange looking man before, and the sight nearly scared him to death, his heart most definately skipped a beat.

By now the lizardman was upon him. Tyler went as white as a sheet and the pipe dropped from his lips, landing with a clatter onto the pier, as the shadow of the lizardman darkened the whole world around him.

[Slither]

This was new - Slither hadn't inspired a reaction like this in anybody for a while now. It was good to be back on top, he thought wryly.

[Slither]

This was new - Slither hadn't inspired a reaction like this in anybody for a while now. It was good to be back on top, he thought wryly. But he had more pressing things to do than intimidate wharf-rats.

He sat himself down with a flourish and picked up the pipe, holding it out towards the stunned man. "Yours, I believe" he said, waiting patiently. He looked the man over quickly - he smelt, his clothing was ragged and torn. He was in dire need of several baths...

[Tyler]

Tyler gaped at the lizardman's obvious politeness, and his ability to speak in a human tongue. He cautiously took the pipe from Slither's scaly hand and gave him a quick wide eyed nod to show his acceptance.

"Th-thankyou, sir," stammered Tyler, "m-may I ask who you are?"

[Slither]

Slither sat himself down next to the stammering man and introduced himself. "I am Slither... a pirate" he said, allowing the significance of the words to sink in. "I work around here occasionally. And you?"

[Mariel]

An elf walked down the dock, whistling cheerfully. Her golden hair was tied back from her face with a scarlet bandana and her scarred and mangled features faced the sun with the optimistic look of a person who has just been enjoying themselves a lot. The swords on her back and at her side rattled noisily, clinking against each other as she took large strides toward the end of the dock. A large sack, evidently filled with something heavy and apparently formless was resting on her shoulders and she looked for all the world like one of the many sailors who overran the docks transporting goods in all manners of packaging.

She passed both Tyler and Slither without a glance, intent on her task, and continued to the end of the wharf where the water was deepest. With an easy movement she flung her burden into the water with a splash, then sat down and hummed a small, cheerful tune to herself until no more bubbles broke the surface.

The elf stood and stretched, a satisfied smirk on her twisted mouth. She started back to the town, but stopped some feet away from the lizardman and his companion as she heard him speak. In a moment she was behind him and tapping his shoulder.

"Good day, sir, didst thou say thou wert a pirate? Dost thou wot of where one mayest find a ship in need of crewmembers? Mine sister and I art a-looking for one for to take us on." She spoke with a strange, almost cultured accent though there was nothing cultured about her appearance and her voice was harsh and grating in her throat.