The Plague Runner
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Aced on 13-11-2008, 21:36:45</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>13-11-2008, 21:36:45</strong>
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				The abandoned ship sat atop the calm ocean, a slight breeze disturbing the tattered sails as the sun peaked over the horizon. Sun bleached boards creaked and groaned from the strain of trying to keep afloat. On the ship's prow, red lettering spelled out "The Plague Runner" haphazardly. Above the ships new name the boards were deeply gouged and smeared black which made it obvious that the ship's name had been changed. <br><br><em>What would make someone choose such a name?</em> Thought Captain Black, the oldest and toughest pirate ever to command the "Swiftfire" crew. A rough, sun worn hand scratched at the scraggy black beard of a face that seemed to be carved from stone and scarred by the countless battles he had seen. In all his 15 years as the ships captain, no ship had ever made him as nervous as "The Plague Runner." <br><br>Scouts that he had sent aboard the abandoned ship reported it ripe for the taking. It seemed it's purpose was to bury the rich merchant in it's cargo hold at sea, along with all his worldly riches. These same scouts, however, reported that the mission had failed. No crew was present aboard the vessel and the boards of it's decks were stained with blood that even the violent north atlantic storms nor the brutal sun seemed to be able to wash away. Such a thing was an ill omen to a pack of sailors that new the ocean and the gods that governed it were tempermental at best. The crew held their breath collectively as the captain seemed on the cusp of a decision. <br><br><strong>"It's likely that the whole crew went mad with greed and slaughtered each other down to the man over the ship's bounty," </strong> he said aloud to the large mass of a man that hovered at his elbow. His first mate was burlier than Captain Black. A mass of muscle and fat, the man seemed so hardened that the crew feared he could single-handedly kill them all if it came to mutiny. <br><br>The first mate was a pit bull that almost seemed to growl as he answered, <strong>"Then where are the bodies."</strong> Black did not answer him and after a moment he added, <strong>"the men will fear a curse." </strong> <br><br>Black waved the objection off, "then we appease the curse with a proper burial." The first mate half shrugged and half nodded. <br><br><strong>"Ok fish bait!" </strong> the captain's voice boomed, making many of the men jump from the suddenly broken silence, <strong>"get the hooks ready, we're going aboard!"</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner (Aced &amp; Mith)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>14-11-2008, 02:12:03</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark jumped hearing the Captain’s booming voice shout the order and rushed to do her part in what needed to be done, weathered hands, toughened by the salt and the sea and several years worth of work as a pirate had her once soft hands as touch as any man’s.&nbsp; Small fingers gripped the ropes as she brought one of the hooks to toss over to the other ship.&nbsp; She may be fairly strong for a woman that only stood five foot two, but she was in no way strong enough to launch a hook to the other boat.&nbsp; <br><br>Green eyes scanned the hull of the other ship and felt an odd sense of foreboding come over here.&nbsp; Something wasn’t right….something was very wrong, and though she was as hungry for treasure as the next man, she didn’t know if she was hungry enough to want it from THAT ship.&nbsp; She absently tucked a stray strand of her nearly shoulder length auburn hair back up under her hat, not wanting the distraction of it blowing in her face.&nbsp; Lark had a feeling that she was going to need every bit of every one of her senses to come out of this one alive.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br>Standing next to the Captain she held out the hook and rope, almost wishing he would change his mind.&nbsp; “Sir?”&nbsp; She asked quietly as he hesitated slightly.&nbsp; Though she in no way wanted to get on that ship, she knew better than to question the man’s orders.&nbsp; She’d made that mistake once before and would never do it again.&nbsp; <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>14-11-2008, 19:05:45</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Black sneered at Lark as her questioning glance caused him to single her out instantly. A malicious grin split the black mass that was Black's beard, a couple of perfectly polished gold teeth glinting in the morning sun. She could feel that familiar, contemptuous glare as it passed over her figure as lengthy strides propelled him over the deck towards her. <strong>"Don't just stand there whelp!"</strong> he said as he turned her and gave her a firm nudge towards the railing, <strong>"Get that metal over there! That ship isn't going to come to us!" </strong> <br><br>In response to the captain's sharp rebuke dozens of grappling hooks vaulted the space between the two ships, catching hold of <em>The Plague Runner's</em> railing.<br><br><strong>"Heave you dogs! Else I'll leave you on that scurges deck and let you rot out here in the sun!" </strong> <br><br>Slowly, as the crew of the <em>Swiftfire</em> pulled, the two ships drifted closer together. The men pulled reluctantly until a loud <strong>CRACK </strong> rent the air on board the <em>Swiftfire</em> and furtive glances caught sight of the first mate's strong hand fastened tightly around his whip. The pace quickened as the crew was caught between their fear of the ship and the promised pain of the first mate's strong arm. Sweat dripped from the crew's brows when the two ships finally bumped together as the wood on the Plague Runner croaked in protest. After tieing off the ropes that held the two ships abreast of each other, the crew stood silently as their gazes fell upon the deserted deck. <br><br>Black scowled at his crew, <strong>"Cowards! My dearly departed Granny had more nerves than you!"</strong> Without another word Black strode to the railing, pushing a crewman over board with a startled cry in his temper. Shortly after the splash another crew member quietly tossed the man a rope, hoping not to anger the captain further. Leaping across the small gap, Black was the first on the abandoned ship, his pistol in one hand and his cutlass in the other. He waited a few moments before glaring at his crew expectantly.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>15-11-2008, 21:09:43</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark felt her stomach lurch as the Captain moved towards her, cringing slightly as if almost expecting to get hit for asking the question.&nbsp; The nudge he gave her would have sent her right over the side of the ship if she had been a little taller, but thankfully for once her short stature was actually helpful.&nbsp; She gripped the rope tightly and turned her body nearly half way around in preparation of throwing the hook, and then with all of her might heaved the heavy object, nearly throwing herself over with it and smiled happily as it landed on the other ship.&nbsp; Her excitement was short lived however as they started pulling the abandoned vessel closer.&nbsp; That same sense of foreboding getting worse the closer it got.&nbsp; <br><br>Glancing around her, Lark knew that if someone didn’t move soon, they were all in for it.&nbsp; The Captain didn’t like to be kept waiting, and the more seconds that ticked by, the worse it would be for all of them.&nbsp; Clearing her throat, she moved forward slowly, looking over her shoulder at the crew.&nbsp; Surely if they saw a small woman brave enough to go first with the Captain, it would prick their egos and spur them forward as well.&nbsp; <br><br>She moved carefully to the edge of the Runner and gripping her sword in her small hands, jumped the distance between the two ships and landed with a soft sound as her feet connected with the abandoned deck.