Entry Twenty Five
Rook
Well, you could knock me over with a feather right about now. I've seen quite a few things in my day, and swarms of shrimp and puffers swarming over the side of the ship to take a bite out of me definitely goes near the bottom of the list of experiences I'd willingly repeat.
So we spent about… half an hour clearing those things out? Probably a bit more, actually. Midori's probably going to be mad we missed this, come to think of it. Adrian did a good job with knocking them back into the water, and her master basically kept everyone else going while they were gnawing away at us. Nasty little buggers. I think those puffers had poison in their sacs or something, because the green stuff they were shooting at us did not look healthy.
We'd just about finished cleaning up the wave of beasties when we caught sight of the 'Mutt', which was under attack as well. We were about to go help Jared out (along with a trio of kids I'm don't think I've seen before) when this giant fish erupted from the water. Along with more of his cronies, of course.
Well, it took some doing, but we managed to put the creature down for good. I think it was Jared who dealt the final shot right in one of the fish's eye. After the fighting I had to go do a quick run through of the St. Eris to make sure nothing go busted up too bad (and keep a covert eye on Alexis, who spent the majority of the fight looking like she wanted to throw up.) Jules took a couple of nasty knocks, but he was in a good enough shape to cross over to the 'Mutt' and have a talk with Jared.
Long story short, he's back in the team and we're all a happy family again. And with the boss fish dead the rest of the monsters around Batavia should disperse pretty soon, so that's a plus too. Now it's nightfall and we've just spotted Armoroad in the distance, so once we dock and I secure the St. Eris I'm going to go get some rest.
Jules
Well, I spent the outward journey half worried about what we were going to say to Jared when we caught up to him (aside from 'why did you run off', of course) and the other half worried about how Alexis was doing. The sea wasn't at its smoothest either, worse luck. At one point Rook steered the ship into a strong current to get us to Batavia faster and I swear to the Goddess Alexis actually whimpered.
Of course that kind of became secondary once monsters started swarming on board the ship and we had to devote all of our attention to getting them off it. During the battle I spotted several other ships (some flying Batavia's colours, some not) engaged in battle with the creatures as well, so it appears we arrived just in time for the official attempt at clearing out the infestation.
It wasn't too long before we spotted Jared and Relena killing monster's themselves, so we headed over to them – right into the path of the giant fish that apparently commanded the rest of the swarm. How a fish commands prawns and pufferfish is a mystery I don't particularly feel that I want the answer to, but there it is. Anyway, we engaged it in battle, and I'm not proud to say that I nearly got knocked overboard more than once. Despite her obvious discomfort, Alexis still protected me to the best of her ability, but I have to admit she wasn't at the top of her game.
In any case, Guild Paragon got the credit for slaying the giant beast, and after the battle I went to have a talk with Jared. Turns out he learned some of his… friends? (they're a lot younger than him and seem to idolize him a fair bit) got drafted into fighting the monsters and he rushed off to join them because he didn't want them to die. I suppose I can appreciate the sentiment, but I really can't approve of such impulsive acts like that. (Writes the man who accidentally declared he was going to conquer the Yggdrasil Labyrinth.) In any case, Jared came back to the Guild and was willing to take a docking of a week's pay in exchange for his tomfoolery. His compatriots weren't badly harmed either, so there's that. At least he's shown he's got a heart for others, so I suppose he isn't such a bad sort.
The instant we docked at Inver Alexis nearly sprinted down the gangplank and back to the inn. The whole day must have been absolute torture for her. I should probably get her a gift of some kind to make up for what she went through today.
Expenditure on seafaring supplies: 120 en
Expenditure on town supplies: 75 en
Expenditure on equipment: 3450 en (WHAT?)
Expenditure, Misc: 34 en
Income from Labyrinth goods: 0 en
Income from Ocean goods: 165 en
Income from selling obsolete equipment: 137 en
Total Profit: -3477 en
Total Current Funds: 7, 309 en
(All right, who spent over 3000 en on new equipment? Someone is going to have to answer for this tomorrow.)
Adrian
Mood: Exuberant
Woo hoo! Second time I've beat down a giant beastie! I was feeling a bit down over missing out on taking down Narmer, but I'd say today made up for it, and then some. Setting your fists aflame and punching enemies to death with them never gets old!
When we got back, Sidney was waiting at port for us and wanted to know about the monsters infesting Batavia. Now I didn't want to brag, but there really wasn't any other way to say it than that we helped clear them out. Sidney seemed really overjoyed at that – she really does have Armoroad's prosperity at heart, I guess. Makes me wonder about my own home. Been a long while since I've seen it, hasn't it?
Went with Master to (where else? Sigh.) the Bistro for a drink and maybe a late supper before turning in. When we went inside I caught sight of Pure throwing back another drink in a booth near the far corner so I went over to talk to him. I guess I still feel kinda bad about slugging him on the noggin yesterday. He was in a pretty good mood (helped, no doubt, by the large amount of alchohol he'd downed beforehand. Hate that stuff) but he still recognized me. We chatted for a bit and… yeah. That's about it.
'Sfunny. I don't feel like going to bed yet. Maybe I'll head down to the town square and run some laps.
Asmodeus
I was reading by candlelight by the docks when I spotted both ships under our Guild returning. I briefly entertained thoughts of going to welcome them but decided against it. They all looked rather haggard and I suspect that they went to bed as soon as they docked and cleaned up.
I must admit I'm not overly fond of these distractions. My goal is simply to delve as deep into the Labyrinth as possible and then report back to the master about the Deep City (or more likely, the complete lack of evidence to be found). Affairs such as these merely drag out the time I need to spend in this city. At least Rossa spent most of today exploring Armoroad, so she was out of my hair.
Horoscope: Beware the three.
… Sometimes I wonder if getting incomprehensible readings is better or worse than getting no readings at all.
Jared
Well, all's well that ends well. Batavia's free of monsters, Ace and his gang have their freedom and their heads (and a bit of cash from the reward money), and I bagged myself a giant sea monster!
Okay, getting one week of pay slashed for running off like that isn't so hot, but I guess it's only fair. The Guild gives me most of the stuff I need to get by like food and a roof over my head so it's not like it's a life or death situation or something.
Anyway, me and Relena are heading off to town to do some celebrating. Get some ale, maybe a tankard or two, you know how it is.
Alexis
Entry Made: 7th of the Month of the Golden Eagle, in the Seven Hundredth and Fourteenth year of the Holy Empire
Today was, all things considered, an unpleasant day.
I don't want to admit it, but I was fighting to keep my composure throughout the entirety of the sea trip. I know Jules his Majesty noticed my discomfort (he knows me too well, after all), but I'm pretty sure the others were aware of it. (Master Geoffrey is obviously very perceptive in general, and Rook's a regular enough seafarer to tell when others aren't.) To make things worse, when we ended up dragging into battle with the monsters plaguing Batavia (including their apparent leader) my discomfiture led directly to his Majesty getting wounded. I failed in my duty today. There's no other way to put it.
Still, I can't mope. I still need to arrange another expedition to the Labyrinth (probably afternoon of tomorrow). Most of the people who went into action today probably deserve a break, so I'll assign some of those who have been relatively inactive.
I wonder if Atahualpa would feel uncomfortable in the underwater environs of the 2nd Stratum? I suppose we'll find out soon.