The bright, hot, crowded dock was not a natural place for Aibek. Weaving through the crowd with the others, Aibek's dark eyes watched their shadows as relief from the painful surroundings.
Aibek quietly nodded with a measured smile to the captain as Ayreth introduced the witchwolf and wiped with a hand the grin and chuckle that threatened to escape on hearing Nigrum's serious comment on his mount eating the horses. I'll make sure to get my pack from the horse first then, after we see the rooms... Aibek commented quietly, having sent it ahead with the horses to make walking through crowds easier. The shadow creature longed to get out of the harsh light...
You find your cabins easily enough, and various supplies are placed in the hold. Your mounts are located on the foredeck, with special care paid to making sure Alerdene doesn't eat anyone or anything she isn't supposed to.
It doesn't take long for the ship to get underway, Whitebeard barking orders from the stern in a practiced voice of command. As the ship drifted out into the harbour waters a faint tolling of bells can be heard from the Halfblood compound. Zhen has finally died.
~~~
Two days later, with Khatapesh far behind, Whitebeard calls you to the deck. "A small problem seems to have appeared. One of those yellow-sailed scum is sniffing off the rear. They'll catch up in an hour or two. As per the contracted commands of the contract I am to consult you upon such situations. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Let's see if they're willing to parley. If they are not, then we'll have little choice but to see to it that there's one less yellow-sail in the wind, I supposed." Mihara suggests.
Azri looked up and smiled slightly. "I suggest you give us your expert opinion." she said, brushing off her robes a bit. "I'm afraid I haven't studied much in the way of directly offensive spells, so I won't be too helpful until they get close. Personally, though, I'd like to see about setting their sails on fire."
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Ayreth looks a little "green around the gills" for the first day or so before she finds her sea legs. Emmitt, however, seems to have no such issues. He wanders the ship and manages to leave each of the ladies at least one present of a dead rat.
When called to the deck and informed of the pursuers, Ayreth's eyes glaze over as she looks aft as if searching for the offending boat. She says in an oddly guttural tone, "CRUSH."
Nigrum comes fully armed and armored. Listening to those that spoke before, he looks at Mihara.
"They are slavers and pursuing us. Their intention is clear. Still I agree with Azri and would hear the Captain's suggestion and opinion of the matter first."
Selena is oddly quiet for the first day of the trip: even if she tries to hide it as best as she can, it's clear she's still shaken by Zhen's death.
When the captain informs them that a slaver ship is pursuing them, Selena stares at the yellow-sailed ship for a moment. Her disgust-filled expression is interrupted by a grin for a split-second.
"I, too, would like to hear your opinion first, captain. Although..." the half-succubus takes a gleeful expression "...I wouldn't turn down an occasion to bash some slaver's heads. I need to have some fun."
"My opinion?" The dwarf scratched his chin with a sound like a bristle brush against a wall. "We're no there usually the sort of tasty they like. Too small, too sharp, too fast. Smells wrong to me. Usually for one ship, we could run long enough to shake them or turn and give them some bite, but it smells like a trap, so for now? Keep going and wait to see what teeth the trap has."
"So they are planning to do something! Sweet." Selena giggles, rubbing her hands.
Come on, come here and let me have some fun!
Waiting for either Nigrum to go scouting or the slavers to catch up, she starts to stretch as a warm up.
He thought about it for a moment.
"If they are prepared it could prove dangerous. Siege engines are just as effective on Alerdene as on ships, just harder to hit. Not to mention if they have any magic on their side. Being a single target makes it easy to focus on us. So I would not risk scouting by air without knowing anything of what they have. Even basic ship armaments would be a problem."
Letting that sink in, he continues.
"Now if you want me to drop some alchemist fire or something like that on their sails. I could risk a dive and fly by. At those speeds we would be really hard to hit with anything, the down side being I could only make one pass. Trying the same trick twice won't work well, not unless their brainless. Which I doubt."
