High Sea's Show
"Man your stations! Come on you Dogs! Oh Gods, Pirates again?" Were some of the shouts running along the deck of the Banyan. Many of the crew were above deck now flooding the air with wanton comments that were completely unnecessary. To the captain the situation was clear now. The whole madness with the gods and the massive fuck off wave approaching was non-negotiable and will need to be addressed. Preferably later. For now. Pirates. And that? Oh, he knows, that can be handled.
"Quit yer gabbing and ready arms!" Thank you miss Roum. Very few change the fears of the crew like her. Granted the quiver in her eyes still told him she was terrified of the recent revelation that their 'gods' were real in some case and point. Magic had all but disproved the existence of most gods. Everything stemmed from the world. Or that has been the thought for the last few centuries. Case obviously moot now. The only sect that still believed Gods were those druids and everyone called 'em nuts… huh, puns just before death. You really are like your dad, huh Edward? He'd be proud.
'Fucking sidetracked you damn idiot. Focus. You're on a flying boat. Piloted by a crazed AND possessed Shaman. Flying at speed hither to thought impossible for anything not a dragon. Charging the greatest wall of blue you've ever seen. With what seems to be a Man O' War filled with pirates on 'er. Gods, I know you're real, this shit's not funny.'
Miss Roum, bless her, was screaming her 'bloody' head off and she certainly had a way with words, but it was obvious the crew was functioning on little more than muscle memory now. Terror gripped their hearts. Which to Captain Edward 'Mad Shark' Watanabe was an unsuitable situation. They need motivation, they need a speech. And who better than the captain?
"Alright lads listen up!", very few stopped to listen. Granted many were in fight mode so they really can't be blamed. But those that did were the important ones. They were in flight mode. He needed to fix that. They still had a thought process other than Kill Them First so they'd listen. "We are royally fouled. You lot know what to expect from those damned under that there black flag." He shouted, drawing his blade and pointing it to the oncoming trial of the gods that was this situation.
"We have lost plenty on this voyage to those pieces of waterlogged trash already. I don't need to remind anyone who was lost on the last pirate attack some odd months back!" The best damned cook this side of Re-Estize. And some not so necessary hands but they had friends, so. "And now the bastards come charging us right on a silver platter? I don't know about you fools but I could go for some nice red meat!"
Cheers could be heard over the loud flapping of wind and sail, good. But using his eyes Watanabe saw others pale in fear. Why? Oh, right. Nickname. Damn it.
"But I know most of you don't very well fancy a good bit of revenge so how about this. Anyone who has the balls to join me gets extra rations this coming month!" Now that got them moving. What's more important to a man than food? Well, a lot of things really. But on a boat? Mostly sleep. Definitely food. Especially seein' as how they'd been on half rations this month cause of some rats who got onboard and weren't found until the stowaways had been found as well. Fucking Druids. What part of no pets means bring every single damned rodent in the Port? At least there was extra protein that week.
Upon seeing that the crew was ready for a fight with what little their lives meant to whatever god that was watching he turned back to face whatever foe had decided his vessel was so appetizing on this lovely day. Truly The Banyan's Rage was a one-of-a-kind vessel now more than ever. 'Could you imagine the rivers of drool coming from those fools. They probably thought it was enchantment or some other stupid magic… actually… could that work? Fuck, thoughts for later. Got pirates to quarter.'
Through all his musings he had failed to notice Miss Täro's whole demeanor change. Gone was the child like swaying and mumbling to one's mind about reality. Her pose was rigid and quiet. She stood as though she were in a great hall ready to give a speech. Hands clasped before her, head held high, but most importantly was the jade glow of her eyes. Then she spoke in a voice obviously not her own. "Edward Watanabe. A pleasure to meet you."
And like that everything stopped. Time stood still for all but those with the power over it. Or those being put under its spell. Watanabe had seen it firsthand when a wizard had gone mad. He and his ship were hired by a guild in Re-Estize. They had provided a high ranked wizard and her party to aid in the endeavor. He knows the effects of time manipulation.
