Another Ghost Ship
Chapter 5
a/n: again...LARPING...GAMING...AD&D...here I cross them over with RPG characters and then they do a story about gaming/re creationists with that silly and annoying Charlie character...really !
a/n: and I have finally worked out the details on the direction I want to take this story...it takes place in the season where Crowley is still hunting for the door to Purgatory & the boys don't yet know that Cass is working with him. Now, I will be playing 'fast and loose' with AD&D and Spell Jammer rules...because as Jack Sparrow says (of rules)-"...they're more like guidelines, really...": so if you're a gamer & reading this story- I don't need a rule miester spouting rules at me! Don't Care! -because ultimately a good story/adventure supersedes the rules- & house rules apply-and I've been gamin' now for close to –30- years, I do it my way ( I started in First Ed folks...so I don't need a 3.5 spouting rules at me !)
/Freeport Pirates/Supernatural/
Though offered, the boys begged off most of the food offered by the cook, and soon found themselves back up on deck.
"So, let's get this show on the road," Dean demanded with a clap of his hands.
Captain John, who had risen while they were below deck, was now at the helm, spyglass out and surveying the surrounding ocean, "Aye boy, not so fast...those clouds off to the north seem to be bringing the promise of some rough seas..."
"Meaning..." Sam asked.
"Meanin' that we can't be putting a short boat in the water to git you to shore..." John replied, adding, "It was goin' ta' be a stretch to be rowin' inland from this distance anyways..."
"So I'm afraid it you boys want off this ship you're going to have to allow the teleport spell," Cierra supplied succinctly, coming up to the small group.
"What...really...you have got to be kidding me," Dean complained angrily.
"Dean, do you really want to take a chance of being on this ship if it 'phases' back out," Sam side-barred.
"Really...Sammy...teleport...it's bad enough when Cass decides to poof us somewhere..." Dean continued to complain.
Giving his brother his bitch face, Dean huffed angrily and relented, "...if I end up doing a Han Solo in carbonite deal," striking the movie pose to emphasize his point, before poking Sam in the chest, " it is so on you, little brother."
Shaking his head, Sam replied, "Fine, Dean...whatever..."
Turning back to the captain, he asked, "So how soon can we leave?"
"Devlin be down below preparing his spells as we speak..." John replied, turning to Cierra, he asked, "you be having all you need?"
"Aye..." Cierra replied, only to be interrupted by Dean, "Uh, you really planning on going lookin' like that?"
"And what's wrong with the way my woman looks," John huffed out.
Holding up his hands in defense, Dean quickly countered, "Hey, nothing at all is wrong with 'your' woman...she's damn hot; but she looks like she's goin' to a Halloween party man...and its April..."
"Dean's right...the way Cierra is dressed will draw attention..." Sam quickly interjected.
"I will address that issue once we are ashore...I assume I will be seeing females on your world?" Cierra informed them.
"We don't have time for you to go shopping," Dean cut in.
"And we won't need to...except to procure the needed maps," Cierra said.
Further conversation was halted by the others approaching.
"Everybody ready," Devlin asked.
"Aye, the sooner we be getting' those maps the sooner we be finding the ship," John said.
Devlin turned to Cierra and the two hunters, handing them each a small charm, "these charms will make it easier for me to track you...and let me know when you're ready to return..."
Cierra nodded and pocketed her charm; the boy's gave the charms wary looks before doing likewise.
...supernatural...pirates...
Dean blinked several times as he looked around the near empty beach and he quickly realized they were under a pier. He then turned and made eye contact with his brother, who wore an equally surprised expression.
"Uhm...so, we're here, just like that," Dean asked cautiously.
"That is the nature of the spell," Cierra replied as she too was surveying the area.
"When you are ready to return, simply use the charm..." Devlin instructed, "make sure you are in an area that is hidden from prying eyes: we do not want any attention drawn."
"Aye, it should only be a few hours to find the correct maps..." Cierra said, looking towards the boys who nodded in confirmation.
