You've had to dodge at least one bluebelly patrol ship, which you easily lost, tacking and zig-zagging swiftly away before you lost them in the cloak of night. Now the ship resumes her westward course, borne on the night breeze. Mazirin is due west of you now, no more than a few leagues. The great white light, at this remove no brighter than a candle held at arm's length, periodically peers out from the fogbank that shrouds the coast, blinking like the eye of a great creature.
Baj stands like a statue near the rail, eyes boring holes into the fog as he sways with the motion of the ship.
The Reckoning is too well-known as a pirate vessel to sail into Mazirin harbor like a great stately baroness. So you have two choices if you wish to travel there: anchor in the shallows just outside the entrance to the harbor, and then take a longboat into the city, or sail a short distance down the coast to a sheltered cove you've used before. then travel overland and enter the city from landward on the Marsh Road.
Revas puts her skillfully into the channel now, guiding her by landmarks he can see even at this distance. "Fine night fer sailin', Captain." he grins.
Rhyll says, "Time to make for the cove, Mister Revas. This fog has given us good cover, but let's not press our luck."
"Aye, Captain!" the old navigator grunts. He spins the wheel, turning the rudder southwards. The cove is no more than a hour south of here.
Dacien climbs the ladder from the main deck to the wheel deck and stands at attention, or something close, and addresses the Captain, First Mate and Navigator, "All watches are set for entering port. All stores and holds are secured, sirs."
Rhyll replies, "Job well done Mister Dacien."
Dacien says, "Thank you, sir."
Baj nods to Dacien, "Make sure that all hands are ready for entering port, Dacien. No slackers this day."
Dacien swallows hard, "Aye, sir."
The ship turns south and shadows the coast. The shroud of fog on this cool spring night hides many of the landmarks Revas would steer by, but the old man enjoys the challenge of piloting blind.
Baj turns back to Rhyll, "Will the Lady Izmeralda be accompanying us or will she remain aboard while we go to Mazirin?"
Rhyll stepping to the rail Rhyll goes on to say, "As for now I believe I will I will leave our guest where she is for the moment. But I may decide otherwise."
Deeshon calls from the tops, "Ahoy, Captain! Sail on the port bow!" It takes the eyes of an eagle to see anything in this gloom.
Because of the murk and fog, and the coastline nearby, distances are close and even Deeshon only spotted her when she was up close. The ship is no more than two bowshots away, headed in your direction. She will see you shortly, and there is nowhere to hide. Three tall masts, and hull painted blue. A bluecoat bark, by the looks of her, with a crew of a hundred and marines aboard as well.
Rhyll turns to Revas and says, "Make sure we aren't followed to to the cove Revas, chances are this ship hasn't seen us, but better safe then sorry."
Revas scowls. "Am I a wizard, then, Captain, or some Vorghol to disappear in the night like smoke?" he snaps.
Rhyll says, "Please do your best, Mister Revas."
Dacien rouses the last few men sleeping belowdecks, "Sarries off the port bow, ready your blades and stay outta sight." The pirates sleeping below deck rouse, wearily, and pad to their duty stations, weapons ready, grumbling.
Erris hisses at them. "Get the bows ready! This ain't a tea party! Get ready to board, just get ready!"
Revas grumbles and spins the wheel, as a hail calls from the distant ship in the night. "Ahoy, vessel. Stand to in the name of King Lucard! This is the King's Ship Warsprite. Identify yourself!"
Rhyll calls out: "Ahoy Warsprite! This is the tradership Gray
Gull! Hell of a night isn't it!"
The voice comes back across the gap: "Aye Gray Gull! We seek a ship called the Swiftsure out of the Yandar Isles, bound for Mazirin! She was with a second vessel, called the Kingsfire! Seen or heard aught of them, sir?"
The fog works to your advantage, hiding your men on deck and your true identity. It muffles the voice travelling from the Warsprite.
Baj spots Candra leading several men forward, sticking to the shadows. He catches her eye and motions for her to stay put.
Rhyll calls a reply, "Can't say that we have! We're heading south to Anghara and we try to avoid the Crimson Coast, not safe for honest traders!"
Rhyll calls once more, "We'll keep an eye out though to be sure, Warsprite!"
"Aye, not a fit night for a Reith!" the Sarry calls back. The two ships sail past one another, they headed north, yourselves headed south. "The Warrior sail with you!"
Rhyll calls, "And to you too, good hunt sirs!"
Candra looks disappointed as the Sarrik ship heads away into the foggy night, fingering the edge of her cutlass. She tells Erris, "I thought this new Captain was a fighter..."
Erris says, "He is a bit limp, but I agree with him on this one."
Candra shakes her head, not sure what to believe.
The blue vessel disappears into the night.