&nbsp; <br><br>Lark bit her bottom lip and glanced around nervously, almost expecting something to jump out and eat her and the Captain whole.&nbsp; <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>17-11-2008, 16:33:23</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Black chuckled to himself as Lark bounded onto the deserted ship. The point on her sword gleamed menacingly in the light of the rising sun, though the nervous look on her face belied how she really felt about the rotting ship. Black thought that she looked like a mouse that had just come face to face with a viper. Aboard the <em>Swiftfire</em> scowling crew members watched the tiny woman with bared teeth and burning eyes each of them wishing the ship really would swallow her whole and be rid of the growing pest. When it was evident that the ship would not be her doom other crew members began leaping aboard, their loathful expressions changing to furtive glances and mummered prayers. A loud crack from the First Mate's whip put some fire beneath the boots of the more reluctant crew members who laid boards across the railings so that the treasure could be transfered. <br><br><strong>"Get below decks and get that treasure into our hold boys,"</strong> the captain bellowed as he approached the wheel of the <em>Plague Runner</em>. <strong>"And bring the coffin too!" </strong> he added, too which many men groaned in fear an apprehension. <strong>"We'll put the old man to bed in the sea so that his soul can find it's rest." </strong> <br><br>His explanation seemed to ease the crew's superstitious nature as they moved towards the ladder into the ships cargo department. Black&nbsp; watched one man after another begin their decent into the holds and then grinned mischeviously as Lark got ready to take her turn, eager to prove herself. <br><br><strong>"Lark!" </strong> The Captain barked, interupting her before she could disappear below. <strong>"Bring your steel to guard my backside. I can't trust these other dogs to do more than tuck their tails between their legs and run like wounded animals should we run into trouble."</strong> The crew grumbled angrily amongst themselves at the captain's words.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>17-11-2008, 17:25:57</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark swallowed hard and glanced around her at the crew, able to now feel the animosity directed at her. Damn it!&nbsp; Why did the Captain have to do that?&nbsp; He already knew that the crew disliked her anyway, but it seemed that he delighted in making it worse.&nbsp; Although in this case she had to admit she was almost thankful for having to stay with him.&nbsp; A quick glance to the lower levels of the ship had her shuddering with a fear she couldn't quite place.&nbsp; <br><br>She nodded at the order and moved closer to the Captain, keeping her eye on her own back as she did, not sure that a member of the crew wouldn't plunge a knife between her shoulders just for the hell of it.&nbsp; Her back now facing the Captain's back, she held her sword ready, waiting for what ever might find it's way to them. That was providing of course whatever nameless dread inhabited this ship could be seen.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>Her eyes lowered for a moment to the deck, and she had to swallow past the lump in her throat, seeing the blood stains on the worn wood.&nbsp; There was a lot of it.....and for it to have stained that badly...A shudder past through her body and her green eyes glanced around once more before closing and saying a silent prayer to whatever deity that might be listening to get them all...her especially...out of this alive.&nbsp; &nbsp;
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>17-11-2008, 19:42:21</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Black ignored the girl's presence for the most part, silently watching the progress of his crew as they pilfered the cargo hold of the <em>Plague Runner</em>. The captain surveyed the men like a hawk waiting to pick off a stray deckhand that showed signs of weakness. A captains job was a tenuous one, and he had to constantly remind his crew that he was far sacrier than anything they might meet on the open water. Finally the stream of treasures slowed into a trickle until only the coffin remained below deck. Black raised an eyebrow as a scuffle broke out aboard the <em>Swiftfire</em>. His First Mate watched the fight with crossed arms and a readied blade just in case. Finally the shouts and jeers died down and 4 reluctant crew members were escorted back onto the <em>Plague Runner</em> at sword point. <br><br>Black grinned at the realization that the uproar aboard the pirate ship had been an argument over who would be bringing up the coffin. <strong>"Fight harder next times lads,"</strong> he said to the four miserable deckhands, <strong>"you never know when the fight might end with you in yer own coffins!"</strong> He laughed derisively, as did the men escorting the unwilling volunteers. <br><br>The laughter died away, however, when a coffin so black it seemed to darken the very air around it peeked out from beneath the hold. Frightened crew men averted their gazes as other wary eyes watched the macabre funeral procession. The silence persisted until the coffin had been taken below the decks of the Swiftfire until a gunshot shredded the silence. <br><br>Onlookers found an angry Captain Black leaping from his perch to the deck below where a crew member lay writhing against the deck and gripping his gut. <strong>"Think you were going to steal from me under my very nose, did ye?" </strong> Snarled black to a sobbing and pleading deckhand. <strong>"No one enters a captain's quarters without the permission of the CAPTAIN!" </strong> With one massive heave, Black lifted the man by his throat and threw him overboard. <strong>"Let that be a lesson to the lot of ya!" </strong> <br><br><strong>"Lets go Lark!"</strong> He bellowed as he began to open the captain's quarters.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>18-11-2008, 00:08:44</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark gulped once more wishing that she could just tell the Captain 'no'.&nbsp; She didn't want to go into the long dead Captain's quarters.&nbsp; Especially when that blasted coffin had been kept in there!&nbsp; A shiver snaked down her spine at just the thought as she slowly followed her Captain to the abandoned&nbsp; quarters.&nbsp; Why oh why did he want her to come with him?&nbsp; Wasn't it enough that she'd followed him onto the other ship?&nbsp; Wasn't it enough that she'd guarded his back while everyone was bringing the 'loot' on board?&nbsp; <br><br>Her steps grew slower and slower as they neared the door to his chambers.&nbsp; Lark could almost feel the cold hand of death grabbing hold of her heart.&nbsp; There was an eerie silence below deck, almost as if everything had stopped breathing.&nbsp; There wasn't any sound at all it felt like, even the normal creaking and cracking of the ship as it rode the waves seemed nearly silenced in the gloom.&nbsp; <br><br>She stared at the open door to the Captian's room, knowing he was already inside, but she just couldn't force herself to take another step.&nbsp; Her hand gripped the wood, knuckles turning white as she took several deep breaths to try and calm herself down.&nbsp; It was just a coffin!&nbsp; And it wasn't even on board anymore! &nbsp; So what was it about this one that had her so terrified?&nbsp; <br><br>Lark forced her feet forward...slowly...an inch at a time...moving ever closer to the open door.&nbsp; It loomed in front of her like some great cavern....ready to suck her in should she get too close.&nbsp; She could hear the Captain rummaging around in there already, the clangs and bangs as he scattered things about, going through the treasure, mumbling to himself about this or that.&nbsp; After what seemed like an eternity she was finally close enough to peek her head inside of the door and peer about.&nbsp;&nbsp; She found the Captain hunched over a table examining something a bit more closely seemingly unaware if the eerie feeling permeating the ship.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>She took one more deep breath and slid herself the rest of the way inside, moving to the other side of the cabin..as far away from the black coffin had been stored as she could get.&nbsp; "You asked for me sir?"&nbsp; Lark croaked, her voice a bit unsteady in her fear. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>18-11-2008, 18:56:36</strong>
