"It seems that I'm to remain as shorebound as Peg-Leg for a while, " the Groom says ruefully. "As Jim has noted though, the Bloody Fortune is still waiting repairs and it'll be a couple weeks at least. "
Tarmon tugs on his beard. "Given recent events and the near riot at the Seaside Market, it might be best that we get you all out to sea sooner rather than later. I think that I can arrange a loaner ship until your vessel is repaired."
Well I can hardly let my gang go on without me. It's all I Can do to keep them alive as it is.
"Fair nuff, jus send me on wi' a skin o' gin an' we'll get back tae doin what we dos. Jus make sure tha feckin Council knows what we dids an we ain't pariahs when we come back eh? Sick an bloody tired o' doin right an gettin sh1te on."
To the Groom "Understand matey... ye gots tae do what ye thinks best eh? Keep an eye on tha tub whilst we gone though eh?"
Kaul nods sagely at Dibbs' words;
"Aye. We ain't no one's patsies... leastways not once we find out we're bein' played like... Hur. Savvy Archy?"
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Tarmon nods, if somewhat wearily. "As agreed, the Council will take care of all the repairs and work on your prize. I will do what I can to smooth things over though it would help if your missions ended in a little less, um, spectacle. Go rest now, I'm sure you are tired. We have a suite of rooms available. I'll go secure a ship for you."
Dibbs parts with a "Sure matey... next time we'll jus let the boomer through eh? Bits an pieces o' Freeportians spread o'er be much less spectacle?"
Tarmon takes a diplomatic tact with the surly sailor bowing his head with sincerity, "I assure you, though they may not know it, the citizens of Freeport are grateful for your service. Please, take the suites. I will have some food sent up and see you once you are rested."
Servants lead the crew to the suites and bring in rich food and wine soon after leaving the group to eat and catch up on some well deserved rest.
Dibbs waves it off tiredly, though there is a modicum of acceptance of Tarmon's words. Once the servants bring the food, Dibbs asks "Some paper an a quill eh? - and ken ye sends in a lad tae take a message in a bit too?"
To Jimmer he adds "Worth sendin word tae the ship... I'm fer sendin a note fer Rafe... ye wants send summat tae yer scratch too?"
Servants dutifully retrieve the items requested and wait to receive the messages for delivery.
"'Fore I go putting pen to paper, I'd like a spot of clarification. What you propose is that while Fortune's at the yards, we and her crew (or such of her crew as is needed) take another ship to Shark Island for a reconnoiter. Does that sum it up?"
"What you propose is that while Fortune's at the yards, we and her crew (or such of her crew as is needed) take another ship to Shark Island for a reconnoiter. Does that sum it up?"
the Groom slouches into a chair pulling off his boots and socks and then wringing out his socks. "That's right, Jim," he sighs. "I'll be babysitting the Bloody Fortune while you all take on whatever awaits at Moak Harbor. I imagine Tarmon will provide what crew is needed for the ship he finds, but take what crew you want. I'd suggest perhaps Esteban and Rafe stay behind and Belinna being captain ought to stay with the Fortune as well. I'll be sleeping aboard, but may be working in town."
Jim nods and jots down a few lines, speaking of the business opportunity (and chance for more coin) while Bloody Fortune is still being repaired, and promising to bring the crew back in one piece.
Piping up somewhat confused "Eh? - we're headed fer dirty an wetwork an we's takin a crew along tae keep us bound up an grounded? Wouldnae it be easier tae leave 'em oot tha way? I mean... sh1te... things'll turn an it's a hell o' a shine easier tae get four guys out o' tha heat than a crapload more eh?" looking to Groom and Jimmer to see iffin he's making sense or not.
Jim nods. "You have the right of it, mate. That's why I was thinking that they'll get us there, leave us off, and lay low while we're doing what we do best."
