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| − | [[Image:stalkiemcgroper.jpg|frame|left|Stalkie McGroper]] | + | See [[McGroper]] |
| − | {| style="height:200px" border="0"
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| − | |'''Name:'''
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| − | |'''Stalkie McGroper'''
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| − | |'''Location:'''
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| − | |[[The Sun God]]
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| − | |'''Rank:'''
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| − | |[[First Mate]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |'''God:'''
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| − | |Seth
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| − | |}
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| − | {| border="0"
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| − | |+ '''Guilds'''
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| − | | [[Hospice]] Member -
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| − | | Administrative Liason to The Round Table
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| − | |}
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| − | ==Skills and Knowledge==
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| − | June 2007 - Knot Test by Captain Hawk
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| − | Trainer and Tester for the Sun God Tests.
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| − | ==Noted Favors and Awards==
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| − | '''2007'''
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| − | [[Rogues Picnic]] - 2nd Place in Keg Toss
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| − | [[Captain Hawk]] - Belaying Pin for completing knot test.
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| − | [[Ships of the Fleet]] - Thank you plaque for 2007 service
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| − | Mongolian Weapons - A Chainwhip for help with some disputes.
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| − | [[Horni]] - Angel wing favor
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| − | [[Fingers]] - Oyster shell pendant
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| − | [[Francesca Firedrake]] - Personal Favor
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| − | [[The Sun God]] - [[Rummy]] for 2007 duties
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| − | '''2006'''
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| − | [[Commodore Amon]] - Favor for organization of the first Paintball/nondrinking event
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| − | [[Ships of the Fleet]] - Whatknot for the Picnic
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| − | [[Madam Cricket]] - Favor for helping cleanup
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| − | [[Captain Moon]] - Favor for helping cleanup
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| − | [[Captain Muttq]] - Favor for helping out
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| − | [[Captain Morgan]] - Favor for helping out
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| − | [[Jess Devyne]] - Heart on and a Gold Screw
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| − | [[The Sun God]] - [[Rummy]] for 2006 duties
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| − | '''2005'''
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| − | [[Captain Hawk]] - Favor for being there
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| − | == Biography==
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| − | I'm Stalkie McGroper, AKA Mikey to my friends and family, Mike to my acquaintances and Michael to those soon to be disposed of on a cold mountain road.
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| − | | |
| − | I'm Scottish, born of Clan Cameron, and have a tendency to mock the English when I can. Being as my father's abandonment at 8 by his English name donor of a father, it left a sore spot in my upbringing. The Camerons are known as a Military Clan, and my 4 brothers and I were raised as such.
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| − | | |
| − | I stepped back out of my impending service, and hit the road freelance to seek my fortune by the sword, blade and pistol.
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| − | | |
| − | For many years I served as a mercenary for hire, fighting in Northern wastes, or smuggling in humid swamps and mires of Southern Seas stumbling though opium dens or brothels when not claiming my pay.
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| − | After collecting payment for a bounty for the sultan, Al-Azid, I set out for a night of drunken debauchery. This is where I met the [[Master of Assassins]], Jereth, outside a dark Harem in Constantinople. He was a few coins short for admission and promised me a few drinks inside in exchange for this. As I was just freshly paid and the thought of a few drinks and some conversation to pass the time sounded perfect. So I accepted the offer.
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| − | I discovered that he was very passionate about his training by fighting monks and the tales of past battles amused me. He told me of his homeland, an Island in the warm western sea and invited me to visit it with him. As beautiful as it sounded I had other matters to attend to for my wanderlust was not yet satisfied.
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| − | For a few years I spent in his company looking for work by the highest bidder and selling our talents like some would barter trinkets and wares. We teamed up with many other groups together. Some were strong bonds and fulfilling relationships that endured time. With these occasionally we would meet again for other jobs, so we never said goodbye. We only just waited for the next time to greet each other.
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| − | | |
| − | In our line of work it’s too easy to focus on death as an end. The true challenge is finding hope in such grisly work. These friendships were definitely core to our being.
