Once back at the ship, Seijiro's mood lightens and he smiles with a glint that reaches his eyes for a change... he grins at Ana and nods toward Variel... "Free captains with a letter of marque!" He does a little jig, and leaps up, clicking his heels together before landing gracefully. "I think though we may have made a few enemies," he says, sobering. "Those fellows in black and red were obviously against us from the beginning... I wonder if they were there just to heckle us and try to defame us. Not a huge leap to guess who might have sent them."
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Afte Horatio's speech and Bonefists positive spin on it Variel strides forward to claim the letter of marque. Once tha is obtained and the at dismissed Variel looks at none of the other pirates as he calmly moves amongst them. While he is not stupid and knows that at anytime he could be beset upon by any present especially after the realization of their mutiny , Variel also knows to show no fear. Outside though he relaxes visibly. This is done. Let us return to the Lady and warn all of what has transpired here. We have what we came for but may be in more danger now than ever before. We must warn the crew doubly so when they go on leave. looking at everyone, Yes I plan on letting them have their leave but it will be in shifts and in groups.
Amen-set stands by Horatio as he takes a long pull from the cheroot cupped in his hands, a proud gleam in her eyes as she watches him smoke.
She looks at Ana for a moment, her head cocked.
”My hatey-a' said more than he might; but none of his words were that of a coward.”
”He stood before many in a hard place, yet he showed great courage by speaking manfully of how all claimed their freedom and the King of Corsairs honored that courage by honoring all before them with title.”
”What more needs to be said than that?” she says with a proud voice.
We have what we came for but may be in more danger now than ever before. We must warn the crew doubly so when they go on leave. looking at everyone, Yes I plan on letting them have their leave but it will be in shifts and in groups.
Horatio turns to Variel.
"If we have what we came for, why are we sticking around?" he says.
"We came for one purpose; we accomplished it."
"Why not just get out of town tonight? We can be back at The Rock in a few days, or if the lads want to cut loose we can head back to Little Opperra instead and be there in less than a day. What's keeping us here now?" he asks Variel.
"We promised the crew shore leave, and they should have it... it seems wrong to come to such a place and not allow them a brief respite."
I don't know if it is that simpler horatio. It is true what Jiro says but there is more. Someone wanted us here and for a purpose. News of this will get out soon and I hope that whomever is pulling strings reveals themselves air lets something slip. For now we must play the hand we have been dealt.
Horatio looks at Variel.
"I think it is that simple. We came for the purpose of becoming Free Captains."
"We accomplished that."
"The crew want "leave" after two days of sailing they don't want to be on a ship any longer? Come on," he says with a shake of his head, as if he doubts that this is the real reason and instead suspects something else is going on.
"Look, if the crew want to drink and whore and get themselves a good case of the clap then why not let them sleep their drunk off at Little Oppera instead?"
"That's less than a day away and despite the possible danger of this place, I don't think our situations improved."
"Unless there's some other real reason that's a problem?" he asks, studying Variel, wondering what the real reason is; not entirely sure he trusts the answers.
"I haven't had any shore leave time either and I had some personal business I wanted to take care of as well... I was hoping with the other officers all having time off the ship, I'd be able to take some while the crew was having shore leave... " he sighs... "I have things to do here that can't be done in Little Oppara"
Ana smiles and nods saying Yes it seems wise to stay at the least until we are able to find out the identity of our mysterious benefactor. She says with a slight twist of sarcasm.
Horatio turns to look at the sudden presence of Ana and gives her a long look.
”This place is trouble, and even though I figure it’d be a hell of lot safer to get out of here, suddenly I have a feeling that the gods themselves want us to stick around until at least tomorrow for some reason,” he says eventually.
He turns to the others.
”Well, I guess it’s back to the ship, then.”
"I have things to do here that can't be done in Little Oppara"
Horatio looks at Seijiro and nods.
”Yeah, I hear that. After all, I got my own errands to run in the morning, too. Here's hoping that tomorrow I get a little more done than I did today. But I guess we'll see how things turn out when we have more than just eight hours."
"Unless, of course, some crazy adventure drops in our lap at the crack of dawn before we get the chance to split up and explore the town individually for our own private adventures," he says with as he stares at the star covered with a scowl, as if daring the gods to do that very thing.
"I would love to see the Dread Lady versus the Wormwood again. Who knows maybe there will be an opportunity in the very near future."
