Open Chronicles Blood In the Sea

[Elise Virak]

Vel Luin

Elise sat cross legged in a small wooden folding chair that might as well have been a throne.

She was located on a balcony overlooking the central square of Vel Anir, her eyes fixated on a large wooden platform that had been built in the very center. Four men stood there, each of them dressed in little more than rags. All of them were adorned with an overabundance of Tatoos, and two of them stared up at her with such defiance than one might have guessed she'd personally put them there.

The Baroness knew none of them of course, at least not directly.

They were Pirates.

Five days ago their ship had been captured by the Fourth Detachment of the Anirian Navy. Most of their crew had been slaughtered during the fighting, but these four and one other had been brought back to stand trial. Elise had been the one to oversee that trial, and she supposed that marked her as the object of their abhorrence and rage.

If only they knew what was to come. "Are the ships ready?"

Elise asked of the steward besides her.

"Yes, Ma'am. Fourteen ships, just as you requested. The Dreadlord you sent is seeing to their supply now. You'll be ready to leave as soon as this execution is finished."
​

"Very good, Arril." She told the man, patting him gently on the arm as she returned her attention back towards the platform. A smile touched her face as one of the pirates spat on the ground. His mouth opened to shout something, but Elise was far too distant to hear it. A wave of her hand dismissed his pleas. "Tell them to end it."

Another Dreadlord on the platform ahead would receive the order of execution.

These men were to die, and the fifth had already betrayed them.

He had not even suffered an ounce of torture before giving away the location of the Pirate's main holdout. A small city among the islands beyond the Cortosi Sea. A location that had spilled from his mouth, and one that Elise would see absolutely razed.

Six ships from House Virak's personal fleet and eight from a combined number of the other Houses. That was what would bare upon these pirates. She only hoped that they were prepared.

 

[X Name]

The journey from Cerak had been a long one, but the pay had been substantial enough. Immediately, X was in the streets weaving through the crowds toward the main plaza. Because of his size and long, black trench coat, people instinctively moved out of his way. He had left his longsword at home, instead choosing his assortment of knives and tomahawks that would remain hidden by his coat until he needed them.

As he neared the main plaza, he slipped down an alley and navigated around until he was behind the building he had been told about. One of his informants had told him who was in charge of the attack and even figured out in which building she would stay. All X had to do was get in there and negotiate for the prisoner.

After slipping his palm claws on, he started climbing the wall, avoiding the windows to head straight for the roof. He slowly makes his way to the edge of the roof and quietly observes his surroundings while remaining low. There was at least one soldier near the Baroness and likely at least two by the door. The square had been populated by many soldiers for the execution but that wasn't a big concern here.

After a moment's consideration, X grabbed the edge of the roof and swung himself over and down onto the balcony right in front of the Baroness. He sat down on the railing and smiled from under his hood. "Well, hello there," he said as he slipped the claws back into their pockets and put his hands up a bit to show he wasn't a threat(at least not at the moment). "I wondered if I might have a moment of your time."

 

[Ademar Acero]

Not the damn sea again.

He remembered the one time he was assigned to help in conquering the island city of Coraliv in the Cortosi Sea. It was his first venture away in the endless blue and it was awful. Whatever excitement there was to conquer in sea was replaced with abhorrence and be would share that sentiment again in this mission his mentor had given him.

For now he was to act like glorified bodyguard to Baroness Elise Virak, the lady of highborn blood noticed his talents and sought to have them applied for her wants. Given his stature and personality, he was the best fit to the job. An annoying task, but one he wouldn’t hesitate in accepting and was honored for it.

The pirates would no longer breathe in the coming moments when Elise gave the order of execution, and would leave to head off for the docks of Vel Luin. Those plans would have to be delayed when a filthy peasant appeared before the Baroness from the roofs. No weapons were in him, but that didn’t matter. He was a threat to the Baroness in Ademar’s eyes, and he unsheathed a dagger he carried on his waist.

“Guards! Kill him where he stands!” He yelled out to the soldiers nearby. Did he outranked them? Probably not, but ranking was out of question with their Baroness in peril. The hulking figure of Ademar ran to where Elise and the peasant where, intents on tackling the peasant out of the balcony and into the streets below in the City Square.

 

[Ania]

Jonas had a fat gut and he smelled of rotting cabbage. A few teeth were missing from his jaw. Were he not an excellent seaman it would be unlikely that House Virak would’ve tolerated the insufferable idiot.