Devlin nodded and in the space of a breath was gone.
"So, where do we procure the maps...?" Cierra asked.
"First we get you into clothes that don't make you look like and extra from a pirate movie," Dean stated.
Cierra gave him an odd look but nodded her head slowly, "I need to view what it typical dress for females on your world," Cierra explained.
They moved from beneath the pier towards the wide sidewalk that separated the beach from the hotels, and then found a path that lead to the street. The early morning foot traffic was light but none the less offered enough examples of "female" dress.
"So, is that an appropriate style," Cierra asked as she pointed to a young woman in long, dark green broom stick skirt, a flowing tan tank top and ankle boots.
The boys traded looks before Dean said, "Yeah, it'll do..."
Cierra nodded and stepped back several feet into an alleyway, muttered a few words.
The hunters watched in stunned amazement as the air around the bard began to shimmer.
When the effect faded, Cierra was sporting the same outfit as the woman they had seen on the street.
"What the hell was that," Dean exclaimed, "how'd you do that?"
"A glamor...a simple illusion," Cierra explained.
"Uh, how long will it last...?" Sam asked curiously.
"Twelve to fifteen hours," the bard replied, "surely our quest for the correct maps will not take that time..."
"Uh, no, it shouldn't," Sam said.
"Yeah, let's get going before something else goes poof around here," Dean grumbled.
The boys decided the first stop was to be the local library, and from there they would peruse the local maritime museums: hoping one of these locations held the type of map Cierra and her crew needed to help them locate the missing ship.
Looking up at the aged, granite building, Cierra asked, "This is your temple of knowledge...?"
"We call it a library..." Sam answered with a small smile as he opened the door and ushered her in. The early hour of the morning saw the library nearly deserted.
"So, what exactly are we looking for," Sam asked as he sat down at one of the library computers.
When Sam got no answer he turned to find the woman staring at the computer warily..."Oh...this is a computer...it, uh...it's like a filing system to help us locate the books we need..."
Giving the computer another uncertain look, Cierra then looked around the library, asking, "where are the acolytes?"
"Acolytes," Sam questioned.
"The keepers of the knowledge...the students..." she asked.
"Oh, the librarian...I'm sure she...or he, is around here somewhere..." Sam explained, "...our temples of knowledge are self-serve..."
Cierra just nodded slowly, asking skeptically, "aye...so... this box, it will help us find the scrolls and maps we are seeking...?"
Sam gave a gentle laugh, "it will point us in the right direction."
"Aye...and you say you have no magic on your world..." Cierra intoned.
With an impatient snort Dean commented, "nothing magic about it...it's the millennium of the geek...everybody's got a computer...so what exactly is geek boy lookin' for...?"
"We need navigational maps of your ocean...and any legends of ghost ships in the area..." Cierra said.
"Uh...Dean and I already checked out local legends of ghost ships...when your ship started appearing...we didn't find anything..." Sam replied.
Cierra nodded thoughtfully, "it was nearly 500 years ago that the ship disappeared...and if time flows differently here, it could have been before you began keeping records..."
"Five hundred years...this boat yer lookin' for has been missin' five hundred years..." Dean exclaimed, "and no one has thought to come lookin' for it before now...?"
"I'm sure the elves spent quite a bit of time attempting to track it down...but the very magic they needed to retrieve the ship was lost with the ship when it disappeared..." Cierra supplied.
"So then how'd you get it...?" Dean asked suspiciously.
"Haramast..." Cierra responded dryly.
"Haramast...that's your...uhm, pirate god..." Sam asked hesitantly.
"My crew pays him his due..." Cierra responded pointedly, disgust evident in her tone.
The boys exchange a quick look, eyebrows raised, before Dean ventures carefully, "...and you don't?"
Cierra shakes her head, "he is not the god to whom I owe allegiance... Fharlon, god of the traveler, receives my homage and servitude should it be asked."
"Ooo-kaayy..." Dean replied slowly, turning to Sam, "so, Sammy...ancient boat legends and navigational maps...have at it geek boy..."