Something in the way Kerdak Bonefist had said it gave Rain pause to wonder if he would instigate such a challenge and soon. Rain watched as Variel stepped forward to accept the Letter of Marque and she wondered what her grandfather would say when he heard they were deemed Free Captains. When Kerdak dismissed them, Rain happily complied, eager to leave Lucrehold. She did not say a word until they had reached the docks and the Hurricane King's servants left them.
Rain contemplated the hecklers, the only men who seemed eager for them to fail before Bonefist. When Jiro mentioned they could be deemed enemies Rain was quick to agree. "I think the hecklers will retaliate. Both Jiro and I turned the tables on them; giving them enough reason to retaliate when they think we're least expecting it. They seemed eager for us to look the fools. We should also discover the names of the hecklers."
Rain listened to talk of shore leave for the crew and officers. She had to accompany Dhaavan in the morning to make further inquiries into the messenger ship which came to Tidewater Rock. She would not have time to herself this visit to Port Peril, but it was wise to leave once the crew had taken their shore leave.
So it was settled that they would stay and uncover the identity of their mysterious benefactor before setting sail again.
Rain contemplated the hecklers, the only men who seemed eager for them to fail before Bonefist. When Jiro mentioned they could be deemed enemies Rain was quick to agree. "I think the hecklers will retaliate. Both Jiro and I turned the tables on them; giving them enough reason to retaliate when they think we're least expecting it. They seemed eager for us to look the fools. We should also discover the names of the hecklers."
Horatio glances at Rain.
"Finding the names may be a good plan, but I got a hunch that even if we knock off the particular lads who made the jibes that their crew in general might be a problem."
He thins back a bit to the guys who jeered at them when they beat the giant at the duel, then thinks again of the folk who been wandering around at the harbor when they came back and studies Rain a moment.
"I seem to remember the bulk of the one's that did the jibing to have colored sashes; black and red, I think... wouldn't that mean that group is all part of the same crew?" he says thoughtfully.
"If they are part of the same crew, that would also mean that they likely serve the same captain, and that maybe they're going to be a problem for us later in general."
He glances around at the others, then back to Rain.
"I'd like to know who's flag they serve; and by that I mean "Ship's Flag"... Who their Captain-General is. We may see more than a few hecklers in town, too; and by that I mean, whenever it is we leave Port Peril we may end up seeing their flag on the horizon," he muses after a moment.
Horatio glances at Rain for a moment as he takes a long draw from his smoke.
"That reminds me; when we get back to the ship," he says glancing around, as if there may be spies near the fortress who have an interest in listening in "I think you and I need to have a chat about some stuff," he says, then glances at the others.
"Of course, anyone else is welcome to listen in, too. But I figure that it will interest the Pilot-Major more than most," he adds with a shrug.
Looking to Flynn, she simply concurred, "Aye, let's find out which ship they belong to. Their colours may be known in town or by the dockmaster himself."
When Flynn lowered his voice and asked to speak with her on another matter when they returned to the Lady, she responded quietly with "Aye, we can talk and any other interested in hearing your news, Flynn.", her gaze brushed Variel for a moment, believing he should hear what Flynn had to say as well.
"Well, that went much better than I thought it was going for a moment, and aye, those fellows in black and red worry me too. Course, that could because when I see those colors on a flag, I think Cheliax and I never did like those devil kissers"
So the black and red are the colors of the Hurricane King himself but you find out that he has quite a large fleet so no one seems to know who they are based upon your description.
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The next morning you all receive a letter by way of a small street urchin who hands it to Rain who was on deck tending to a hitch in the wheel. The letter is addressed to the Captain and Officers of the Dread Lady. The seal is one you are familiar with: A royal flush of hearts over the three dagger symbol of Calistria.
When you break the seal you see the following letter within:
Most gracious greetings to Free Captains Nightstorm, Fellwind, Taneththir, Flynn, Hakamura, and Bluuth
Tales of your exploits have reached my ears and I have found myself intrigued by the prospect of meeting with you all. To this end I would like to invite you to dine with me at my townhouse tomorrow evening at 8 bells. You would do me great honor if you would come and I look forward to seeing you on the morrow.
Sincerely yours,
Lord Captain Tessa Fairwind of the sloop-of-war Luck of the Draw, Mistress of Quent and Motaku Isle
Horatio looks at the letter and nearly chokes when he hears the titles, then he regains his composure, a wry grin on his face as he considers its meaning and the titles.
”Well, if I’m not mistaken we have roughly thirty-six hours before this invitation with the good "Mistress of Quent" goes down.”
He chuckles a little and shakes his head at the title, then becomes serious.