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				<strong>"Asked for you?"</strong> Black asked with a puzzled eyebrow as he struck a match to light the cabin's lanterns. <strong>"This isn't some ball I requested your hand for wench, I ordered you in here to keep your steel handy as I gut this place!"</strong> He scoffed at her naivete as he unceremoniously went about the cabin, unceremoniously dumping treasures, maps, and possessions into a bag he had brought with him. Black laughed callously as the valuables of another heavied his bag. <br><br>Something shiny hung by the bed caught his attention then and his grin widened as his bag fell to the floor forgotten. <strong>"What ave' we here?" </strong> he cooed as his suddenly careful hands pulled a necklace from a nail besides the captains bed. I large perfect ruby within a charm made of gold and silver that hung from a delicate golden chain. <strong>"Looks like the captain had quite a honey waiting for him at home,"</strong> he whistled at the thought. Holding the necklace between himself and Lark, hungry eyes moved from the chain to the girl that stood in the room with him. <strong>"Wish I had me something as sweet as that. Guess I'll have to make due,"</strong> he chuckled darkly.<br><br><strong>"Fancy a necklace honey,"</strong> Black asked Lark as he held it out to her, moving forward with eyes dripping with intent.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>18-11-2008, 20:20:20</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				She resumed her position guarding the hateful man, not really paying him much mind until she heard the delight in his voice.&nbsp; Turning her head around she caught sight of the necklace he was reaching for and felt her mouth water at the sight of it.&nbsp; Lark had a weakness for pretty baubles, a big one.&nbsp; Maybe it was because she'd never had any growing up, maybe it was because she was a woman....or a combination of both, but it was well known among the crew that if jewels in pretty settings was involved Lark wasn't far behind.&nbsp; She loved to wear them while alone in her bunk, imagining that she were a fine lady with creamy clean skin and a beautiful dress, adorned with pretty jewels.&nbsp; Inevitably she would huff and shake her head, knowing sadly that she would never be or have any of those things.&nbsp; She was very much anything but a proper lady, nor did she have creamy soft skin...most times it was never even clean, though she did try as much as possible to wash when she had the chance.&nbsp; <br><br>The Captain's voice drew her out of her thoughts, her sparkling green eyes landing on the pretty he was holding in his hand.&nbsp; "It's beautiful."&nbsp; She agreed breathlessly, reaching out a small hand to touch it, the gold felt cool beneath her fingers.&nbsp; "Wonder what she looks like....the lady this was intended for."&nbsp; Was she pretty?&nbsp; What color hair did she have?&nbsp; Lark would bed that she had long flowing hair....smell nice too.&nbsp; Her other hand came up and absently tucked an errant strand of her own hair back up under her hat and stared at the Captain.&nbsp; <br><br>"You want me to have it?"&nbsp; She blinked in shock, not quite sure she'd heard him right.....and if the look on the man's face was any indication he wasn't wanting to just 'give' it to her.&nbsp; 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>01-12-2008, 17:41:16</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Black's laughter boomed through the abandoned captain's quarters threatening to splinter the surrounding wood from its loud, coarse nature. His eye's glinted hungrily as he approached her, his gaze tracing her womanly figure with obvious and contemptuous lust. Sailors were known for their insatiable and often cruel sexual appetites. Long missions away at sea with no outlet for their frustrations made these appetites worse, which made life hard for female pirates should wandering eyes make them a target.<br>&nbsp;<br><strong>"I'm a pirate, wench, I don't give away anything for free," </strong>he snarled stepping closer to her as he distracted her gaze with the glittering pendant just long enough that he was able to lock his fingers into her loose tunic and pull her closer. Violently he pressed the much smaller figure into his large, muscular frame as pushed his lips against hers, his breath thick with the sickly sweet smell of rum still on them.<br>&nbsp;<br><strong>"Do what yer told and you can has this lovely trinket and much more,"</strong> his eye twinkled dangerously.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>02-12-2008, 01:04:19</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>Her face twisted with an expression of revulsion as she pushed at him with her hands.&nbsp; "You'd like that wouldn't you?"&nbsp; She snarled, trying to twist her face away from his and the sickening smell of stale rum.&nbsp; "Aye, it's a pretty trinket,"&nbsp; Lark admitted readily, "But there's no trinket out there that's worth me suffering your hands all over me in order to obtain it!" <br><br>A sick feeling of dread began to coil itself in her stomach.&nbsp; Lark knew that if he truly pushed the issue, there was no way she would be able to fight him off and cursed herself ten times the fool for venturing into this space alone with him.&nbsp; Why didn't she see this coming?&nbsp; She was only following orders and figured her chances were better guarding the Captain's back than they were with that mutinous crew above deck. <br><br>She pushed harder at his chest, trying with all of her might to push his much larger bulk off of her.&nbsp; "I don't want it anyway.&nbsp; I'm sure I can find something else much prettier another time and not have to deal with you to get it."&nbsp; She could only hope that her bluff would work, otherwise she was left with very few options. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>02-12-2008, 18:57:44</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Though the grin remained on Blacks bearded mug, it twisted cruelly until he looked more like a wolf baring its fangs. <strong>"You talk as if you had the option my dear Lark. You forget yourself. As a member of my crew,"</strong> he barked as spittle flew from his frothing mouth, "<strong>You survive by my grace alone. Your life is MINE,"</strong> he assured her with cold, angry eyes, <strong>"as is your body."</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>Clumsy hands groped at her torso as he hungrily sought for a way to remove her tunic. But his movements were hurried and frantic, like a shark whose senses had been dulled by the maddening scent of blood in open water. Captain Black had obviously succumb to a similar madness making Lark the unwilling target. Though her situation was dire, she was in fact lucky that the two of them were alone. Had such a scene been initiated in view of the whole crew she likely would have found no help from them. Instead madness would grip the spectators and turn the assault into a feeding frenzy.<br>&nbsp;<br>But just as the madness enveloped Black, it also dulled his senses. His reflexes and instinct were blinded by lust as he pushed her heftily towards a ragged looking bed. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>03-12-2008, 20:13:11</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"NO!"&nbsp; She yelled raggedly, pushing him with all of her might, her hands and feet striking any part of him she could reach.&nbsp; "I don't belong to you!&nbsp; I DON'T!"&nbsp; Her voice was hoarse from the effort she was exerting to try and break free of his disgusting grasp.&nbsp; "I'm not some whore who can be bought with trinkets!"&nbsp; <br><br>She doubled up her fist, reared back putting all of her mass behind it and connected with his nose.