"And you can find out about any maritime museums...see what kind of information the sites have...if they have map displays..." Sam said, already keying into the search engine.
"What...me...come on Sammy, this geek stuff is all you..." Dean complained.
"Dean...do you want to be here all day..." Sam shot back with a frustrated huff.
"Fine..." Dean grumbled, plopping down at the terminal next to Sam.
Cierra stood behind the boys, watching intently as both Sam and Dean began searching the web sites, her face knitted in a frown as she watched the screens; after a few minutes they both turned towards her when she began speaking in the cadenced, foreign tongue they had heard her speak on several other occasions.
"What'r you doin'...?" Dean asked.
"I wish to be able to read what is scribed on this box..." Cierra stated waving a hand at the computer screen.
"You're casting another spell...?" Sam commented slowly.
"Aye...read languages...indeed that is why we can communicate now...by my language spells; but I must say the spell is not as effective as normal...your language differs much from the languages of my world to which the spells are written, some words do not easily translate..."
"So you're sayin' you just mumble a few words and presto...you can speak or read any language..." Dean asks with skeptical amazement.
"Presto...?" Cierra repeated with some uncertainty before giving a small shake of her head and explaining, "...yes, that is the general nature of the spell, to allow travelers and traders-but especially those of us who travel specifically to obtain the knowledge and stories of other realms, the ability to understand one and other...it is one of the first spells a bard must learn."
Dean just shook his head in continued amazement, "monsters and magic...pirate adventures...must be one hell of a place..."
/SPN/Pirates/
The trio spent the next couple of hours at the library; Sam was amused by Cierra's awe at the size of the building and the number of actual books (as opposed to scrolls) the library had on hand.
At the end of it they had found three books that had the potential of supplying them with some needed legends and clues to the whereabouts of the elven ship.
"Just fill these out and I can issue you your temporary card...the regular one should come in the mail in seven to ten days..." the librarian said, pushing several forms towards Sam.
Feeling Cierra's intense stare, the librarian eyed Cierra uncomfortably for a moment before quietly addressing Sam; giving a nod towards the Bard, "she alright...?"
"Huh..." Sam looked up from the form he was filling out, "oh...uh, yeah, she's ah...she's an exchange student...first time in an American library..."
"Oh...well, miss...would you like to fill out a form for a library card..." the librarian offered.
"Oh...no...no...anything she needs Sammy here will get for her," Dean interjected quickly, "she won't be here long enough to get a card..."
Sam quickly shoved the papers back across the counter, getting the librarians attention. She picked them up and quickly read over them before nodding and handing Sam the books and a temporary card.
"Let's go..."
"We are leaving...?" Cierra asked.
Once outside, Cierra looked at Sam and the books he was carrying, "they permit you to leave with the books...?"
"Yeah...we can check out the materials...and you return them in a set amount of time..." Sam explained.
"Interesting...never would the temple part with any of its knowledge in such a way... I myself have spent days immersed in the books and scrolls at the temple..." Cierra said.
The boys just smiled, before Dean said, "I don't know 'bout you all, but I'm starving...I need pie and coffee after all this geek work..."
"I would be most interested to see your inns and taverns..." Cierra said, "however, I am certain that our coinage does not meet with the standards of your world..."
"Probably not...even on this planet, each country has its own type of money..." Sam agreed, adding, "but don't worry about it, Dean and I have it covered..."
"That is most generous..." Cierra replied with a nod.
Holding out his arm for Cierra to take, Dean looked towards his brother, "let's get this woman some pie..."
/SPN/PIRATES/
Much to Dean's disappointment, Sam insisted on taking Cierra to a more family friendly restaurant as opposed to a bar.
"Dean, it's barely after noon...we're not going to a bar..." Sam huffed at his brother, "besides, look at her...you really want to take Cierra to a bar...she's got enough to worry about without a bunch of drunks hitting on her..."