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| − | One day we spoke and he was a bit distant. After prodding he told me of a relationship he once had that was lost. He still couldn't get her out of his mind as she had taken a residence in his heart so strong, I’ve never known anything he's cared about more. Except maybe the gold.
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| − | He told me he needed to visit his family's home over the sea. When I asked for how long he told me he wasn't sure, but there were ghosts that needed to be put to rest and issues to be addressed. He was so intent it puzzled me. Yet I was curious and felt a longing to see this land he always spoke of so fondly.
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| − | We began to travel back to Constantinople as he claimed he could catch fare there for a bit of work. I agreed to travel with him to town, possibly finding myself another adventure.
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| − | | |
| − | On the eve of his departure I requested to join him in his journey. He laughed and agreed wholeheartedly.
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| − | | |
| − | To celebrate we went to the tavern for a drink. The Tavern was loud and filled with a din almost painful to the ear if it wasn't so much laughter. Much of that night was a blur; I met a few lads that were introduced to me by Jereth. Somewhere the sea of smiles and laughter were drowned out as I blacked out.
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| − | | |
| − | I woke on the floor of our room in the Inn with the early sun baking my whiskey soaked brain into some sort of mush. Crawling to my feet with a groan I glanced at his bed only to discover 2 sleeping, ladies. Barely covered by the sheets, their tousled hair framing their faces.
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| − | | |
| − | I quirked a bloodshot eye and fired up my pipe, Half unbelieving my eyes, the other half used to seeing such a spectacle I looked out the 2nd floor window filled with the invading sun. Shielding my eyes I looked towards the docks, and spotted Jereth. I saw him board a vessel named [[The Raging St. Mae]], with the most beautiful captain I’ve ever seen standing stoic and strong bracing against the wind from the forecastle. A powerful crew tended their duties, racing between line and tackle, or scaling the rigging to take position at the lines to release the sails from their security like white billowy hounds barking to the end of their leash.
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| − | I saw Jereth point towards me and nod in a gesture of acknowledgment that I could see him. I threw my stray belongings in my pack and slung it over my shoulder, took another glance at the ladies and smirked as I made my way out to the ship. The ship's [[Master Gunner]] stepped from the quarter deck after depositing shot by the swivel gun as a giant of a man rose to meet him with a keg of powder. I'd never seen a finer vessel.
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| − | Meeting with Jereth he explained that he catches a ride between bounties and that they were all of the same cut of cloth. Pirates, vrijbuiters and even a few English privateers all banding with an assassin? The idea was laughable. But it got even more surreal. He explained there was the Madam's House, a Thieves’ Guild, their own private Harbour as well as several powerful ships in the fleet.
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| − | I made my mark on this ship as a seaman and was told we were setting sail for the haven of [[Eilean er Coayl Grayse]] .
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| − | I learned quickly to step to when ordered, and hold fast when needed. I assisted [[Captain Hawk]] with whatever duties she needed done to the best of my ability as she explained to me that many of her crew were foreigners or left back at port to be picked up later. Soon I rose to the rank of [[Bosun]] thus taking charge of the ship's lines, anchors and crews.
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| − | As it turned out there was much discontent with the group, not due to the leadership, but to the boredom that can rake a deck of morale worse than any broadside. [[Father Gooey]] the ship's pilot suggested a game of blanks. When all looked puzzled I explained that we load our pistols with nothing but powder and fake duel with each other for sport and the loser "plays dead". The crew looked a bit baffled but went along with it despite their caution. And they had a grand time.
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| − | Whilst at sea we came face to face with a gale of such magnitude many of our crew were lost, drug off the decks and swept out to sea. Many of the crew thought us completely lost and once losing the will to fight chose to end their lives by jumping from the craft almost happily disappearing in the angry waves.
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| − | Little did I know tailing us was another craft The Wolfsbane that picked up those members so they weren’t lost. As the storm cleared they hailed us and I met [[Captain Morgan]]. He was hearty man with a salt and pepper beard and a big grin. As it turned out they were one of the members of the fleet that Jereth had spoken of.
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| − | The members that had jumped from the deck of the Raging St Mae decided to stay under Captain Morgan's command. This was baffling to me that in such a chaotic band of rogues, that there was free will, choice and democracy.
