Dusty

Battle of the Nations

Oh, @TJByrum make sure you do your @s in a second post, because if you do them in the opening they don't work. Its a known bug.

The Adventures of Caleb Crowsnest

Minutes passed, and hours faded away as the moon slowly rose and dipped in the evening sky. Eagle’s Deliverance guided by Edward’s steady fins kept a sure course. Meanwhile the young friends conversed well into the night. Caleb asking for answers and stories about life beneath the ocean, and Edward piling on his own inquiries regarding the land, each marveling at the mysterious wonders that lay outside their respective reach. Words droned into obscurity for Caleb, and as the stars slowly faded away, he felt more and more challenged to keep his eyelids from drooping. The child yawned larger and larger until at last he resisted no more and dozed against the rail, giving into the urge to pass unto peaceful slumber. Warm sea air, nor gentle rocking of the ship disturbed him, and Caleb dreamt of grass and trees and earth of his distant homeland, far, far beyond the horizon. He could not say how long he slept, it could not have been exceptionally long however as the sky was still black of a late evening, or an exceedingly early morning. Caleb stirred, uncertain as to what woke him. Nothing seemed out of place on deck. Rainbow was most likely below, sleeping. Flower roosted nearby head tucked under her wing, and Ribbon was nowhere to be seen.

“Edward?” He asked, rubbing at his eyes, and forcing back an overwhelming yawn. No answer was offered by the hippocampus, or by anyone for that matter. Deciding whatever it was did not require his attention Caleb reclined against a coil of comfortable rope and prepared to return to his dreams of home.

THUNK

This time it could not be denied. Something powerful impacted their keel, sending shivers down the sloop’s wooden spine. Caleb sat up straight, all tiredness leaving his body in a sudden surge of adrenaline. Standing the boy leaned out over the darkened waters, scanning for any sign of his friend. Edward was gone, or at least deep enough to be out of sight. That was unusual, Caleb frowned, the young sea beast always kept close by, guiding their vessel true. If he was not there, they were sailing randomly wherever the water bid. The sea remained calm under his sharp gaze, Caleb sprinted to the port railing, scanning those waters as well. “Edward?” He called again, this time louder and with a hint of urgency. No response from the hippocampus curtailed his concerns. Perhaps Edward had gone to the ocean floor to find something to eat, or maybe he was resting. The waves seemed calm, perhaps they would not be blown to far off course. Besides, the hippocampus surely knew the ocean better than Caleb. He would be back in no time, the boy reassured himself, forcing his body to relax. And whatever hit their ship? A large piece of driftwood most likely, and nothing to worry over?

A sudden burst of power rocked the ship from bow to stern sending the proud prow high out of the water and crashing back down with a tremendous force. It was all Caleb could do to clench tight to the port railing and keep himself from being thrown overboard. A surge of water crashed down around him, soaking the boy to the bone as he released a terrified cry. Flower, startled from her sleep rocketed off the mast spar, squawking at this injustice. Then, before Caleb could catch his breath, he heard the scream. A young voice, crying out in pain and terror, alien, and yet all too familiar to Caleb.

“EDWARD!” Caleb screeched as the ship rocked again. He clung tight; his arms wrapped around the railing in a death grip, desperate to maintain purchase as the ocean roiled angrily beneath the sloop. “Edward, where are you?” The ocean frothed as if some massive storm raged just beneath the surface. Edward’s forlorn cries echoed out from the dark depths where Caleb’s eyes could not penetrate, and he knew something terrible was happening. But Edward was a giant, spanning nearly the length of the Sloop and undeniably powerful even in his youth. He dragged the ship through a storm for crying out loud! What could possibly cause him to yell out in such horror. Caleb thought he saw a sheen of blood in the water and his heart jumped to his throat. “Edward, no.” He croaked; his voice having gone hoarse from his own cries.

“Caleb, hang on. Do not let go of that railing.” Rainbow appeared, outlined in the shadows of the cabin door, clinging to the frame to keep balance. “What’s going on, whose screaming?”