&nbsp; The pain that sliced through her hand upon impact had her groaning and cradling her injured hand for a moment, glancing at it to see it already beginning to swell from the abuse.&nbsp; Black didn't even flinch, so she suspected that she hadn't done much damage to him, only ended up hurting herself.&nbsp; <br><br>The closer they got to the bed the more frantic she became, her chest constricting in fear and revulsion, making it hard to breathe.&nbsp; As he backed her up, her eyes searched frantically for something....<em>anything </em> she could use to help get away from him.&nbsp; She spied a small jeweled dagger on the table nearby so as they passed by it, her hand snapped out quickly to grab it and move it between them, pointing the blade at Black's man bits.&nbsp; She pressed it close, until she was sure he would be able to feel the blade nestled against his prized bits.&nbsp; <br><br>"Let me go, or I swear on my life that I will cut it off before you ever have the chance to use it on me."&nbsp; Her voice was low and quite deadly.&nbsp; A menacing smile crossing her delicate features, letting the captain know she was serious.&nbsp; 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>04-12-2008, 02:15:04</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The malevolent smile warped into a furious scowl as Black's eye's filled with malice and hatred, a sharp inhale of breath accompanying his shock as the steel pricked at his sack. Balled fists bellied the man's rage as his body tried to continue forward met only with greater force behind the cold dagger aimed to take away his manhood. In his mind he dared her to make such a monumental mistake for if she dared harm him, she would be dead before she could find her freedom. But a violent, bloody, aginizing death of the ignorant woman was still little relief when faced with a life bereft of the use of his own Jolly Roger. <br>&nbsp;<br>Shivering with anger, Black took an eager step back away from the blade and from Lark herself. Indignant at her rebellion he cast the pendant against the far wall of the cabin where it bounced off the decrepit wood, fell through a crack in the floor, and was lost to darkness. <br>&nbsp;<br><strong>"You think you have won this day you petulant wretch but in reality you have condemned yourself,"</strong> he barely managed the words through his gritted teeth. <strong>"I will NOT be denied and the next time I come for you I will not be as gentle as I was this day. And once your body lays broken and bruised from my passion, I will surrender you to your watery grave. Sleep lightly, Lark, for you never know when you will cease to awaken!"</strong> <br><br>Throwing the sack of treasures over his shoulder he brushed past her. With one swift kick, he broke the door from its rusty hinges and sent it sprawling 20 yards from where it had been dislodged. Crewman craned their necks to find the cause of the disturbance only to hasten back to work when confronted with the snarling expression of Captain Black as he skulked back to the <em>Swiftfire</em>.<br>&nbsp;<br><strong>"Cast off dogs! And lets put as much sea between us and this cursed ship as we can,"</strong> he barked, looking at Lark a final time running a calloused finger across his throat to remind her that her days were numbered.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>04-12-2008, 03:21:27</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark stayed below deck after Black had walked out, gripping the dagger in her hand as if still trying to protect herself from him.&nbsp; Her chest rose and fell as she took deep heavy breaths in trying to calm her frayed nerves.&nbsp; She'd almost lost that battle, and if Black's threats were to be taken seriously she wasn't going to survive much longer.&nbsp; <br><br>A sense of panic began to set in, confusion and anger and fear coiling themselves inside her gut.&nbsp; What was she going to do?&nbsp; She had no protection in her bunk...anyone at any time could kill her while she slept!&nbsp; Her mind was a flurry of thought, none of them good.&nbsp; Her only option was to sleep armed and escape at the next port.&nbsp; No one could be trusted now...no one, and she was going to have to watch over her shoulder from now on. <br><br>She'd tarried so long down in the cabin that when she heard Black's bellow to depart, she was honestly afraid he was going to leave her on this cursed ship just to be rid of her.&nbsp; Running as fast as her legs would carry her she made it topside just in time to see them casting off from the other ship.&nbsp; A running leap had her landing back on the deck of her own ship as it gradually put distance between itself and the other vassal.&nbsp; A quick glance at Black caught the movement of his hand across his throat directed at her and another shiver of fear snaked it's way down her spine.&nbsp; <br><br>She just had to survive until they made port.....
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>05-12-2008, 20:28:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Black ran the crew ragged in the hours that separated the events of that day and didn’t ease up on them.&nbsp; The crew hustled about their duties, knowing that the captain was in a foul mood and just likely to draw blood or worse at the least provocation.&nbsp; Whispers ran rampant about the deck about what could have put the man into such a dark mood.&nbsp; Some thought that he had come face to face with the curse on the Plague Runner.&nbsp; Most however, knew that it was something that Lark must have done and they shot her enraged glances as the day grew longer and longer, quietly seething at her unknown crime.&nbsp; <br><br>The men went silently about their duties without harassing the woman.&nbsp; Black would punish her and anyone else that prevented him from extracting his vengeance.&nbsp; But neither did they offer her any help.&nbsp; Her duties that day were hard and laborious and the crew gave her a wide berth, forcing her to labor alone.&nbsp; <br><br>Finally The sun touched the glassy surface of the ocean and the Captain brought the ship to a halt for the night.&nbsp; <strong>“We’ll anchor here lads,” </strong> he cried out, obviously tired, <strong>“and in the morning we bury the poor bastard in our hold.&nbsp; Set the watch and get some sleep.”&nbsp; <br></strong><br>Shooting one more angry look at Lark the captain retreated towards his quarters.&nbsp; He stopped briefly to whisper to his first mate, <strong>“Get fid of the bitch,” </strong> Black told the burly man as his eyes narrowed, though he showed no other emotions, <strong>“however you se fit.”&nbsp; </strong><br><br>The first mate nodded, obviously taking no joy from the task, but not questioning the orders from his captain as he started to advance towards Lark. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>07-12-2008, 03:50:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark was completely exhausted by the time she had gotten done with everything the Captain had ordered her to do that day.&nbsp; There wasn't a single muscle in her body that wasn't on fire and aching.&nbsp; She hurt in places that until today hadn't even known she possessed.&nbsp; Standing beside her bunk, she stretched and yawned, so very ready to curl up and finally be able to rest.&nbsp; She had no doubt that as soon as her body laid down she was going to sleep like the dead.&nbsp; Which brought to mind the other passenger currently sharing the ship with them, that being the man they were supposed to bury at sea tomorrow.&nbsp; A shiver passed down her spine and she shook her whole body in an attempt to be rid of the feeling inside of her that wouldn't go away.&nbsp; Something was wrong....very wrong but she couldn't put a finger on it.&nbsp; Chastising herself for being a complete ninny, she shook her head, chalking it up to the events of the day and that blasted cursed ship.&nbsp; <br><br>Lark had no idea that the first made was coming up behind her, nor did she know that he had been given orders to do away with her, she was too caught up in the glorious relief of getting some sleep.