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| − | This was never allowed anywhere else I had encountered. Not even in the brothels and harems from which I came.
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| − | Dinner was served of a massive egg dish that was like an omelet liberally drenched in rum. The size was immense, dozens and dozens of eggs must have comprised this dish, to which [[Captain Morgan]] laughed and told us the story of the merchant vessel they had just scuttled that was taking provisions to Curacao. We all consumed our fill had a boisterous toast and soon were on our way.
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| − | | |
| − | 5 months passed and I saw a shape on the western horizon was silhouetted by the setting sun. Upon seeing my smile Jereth leaned to me and said,
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| − | "There it is brother. [[Eilean er Coayl Grayse]]!"
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| − | As we pulled into the quay and up to the dock I noticed the people swarming about the weather worn planks. Some were franticly running to assist while a strong man in white and teal barked orders at them next to a cage with a skeleton trapped inside. He stood shorter than most but was twice as strong. His goatee was all that could be seen from our angle on deck with the exception of his mouth when he bellowed.
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| − | They tossed a few lines and soon we docked flush with the gangway on larboard. We rested between two other ships in the port, [[The Rising]] and [[The Lady Sinister]]. The 2 crews were laughing and yelling crude yet humorous insults at each other over our ship. It seemed that it was all in jest but the tone to an outside ear sounded almost invoking some sort of fury between the crews. [[Captain Hawk]] just cracked a smile and shook her head as she saw at my confused brow. She cocked her head and shouted a retort when one Captain Whistled under his yellow banner. It wasn't what she said that mattered, it was the way she said it.
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| − | Cool and commanding in a tone that hushed the crowd momentarily so the soft sound of the waves lapping the hull could be heard.
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| − | The yellow bearded Captain stood up with a big grin and threw his arms out shouting "What?!"
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| − | To which the crew resounded with a thunderous roar of drunken laughter.
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| − | "That's my brother's ship." Jereth told me smiling as he gathered his things and pointed at [[The Rising]]. "He has a tendency to get a little crazy. You'll meet him later." And he ended with his laugh I had learned was a forewarning of impending chaos.
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| − | I gathered my sea bag and basket hilt and walked up the pier to a small community area where songs and revelry could be heard wafting down the slope to the shoreline, about 10 leagues away. Towards the end of the dock I ran into the man of White and Teal. And quite literally. I had to catch my footing momentarily and he stuck out a big tattooed arm to keep me from falling over the side.
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| − | "Whoa there Chief! Watch yerself, I don't wanna have to jump in after ya."
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| − | "Thank you sir!" I laughed embarrassed by my misstep, "And whom do I ask, am I addressing?
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| − | "[[Harbourmaster Kaushunn]], and I can tell you just arrived from The Mae. I have a feeling we'll be speaking later, for now get settled in."
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| − | And he strolled off yelling, "Hey! You! Where's [[Spook]]? Did I tell you to get up there?! Get down now goddammit!"
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| − | Facing the town, for lack of a better term as it was more like a crude settlement devoid of the usual luster for a township, but obviously containing enough for the people of the community were a few small buildings with a wide central marketplace. This was small yet very busy.
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| − | Laughter echoed off the walls of the small buildings from the local tavern and brothel Cricket's House. Suppliers and merchants lined the streets selling their wares and behind the shops in a dark alley I saw Jereth speaking to someone in the shadows and pointing at me periodically during this discussion.
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| − | "I think he's finding me work,"
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| − | I thought this, as I visited a Vendor who was selling Ham from a steaming pot. I was given a huge plate and offered him a few coins to which he refused. I questioned this slightly but wasn't going to turn away a good hot meal. He turned out to be Captain Griffin of the Southern Cross. The good captain had volunteered to cook a feast to help celebrate the homecoming of this band of rogues after a year at sea.
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| − | We spoke briefly as the rain began to pour down, a relentless torrent. Many of these rogues and brigands ran off to find shelter. At one small table crowned by a thatch shelter sat a man who was listening intently to Jereth and the Captain of the yellow ship I saw earlier at the dock. He looks familiar I thought, but I'm unsure as to where.
