Somewhere else, traveling along the high seas, the warm ocean winds filling it's sails, was the mighty Castbreaker ship, A young pirate slowly stirring in his room as he awoke for his morning shift, the ship drifting day by day closer to it's next bounty, a small village along the coast of the Cornelia countryside.
And so did Craig begin another day on the seas of life...
Dracos
Craig stretched out in his hammock as he woke up, grumbling lightly to himself as he popped his neck in the manner of all people that had crappy bedding.
'Well, almost time to go on shore leave.' Quickly throwing on a bluish vest over his white shirt, the man exited his room and looked around for any busy work he needed to get done before they landed. May as well do something before going to see the captain.
It was a ship. There was always knots in need of tying! He noticed Deckmaster Gregory overseeing the daily tasks.
Dracos
Quickly snatching up a piece of bread to chew on from a passing crewmate, he quickly went about doing his duties about the ship, balancing the bread on his chin whenever his hands were occupied as he steadily made his way towards the deckmaster.
Finally reaching him, he turned and snapped off a salute...and forgot he still had some bread sticking out of his mouth.
Sheepishly scratching the back of his head, Craig swallowed the rest of it. "How's this fine day seeing you, sir? Is there anything else you'd like me to do before we arrive?"
"Aye, go man the watch post. And be quick about it." The deckmaster was never one for long words.
Dracos
"Aye aye, sir!" Craig went off to do as told. As he scurried on up, he took the opportunity to check out their surroundings. Spotting nothing but water and scraggly pirates he felt profound happiness at being back on land.
Boy, was he ever glad that he'd get the chance to check out women in peace again.
A jingling in his vest pocket suddenly made him come back down to reality. Oh yeah, the orb of light...
Well, there were rumors of the king of Corneria looking for heroes who had these, albeit he was far from a heroic type. Maybe he could check it out. He made a note to talk to the captain when they landed.
Hours passed, the winds whipping by. The watchman's post was not a pleasant place to stand...
Eventually he spotted shore, the unaware townspeople going about their daily lives in the village.
Dracos
Craig barked out a warning to his fellows below that they were approaching land distractedly, thoughts of his light orb flittering through his head. Sliding down from the watch post, he made his way to help the others get ready to land on shore.
It was a few hours yet before they made landfall, waiting for twilight before landing their craft... Craig was set on the looting party, set to go and swipe the villagers goods while the rest of the pirates frightened them out of their wits.
Dracos
Craig grabbed himself with a simple dagger, something more suited for intimidation purposes than to actually harm anyone, but heck if he needed to defend himself in some way if things went sour.
Pulling some bandanas from his room, he tucked his mop of hair underneath it and used another one to wrap around his face to wear as a mask. Prevents him from being recognized, and doubles as a handy dandy fashion statement.
Quickly joining the rest of his fellows, they set off to begin looting and pillaging!
The air was cool as he landed on the ground, a few pirates leaping down to join him. His feet were a bit unsteady as his worked to regain his land legs, the noise of the other pirates 'Arr'ing' on the other side of the village.
Dracos
Taking a minute to do a few leg stretches, Craig joined his fellows in quickly plundering the shops nearby of their valuables. If it was possible, they hit up anyone that looked vaguely rich or noble looking enough of their valuables as well.
Really, standard procedure.
Standard procedure indeed as some merchant was holed up in his shop with a spear making trouble!
Dracos
Craig blinked at the spear using merchant. "Not going to make this easy, are you?" He retheorically asked as he drew his dagger.
The shopkeeper was a stocky sort, the kind with the muscle of the workin' class who got up early and worked till late. The spear in his hands gripped tightly, menace in his eyes. "Get out of me shop, Pirates. Not a dime will you get from here!"
Dracos
"Fine. You're a working man anyway, so we'll leave you be." Craig waved it off, ordering his pirates to follow him in raiding the froo froo shops that belonged to the wealthy upperclass. They wouldn't miss anything anyway.
Why bother engaging in such a pointless fight with one of his own.
The shopkeeper stood confused....before relief crossed his face.
The looting went well after that, as the hour grew late.
Dracos
"Alright men, we're getting out of here while the getting's good!" Craig announced to his little team of looters as they pulled back to the ship to use the night as a cloak to hide their escape.
And lo he was called to the captain's room following the looting as they sailed off.
Dracos
"Yes sir, what can I do for you?" Craig questioned as he entered the captain's room, taking off his bandanas in respect for his superior.
