#kindling comic

Nikolai pushes himself up and concentrates on staying there. He propels himself forward through sheer force of will, up on the railing, then across, and then his knees give out.

He lands in a heap in Tolya’s arms, who guides him to the ground more gently than a man his size has any right to.

Part 19/21

etherealki: @llantsovvs story "Kindling," an adventure prequel for this trio

They land on the quarter deck to see the captain’s knife slit the throat of the man at the wheel. Two more bodies already lie on the planks, though Tolya can hear their heartbeats; they’re unconscious, not dead. Yet, anyway. Around him, the fog begins to creep over the ship, and the moon vanishes behind a thick coat of mist.

Tolya and Tamar follow the captain and they move carefully, soundlessly, to the main deck. Behind him, Tolya can feel more than hear the rest of their crew land on the ship and scuttle along the railing, taking positions along the ship. Before Tolya, Tamar and Sturmhond slink below deck, he knows their crew is watching over the vessel like gargoyles, perched in the rigging, hidden in the corners, waiting for their cue.

Part 5/21

etherealki: @llantsovvs story "Kindling," an adventure prequel for this trio

Tolya and Tamar follow the captain and they move carefully, soundlessly, to the main deck. Behind him, Tolya can feel more than hear the rest of their crew land on the ship and scuttle along the railing, taking positions along the ship. Before Tolya, Tamar and Sturmhond slink below deck, he knows their crew is watching over the vessel like gargoyles, perched in the rigging, hidden in the corners, waiting for their cue.

Part 6/21

etherealki: @llantsovvs story "Kindling," an adventure prequel for this trio

There’s about a dozen guards left to make a stand, pitted against eight of his crew. He squeezes off a shot and the man who was about to stick a knife into Yuri’s back gurgles, then falls. Nikolai has enough time to make sure Tolya and Tamar are managing and the passengers are beginning to cross over to the Kosatka. Then, he joins the fray

“Quickly, quickly!” Privyet waves them over, helping people down from the railings, the crew remaining on the Kosatka leading the indentures over to make room for the others behind them. Tolya throws a glance over to the fighting. Marie has jumped on a man’s back and is choking him from behind, and Yuri is whirling his twin swords like a madman.

Part 14/21

etherealki: @llantsovvs story "Kindling," an adventure prequel for this trio

Sturmhond herds them behind a pillar, out of sight of the guards who walk between the rows. The captain looks at them both meaningfully. Tolya takes a steadying breath, and nods.

They fan out. Tamar and Tolya make quick work of the guards, dropping them one by one along the walkways

Part 8/21

etherealki: @llantsovvs "Kindling," an adventure prequel for this trio

"Tolya watches as Sturmhond motions to the squaller, then takes a running leap. The wind catches and carries him up and across the gap between the ships, where the captain lands against the stern and manages to cling on. He creeps upward, pulls his head over the railing, no doubt observing the situation on the quarter deck. Sturmhond gives a quick signal to his waiting crew, then vanishes on the other side of the railing."

Part 3/21

etherealki: @llantsovvs story "Kindling," an adventure prequel for this trio