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| − | "Ha! Well that does it!" The Captain yelled in a thick Irish tongue as he turned and looked at me approaching. Laughing he put a hand on my shoulder, his sandy blonde hair was rough and slightly matted under the brim of his black leather cavalier's hat.
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| − | "So brother you brought him to the Commodore! Never took this one to fancy his ways. But maybe he's got some treachery in him!" he slapped me in the chest knocking a bit of wind out of me.
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| − | I winced and mustered out a breathy, “Who the hell are you?"
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| − | He stopped and looked insulted.
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| − | "I'm Captain fookin Moon! And you best remember your loyalties and keep your tongue in check, there, English."
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| − | Now I have no love for the English and this burned inside my soul like a hot poker. He had to have known by my colors I was a Scotsman, and a Jacobite to boot. I wanted to strike him, but I couldn't. He was still smiling.
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| − | "You act like you know me Captain, but I've never met the likes of you before."
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| − | They all burst out in laughter. I looked dazed and puzzled.
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| − | Jereth wiped a tear from his eye and put a hand heavy on my shoulder. This was always the sign of something he wanted to hit me with verbally. Kind of an old game we've played for years.
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| − | "You were drinking Bones to Jelly with the Captain in Constantinople the night before we left, don't you remember?"
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| − | I clearly didn't.
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| − | "You agreed to join The Rising."
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| − | They both burst out in laughter. I was even more confused as I started turning the pages back in my mind. "No, I didn't" I thought.
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| − | The Captain held his mug high and yelled, "To The Rising!” which was followed by a cheer from obvious supporters scattered about the town. Even one yelled from a window on the second floor of the building marked "Cricket's House".
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| − | Then like a wave it came rushing back. I remember the Captain and I drinking and singing with Jereth and all the people at that tavern. They took me to a regal man in the corner who introduced himself to me as Captain Aramis. We were invited to partake in a ritualistic drink and toast tradition from what I could gather.
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| − | The liquid was a strong smelling, sea-green liquid that glowed like some spectral unmentionable spirit. It was poured into a soup ladle and the drinker had to hold it as he made his toast. If the poor wretch spilled he was poured another one. I really can't remember many of the details as it progressed from here but I do remember it being suggested I join something called The Rising to which I must have given some form of affirmation as the next thing I remember were those same words and tone. "To The Rising!"
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| − | "Shit." I said as I stared at this Captain laughing at me with Jereth's hand still on my shoulder.
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| − | Captain Moon looked away to the man sitting down and shrugged his shoulders, "I ha'e plenty of crew, Commodore. 'Sides he's been serving 'is time on Captain Hawk's ship. That's where he belongs."
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| − | He turned towards me and laughed again this time I could see the warmth in his smile. "Baby girl!" he cheerfully said with a wave as he strolled his way past me to a lass smiling with open arms. He threw his sea worn arm over her and she helped him make his way over to a house. The same house I previously heard someone cheer from.
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| − | "But I like serving on The Mae," I contested, "I feel at home there."
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| − | I looked at the Mae, docked. She still looked as regal and strong as the day I first saw her. Her Bow turned up to the sky like the nose of a proud and beautiful woman. Her sails neatly bound and cut, the lines tossing in the wind like the locks of her hair.
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| − | "It's hard for me, Bosun" a voice spoke gently behind me, "but I know elsewhere you could be of more value."
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| − | I turned to face Captain Hawk stepping towards me. She gave me gentle embrace and a kiss on my cheek.
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| − | "You will do well." She smiled and turned toward the Commodore.
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| − | The Commodore had yet to say anything. He sat there deep in thought and visually sizing me up like anyone would look at someone they just met. Calculating every move from crossing the fingers of his black doe-skinned hands together, to the slow pull of deep red port from his goblet. His coat was brighter than the port, a vibrant red and his eyes were ice cold, peering from beneath the brim of his black leather hat. Topped almost appropriate with a pair of red and black ceramic horns and a long red plume the jutted from the back like a signal flag. "No Quarter Given" I thought.
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| − | --To Be Cont'd--
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