Dragon Age: The Rite of Passage

No Fault of Your Own: Chapter Three

Amaranthine Ocean

With the skill afforded her, Nalva'ta scrambled up the tow ropes of the Antivan ship deftly. The lean elven pirate adjusting her weight as the large transport rocked gently in the Amaranthine Ocean. Biting down on two short knives held between her teeth, the young elf gestured for her crew to follow. Around her the deafening sounds of cannons and screams mingling with the groans of the ship thrilled her. The smell of gun powder and magic igniting the air only adding to the excitement she felt as she climbed. Glancing back briefly, watching her men swiftly ascend the drop line and anchor chain, she quickened her pace. Nalva skills on full display as she danced up the thick lines unseen. Far below her, the Somarus bobbed like a child's toy in the wake of the Antivan vessel. The tiny amphibiron slipping pass all the confusion as the gunners of the trading transport attempted to sink all attack boats maneuvering inside their defenses. Pulling herself inside the release whole that lowered the enormous anchor on the starboard-side of the ship, Nalva waited for her men to do the same.

The first captain of the Somarus and a minor captain under the pirate lord Audius Burdock, she'd been instructed to cripple the ship should her lord's initial plan fail. Sheathing her knives before withdrawing two dual-bladed daggers from their scabbards on her back, she slipped silently to the winching rooms' door. The large compartment housing several giant mechanisms designed to hoist the anchor and lines using less than twenty men topside. Each reel drawing lines and chains around themselves in giant spools when lifted. The chains filling the cabin when not in use; the compartment empty during battle.

My lord's informants are worth their price, Nalva thought hearing men moving outside the room. We will soon see if the same can be said for mine.

Without a sound, leaping quietly into the room, Gudatsen made his way to her. The Avvarian's painted face and body glowing white like dried bones as he unsheathed two short axes from his side. Followed closely, Marius helped Jakob Stone-Hammer and Fink into the room. The human raider from the Hissing Waste pulling the dwarf and dark elf aboard before waving off the remaining crew on the ship below.

"We move with stealth and haste," Nalva said eyeing everyone. "Stone-Hammer, you and Gudatsen make your way to the captain quarters above. Secure all coin, jewels and documents you find; then return to the Somarus."

Adjusting his fingerless stone gauntlets covered in ancient dwarven script, "What about our lord's orders, Captain," Stone-Hammer said. The muscular dwarf with blond hair and green-eyes, dressed in a tattered green vest and shorten striped jester trousers ending below his knees. His thick muscular arms scarred with tally marks like a ledger.

"You mind my orders fool, or I'll be the one to remove those delicate eyes from that thick skull," Nalva said brandishing her daggers. "Marius and Fink, you'll stay with me to complete our lord's wishes, yes?"

Nodding in compliance, Fink detached two flasks from her waist belt. The petite grayish elf wearing a black padded coat. Her pants adorn with leather straps, hooks and countless miniature flasks.

"The lower decks will be well guarded," Marius said. "May I suggest we make our way to the great cabin also; before we proceed to the gun room? May be, we'll find a change of attire there."

Studying the handsome young human with a thin scar across his face, unkempt beard, low cropped raven hair and deep gray eyes; Nalva considered his wisdom.

Sheathing her blades, "Very well, Gudatsen you'll take lead until we reach the Captain's Cabin. As for you thief, you'll cover the rear."

Smiling at Nalva, "There's no better place to cover," Marius said drawing knives sheathed across his chest.