The impossible sound ceased, as if in answer to Rainbow’s inquiry and the waters stilled. Eagle’s Deliverance rested uneasily on a freshly calmed surface, but Caleb did not reduce his grip, lest the turmoil resume. Not once did the boy stop searching the waves, his hands shaking as tears ran freely down his cheeks. All he could think about was that terrible shriek, and the way it so suddenly concluded. A flash beneath the surface caught his eye, and he leaned out, unable to believe his eyes.

A shape, an enormous monster three times Edward’s size resided below. An eerie bioluminescent spine glowing a victorious evil green, illuminating its pale scales, four massive flippers, powerful amphibian tail, and long wicked jaws within which was trapped the writhing form-

“Caleb no!”

The boy did not heed Rainbow’s cry. His sword set between his teeth Caleb plunged into the icy brine, forcing his eyes to remain open against the agonizing sting of salt and blood. The aquatic monster did not even heed the tiny, insignificant being who now swam ten meters from it. So intent on the prey, ensnared by her foot long teeth. She shook her head this way and that, trying to break the spine of the stubborn hippocampus who fought bitterly for his very life, a rare treat to bring back to her brood…

Battle of the Nations

I do think if we are gonna be using Napoleonic military terminology we ought to match proper scale. Which would have regiments of line infantry closer to three thousand men. It would also help make the battle seem far grander in scale.

Battle of the Nations

This sounds pretty cool. How many players are you hoping to collect for the allied forces?

The Adventures of Caleb Crowsnest

As if to punctuate this point the freshly freed yardarm dropped upon the deck crashing through timber and railing alike. The crewmembers ducked, the elder of the two cursing like a true sailor as the aft mainsail and jib flapped free, twisting, and tumbling about on the playful ocean breeze. Attached only at the stern and bowsprit the twin triangular sails fell across the sloop like a white shroud, trailing behind Edward’s steady current, resembling the bedraggled wings of an exhausted waterfowl. The aforementioned hippocampus paused in his efforts having felt the added drag he rose from the ocean, an expression of confusion upon his aquatic features.

“Why did your ship suddenly become so heavy? Oh my…” Caleb’s arm and aim were true, that at least could not be said against him. The intricate web of ropes, whose functions and usage were so painstakingly taught to him by Rainbow through his own limited knowledge of sailing were severed at their source. The collapsed rig made for such a depressing sight it was all Caleb could do to repress tears of shame and guilt that threatened to flood his eyes.

“I-I thought there were snakes, dozens of them slithering down the mast towards you.” Caleb said in his own defense.

“In the middle of the ocean?” Rainbow asked, incredulous. “I was clearly practicing illusions; did you not see all the other impossibilities going on? You did not think Caleb, you acted in truly rash fashion and now we have many hours of work ahead of us to try and repair our sails, or at least one. Hopefully, the dwarfs knew to store enough spare rope in the hold.”

Bristling at the notion he was solely to blame for this disaster Caleb pointed an accusatory finger towards the self-titled captain. “I acted poorly! What about yourself Rainbow? You could have warned me you were turning all our vital ropes into venomous serpents. A little heads up might have been nice!”

“While I appreciate the compliment to my illusion handiwork, I am still not the unobservant fool who threw a sword at our mast.” Rainbow ground out; his jaw clenched as he was convinced of his own innocence on the matter. “If I wanted a mess of everything, I’ll call. Otherwise ask before you ruin our ship next time why don’t you?”

“Well maybe next time, when it’s for real.” Caleb choked back sobs, unable to control himself as his wittier opponent thrashed him in their duel of tongues. “I’ll just let the snakes bite you while I wait for permission to wipe my nose!” He turned and stomped towards their shared cabin, Rainbow’s scathing words following his retreat.

“Where are you going? We have your mess to clean up.”

I wouldn’t want to break it more!” Caleb cried before slamming the door behind him.

Rainbow grumbled and paced, kicking at the collapsed yardarm. Edward, who had watched the entire event in a mixture of confused reservation bent down, nuzzling at the trailing sails, trying to push the fallen water-soaked cloth back onto the ship’s deck using his long elegant snout.

“I don’t understand why humans can be so unreasonable, “Rainbow complained to the only creature left to listen to his tirade. “If you make a mistake, just own up to it. This is not the first time he’s gone into one of these moods either. He should know better.”

