Post by Atalan on Nov 15, 2019 13:38:05 GMT -8
Atalan studied the map before him one last time. He didn't really have any contacts in the Southern Isles... and the weather was supposed to be quite nice there. It was as good of a place as any to start his journey to gain more power and allies. He rose from his desk and left his study to head to his personal chambers. His seneschal Grazzel fell into place beside him as he walked out of the door, his large and muscular purple skinned frame contradicting the smooth and educated tone that emerged as he asked, "Have you decided on your destination, my lord?"
Atalan nodded and said, "I am off to the Southern Isles, Grazzel. Have the cook prepare some travel food and some light refreshment before I set out. Also, have one of the valets pack some traveling clothes suitable for the heat and perhaps find me a hat to shade my face. Nothing ridiculous or I will blast them into the ground upon my return, mark my words. Now, for your orders while I am away. Keep the villages in line and keep the tribute levels the same until I return. I also want you to survey our territory for likely places to place the stronghold I am planning on building. I expect at least three likely spots to be waiting on my return, with a report on the pros and cons of each. Hmmm..." he paused in his speech and made a thoughtful noise, considering if there was anything else. Another thought occurred to him, spurred by the though of his visitor, Savina. He considered it before he finally nodded to himself and continued, "Also, keep an ear out for any more travelers that sound powerful. I might run down some of those rumors when I return and I expect you not to be empty handed; things seem to be changing and evolving in the world once more, Grazzel. We must be on our game if we wish to ride a wave of change to the top." He reached the entry to his chamber and waved Grazzel off, "See to it, I am going to change and prepare myself."
Atalan entered his walk in closet and considered his clothing choices. Something semi-informal at least; he would like to travel in comfort. He moved to that end of the room and idly looked through the clothes hanging until he found a short sleeved black and white tropical print shirt he had bought for his last vacation to Papaya Island. He took it off the hanger and then found a pair of khaki shorts. It would do. He changed and put on a pair of tennis shoes and then turned to go and eat his meal before leaving. As he left the closet, an imp hurried in clutching his backpack. The small grey demon paused and bowed to him, "Master." before he scuttled into Atalan's closet to prepare the rest of the clothing for his trip.
He sat in his dining chamber and ate the gazpacho without paying much attention to it, though it was quite delicious. Once he finished he rose and grabbed his grimoire from his den and wrapped it carefully in oil cloth for protection against moisture and carried it into the entry hall. He found a brimmed khaki hat waiting on top of his backpack and placed it on his head and looked in the mirror. It was acceptable. Grazzel picked the pack up and helped him into it. "Safe travels, my lord." Atalan waved back over his shoulder without looking back; he was ready to travel.
Atalan nodded and said, "I am off to the Southern Isles, Grazzel. Have the cook prepare some travel food and some light refreshment before I set out. Also, have one of the valets pack some traveling clothes suitable for the heat and perhaps find me a hat to shade my face. Nothing ridiculous or I will blast them into the ground upon my return, mark my words. Now, for your orders while I am away. Keep the villages in line and keep the tribute levels the same until I return. I also want you to survey our territory for likely places to place the stronghold I am planning on building. I expect at least three likely spots to be waiting on my return, with a report on the pros and cons of each. Hmmm..." he paused in his speech and made a thoughtful noise, considering if there was anything else. Another thought occurred to him, spurred by the though of his visitor, Savina. He considered it before he finally nodded to himself and continued, "Also, keep an ear out for any more travelers that sound powerful. I might run down some of those rumors when I return and I expect you not to be empty handed; things seem to be changing and evolving in the world once more, Grazzel. We must be on our game if we wish to ride a wave of change to the top." He reached the entry to his chamber and waved Grazzel off, "See to it, I am going to change and prepare myself."
Atalan entered his walk in closet and considered his clothing choices. Something semi-informal at least; he would like to travel in comfort. He moved to that end of the room and idly looked through the clothes hanging until he found a short sleeved black and white tropical print shirt he had bought for his last vacation to Papaya Island. He took it off the hanger and then found a pair of khaki shorts. It would do. He changed and put on a pair of tennis shoes and then turned to go and eat his meal before leaving. As he left the closet, an imp hurried in clutching his backpack. The small grey demon paused and bowed to him, "Master." before he scuttled into Atalan's closet to prepare the rest of the clothing for his trip.
He sat in his dining chamber and ate the gazpacho without paying much attention to it, though it was quite delicious. Once he finished he rose and grabbed his grimoire from his den and wrapped it carefully in oil cloth for protection against moisture and carried it into the entry hall. He found a brimmed khaki hat waiting on top of his backpack and placed it on his head and looked in the mirror. It was acceptable. Grazzel picked the pack up and helped him into it. "Safe travels, my lord." Atalan waved back over his shoulder without looking back; he was ready to travel.
* * *
It had taken him two days to reach the coastline; he stood at the top of a hill enjoying the cool salty breeze as it rustled against his clothes and skin. It was time to procure a boat for himself, whether it was stolen or sailed by another was going to be a result of whether the captain was a greedy fool or not. He walked down the road towards the small fishing town and their currently empty piers. He would have to wait until this evening and the boats were back in from their daily trade playing the sea. He found a small restaurant that had delightful smells emanating from it called the Sea's Bounty; he went in to partake in the bounty for himself. After quite a delightful meal, his waitress informed him that a captain named Travin Woodhull might be willing to transport him for cheaper than others and to look for him on the Sea Moth. He walked out into the evening air and looked towards the docks - the sea reflected the orange red of the setting sun and caused the sky to erupt into a beautiful canvas of colors. He enjoyed the view as he meandered down to the dock and began searching for the Sea Moth. When he located it, the Sea Moth was no more decrepit than any of the other boats at harbor; it appeared well maintained if old. He walked up the gangplank and was met by a grumpy looking dogman, "What the hell are you doing on the Moth? I don't recall giving you permission to come aboard."
Atalan straightened and looked at the captain haughtily, "I am the Baron, Atalan, and I require passage to the Southern Islands and I have heard that you might be willing to provide it, Captain Woodhull. How much do you require for the service?"
The beast man looked at him speculatively, and crossed his arms, "It might be so, landlubber. It might be so. I'll give you a ride to papaya island if you will carry a little package for me once we get there and deliver it. Sound good?"
Atalan narrowed his eyes and looked at the captain; he suspected he was being used in some sort of smuggling operation, but as he was not being charged otherwise... "Very well then, We have a deal, Captain."
Atalan stepped off of the boat onto the pier at Papaya island the next day and set about finding someone named Escobar to give him the tightly wrapped package. The islands sure were nice... he couldn't wait to explore them more.
[1038 words]
Atalan straightened and looked at the captain haughtily, "I am the Baron, Atalan, and I require passage to the Southern Islands and I have heard that you might be willing to provide it, Captain Woodhull. How much do you require for the service?"
The beast man looked at him speculatively, and crossed his arms, "It might be so, landlubber. It might be so. I'll give you a ride to papaya island if you will carry a little package for me once we get there and deliver it. Sound good?"
Atalan narrowed his eyes and looked at the captain; he suspected he was being used in some sort of smuggling operation, but as he was not being charged otherwise... "Very well then, We have a deal, Captain."
Atalan stepped off of the boat onto the pier at Papaya island the next day and set about finding someone named Escobar to give him the tightly wrapped package. The islands sure were nice... he couldn't wait to explore them more.
[1038 words]