Tag: trustofthieves

Finnegan and Elana, two hardy raccoons, deftly maneuver their two person craft through placid sea. In their modest vessel, they navigate the perilous waters, propelled by a colossal kite soaring above them like a majestic eagle. 

They are on patrol, searching for dangers that may threaten their pirate base, Seacoin Island. 

The island itself sits just off the shore, a large rock covered in trees. It is accessible by land when the tides go out, and ruthlessly guarded by the tides when they pour in. The stoney island holds roughly thirty sailors on its windswept surface. They are the Seacoin Crew, bound by blood; descendants of ancient families predating First Twilight.

As Finnegan tacks sharply, they both see it. A massive storm cloud on the horizon billows upward, moving toward them quickly in an unsettling and unnatural way- heading straight for Seacoin.

They take immediate action, just as they had trained.

She attaches a line from the kite to a harness, unclips from the boat, and launches herself skyward. She navigates swiftly and easily through the air toward her goal.

Yet, fate has other designs for the courageous parasailor amidst the unforgiving winds. An unpredictable gust propels them forward at incredible speed, hoisting them higher into the sky. It spun them in the air, drifting uncontrollably. As Elana is twisted into the direction of the storm, which is already much closer than it had been before, she sees a horrifying site—an imposing crimson sailboat defiantly navigating ahead of the approaching storm, as if it wields a power over the very elements.

Slam!

Elana reaches her goal, but is thrust into one of the towering trees atop the island. Her cables wind around the branches as she tumbles through, and eventually suspended high above the ground. From here Elana desperately shouts warnings, their voice carried by the wind. While their plea is heard, setting off a frenzy of preparations within the Halls of Seacoin, the crew below cannot see where Elana’s voice is coming from, their presence overshadowed by the oncoming turmoil.

The islanders scramble to safety in emergency rafts, scuttling across the water, then quickly finding refuge on the mainland shore. The island stands defenseless, vulnerable to the merciless onslaught. Ferocious winds roar and assault the land, unleashing tormented rain that lashes the very shores.

Amidst this cataclysmic fury, the steadfast sailor clings to the tree with every ounce of strength. Their world reduced to a gale of chaos they endure, refusing to yield to the overwhelming force that engulfs them.

The storm rages on, its violent symphony of destruction sparing no corner. The storm shutters, once guarding the island’s inhabitants securely, are torn from their hinges, flung into the abyss. Treasured artifacts of the old families are tossed and scattered about in the maelstrom. Mud washes through the stone as the ancient island bears the weight of it all.

As quickly as it came, the tempest subsides and an eerie calm settles over the ravaged island. The enigmatic crimson sailboat drifts softly toward the island, cautiously approaching the scene of devastation. Observing the desolation that lies before them, a crew of wolves daringly plunge into the turbulent waters, swimming ashore in search of survivors.

On the ship’s deck, a large wolf wearing a massive elk skin pelt exudes an air of triumph, a sinister smile gracing their countenance. This is Mara, captain of the Howling Death and the most feared crew in the Salish Sea. Mara’s eyes gleam with unsettling confidence as they address another formidable figure. “Your strength is unrivaled, Rubia,” she declares, her voice brimming with conviction. “Together, we possess the power to confront even the most formidable adversaries.”

With those words, Mara commands her loyal troops to gather whatever they can carry, looting what remains of Seacoin before their departure. This was a test of their new power, a frivolous outing with a dire result.

Hidden away, an abandoned and forgotten Elana clings tenaciously to the tree. Cold and weary with ears ringing from the winds, they manage to take it all in. As the wolves set sail into the calm sunset toward the Emerald Isles, Elana collapses as the stars take to the skies.