“I thought it was a bit mean.” Edward supplied, finally succeeding in forcing the dripping jib aboard, and starting work on the mainsail. “He was just trying to save you, or at least he thought he was.”

“Yeah, sure, it doesn’t change the fact that it was a stupid thing to do. What do you know anyway, you’re six years old.”

“Uh, seven.” Edward huffed, before vanishing below the rolling waves leaving Rainbow alone amongst the tattered ropes and waterlogged sails. He sighed, prying Caleb’s sword from the mast, leaving a sizable gouge in the hardy pinewood. A few stray strands of rope clung to the honed edge and brushed them off with his thumb. It looked like it was going to be a long day of hard work, or a long conversation with Caleb. Neither sounded very appealing at the moment.

The Adventures of Caleb Crowsnest

For Caleb, the revelation of the presumed identity of their maritime shadow brought forth a sense of youthful excitement, and the boy nearly abandoned his position at the tiller in his haste to see the fabled beast from the deep. Rain formed a haze that blocked out the horizon, falling steadily across the roiling brine. Squinting Caleb scanned the churning waters, forced to shield his vison from the downpour that was slowly rising in intensity. “I’ve never seen a Hippocampus before!” He cheered, his human eyes having no chance of spotting the distant creature, though not from lack of trying. “Do you suppose he’ll approach us?”

“Let us hope he keeps his distance.” Rainbow muttered, raising the spotting glass to his eye once more. Sure enough a flash of crimson, and a trailing fin could spotted, a massive lithe figure swimming just beneath the surface, staying well away but undoubtably following at a leisurely pace.

Why though?” Caleb asked, bringing forth his personal knowledge on the sea creature. “Every sailor I’ve ever spoken to insist they are shy and harmless, and keep their distance unless the ship is in dire straits. If a man is of pure heart and noble spirit, the Hippocampus would often rescue them and deliver them safely ashore. Many take them as signs of good fortune for those poor souls in peril.” Caleb’s optimistic view clearly was not shared by his companion. The boy withered under the baleful look Rainbow threw him, as the goblin lowered his spyglass intent on educating his naïve young pupil.

“Aye, poor souls in peril.” He pointed out, rolling his eyes skyward. “The key to every tale regarding the noble Hippocampus. If you ask me, we’d be better off if this one goes away. I’m not liking the look of those clouds, and these waves are growing larger by the second. What if they are the cause to all the trouble, just to get good representation in survivor’s stories?”

“Don’t be a sourpuss,” Caleb waved away the smaller creature’s concerns. “That sounds ridiculous, and what would they care about some sailor’s tale? Besides we’ve seen plenty big waves already, twice the size of these, and enough rain to flood all of the King’s Woods. But never a Hippocampus. Either way I’m sure the Eagle’s Deliverance here could handle the worst tempests the ocean could throw at us.”

Rainbow cocked an eyebrow. “The Eagle’s Deliverance huh?”

“Yeah, I thought she could use a name. You don’t like it?”

“No, no it’s a perfectly suitable name I suppose, for a paltry ship. Though as Captain I figured it would be my duty to bestow a suitable title for our fine vessel here.”

Caleb wrinkled his nose. “You’re the captain? Shouldn’t I be captain? I do all the work around here after all.”

“Yes, good point. And on that note, turn us three degrees starboard, er, Flower’s-side-board, and tie down the tiller there, so you can go add more canvas to the jib. I want to leave behind this deluge and that nautical menace, the sooner the better. Step to it First Mate Crowsnest, the sea awaits no man.”

Caleb gave the grinning goblin a roguish two finger salute he’d seen fishermen give each other on occasion. “Alright fine, Captain Rainbow, but could we please keep the name Eagle’s Deliverance?”

Rainbow seemed to take this plea into consideration, twirling one large ear around his index finger and stroking his pointy little chin, apparently deep in thought. “I would prefer something more noble and gallant myself, The Mighty Rainbow, or perhaps the Dancing Rainbow something along those lines. Tell you what young’un, we will put it to a vote. All in favor of The Dancing Rainbow say aye.” He raised his own little hand, pretending to ignore Caleb’s sour expression. “That’s two votes for the Dancing Rainbow.”

“Two votes!” Caleb exclaimed.

