If being an Ionian has a perk, it would be the stories. Many Ionain knew almost every champion's story and as child Vladimir heard those stories too. About Lee Sin, Varus and The Pit of Pallas, Door of Clarisse-which is the door Braum was using- , Lissandra and Black Ice... Long and interlocking with each other, more akin to the ballads than folk tales. The heroes were ever-changing but amongst all stories there was one particular character, a demon, appeared in a repeating pattern. Everytime a frog shaped gourmand came forth in the time of great despair. Sometimes it lends a hand in exchange for a precious thing, other times just tries to get the hero out of the way. But no matter what it did, Tahm Kech was always there. Like it carved itself to the minds of all storytellers.
So Vladimir knew how Kech lure those in despair, made deals with them then killed and feasted upon the unfortunate bastards. Other countries had boogeyman to scare children. Ionia had Tahm Kech. He being a native Ionian, Vladimir also knew killing it wouldn't be easy. The frog was around for a very long time, has seen the every part of the known and unknown world for countless times while killing and decieving for the whole time. It couldn't be old as Brand, but definitely peers with Galio and other "antic" beings.
In addition to all that, as if it was not enough, Kech also seems like it's bearing knowledge on the hemomancy. Not like Vladimir either. Platin haired hemomancer was aware that he had a limited knowledge on his magic since the only thing he could learn from was his late teacher while Tahm Kech lived in the eras that blood magic could openly practiced. On top of that it had lifetimes to learn.
It couldn't use it, that much Vladimir was sure of. Kech never portrayed as using any kind of hemomancy, so it shouldn't be able in real life too. But it must knew how to counter or repel the magic or there was simply no way Kech could stay alive after facing hemomancers. There should was a story about it, only if Vladimir could remember...
But as he was walking down to docks it had to wait. Vladimir needed his head clear right now, free from all worries that could cloud his judgment. Tahm's curse was important, but this meeting was too.
"Let's do it..." Vladimir murmured to himself when he saw the towering figure in near of the water.
Gankplank, the notorious pirate captain, arch nemesis of Miss Fortune was standing under the cold night air, a calloused hand resting atop of the gun in his belt and the other holding a sailor axe. The scars on his face was hid with a thick beard, while the upper part of it darkened under his signature captain hat.
" Will he come cap'n ? " The man standing beside Gankplank asked. His voice was gruff. He was a head shorter than the captain, yet could be still considered as tall and his face was just as scarred as Gankplank.
Israel Ben, the first mate of the Gankplank and quartermaster of the Fortuna II, was terrifying just as, more than for some people, his captain.
Gankplank shook his head without bothering to talk. The pirate captain was not one for the words, as long as he's not negotiating for money. For the truces or peace offers, his trustworthy axe was a far more effective talker than him.
" Crew thinks he can't be trusted. "
" Me neither. " Gankplank replied.
Israel smiled. " They intend to put this on vote. "
"We work with nearly every criminal in the fucking continent. " said Gankplank. " What's bothering the men ? "
" To put it simply, the employer. " Israel answered as he rolled his eyes to the crew's fears he found unnecessary." Khada Jhin. "
A moment later their talk couldn't went on because of the Vladimir's sudden appearance. Gankplank didn't made a move but Israel had no idea who the man in reds before him was. So he drew his gun.
Not that Vladimir cared the petty weapon or it's pettier user. He walked down to them with an arrogant smirk on his face. After having to find a way to deal with Kech, Gankplank didn't seemed that much of a threat.
"How you doin' captain ? " he asked.
Gankplank's eyes narrowed. " Vladimir? Where is Jhin ? "
" My partner had an immediate business needs to be taken care of. " Vladimir answered, shrugging. " So, you and I will be arranging the last moment details. "
" What business ? " This time the one who did the talking was Israel.
" Does it matter ? "
" It is." Israel answered. His gun was still on air, aiming to Vladimir. "Where is Khada Jhin ? "
Since he can't tell them what actually was keeping Jhin busy, Vladimir had only two options. Lying to these experienced liars or indimitate them enough to take their minds elsewhere.
" Captain, who's this man ? "
"My name is Israel Ben. First mate of the Fortuna."
In the blink of an eye, Vladimir turned to him. "Nice to meet you. Do you know who am I, mister Ben ? "
"One of them freaks." Israel replied, signing the League's lights far away, shining in the night.
Vladimir shook his head. Though he wished to crack that man open in two and show them how much of a freak he was actually, Vladimir had a business. "Correct. But mister Ben, do you know the other freaks residing in there ? "
Quartermaster looked Vladimir in confusion. " What does that mea... "
" There is a woman in there mister Ben. " Vladimir cut off Israel." Named as Fortune. Funny right? Just like you, she has some very questionable morals. Maybe your captain can tell you more. "
Gankplank's grip on his axe got stronger. " That wench has got nothing to do with this. "
" Yet." Vladimir corrected him. "She has nothing to do with this, yet. "
The pirate captain took a step forward. His face was dark under the hat on his head. " What are you saying, mage? "
" This is a very profitable work offer, both for you and your crew. " Vladimir replied, smiling to Gankplank's anger. " But here you are, dragging your feet over matters like Jhin's whereabouts. This man is pointing a gun at me. "
With a silent look of Gankplank, Israel lowered his gun but not holstered it. He was ready to fire, contractions on his muscles told it so. Vladimir couldn't see it, but his magic was letting him feel the tension on his prey. " Now, is there a problem ? "
After a moment of stop, Gankplank said " Nay. "
" Thank you. " Vladimir signed the dark waters behind them. " Let's go then, eh ? "
He never liked to be on a ship. Especially in a pirate ship. It was smelling like a dog carcass and moving under Vladimir's feet. Also, the looks he's getting from the crew weren't exactly friendly.