"Sam...she's a pirate...think she's been in her fair share of bars...you've seen what she can do, I don't think a few drunks would be a problem for her..." Dean replied.
"They don't have pie at a bar..." Sam countered smugly.
"Spoil sport..." Dean grumbled.
Cierra watched the boys argument with some amusement, "gentlemen, I assure you I can go to any establishment you wish...my crew does frequent taverns on a regular basis when we make port...if you are assuming me to be some delicate flower that needs protecting I can assure you otherwise..."
"See Sammy..." Dean said smugly.
Fixing his brother with one of his patented bitch faces, Sam merely replied, "no, Dean..."
…...
They walked several blocks, coming to a sit-down family restaurant.
Still grumbling, Dean held the door for Cierra and Sam to enter. Once inside, Sam nodded towards the hostess while Dean stood petulantly to the side and Cierra merely looked the place over in curiosity.
"Follow me please," the hostess said, leading them to a booth.
Dean slid into one side while Sam gestured for Cierra to slid into the other side before he sat down beside her.
Grabbing a menu, Dean grumbled, "they better have good pie is all I have to say..."
Sam just shook his head at his brother's grumbling and handed Cierra a menu, asking, "uh...can you still read our language...is the spell still active..."
"Aye... but this book seems to have many pictures...are many in your world illiterate..." Cierra asked curiously, explaining, "indeed, the average villager on my world does not read but a few words...relying on stories and word of mouth for much of their information..."
"Uh...no, most everybody can read...it's actually a requirement that all children attend school and learn to read..." Sam said, adding, "the pictures are just an advertising ploy..."
"Ad-ver-tising ploy...?" Cierra intoned in confusion.
"They're just trying to entice you to buy stuff...," Dean said.
Cierra just nods before looking back to the menu. After a moment Sam asks, "so, anything you would like to try...?"
After some discussion about the types of food offered on both worlds, Cierra finally settled on a pasta dish...Dean went for his usual burger an fries and Sam ordered a fish dinner.
"So we hit the museums after lunch...hopefully we'll see what you need there."
The meal was spent in light conversation, with Sam and Cierra comparing different aspects of their worlds.
"Geesh, it's like havin' the history channel in stereo listening to you two...even your world has its geeks, just without the computers..." Dean complained when Sam and Cierra had moved from the lighter topics of food and dress to heavier subjects of politics and trade...and currently they were discussing the role of Corsairs on her home planet as compared to earth history on the subject.
Cierra gave a small laugh, "you would indeed fair well as a pirate Dean Winchester...if it is not wine, wenching and the talk of treasure and adventure you patience grows thin it seems," she then turned her amused eye to Sam, adding, "you can imagine that my choice of learned discourse is rather limited when we are to sea...so, I thank you for what little we can share before we wear your brothers patience..."
Sam just chuckled at his brothers confused face causing Dean to slide out of the booth grumbling, "...fine, you two have your 'learned' discourse...I'm gonna go pay the bill..."
Cierra followed the retreating Dean with her eyes before turning back towards a still smiling Sam, "it was an observation made in jest...your brother, I hope, did not take real offense..."
"Oh, no...you pretty much have Dean pegged..." Sam chuckled, "oh, don't get me wrong...Dean isn't stupid, he just prefers to show his skills in other ways..."
Sliding out of the booth he continued, "let's get out of here..."
…...
"We will need a map that shows the ocean, shoreline, shoals and reefs within a ten mile radius of the latitude and longitude from whence we appeared, and it would help to have old ones as well as some for as the area is now for comparison...which could perhaps narrow down our search...and as we near the ship, the sexton should pinpoint the more precise area," Cierra said as they entered the large maritime museum.
"If you have that magic sexton, why do you need the maps..." Sam asked, "won't the sexton lead you in the right direction?"
"Aye, were it that simple..." Cierra sighed wearily, "when we are within a few leagues of the ship the sexton will glow hot...but finding the location in hundreds of miles of ocean...no; that is why we must narrow down the search to a small area at the corresponding latitude and longitude between our worlds.
