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 Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 6:45 pm
How far would you go to save the city you were bred to rule?
Would you trust your journey in the hands of a Greek fisherman? Ancient Greece, 615 BC
The princess of Argos has to flee her city to seek help from the ruler of Troy.
Argos is being overrun by Spartan forces, and Adara must seek out the Trojan Army.
Sadly enough, Spartan soldiers have taken over the naval fleet of Argos and Athens
and she must stow away on a fishing boat headed to Troy. What adventures await her? Lourne of Ithaca
[picture here]
Fisherman, 17 years of ageAdara of Argos
Princess of Argos, Seventeen
[x]
Adara in the only daughter of King Lkyos and Queen Dara of Argos.
She has lived a very happy life as an Argo Princess. Argos is a
wealthy city-state with many allies, such as Athens. Last year
Argos and Troy signed a treaty to aid each other in times of
trouble. She was given to Prince Theron of Troy as an offering of
good will towards Troy. Recently Argos was invaded by Sparta to
the south. Argos and Athens united to fight Sparta but was no
match against the might fighters of Ares. Now Adara races to Troy
to beseech the help of her recent allies and her betrothed.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 11:45 pm
OOC.// Mkay soooo it's late and I'm tired anddd I don't feel like doing a posting format so you'll have to deal with text for now. Not to mention it's almost three in the morning. THAT'S HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU. It's an epic post though so it's ok. Lol Kyle would hate me if he saw it.
The tossing of the ship made her sick. Her head spun and her stomach churned. She leaned over and heaved silently, her stomach trying to empty itself when it had nothing to rid itself of. The large fishing vessel had left port two days ago. Two days. For two days now she'd been hiding in the ship's storage compartment. For two days straight she stayed cramped in a corner between two crates, in the dark and cold. She'd had barely a crust of bread she managed to snatch off the floor before the mice got it. She hated vermin. They were filthy, vile little creatures. Not that she had the right to judge something based on cleanliness in her current state. The simple white frock she wore was stained with mud and grime, her once vibrant, glossy curls were limp and tangled from salt cacked in the hair. The girl sighed and plucked at the fabric in her dress, remembering the smooth, soft feeling of silk her clothes used to give her...
Princess Adara was lounging on the sunlit pavillion with her mother discussing the incoming shipment of silk from the east her father had ordered for Adara's wedding gown. It seemed that wedding plans were all Adara's mother had on her mind. "The dress will be modest, of course, but I wonder if we might take it in around the waist. After all dear you are indeed in your prime and it might not be a bad idea to use your figure to your advantage when seeing your future husband for the first time. He has an entire year to think of countless different versions of Adara of Argos, you want to make sure you can live up to his many fantasies." Queen Dara eyed her daughter with a raised eyebrow and a speculative glint in her eyes when the Princess didn't respond. "You needn't look so grim dear, the prince is a fine husband for you. I've met him on a few ocassions and he is quite good looking, and the most skilled archer in Troy. You two will make an excellent couple, and joining you two together will join Argos and Troy." Adara sighed and finally looked up from the embroidery she had been adding to her dress and forced a smile, "I know mother, I'm just nervous that's all. Am I really not to meet the man i'm to spend my life with until the very day we are joined?" The Queen pursed her lips and nodded, "It is custom, Adara." Adara merely sighed and nodded in response, "Now then, let's discuss the neckline..."
Her wedding dress had been tailored exactly to Queen Dara's wishes. She'd had to leave it behind when she left Argos. She had left all of her best dresses in Argos. They were most likely being used to clothe the whores of the Spartan Army now. The imagine of a dirty woman wearing her pure white wedding dress brought tears of frustration to her eyes. She cursed the Spartans and their god, Ares, for invading her home and forcing her to take up this journey. The only one with the authority to enforce the treaty with Troy was a member of the royal family, and King Lykos had to stay with the city to command the army, and, if it came down to it, negotiate the terms of surrender...
A constant thump of footsteps echoed through the halls of the palace nowadays. Countless courriers ran around the palace carrying different messages for any number of people. Fifteen hours ago scouts on the edge of Argos territory reported sights of Spartan troops approaching from the south. The royal army swarmed out of Argos like bees fleeing a struck nest, setting up a base to the south in preparation for the assault. In King Lykos's chambers the royal family was gathered around a map with General Laeros, Lykos's younger brother and Adara's uncle. "Scouts reported seeing thousands of Spartans gathering in the Pass. They are relentless, they move with such speed and endurance. They must have the blessing of Lord Ares. Even with the supporting troops coming in from Athens it will be a difficult battle." Laeros explained. Lykos's eyes were glued to the map, but not on Argos, but to the northeast. "Then we must already seek the aid of our new allies, we must seek help from Troy. But how? Only a member of the royal family can enforce the treaty..." General Laeros stood up and nodded shortly, "Aye, then I will go, you must stay and give the troops morale." King Lykos shook his head, "No. We need you on the front lines." The general started to protest when a small, but clear voice cut through the debate. "I will go."