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the Groom squints at Dibbets. "How else would you be getting out to Shark Island and back? I don't think Tarmon is familiar enough with the place to risk a teleport from what Roberts told me about the magic. If you get over your head so to speak, at least a well armed ship will be waiting close by for a fortified retreat. Whether you want to take our own crew along is up to you."
Kaul allows the tides of conversation to ebb and flow as was their want.
At Dibbs' point the brute grins and "hurs" to himself as he shoots Dingus an eager look;
"Be it by tele-port or o'er sea... Makes no difference... Once we're there we'll show 'em sharkies a thing or three 'bout killin... Right Lopps?"
Kaul chuckles menacingly and pats his axe with a nod.
"I expect they know plenty about killing, Kaul. We'll just have to give them some lessons in dying, hey?"
Shrugging Dibbs defers "Up tae ye then..." scratching out a shortish letter to Rafe explaining how no matter what anyone else says, Dibbets considers him in charge and he needs to keep an eye on things till they get back.
With the messages written and sent, the crew can finally catch up on the full rest denied them by the events of the past few days. Sleeping through to the next morning in the luxurious beds of the palace, the crew wakes to a breakfast fit for a lord including smoked meats, egg cakes with rich sauce, plentiful fruit and pastry, and kafe.
Tarmon shows up after the table is cleared accompanied by Sister Gwyllin. "Good morning. I trust that you have rested well," the Archmage begins. "I have secured Captain Roberts' own ship for the mission, the Black Dragon. It is a formidable vessel and you should not be bothered at all on the journey. There is the question of captaining with Roberts gone. Roberts' first mate, Kent, can serve or you may appoint the position if you wish."
Sister Gwyllin listens attentively. "Tarmon has told me that there may be evidence that the Aspis Consortium may somehow be colluding with the Sahuagin or at least stirring them up. It seems a dangerous game, but perhaps they see some advantage in disrupting the balance of power in the Shackles. There is a chance that some more information about Mother Lorelei may be uncovered so I came to wish you luck and provide these scrolls of water breathing that may be of use. They will allow you to survive underwater for eight hours." She hands four scrolls to Dibbets.
Cracking his neck after an ill sleep on too comfortable bed, the scents and smells of the table put Dibbets into a much improved mood. Fist deep in pastry and meat, he reserves a tankard of kafe when the table's cleared and Tarmon and Gwyllin enter.
"Aye, bloody sea devils are up tae summat fer sure an these'll help me mateys keep up." tucking away the scrolls. And to Tarmon's words "Are ye suggestin tha Dragon's up fer bein ours? - if not then I'd be thinkin best that Kent kept tha tricorne on his head."
"The ship will go to the Admiralty as Roberts willed it after his burial, but I'm sure Captain Kent will appreciate the gesture. Is there anything else you think that you might need?" Tarmon asks.
"If you have magic that would let us send you a message, that'd be a good thing. While I don't plan on dying on this voyage, it comes to me that Captain Roberts likely didn't plan on dying over lunch, and I'd like to be able to send you word of anything we find quickly."
Kaul's beady eyes glitter at the potential promotion;
"Hur... As much as Kent deserves it, we don't know 'im... Per'haps a Cap'n closer to the group might be in order..?"
The thug leans in toward his axe;
"What's that Lopps? Me!? Hur... I ain't considered it... Hur..."
Kaul mugs a grin at his companions, attempting to gauge their mood on his ascension...
Tarmon gestures and mumbles a brief arcane phrase and two scroll tubes appear in his hand, "Synchronized scrolls should serve. At least, if you get word out before you die. Otherwise, the Groom's speaking skull will be required." He moves the scroll tubes to opposite hands. "What is written on one scroll will instantly appear on the other and vice versa within an hour's time frame. They refresh every other day." He hands one to Jim and one to the Groom. "the Groom can pass any questions or information on to me."
He looks slightly concerned at the idea of putting Kaul in command, but leaves that to the others to decide.
"Kaul, mate, whoever has the hat's going to have to stay with the ship while the rest of us go ashore. Lanteri left her command, and look where it got her, hey?"
