SHIPWRIGHT COUNCIL MEMBERS
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Raid on Hammerfest It was a dark night upon Hammerfest, the tres' moons light was hidden by black clouds that had rolled in. The slave Chyla jo walked along the harbor docks as she hummed quietly enjoying the night air. She did not see what approached under the cover of this darkness. The ships that came from the distortion of night, as the painted green pirate ships moved out in a wedge formation. Fifteen where going to be used under the Operations declared by the pirates as, "Flaming Cargo." The distraction would let the other operation "Night Raid" to still and raid the implements of the port, and such did "Flaming Cargo" move into place upon the dock, out of the fog that cloaked over the roll of the wave. Chyla jo winked at the guards as they ogled her, one smirked and then eyed the area quietly. While upon another part of the docks, was the lass Eli, who asked a guard where little jo was, wishing to speak to her, when pointed towards the docks she wandered that way in search of her. sneezing once at the cool night air she felt the planks of the dock under her feet, eyes scanning for jo. The glass of the builders was used by the crows nest of the "Night Raid" fleet, they saw the small flag that was covertly used to signal that phase one was in place. The city was quiet, citizens were soundly sleeping or relaxing near a crackling heart. Linette Kanzah was settling into her room, the fires burning low in the fireplace as she pulled out a good book to read, munching on a bowl, of her honey cakes. Kydera Hunter stepped into the room with Lin and grabbed a book as well thinking it would be the perfect time just to relax as her friend. "Tal Kydera, a quiet night tonight." Linette spoke as she offered a soft smile. Kydera whispered back, "Tal Lin, it is just a night to settle in and relax." Peaceful, quiet, not a sound or ill omen was detected by anyone within the Port of Hammerfest. The later shifts of the harbor patrols were settling for a boring night as they started to let their eyes adjust to the night. The city guards had started their change for the night. The Harbor Master finished his evening meal and pondered whether to go home or check the harbor one more time. Chyla jo glanced out over the harbor as she strolled near the warehouse, softly humming. Eli, hearing the soft swish of waves hitting the dock she spotted jo and called out into the night, not to loud though, "jo, jo." waving a hand. Chyla jo turning she smiled and waved seeing Eli, then glanced leaned to the doorway of the warehouse as the change of guards took place keeping out of the way. Long boats where lowered from the holdings of the fleets of "Night Raid" as they went into the waves keeping the oars quieted. They advanced onto the docks under the camouflage of night, trying to raid the first warehouse. The silent dance of the Raiders daggers across the throat, blood to paint the dock in a oily caress of blood, silent where the screams that never came. While the ground troops where deployed in the convert operation of looting one of the warehouses, side by side a ship was approached, painted in green it seem to materialize like a ghost ship as grapples where sent to hook against portside and starboard side banister to steal the ship and take it over. Chyla jo blinked hearing a strange noise and ducked into the warehouse. TondraoXOldira, hearing activity on the docks he sounded the alarm, but had he noticed the nightly intrusion in time? Linette jumped up and ran to a small window of the harbor house, the alarms now ringing their echoes throughout the slowly awakening Port. Joined by Lone Tuchuk, the women were grateful for the added presence. Vakt av dod signaled the Raiders, it was time for operation "Flame Cargo". The dance of flaming tar was sent to rain like fiery death upon the patrons, using it at a strategic portion of the dock where the Guards would run to sound the alarm and try to damage it. The bodies forever silent to the news that ground troops have deployed in their midst they entered into the depths of one of the warehouses, going for the crate of short swords to load it onto the boats. The battle was quick, like shadows encanting for the devious art of thievery as the guards where quickly dispatched, and the loot was put on ships and with a small detail sent back to the main ship, at the same time from air, the port archery fire was exchanged to leave dead in the water another of the Cities ship, as the Raiders tried to board. The sound of the alarm tower getting hit was enough to alert the city and the guards ran to try to man the defenses. The Administrator, Wyldgriffon, seeing one