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Aelric - part 2
The harbor was stuffed with people, everywhere he looked someone tried selling something. This was a commercial harbor, that much was obvious, and this was where they'd finally set off, off towards a new world, a place of wondrous imagination and great sights. Wealth, glory, everything a man could ever dream off lay in the horizon. For now though Ulthuan was below his feet, probably the last friendly ground he'd step on for quite some time.
Even with all of the people here it was a lesser port, he went around the different shops trying to find something he could bring along, preferably something to defend himself with, should the need arise, and finally he found it. It was a blade, beautiful but simple, it'd cost him everything he had left, well and some more, but he'd always had a way with people and would certainly be able to persuade the seller to cut the price off of something that might save another man's life...
They left Ulthuan the next morning, he looked at the marvelous blade he'd bought and holstered it, the captain would have no weapons out during the trip. He had said so many times now that Aelric could repeat it in his sleep "Show yer weapon out ye scurvy dog an i'll shove me' weapon in". Aelric felt no particular need to die at the hands of a captain before he saw the coast of Lustria, and so he followed the rules, like everyone else. His old dagger had been given "Boot duty" in light of the recent changes to his armed situation.
The sea was calm, as if almost welcoming them towards the shores. He'd heard terrible stories of wrathful mages cutting swathes of ships down with mighty storms, but it was all just tales it seemed, they were safe, and would be safe until arrival in Skull Port he thought to himself.
The rest of the Crew was a motley one. Noone held anyone else in particular high regards, everyone ws here for the gold and glory. Aelric had a hard time geeting along with anyone really. Only the captain of the expedition a mr. Erenthon had been kind to him so far. Said the lass reminded him "of me when i was younger", all in all a polite man, who'd seen Ulthuan many times before. Aelric respected him highly - they'd play cards deep into the night. It's only because Aelric had won so many times he could afford the sword. He'd told Erenthon before they started playing that he needed a new weapon, and Erenthon himself had suggested they bet with real gold pieces, Aelric had an idea it was purposeful from Erenthons side that he'd lost so many times...
The days at sea ended after a month. It had been a silent trip, Erenthon had said, the last few times he'd visited storms and weather was against them - Port Reavernow welcomed them and their ship - and they could say goodbye to their captain, and Aelric could finally show his blade to the world again.
The expedition 50 man strong, replaced whatever supplies had been eaten at sea, held a large feast at the evening and the next morning Lustria awaited...
Aelric awoke with a shock, he thought so much of the trip here, and how much he regretted it that it had become a staple dream - but there was no time to think of such things now, noises filled the camp, screaming, shouting so deafeningly loud. He went outside his tent and saw his expedition colleagues in the process of clinging up the two doctors they'd brought, a screaming man led them "They tried to burn me, they did, they took torches, tied me up, but i was smart was i, i held my breath, released got out! got outs me did!, i say we burn them too! burn them, is just a disease, just a disease, me'll be well soon enuff! haha!", his madness was obvious to Aelric, he recognized him almost immediately as the old helmsman, sounder man hadn't existed. The jungle and it's noises, it's illness had completely claimed him and that of the other members. Killing the doctors was madness, Aelric ran towards Erenthon's tent, and bumped into him on the way there, almost tripping over in the process, he gasped for air as he started openeing his mouth, but Erenthon was faster "get out of my way or help me kid, they're burning the doctors, without them we're chance less out here!", he pushed Aelric aside and ran towards the bonfire that now burned at the center of camp. The confused and startled Aelric suddenly got an idea, and started running the long way around camp, surely Erenthon would be able to confuse the rest of the expedition, maybe, just maybe he could release the doctors meanwhile.
Erenthon spoke in a harsh, almost shouting voice to the men who gazed upon him as if suddenly meaning was returning to their lives after decades without, "what are you doing here, what is this, do you intend to die out here, to wither away in the jungles? are you all madmen?".
His answer came a lot faster than he'd expecting, as a voice rumbled through the air, it could be sensed in the earth beneath them, in the heavens above them, in the air they breathed to survive, "Father nurgle helps his children, help them overcome obstacles. What need is there for medics, when you can just embrace the blessings you're given freely and become stronger for it? You can survive here for ages with my aid, survive so much longer, look at me, nothing but an old helmsman, but i'm fresh as ever! I can run again, sing again, dance again, i feel fresh as ever!", and indeed he looked the part, he seemed younger, happier, a great white smile across his lips.
Erenthon knew what this was, he hadn't seen it before but he had been warned, he could see the look in the faces of the men, this was bad, they craved it, wanted it, the gifts promised so freely, only to accept the disease required, he saw it, and then he ran.
"Haha, look at him go, embrace it i tell you, embrace it!", the young looking helmsman started changing his appearance, becoming more and more grotesque per the second, and suddenly the crew started following, they had embraced nurgle, now they were one with the rotfather.
Aelric had seen it all from his hiding place, none had seen as he snuck out, nor when he cut free the doctors and returned towards the jungle, he made his way towards Erenthon's part of the camp, he knew Erenthon would return there sooner or later, and when he saw him run, the doctors and him started running as well.
It was a revolting sight there was at the center of camp, as the crew members vomited their innards and started growing blisters and all manor of disease sprang to be on their persons. In a matter of minutes everyone in there had been reborn in a new revolting image, the helmsman being the worst. He'd sold his lot, and that of his earlier comrades to his new father, only for the chance to survive out here.
Aelric finally reached Erenthon's tent at the edge of camp, just in time to see Erenthon reach for a map, a bag, and wahetver provision were in his tent before storming out the door. Erenthon noticed the doctors with Aelric and nodded for them to come along, as they snuck out into the forest.
They were 30 when they'd started the trip - now they were 4, and they were followed.
From behind them one could hear the most ominous of screams "You may cheat me of your flesh, of your flesh, but the doctors, the doctors they are mine! hatez them i does, hatez them!"
I hope the structure isn't too confusing.
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