Giving the museum a critical eye, Dean said, "big place...why don't we spread out...see what's here..."
Sam nodded and Cierra was already heading off in a direction.
"Shouldn't we go with her..." Sam commented.
"Sammy...pirate...she doesn't seem to be having any problems blending in..." Dean reminded his little brother, "besides, we're in a freakin' boat museum, what's gonna happen...?"
"Fine..." Sam huffed, "meet back here in an hour..."
…...
Cierra soon found herself in a circular side room that was made to look like the interior of a lighthouse; on the walls and in display cases were various pieces of equipment one would find in a lighthouse as well as photos and paintings of the sea, ships and shorelines, as well as several stylized paintings depicting maps of the area.
The bard moved up to the stylized maps to study them when a man seemed to suddenly appear beside her, startling Cierra when he asked casually, "beautiful isn't it..."
Turning to the man, Cierra eyed the well dressed man with mild suspicion, "aye...'tis quite intricate in its detail."
The dark headed man looked at Cierra curiously for a moment, his Scottish brogue light as he asked, "I sense you're not from around here..."
"I am a visitor to this town, yes..." she replied absently, turning to move away from the man when he reached out to grab her arm.
She turned and raised a brow at the man, as her eyes went from his hand holding her arm to his face, "sir, I would suggest you unhand me..."
"I'm simply fascinated by out of town visitors...we should really go somewhere and have a chat...so you can tell me all about how you got here..." the man said, though his words were light his tone indicated it was more of a command rather than a casual request.
"While I am usually one to never turn down an offer to exchange a story with a local, I am afraid I must decline your kind offer," Cierra replied, the latter said with obvious sarcasm.
He gave an amused snort and gave a smile that came across as a sneer, his brogue a little more pronounced as he said pointedly, "I'm afraid I must decline your offer to decline..."
Cierra shook out of the man's grasp and took several steps back, "excuse me..."
"Really...just a little chat about that little ripple I felt...pop you right back here when we're done-promise..." the man said conversationally.
Cierra took a few more small steps back from the man as the lilting, cadenced words of a spell flowed from her lips...seconds later the dark headed man gave an exaggerated shiver, commenting smugly, "tickles...any you seem to have more charms than I originally imagined."
The bard looked at the stranger in surprise as he shrugged off the effect of the charm spell, his brogue becoming more gravely and pronounced as he said with growing impatience, "enough with this...now, I tried to be nice about this seeing as you're the new kid to the neighborhood...but you're trying my patience—so we can do this the easy way or the hard way..."
"How 'bout the hard way..." a new voice said tightly.
Turning to the new voice, the dark headed man said, "should have know you Winchesters would somehow be involved in this..."
"Crowley...what do you want..." Dean demanded.
'Just wanted to meet the lovely young lady here...have a little chat..." Crowley said.
"Yeah, well, she doesn't want to talk to you..." Dean said, moving into the room so he was standing beside and slightly in front of the bard.
"Who's asking you..." Crowley sneered.
"You know this man...?" Cierra asked suspiciously as she took several steps away from Dean.
Not taking his eyes of Crowley, Dean answered in a low, tight voice, "unfortunately...remember when we said our world has monsters too; well, he's one of them..."
Hand going to his chest, Crowley said with sarcasm, "I'm hurt...after everything we've been through together..."
"Dean...hey, Dean...you in here...I think I found..." Sam stopped short when he came upon the scene, biting out in surprise, "Crowley..what the hell are you doing here...?"
"All this could really hurt a demon's feelings...it's like your not happy to see me..." Crowley answered with continued sarcasm.
"Demon...?" Cierra gasped in surprise the same time Crowley flicked his wrist, sending the boys flying across the room to land in stunned heaps on the floor.
Taking a moment to view the stunned hunters in satisfaction, the King of the Demons turned to the startled woman and said politely, "shall we...?"
/SUPERNATURAL/FREEPORT PIRATES/