So, the task had fallen to her to get to Troy. However, the next day a Spartan fleet showed up in Argos, attacking any ship that tried to flee, so instead of traveling in her own fleet, as Princess of Adara of Argos as she hoped, she had to flee the city on a horse, leaving behind all she knew. She was just a simple girl now stowing away in a ship she was not allowed on. If all went well she would wind up in Troy and could slip off without notice. The gods would not make things easy for her though. A hatch opened from above, sunlight washing through the darkness and a man stepped into the ship. The blonde shrank up against the wall, pressing with every muscle she had in her body against the man, wishing she could blend into the wall. Men had come down seven times before with no incident but it still made her clench with fear when the possibility of being caught arose. "Damned maggot ridden... can't even fetch a... when I clearly don't..." the waves outside muffled the man's words as the sea swelled but one thing was certain. He was looking for something among the crates. He was nearing closer and closer, she clenched her eyes shut, her heart racing as she prayed to the gods, please don't let him catch me! His footsteps were nearing closer and closer... He was only a few feet away! Turn around! She thought desperately. She didn't hear anything for a few seconds and almost thought the gods had granted her wish and made him disappear when she heard "What in hades?!" and he crashed through the crates, towards her. "What do you think you're doin' here, woman?!" he sneered, grabbing her. "Stowaway, eh?" he grinned. The man was unshaven and his breath smelled of alcohol. The stench made her want to throw up again. "Come with me darlin', let's see what the Cap'n wants to do with yeh." The sailor dragged the girl through the maze of barrels and crates and up the ladder into the sunlight. "Lookit what I've got here!" he bellowed.
The bright sunlight burned Adara's eyes when she emerged from the darkness. She had to shield her face for a few moments while her eyes adjusted and she could look around. She was standing in the middle of a large group of men. They varied in age from fifteen to thirty. Most wore just a simple cloth wrap around their waist. One man stepped out from the crowd, a large, bearded man with a belly that hung over his waistline. The man was scarred all over his face and arms from, what Adara assumed, were various fishing accidents. The man crossed his arms and grinned, though the gesture held no love, "Well, looks like we have a stowaway..." he inched closer to examine her more. "Trespassing on my ship is not allowed. Period." The man pulled a dagger from his belt and picked at his fingernails with it, "If your were a boy I'd probably just have you killed and chucked over the side to keep the fish company. But, seein' as you're a girl, and a fine looking one at that, I think we can get some use from ya, eh?" he took his dagger and ran it down her fair cheek, "such a pretty face. It's been a while since I've had the privilige of female company, a while for all of us in fact." he noted. Then, he turned to address the group. "Well then, captain's priviliges! I get first go and then she's all yours men!" the men all cheered and laughed as the captain grabbed Adara's wrists and dragged her towards the nearby cabin. Adara struggled with all she had, but two days in the same small space had left her muscles cramped, and not used to the sea's motion.
The captain's room was a simple one. A small bed, and desk with various charts and maps. Not much to live with but enough for a simple man. The man threw Adara onto the bed and began to remove his clothing. "What's your name, woman?" Adara remained silent, pulling her legs to her chest protectively. The man was naked now and advancing towards Adara, taking up her entire field of vision. "I asked you your name!" he snapped. When Adara didn't answer he slapped her across the face with a resounding smack. "Fine. Whores don't need a name anyway. You're just a nobody." he sneered as he ripped off her dress. Adara shut her eyes and tried to detach from the situation, praying to her patron goddess, Aphrodite. "Please, goddess, I am yet a virgin. I have waited for my husband as is your will. Please, don't let it happen like this!" Adara only faintly noticed the captain's lips pressing against her body. The princess wasn't sure how much time passed, it could have been seconds, or minutes or maybe an hour, but she noticed that the captain had done no more than kiss her and taken the chance to feel her body under his. She also noticed his angry mutterings. Adara opened her eyes to see the captain flushed with embarassment. She also noticed that he seemed to be having some difficulties with performing. When he looked up and noticed her watching him try to stimulate himself he grew even more red and snarled at her. "Think it's funny do you?! HUH?!" and brought his fist down on her face, splitting her lip open. "I don't need a whore like you anyway. Probably infected with all sorts of vile things!" he roared and smacked her again. Then, he grabbed her by the arm and pried her from the bed, opened the cabin door and threw her onto the deck yelling at the men, "I've decided to be generous and let you all fight for the opportunity to be first! Her first ever if you get what i mean, too! Enjoy boys!" and slammed the door. Adara curled into a ball on the deck, trying to shield herself from view as there was a large rush from the oars to the upper deck, everyone trying to get to her first.
