Towards The Bloody Harbour (closed to jdd)

[Philomel]

Whispers throughout Radasanth rung with the rumours of an ancient bloody dynasty. Promises of vast riches beyond all understanding and the ruins of a vast castle standing upon a cliff edge were on the trembling lips of many a late-night wanderer. The words 'horror,' 'terror,' and 'blood-sucker' ran like hunted deer through the narrow back streets, swift as an arrow. The stories varied wildly, from the prospect of a child who had explored his heritage, to the discovery of an ancient house filled with darks secrets. However, when one sought properly, when the veils made by rumour-mongers were shed, one could find truth. In the fact that two people, named Bael and Elaine, were asking for answers in relation to these rumours, and that they would gift any treasure found to the finder. All they wanted was information, in connection with the southern tip of the Tular Peninsula, where a vampire aristocrat had made his home.

A month after the rumours had begun to lull in conversation, and the popularity of them had been replaced by an alternate tale, a ship carved through the southern seas. It was a light but medium sized ship, made of a fair-toned wood and proudly bore three masts. Six sails heaved the vessel through the waters when it attracted a fair wind, and ten pairs of oars pushed else. At the front of the ship a proud fox reared his head and fought the winds and waves, his teeth eternally bared as he faced the horizon. Strongly he bore them forth, representing the ship and her crew with little problem, battling through storm and sun to take them towards the unknown. And between the ears of the figurehead another fox was present - however he was alive. His tail twitched, his eyes stared, and very slowly his chest rose and fell, taking in the seemingly endless sea around them.

"... Well?" came a voice from behind him.

Clomping over the wooden planks on two fine hooves came a tall and graceful faun. Her violet hair was pulled back around her massive spiralling horns and plaited down her back. Nestled between said horns was a black leather hat, shaped into a tricorn and it matched the simple dark leather corset and jacket that adorned her body. Two mighty swords and various other weapons hung from her belt, showing her to be a fine warrior. As she approached the fox lying there in the bright sun she watched the soft wind ripple over his fur, making it shimmer and move like grass in the savannah.

"Well?" she repeated.

Well what? The fox's two blazing golden eyes turned from the horizon in that moment to fix the faun with a stare. Into her mind he spoke directly, focusing with intensity to the one he was bonded to.

"Well, have you seen anything yet?" she asked, her brows raising, "Darling, you have been staring at that horizon for three full days now."

The fox, or rather earth-spirit, for he was only a fox truly in form, flicked his ears in annoyance and showed a row of bright white, sharp teeth.

Philomel, he said, addressing the faun by name, If I had seen the peninsula I would have said. Now if your barings are correct, and if the wind is truly as strong as we are thinking, then we will get there. Soon. But not yet.

Philomel, the faun looked back at him a moment, narrowing her eyes. But then she considered that this dear being was her friend, her dear heart's companion and possibly brother to her own soul. Fighting with him never led anywhere but sorrow for them both.

"Fine," she began to say, "But let me-"

"SAIL, HO!" came a cry from far above them.

Both looked up, right to where the noise had come from - the crow's nest on the middle, and tallest, mast. Eyes piercing through the glare of the sun they stared until a small silhouette of a hand and arm appeared over the edge of the round platform, and pointed to the starboard side of the boat. Instantly the fox and faun turned, their own eyes growing with surprise at the prospect of another ship on these demonic seas, and what it could mean. Heart pounding and hands going to the hilts of weapons they joined the fifty or so other members of the crew in glaring at the horizon.

Where, as the crow's nest lackey had spoken true, a white sail was now appearing.

[jdd2035]

Just on the horizon if looked at by the faun was definitely a ship, not just any ship, this was a modified fast frigate that had just been saved from being broken up for fire wood. She was the Monique, and she was sailing beautifully, throwing a bow wave up above the weather deck and down half of the length of the ship. In short the Monique was cracken on like smoke and oakum!

Inside the great cabin behind a desk sat Captain Cain Jodin mulling over a log and a chart of the waters they were in. He was tracking a ship, over the last two years he had encountered this particular pirate ship, a thirty six gunned xebec called the Mirage. He had noted where it had appeared and had disappeared and the times of day that it had showed up and had set a course which would take the Monique and her consort the Peregrine right into the center of the sightings in the hopes of finding her port.