“Yes, Captain counts as two votes.” Rainbow explained without missing a beat. “All in favor of Eagle’s Deliverance say aye?”

Caleb’s hand shot up in stalwart defiance, and Ribbon barked, and Flower squawked.

“Haha!” Caleb crowed, sticking his tongue out at the perplexed goblin. “You’ve been outvoted.”

“It would seem I have,” Rainbow admitted in a mix of surprise and good humor. “Fair’s fair, the Eagle’s Deliverance she shall be.” Then lacking any wine or rum to shatter on the bow Rainbow slapped the ship’s deck with a water ladle thus solidifying the christening. Satisfied by his victory freshly ranked First Mate Caleb set to his duties with a gusto, turning and tying down the wheel and before getting to work on the jib sail. Now practiced in this task Caleb finished efficiently just as the first rolls of distant thunder could be heard. Dark clouds were rapidly overtaking them, filling the western skies with ominous cumulonimbus. Even inexperienced Caleb could taste destiny on the salty breeze. Despite the little crew’s best efforts, it seemed the Eagle’s Diliverence would be amid her first true storm soon enough.

The Adventures of Caleb Crowsnest

“No!” Caleb twisted out from Rainbow’s grasp, slapping the little goblin’s hand away. Rainbow yelped clutching at his bruised limb, looking quite a bit more stunned than hurt. For a long moment, the two only stared at each other, Caleb letting his tears fall freely. Saltwater washing away some of the gore that clung stubbornly to his cheeks. The hall remained eerily silent, except for the steady dripping of blood on stone, it echoed loud and clear around the carved amphitheater. Ribbon whined and Rainbow’s face contorted into a sneer. That, Caleb decided was the ugliest look he had ever seen on a person. It made him want to punch the stinking, green skinned rabbit eared worm right in his smug little face! Caleb drew his sword causing the air to ring. That made Rainbow take a step back, but Caleb had no intention of using it. He spun on a heel hurling the battle stained blade with all the force his exhausted body could muster. It made a graceful arc, scattering droplets until it came clattering down upon the empty granite throne. His act of defiance done Caleb sank to the ground, his back planted firmly against the nearest pew. He tried to wipe away the blood, but his hands seemed permanently stained. A mewling cry emanated from his heart as his vain attempts succeeded only in spreading it around on his clothes a bit more. Eventually he ceased his efforts, hugging himself and shaking as the adrenaline ran out and the battle shock set in.

“Get up Caleb.” Rainbow gathered his courage, seeing the boy disarm himself and looking hardly a threat to anyone now, stepped closer, nudging at the human’s leg with the point of his boot. He sounded and looked considerably more reserved, trying to show a bit of empathy, despite not understanding the child’s sudden mental breakdown. “We’ll die if we stay here, we need to leave. You’ve had enough time so let’s get moving.” Luckily for Rainbow he was nimble enough to spring out of the way as Caleb lashed out, his balled fist sweeping dangerously close to Rainbow’s cranium. “What is your problem you stupid human!” Rainbow yelped, angry now.

“What is my problem!” Caleb screamed, choking back sobs. “Leave me alone you- you horrible person!”

“What do you not understand about death?” Rainbow gritted his teeth, trying to imagine some way to reason with the boy. It was as if Caleb had transformed into an entirely different person, an angry, emotional person who outweighed and outpunched Rainbow quite considerably. “If we stay here we’ll die, I don’t know how much plainer I could make it. So, I need you to get over whatever it is you’re going through and move your stupid self.”

“What’s going to kill me?” Caleb sneered, not moving a muscle. “They’re all dead, I killed them. In fact, if anyone else does come down here, I’ll kill them too!”

“With what, your sword?” Rainbow gestured towards the discarded weapon, now resting on the seat of the giant throne. “It’s over there, and if you had half a brain, you’d notice your only armament is way to high up for either of us to collect. That oversized chair is to steep to climb, and I see no means by which to fashion a ladder or ramp. Even these pews would be too heavy to move, which means you are effectively defenseless.”

Glowering daggers at Rainbow, Caleb reached over and pried a ceremonial knife from a deceased dwarf’s death grip and hurled it clumsily towards the goblin.