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:27 am
I have a place where dreams are born,
And time is never planned. Left, right, left right. Nose down. For being a seaman, Lourne still couldn't get used to the rocking of the boat. He had himself sprawled out across the port side mast. Watching the clouds, trying to forget the sea. He closed his eyes, his mind wandered. Wind caught his short blond hair and tossed it around. Salt, sea spray, sea breeze, and a stowaway? He sat upright, rocking back and forth as he swung his legs over the side of the wooden mast. 'Enjoy boys!' And then the rush.
Thump. Thump. Thump. "What's this?" The much younger Lourne flinched, shrinking down as small as he could go. "A stowaway, eh?" He got scooped up in a burly man's arms. He crawled at wooden crates, nets, and anything else he could get his hands on. Anything to keep from getting taken away. Anything to stay away from his father. His father couldn't know he was here. He'd kill him. He'd throw him overboard. At that epiphany Lourne began to thrash and hit the man. The fisherman shrugged and nailed the child in his gut. Reaching back an arm, Lourne brougth it forward, hard. His thumb planted itself in the man's eye. The fisherman howled in pain and dropped Lourne. He hit the ground running. Where would he go? He was on a fishing boat in the middle of the Aegean sea. He ran for the edge, placed a form hand on the wood, and jumped. But his momentum went backwards. His shirt collar pulled around his neck, he coughed. Then nothing. Just flying through the air. Impact. Rope connected with his back. His mind swam. Lourne blinked, shook his head. Then a hard plank made nice with his head and he was out. Down cold.
From his angle, all Lourne could see was a small, pale form curled up on the deck. The gears turned and he gripped the rope wrapped around the mast. Unwound it, then jumped. The rope let him stop just short of hitting the deck. The sail pulled itself up with a swish and the boat made a hard turn to port. The men who'd managed to get on deck, slid across the wood and crashed into each other. One second. Two. He punched a large guy with an eye patch just as he reached her. Sending the man pinwheeling back into the main mast. In one swift motion, Lourne had the girl up in his arms.
Pounding. Lourne couldn't think. Thoughts fleeted. Voices. "You /found/ him in the cargo? How long does it take you to find a stowaway?! We've been out of port for a fortnight. And my son, how did you not see him get onboard?" Colors swam behind his eyelids. He tried to shift, he was tied up. He groaned a bit as he lifted his head. Something was crusted along his neck and face, it chipped as he moved. His eyelids fluttered open. Darkness. "I'm sorry, sir!" "Not sorry enough." The door slammed open and bright sunlight flooded the room. Lourne gasped in shock and would've fallen over if the thick rope wasn't bracing him. "Lourne. How could you do this to me?" His father squatted next to him. "I told you that you're too young for this. Fishin' is fer men, not boys." The boy snorted and spit at his father. "I'm thirteen, most kids my age are working hard. Why can't I?" With a sigh, Lourne's father wiped his face and stood. "I'm taking you home." He left Lourne in darkness again to scream until his throat was raw.
"Hold on." Lourne stepped onto the edge of the fishing hold. Empty. He swept the young princess into his arms and jumped. Least the fall was cushioned, sand bags. Men shouted overhead, they hadn't seen where Lourne took his prize. He let her slip from his arms and set her on a pile of sandbags. The stench of rotten fish soaked the air. He half smiled and turned away from her so he wasn't tempted to oggle her. "That was close." He started to unbutton his old, sleeveless coat to pass off to her. He let the coat slide off his shoulders and down his back. Obviously Lourne spent a lot of time outside with the tan he had. His muscles were intense and well toned, depicting years of hard work on a fishing boat. He swung it around caught it over his arm. He turned back to her and tossed the coat next to her. "Maybe we should go elsewhere, somewhere more...private?" It's not on any chart,
You must find it with your heart.
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