Dibbs pats Kaul on the thigh "Aye, plus Skylord says it's bad juju tae be Cap'n jus after tha previous Cap'n gets blown tae sh1te inna bomb... truth, it's in tha holy book innit Gwyllin?" winking and hoping the priestess goes along with the charade for Kaul's benefit "Best ye leave tha bad juju tae Kent eh?"
The priestess shrugs and replies, "It is wise advice anyway."
Kaul listens to the advice and nods sagely;
"Hur. Yer right... As Ol' Smiler Keefe used to say: Can't get yer feet wet in blood when yer standin' on deck!... Hur..."
With Kaul talked down from his sudden ambition, Tarmon wraps up. "When you are ready, I'll have a detachment of Guard take you by the Temple of Besmara to drop off the Groom before you head down to the Marina where the Black Dragon is moored."
Dibbets nods... before adding to Gwyllin "See tae emptying a couple o' bottles o' buttered rum intae tha salt next time yer near it eh? - 'Quantaince would thank ye... an' trim yer garters. Salty Dajobites about eh? and they'd love tae get twixt yer nethers." not entirely caring whether he makes sense or not.
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Dingus is a bit late coming down to breakfast, but it seems that at least some of his wardrobe from the ship made it with him, as he's dressed in an outlandish yellow silk robe with fur around the edges, cinched about the waist with a golden rope, and fur slippers to match.
"Oh Dear! Sorry I'm late. I do hope there is some breakfast left". He stares disdainfully at the mess that Dibbs has made with his meal, and steps towards any leftovers.
"I had a few things brought up by a porter, so I guess we can find one to take my things to the new ship as well".
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As soon as he can recover from the spectacle of Dingus, Tarmon responds. "So I see. That will be arranged. Your crew and personal gear should be already aboard the Black Dragon by the time you arrive. I believe Rafe personally saw to the safe delivery of your personal effects."
"So! There is much to do. Let's be at it then." Gwyllin seems to be hurrying you along and quickly takes her leave of the leering little heretic, but it's still near mid-day before the crew reaches the canted caravel that serves as Besmara's shrine with their entourage of four Sea Lords' Guard and a porter with Dingus' wardrobe. Dunny greets you with an enthusiastic "NARP!" and leads the through the driftwood pews to Peg-Leg's Quarters above the altar.
"Well Greetings, Mates! Tarmon told me you'd put an end to that pale snake's attacks on the gentle souls of Freeport. You're lifesavers, ya are. And something about a possible connection with the sea devils round Shark Island? You ready for wetwork and I mean aquatic, not merely bloody. I think you're more'n familiar with the latter."
Dibbs gives Peg-leg a neighborly tip of his imaginary hat before scratching away at some lice entrenched on his neck. He gives a generous chuckle and wink at the priest's thoughts nodding "Aye, up to our necks an swimmin seems like tha best way eh? And aye, bastard sea devils are in there somewheres... say, ye dinnae have anythin that might help iffin one o' tha crew or us gets bit by tha sharky bastards? Some kinda root or herb that might stop tha fester afore we gets the blood heat?"
Peg-Leg tugs his beard in thought. "Aye, the mooncurse. Roots and leaves is probably more your bailiwick than mine. Can't say that I know anything about that, but magic can help... not once the change has happened, at least it's far beyond my ability at that point. But when the wound is fresh, a prayer to remove the curse followed by a prayer to remove the disease should work. I've heard anointing the victim with holy water helps with the cure as well. Maybe all that silver that goes into making it has an effect?"
Kaul offers his own wisdom on the matter...
"Hur. Iffen we don't hav prayer nor 'oly water... Would choppin' the wounded limb stop the spread? Doc Lopp is always keen tae operate hur-hur..."
The brute taps his axe's handle with a leering grin.
Jim leaves off an offering to the Captain, the price of six bottles of good-quality rum. "For you and some of your congregation, hey?"