Rainbow ducked. “Fine!” He roared, thoroughly irritated. He stalked towards the great stone doors, yelling over his shoulder. “If you want to stay here and cry your pathetic little eyes out and get mauled by a thousand angry angorok spiderlings be my guest. I don’t need you any more anyway. You’ve outlived your usefulness, and I couldn’t care less what happens to you. I’ll find the crystal center easier on my own, c’mon Ribbon. Ribbon?” Rainbow stalled his exodus, glancing back towards the hound, who had laid down next to Caleb, resting his muzzle on the sobbing boy’s knee. The dog whined, his dark eyes reflecting the child’s grief and confusion back upon his surrogate master. Rainbow sighed, his anger melting away. Gingerly he approached Caleb, until he stood just outside of the boy’s effective striking range. “Caleb… I’m sorry I did not mean any of that, can I sit down?”

Caleb made no answer, only turning his head away. Taking the child’s lack of violent outburst or denial as an affirmative answer Rainbow reclined against the pew alongside Caleb. Obviously, human children were not the most rational of beings, he would have to tread carefully if he wished to save them, and quickly. There was no saying when the beasts that lurk in the shadows would scent the spilt blood and come prowling. Shuddering at the thought if being eaten alive Rainbow went for the most direct tactic.

“You know, Caleb you did a fine job down here. You fought brilliantly, like a proper warrior. Or whatsit human’s call them, knights? Yeah, like a true knight.” Caleb made no response so Rainbow pressed on. “Some people feel sad when they kill, but we had every right. They would have killed us in a heartbeat if given half a chance, and not cared one iota. Honestly, you probably did the us, the island, and the whole world a great service in extinguishing them all. Imagine how many other innocent people these earth-fondlers might have killed if you hadn’t gotten them first. I understand you’re sad, but you shouldn’t waste tears over the likes of them.”

“I’m not sad for them.” Caleb argued. At least he did not sound angry, he seemed confused more than anything else. “I hate them, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.” He sniffed, rubbing at his nose.

Very carefully Rainbow reached up and rested a hand on Caleb’s shoulder. The boy flinched but otherwise did not resist the physical contact. Rainbow swallowed his awkwardness, his own kind were not so responsive to the touchy-feely stuff, but if it helped the child, he was willing to try. “Then what’s wrong? You’ve done a good thing tonight.”

“I don’t know.” Caleb whined, desiring to be left alone and allowed to cry. “It doesn’t feel good.”

“That’s good.” This comment caused Caleb to finally look at Rainbow, confusion prevalent in his dark eyes. “After all,” Rainbow explained. “It’d be worse if you did not feel anything, or heavens forbid enjoyed the slaughter. Killing is hard, but not something you should be ashamed of. I think your ancestors would be proud to know you were able to fight and kill when the situation demanded violent action.”

“You think they would?” Caleb did not know his lineage, being an orphan for the vast majority of his life, but he liked to imagine the Crowsnests were a line of seafaring heroes. He bit his lip until it bled, racked by doubt. “What must they think of me. A hero would not weep like a baby. They would be ashamed to call a weakling like me their own.”

“No, no I guarantee they are brimming with pride.” Rainbow pressed, realizing he had struck gold, or at least silver. Something valuable anyway. “I bet they’re stamping their feet and raising their goblets to salute your name right now. If you must cry so be it, there is no shame in tears. If the task gets done, and you keep your honor clean. What more could they ask for really? After all you’ve proven their posterity a warrior and a man.”

This little speech gave Caleb fresh heart, and he even smiled appreciatively despite himself. He stood and Rainbow rose with him. Wiping away the last of his tears the boy straightened his back like the knights he adored, glancing forlornly towards his sword. A knight never would have thrown his weapon, and he certainly should not have thrown it somewhere inaccessible.

“I lost my sword...”

“Yeah, that was stupid, but swords are replaceable.” Rainbow assured him. “We’ll get you a better blade, one made of steel perhaps. Iron is a poor material, to easily dulled and broken.”

Caleb breathed a little sigh and collected a knife off one of the fallen before turning his back on his victims. Unable to look upon their shattered bodies any longer. Thrusting the stone blade into his belt he nodded to Rainbow. “Alright, I’m ready.”

