"Oh, you know, pretty well. Can't find many good places to go swimming these days... you know of any? How've you been?"
Bjorkus laughs.
"I'll have to tell Opal about that. Will you and Royster be able to defend Tidewater with just the ballista atop the keep? The Rock's tough but I managed to conquer her..." the bull says with a playful rumble.
"Well, I doubt anyone else would try your method. We still have out contingent of guards. We can take care of ourselves."
"I've been alright, son. I sit here and do what I love to do. If you want, I've got some fresh trout we can cook up for supper. You do love to swim. So whats the news in the outside world?"
"Sounds delicious. Cheliax is probably going to invade soon, so we're deciding how best to stop them... other than that, not much."
"There's always someone tryin to invade someone else's space. Not surprised."
Kal nods. "Anything happening here? Heard any rumors, or just the ones the fish tell you as you catch them?" Kal smiles at the older man.
"There's been a few, but it's all heresay and rumor. Some people think there are Cheliaxians running about. Can you believe that? You kids these days and your odd clothing."
After a couple days of 'catching up' with his wife, leaving his haggard and exhausted, Bjorkus finds Kal and returns to the the Storm with Opal via teleport.
"Odd clothing? What do you mean, Sal?"
"Nothing, just being a cranky old man. Don't mind me, I'll just sit here and remember the old days."
===============================
Days later you arrive at Firegrass Isle and you find out Merrill is at a tavern in the city of Goatshead. You find him drinking the day away at the end of what was a baudy joke. "The Aristocrats!"
After gathering up the party, Bjorkus leads the group toward their quarry.
"Aristocrats? That's gotta a big joke."
"Ah so ze know a good joke when you hear one." Merrill turns around to address the voice. "Ah it is my old friends from Squibbs. How are all of you?' He gets up to give everyone an all too friendly hug.
Bjorkus returns the pirate's affection and then gestures to his party.
"We've been busy: Conquered the Rock, won the regatta, hosted a legendary feast for the Council, dealt with a tiny saboteur, and now we're building an army to confront Harrigan."
The bull pauses for a moment to let it all sink it.
"Ah so the usual.... What?" Merrill has this incredulous look on his face. "Have a seat. Let us talk. You are confronting Harrigan? For what reason?"
"We've been lookin' for a reason to take him out but we've been busy pirating. Recently we really pissed him off and it looks like he's come to settle things for good. Word from on high is that he's gathering a fleet to come for us."
"Ez that so? And let me guess, you would like my help? You can count one me, my furry horned friend." He reaches out to shake the bull's hand.
Bjorkus meets the offer with a crushing grip.
"I'm glad to hear to it my funny talking friend."
The bull looks around.
"So what's there to do around here?"
"Any good places to swim?"
"Funny talking? Vhat do you mean? And that ez by far the most random question I have ever been asked." He replies looking at Kal.
"Just humor him. The boy likes to swim."
"Ah I see. I suppose there is ze whole ocean and ze inner sea, but nothing specific. I am sorry."
Kal looks over at Bjorkus and shrugs, clearly disappointed in this character.
Bjorkus meets the offer with a crushing grip.
"I'm glad to hear to it my funny talking friend."
The bull looks around.
"So what's there to do around here?"
"Why you can do vhatever you wish. This is one of ze free-est islands in all the Shackles. We do whatever we wish, despite what that Council thinks."
"I'm lookin' for specifics. No gladiatorial arena, Calistran whorehouse, or haunted ruins? the minotaur asks.
"No, of course not. I mean ve do have ze whores here, ve are civilized. But nothing exciting like you are telling me."
"Sounds like a pretty boring place. No cursed springs either, I suppose?"
"Cursed springs? Of course not. Vhat fool would want such a thing?"
Bjorkus gives Merril a bovine frown of disappointment and gestures to his friends. He leaves a scrap of parchment with the rendezvous location.
"See you again on the open sea. Know anyone else lookin' for a scrap with Harrigan?
"Vell, if you can beat him in a game of cards, there ez a scoundrel named Pierce Jerrell who haz just acquired a small fleet of his own. Last I heard he ez in Port Peril."
"Sounds like that's our next stop then. Thanks again Merill."
The party is easily able to ask around and finds the pirate known as Pierce Jerrell at the Riptide Alehouse. He is at a table, cards strewn about the top with two women hanging off him and three frustrated looking opponents across from him.
Zirul leans over and whispers to Bjorkus. "The competitors look like most guys after you steal their ladies."
"I think he did that too." Luthor says nodding at the women.
Bjorkus chuckles, "Most don't have the guts to complain around me."
The bull clears some space and approaches the table.
"Pierce Jerrell? We heard you were a man that has a bone to pick with Harrigan."
"I don't hold grudges against anyone. Life is too short for that. Is there a reason I should?" His three opponents get up and walk away from the table while his groupies eye the bull.
"We're looking for pirates with the goods to stand up to Harrigan. A mutual friend, Merrill, vouched for you. Or is card games all you're good at?"
"Heh. Nice attempt at egging me on. Is there a reason I should waste my time on that lowlife, besides you asking me to? I assure you I am good at much more than cards." He replies looking at his women who just giggle.
He wants you to tell him why you're going after Harrigan and why he should care. He has no personal reason to help. So why should he?
"We heard you have a fleet and we want it at our side", Bjorkus explains.
"What's your game?" he asks with a glance at the cards scattered across the table.
"Five card me, I mean stud." He chuckles at his own pun. " But I can play cards anytime. Why don't you give me a tale. A tale to tell in taverns."
Bjorkus taps his furry bovine chin in thought.
"Have you heard the tale of the Isle of the Empty Eyes?" the bull asks with a glance at his companions.
"No, I haven't. Do go on." Pierce orders another drink while he listens aptly.
"It all started not far from here, when a group of skilled and fearsome pirates were gifted an island to settle and build on. They were told the Island was uninhabited but it was not..."
The bull minotaur goes on to tell the whole tale, from swarms of dragons, to the lonely nereid, to the ruins full of ancient and deadly cyclops.
"Not bad I must admit. Did that all really happen?"
"Not only did it happen, but you're looking at the folks who lived a tale most pirates could only dream of. I'd say this bull here has had more women since the events on the island than most people have their whole lives."
Zirul grins that same lopsided grin. "And any pirate worth their rum ration knows that women in these parts follow two things more than anything else: power & money. And I'm sure that we'd all like more of that."
The half elf then shuts up and lets the bull talk again.
Bjorkus chuckles at Zirul’s addition and then gives Pierce’s women a knowing glance.
”So what’s it going to be? You wanna be a part of a legend or stay in here playin’ games?”