Peg-Leg shrugs at Kaul's postulating. "Maybe. Worth a try, I suppose."
"May not have much for the mooncurse, but here," he reaches into the pocket of his great coat and pull out the disguising eyepatch. "Reckon Kaul might be needing this again. According to the Shipping News the explosions in the Merchant District are being blamed on a bad batch of black powder. That's the official story anyway. Council voted to keep it covered up. I guess with everything that has happened of late, that may be for the best. But page 2 has a report on Pious Pete's death and mentions something about an assault by a serpentman and his metal-clawed henchman. Tarmon may be taking some heat for his mysterious appearance during the episode, but with the situation all fragile like, might be best if Kaul stay incognito until you all leave port."
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"Ahem," the Groom coughs conspicuously and then takes the eyepatch to stuff in Kaul's good hand as the thick thug seems to be daydreaming about lopping lycanthropes or perhaps gang fights in some fantastic distant space station...
"Seems we're saying good-bye again," the tall man in black says. "We can stay in touch with Tarmon's scrolls this time. I'll keep an eye on the Bloody Fortune and see her ready for when you return. Good luck and make sure that the Sea Devils and Aspis worms pay dearly."
Kaul snaps from his intergalactic dwam with a soft chuckle;
"Hur... Cheers mate."
The brute applies the patch and transforms into a rough looking sea salt.
"Hur-hur... Ye take care Groomy - I'll tell Kaul when I see's 'im! Hur-hur!"
Dingus takes a look at the re-skinned Kaul, and tsks...
"Here. Try this, it will make the disguise bearable".
Dingus takes the orange, red, and yellow swirled feather boa from his neck, and drapes it around eyepatch Kaul's neck, then steps back to admire his handiwork.
"NOW we're ready".
Jim chuckles at the effect of the decoration, then turns sober and grips the Groom's seawater-slicked hand. "We'll be sure to give them a few cuts and stabs for you, hey?"
the Groom tips his hat to Jim and Peg-Leg, Dunny, and the Groom see you off to the small detachment of Guard that escort you down to the Wharf. Your first impressions of the Black Dragon from the windy dock is that she is an impressive ship. A monumnetal figurehead carved of darkwood in the form of along necked, ivory horned and toothed black dragon about to release a deadly gout of acid identifies her from a distance. Besides the majestic figurehead, the ships armaments set her apart including two rare cannon on starboard and port broadside and a dozen swivel guns on deck. She's a warship that would rate highly in the Taldan navy itself.
Dibbs gives the Groom a knowing nod and tips hat t'wards Peg-leg. On the approach to the warship he gives an appraising whistle "She's a beauty orright..." before raising his voice "Ahoy there Dragon... few sorry bastards lookin tae come aboard"
"Yeah. This one appears to have a nasty bite".
Kaul admires the wrym like tub and its array of teeth;
"Hur... Mighty pretty like... Too good fer the likes o' us swabs hur-hur..."
"You've a point there, mate. She'll draw all sorts of attention, I'm thinking. I've an idea on that score, though. It'd mean a day or two on something little better than the raft we took from Cannibal Isle, but that's naught for such as we, hey?"
The Taldan looks to the heavens, considering.
Jim searches his memory of the charts from the area and realizes that the area around Shark Island is rough waters. South is the Cannibal Archipelago, west is Raptor Island. Besmara's Throne is nearby to the east, but other than that, Ollo is the only sizeable port on Shark Island and you don't think moonmad Captain Sorrinash will take a warship showing up unannounced very well at all. May be better to find a hidden cove near Moak Harbor to wait.
Coughing to clear his throat Dibbs calls out again "Ahoy there Dragon? Any aught a watch?"
Jim pauses to ponder the proper approach to the destination, but the others are eager to get aboard and such talk is probably best with the Captain Drake in attendance. At Dibbets' hail, Zossrov appears and waves down. A couple unfamiliar faces appear at the gang way and welcome you aboard the ship which appears to have nearly all hands busy finishing up preparations for departure.