"You've been with us a while, haven't you Craig?" The captain said bluntly, looking out the back window of the boat, smoking on a cigar, his large feathered hat sitting prominantly on his head.
Dracos
"For a long time, yeah..." Craig trailed off in agreement. "What's wrong, sir? Have I done anything wrong?"
"You're planning to leave this next trip. Figured I should have a talk with you. Bout where you going. You are one a me boys after all."
Dracos
"I'm personally hoping I'll manage to return in time for the job after this next one. All I really wanted to check out was if all this bunk about ancient warriors of light is true or not."
Craig tiredly rubbed the back of his head, scratching his hair as he continued. "If it does turn out to be true, I can meet up with you all again."
The captain laughed. "Ah, but I sense better of that. You would be setting out regardless, wouldn't you? Making your own way differently."
Dracos
"I'll have you know that I can be just as devious and cut throat as any other pirate! On a good day! Sometimes, whenever Chaos manifests itself again..." Craig trailed off sheepishly.
"But it doesn't feel right leaving you guys behind like this, sir."
"You're a young man. You'll make your way. We remember those who served with us though....understand?"
Dracos
Craig stared at the captain for a few moments. "I-I understand, and offer my most humble thanks for all you've done for me over the years, sir."
"Good. Now go get yourself a bite to eat. We'll drop you off a few miles outside of Corneria on our way past later tonight."
Dracos
"Thank you." Craig dropped his bandana to give the captain a hardy shake of the hand, eyes shining with gratitude for all the man had done for him. '"It was a pleasure serving on board this ship, Captain."
Pulling away, he picked up his bandana and went to go eat with his fellows.
It was early the next morning he made his leave into the forests outside of Corneria.
Where, chance would happen to have it, a certain red mage was out traveling for the day. Having a nice little walk to herself.
Dracos
Whistling to herself, Helena muses over her present situation!
I'm going to be a He-ro! I'm going to be a He-ro!
Clad in red, red, and- wait, more red, Helena was doing very little to remain inconspicuous. Not that she cared, of course! She was going to be a Light Warrior! *Nothing* could stop her!
And so time passed as Helena walked along the path, the morning sun rising as it promised to be a bright and sunny day for traveling.
Dracos
Travelling to one side, Helena figured she really ought to be heading back to Corneria. She'd be getting her chance to *really* go further afield soon, and the other Light Warriors could arrive *any minute!*
But there wasn't really much of a rush, so she continued at a leisurely pace, arcing around the forest in a gradual turn back to her hometown.
Meanwhile, traveling softly through the forests, Craig heard an excited whistling.
Dracos
'Shesh, they're just asking to be robbed, aren't they?' In contrast, the former pirate was quickly and quietly making his way down the path towards Corneria. Having slapped on a brownish set of tunic and rather poofy pants, and wearing green slippers, he blended in rather well.
He briefly paused to check on his map as he tried to orient himself once again. Damn tangly forest, why couldn't it be more open like the plains and sea? No wonder others of more notorious fame tended to clump around these places like flies to horse manure.
And sure enough, someone agreed with him, a noisy chittering happening a little to his left, not quite audible from the roadside yet though.
Dracos
Craig blinked and quietly moved to check out who else was making such a racket.
He saw a bunch of wild Cornerian imps! At least he thought they were imps. He'd never actually seen one in person before. They were pretty short, only a few feet tall as they chittered back and forth, pointing out things with daggers as they prepared to rush the road.
Dracos
'Argh, how do I get involved with these kinda things?' Craig briefly wondered to himself as he quietly made to move behind the mob of imps. 'Oh well, may as well act a bit heroically for once. It might be good practice if it turns out I'm one of these legendary heroic types.'
Using their own chittering and distraction, he promptly began his attack before they could blind side whoever was traveling down the road.
Helena, walking calmly down the road, suddenly was witnessed to an odd sound. That of someone screeching for help in the brush.
Dracos
Helena rubs the back of her head.
I swear, this happens all the time!
With a flick of her wrist and a muttered word, Helena flings a firebolt at the bush!
As the imp screeched at Craig's assault, the bush around them blasted in fire.
Helena saw an imp running from an apparent brute in poofy pants, leaping forward, blade at the ready!
Craig found himself surrounded all of sudden by fire.
Dracos
Helena spares a glance for the brutish thug-man-
"Ah, he probably deserves it for *something*," she thinks, before rushing after the fleeing imp, drawing her sharp sword and lunging with a straight stab!