of the warehouse doors opened as he turned a corner, looked out to see what he could see now. His crew upon the ship has managed to repel the boarders strongly and cheered. Then a rain of flaming arrows came like comets from the night from the ships of the attacking Raiders. The alarm tower had now caught fire and was glowing heartily. The Raiders still trying to disable the dockhands. The flames now sprouted from the docks, funneling upward, those in the Port could see the tall glowing spirals of destruction. Raiders moved in a building clearing technique like a small highly trained army, as guards where detained and killed as they went for the 3 cases of daggers. They were met with resistance and small battle was underway, while aboard the scouted out ship, arrows was used to create heavy fatality, so the men could overrun and steal it. City guards had seen the Raiders head for the warehouse and headed the small band off. Blocking their entry the cheered seeing the raiders fall back. The Raiders operation had its up and down, the forces on the dock was being held back, and the pirates where stuck aboard into he midst of the battle aboard a ship being taken, the 5 ships arched back, and then rocks came from bowled out catapults from where the forecastle would be to rain in granite debris on the docks. Fires raged along the docks and warehouse area, buckets neatly arranged along the Harbor Masters office and home were handed out to the workers and peasants then, starting a bucket brigade to quench the flames. The women safely contained within their homes, preparing to help the wounded by pulling out groups of furs and medical supplies. The fighting continued now, the main force of the Raiders attacked the docks openly, while a small band dispatched to the warehouse fought the guards as they attempt to plunder and loot their contents. Spotting the slave, Raiders attempted then to make off with the girl jo. On the farther side of the Harbor, another band of raiders kept trying to capture and make off with a few selected Hammerfest ships, to add to their own fleet, that now as under return fire of catapults from the Port. The docks of Hammerfest were not the only source of flames, burning pit and arrows from the Guards and landed upon the main Raiders fleet. Some of the sails caught fire, and quickly distinguished as man feet over feet tightroped the sterns to throw filled buckets of water against the garbs that where molested by the flames. A large ballista was sent forward into the dockside taverns, creating civilian casualty to create a riot on the dock. City guards were starting to head for the next warehouse, though having to go the long way around the now flaming alarm tower. Wylds' eli ran back off the docks, then towards other slaves coming with buckets, shouting instructions, asher eyes scanned for her Master. Quickly buckets began to fill and move along the line, water being tossed at the flames. Eli, time after time she shouted for the buckets to move fast as possible but she also looked up and about when she could for Him, oh Eli was worried. Linette barred the windows and exterior doors, then barred and bolted shut she tried not to start crying and began to pray. Then the first wounded stumbled to the doorway, held by one of the peasants, the loud knock given as friendly. Kydera grabbed open the door helping the wounded to enter. Lone Tuchuk remained with the women, guarding them as they worked furiously to help the injured being brought into the small house. Lin rushed to help a dockworker, bloodied with gashes torn open in his head and shoulders, the man collapsed, but not before warning them, "Raiders ... attacking the harbor!", then he passed out in the doorway. The Port cats had been reloaded and were once more aimed. The officers readied and yelled to the firing man to lay waste to the raiders ships. The Raiders were hit hard and took heavy fire, as they started to break contact against the night, fires roaring, as the plume of smoke blacken the skies. Men were heard screaming as they fell overboard to meet death within the waters they fought and died upon, the Vosk sharks feasting lovely tonight. The ground troops raided into one of the warehouses for the bundle of furs. The city guards had turned the corner as the raiders entered the warehouse, and tried to drive them back once more. The guard were ready for battle and looking for blood as they fought the Raiders. Swords drawn, the Raiders flowed like a form of death, blades spinning to cut down the opposing force of the harbor guards. But the guards were beaten back again and wounded badly. The Raiders, bloody, none yet dead, they worked quick and fast taking the stack of furs. Lin