The two blue fish-flags of Sarrik are clearly visible over the ships in the distance, fleeing before you. Beyond them, the outline of Azora Cay is visible in the morning haze.
"The Reckoning! The Reckoning!" roar the ship's crew. The pirates are excited to be back in action at last.
From this distance, you can see Sarrie marines bustling on the deck of the escort, and through a spyglass can make out its name: the Sword of Strom. She's slightly smaller than the Reckoning, probably more agile. Her charge is a fatter, slower merchant vessel, with a broad beam and deep draft, the name on her bow visible in gleaming gold-leafed letters: Queen Amoret.
Rhyll summons Benning and Almira to join him over where he stands next to Revas.
The Reckoning is at full sail, thumping along at a good clip, the ship juddering along the wind-whipped whitecaps, rattling timbers and teeth.
The priest of Ardis and the Dhazir wizard stand before Rhyll. Benning's head is bowed, but Almira looks off towards the prey.
Baj joins Rhyll and the others on the quarterdeck as he snaps out orders, "Mister Dacien, lively now, make sure the crews are squared away! Farlan! Ferlan! Get to your weapons! This is going to be a good fight, make every shot count!"
Dacien says, "Aye-aye, Mister Mirko!"
Ferlan and Farlan race to their stations, the scorpion crews cranking bolts into place. Dacien runs off below decks in close pursuit of the twins.
Rhyll says, "I think our plan of action is obvious: we attack the escort keeping it between us and the trader hugging the shore." He scratches his chin. "My only worry is that the trader will catch a good wind and flee before we are done with its protector." He looks at each in turn. "Thoughts?"
Almira says, "I shall prepare an incendiary spell, Captain. That should be sufficient to deal with the guardship."
Baj says, "If we slow the escort enough in our first pass, we can catch the trader quickly. Her Captain would be a fool to slow down to keep pace with a crippled escort."
Rhyll says, "Then we hit the escort hard, take it out, then move on to the trader. Master Wizard, if for some reason we are delayed with the escort, you may have to slow the trader down. I assume this won't be a problem?""
Dacien moves among the scorpion crews, pausing to make a joke or pass a word of encouragement wherever he can.
The deep green color of the Sunrise Sea is lightening beneath you. This isle must be surrounded by shallows and sandbars, which is why the Sarries fled to it. Perhaps they plan to use it to evade you. At this speed as you now maintain, such a place could be treacherous, with hidden snags that could tear out your bottom.
Revas growls, "This isle, sar, she likes me not!" He spits over the rail into the sea.
Rhyll turns to Revas and says "What would you suggest, Mister Revas?"
Revas snarls, "I'd suggest, sar, that the Captain gi'orders t'slow the boat..."
Rhyll smiles at Revas and says, "I will if you promise not to lose them."
Revas grumbles. "Shan't lose 'em, sar."
Baj says, "Perhaps we should bear wide, Captain? Wait for them as they pass out of the shallows to the north-west?"
Rhyll says, "Not a bad suggestion, thoughts on Mister Mirko's idea?"
Revas says, "Beggin' the cap'n's pardon, but this ain't no fancy Port Kalida debatin' salon. Sar!"
Rhyll glances at the fleeing ship then turns to Baj and says, "Reef sails, let's slow this ship down and go in after them. I'd not like to lose them going around."
Baj moves to the chart table and traces a line with a big fingretip to a point northwest of Azora Cay, "If we cut west-by-nor'west and then tack back to the north, we will catch the best of the wind. It will take us a half league further, but we take no risk in the shallows and should be here just as out prey clears the shallows."
Rhyll says, "Revas, what say you to Baj's plan? Or are you not the expert you claim to be?"
Revas says, resignedly, "Mister Mirko, what's me bearin'?"
Baj says, "Make your wheel west by north-west, Mister Revas!"
Revas says, "Aye, sar! Hard'a port and smartly now!" His wiry old arms spin the wheel, and the great ship's rudder turns the ship west-northwest.
Baj steps forward to the railing above the main deck, "Erris! I want every inch of canvas up! Let her run, boys!"
Rhyll walks up to Baj smiles claps him on the back ."We're counting on you on this one, Mister Mirko. We'll have a lot of unhappy lads if we lose those ships."
Mainsails, topsails, and every top gallant is piled into place, the riggers working like monkeys in the ropes to untie, open and unfurl.