Azri quietly kept her gaze on the other vessel, looking for signs of anything the rest of them should be aware of. Being naturally perceptive helped. "...Well, they're probably here for us." she mused - it was likely everyone on-board had figured that out by now, so there was no point beating around the bush about it. "I suppose we'll just have to convince them of the error of their ways - I doubt they have any idea just how much we've grown in strength. Unfortunately, swimming was never something I'd practiced, though I may train just a bit at some point in the future. It might be fun to sneak onto their vessel from below."
"I'll skip on the swimming if I can help it. I've... never been all that good with water," Mihara replies. "I can't help but wonder what they're planning."
Aibek did move the pack from the horse down into the witchwolf's room, and had spent most of the two days travel so far sitting in quiet contemplation on deck in whichever part was most shaded for that time of day. While Aibek's brown skin and clothes made such protection from the sun less important than to others, the shadow creature felt pulled to it when the mind was racing. Really, hiding below deck would have suited nicely, but Aibek worries and the actions of the others pushed Aibek to have sitting in readied thought in the shade as a good compromise.
At the news of yellow sails, Aibek moved with quiet rolled footsteps quickle to a shaded spot where the witchwolf could watch the front of the ship with dark eyes. "I...would rather not swim either yet." Aibek agreed with Mihara quietly. If it's just on chance, even a desperate one, one ship will likely push us either into other ships or something else to deal with us instead of doing it themselves. If it is after us particularly, like the facillitator, even more likely, I would think. Aibek commented, thinking along the lines of natural hunting patterns.
Aibek, sitting forward in a shaded spot near the front of the boat, watched the sea with troubled dark eyes...
Aibek notices something to the west, in the direction you are going. A fogbank sits on the horizon, only just visible from where you are. Whitebeard notices the witchwolf staring and glances over. "That bodes not well at all. If they can hide in the fog..."
Aibek nodded as Captain Whitebeard spoke, and responded to Ayreth without taking dark eyes from the fogbank, "If it's one foolish or desperate ship trying to have a go at us, then yes it would, but if it's part of a group they're likely to use a one less threatening appearing ship to drive us where they can hide - like a fogbank. A predator tactic adapted to the sea..." the last sentence drifted off as Aibek pulled the cloth material around the head tighter, an automatic attempt to hide the slight twitch to the witchwolf's fingers and face as the wolf instincts came to the forefront of Aibek's thoughts...
"Well, I could always cast a spell to let me see through the fog and give directions." Azri suggested. At least, she was fairly sure she could manage that one. "I don't believe any amount of mist will be quite as much of an advantage as they'd like."
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"Can't we just 'lower the boom and trim the sails' or some such, and sail parallel to the fog? It isn't as if we're in a canyon," Ayreth asks stubbornly, just throwing out sailor jargon. "I understand not wanting to turn around and lose the wind, but surely we're not forced in one direction on the open sea?"
Selena nods at Nigrum's observation "Yeah, I see where you're coming from. I could technically fly to them, too, but it's dangerous, as you said. Can't we, I dunno, slow down and let them catch up to us before we get into the fog bank?" she asks, as clueless as Ayreth in how ships worked. The half-succubus ponders for a moment, then adds "And if they are waiting for us, they probably have a way to see trough the fog, too. Based on how that possessing-devil thingie acted, our enemies look really prepared, I'll give them that...".
They're still going to get crushed into bits, tough!
The dwarf nodded. "Aye, we can heel to and attack the one pursuing. They might notice and the vessels in the fog move to attack while we're pinned. Or we can sail into the fog and hope to go past or destroy the ones there before the one behind catches. I'd suggest against going around...we'll slow, since the wind is coming from the south west. If they have rowers they'll catch us."
"That would be good to use, Azri, they may have similar -- or they may rely on vision in a dark area they know well to be able to beat ours. Either way, heading through prepared seems out best bet to me". Aibek said, slowly rubbing hands together, remaining seated in a dim shadow with arms rested on knees, waiting for the darker conditions to come that would suit the shadow assassin better.
"I think I could only manage it for five minutes at a time, so just let me know when you want me to use it." the witch affirmed, carefully climbing up to a higher point on the boat so she could get a better view of the surrounding area. She didn't have many long-range abilities, but had every intention of doing the best she could.
