Isaac, at the wheel, tries to see if he can find a safe place to anchor the Shrike.
Isaac stares at the charts, and unbidden, a vague memory surfaces. Of an uncle...or cousin...describing how he evaded a couple Chelish navy ships off of the west coast of Rampore ( this was before the island became the dangerous island it is now ). Closing his eyes, he could just remember, ...Right on me they was...or on the horizon proper,see. I found me a right nice archip'go and slipped in nice and snug in a nice, hidden cove, see! Had a rock that looked like a bird, if'n you looked at it proper..."
Tracing his finger down the chart, Isaac stopped at a position not too far away, a small collection of islands.
A change of heading, some sailing and a sharp eyed lookout who excitedly pointed at a nearby island. In the fading light, all could see a promontory jutting out, looking like the head of a sea-bird in flight!
Entering a deep channel, the crew of The Shrike soon found themselves in a secure, hidden anchorage, with sweetwater and abundant fauna, on shore and in the water, for Cook to once again out do himself!
What a beautiful place. Diana marvels. She takes her meals above deck and offers to stand watch the first watch. I feel like being under the stars in this place. she explains.
Isaac sails the group into the anchorage, confident in its security. "Thank ye. On' o' me distant relations had us'd this plac' to hid' from Chel navy ships. So we shoul' be saf'." When it comes to activities, the Captain takes his meals on the deck (sitting next to Rosie, of course). When it comes to the watch schedule, Isaac says, "Ay'. An' I can be takin' ov'r aft'r Diana."
As Diana watches the stars, a number of crew approach her and reverently touch her hand or shoulder, asking her quietly for Besmara's blessing.
Isaac's prediction is correct. The anchorage's high surrounding hills and a curved entrance strait conceal The Shrike from prying eyes.
Those on watch see nothing but the occasional native animal on it's way through the nearby jungle.
The morning comes, grey and windy, and the senior crew know that noticing any Rampore ships will be more difficult in the flat light.
And so, after marking off the excellent anchorage on their charts , the crew of The Shrike continue their search for the Wreckers.
Continuing south along the western shore of Rampore Isle, The Shike enters an area of smaller islands and coral keys, testing their navigation skills in the blustery conditions.
No other ships were seen until The Shrike rounded a headland, and caught sight of another ship in the lee of the headland, at anchor.
A shout goes up from the The Shrike's crew, for the ship was another Rahadoumi merchantman! Plunder!
Those with sharp eyes can see the Rahadoumi crewmen releasing their anchor and frantically trying to raise sails to escape the approaching Shrike
Isaac peers at the Rahadoumi crew through his spyglass. After some thought, he says, "Mayhaps this be a fortun' in disguis'. We attac' th' ship an' th' Wreck'rs com' to us lik' sharks to blood. Ge' ready fer an assaul'!"
Through his spyglass, Isaac can see the Rahadoumi crew frantically scurrying about raising sail, but only on one side. Seems they'd laid up for repairs, until The Shrike caught them unawares.
The other ship, The Shining Star from what Isaac can see written on the hull, turns to slowly flee between a couple of tree lines atolls.
Down on the deck, the catapault and ballista crews stand ready, waiting for The Shrike to come into range of the merchantman.
The Shrike had carried a lot of momentum into the lee of the headland; rushing upon the slow merchantman, until the light winds slowed its progress some 250 ft away from the fleeing ship.
An over eager catapult crewman yanks his lever, sending up a stone high into the air to land with a splash some 100 ft behind the fleeing ship. As The Shrike continues to gain on the limping merchantman, the catapult crew chief loudly castigates the trigger-happy crewman!
The other ship's captain seems to be working miracles, as he has his crew ekeing everying possible out of every little wind gust. But, he's only delaying the inevitable, as The Shrike continues to gain ground...
'Ya know, 'tis could be a trap too. But well, 'ya only live once. - says the Dwarf, trying to push himself to help.
Jaina gets to work.
Isaac, despite the circumstances and the possibility of a trap, is determined to get this ship and it's plunder.
Edward's efforts aren't going smooth as with the others.
Diana prepares to bring siege to bear.
The deck of The Shrike is organized chaos as the senior crew call out commands; mostly to the benefit of the chase.
The Shrike eases into range, and then closer as the Captain pilots and Gareth directs efforts above in the rigging; The Shrike surges to within 100 ft.
As Diana assumes command of one of the forward catapults, her presence easing the nervousness of the crew there...
Diana takes place to the rear of the forward catapult, guaging the sea and wind. A few suggestions to the catapult crew, and she's satisfied that the catapult is ready; and a shouted command sends a stone hurtling up..up..then crashing into the deck of the merchantman, send men and wooden splimters across it's deck.