Koster grumbles to Dacien. "You woke me up for that?"
Rhyll considers his guest below and whether the ransom gold is worth the trouble.
Baj lets his breath out with an audible sigh, "I knew that Lady Izmeralda was hiding something. Where did that second ship go?"
The Reckoning heads south, bound for the shadowed cove.
Rhyll says, "Let's go ask her."
Revas turns the wheel, out of the channel, into the shallows. Now the going becomes more treacherous as the ship heads directly for the coast, the bottom nearer, the rocks closer. The tree-lined headland looms ahead, overtopped by the twin moons, and behind that, the cove. Only fishermen use this cove...or the most daring of pirates.
Deeshon calls down from the tops: "All clear, and all's well, Captain!"
Rhyll says to Baj, "Before we go see the lady, I've been thinking and I'm not sure either of your choices are good for bosun. Dacien is a good man, but he's a bill small for the job. As for Candra, she's a bit too vicious for the job. But we need some one quick, without you down there I 'm not sure the lads know who to take direction from. Anyone else come to mind?"
Baj frowns, "Before Captain Tyree made me Bo'sun, there were some that thought I was a bit too vicious for the job. Vendig about tore the door off his cabin slamming it after they argued. But Tyree had faith in me and showed me how to grow into the job."
Rhyll signals for Baj to follow him. "Let's see if our guest has refreshed her memory shall we?"
Baj follows Rhyll down to his cabin.
Candra asks Erris, "Think there's any money in this for us?"
Erris says, "Should be some spending loot, enough for a wild time! But you know it ain't going to be an even split all around."
Koster mutters over Erris' shoulder, "There'd better be. This new Captain of ours still has to prove himself."
Erris says, " It'd be the smart ting to do to throw us a bone, and keep us riff raff happy."
Koster smirks. "I like your attitude, Erris. A lotta people say you're a real bastard, but I never thought that."
Dacien steps out of the shadows behind Koster, "You wouldn't be inciting a mutiny, would you, Koster? That's a floggin' offense, y'know."
Koster whirls on the Tobon, surprised at being overheard. "Me? We was just talkin', wasn't we, Erris?"
Erris laughs and smiles. "Just talking...".
Dacien snarls at Koster, "You're always talkin', Koster. Too much talkin' and not enough workin', you ain't carrying your weight and you're startin' trouble fer those of us who do."
Koster murmurs. "I don't want no trouble with you, Dacien...And you don't want no trouble with me, neither."
Dacien smiles a smile that would freeze saltwater solid, "Koster, if I wanted trouble, you'd be wrapped in sailcloth and heading fer the briny blue deep."
Koster looks to Erris as if to say, get a load of the little tough guy. He doesn't say anything, and considers laying his hand on his dagger. "What d'you think, Erris?" he asks.
Dacien's smile fades in a flash, "Go ahead, Koster, reach for that blade and we'll see if you're as good as you talk. Or if you're just another one of Brixton's fancy lads that can't handle a blade without cuttin' hisself."
Koster glances to see where Baj is, relieved to find him nowhere in sight. He studies Candra a moment, a hulking shape in the darkness. You can see him wondering who Erris will side with.
Erris says, "I am always up for a fight, and sometimes over nothing. Is this a fight over nothing?" He puts a hand on Koster and looks Dacien in the eyes.
Tarquin, still guarding Izmeralda, opens the cabin door for the Captain and Baj. The lady is within, looking more rumpled for her three days of captivity, still in Dhazir silks. "A word, Captain?" she asks, meekly. "I am yours to command."
Rhyll steps in then gestures about him, "And how are your new quarters? I hope all has been to your liking?"
Izmeralda says, "They are less than adequate, but I expect complaints will avail me little..."Rhyll tkes a seat. "I'm so sorry to hear that. Unfortunately this is the best cabin available. I've a couple of things I'd like to talk to you about. How is your memory feeling today?"
Izmeralda makes a vague gesture. "This sea air makes reminiscing difficult...I find I look forward to landing soon."
Koster tells Erris, "He started it, Erris, you saw him. Accused me of slackin'. Me, of all people!"
Erris says, "Lets get a drink and fight another day."
Dacien motions for the crewmen to move back and give him some room, "Erris, I got no troubles wit' you, but I'm tired of hearing this Mazirene alleyrat talkin' behind the backs of the good officers o' this ship while he's hiding out belowdecks anytime there's work t'be done."
Erris says, "A few drinks and we can all be slackers!"
Dacien says, "If we're a crew, we do everything together. We fight together, we work together, we drink together and whore together. If need be, we'll die together, but I ain't gonna have a man in my crew that don't pull 'is weight."
Koster says, "Not pull my weight? Erris, you listenin' to this Tobon bastard?"