At about the same time as the faun's ship sighted the Monique, the Monique spotted the fauns ship "Sail! Sail Ho! Strange sail on the horizon!" A look out shouted. Then a moment later the rata tat tat of the drum beating the crew to quarters alerted Cain of the presence of more than a fishing boat on the horizon. Bulkheads that separated the ship into different cabins began coming down as Cain donned his weapons belt, sea coat and finally his trusty and weathered tricorn hat.

Stepping out he asked his boatswain "Where away?"

Mr. Grimhand pointed and stated "two points to larboard." Cain let his eyes focus to that distance as Mr. Grimhand used the glass but even the average sighted would soon see that the ship they were closing on was no xebec. "She's not the Mirage, and an extra ration of grog for the seaman who spotted her. Good eye." Mr. Grimhand touched his knuckle to his brow and noted the extra ration in the log.

Cain followed up by turning to his signal man "Signal the Peregrine to close into a cable's length and to beat to quarters. Strange sail on the horizon. And give her one signal gun every five minutes til she acknowledges."

Across the near twenty miles of water that made up the horizon on the faun's ship the boom of the Monique's signal gun could be heard and she could see signals going up.

[Philomel]

A bright red light flashed into the summer-like air, filling it for a moment with a second sun. Around twenty pairs of female eyes glanced away to the direction it had come from, mumbles starting to spill from between lips. Mumbles became murmurs, murmurs, questions and soon there was a rumble floating over the decks and more pairs of sleepy eyes began to peer out of the two main doors to the cabins below - as well as the central hole in the deck leading to the hold. It was a mighty rumble, full of uncertainty and wonder, with cries of, "What is it?" and, "Captain, I thought there was no other ships expected here?"

Philomel herself still stood at the prow of the ship, a great frown over her features. Brow furrowed, lips downturned she looked between the flare shooting into the sky and Veridian, confusion plain.

"Why are they hailing us?" she asked, mostly befuddled, "Malachi did not say that any other ships would be around here ... did he?"

She spoke of the pirate king, Malachi, to him her ship technically belonged. As a captain of the Feisty Fox, which had been own by the captain Tanglebeard before her, she owed it to the king to provide a tax every quarter. And a healthy tax she usually gave him, at the same time making a good profit for the Gilded Lily's coffers and those of the ship's fifty seven strong crew. All women who had been in the sex profession, but had wanted a life filled with more adventure so applied to be here. On the first pirate floating brothel. Or rather, it had initially been a brothel. Now it did a lot more of the piracy.

Yet being a ship under the pirate king gave Philomel access to information - of the other pirating vessels and their current areas of roman. When she had sent a messenger dove with her plans to the king, she had recieved ones back saying that Malachi knew of no other ships heading to seek out the supposed treasure at the bottom of hell. It was strange, then, to see a ship here that would happily hail them, for usually in their knowledge they were met with undue anger and had to endure much chasing before the Feisty Fox led them to safety.

You know ... you did decide not to put up the bone flag.

Philomel glanced up to the middle mast, at where the unfortunate soul given crow's nest duty today was still pointing over the edge of the wooden balcony. True, there was no black flag there, flying the most excellent embroidered white fox skull, which identified their ship to other pirates. The purpose in not putting it up was largely due the fact that they had not been expecting ... anyone, and so such dramatic demonstrations were not necessary.

"Matriarch!" yelled a huge voice. And thundering could be heard coming up the stairs to the poop deck.

Looking over Philomel and Veridian saw a huge woman, with a thin cut of blonde hair and clothed in strong leather armour running towards them. In her hand she held a massive sword, bare and naked and glinting, and her eyes were wild.

"Matriarch! What is going on?"

It was then Philomel noticed that the thundering rumbling from the questioning crew was still ongoing. She looked over at the woman - a warrior by the name of Maverik who was the captain when Philomel was not on board. As they exchanged lost looks a second light flashed into the sky accompanied with a second blast of noise.

"Matriarch ...?" she yelled, questioning.

"Oh throw up a hail flare back," Philomel sighed. "We might as well meet them on kind grounds. But below decks ... prepare five canons on either side. And someone find me Mao."