The catapult crew quickly winches the arm back down and waits for Diana's commands; and sends another rock , but it lands harmlessly to the starboard of the merchantman.
The other catapult fires as well, it's first stone also hitting the other ship's deck, near it's fo'c'sle.
Gareth runs around the deck, doing his best to help coordinate the crew and pull the ship towards its goal.
Jaina does her part to keep everything going.
The senior crew of The Shrike keeps the crew working hard and the pirate vessel bears down on the stricken merchantman.
The two catapult strikes seem to have completely disrupted the other Captain's efforts, and The Silver Star wallows in the surf...helpless.
The Shrike's crew cheers to see their prey laid low.
However, up near the wheel peering at the other vessel through his spy glass, Captain Silverman cannot share in their enthusiasm. He watches as the catapult stones hit the other ship...and something bothered him, but he just couldn't put a finger on what...
Frowning in consternation, Issac finally figures out what was bothering him: when the stones hit, wood was smashed and was flung around. The nearby sailors reacted as if they were hit, but through the spy glass, Issac could see the wood pass right through the sailors. Then, as he looked again, he could see the waves of surf....through the ship! It wasn't there! It was an illusion!
This realization hit him just as The Shrike rushed up astern of the 'pretend' merchantman!
It all clicks for Isaac in an instant. "D**n! It be an illusion! It be fak'!"
For Isaac up at the wheel, Diana behind the forward catapult, and Gareth a few feet up the rigging to get a better view, the truth of their situation hits them.
Isaac speaks true, the merchantman is a figment...but each can now see that the clear channel it was 'fleeing' down is also a figment! Below the 'waves' all three can see the true danger: a razor-sharp reef awaits The Shrike.
Collision is unavoidable, but if the Captain can heave-to...
When the truth of Gareth's paranoid observation becomes reality, Issac tries to bring The Shrike about, shouting orders and spinning the wheel in a last ditch attempt to avoid the oncoming reef. Unfortunately, in the heat of the moment, he spins the wheel in the wrong direction, foiling the efforts of the crew above and on deck!
For a moment directionless, The Shrike's momentum, the wind and surf all propel the ship onto the reef. A sound that plagues the nightmares of all sailors rips through the ship as the bow scrapes into and up onto the barely submerged reef. A screech and groan of tortured timber causes all crewmembers to blanch, until The Shrike comes to a sudden and violent stop flinging many to the deck and not a few out of the rigging!
The reef was clear as day now, likewise where once appeared a plain, sandy attol to starboard, now a ship at anchor, its crew already in water , clambering up the sides of The Shrike.
It would seem that the Wreckers have been found!
Jaina easily keeps her footing even as the Shrike hits the reef. She races to the ship's edge to repel boarders!
The Dwarf shakes with the ship and immediately falls flat at his arse as it crashes, barking insults to every single soul around him. He is very much extra grumpier now!
Diana falls to the deck, mad at herself for her misstep and her gullibility.
Despite his mistakes, Isaac manages to keep his footing. Seeing the reef turn into an anchored ship, Isaac shouts, "To arms! We be und'r attac'! I be apologizin' fer gettin' ye lot into this! Bu' allo' me to lead ye ou'!"
"What's there to apologize for, Isaac?
We all have 'those days'."
Edward starts an inspiring verse.
Accompanied by a summoned violin on a quick pace tune.
"Oooooooh, we've been here before.
So let them hear our roar.
When opposition shows its ugly face,
we kick it in the gut, put it in its place."
Initiative
Combat Order
Cutthroats
Edward (prone)
Isaac
?????
Diana (prone)
Jaina
Gareth (prone)
The Shrike wallows horribly as its keel grinds against the shoal,but the motion does not hamper the wrecker's crew, who swarm up and over the gunwales! The Shrike's crew, having wished for a fight, does not hesitate and meets the savage foe with blade and hammer!
As the swirl of combat engulfs the deck, Edward, Diana, Jaina and Gareth are each confronted by a snarling, enraged half-orc swinging his falchion with great vigor!
One of the half-orc towers over Edward, shouting, "Shut up yer singin'!! and hacks down at the bard with it's falchion tearing a hole in Edwards' hide shirt.
Another sizes up Gareth rolling around on his back and and laughs loudly at the dwarf's predicament, chopping down. But Gareth manages to roll with the blow somewhat.
The half-orcs accosting Diana and Jaina both hoot and holler but both swing too wildly, missing their opportunity to do any damage.
Edward carefully phrases a few words through his inspire, and vanishes from sight.