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>10-12-2008, 21:22:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rook wrapped one strong, hairy arm around around Lark's torso, pinning her arms to her side and nearly crushing the breath from her lungs with his iron-like grip. The other hand came up to muffle her protestations. Her exhaustion was evident as her struggles against the huge man were subdued, even as he drug her from her room and towards the bowels of the ship. What few crew members that saw them both quickly averted their eyes. Lark's dissappearance would only serve to bolster the vicious reputation of Captain Black.<br>&nbsp;<br><strong>"I don't know how many times I told you to stay on the cap'n's good side girl,"</strong> Rook said, though his voice was devoid of anger or hatred for Lark. It had the tone of a man who lived his life by order and protocol, doing whatever he was asked whenever he must. <strong>"I don't know what you did to incure his wrath this time, but it is to be the last time you do it."</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>Lark's thrashing got wilder as Rook drug her to the part of the ship that held the coffin and his arms constricted around her frame like giant writhing serpants intent on suffocating her.&nbsp; Binding her arms and legs and gagging her, Rook threw open the lid of the casket to reveal the corpse. Rook gaped as he looked at what appeared to be a perfectly preserved body with pale, cold skin. The man's face was angular and young, his flowing raven hair curling about his shoulders. The dead man almost looked as if he was asleep and Rook found himself leaning over the casket and listening for the man's breath...<br>&nbsp;<br>A moment of silence followed and when Rook was finally satisfied that the corpse was in fact a corpse, he heaved the girl into the coffin and on top of the corpse.<br>&nbsp;<br>Tieing them together Rook said, <strong>"May the both of you rest in peace."</strong><br>&nbsp;<br>And then the lid of the coffin closed, latching from the inside.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>12-12-2008, 02:36:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark fought like a wildcat, well as much like one as she could muster in her exhausted state, which became increasingly obvious that wasn't much.&nbsp; Her sore and and aching muscles prevented her from putting up much of a fight, but yet she still fought with every thing she had left, not ready to die.&nbsp; She didn't want to leave this world just yet.&nbsp; If she could just manage to stay alive till the next port, but even as she struggled against Rook, she knew that it wasn't going to happen.&nbsp; <br><br>She had no idea what he was planning, or how he was going to do the deed and end her life, but as he drug her closer and closer to the casket, she began to panic.&nbsp; Surely he was going to slit her throat or...at the very least stab her in the heart right?&nbsp; "No!"&nbsp; She wailed and renewed her struggles against him.&nbsp; "No you can't...please not like this!"&nbsp; Her voice grew panicky and she began to shake.&nbsp; "Please....just do it..don't..don't do this please!"&nbsp; <br><br>Her small body was no burden for the big first mate to pick up and do with as he pleased, and as he dumped her in the coffin with the corpse, Lark new she was going to be sick...her stomach rolled inside of her and she clamped her eyes shut, not wanting to look at the dead body beneath her.&nbsp; Her skin crawled with that same sensation she'd had on the cursed ship...only stronger....this coffin...this body seemed to be the source of that feeling....and she was being tied to the body!&nbsp; "No....please..."&nbsp; She sobbed over and over, her please falling on deaf ears.&nbsp; "It's cursed.....I can feel it!"&nbsp; <br><br>She began to truly panic when the lid was closed and locked, her feet kicking the lid of the coffin as claustrophobia took hold.&nbsp; "Please."&nbsp; She whispered to the darkness, "Just let me die now...don't let me suffocate in here."&nbsp; &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>31-12-2008, 16:01:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The inside of the coffin was filled with darkness and the stillness that only death could deliver, except of course Lark's own struggles against the ropes that now bound her to the corpse beneath her. Dark suffocating silence enveloped the two figures, one destined to die and one already long deceased, at least as far as the crew knew. <br><br>Inexplicably the ropes binding Lark's torso to the man beneath her slowly began to constrict around her body, crushing the air from her lungs. Tightening to the point that they almost threatened to suffocate Lark before the coffin was buried at sea. Finally the ropes snapped and gave way allowing Lark's frantic breaths to pull air into her lungs once again. <br><br>Before she could celebrate her mysterious triumph however, the horror of the situation revealed itself. Beneath her she could feel the subtle movements as the corpse wriggled its fingers and flexed its feet as the man, or whatever it was, tried to understand where he was and why he suddenly had Lark tied to him. Larks struggles and pleas into the darkness only spurred the corpse to awaken faster until one smooth hand as cold as ice pressed against her mouth. <br><br><strong>"Easy girl," </strong> a menacing tone whispered in her ear, <strong>"You make enough noise to wake the dead."</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>02-01-2009, 17:01:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her struggles ceased instantly, the second she felt that cold hand cover her mouth, the icy feel of the hand sending shivers of dread right through her entire body.&nbsp; A squeak of alarm escaped her lips, her breath warm against his hand, as her brain tried frantically to process what was happening.&nbsp; He was dead!&nbsp; A corpse!&nbsp; How was it possible he was moving and talking to her?&nbsp; Cursed!&nbsp; That's what it was....that bloody curse everyone had been talking about!&nbsp; And now she was trapped inside of a coffin with a cursed body....why couldn't she have just died of fright earlier?<br><br>Lark's mind swirled, her senses reeling, her brain processing all of the information being tossed at her.&nbsp; Or TRYING to process it all, slowly finding that it was too much.&nbsp; It was all too surreal to be believed.&nbsp; She began to feel woozy and weak....a nauseous feeling growing in the pit of her stomach, making her suddenly very happy she'd been too tired to even eat, at least this way she wouldn't throw up all over herself and the other occupant of this tiny space.&nbsp; <br><br>The world around her seemed to spin, leaving her dizzy and confused.&nbsp; Her eyes closed, trying to gain her bearings again, only to pass out cold on top of him.&nbsp; Her cheek resting right square in the middle of his chest,&nbsp; her breathing returning to normal now in her unconscious state...deep and even...letting him know that she was in fact still alive and hadn't died of fright. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>10-02-2009, 18:54:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It had been weeks since Vicrum had last fed, a fact that was emblazened on his mind as the limp woman lay on top of him. He could feel the heat emanating from her warm body making his hunger grow until it was almost painful. The thumping of her living heart echoed is his heightened hearing as the cool hand that had slipped over her mouth turned her head to the side. Cool breathless lips brushed against her neck as the blood lust began consuming Vicrum, his teeth scraping lightly against the warm skin as he sought to quench his thirst. <br><br>Before puncturing the girl's beautiful neck, Vicrum froze as his situation dawned on him. He had feasted on the fools of the Plague Runner, killing them all for taking him from his home in an attempt to be rid of what they viewed as a curse. And now he found his next meal practically delivered to him. Forgoing the meal, though his hunger roared in protest, he released a clasp from the inside of the coffin that allowed him to open the lid. <br><br>Quietly he slipped from his hiding place, drawing Lark after him and cradling her in his arms. His eyes narrowed as he saw his possessions piled into the cargo hold of a ship he did not recognize. Without knowing how much time he had, however, he ignored the indecency of the situation. Cradling Lark, the only person who might hold the answers he sought, in his arms he made his way into a remote corner of another cargo hold filled with gun powder and canon balls. <br><br>Green eyes glittered in the darkness as Vicrum watched and waited for the girl to awaken.