She began to walk over the deck, waving a hand in the air, striding to go to talk to - and calm - her wild crew.

[jdd2035]

"Flairs sir!" announced one of the lookouts in the Monique's tops, this announcement was followed shortly by several other announcements of the same. Cain with his keen vision could already pick up the flairs. Leaning over to Mr. Grimhand Cain mentioned "In about five seconds our signal man will announce that the strange sail wishes to parlay with us." Mr. Grimhand chuckled as the signal man touched his knuckle to his brow and said "Sir, the strange sail wishes to parlay with up."

Cain saluted back and smiled replying "Very good, you may return to your post." Turning to MR. Grimand he ordered "When we're with in random shot, furl the t'galants and top sails, and reef the courses. We don't want to rush by them."

As the Monique closed in on the Feisty Fox the Peregrine closed in on the Monique. Both The Monique and Peregrine were flying Cain's colors a brilliant field of royal blue with a wine colored elongated four point diamond with a black cross running through the center of it. The larger of the two ships the Monique also had a pennant hoisted of the same royal blue and wine red. The pair of ships neared the Feisty Fox and as they did the upper most sails were rolled up followed by the next upper most sails on each ship, finally the bottom most sails were then folded in on them selves.

Both of Cain's ships noticeably slowed and started to keep pace with the foxy ship. As the deck hands began to notice that the crew of the Feisty Fox was all women order began to degrade on Cains ship as the hands started carrying on capers trying to attract the attention of the crew of women.

While Cain enjoyed a good woman, he was currently more interested in the Feisty Fox itself. One could tell a lot about a captain just by the way her ship sailed. The Feisty Fox tacked within it's own wake, this was a sign of a well trained, seasoned crew, but more importantly it was a happy ship. Cain decided that he liked this captain, and her crew.

Cains crew began rigging an accommodation ladder as he asked via a speaking trumpet "Permission to come aboard?"

[Philomel]

When the second sail appeared, a wary murmur went through the crew. Philomel's repeated insistence that they were in no trouble did not appease all. For some it simply made their continued confusion turn into panic, and it took Maverik to march up and stare into their faces for them to finally be silent.

"We do not know them," Philomel repeated, "And yes there should be no others in this water. But we will greet them on friendly terms - for now."

"And what is the contingency, captain?" an uncertain voice spoke up, "One ship perhaps we can handle, but not two larger than ourselves."

"Are you doubting the skill of the ship and crew?" One, more confident and very busty crew member looked at the speaker. "We have faced worse."

"But not so in unknown waters!" protested the first person. "Not near such ... Uncertain. There are vampires."

"'Were' and might not be now," Philomel corrected, her hooves now carrying her through the thronging crowd. "Now are you actually going to obey orders and get ready or ..."

A lull settled into the small crowd, with some keeping keen eyes out constantly to the approaching ships. The one in the crow's nest was still there, and the one who held the ship's wheel at the helm had paused in the steering but still had steady hands on it. There were looks being passed around but a Philomel stared, they began to move. At first it was slow, but then a few seconds passed by and the speed built. A whirl of feet and bodies and soon the ship was back to working order.

With a sigh on her lips, and finally satisfied, Philomel herself worked to prepare her people. Bows were dealt out to the twenty trained archers they had on board, and ten muskets alongside that they tended to use far less. She heard the thumping below decks that indicated cannons were being rolled into position. As the two ships came along by hers, almost sandwiching the Feisty Fox uncomfortably between them, Veridian came down from the prow. Tail swishing with apprehension he joined her.

"Permission to come aboard?"

Twirling around Philomel came eye to eye with the site of the captain of the other ship. A tall human with a tricorn hat, and holding a brass trumpet to his lips that echoed and magnified his voice.

"Do we recognise the flag?" Philomel asked Maverik, who stood behind her. She gestured the large, colourful emblem on a flag.

Mav shook her head, her huge frame armed with a hefty sword and a crossbow held low.

"Do not think so."

Pursuing her lips Philomel paused a moment and considered not letting the captain of the other ship aboard. It might cause consternation, and risk combat. Battle was something that she knew her ship had less ability to win, even with her magic and the Feisty Fox's guns.