Baj returns Rhyll's smile, "Aye, sir." He pats the rail as if the ship were a cherished pet, "Give her two turns of the 'glass and we will be alongside those bluecoats."
As the pair of ships enters the shallows west of the Cay, the escort tacks hard to port, piling on sail and gaining speed with the wind as she does so. Then she rounds to further to port, headed west to match your course. She is clearly turning to engage, but now she is to starboard, aft of you, and almost on a parallel course. The merchant vessel continues on her way towards the dangerous shallows.
Deeshon says, "The fighter, sir, he's turnin' on us! But the Amoret, she's headed north, sir, into the shallows!"
Rhyll turns to the wizard and says, "Master Almira, is there anything you can do from this distance to slow that trader down?"
Almira shakes his head. "At this range, very little, I am afraid. As such, may I go below and rest until such time as I am needed?"
Rhyll says, "Belay that! We still have the escort to deal with."
The marines on the Sword of Strom, now half a mile off your starboard bow, and closing, line the rail. Archers in blue clamber into the rigging, but are still too far for a good shot. A ship her size has six or maybe more scorpions down each broadside, and another aft.
Erris tells Candra, "I make at least thirty marines on that deck, boss. I can take 'em."
Baj says, "Captain, do you wish to engage the escort quickly or make them chase us?"
Rhyll says, "No, we had better take them out. I'd rather not have them attack us from behind. Make sure the archers are ready." He looks to the wizard again. "Better start conjuring that fire ball of yours."
Baj says, "I have a trick up my sleeve, sir, with your permission, of course."
Rhyll looks to Baj and says, "Do you plan on sharing it with the rest of us?"
The Reckoning slams hard down as she crests a tall wave. She is packed full of sail, and in these seas, it makes for a rough ride even for those with your sea legs.
Baj says, "Just before they come within range of scorpions, a sharp turn to starboard and a quick change of sail should bring us right in behind them. We shall cut the wind from their sails and then turn again to attack from their stern. There is not a crew on the waves that I would trust to do it other than this one, Captain, but these men can do it."
Rhyll says, "Well, it looks like this is your show today Mister Mirko, make sure you coordinate with Mister Revas."
Baj smiles at Rhyll, "Aye, Captain."
Revas says, "Aye, sar! The ol'girl's full of fight today, I can tell ye!"
Baj moves back to stand beside Revas at the wheel, "I assume that you overheard my words with the Captain, Mister Revas. On my command, make your wheel hard to starboard. As we pass astern of her, make your wheel hard to port and slip in behind the bastards, we will cut her legs out from under her and the boys below will take her lungs.
Revas asks, clinging to the wheel, "Cross i'front o'her, Mister Mirko?"
Baj says, "Nay, Mister Revas, astern."
Revas sets a finger beside his crooked nose. "Aye, sar! Awaitin' your command, sar!"
Despite the rolling deck and crashing waves, Baj moves about the deck as if he were on dry land. He steps back to the railing and calls up to the rigging, "Mister Erris! Are your lads ready for a challenge this fine day?"
Erris' red mane flashes in the morning sun. "My lads fear no man nor beast, Mister Mirko!"
A spray of water splashes across the quarterdeck, soaking all who stand her. The charts at Revas' side are soaked and tumble from the small table where he had them tacked.
Catching his balance, Rhyll ducks down to retrieve the charts for the old pilot.
On the foredeck, Benning bows his head in prayer to Ardis, a small circle of the more devout pirates gathered around him.
Baj laughs aloud, "I knew as much! On my command, I want you and your lads to spill the wind from all starboard side sails and then re-set them as quickly as you can. We need to be quick about it and catch those bluecoats unawares! Can you do it?"
Erris says, "Aye, sir! All right, lads, on the sign, reef starboard sails. Any man slow on the draw answers t'me! Get in place, now!"
Talon grabs the rail to catch his balance.
The Sword of Strom is on an intercept course now, her own sails full like yours, her bluecoated sailors and marines ready for action. She's making good way, being smaller than you are, she seems swifter. She barrels down on you, angling in on a nearly parallel course, her weapon ports opening and six scorpion being run out. Another few scant moments and you will both be in firing range.
Baj moves back to stand alongside Revas, watching the Sarrik escort closely, "Smartly now, lads! Here she comes!" He calls to the men below decks, "Mister Dacien, all crews ready!"
The Reckoning rolls on the rough sea and another spray of water soaks the quarterdeck. Revas spits salt water on the deck, gripping the wheel.