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>11-02-2009, 01:53:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark began to stir in his arms, her small body squirming slightly as she slowly came back to consciousness.&nbsp; Her eyes cracked open and she peered around, not entirely sure where she was or what had happened.&nbsp; It took her a moment to realize that she was being cradled in someone's arms, male arms from the feel of them but couldn't for the life of her remember what had happened for her to be in them.<br><br>Slowly things started to come back to her, being caught from behind and tossed in the coffin...laying face to face with the dead man, trapped inside of that enclosed space with him with no where to go, the fear and claustrophobia clawing at her insides.&nbsp; But if she had been locked in the coffin, how was it that she was now out of it and in the arms of a man?&nbsp; Her eyes slowly lifted, looking upwards in the darkness to see if she could determine who it was she was sitting with.&nbsp; As her eyes lifted she recognized the clothing, remembering it from somewhere.....where had she seen it before?&nbsp; Her eyes grew wider and wider as she traveled up higher, towards his face, blinking in denial.&nbsp; No, it wasn't possible....it couldn't be....could it?&nbsp; That's when she remembered the corpse moving when she'd been trapped in the coffin with it, right before everything went black.&nbsp; Her eyes finally made it up to his face, and when recognition dawned on her that it was in fact the man who had been in the coffin, her mouth opened wide in preparation for a scream. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>11-02-2009, 23:07:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As quick as a predator upon its prey, Vicrum's hand clapped over the opening of Larks mouth. Giving her a look as sharp as the edge of a blade he brought one finger to his lips to motion for her to be silent. <strong>"From the circumstances of our first meeting, I doubt you want to alert this ship's crew to the fact that you are both alive and free of your bonds,"</strong> his voice was stern as he spoke to her, a thick portugese accent coloring his speech. <br><br>Vicrum went silent as he continued to hold Lark's mouth closed for the time being. His eyes focused on the decking above them as if he were listening to something that Lark could not hear. When he looked back to her, his features had softened. Softer features revealed the visage of a young nobleman rather than the wild-eyed predator Lark had witnessed when she awoke. <br><br><strong>"I know you must have questions,"</strong> he said in a smooth whisper, <strong>"but first you have to tell me what is going on. Why am I aboard this ship and why were you tied to me?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>13-02-2009, 18:01:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The scream lodged in her throat as his hand closed over her mouth and she wondered for a moment if he meant to suffocate her instead.&nbsp; She blinked several times, those clear green eyes of hers watching his every move, her body poised to fight, but when it seemed he wasn't going to do anything but cover her mouth, she began to relax a little bit.&nbsp; She felt a raw moment of panic when he flashed that stare at her, his eyes flashing a momentary glimpse of a deadly predator her way.&nbsp; <br><br>Swallowing hard she shuddered a little, her eyes trying to adjust to the lighting in the hold.&nbsp; She had no idea exactly <em>what</em> she was sitting next to, but whatever it was it couldn't be good.&nbsp; Her mind was racing, her breathing hard and quick as she tried to take stock of the situation, the fighter in her needing to know what she was up against.&nbsp; She studied him closely, and was more than a little shocked when she saw his face change, the hard lines softening just a little, giving him a completely different look.&nbsp; He looked for all intents and purposes to be some rich aristocrat, completely out of place in the dingy bowls of the ship.&nbsp; <br><br>The sound of his voice startled her out of her thoughts, bringing her attention to the situation at hand.&nbsp; "I...they...." She stuttered not able to get her thoughts in order right away.&nbsp; "The captain wanted me dead, so one of his lackeys tied me up and tossed me in there with you.....and they were going to throw us overboard in the morning...."&nbsp; Her chin lifted slightly as she looked at him, trying to appear braver than she felt.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>16-02-2009, 21:39:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vicrum's eyes focused on some distant spot in the surrounding darkness as he silently pondered all he had been told. Silence filled the air between the two as the sat huddled in the darkness, interupted only by the sound of the waves crashing into the wooden belly of the ship and the creaking of the wood as the ship rolled upon the open ocean. Then his gaze shifted too the woman that still lay practically helpless in his arms still. The man's eyes were shrewd and calculating, devoid of any emotions. In that instant, he could have just as easily snapped the girls neck as he could have let her go. That was the very decision he pondered. Kill the girl or.... <br><br>And just as suddenly his face softened again as he helped Lark into a crouching position beside him. His tone was soft and subtle when he spoke to her again, <strong>"It seems we may have found our salvation in each other my girl."</strong> The smile he gave her was even softer than his voice and his now relaxed features. "I will return shortly," he said as he rose, his lithe frame making no noise whatsoever, <strong>"In the mean time, I suggest you think about what you would do next. Flee this place forever or...,"</strong> for an instant the predatory look returned thought he didn't seem to be threatening to Lark, <strong>"extract your revenge. My name is Vicrum, and I can be an instrument of your vendetta if you should choose such a path."</strong> In fact, Vicrum seemed to take some carnal pleasure at the thought as his sharply contrasting features lit up with intent.<br><br>Without a sound the man left Lark to ponder his words as he left the cargo hold. It was a few hours before the man returned carrying piles of bedding and clothing for the two of them, though his face seemed troubled by something, <strong>"Have you come to a decision?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>18-02-2009, 01:20:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark's green eyes darted around the dark hold, glancing around nervously after Vicrum's departure.&nbsp; She wasn't sure what to think about any of this, and truth be told, she was secretly wondering if she had just imagined the whole thing.&nbsp; She had been extremely exhausted before all of this started, perhaps she had passed out and dreamed the whole thing.&nbsp; The more she thought about it, the more she realized it had to have been a dream.&nbsp; She shook her head, auburn curls falling down over her shoulder as she started to chuckle a little.&nbsp; Trust her over active imagination to create that whole thing in her head.&nbsp; Leaning back against the wall, she closed her eyes and waited to go back to sleep, figuring she'd wake up in her hammock just as always.&nbsp; <br><br>So when she heard Vicrum's voice once more, it startled her so badly that she stood up, brandishing the dagger she kept tucked in her boot.