So she came up with an idea.

"Captain only," she pronounced back. "And we can ... Speak."

Behind her five warriors stood, each with a readied bow, but pointing at the ground. Slowly a board pathway was offered.

[jdd2035]

Cain smirked and spoke to Mr. Grimhand "If things go south do not hesitate. Mr. Agon will follow the Monique's lead." Mr. Grimhand touched his knuckle to his brow and simply replied "Aye sir." and stepped away. As soon as the path bridging the gulf of both ships was secured, Cain stepped across and the moment his hessian boots touched the foreign deck he paused, saluted the holy Quarter Deck and the ships Captain. Cain was a sanguine, amiable kind of man and was smiling, his right ear or more specifically what was left of it was curled up and cauliflowered, a side effect of a flint lock being fired close to it. His scalp looking like it had been sewed back together on more than one occasion, and of-course there were multiple other memento's of a life at sea. His apparel was well used but incredibly well maintained. His boots, and brass polished to a high shine, his sail cloth nankeen trousers, and shirt were still white, and contrasted well to his blue sea coat.

"Thank you for receiving me Ma'am" Cain stated most cheerfully, oh there were murmurs among the all female crew. But that was understandable, Cain thought as having two ships rigged for fighting happen upon you at high speed out of nowhere would be disconcerting even for a crew as well trained as the Monique's and Peregrines. After the salutes were over Cain took a moment or two to listen to the symphony that the Feisty Fox had made.

Percussion, the base thump, thump, thump of the deck hands walking to and through doing their duty. The watch bell rang with it's sharp ding-ding, ding-ding, there was the slap of the swabs, the thump-shoosh, thump-shoosh of the holy stones, below decks, and the click-clack of windlasses being turned. The stings, cordage being pulled through blocks and tackles, hawser lines being ran through through the holes, and the creek of the ratlines, and stays as sailors changed stations. Winds, the high pitched whistle of the wind blowing through the rigging; the sails, pennants, and flags whipping in the stiff breeze, and the scuttling hiss of water passing along the side of the ship. Finally there was the vocals, not the baritone, and bass of the Monique, but higher as the hands grunted with each pull of the rigging, orders called out, and the idle calls and readings from the crew.

Cain, smiled and said "Ma'am, I am Captain Cain Jodin of the private Man O' War Monique. My ship, and her consort the Peregrine have been following the wake of the Alerarian
pirate ship Mirage. She is a beautiful Xebec rigged thirty six, eighteen pounder ship. Further, your duties withstanding, you, your first mate, and midshipman...woman of the watch are invited to the Monique for supper." His smiled widened to almost full mirth, the practice of inviting one captain to a dinner was common. The only awkward may be from the fact they were female.

[Philomel]

Philomel watched as her wary crew got back to their duties. Some continued their chores as they had been before the sail had appeared on the horizon, and the five archers that had been chosen to remain alert gathered in collection around her. They stood ready to defend her life with theirs, truly devoted to the woman they hailed as their saviour. Their saviour from lives that had been ruinous, their saviour from poverty and a cycle that never ended.

She kept herself firm and unyielding as the opposing captain mentioned the Mirage. It was not one that they had come across but certainly it was one they knew of. Malachi, as the pirate king, had some fair connection to it, and got a decent amount of money from its donations, it was said. Philomel did stiffen as he spoke, but refused to turn or look around in case it gave away something of their ship's true nature. She just hoped that none of her sailors, nor Maverik, nor Veridian, chose to stare at him in an obvious way. Any strange glance could be hailed as a 'we are pirates too,' even if the sentence was true for just part time.

And wouldn't such a captain just love to get his hands on a ship that technically belonged to Malachi.

"I am ... Lacey," Philomel said slowly, using her dead mother's name, as she was prone to do when she needed a cover. "And this is my first mate, Mav." She gestured to the huge (literally, Maverik had recently found out that she had giant blood) woman who stood behind, clad in that full leather armour.

Mav just stared, and then grunted, one hand holding her crossbow and the other grasping the hilt of her sword. Philomel nodded, "We are ... the Feisty Fox. A merchant ship. Searching these waters following a rumour of vampires hidden amongst the clifftops," she gestured towards the horizon between the ships, where just beyond both of them would know land lay. "Radasanth is filled with the stories."