The Adventures of Caleb Crowsnest

The subterranean Temple of the Mighty Bear was a feat of architectural brilliance, carved through the generations from rock and wood by clever dwarfen hands. Built to dwarfen standards more importantly, and not with the personification of the Mighty One’s messenger in mind. Rainbow might’ve been considerate to shaved off a foot or two in his illusion crafting, for although Caleb surely towered over any dwarf in a presence of intimidation, he was forced to bend his knees and crane his neck to stuff himself in the temple’s entrance hall.

Sensing Caleb’s discomfort Karrass bowed so low his beard brushed the well swept floor saying. “O’ Mighty One, woe upon Karrass, and all those foolish enough not to have foreseen! Your devoted servant would have all the ceilings raised so you might stand at ease.” He seemed really distraught by his lack of foresight, and for a moment Caleb almost felt sorry for him, but then he saw the stone knife sheathed at Karrass’ hip, and recalled what they’d done to Rainbow’s crew, and what they had almost done to him.

“This displeases the Mighty One.” Caleb rumbled, or at least tried to rumble. His voice sounded far too tenor to belong to a bear.

“Yes, yes this will never do.” Karrass agreed, but he looked hopeful. “Karrass knows of just the place, deep, deep below in the Hall of Sacrifice where the rock is thick and strong, we built the arches to stand twenty meters high! You might stand and leap and never touch the roof. This should be where your devoted servant will summon all to hear you O’ Mighty One.”

Caleb concurred this would be acceptable. “Lead on loyal cub.” He thought the dwarf might turn at once and lead him further beneath the ground, down into the stilted, oppressive air and darkness. Instead Karrass despite standing before his idol possessed the presence of mind to close and lock the entrance behind them. Caleb gagged, Rainbow would still be trapped outside, unable to aid or follow. Did the little goblin’s magic have a range to it? He had never mentioned it, only that he was limited in his powers. Caleb glanced down at his hands, they were paws, real flesh and blood and fur, whatever illusion Rainbow cast was not yet broken.

“Wait!” Caleb commanded as the dwarf prepared to turn. Karrass stopped at once, bowing low.

“Yes O’ Mighty One?”

“The door should be left open, I uh, desire it.”

This certainly confused Karrass, Caleb could tell at once he had surprised the dwarf, but for what reason he could not imagine. All he had asked was that the door remain open, surely this was not so foreign to Karrass. The dwarf stuttered, and scratched at his tattoo as if thinking his god was testing him.

“But, but the Ados Koarah, Karrass knows it by heart! To leave one’s door ajar behind one is an anathema, for this blatant disregard surely displeases the Mighty Bear… But if you command it, your devoted servant will not disobey.”

“That was written out of context.” Caleb stated, grasping for straws, and wishing he were cleverer. Rainbow would surely be grinding his teeth at how badly he was spoiling things, if he had not already given up on Caleb as a lost cause and gone home that is.

“…Written?” This gave Karrass pause and the dwarf seemed lost in thought, his eyes glinting with, was it more confusion or was that suspicion? Caleb inched his hand towards the hilt of his sword ever so slowly, painfully aware of the knife the dwarf possessed. He might have longer arms, and perhaps equal or greater strength, but he could not hope to dodge or maneuver in this cramped environment. Every second felt a lifetime to Caleb, though in truth it was probably no more than a moment’s time. Karrass shook his head, a smile upon his lips.

“Karrass would not question the wisdom of the Mighty One’s Messenger.” He bowed, and then retrieved his key, allowing the entrance to spring open once more. Fresh air flowed down into the entrance hall giving the illusioned boy renewed hope. Caleb suppressed a sigh of relief, the illusion held, and now Rainbow could follow, everything was going to plan.

“Follow Karrass O’ All Knowing One, he will show you. Karrass is loyal, Karrass is cunning, Karrass will lead you to the Hall of Sacrifice, O’ Mighty One.”

The Adventures of Caleb Crowsnest

A post from a different RP, featuring a young fantasy knight I feel is suitable for my writing example: Guy's introduction.

Reprise

Electric Pokémon!

The Adventures of Caleb Crowsnest

Ooh ooh present!