He sprayed his putrid spit as he yelled, “aye, Lady Virak says to put ‘em to death.”

Ania grinned, ignoring the foolish pirate who was shouting something lewd and obscene about Ms. Elise. The pale dreadlord slowly approached the loud mouthed pirate and looked directly at him. She stared into the moronic soul of a criminal who’d dare to defy Anirian rule. His lot disgusted her. Opportunists who would disrupt valuable commerce to fulfill their selfish desires.

“Look to your left,” she said.

To the condemned pirate’s surprise Elise Virak was standing beside him. His face was filled with rage as Ania undid his bindings. The crazed pirate lunged towards Lady Virak, hands around her throat.

And within a matter of seconds the first of the criminals lay dead. Strangled by his shipmate.

Ania drove her estoc through the pirate’s chest, he gasped in surprise as the dreadlord let him bleed out. Those who would defame the glory of Vel Anir’s nobility deserved to suffer until their last breath.

The two remaining condemned looked at Ania in horror. Dreading whatever cruel fate she had in store for them.

Ania was too engrossed in her work to notice the worm that had appeared before Elise.

 

[Yrael]

Of the fourteen warships that were assembled in the harbor, only one bore the sigil of the Royal House. It paled in comparison to the mighty dreadnaughts of the Great Houses, although it was perhaps more ornate. Even so, it was a powerful and imposing ship compared to most in the rest of the world. The hull was sturdy and strong, the figurehead adorned in gold and iron. Pure white sails bore the royal sigil clearly, and a host of knights could be housed comfortably below decks.

Yrael stood on deck next to the helm, gazing out across the sunlit waters. House Virak would be leading the assault, but he was just glad for an excuse to practice his magic on a larger scale.

They would set out soon after a set of high profile executions. Meaningless theatrics, as far as he was concerned. If someone needed to die their deaths should be swift, what did this pageantry accomplish? He supposed he never did understand the allure of social gatherings.

His men had not been permitted to attend, he needed them here making ready for the voyage. They were allies of the great houses in name, but vigilance would be paramount on a trip with so many conflicting leaders.

He continued to focus on the area directly in front of him, vibrating the air into specific pitches. The concentration served as a sort of meditation for him, as well as just staving off boredom. What was taking this execution so long?

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise only briefly turned her head as a commoner suddenly appeared on her Balcony.

A single eyebrow lifted, cold golden eyes regarding the figure as it asked for a moment of her time. Her lips thinned, gaze shifting back towards the executioners platform as a single hand lifted and motioned to Ademar.

Even before she gave the signal the boy already acted, moving to attack whomever had intruded on her presence.

She did not know the man, and he was dressed in what amounted to rags. "Time is precious."

Elise commented, more to herself than to the man that had asked for just a moment. She didn't particularly care if what he wanted was worth it to her. If he couldn't survive Ademar, then what was he worth in the first place?

 

[X Name]

With the smile never leaving his lips, X jumped up, grabbed the roof of the balcony, and quickly pulled himself back up to avoid the tackle. Hopefully the rude attacker would simply run himself off the balcony, but it was doubtful X would get that lucky.

Knife in his back as he passes. Kill now. Kill him now.

X shook his head before peering back down over the roof to look at the Baroness, his not un-handsome face and buzzed brown hair now showing with the hood dangling a bit off his forehead. He drew the hood back and smiled down at the Baroness again. "I don't mean to interrupt this exciting execution - I have no intention in saving those dolts - but I must negotiate for the release of your traitorous pirate prisoner - the one with the loose tongue."

He paused for effect, still staying on the roof to avoid hostiles should they continue their assault. "You see, my employer is from Cerak At'Thul and, while these pirates are not directly affiliated with them, they feel an example needs to be made. We can't have loose-lipped pirates running about anymore than you can afford having a marine blabbing about your strategies and other important nonsense. Also, I'm a free agent holding no allegiance to any pirates so please refrain from shooting the messenger."

Kill. Kill them all.

No. Make them yours. Trust.

Kill them all. Make it stop. End it all.

X chuckles softly, seemingly at nothing, though he remains silent thereafter.