Lowering her hand she stood straighter. "If you are looking for a midshipwoman, then you probably will look to Veridian here," she pointed down to the deck at her feet where the lithe fox creature was just stalking.

Gently, Veridian sat on his rump and grinned up at Captain Cain, his golden eyes wide. It was very clear for anyone watching then that he was the model for the figurehead.

Hello, he said into her mind, This ship has nothing to do with brothels or piracy, at all.

Philomel paused, and translated, "Eh, he says hello. And I am sorry but we may have to decline. I am not in the practise of going to-"

Veridian nudged her foot. Make them trust us, he hinted.

Slightly she made a face, and Cain seemed to notice. His brow raised, but he seemed to retain his gentlemanly demeanour.

"Fine, we will come, on the condition that none of your people set foot on my ship. We were not expecting anyone in these waters because of how close we are to the Tular region, so you will forgive my hesitation."

[jdd2035]

Cain's eyes were sharp and he caught the wry looks, and of course he did higher pirates, smugglers and mercenaries on a regular basis so he knew what to look for. More importantly he knew the difference between the blackguard types and those that were more honorable. There was a way that the ship was sailed that told him even more. His smile turned just a little more knowing but he said absolutely nothing. "Ma'am you have a fine, happy ship, with a well trained crew. Supper will be at four bells of the dog watch. My crew will be glad to receive you as guests, and don't be surprised if there more unofficial invitations from before the mast and the from the quarterdeck. It's not every day that we happen upon a ship full of women who have so much in common." Once again he saluted the holy quarterdeck and then the Captain "Permission to return to my ship."

When the permission was granted Cain passed over the accommodation ladder and ordered "Stand down from quarters, all hands return to your work stations!" In a voice that could be heard over the roar of a full treble shotted broadside. Turning to a squaker a young boy just learning the life at sea he ordered "With my complements, have the cook come see me." When the ships cook arrived they discussed what to feed a faun and a fox and various other guests. During the interim Cain and the Monique's carried out business as usual, the midshipmen were taught navigation while the squeakers were instructed in seamanship and knots. Watches were changed with the ringing of the ships bells and the boatswains pipes. Cain as a good captain made sure that he was involved in with the crew on an almost personal basis, he knew each one of them by name and at-least their parents, and any siblings. He was actually seen on every part of the ship from the quarter deck, to the far end of the bowsprit, to the top of the three inch in diameter spar that made up the royal main mast. Also during this interim the hands that they were sneakier than Cain's eyes carried on capers meant to impress the all women crew across the gulf of water. The performed stunts, flexed their muscles, and raced up and down the ratlines and back stays.

Tim soon came and the ding-ding, ding-ding, ding-ding, ding-ding of the Monique's watch bell announced that it was supper time. Besides Captain Jodin, Mr. Grimhand, the Monique's watch midshipman, were also present. There were seats enough for the Feisty Fox's captain, her first mate and even a place set for the sentient/sapient fox. The meal was a grand affair and Cain presented it in such a fashion "For the meat eaters!" he announced after a modified 'wives and sweethearts toast' "We have a pheasant pie with mushrooms" and the ships cook and steward brought in a large pie big enough to feed ten people filled with pheasant meat, mushrooms of every shape and size, sweet peas, and onions all swimming in a gravy made of red wine, a most savory dish. "And for those who refrain from eating meat! We have green stuff! Prepared just as extravagantly as the pie!" and Cain did not lie, it was a platter filled with fruits, vegetables and nuts of every kind and with complementary flavors and in the middle of this pile was a dish filled with five separate thick liquids some made of milk, some made of wine and some made of coconut milk used to dip the green stuff in. "Captain! May I offer you the first serving?!" Cain said excitedly.

When the food was passed out and the meal began in earnest Cain said across the table "We had lost the Mirages wake about three days ago when she passed through a fog bank. Yours was the fist sail we had seen since than and we decided to say hello, and see if you had any news." Cain smiled, "but since the trail has gone cold, and we most likely gave you a moment of worry I would like to make it up to you. How can my ships help you?" He asked in earnestness, happy to entertain guests.

