"Are all we 'Captains' heading across? Leave Mr Kroop in charge?"
Aishe nods, "Diplomacy sounds like a sound plan, I agree. Let's fly a white flag and drop anchor near those steps, if they'll allow it. Then, we five can go ashore in one of the rowboats."
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As the group sails closer you notice that a parrot comes climbing out of the hold of the ship. It is the same parrot from Rickety's Port.
The colorful bird flaps and lands back down onto Charle's shoulder. It seems to have taken a liking to Charles.
The group raises a white flag as they quickly depart the ship in a small cutter, leaving Ambrose in charge while they are gone.
They land the small vessel close to the steps as they approach the tower. Within moments they hear calls from the top of the tower and a middle aged blond woman accompanied by an older man wearing banded mail and a salt and peppered handlebar mustasche.
The man soon hollers down. What is it that you want here at Tidewater Rock?
Charles, initially surprised by the parrot landing on his shoulder, grins, and scratches it on the back of its neck affectionately.
Aishe calls back, "Please forgive our intrusion. We are the captains of the Besmara's Fortune, which you see moored behind us. We have, of course, heard the adage granting good luck to anyone who can claim Tidewater Rock as their own; we were hoping to investigate and see whether it was inhabited." She pauses for a moment, then continues, "Seeing that it is, what options might there be for us, do you think? Could we make this our home port, venturing forth from here as needed or desired?"
"I'm sure we will be delighted, do you have any conditions attached?"
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Yes, to ensure safe conduct here one of you will volunteer to be our hostage. I promise that the hostage will be well treated as long as you remain peaceful.
Whomever you choose will step up to the footsteps of the keep unarmed and unarmored. Everyone else will step back 100 feet while Sergeant McCleagh secures the hostage and all of his belongings.
Lady Smythee says as she holds her hands out before her showing open palms.
"His belongings" Viviana grumbles, privately complaining at how sexist this women is.
Viviana confers with her companions in an undertone, making sure no-one else can hear before discussing
"This is a perfect way for us to sneak in, the rest of us walk into dinner, and have a perfect opportunity to take the keep from the inside out, whereas I am hardly affected by lacking arms and armor...its not like they can take away my hands. If she wishes to make you an attractive offer, then you can take it while I am a hostage, but if you opt in to launch an attack during dinner, I'm still free to handle myself"
"Dear Viviana, I would agree you make a formidable hostage. But if we walk the path of diplomacy skulking arround might spoil everything Aishe can achieve with honeyed words."
"I don't mind playing hostage, and I agree that having Lady Smythee on our side may outweigh our need to claim the rock."
Viviana looks puzzled "Nothing in what I said at all prevents the path of diplomacy...either you succeed with diplomacy, or, if negotiations fail or are otherwise unsuccessful, you have the advantage taking appropriate action without endangering a different hostage. I promise to be the perfect little hostage, at least until any hostile action is taken against, due to the actions of either party"
If any of that is unclear, I apologise. All Im saying is that she makes the best choice for a hostage. If diplomacy succeeds, the hostage is returned safely. If diplomacy fails, you have the option to take the keep via force without a defenseless hostage they might believe Viviana is. In either case, shes just going to be the hostage, shes certainly not planning on doing an heroics like skulking around the palace to find you guys.
Well Vivi-Babe, we all know your particular ... skills. And I can vouch that you know to.... behave. Well maybe you learn a few new tricks. I am in favor!
"I bow to your superior unarmed skills Miss Viviana, and will let my fantasies of being tied-up lie in wait for another time." Somia smiles, her eyes twinkling with humour.
Adressing Somia. "I bet Viviana is quite liberal to share her experiences. But I would be a bad friend if I would stand between a woman and her fantasies. But then maybe we can talk about this later. In a more private fashion. After all.... aren´t we... privateers?
Aishe calls out as Viviana approaches the keep, "There, you have your hostage. I hope we can be civil, moving forward?"
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Why of course we will be civil as long as you remain preacful.
