Lights in the Storm
The skyship Selachii came to Lake Bykaal to deliver a cargo of
foodstuff, dry beans and grain, for a customer who hoped to set up a merchant
outpost there. Her Captain, Bodrin Bok, had hoped to pick up another
cargo to make the return journey worth their while. His small crew had hoped
for some small diversion in a port town. They were all disappointed.
Captain Bodrin Bok led his landing party through the ruins of some anonymous
town from ages past. The bitterly cold wind made them pull their fur-lined
coats tight. He checked the map he'd been given for the seventh or eighth time
but still wasn't sure they were in the right place. They had seen the
beacon-light clear-as-Hysh but the lighthouse was nowhere to be found.
The sound of drumming pulled Bodrin out of his musing: a rhythmic clattering
of bones banged on stone and timber. Hoots of derision and course laughter.
"Da fires that led you here was ours!" shouted Wardokk Urgog.
The Bonesplitterz laughed hysterically.
Zogfang shouted "A couple of dem are making a run for it Dokk!" and pointed
with his chompa.
Urgog shouted a command and a couple of Bonesplitterz jumped down into the
narrow alleyway and sprinted after the terrified sailors.
They herded the unfortunate skyshipmen into a trap.
Zogfang jumped down to confront Bodrin and the remaining crew.
The Wardokk and the rest of the orruks leapt after him enthusiastically. The
men shouted in fear and anger, some drew swords and pistols but others just
turned-tail and ran.
The crew scattered and fled back toward their moored skyship. Bodrin Bok
grimly stood his ground as Urgog barrelled toward him, with a painted bone
war-club raised high, sparks of green energy rippled over it.
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