alysm {
neirsung:
“ …I knew not that there was a threat of cold to be fearing in the first place, ” Iuchar mutters behind his now doubled up scarves. In his whole life, he doesn’t think he’s ever been this coddled before— not by his retinue of retainers, not by any of the older women he’s met, and certainly not even his own mother…!
How does one go from being told to fall to learn from his mistakes to now being bundled up so much to avoid getting a cold on a sunny day like this? Of course, it was still early spring, but this certainly had to be too much!
He’s yet to catch anything on his rod, and he certainly doubts he’ll catch a cold either, but he is instead caught off guard by the sudden shaking of the ship. Before he can ask what’s stirred the professor into a tizzy, ( or why it’s by Naga’s name he’s calling of all things ) the older man is already handing down orders with as much efficiency as he does clothing.
In a moment, Iuchar sees this motherly steward of a man for the severe knight he’s been hired by the academy for, and for this once, he’d show deference to his call.
“ Allow me! ” The Abyssian grabs a nearby harpoon, beginning to rig it by example of a nearby crewman doing the same. Pulling back the rope around the harpoon’s dart and securing it loosely with some on-board adhesive, the lad takes to the side of the ship nearby Frederick to see what exactly it is he’s to be fearing.
A creature swims quickly through the waters, cutting through it almost effortlessly. It is huge, but it only means that it is a bigger target to hit. Iuchar takes a deep breath, tracking the beast’s movements and figure out the best plan of attack.
Whilst it is gargantuan, it is still a fish, but there was the matter of the fact a harpoon would in no way be able to skewer one end of the fish and come out the other. He had to aim for a place that would puncture a hole then and stay there even as the creature fought.
Iuchar is no wielder of the lance, always preferring the axe and never straying, but for that moment when he takes aim and the sun glimmers off of his harpoon, it looks as if he was born to wield it. The harpoon flies out of his grip, creating its arc through the sky as it successfully sinks into the crest beast’s flesh even with the numerous disadvantages set against the beast’s foe.
[ d20 roll: 19. Critical Hit! ]
“ Aid me, Sir Frederick! Take hold of the ball at the end of my line! ” he barks out his own order, pointing to the brightly colored ball weighing down the several hundred meters of rope connected to the harpoon he had launched. Whilst Frederick certainly looked strong and could help Iuchar reel in their catch, he gave Iuchar more the impression of being an unstoppable wall rather than a pair of deft hands, and what they needed now more than ever was that wall to anchor them as the beast fought for its life.
Gloved hands take hold of the rope as it begins to break away from the pole of the harpoon, and Iuchar musters all the force he can into pulling back against it, sweat beading his forehead.
[ enemy d20 roll: 10. player d20 roll: 1. ]
But as wounded as the crest beast may be by Iuchar’s well-placed strike, its sheer size and speed lends it force that one pair of hands simply cannot hope to win against, and Iuchar’s body is propelled into the cold waters, hapless as he is dragged along with his prey’s frenzied attempt at escape, holding onto the rope as a lifeline.
Iuchar, by present observation, was as excellent a spear-hand as any. Especially in time of dire circumstances. That was no mere glean he had managed, but a square shot into its flank—lodging into hardened flesh. “Rather commendable, my boy!” He swiped the ball just as it arrived mid-air, assuring that his mind was not so far lost in this “relaxing” diversion that he could not support his comrades in their time of need.
Clenching tightly, he made a motion to steel his entire body for the impending tug-of-war. “It’s done, though, my share of the favour has yet to be served!” He wrapped the rope around his arm, ushering the crew come flooding in to support him. However, in the span of seconds, coordination broke into frenzy, as he gazed upon Iuchar’s figure being thrown into the velvet blue. “My boy!”
Though he was rather indisposed at the moment, wasn’t he? “By Naga—” A torrent of sea spray scattered against the side of the boat. And the beast attempted to pull the rest of the crew in as well, though he had a hardy grip on the end of his line. With every attempt to escape for its life, came a force just slightly more secure from their end. He supposed that if one were to scrutinize the situation, a beast against a seafaring craft was a test of will—and both were evenly matched.
[ enemy d20 roll: 2. player d20 roll: 6. ]
“Iuchar, watch your back!” Frederick is a veteran at polearms and a master of pick-me-up emergencies. Beads of sweat ran off his forehead, as he thundered every inch of strength into his harpoon and straight into the air. His aim, however wasn’t as solid as Iuchar’s, and the blade locked firmly into its tail. With a vehement roar, it flailed under a solid pin into its flesh. Frederick simply prayed they’d be able to immobilize the beast before it took Iuchar beneath the waves.
[ player d20 roll: 16. ]
Without warning, the ship lurched forward, in an attempt to get a closer aim at the beast. Its sigil glowed ominously, breaking the ocean’s surface in ominous foreshadowing. What of the divine and sacred seals propelled humanity into action—if not for fear and a stepping stone for glory?
For now, he’d have to hope they could get close enough for Frederick to retrieve his student from the clutches of a beast that might just send them turning upside.