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Within a few moments Sergeant McCleagh from up top comes down with two guards who grab all of Viviana's possessions and usher he inside, shutting the door behind them
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Once Viviana is inside she is escorted up a couple flights of stairs where she is slowly searched for any additional weapons or items. Once stripped of everything Sergeant McCleagh grabs her pile of items and leaves the room while the guards place her into a small cell. Within a few moments another guard returns with food and water.
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After about 15-20 minutes of waiting Sergeant McCleagh opens the front door once again. You may enter and follow me. Keep your weapons if you will but just remember that you are being watched all around.
Sergeant McCleagh escorts you to a room with a large oaken table and a heavy iron chandelier. An ocean breeze comes through the large window from the south. Sergeant McCleagh sits you down while 4 guards guard the room. Lady Smythee sits at the far end of the table. So what shall we speak of.
Looking at Aishe to start Jack offers his best winning smile.
Somia studies her hosts and contemplates their desires.
Charles remains silent and thoughtful, hoping no-one does anything rash, but perfectly willing to respond if they do...
Aishe, seeing the others looking to her, begins, "First of all, I hope that you don't think it rude, but I would like to discuss our desires plainly, without guile. As I mentioned earlier, we have all heard the adage regarding Tidewater Rock. Of course, I altered the wording slightly, to give you a better picture of our intentions. We have no interest in "breaking" this place - assuming that all goes well here today, of course." She pauses briefly to let the message sink in, then continues.
"However, we are up-and-coming free captains, looking to make a name for ourselves. If we were to be able to claim Tidewater rock as our own, we would command more respect, and would, therefore, be able to...ply our trade more easily."
"To that end, I would like to suggest, if possible, an alliance of sorts, whereby you and your retainers would be able to stay here, peacefully, while we sail the Shackles and make a name for ourselves." She pauses again, looking to see if she has, perhaps, overstepped.
Adding to Aishes word Jack continues."Do not get me wrong, it sounds like you get the worse deal. But that is not true. A save place to rest and respite, a place to take on water, a place to hear about ships is quite valuable to us. And we would be quite... grateful. Also, we think that you have some experience in this trade that we still lack."
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Somia senses Envy from Lady Smythee and Pride from Sergeant McCleagh
Lady Smythee snaps her fingers and in come 4 servants that bring in all kinds of food for your meal. A feast of boiled crab, butter simmered sturgeon, goat cheese and hard bread, washed down with copious amounts of ale and rum.
Lady Smythee places he hands in her lap. An alliance huh. What would this benefit me? You see I have not heard of any of you or your ship. My late husband held this island until that coward Harrigan killed him outright and tried to take his castle from me as he took everything else.
Stroking his beard Jack thinks for a moment and then answers."A very good question mylady. You have found the anchor of our problems. We seek a reputation and we hoped that an alliance would be beneficial. You need a strong ally, to help you improve your lovely, but at the moment desolate stronghold. You know we could offer regular income food and more, but you are also weary of our capabilities and our dedication. Do I see that right so far? So we have to improve our name, find a few juicy merchantmen to fatten the purse. Well how about the following. If you hear something you will get an even share. And if we get a few full cargos, we return and recontinue our neogiations. Is that acceptable?"
Charles shrugs, and pulls out a large chunk of bell, which he places on the table.
"You want a name? How about the fact that we recently permanently destroyed Whalebone Pilk?"
Aishe's eyes grow steely as the lady tells the tale of her husband's death. "There is no love lost between Harrigan and ourselves; Jack, Viviana, and myself were press-ganged onto his ship. We would welcome the opportunity to humble him...and more. Suffice to say, Harrigan would love to get his hands around our throats." She takes a small bite, chews, swallows, and continues. "That said, the others here have the truth of it. We have a number of things to offer you, not the least of which is a strong ship with an able crew. In the past weeks, we have defeated Whalebone Pilk, breaking the bell that kept his spirit haunting the Shackles. Surely we can come to some arrangement?"
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Lady Smythee raises her eyebrows at Charles and Aishe. Whalebone Pilk! That is amazing.
Charles notices that Sergeant McCleagh and the 4 guards break their composure as they peer over your shoulders to look at the piece of the bell.
Well with what you say and our mutual disagreement with Harrigan perhaps we might have something.