"I will be brief for my time here is short. I must take record of my new territory." The whole time she spoke her voice held the melody of a sea's morning air. She stood with an air of authority that Ms. Täro sorely lacked, well what she lacked since she "woke up". She turned to look him in the eye and he felt insignificant in her presence. As though she were looking down upon him like a man looks down on a bug. And if his thoughts were correct then he truly was nothing but a bug to this being.
"I have deemed the mortals on this vessel as worthy. Your men, Warriors. Those you transport, Innocent. I will allow no death upon this vessel. But, those who come to you now are not after you. They are after her." She gestured to herself. "Good fortune to you Captain and may we meet again soon." And with those words the world started anew.
But not kindly. The entire vessel stopped. Luckly everything on it as well cause if anyone's seen a horse run and the rider fall, they know the rider keeps going. They were still a good few feet up from where the Rage was used to sitting in the water. That was a crash that slammed the vessel down to the ocean's grip. And that's when the groans started. Either from the crew and their passengers below deck having found out that wood was hard and having your body meet it in an unwelcome manner isn't nice or the vessel and its fixings and hull having an abrupt pressure on it was not in the design plan. Either by the skill of the craftsman or the will of this God that he had met nothing broke.
"WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED!?" Was the singular cry that came from Ms. Roum. "Täro happened." Was the singular reply of the captain. "Was not!" Came the muffled reply of a woman driven mad and buried under a pile of sail and wooden support.
There were a great many thoughts going through Edwards head at the moment. But the most prevailing thought was that a god just called what was essentially a Parle. Meaning his options had just shrunk to one back up plan.
"All hands below deck! Bar the door till you hear from me and me alone! And Marines! Grab yer Rings!" he shouted still on his chest. He'd been launched not four hours ago and now he just got a reassurance that his deck was made of craftsmen quality oak. He could hear a few 'Ayes' at his command but his focus was on the bundle of sail that was covering the Mad Shaman. There was no movement but he could still hear her mutterings even through the fabric.
"Roum! Get her out from there.", "Aye Captain!" Good ole Roum. I'm just gonna lie here till those pirates show up. "Got her Captain. What now?" That was quick.
"We wait for the pirates. Raise the white flag. I call for Parle." Even from his position on the deck he could still feel the look of incredulity on her face. "WHAT!? Captain. You just gave a rousing speech and now you want to surrender?" "PARLE. Not surrender." "What's the difference!" Ok she's not listening. Time to get up you lazy bastard and do it yourself. And with that he got up with a simple push of his arms to his feet and marched over to the main mast. "The difference Miss Bethany Roum is one is done before the battle and can hopefully avoid conflict the other is when the fight is over and someone has obviously lost."
All while this was happening the pirates were getting closer, he could make out the men on the deck now and they looked anxious. Whether from the suspected upcoming fight or something else. What else could they be anxious from you idiot? Just swap the red flag for white and pray that they don't try skewering you the second they plant their feet. "Now if you want to get below deck before they bare the doors now's your chance." He said making his way back to the helm…. What's left of the helm.
"First mates don't abandon their captain's sir." Damn woman. If he wasn't terrified of her drunk side, he'd have bed her long ago. Along his walk back he grabbed Täro her hood and dragged her with. She literally flopped like a fish and just let him drag her. "Mrs. Täro I know your in a situation but can you please stop with the shenanigans and look a little presentable to our guests?"
They were alongside them now. Men and women, humans, of mid Westerner descent if the pale skin and varying hair color was any indication. No Easterners; at least that he thought of for the lack of exotic hair colors like green or pink, No Beastmen, or other Sub-species. Odd. Even he had a few Cat-folk below deck for the occasional rat or advance party. Say what you want but if a species specializes better than yours why not use that advantage? And here they come.
Three men, large and armed with simple cutlasses. They didn't have anything but pants and boots. But they were painted in a blue war paint of some sort swirls and knots all over. They bared their teeth but other than that made no moves. It seems the Parle was in effect. Good.