"So we're charging trough?" Selena asks, jumping with excitement "I can't wait!". Staying on the deck, she keeps warming up, giggling once in a while at the tough of the incoming battle.
"Azri, could you warn me when they're close? I have a thing to do before we start kicking their arses." the half-succubus asks the quasi-Lich, retrieving a small clay pot from her backpack.
"Well then," Mihara says, drawing her short swords and moving to stand near the back of the ship, keeping an eye on the approaching foe. "Let's have some fun, shall we?"
"Will do." Azri said, waving cheerfully at Selena before turning back to look at the closing ship... and occasionally scan the rest of the horizon for signs of other vessels. She didn't know how many foes were there, but she didn't want to take any chances... and for now, just kept the best watch she could.
"All of you seem to be forgetting we have other considerations. The sailors will be next to useless in the fog. The same can not be said for those that prepared it. The fog could hide other dangers besides multiple ships, why do battle when you can rupture the hull with something hidden below the waves. I would rather deal with a ship on open water. If they pin us down then so too are they pinned and those with flight can be more effective. Should any ships come from the fog we will see them long before they reach us and adjust. We simply need to target their rudder or control wheel. With that destroyed or disabled they will be unable to follow us once we retreat. Going into the enemies trap is unwise, more so if they have a way to sink the ship effectively. They will be able to fish out who they wish or throw blood in the water, the sharks will do their job for them then."
Azri raised a hand. "Not clearing. Just ignoring. Personally." she clarified. "Powerful wind magic that could disperse the fog is a bit beyond me at the moment." Though she had no intention of allowing that to be true forever.
"What the gentleman says is true," Whitebeard added, "But much of it is a two edged sword. I doubt there whole crew can see through the fog. And if something hides beneath the waves they'd have no need of the fog, I suppose. We assume that the fog is stationary, but I believe there are some spells which move with the source, or they might be able to cast more until there is fog."
"Still," the dwarf continued, "Clearer views will allow us more shooting, assuming the one behind us doesn't hide in a fog too. On the other hand the fog has the potential to allow us to try and sneak past, assuming they cannot see through it perfectly." The captain shrugged. "Without knowing exactly what the enemy can do, it's difficult to decide which to try."
"I was thinking they may have placed the fog over a reef or sand bar, one being natural the other can be prepared with notice. Which they clearly had if they created the fog. As to the one behind us creating fog, that would expose the spellcaster to us. They would be the first to die. As to their crew having the same disadvantage, depends on the crew. Gnolls like the hyena's they relate with, have keener senses. Smell being greater then sight, they could find us easier that way without being effected by the fog."
He glances at the fog.
"Their is also the unknown number of ships. Their home port and city is on the same island of our destination. It would not be strange if they called a number of ships. Could this ship slip pass a blockade or more then two ships, even if it did. They already have shown an ability to catch up to us, what stops them from doing just that should we pass them? Only with greater numbers on their side then. Why not show them that the prize is not worth the price rather then letting the chase excite them and stroke their blood lust. The fog won't go anywhere, if it does we can avoid it all the better then."
Predators were not the relentless monsters many thought them to be. Most were opportunist and ambush specialist. Survival was gaining the most from the least amount of effort. Predators did not always bring down their prey. If the prey proved to dangerous or difficult to bring down, the predator simply left to look for easier prey. Gnolls and slavers were like that, the captain had said as much. If they bloodied the ship chasing them that could be the end of it. If not then the ambush party in the fog would be forced to abandon their plan.
Selena furrows her brow and concentrate, trying to follow Nigrum's reasoning. The only thing that was going on in the the half-succubus' head was the anticipation for the upcoming fight, and tactics looked way more obscure to her than usual right now. Focusing really hard, she tries to picture the situation.
"So what do we do? No slaver-kicking anymore?" she asks with a tinge of disappointment in her voice, having given up on trying to understand something as silly as strategy.
"Well, there be no sandbar there." The Dwarf looked slightly insulted that he'd steer them near such a thing. "And we'll either have to deal with the one behind us, driving us to the fog, or pull the teeth of those in the fog before dealing with the one chasing us. May I suggest you vote on which wish you wish?"
