After thoroughly enjoying Quent for nearly a week, and even having an opportunity (for those interested) to watch the inaugural event of Saph and Ronnie's Ladies Wrestling League, the Night Talon raises anchor and sets sail east for Port Peril. Besmara smiles on the voyage and the three days pass smoothly with clear skies and a fine tail wind.
By evening of that third day the Talon is moored once again at the docks of the bustling Port Peril, and her crew are free to work or play as their captain sees fit.
Having already spent most of his money, Paddy spends most of his time sniffing around for the captain with the sunken ship.
When his investigation doesn't work out, he heads straight to the one-eyed hag for the waitress, Kristen.
Once back in Port Peril, Murillo begins tracking down one Felnas Seaborn.
Paddy is greeted by Kristen with a smirk and a large tankard of stout with a heavy shot of whiskey poured on top. After her shift ends she invites the dwarf upstairs for absolutely no sleep at all.
Murillo does some asking around and learns that Felnas Seaborn is no longer in Port Peril. Apparently he struck a deal with one Captain Quince of the Merman's Spray to go after his sunken treasure. Quince is a bold, perhaps foolhardy, young captain looking to make a name for himself, and the deal he made with Seaborn was generous enough that many suspect he plans to simply murder the elf as soon as the wreck is found. They set out for Oyster Bay only a day before the Night Talon made port, and the Merman's Spray is a keelboat (a significantly slower vessel than the Night Talon).
"How much do we like this Felnas fellow, or dislike Quince?" Aersten muses out loud. "We lookin' to rescue the one from the other, or just get the treasure, no questions asked?"
"Don't give a rats ass about either really. I don't break my word once given, but no word has been given at this point so playing it all by ear is best. Felnas has been in port for a while trying to get a captain to help him out. A while with plenty to drink and loosen the tongue. We should see if we can wiggle any tidbits about where they are headed to see if we can catch them unaware."
The Ulfen nods as the captain outlines her intent. "About what I figured. I'll keep some ears peeled. Mine, others, I ain't picky," he grins as he heads off.
Hedy will also ask around in hopes for a bit of something.
Hedy asks around about this Captain Quince and his Merman's Spray, scrunching her nose at the name, a mock offense of her delicate sensibilities. She is looking for tactical and nautical information mostly.
Hedy learns that Quince’s greatest strength is his boldness. The Merman’s Spray is a keelboat, a rather slow, flat-bottomed vessel that’s notably smaller than the Night Talon. Much of the success the ship has had thus far is owed to the captain’s boldness as well: slowly sailing towards larger, faster ships that don’t consider them a threat then hoisting their colors and attacking the unprepared vessel at the last moment.
Aerin goes with Hedy while she goes looking for information regarding Captain Quince and his ship Merman's Spray. Not because she's particularly adept at gathering information but because she feels uncomfortable with the Captain wandering around on her own and, having grown up on her father's ship, she is used to following a captain around as that was what her father had her do to keep an eye on her when growing up.
Hedy grabs a quick meal with Aerin, cause might as well eat while you're fishing for information. A clam chowder so creamy it makes you melt and some bread which is just passable. Then she is ready to set sail again.
"Ready as I'll be, Captain."
Aersten happens to be nearby when Murillo learns of Quince's bargain and he asks about the terms. There is no "going rate" in the Shackles for helping a captain who survived a wreck to salvage his cargo, but their consensus seems to be that taking anything less than two-thirds or three-quarters seems too generous to be true. The table of half-drunk dockhands providing the information can't agree on the exact terms they heard were set but most believe it was only a quarter or half of the haul.
Quince beat us to the deal, but sounds like his ridiculous ship should be easy prey for the Talon.
While Hedy gathers more information Murillo returns to the ship and makes sure the crew is ready for a quick departure.
Once the crew are all aboard, the Night Talon cuts short her time in Port Peril and speeds north along the coast. There's no need for navigation as they skirt the mainland heading towards Oyster Cay.
Late in the afternoon of the second day of the voyage, Crow spots a ship on the horizon that could be the Merman's Spray. Some excitement builds among the crew as they close the distance, but in the early evening their pray turns hard into the harbor at the small town of Oyster Cay. When the Talon follows it in shortly thereafter, they discover the ship they were tailing was, in fact, the one they sought.
Assistant Harbormaster Hargraves, who is apparently a cousin of Culder's*, makes only a cursory inspection before collecting his two gold pieces and welcoming the Night Talon to port. From her berth, the crew can see sailors disembarking from the Merman's Spray and heading into the town.
"'Ey, ow's bout we do a wee bit o scuttlebutt? See what dey're up to, what deir weakness is, if de hElf is even dere? Mayhaps we learn where dey're 'eadin'?"
"Sounds like a lovely plan. I'd imagine they went to the tavern, but we can ask around a bit." Hedy sees to it their crew will be on their toes in case a quick leaving is in order, then gathers the officers for a reconnoiter.
"Right good." Paddy says "I bes at de bar if ye be needin' me."