"I guess you're the captain then with that fancy coat and hat of yours?" one of them said pointing his blade at Watanabe. Edward rolled his eyes at this; intimidation is folly for these fools.
"Aye, this is my vessel. Now why are you here?" Before any more words could be spoken a long plank slammed behind the three causing them to move aside to show two more individuals. Well one massive bastard the size of Johnson, and the flowing red hair of a second behind him. He was dressed in a plain white shirt and brown pants. No weapon oddly enough. When he finished crossing, Edwars had to close his mouth lest it hit the deck.
The second on the plank was a near splitting image of the Shaman right beside him. The only difference was the hair. Her blazing red locks seemed to burn in the oceans breeze. While Miss Täro's robes hide her figure just enough for the imagination, this doppelganger; for what else could it be but a seductress before them, used what she had. Form fitting pants with a corset over her blouse to accentuate the gifts she has. But the best of all? She wore a hat. "You have something of mine Captain." And her voice by the gods. It put sirens to shame.
He had to be elbowed by his first mate to be snapped out of the charm she put him under. "I *cough* don't know what you mean miss?", He said rolling his hand before him. "Granny"
"Miss Grainy" he got an irritated look from her crew at that. "It's Gráinne.", she corrected him with a look of exasperation. "Call me Grace if it's to hard for your small mind." That got a chuckle from her side of the line. But also a laugh from the Shaman. This caught everyone's attention. It was a full belly laugh that lasted far too long for the simple insult that had been given.
Edward was now very concerned. It was one thing to hold a Parle outnumbered it was another to have a member not be of healthy mind as well. Looking back and forth he spotted a very concerning expression upon this now named Grace's face. "What…. Wha di you do ta ma sister.", it was rage.
"Excuse me, but What do you mean 'your sister'? In all these months not once has Mrs. Täro once made mention of a sister. Saint's tits she told me her family was killed by Eastern Elves." Need to be quick. Look stupid and hopefully she'll calm enough to not kill us. Her men certainly look like they want to try. The only thing holding them back is the Johnson wannabe holding one back.
"Täro? That's what she told you her name was?", she asked. She looked incredulous now. All the anger evaporated in a look of surprise and… reminiscence? "Yes, she joined my crew she said her name was Mrs. Vera Täro. From the look you're giving me I assume I was lied to?" Edward stated looking at the now revealed not Vera. It surprised him in her broken state she managed to look ashamed. Granted still in the child like manner of hanging her head and pulling her hood to hide her face.
"Mrs. Täro is the name she gave her doll when we were little. Her real name is Amalee. Amalee O'Malley. Now. What did you do to her.", she demanded. It didn't help that she drew her blade and pointed it at him. 'Why do the most beautiful women always want to stab me?'
Then Amalee started giggling. This caught everyone's attention. She was mumbling just loud enough for everyone to hear. "Broken, broken, soul was shattered. Soul was snapped and shattered again. Touched by gods now together again. A piece is found. Only she isn't whole, still broken. Lost and the dead seep through. The soul is snapped but now we are broken more." She was rocking side to side speaking in a sing song fashion.
Gibberish. Utter gibberish and it isn't helping.
Grace looks ready to kill and your weapons are still holstered. "Okay. Let's calm down so I can explain before we go on skewering each other." Well, these 'talks' have devolved rather quickly.
"You want the truth? I don't know. One day I was in my cabin going over plans with her and my quartermaster, the next thing I know my cabin is destroyed, my quartermaster is missing or dead, and she's been like this ever since."
"Then why does she reek of magic." The man next to Grace asked. He looked ready to break the shoulder of the man he was holding. Well at least his size wasn't for looks.
"She's the reason my ship was flying just a few minutes ago before you lot boarded my vessel. I am transporting pioneers to a new land. Explorers called it the 'center' of the world."