With a shrug of his shoulders, Dacien looses his spiked chain, "Bastard? Take it back, Koster, or you'll eat some teeth along with those words."
Erris whispers in Koster's ear: "I got some drink hidden! Let's pound a few down! We may need to fight at a better time then this, and for better reasons. I may need your help in the future, if you know what I mean!"
Koster scowls at Erris. He hasn't set his hand on his dagger yet, not sure if he can take the Tobon.
Rhyll turns and says, "Mister Mirko come in and close the door. Now tell me about the Kingsfire?"
Baj follows Rhyll into the cabin and closes the door behind him.
Izmeralda blinks, her composure cracked for just a moment. "The...what?"
Rhyll laughs, "Oh don't be so coy my dear. The Kingsfire. The ship that was accompanying you."
Izmeralda begins, "Where did you hear about that?"
Koster relents, "All right, Dacien. I'll take it back, hm? But you take back what you said about me slackin' and all."
Dacien says, "Koster, you stand up and heave around on a line once in a while and I won't ride your ass inta the deck. Otherwise, well, you and me are gonna have troubles, mate."
Koster narrows his eyes at Erris, then he looks back at Dacien. "All right, then. Mates again, no?"
Dacien loops his chain over his left arm and extends a cautious hand to the bigger man, spitting in the palm, "Mates, like alla crew of the Reckoning outta be, right?"
Koster spits in his own hand and shakes the hand of the Tobon. "Right." Then he whirls and stalks off.
Erris winks at Dacien and nods. "Cooler heads prevail." He slips off after Koster.
Rhyll smiles and spreads his hands, "Does it matter? Please tell us again about your mission of peace. But this time we'd like to hear the true story."
Izmeralda says, "Did I not mention that it was an escort ship? It must have slipped my memory, what with the stress of the Dragha and all, Captain. But she ran aground in the Isles and we were forced to abandon her."
Baj says, "Or perhaps the Kingsfire was a bribe for Bastien? A ship to pay him off, to keep the wolves from the gates of Sarrik's ports?"
Izmerelda shrugs. "The Kingsfire was well and truly sunk, I promise you."
Rhyll shakes his head, "Back to fairy tales I see. This may be as good a time as any to bring up my second topic. You see lad, I am beginning to think it may be too dangerous to ransom you. So if I can't ransom you what ever shall I do with you? Think hard on my questions my lady, I am running out of patience and good uses for you."
Dacien nods and looks around at the crewmen surrounding him, "We got no room for slackers in this crew. You wants your share, you works your share."
As Dacien speak to the hands, Vendig is sitting on a cask, smoking his pipe, witness to the whole altercation. "I've yer back, lad," the cook murmurs. "But ye'd best watch y'rself with that one. A dog's ne'er more dangeous than when he's kicked."
Dacien nods to Vendig and smiles, "Ever seen a slow dog corner a badger? Pretty it ain't."
Vendig claps Dacien on the shoulder. "You're full of piss and vinegar, lad, and that's how it should be. I've seen his type before. But the badger's nothin' against a whole pack. And Koster's not alone."
Dacien looks up at Candra and Deeshon, "I have a feeling there's more good in this crew, Vendig, and they'll stand against Koster and his cronies if the time comes."
Candra nods, reassuring Dacien that he can count on her.
Vendig nods, puffing smoke. "Aye. She's a good crew, Dacien. The Captain...I mean, Tyree...he kept the dogs like Koster around because they've their uses. But you never trust 'em too much."
Dacien nods, thoughtful, "The Captain was a wise one. Tyree, that is. Rhyll's a good man, but he ain't rightly old enough t'be wise yet, I figure."
Vendig gestures with his pipe. "So that's why we're here, then, lad."
Dacien nods again, "Aye, I guess it is, Vendig."
Erris and Koster slip away near the ship's foc'sle. Erris says, looking towards the rear of the ship where Dacien is, "You'd best serve it up when he ain't looking."
Koster looks at Erris. "What'd you mean back there?" he asks.
Erris says, "Lets be real! He had you at that moment. Pick your fights and pick your time. This ship looks weak to me. Maybe right for the taking in the future."
Koster smirks. "Me too. I thought I had a chance to get elected Captain...looks like I was wrong. A few more like us, though...one of us could be Captain instead of that Rhyll. How 'bout you, Erris?"
Izmeralda says, looking from one to the other. "I told you, the Kingsfire rests at the bottom of the sea." She toys with a ringlet of dark hair. "Is there something else you wish to know, Captain?"
Baj nods, sensing truth in this, but more to her words than she will allow.
Rhyll stands then in a scowl, says "I see. Well I seem to have no other choice then. Mister Mirko, how do you think our crew would enjoy me handing Lady Izmeralda over as a gift for them? Of course I will let you just her worthyness of such a gift first."