[Philomel]

The leading ladies (and earth-spirit) of the Feisty Fox were sumptuously entertained for the evening. Despite what Captain Cain seemed to suspect about them, his crew and he lavished upon them fine food. Veridian tore at the hunk of pheasant before him through the night, savouring every last drop as Philomel dined on good vegetables. For a while now she had been eating purely vegetables, in an attempt to better understand her goddess. It had taken its toll - she had lost some of her strength recently, and her powers seemed to be going through a shift - yet she felt in control. She felt honestly closer to Drys than ever before, feeling the earth more solidly, the plants as living beings and the rocks and dust around her as something to manipulate. As the evening went on and day turned to dusk she allowed herself to relax on the deck of the Monique.

Maverik was some what different. Tense and bold she remained with a stiff back and in her armour the entire affair. Though she ate, she remained alert of every movement that came out of the corner of her eye. As men milled around her she felt more and more uncomfortable, until the dark hours began to come and she became suspicious that she could not protect her Matriarch. Slowly she began to lean over as the Captain of these other ships stood, about to address her concerns.

"We had lost the Mirages wake about three days ago when she passed through a fog bank. Yours was the fist sail we had seen since than and we decided to say hello, and see if you had any news ... but since the trail has gone cold, and we most likely gave you a moment of worry I would like to make it up to you. How can my ships help you?"

The great woman's lips parted and instead she whispered something else into the faun's ear.

"We should get back to our mission, Matriarch," she said quietly. "We are wasting too much time."

Philomel waved a hand and sat up, now enchanted by the suave gentleman before her.

"We are heading to the coast - where the rumours of the vampires come from. The tales say an ancient vampire castle sits atop a cliff, and we are heading there in order to ascertain the truth. If you have been to Radasanth recently, where do most of our trade, then you may know of the siblings Bael and Elaine who are calling for any news of what may be. As a self-employed merchant vessel we were able to take the time off from our clients to come here," she lied the last part easily.

By her side Veridian perked up from his third bird and tilted his head at her, before gazing also at the other captain with huge golden eyes. Simply he grinned and nodded. Yes, yes, maybe they can help?

Uneasily Maverik growled, "Matriarch ..."

"It is our expectations that the cliffs lie due north east, around five leagues from here. We were headed there until you ... well, found us, I suppose. The rumours speak of treasure, of enemies to be dealth with ... everything really." She pulled a grape and popped it in her mouth, "Do your ships partake in such things?"

[jdd2035]

In Cain's great cabin the dinner ended with more wine and what looked like incredibly thick chocolate pudding surrounded by a frothy and sweet milk substance. Cain made every effort to keep up with the earth spirit but finally conceded after he ate he second pheasant and unbuckled his belt. "Ma'am, I make sure that my ships stay in business, so we take part in many things." The over full captain grinned "which includes treasure hunting." Cain had started off his sea life as a squeaker on a whaling ship, and eventually was able to purchase his own ship and start running trades at the start of the Coronian civil war. That was when he discovered he had a knack for smuggling, and an even better knack for sea fighting and found himself being given a letter of Marque.

Now there was now civil war, the Peregrine and Monique had letters of marque for Coronian pirates, former privateers and sea captains that felt betrayed after Corone or the Empire didn't need them. Then there were those captains that played both sides with no loyalties to any one but their pocket book. There were several other pirates besides disillusioned sailors, and that kept Cain and his crews busy, but there were lulls in the hunting where he participated in other less controversial ventures. Treasure hunting was one of them, he had been successful enough in the past to continue such pursuits.

"Our ships will be happy to assist!" Cain exclaimed "You are here first so we shall fall under your wake." Cain was about to go on to negotiate what percentage of the prize his ships would receive for the assist, when a young sailor knocked, stepped in and saluted the dining party "Sir, Ma'am, lookouts have sighted land through the fog bank, two points to starboard, the Peregrine and Fox both can confirm, and we are in soundings; sand and broken shell."

Cain saluted back and said "very well, an extra ration of grog for the lookout who first spotted it. Thank you!" Returning to faun captain "Ma'am, if you would like to you can can make a trip to the tops and see for your self I'll have a cup of coffee brought up to you directly."