&nbsp; Honed reflexes had the blade pointing directly at his heart in an instant, wide eyes staring at him in confusion and shock.&nbsp; "I ......you.....you mean you aren't a dream?"&nbsp; Her chest heaved up and down with each breath, the fright he'd given her still evident.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>29-04-2009, 21:24:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vicrum's mouth twisted with a smug grin of pleasure at the girl's reaction to his presence. <strong>"Well you didn't break out of that coffin on your own did you?"</strong> he asked her sarcastically as he dropped a bundle of supplies at their feet. Without waiting for a response Vicrum slowly began rearranging the various crates and barrels, some of them so heavy that they should have required a team of men to move, that littered the cargo hold situating the supplies so that they stood a better chance at remaining hidden. <br><br>As he worked he spoke softly, <strong>"Your shipmates doomed you to death, bound and gagged in a shared coffin that would have been your finaly resting place had it not been for me." </strong> He turned to look at her, his face as smooth and impassive as if it had been chiseled from marble, but his eyes were on fire, <strong>"How do you plan on repaying them for their kindness?"</strong>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>04-05-2009, 15:44:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark stayed perfectly still and watched him as he worked, her eyes large with uneasiness.&nbsp; He hadn't offered to hurt her as of yet, which was more than she could say about her own crew.&nbsp; When he finally spoke to her, she remained quiet for a moment longer, not wanting to anger him in any way.&nbsp; Whatever it was that he...was.....seemed both lethal and dangerous, and she would much prefer to stay on his good side.&nbsp; <br><br>Wide eyes regarded him carefully before she spoke, wondering what all she should tell him.&nbsp; Lark knew that there was no way they would let her live if they found her alive, especially since they had tried to kill her by putting her in the coffin with Vicrum.&nbsp; If they discovered she lived still, it was likely they would take a blade to her throat and finish it for good this time.&nbsp; And if somehow she managed to escape the ship she would have to look over her shoulder for the rest of her life wondering when one of them would show up to finish the job.&nbsp; <br><br>Lark took a deep shaky breath, looking Vicrum dead in the eye and whispered quietly.&nbsp; "I would kill them."&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>06-05-2009, 04:25:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vicrum turned, his wicked smile both eerily eager and uneasily hungry as his pearly white teeth reflected an errant beam of waning moonlight. Two of his teeth stood out like fangs, sharper than his other teeth like that of a wolf's but surely it must have been a trick of light. The man approached Lark slowly and softly raising a hand to brush a strand of hair from her face. It was surprising that a hand capable of doing the work of ten men could be so soft as he gingerly caressed her cheek. <br><br><strong>"Good girl,"</strong> he cooed to her, his voice silky smooth with a razor sharp edge to that. <strong>"But you can not do it alone my girl, but I will help you. They will pay for daring to threaten us," </strong> his voice was almost hypnotic. <br><br><strong>"What is your name my dear?"</strong> He asked her in that same tone.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>08-05-2009, 02:14:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark remained perfectly still, watching him as he reached out a hand to her, wanting to draw back away from him but seemingly unable to do so.&nbsp; She gasped softly at the softness of is touch, surprised beyond measure that it was so gentle.<br><br>She let out a sigh of relief upon hearing that he would&nbsp; help her as she didn't think this was something she would be able to do alone.&nbsp; "Thank you."&nbsp; She whispered to him, not exactly sure what she was thanking him for but it suddenly occurred to her that she didn't feel alone in the world anymore.&nbsp; <br><br>"My name is Lark."&nbsp; She said softly, green eyes looking up at him in fascination.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>18-09-2009, 16:41:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>"I am Vicrum,"</strong> The dark man answered as Lark relaxed. Dawn was rapidly approaching and the ship's crew was beginning to stir above deck. Soon they would perform the hasty burial at sea and be on their way. Little did the pirates know that they would be sending an empty coffin into the depths. <br><br>Vicrum moved about the cargo bay and over to an empty crate that was big enough to hold him for the day, <strong>"But first I must rest. I would appreciate it if you were to see to it that I am undisturbed during the day. Unless you would care to join me inside?"</strong> he cocked an eyebrow as he asked this final question. They had shared an enclosed space once, though that had been largely against her own will.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>21-09-2009, 17:12:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark glanced around them, watching him as he moved around wondering what he was up to.&nbsp; She blinked at him curiously a small frown forming along her brow.&nbsp; He was planning on sleeping all day?&nbsp; In a crate?&nbsp; Well she supposed it made sense, since his coffin was going to be dumped overboard today he'd probably rather not be in it when it was.&nbsp; But that still didn't explain to her WHY he was in the blasted coffin in the first place.&nbsp; <br><br>Weariness came over her, having worked so hard under the Captain's orders that day, and not being able to rest as she was attacked from behind and thrown in the coffin with Vicrum.&nbsp; She was tired to the bone and the thought of just curling up in a ball and sleeping actually sounded wonderful.&nbsp; "I think.....I'll join you."&nbsp; She said tiredly feeling the full weight of the day bearing down on her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>22-09-2009, 15:49:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Captain Black watched impatiently as his crew heaved the locked coffin over the side of the ship. The pirate captain was eager to be on his way. It was bad luck to linger about a ship that had carried death, and the fact that the entire crew of "The Plague Runner" was missing from the blood stained deck did not make him comfortable either. Breifly he thought about setting the ship ablaze, but, truth be told, no one had any desire to set another foot upon her cursed planks. <br><br>Instead, he would settle for disposing of the deadman's coffin and of the nuisance he had ordered locked inside of it as well. All sounds of struggling had ceased, which meant she had either died of fright or of suffocation. Either way, she would never bother him again. <br><br>A relieved sigh escaped his lips as the coffin bubbled, filling with water as it sunk into the deep blue depths and was lost from sight. Having the bodies off his ship was like having a weight lifted from his troubled mind. <strong>"Sails to the winds, dogs. Lets get the piss out of here and make for port where we can spend our new found fortunes!"</strong> The men cheered as they set to work.<br><br>******<br><br>Below deck, Vicrum slept like the dead with Lark's petite frame laying on top of him. His skin was cold and pale and no breath escaped his closed lips. He did not fidget, nor did he stir for the entire day resting and waiting for night to fall. Unlike the living, Vicrum had no nightmares or dreams of any kind. The daytime rest was meant only to keep him safe from the sun. <br><br>Finally, the sun began to sink below the water and the last bit of light faded. As soon as the sun was set completely, Vicrum's eyes snapped open. <strong>"It is time,"</strong> he said aloud.