That caused the pirates to freeze. The big man even let go of the bastard who looked ready to take Edwards hear off. One of them even looked ready to run in fear. The only one not petrified was Grace. And she looked more worried than terrified.
She ran over and grabbed Amalee by the shoulders and started shaking her. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! THAT LAND IS CURSED! WHY WOULD YOU BOARD A DOOMED BOAT!"
Excuse me? What did she mean by cursed? And why am I hearing about this from a pirate? Looking to his left he saw Roum all but ready to run and hide. Damn woman and her superstition. Turning back, he was nose to blade with Grace.
"You are leaving. I am taking my sister and we are leaving. You can keep moving and pray to whatever god you believe in but you are not taking my sister to a cursed land." With every word she took a step forward causing him to raise his hands and take a step back or get a new piercing he did not want. All the way until his back was to the railing. "Wow wow wow. Calm down. But I can't let you take your sister. She ran off with a new name, boarded my ship with nothing but the clothes on her back and the pack on her staff. Her well-being is in question. And frankly? She's a part of the crew and I won't let you take my crew without a fight."
He still didn't move other than look over his shoulder to see Mrs. Roum have her blade drawn and standing between Grace and her boarding party. The look in Grace's eyes was that of unbridled rage. She reared her arm back ready to kill him only to stop when a horn was sounded from her vessel.
Everyone turned to see that her boat was empty. Well not empty but her crew was nowhere in sight. That was until a hatch was opened and men started coming out. But they weren't her men. That much was clear when the last few out were two large Cat-folk whose muzzles dripped with red liquid. They were the Marines of The Banyan's Rage.
"Took you bastards long enough!" Edward shouted to them. He had little time to draw his dagger and block the swift jab from Grace before she could skewer him. "What did you do!" she demanded from him as she stepped back to gain some distance from Edward. Her crew behind her seemed agitated. It was obvious they wanted to rush to their captain but they were cut off by Mrs. Roum and they also knew if they did that they'd be cut down by the marines once they traversed the plank from their own boat.
"Well, you see Miss Grace. This isn't my first run in with pirates and I got some very good men who know just how to deal bastards like you." He sheathed his dagger and drew his swords. "My vessels been in my family for generations. You could make her five times over from all her old planks. And that means I also have money to spend. Enchanted rings are nothing new you see. And a bulk order at your local enchanter who owes your family some favors? Very cheap." He started walking towards her now. With every step forward she took one back. They kept going until they were right back where they started. The only difference now was The Mad Shark was baring its teeth.
"Enchanted water walking rings. Marines bought from Western royal navies. And Cat-folk who know how to hunt below deck. The easiest way to capture a boat all while entertaining a captain who thinks they won from just the size of their boat." They were encircled now. The Cat's had leapt from the other side to land on the railing. Both were focused solely on the big bastard. Their fur was ruffled and their fangs showing. The gang plank was loaded with marines ready to storm the boat at any moment. The pirates looked like berserkers now. The painted men looked ready to charge right back at the marines. The big man was squaring up to the Cats. And Grace was rapidly looking back an forth from Amalee to Watanabe.
"So, the Parle was just one big trick. Get me and my men on you boat while your men slink around and slit throats? What type of coward besmirches a Parle?" she was cornered now. Gone was her bravado from earlier. He could tell she was trying to keep him talking so that he wouldn't order the kill and she could think of a way out.
"Not a coward. A captain. A man whose hauling poor souls to a new land to call home. And not all your crew is dead. Only the ones who wouldn't surrender. And You drew your blades first. You threatened me and now you call me a coward? You pirates are all the same. I will only say this once. Drop your weapons and you will live. You will serve as labor in the new settlement the men and women below me will make. This is your only offer." And with that he raised his right sword at the pirate.
That must have been the signal for all the marines started advancing while the Cat-Folk started off the railing and circled them. Edward could see the trepidation in Grace's eyes. Plan after plan was shuffled and tossed by the zipping of her eyes until finally they stopped on Amalee.
"We surrender." And her blade dropped to the deck.