Baj says, "I'm certain the crew would be most grateful, Captain. It's been many a month.""
Rhyll says, "I'll expect you to take your time in judging the gift. I can count on you in this Mister Mirko can't I?"
Izmeralda narrows her eyes. "That's a bluff. You are not that sort. And even were it not...do you know what I formerly did, Captain, ere I was the Governor's mistress?" She was a whore, of course, at the Rose and Thistle. You all know that. "But I swear, there is no more Kingsfire. It was sunk in the Isles." She seems to think of something you said. "Was someone seeking us? Is that how you knew of the other vessel?"
Baj catches Rhyll's eye and smiles, "She tells the truth, Captain. So far as the fate of the Kingsfire. I'd wager that there are still things she's not telling us, but I'll lay odds that I can get the information out of her."
Erris says, "Captain? Hmmm, I don't really want to be in charge of much except for myself, but I can help lead a ship of men in seach of gold and fun! Sound good to you?"
Koster nods. "So the right man, if he was in charge...you'd back him? You know, I've watched...you're pretty handy with a sword."
Erris says, "Koster..how many more are of the same mind as us?"
Koster says, "A few, here and there. Friends of ours, surely, Erris." He spits on his hand and offers it to Erris. "Mates?"
Erris takes Koster's hand.
Revas calls out, at the wheel, "The cove, lads, dead ahead! Someone fetch the Captain and tell him we've arrived." The headland is to starboard now, the small cove opening up before you in the foggy night. A broad inlet, a shallow shingle of crimson sand, and no other ships to be seen.
Dacien pops up and waves to the navigator, "I'll fetch him, Mister Revas." He disappears belowdecks.
Vendig is bellowing at the crew. "All right, you scum! Don't stand around gawkin'! T' your places, you worms! Drop anchor, make the ship ready!"
Koster tells Erris, "I suppose we'd better get t'work."
Erris says, "Yeah, make it look good!"
Rhyll says, "What do you suggest Mister Mirko?"
Baj stands over the Lady Izmeralda, "She was a whore and is still, sir. A woman with brains that depends on her looks to further her career. I'm sure that we could work out an arrangement where she could retain her beauty if she were to provide us with the information we require."
Rhyll says, "Hmmm....sounds like nasty business. But seeing as she sees fit to keep secrets from us, I guess I have no choice but to agree. My lady won't you reconsider?"
Izmeralda, horrified now, lifts a hand to her face. "You savage...Do you realize who you speak to?"
Baj snarls, "You call me a savage, m'lady? I was raised in the house of a Sarrik noble and learned all that I know at his tutelage. My people know nothing of torture, that is an invention of the Reith."
Izmeralda recoils from Baj. "I've told you everything. I was on a secret mission to the Isles. I swear, the governor can back up my account, when you return me to Mazirin."
Rhyll says, "If we return you that is. You story just doesn't ring true I'm afraid."
Dacien knocks sharply at the door of the bosun's quarters, and pushes his head in the narrow doorway. "We've reached the cove, Captain."
Rhyll calls out: "Good man Dacien, please see to tying her up and making ready for landfall."
The young lady throws herself at Rhyll. "I beg you, Captain. The governor will make you rich beyond your dreams, with more dragons than you could carry in your hold."
Baj picks up a coiled line and ties a quick knot in the end.
Rhyll says, "That or he will have every bluecoat in his command hunting us. Tell me your true mission and perhaps I will reconsider."
Baj hands the line to Dacien, "Make sure she doesn't get loose."
She says, "Oh very well....Just let me out of this stupid cabin and I'll tell you everything! I need to breathe some fresh air."
Rhyll gestures Dacien away and offers the lady his arm, "Shall we take a stroll to the fore deck?"
Izmeralda slips her arm through Rhyll's. "Gladly." She seems relieved to be finally getting out of this tiny cabin.
Rhyll and Baj emerge on deck with Dacien in tow. Lady Izmeralda has her arm slipped through Rhyll's. She looks up at the sky and takes a deep breath of fresh air. Then she turns to Rhyll. "Captain, have you heard of Galin? Galin the Knife, later first King of Sarrik?"
Rhyll smiles as he leads the lady to the foredeck, "Some, but pray do go on."
Dacien trots off to attend to his duties on anchoring detail.
You have. Of course you have. A hundred pirate tales are told of Galin. He was an infamous buccaneer for decades before he became King. Looted towns up and down the Crimson Coast. Fought the Palladian Knights. Had a hoard of treasure bigger than any other pirate's. And lost all his treasure to a Dragha.
She says, "Perhaps my other tale would be more believable than this one..." she trails off.
Rhyll says, "Please continue, I love history.""
Izmeralda looks at Rhyll and Baj, She takes a deep breath and continues.