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>22-09-2009, 19:08:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Unaware of the goings on during the day, Lark slept harder than she'd ever slept in her life curled up with Vicrum. A part of her felt safe, something she'd not had the luxury of feeling ever before in her life, but she'd not had time to ponder over the feeling too much before the blackness of sleep had pulled her deep into it's depths.&nbsp; <br><br>It was hearing a voice that brought her back to semi wakefulness, and she struggled to come the rest of the way awake.&nbsp; Her mind was foggy and confused, and all it really wanted to do was fall back into the blissful darkness of sleep.&nbsp; A moment of clarity quickly dissolved into slumber once more as she curled up closer to Vicrum and nodded off again.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>24-09-2009, 16:46:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The girl slept so soundly that Vicrum was hesitant to wake her. Like him, she would need her rest. Extricating himself carefully so as not to wake her, Vicrum stalked about the ship, silent as the death that would be swift in coming to the crew. Once he found the hold that housed his worldly posessions, he quietly rummaged through it. Most of it was worth little to a being as ancient as Vicrum, trinkets he had accumlated over several lifetimes. Yet there was one thing of value he could not locate, a delicate necklace that had belonged to his mother. It had been the only memory he had kept from his days as a mortal. <br><br>Frowning deeply, Vicrum figured it must have been left behind on the Plague Runner. A knew dilemma arose. It had been several days already since he had had a decent meal, and using his considerably diminished powers to reach the abandoned ship would deplete it further. Yet if he waited, the swift pirate vessel would be farther than a nights flight making it impossible for him to return before daybreak. It would have to be now or never. <br><br>From the bow of the ship Vicrum took flight using his sophisticated sense of direction to locate the Plague Runner as the cool ocean air whipped past his figure with increasing speed. He wasted no time searching the decrepit ship for the locket, which had fallen between the boards of the captains quarters and into the storage hold below. For a few moments he held the pendant in the moonlight, his mind wondering to simpler times to remember the last and only woman to have worn the necklace. Vicrum shed no tears for the loss of his humanity or the loss of his family; his tears had long since dried up. Still, he honored the memory of the woman who had loved him more than any other person could again by keeping her most prized piece of jewelry close to him always. The captain of the Plague Runner had died a gruesome death for attempting to steal it. <br><br>Vicrum had little time to dally with his memories and soon he was traversing the night again, returning to the drifting pirate ship. By the time he returned to where Lark lay still sleeping, he was greatly weakened and his gaunt features showed it. Vicrum shoved the lid of the crate aside as he looked down at the sleeping figure. Gently he clasped the necklace about the sleeping woman's neck, letting it rest securely between the woman's bosom. He could think of no safer place. <br><br><strong>"Lark, I need you to wake up,"</strong> Vicrum called weakly, urgently needing sustenance to fuel his existance.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>24-09-2009, 17:16:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She stirred in her sleep as he clasped the necklace around her neck but didn't waken just yet.&nbsp; It was the sound of his voice that finally brought her back to the world of the living.&nbsp; Heavy lidded green eyes opened to look up at him, still partially unfocused as she struggled to come to full wakefulness. <br><br>Blinking several times in rapid succession she sat up a bit more, the urgency in his voice finally sinking in to her sleep fogged brain.&nbsp; "What is it?"&nbsp; She rasped hoarsely, sitting up a bit more.&nbsp; "What's wrong?"&nbsp; She looked at him urgently wondering what had gone on while she slept.&nbsp; His face was framed by the silvery moonlight streaming in from one of the small windows in the ships hull.&nbsp; "Vicrum?"&nbsp; Lark asked warily not at all liking how tired and gaunt he looked, wondering if something terrible had happened.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>01-10-2009, 17:56:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vicrum knew that he was getting dangerously weak. If he did not feed soon, he would be useless to himself and to the girl and left to the mercy of the crew. As a walking corpse Vicrum could be bound and set adrift in a row boat and left to drift til morning, at best. Worse than that, he would be set in the row boat and instantly set ablaze. Either option was not a prospect he relished.<br><br><strong>"Just lie still,"</strong> he whispered soothingly as he bent his head to the girls neck. He would have to explain it to her later. At the moment, his need was greater than hers.<br><br>Lightly he kissed the spot on her neck where his teeth would penetrate her skin. She flushed in response to the sudden attention, her blood flowing to her face and chest in a flush. Vicrum could smell it's intensity, yet when he bit her it was soft and gentle, even as his fangs pierced her flesh.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mithlomwen</strong> on <strong>03-10-2009, 01:17:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Lark looked at him warily, not sure what his intentions were.&nbsp; She tried to back up as he moved forward thinking for a moment that he intended to take advantage of her.&nbsp; A moment&nbsp; of fear coursed through her body, her hand came up to place itself flat against his chest to try and hold him off.&nbsp; Her mind whirled frantically when it dawned on her that had that been his intention he would have done it last night when she was sleeping with him the night before.&nbsp; <br><br>Her hand stayed on his chest, but she didn't try to push him away, more curious now than afraid of what he was going to do.&nbsp; She felt her heart rate increase at the feel of his lips against her neck, her breathing increasing as well as Vicrum moved closer.&nbsp; There was no pain, when his teeth sank into her flesh, only a rather intense amount pleasure.&nbsp; She gasped softly, staying still as he'd asked her to, silently hoping that she wasn't wrong in trusting him. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Plague Runner</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Aced</strong> on <strong>20-06-2012, 00:04:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				​Electricity speared through Vicrum as Lark’s blood flowed over his lips and into his mouth. His breathing deepened as he fed, his body hungry and aching. So as not to hurt his willing partner, Vicrum’s tongue licked the blood from her neck softly and slower. Vicrum hardly controlled himself when feeding. Usually he caught and drained his victims before they could murmur the word ‘vampire’. Feeding on Lark reminded him why he had taken to killing his prey, rather than feeding on them and letting them live.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br>The sensuality deepened as his tongue tasted Lark’s blood and trailed along the soft flesh of her neck where he had bitten her. Something inside Vicrum stirred and he could feel the connection between himself and Lark beginning to grow. It was a common side effect of a vampire’s feeding on their hosts. A vampire was closest to life right after feeding and their emotions from their past mortality would resurface. Psychically linked with their host, the victim would often feel those emotions. The longer the host was left alive after successive feedings, the stronger that connection grew.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>At the moment, Vicrum felt powerful and rejuvenated from the nights journey across the sea. The scent of Lark beneath him exhilarated his senses. All of this, Lark could feel as his feeding slowly turned from hungry licks to needy kissing. 
			</dd>
		</dl>
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