"Cripes, talk about gratitude for saving your life! Now help me get rid of these guys before they call for backup!" Craig shouted as he dived away from the flames in a roll, to keep from having his poofy pants or his other precious body parts ignited by flames even as his knives lashed out to tag the imp.
And lo did they find themselves surrounded. A set of three imps on either side of them to match the set of corpses at their feet. The forest starting to burn around them from the careless fireball.
They'd have to act quick to get out of there! The imps chittered as they angrily looked at the pair that had ruined their fun.
Dracos
"Let's run before we wind up being burned alive!" Craig commanded as he pulled away from the imps and the blazing forest, dragging the pyro woman before her cape caught on fire.
"You know this forest, right? Then lead us out of here before it gets worse!"
Helena shrugs off the man.
"Don't *touch* me! Geez!" she shouts, rushing back down the path- and slinging a trio of icy bolts ahead of them, towards the ground.
"You should be showing some gratitude! If I hadn't pulled you out of there you'd be one with those flames you obviously love so much!" Craig shot back as he leapt over the ice that was quickly forming on the ground as he raced after the deranged sorceress.
"You're kidding!" replies Helena, looking at the man like he's an idiot- which he clearly was.
"This cape is made of wool! Wool doesn't burn as easy as Imp!
Besides, if I hadn't set fire to that bush, those critters'd be all over you!"
"They would've been all over *you*, if *I* hadn't attacked them. They were planning on ambushing you after they heard you whistling, you dolt!" Craig snapped back, deciding to not bother turning to glare at her as he concentrated on not tripping and dying in the blazing forest.
"I knew they were there," replies Helena, rolling her eyes as she continues to run. "I come out here all the time! Y'think a bunch of stupid imps are going to fool *me*?"
"Yes. Yes I do." Craig simply answered.
"That just goes to show your lack of intellect," replies Helena, glancing back at the imps.
"'sides, I think I got most of them."
"Along with most of an ecosystem, harpy."
"It'll grow back! It always has before!" replies Helena, cheerily.
They dashed out of the forest, going back and forth as they arrived at the corneria gates, the guards looking oddly at the pair.
Dracos
"Hey! How's it going?" asks Helena, as she bolts past the guards into the town.
"The Inn is over there. My parents run it, so tell them I said you can stay for free, I guess," she says to the guy next to her.
"Uh...thanks, then." Craig blinked at the sudden turn about, but mentally shrugged it off. Why keep holding grudges?
With that, he turned and started down to the local tavern to go ask about some more about those rumors he had heard abroad. Well, that and checking out the serving wenches.
The two of them heard and saw a bunch of folks rushing past to something a few blocks down.
Dracos
Pulling her hat down as to cast a shadow across her face, Helena starts walking towards the commotion.[/i]
'Huh. Wonder what's going on?' Craig began casually ambling his way over to the general area of the commotion, a look of apathy on his features as he looked this way or that as he walked.
The trumpet played, hearlding in the royal Proclaimer, the crowd stirring around him.
"Ahem... Due to certain issues that have occurred... His Excellency, the greatest king in the land, King Gregory, has sent out a call for heroes. Those who feel themselves fit to stand forth and take claim of the task may apply to learn more at the castle."
Dracos
"Ahahaha! That's a job for me!" shouts Helena, making a line to the castle (and ploughing through anyone who gets in her way.)
Craig's apathy was promptly shattered by the sledgehammer of reality as he stared at the proclaimer in shock. Ignoring the way the crowds were sqwacking as the red clad mage ploughed through them, he made his way up to the man.
"'cuse me, but are there any *specifics* to getting this job? Like, special artifacts and the like?" He asked, dreading hearing what he already knew in his heart was going to be true.
"Nope. Too important for rubbish like that."
The proclaimer answered.
Craig, eventually, heading off after the crazy ass Helena.
Who found herself running flat into a certain white mage on her way back to the inn.
Dracos
"OhI'mSorryAreYouOkOfCourseYouAreBye!" says Helena, after she collects her wits again.
That being done, she scoots around the unfortunate mage and continues rushing towards the castle!
Patricia scowls at the retreating figure, shaking her head as she heads back towards the inn.
Some people...
Craig wondered what was wrong with the world's women today as he passed by another scowling female on his way to the castle, giving her a polite nod of the head as he made sure to give her the right of way.
Moved to that other thread.