went to one of the shopkeepers, the suls turnip vendor she and Ky bought from. Seeing his belly gashed open, she nearly passed out from the sight of all the blood. However, she found the fortitude to remain calm. Kydera organized the wounded, getting the worst ones nearer to Para, how Lone had found and sent to the Harbor house. Lin pressed the clean sterile rep bandages to staunch the bleeding while Para moving the lamps closer...so she could see better, some wounds she managed to suture, others she simply cauterized to stop the bleeding ... the stench of blood and burning flesh permeating everywhere. Linette unable to help herself, ran to the servery vomiting into the sink, the smell and burning flesh and blood too much for her delicate system. Para looking up occasionally at the crash and screams from the outside..a grit of her teeth and she continued working. Lin was pale and flushed of color, she came back now seeing that Samuel had passed on to the city of dust from his wounds. Kydera seeing this spoke to her friend, "Cover him Lin and move on." Angry with herself. Lin found strength, she knew not where and started helping the women and healers tend to the wounded. The other Raiders' ships saw the City fully alert ready to fight for the cause of its wares. They swarmed upon a ship trying to detain it, and send it and the crew into the blackness of the night. One Raider ship was rigged, and it was set forth to crash into the dock, the eyes painted onto the ships gruesome, bleeding tears painted down the hull. Lone Tuchuk engaged the Raiders on the docks, slashing at a few to drive them back. Other men of the city readied and aimed the cats again and the officer once more yelled, "FIRE!!!!!" The Raiders shook a bit by the quaking of the dock, but then they stayed upon their feet. Lone drives the Raiders back that tried to take the slut, growling at the Raiders kept coming. The other small group aimed for the warehouse on its formation back to the longboats, as they moved to loot the mead and ale. Overtaking the guards in the warehouse, the Raiders made off with 5 of the 50 kegs of ale and mead. The men knew Tond would have their hides for letting his ale be taken. The Raiders' ships started to break contact and retreat into the night. Flaming arrows from the campaign "Operation Flame Cargo" to inform the other forces they where breaking formation. Arrows shooting straight up into the skies at the port, it was a sight-on message military units called it, as they began gaining distance out of the Harbor. In pure hateful rage, TondraoXOldira seeing his prized mead being loaded onto the ships by the Raiders he personally fires the closest cat while ordering the others to fire, "FIRE!!!!!". Back at the Harbor house, Paradise slipped her scissors from her belt and slitting off tunics from men, some were burned already. Wylds eli pulled a Master to others, so that they could get him to the houses for patching. She hurried back, out of breath and looks for what next she can do to help. Kydera kept the triage going as they come in making sure that all were as comfortable as possible. Lin took up the bandages covering a gash to a young warriors neck, soothing his fears with her soft voice, "It will be alright lad," the young man tried to get up and rejoin the fighting. Kydera gazed to Lin, "Keep him down Lin, he is in no shape to go back out." Lin pressed him back down and away his tunic, washing the wound first then swallowing the lump in her throat proceeded to suture the wound. Lone slipped back to the house, wounded, tried from the fighting, to check on the women and wounded. Debris of fire and other projectile falling down upon the Raiders as they retreated back into the night, they spread out more so that if one ship set was to flames, it didn't catch another. The Raiders made a steady advance down the Vosk, slowly creeping out of range of the Cites defenses that continued to bombard them with flaming pitch and rocks. Tond and Wyld kept bellowing out the orders, firing cat after cat, hails of ballista as the Raiders, not easing up on ehn till they were completely out of range. As the storm of fire from the docks crashed into the Vosk, the Vosk Pirates, Raiders of unknown name, merged back into the darkness, leaving fire, blood and destruction behind. Tond was seen shaking a fist in the air as some of his prized mead disappeared with the Raiders. Wyld had already dispatched men to begin repairs and gather up the wounded. The crews were working on the ships that had crashed the eastern docks, now fighting its flames as well. It would be a while before peace settled over Hammerfest, but the pride was strong in all, they had driven out the Vosk Raiders. |