Baj calls out loudly, "Steady!"
Rhyll stands back and takes pride in the efficiency of his crew.
Almira steps to the rail, readying a fireball spell.
Baj yells into the tops, "Now, Mister Erris!", simultaneously snapping his hand out to starboard as a signal to the aging navigator, Revas.
The Sword of Strom tacks hard to starboard, turning her six port weapons on you. It's a fine sailor at the helm of that ship.
Revas seizes the wheel and pulls, using his whole body to turn the helm hard to starboard.
Dacien yells to the weapon crews, "Run 'em out, lads! Make it sharp!"
Rhyll braces himself against the rail and yells, "Take hold, lads, Mister Mirko and Revas are taking us for a ride!"
Erris' crews reef the starboard mainsail and topgallants, pulling in yards. The Reckoning wheels so hard to starboard her deck angles dangerously to the right, threatening to dump crew into the sea. The Sword of Strom shoots past you, as you angle in behind her stern.
Rhyll grabs hold of the rail just in the nick of time.
Baj grabs ahold of the railing, swaying as the deck pitches hard under his feet, "Now, lads, pull them all tight again! Mister Revas, hard to port! We've got her!"
Talon clings to the rail and barely avoids being pitched over the side.
As the Sarrik vessel angles past you, her side weapons pointed in the wrong direction now, her single aft scorpion levels for a single point blank shot at your hull.
Baj yells to the men below, "Port side! All weapons, fire!" On the roll, the port weapons of the Reckoning loose a shattering broadside into the stern of the escort with sounds like thunder. Seven scorpion bolts slam into the sterncastle of the Sword of Strom.
In return, the Sarries fire back their sole stern scorpion, and it strikes the Reckoning just above the portside waterline, piercing the timbers there.
The sterncastle of the Sword of Strom is shattered, broken timbers and dead bluecoats spilling into the ship's wake. She charges west as you angle north. You are now within bowshot but will pass out of range in a moment.
Aloft, on the Sword of Strom, bluecoat archers take a bead on the men in your own rigging, hoping to slow your own maneuvers.
Dacien snaps out commands, "Step quickly, lads! Reload, reload!"
Baj says, "Archers, fire!" Prilehn's gang of archers loose their deadly shafts in a high arc, raining down on the Sarrik vessel.
Rhyll calls, "Master Wizard, fire when ready!"
Baj says, "Aim for the rigging, Almira! Set her sails afire!"
A rain of Sarrik arrows rains down on the Reckoning's deck. Rhyll and Baj sidestep the incoming missiles. Baj says, "Prilehn, fire at their archers! Now!"
Dacien calls out for the ships' carpenter, "Otho! We're takin' damage below decks!"
Almira raises his hand, resembling nothing so much as a vast bird in white. An orange light glows there. He brings his arm back and tosses the fireball, and it races out over the water, then arcs into the Sarrik rigging and explodes.
Baj says, "Mister Revas, keep us in line with her stern and prepare to turn hard to port on my command, we will give her the starboard broadside and leave her for the currents."
On the quarterdeck beside Talon, there's a thud. Erris slumps at his feet, fallen from the rigging, an arrow in his chest, blood staining his silken tunic. Talon rushes to Erris to check his vitals.
Almira's fireball explodes in the tops of the Sarrik ship. The ship's crow's nest catches fire and you can see a pair of sailors dive for their lives overboard, cannonballing into the sea.
As the Reckoning turns starboard, the range between the ships opens. The smaller Sword of Strom wheels to port as the sea carries you apart. The Sarrie ship trails a cloud of smoke and fire, obscuring her position, but you can see frantic shapes racing back and forth on the decks. Her port broadside, turning to face you, is still fully loaded.
Erris coughs blood onto Talon's shirt. He's badly wounded.
Baj says, "Mister Benning! We have wounded shipmates!"
Benning is forward, leaning over some crewmen there who were hit by the Sarrie volley. The Sarrik marines aimed at random, hoping that the arrows would drive you under cover.
Talon checks Erris' wound and prepares to remove the arrow.
Baj says, "Mister Revas, make your wheel to follow in her wake, we will finish her off and then go collect our prize!"
Revas calls, "Aye, sar! Hard a'port! Reef the port tops'l gallant and make fast y'r sprits'ls!"
Otho calls to Dacien: "Mister Dacien, we've a problem, sir!"
Dacien says, "Aye, Otho, what's th' trouble?"