"My mind won't change, the one chasing us."
He had little concerns for himself. Anything that got with in reach of him would be cut down and while his senses were not the sharpest. He was fast and could close the gap of anyone able to strike him from a distance in fog. If things went badly he could escape on Alerdene, her senses made locating him a simple matter. But the others did not share his strength, a ship full of lives was not worth a gamble to him. Open water with equal terms was best for the crew. More so if he spotted the enemy captain from a distance or made it to the wheel. That would bring a quick end to the battle. Quicker then anything from the fog could close the distance.
"I'd go for the one behind us as well." Azri called from her perch up above. "It's usually better to face a known threat than take a chance with an unknown one."
"I vote to take out the one chasing us as well. It is foolish to charge towards facing an unknown threat. If the others come to attack us, then we will at least see them coming."
Selena looks back and forth between the fog and the ship behind them.
"Take out the one behind us, I guess?" the half-succubus adds tentatively. It didn't make much difference for her, but going trough the fog could mean that there was a chance they could get trough without fighting.
Wouldn't want that to happen!
_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_
As she said before, after a minute the half-succubus is back on the deck where the others are: her skin, now covered in a thin layer of a slick substance, shimmers slightly in the sunlight.
"Soooo, what do you think?" Selena grins mischievously, leaning toward Aibek and Nigrum.
It would impressive if you could hit a sandbar in the open sea, captain Aibek said with a frustrated chuckle.
Finally standing to turn and look at Nigrum, "If you want to ignore that such slavers pretty much only hunt with overwhelming groups, turn your back on what is more likely to be the bigger group, threat, and likely in charge of such a raid -- seeing as the runner is most expendable part of any hunting group -- and likely slow our trip further to avoid a fog bank we'll likely have to go into anyways because you won't change your mind that is imagining reefs and sand bars in the open sea but not that a slaver hunting party can not only wait in the fog while we run ourselves down on their runner but will then have a greater understanding of our capabilities and we will then have an unknown threat that knows us or then having a large group attack us from behind, so go for it. Aibek said with a nonchalant shrug and handwave.
But don't think those who disagree with you have forgotten anything just because we view the hunting that these slavers are doing differently. This isn't a sword fight or honourable combat, it's a hunt, we'e the prey, they have little care if we're taken as slaves or meat, and as someone who was raised, trained, and lived with pack hunters who are often hunted my whole life, successful prey that lives either gets out of the way or takes down the main threat. Seeing as we have to go that way anyway, so getting out of the way won't work, weakening and exposing ourselves on a runner before dealing with a very likely main threat seems an easy way to be an easy lunch...but you won't change your mind and we need to prepare for battle either way and since we won't need my eyes for the shadows in the fog, I'm going to go change more comfortably while we take the time to turn around... Aibek said, before stepping into a shadow, melding into it before quietly walking with rolled shadow footsteps to private quarters, taking a breather before changing for battle.
"As you prefer," the captain said with a shrug. He gave no hint as to whether he thought it was the better plan, and began to bellow orders. Soon the ship tacked into the wind, slowing and turning until the Lady Wave was moving towards the other ship. Thanks to sailing against the wind she moved slower than she had, experiencing the same problem as trying to run north or south, but that wasn't the point. The point was to make the slaver ship come to you.
No one had apparently sent that memo to the slaver ship, however. Yellow sails blossoming with the wind and oars banks beating rhythmically, the ship starts moving to avoid you. Not running, simply avoiding contact and weapons range.
At the same time the fog bank to the east followed. The gaps between the Lady Wave, the slave ship to the west and the fog to the east began to close.
Whitebeard looked on with a stoic expression. "East or west, they want to circle us for the kill. Going for the single ship meant the hidden ones come from behind." He glanced at the crew. "Prepare!" he barked, watching as the crew scattered to obey
With a sharp jerk on the rudder he twitched the Lady Wave into a sharp turn, sharper than before. At the same time the crew pulled on ropes and yanked pulleys.
The sails went slack...then billowed as the readjusted sails caught the wind, swinging up behind the single slaver to the west. It's rowers tired from evasion the Lady Wave began to catch her, once again propelled by the wind.