I have a counteroffer. If we are going to go into a mutual agreement then we need to have something a bit more certain than just our words at this table.
Charles raises his eyebrow in turn.
"What precisely did you have in mind?"
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Lady Smythee raises her hand towards Jack as she continues to speak to Charles and the rest of the group.
Well If I am to go about and agree to a mutual agreement then I will do it under one condition. Marriage under Shackles Law. She turns her head towards Jack
the full benefits of marriage to his or her spouse and
concomitant resources. Once the agreed-upon time period
is up, however, either party can choose to divorce simply by
stating as much, and each party returns amicably to his or
her own holdings with no further strings attached. This
was a particularly beneficial arrangement in the turbulent
politics of the Shackles, as a Free Captain could marry a
rival captain for a set period of time, thus ensuring that
her rival’s fleet would not take action against her own. If
love developed under such an arrangement, the marriage
could continue indefinitely if both parties agreed to it.
Looking as if a manatee just jumped on his lap Jack gulps for a moment.Mariage? What in Besmaras perfect tit is shackle law?
Looking at the lady for a longer time Jack in a totally diffrent light Jack just smiles.
I see...
"Ma´am, I am not sure what a shackles wedding is. I would like to know more. You know, I have heard many wonderful things of galtish woman. I won´t say aye now, because then you would know it would just be political. How about we have a nice long chat to see where we harmonize."
Aishe turns to Jack. "Don't worry about all that, Jack. It's more of a business arrangement than anything; a sharing of assets, as it were." She grins, "But should love develop out of such an arrangement, it could potentially go on forever."
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This is purely political from the start my dear man. if anything good were to blossom that would just be a bonus. Granted we will get to enjoy the full benefits of marriage to include the committment. You will also have the benefit as lordship of Tidewater Rock and access to
its resources and strategic position for the time period of 1 year.
Jack notices that Sergeant McCleagh is giving him a pretty hard look.
"Ma´am, I will do my utmost to make it a bouquet of flowers." What the heck would be a great wedding gift Jack ponders for a nice string of pearls or a nice locket they have plunderd to liberate as part of the working expenses.
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It is an agreement then. We shall be married for the term of one year certain. My dear Jack you will now have lordship over Tidewater Rock with access to all of it's resources at your disposal for the time period.
Snapping her fingers the servants bring in a small chest setting it at Jack's feet. Inside is your dowry.
Jack opens the chest to find a farglass and an iron shirt. They were my late husband's final possessions. I pass them onto you now. Though in th event of a divorce I will require them back in return Jack.
and allows clear vision to the horizon 3 miles away at sea
level. From atop a typical crow’s nest or 70-foot-tall tower like
Tidewater Rock, this vision extends to over 10 miles. Once
per day, the user of a farglass can activate a clairaudience/
clairvoyance effect upon any location seen through the
farglass’s lens. As long as the location is kept in sight through
the lens, the clairaudience/clairvoyance sensor can move with
the location. This effect lasts for up to 5 minutes.The ship's pilot also gains +2 bonus on init checks for any ship to ship combat
With a deep kiss on her hands Jack accepts the dowry. He then answers:"And I will try my very ...very best to make you proud and try to make this island a new home, the haven of a new brand of buccaneers."
Aishe steps forward. "Well, now that that's done, I don't suppose I could join one of your guards to go and retrieve our comrade?"
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Yes I am sure that is fine. Sergeant McCleagh will lead you to her. Over the next few days I will have the servants set up the formalities for this Jack. To finalize it all of course.
Sergeant Mccleagh turns to lead Aishe to Viviana's cell. Leaving the room he does not take his eyes from Jack the entire time.
Aishe strikes up a quiet conversation with the man as they make their way to Viviana. "Rest assured, Sergeant. I will make sure that Jack does not...take advantage of his new station. In addition, I'm sure he will be gone much of the time, leaving things much as they were before our arrival. I do hope that you can see that, and not make things...difficult?"
Somia has been watching the exchange from the sidelines, as tempting as it is to raise an objection and claim undying love for Jack she holds her tongue, eyes sparkling in amusement at the thought.
"Should we give you a little space for your honeymoon Jack?" Somia whispers quietly when she can get close to him.