”Meantime, I guess before we even consider doing something like that meeting her I suppose we should all keep in mind that – now that we’ve got that letter of marquee – that having a formal and public “celebration” in which we all go to a very popular tavern this night, officers only, to celebrate properly,” he says with a somewhat doleful sigh.
He shakes his head and moves on.
”That should give us roughly twelve hours until we celebrate tonight to go out and get things done,” he adds.
”What do you all think?” he asks the others.
Ana chimes in and says Yes, victory should be celebrated with revels! Congratulations to you all!
Ana chimes in and says Yes, victory should be celebrated with revels! Congratulations to you all!
"Huzzah!" Horatio says with as much enthusiasm as he can manage about the celebration.
"But anyhow, that's for roughly 8:00 PM tonight, I guess around then we can go out and celebrate."
"Meanwhile, what's to go down with the rest of the day?" he says to the others.
Seeing the invite, Adular scratches his chin, "it smacks of politics, which may make me want to slit a throat before we're through, " He sighs, then perks, "But a bit of a celebration is a good idea until then."
Aye indeed, mates! we'd best not turn down such an invitation. Calistria, tho... Weren't you mum one of that goddess's priestesses, Adular? Dhaavan asks.
And Rain and I heard about a bar to check out afore we meet up with the lady, called The Riptide Ailehouse. After we get done with the day, I say we hit that for dinner?
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Variel looks at the letter and detects magic on it just o see if there is any warding placed upon it. Seeing it safe enough to open he looks at the invitation and wonders allowed. Perhaps Tessa is the one who sent for us. She is highly connected and powerful enough to pull such strings. Yet why would she do this. Again we must follow the bait and hope we do not get ourselves trapped. What do you all know of Tessa Fairwind or should we ask around to find out more about her?
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At the talk of activities for the day Variel smiles, A rest and respite sounds like it is needed. We should all join in the celebration at this tavern that you mentioned. Keep men on rotation for watch on the ship but I see no reason that the rest and ourselves can not enjoy the night. Party and celebrate tonight, take care of business tomorrow during the day and then honor Tessa's request tomorrow night. Remind me to have the watch doubled tomorrow night just to be sure.
Now as to what to do for the rest of the day, do any of you have business that needs to be attended to? I myself am thinking to head out to see if there are any one that is not attached to a crew already that wishes to join with the newest Free Captains.
Aye indeed, mates! we'd best not turn down such an invitation. Calistria, tho... Weren't you mum one of that goddess's priestesses, Adular? Dhaavan asks.
"Was and is," Adular chuckled, "Advantage of a long life for her."
"I have some personal business in town, Variel-sama, if that's alright to pursue."
Now as to what to do for the rest of the day, do any of you have business that needs to be attended to? I myself am thinking to head out to see if there are any one that is not attached to a crew already that wishes to join with the newest Free Captains.
Horatio cocks his head and studies Variel thoughtfully.
"Getting a few extra lads sounds like a damn good plan to me," he says slowly.
"Of course, there are lots of ways to do that, though."
"That said, I think I'll try finding some folk to recruit myself," he says with a nod at the others.
He looks at Variel.
"That said, maybe we could work together on that plan?" he asks the Elf.
Let me know what, if any dice rolls you might need from me.
I'm assuming he won't be back from this until it's almost time to go answer our invite.
Perhaps Tessa is the one who sent for us. She is highly connected and powerful enough to pull such strings. Yet why would she do this. Again we must follow the bait and hope we do not get ourselves trapped. What do you all know of Tessa Fairwind or should we ask around to find out more about her?
Horatio studies the letter thoughtfully, recalling at least a map of the Shackles that he had seen before.
”Well, we know that Motaku Island is west of here, that much for sure,” he says slowly.
”More than that we know that unless this “Quent” is an actual fortress or some kind of estates, that she’s likely to be pretty frisky at least; possibly a charmer and good with either lads or lasses. That's something we may be able to put to our advantage, if we play our cards right,” he says with a smirk.
Turning a glance to Amen-set, he explains.
”See, “quent” is slang word used among many sailors for, um… well, a woman’s… well, you know…So a “Mistress of Quent”… well, she might be said to be a "Mistress of... physical intimacy", maybe? Unless maybe "Quent" is actually the name of her estates or something..." he says trailing off a bit awkwardly, then clears his throat an moves on.
”I’ll tell you this, too; the thing that we know for certain is that she knows us,” he says with a nod at the introduction.