Soon you are within range. Realizing thanks to Captain Whitebeard's skill she couldn't make it to the fog bank and whatever the slaver ship heaves to, preparing to fight. A volley of arrows rained from both ships as the crews engaged.
"Prepare yourselves," Whitebeard announced calmly.
Aibek calmed down in the shadows while feeling the boat turning sharply around. A sigh ran through the shadow creature, longing for the darkness of the forest where even the unknown was comforting for the witchwolf.
As the ship finished turning, Aibek adjusted clothing and prepared nervously. With a deep breath, Aibek changed in bestial form. Looking down with amber eyes, Aibek frowned, the claws were still so large, gentle palms to face said it was still larger as well. Aibek had hoped that the issue had passed, or at least a less life or death situation to test and master them. Best to make the best of the situation, Aibek pulled the shadow around claws, and then around mouth. Hunting the hunters, Aibek had a bit of experience at that...though not at sea.
Aibek heard the captain's call to prepare. Aibek began returning, still walking in the shadows while approaching the deck trying to prepare mind for battle. Arriving on the deck quietly, Aibek tried to dodge a volley of arrows...
...but wasn't quite fast enough. A growl escaped the witchwolf's throat, caring for the wound quickly with instincts and clan member's voices ringing through Aibek time to hunt. Amber eyes stared at the approaching voice for a chance to attack...
"Woooohoooo! Weeeee!" Selena pirouettes around the deck, dodging the arrows they were shooting at them. The bloodlust inside her quickly silenced the thoughts about Zhen that had been haunting her for the last couple of days, and the symbol on the back of her hand started to hum rhythmically.
Retrieving her Dan Bong, the half-succubus motions her other hand to her lips and blows a kiss in the direction of the enemy ship.
""
for
Arrows rained down on Azri, and given her perch up high, she... didn't do very well in avoiding them. On the other hand, physical blows in general - and low-power, high-volume physical attacks in particular - tended to be less dangerous to her than they might have been to others. "Ow! I think that was my spleen!" she cried as she pulled one of the arrows out. She pressed a hand against her side and sent negative energy into herself to heal her body, even as she scanned the enemy ship to try and spot their leader. The vengeful part of her wanted to make that person run right into Selena's "embrace".
Mihara quickly scopes out the incoming volley of arrows, and merely takes a sidestep. The arrows embed themselves into the deck around her, but none touch her.
What poor aim.
Mihara draws her blades, and changes to her kitsune form, flashing a grin full of bright, shiny fangs.
"Looks to me like they chose the wrong ship to board." She comments.
Nigrum did not respond or go after the wolfkin when it fled. If it thought itself so superior then it could swim towards the fog if so desired. Others agreed and the choice was made by the most votes, whining of such things seemed petty to him. Had the others disagreed, he would accept it. It would not change his opinion any more or less.
He had made his way to where the mounts were stored, right before he was going to let Alerdene out and take to the air the arrows came down. With his battle honed reflexes he moved little, making it seem as if the arrows moved around him rather then his own movements being the source. It was a basic principle of swordsmanship among his people. Use the least amount of movement for battle, wasted movements would cost you. Be it stamina or your life. He had learned a number of styles and skills took that lesson as well, proving it's value.
With a opening he leads Alerdene out and get's on. Ready to take to the air and fall upon the enemy.
"If anyone wishes to join me, speak now."
He only had room for one more ally still if they wished to aid him in targeting the captain or wheel. He would not turn it away, the quicker the battle could be decided the better it was for them all. He could also understand hesitation at the prospect of being surrounded by enemies.
"I'll come along, but I don't need a ride on the birdie." Mihara calls out, calling forth her kitsune magic and slowly hovering off the ground. "We should probably take a third along. Who's with us?"
"You wish to fly over to a ship armed with so many bowmen?" Whitebeard shook his head wonderingly. "It might be wiser to wait until we grapple and then launch your assault, so they cannot focus on you in the air and have us to deal with. I have grown fond of the beastie, and have now wish to see it riddled with arrows."