Under the main mast of the Fortuna II, Vladimir looked around. Many crew member was old men past their primes. They were still powerful enough to pull half ton guns around or climb to the ropes but it was clear that their strength was diminishing with every passing day. Once upon a time, young men fight with each other to join Gankplank's crew... Before Miss Fortune beat him. Now the elder was the only thing that left to him.
This was their last job, Vladimir knew it.
" Preparations completed ? "
" Nearly. " Gankplank answered. " We're carrying guns and the other stuff to balance the weight. "
Not fast enough. They needed to complete balancing the ship a day ago. " You must be ready to set sail at daybreak. "
Israel frowned. " This is a day earlier than the schedule. "
" In case there is a mole between us, schedule changed at the last moment. " Vladimir explained. " No worries. You set sail and follow the course as written. "
" I don't like this. " Gankplank replied to him. " Why no one told us ? "
" Because no one knew it besides me and Jhin. "
" Why ? " Israel asked. His voice was a dangerous growl.
Vladimir realized the crew were watching them. " You serious ? Still dragging your feet even after I told how protiable this work will be. If you don't want to, Miss Fortune and her crew will be happy to help. There is a lot of money to it. Wanna go back to hunt fisherman boats? Feel fucking free! "
" We had a deal. " Gankplank growled.
" We still do. " Vladimir answered. " As long as you hold your end of the bargain. "
For a moment, Gankplank waited. He was in suspicion, whether he should say yes or no, if this is a trap or not. That was quite expectable, the pirate had his fair share of betrayals.
Though Vladimir didn't knew that. In his eyes, Gankplank was no more than a brute. A usable brute with a ship but still just a man who knew how to wield sword and nothing more. He had no idea about what was going through the Gankplank's head at the moment and he was more than ready to assume that he's going to back away from the deal.
" Half. " Gankplank said a minute later.
" Beg pardon ? " Vladimir replied, confusion slowly rising in his eyes.
Israel talked in place of his captain. A hand was grabbing his pistol tightly. " You heard the captain, mage. We want the half. "
" Half ? " Vladimir blinked. " As in the half of what ? "
" The profits. " said Gankplank.
Vladimir couldn't believe what he just heard. The half ? The fucking half ? All of the profit ? And what will the delivering party and the disturbing one get ? A consolation prize perhaps... Guess these men were really thieves.
" We're not here to talk about that. Payments and your share are already set. "
However Gankplank was never ashamed about pressuring the matters. " We can certainly talk again. " Jhin was warned Vladimir about this. He knew that the pirates will try to raise their share. They could always be shooed away but in turn there is a risk of them changing the course of the ship, using the waters watching by the Ionian armada. Though they were not powerful as their Demancian counterparts, Karma's navy was still enough to sink the Fortuna.
" Gankplank you know you can't have the half. There is three party for fucks sake ! Can you see a way to it ? "
" Money is barely covering our travel expenses. Since you don't let us hunt on the way. " Israel said with a hint of chagrin in his voice. Like it was completely normal to hunt while carrying a ton of flamable cargo in your hull.
" Nobody said anything about if you can hunt or not along the way. " Vladimir kept his smile up. How could one be this imbecile and stay alive in a career like Israel's ? " We said there will be no ship on the route. "
" Isn't it the same ? "
Sighing, the hemomancer turned to Gankplank. " You'll be carrying something called Nashor's Wrath. An immensely flammable liquid which cannot be extinguish with water. Tell me if it's wise to attack a ship while you had a literally a ton of them inside yours. "
" We can bring another ship with us. Lucky. She's fast and nimble, can hunt while we drag the cargo in the Fortuna. "
Vladimir finally snapped. " Are you fucking kiddin' me !? In case you didn't notice, we're trying to be discreet ! " he shouted. " A convoy? Of pirate ships? In the Ionian waters ? Maybe you should raise the black all the way here to there too ! "
" Calm down, mage. " said Gankplank.
Taking a step forward, Vladimir's magic flamed in his veins. Call of their blood was there, both Gankplank's and Israel's. The hemomancer called a bit of his magic forward, reaching and finding the quartermasters heart. He squeezed it slightly and distrupted the flow of blood.
Once the rhtym gone off, a wave of arrythmia enveloped Israel's body, while he coughed and pawed his chest.
" Don't move, or man dies ! " Vladimir turned to the Gankplank whose been reaching his gun.
" You'll pay for... "
"I won't pay for anything. You think anyone care if I kill both of you? " Vladimir asked. He looked to the other sailors momentarily. " Any of you ! ? "
A deep voice replied in place of the Gankplank." They certainly will not. "
Vladimir turned to see the source of the voice. There he was. In his usual white robes and mask, Khada Jhin was standing behind the helm, holding his trademark gun in his hand. Talon was also standing beside him. Vladimir couldn't tell how did he get in the ship without being seen.
Some of the crew draw their guns, aiming to the others.
" Captain ! " Jhin took a dancing step forward. " Thanks for bringing the ship here ! "
" What's the meaning of this ! ? " Looking around in confusion, Gankplank shout in anger.
Jhin laughed under his mask. " I'm boarding her. Men ! Fire at will !"
Then shots fired.