”She could have simply wrote something like “To all of the Officers of The Dread Lady” or Captain Nightstorm and his chief officers” or any of that. But no; she has all of our names, and not just nicknames, or first names; but she has a complete list of all the officer’s Family Names. That means she has to know quite a bit about us. That means it’s likely she isn’t inviting to get to know us, I’d wager, but rather she’s inviting us to talk business with us on some point or other, and likely wants us to help her do a thing, if she’s willing to invite us to a fancy meal and drinks,” he muses.
”That being the case, I wonder what her business is specifically?” he asks, looking around at the others.
Tessa Fairwind is second only to Kerdak in power and far outstrips him in popularity. She is widely loved and respected in the Shackles for her shrewd plays at politics but also her carefree and rebellious attitude makes her well regarded among the pirates and buccaneers. She has a large fleet of loyal ships at her command, again second only to Bonefist. She is also exceptionally beautiful and charming, though a deadly foe, similar to the beauty of a hunting jungle cat with the same amount of danger.
Having accepted the letter from the street urchin messenger, Rain handed the parchment to Variel to open and stood with the others to hear its contents.
They were invited to dine the next night. The Mistress of Quent was a powerful Captain - second only to the Hurricane King - yet her reputation was better received among the seafolk.
Variel's conjecture that Tessa could have been the one to summon them to an audience with Bonefist was an interesting one and certainly if true, meant there was some "political manoeuvring" none of them were aware of. Did she seek some kind of alliance with them? Or had she simply been present during the trials and was intrigued by them...? As Variel said, they should attend the dinner and be prepared for an ambush.
Now as to what to do for the rest of the day, do any of you have business that needs to be attended to? I myself am thinking to head out to see if there are any one that is not attached to a crew already that wishes to join with the newest Free Captains.
"Dhaavan wanted to continue his inquiries into identifying the messenger who came to the Rock with our summons. I was going to venture out, along the docks, with him again, mainly as defence against any who would set themselves upon him. Unless he has changed his mind on this and has yet to speak of it...?" Rain's eyes glanced at the sorcerer.
"Thanks Jack for bringing the offer. I'm trying to learn anything I can about the fate or whereabouts of my mother, and of this Shanxia entity, but I'm not having any luck... I guess asking such questions SHOULD be left up to experts like Dhaavan... If he can help, I'd really appreciate it, thanks.. "
Seijiro spends the whole eight hours searching futilely for information. He returns to the ship, exhausted and dejected,
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After a long day attempting to execute a large number of dastardly plots and information gathering, you decide to make your way as a group to the Riptide Alehouse. As you walk in you are pleasantly surprised at the atmosphere in the Alehouse. It is relatively clean but rowdy and boisterous as well, in a friendly sort of way. The place seems to be a popular spot with freebooters and pirates alike as it is quite crowded even at this hour. You are able to grab a table when another group gets up, barely before another group who grumble a bit but move on without incident. A serving girl comes by to take your order for drinks and food, letting you know that they have a succulent sea bass with lemon butter and also a spicy jerk chicken stew. She also mentions, seeing the elves, that there is a very nice roasted giant mushroom cap and assorted vegetable medley in a light wine sauce. She also mentions that they have an assortment of wines, beer, ale, mead, and other drinks. After taking your order she smiles and says that she will be back with your drinks shortly. The place seems well run and you find yourselves beginning to smile and relax, at least as much as a pirate at port can relax. There is gambling going on as well as drinking contests, games of darts, and dancing.
Seijiro orders the sea bass and white wine...His mood is quiet and subdued after the day's failures. While he enjoys the place and the ambiance, he doesn't totally relax, remaining watchful and curious about others around them.
Seijiro glances her way surreptitiously for a brief moment, then looks away slowly, his gaze scanning the crowd casually. Keeping his head from turning, he rolls his eyes her direction again for a second then back to the folks at his own table. He leans close to Rain and whispers in her ear, knowing she can pass it on to Variel, and so on aruond the table...
"I just saw Harrigan's cabin girl across the room.. dunno if that means he's in town or what, but keep alert. We may have some trouble if he is. Pass it on."
If he hears of the spiking the drink, Adular whispers, "Wait, this girl trying to give a midnight kiss? Maybe to crimp a fellow against his will. Aint' that what happened to some of you lot before I came on?"
Assuming they confirm it, Adular adds, "I don't think she knows me. Want me to get closer and take a look see? Chat her up?"
"Adular good idea if you are careful, though you might not be known by her personally, there are probably other agents of Harrigan here, some of whom might have seen you last night at the gathering... You might be recognized, so there is a risk... are you sure you're willing? Maybe I should go... I can disguise myself as someone else pretty easily... Sadly, I'm not so good talking to folks, so you might be better at it than I am though. I'll leave it up to your choice"