And thus Paddy and Jerk head into town. He doesn't bring his armour, but does bring his weapons.
Oyster Cay is a small town, with a population of a little more than a thousand. Walking through the streets, however, it feels even smaller; there are surprisingly few people out and about, and among those who are there seems to be a tense, apprehensive mood. There are two big inns on the main road from the docks through town--the Whore's Embrace and Borrin's Better Beds and Buffet--and music and laughter spill out of both in sharp contrast to the town's general feeling.
"The locals seem on edge, Captain. I'm going to find out why while you size up Quince and his crew. Might be something we can use to our advantage."
Aersten throws a few coins around, buying drinks and listening to what comes of it.
In asking around, Aersten discovers that few people in Oyster Cay know Quince at all and those that do know him by reputation, not personally. With so little connection to the town it’s unlikely that he has any direct stake in whatever’s going on.
Hedy nods to her first mate as he goes collecting secrets "That other captain sounds like a Whore's Embrace kind of guy, so I'll start there." any are welcome to join her.
Paddy has already stumbled into Borrin's Better Beds and Buffet to satiate his hunger and talk with anyone he can clink a tankard with.
"My plan was to go with you, Captain Bogg, but maybe I should go with Paddy instead. I thought I heard him grumbling something about not having a lot of money. " Aerin looks to her Captain for permission to follow him, but if she says no Aerin won't push it.
"A gold piece to sit an eat? Are ye mad!? Does ye tink a sailor bes earnin a gold piece e'ery morn? I ain't payin a week o 'ard work just so ye's can sit on yer ass ol' man."
”I can give you directions to Wally’s Worse Wares, sir,” the older man offers to the dwarf, “if this establishment is too upscale for your budget.”
Aerin comes walking about this time and overhears a comment about the place being too upscale. "Hello Paddy, let this be my treat, okay?" So saying she places two gold pieces in the man's hand along with a silver. "Here, maybe you can look into getting a new coat." She says with a slight trace of sarcasm.
Hedy gives her agreement with a nod and a whisper to keep their Paddy out of trouble, if possible.
At the Whore's Embrace, Hedy takes in a deep breath "Ah reminds me of so many nights that we not my own. Makes me REALLY want to kill someone."
Instead, she goes up to the ugliest worker in the place and produces a gold piece from nowhere "So my pretty, want to go someone a little more private?"
"Miss Aerin, you's a lifesaver." Paddy replies. He steps into the bar, and would have given the old man a stink eye, but his eye patch is on the wrong side for that.
To Aerin, he says "Do ye 'ave a plan, lass? Else I'm just gonna do me own thing."
Jerk chuckles as he considers what kind of trouble he can get into.
Smiling at the compliment Aerin answers his question. "No plan Paddy, figured I could sit back, learn from the master, and help with some coin when necessary."
Meanwhile, Jerk hangs out with Aerin, and spends some time mooching from the more relaxed patrons eating.
Paddy grins and sets to work. By work, he means drink and party as much as he can, and get to know everyone in the bar. If that includes what he's looking for, great, but otherwise he's just going to have a good time.
Once you're alone and the questions begin, she chuckles and answers, "ah, so you're one of those... a talker." She sits on the edge of the bed and relaxes a bit. "I suppose that's easier work than most. There's new folks in here most nights. This's a small town, sure enough, but we're the last real port b'fore the Sodden Lands, so we get a fair bit of traffic passing through. As for an elf... we don't see as many of them. There was one through tonight though--a handsome one--but, uh... you may be outta luck there pretty girl: he's off right now with Arnot, a muscular, well-groomed Taldan man."
Paddy’s antics draw a few of the other rowdier patrons to congregate at his table. They eat, drink and, laugh together, and exchange stories about exploits at sea. None of the other diners seem to know much of anything about Quince or the Merman’s Spray, but one of them apparently is somewhat familiar with Captain Seabreeze. His ship, Deadly Wind, was a two-masted sailing ship with a crew of twenty or so. Felnas rowed into port here with five other survivors after the ship went down.
Hedy shrugs "The devil's luck then in that. Still, it is good information to have. Would you be willing to earn another coin to point out which room beongs to that muscular well-groomed Taldan man? I promise I'll be gentle if that worries you any."
"Business is business, love, and I'd never mess with yours or even Mara's, since your voice doesn't spit hate at her name. I Promise you, that is not my intent." the raven-haired captain assures the woman, with all sincerity.
"I'll keep an ear out until the fun is over and knock politely.
If he'll listen, we can have a pleasant chat. If not, I can get my answers away for here."
Hearing the name Felnas, Aerin tries to talk to the person who mentioned him, hoping to get information regarding his present whereabouts. However, it seems that she can't get his attention so she suggests a different course of action.
"Paddy, this place seems to be a bust, maybe we should try somewhere else."
Paddy sways over to Aerin and places a hand on the back of her waist. "I likes busts! Aerin, lemme tell ye, busts are... well the t#&& me ducky. Bucket fer me."