 

[Ania]

The soothing song of seagulls found itself juxtaposed against the gurgling of the last pirate execution. Three bodies lie dead at Ania’s feet with the fourth body still struggling to stay amongst the living. Something about the brutality of it all always made the young dreadlord feel alive. She had wondered if she had been requested for this particular assignment because of her excessively violent nature or if it was just a coincidence.

After all, few things would discourage piracy like like being sentenced to death at her sadistic hands.

A final gasp of air escaped the fourth man’s lungs. Ania wiped the blood off her blade but allowed a smattering of it to remain on her left cheek as she glanced towards Jonas. He wasn’t watching the executions, he was staring back at Elise Virak and a commotion in the distance.

“What’s going on?” Ania impatiently demanded.

“Dunno,” he replied in a gruff voice, “looks like someone is in Lady Virak’s face.”

Damn. While the dreadlord of Weiroon was dirtying her hands with criminal filth the personal cohort of Elise Virak was, unsurprisingly, incapable of keeping her protected. While she was from the wrong house her death would reflect poorly not just on Ania but on House Weiroon as well. Failure was never an option.

Fury burned red on her face as she commanded, “Jonas, clean up this mess.”

With heavy steps the irate woman stormed towards the contingency to better understand why the handful of dreadlords guarding Elise hand allowed a peasant to venture so near.

 

[Ademar Acero]

He stopped in his tracks, his momentum carrying on with his hands out to meet the impact the railing of the balcony. The peasant seemed to be a man with talents to scale and climb walls, what other way would he managed to get where he is now?

Ademar’s eyes then focused on the peasant, eyes to kill and subtly positioned his dagger in his hands as a means to throw it.

To which he did with hopes that the dagger would find its aim true and draw blood.

“You’ve no right to speak with Lady Virak, you damn scum,” he’d yell with venom and malice in his voice. A peasant that was affiliated with the likes of pirates and other rogue scum. The other guards circled around Elise with intents to defend her life and four other ones came to where Ademar was. They carried swords in sheaths and spears. All Ademar carried was a claymore.

The man wished to near himself to Lady Virak and they’d be his first obstacle. The moment he tried to get close from where he stood on the roof, spears would be stabbing at him.

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise put up a hand to stop Ademar from crushing the strange assassin.

The boy was a bit overzealous, but that was useful in it's own way. She made a small mental note to keep him close. Most Dreadlords in the service of House Virak had their loyalties to her father, it was time for that to change.

No better time than now to start. "Negotiation implies you have something to offer."

The Guards around her seemed to shift, and out of the corner of her eye she spotted Ania and some of the others making their way towards the balcony.

"What would that be?" She asked.

A part of her was simply biding time for overwhelming force to arrive, and another was genuinely curious of what might be offered. Only fools dismissed the Slaver City, and the man who ruled it.

 

[X Name]

X had been keeping an eye not only on the brute by the Baroness' side but on the commotion in the square that was starting to turn toward him. He would most likely have to talk his way out of this one if he wished to avoid direct confrontation. He always had multiple escape route available to him but many of them were closing rapidly. Unfortunately, he had paid more attention to the execution than the dagger headed straight for his face.

Move. Move now.

Kill him with his own.

No. Survive.

His head jerked back as the dagger flew by, leaving a thin red line across his forehead over his left eye. As the dagger flew out - likely destined for someone unsuspecting down in the square now - his head darted back down to glare at his assailant.

Kill him now. He deserves it now.

Just doing his job. Leave him.

Seeing a glint of an idea in the Baroness' eyes made X smile again. Assuming the brute was finished with his attack, X vaulted back over the edge to sit on the railing. He looked back over his shoulder to look at the corpses on the execution stand before returning his gaze to the Baroness. "Well I believe part of the offer has already been dealt with - two-thirds, in fact. The first was letting the executions happen so you preserve your image. The second is to silence the pirates returning to their base to warn of your impending assault, which should be done by now." He paused to chuckle at the thought.

"And the third offer is..." He reaches into his coat pocket to pull out a piece of paper and reads it silently for a moment. "Oh yeah... Me." He hands the paper to the Baroness for her to read, then twiddles his thumbs as he winks at the brute knowingly.

To whom it may concern,

It has come to our attention that a certain pirate has developed a loose tongue. We offer you three things in return for the pirate in question.
1. The lives of the captured pirates that are to be executed are forfeit.
2. We will silence the spies returning to their pirate base to warn of your attack.
3. The mercenary delivering this letter. His services are valuable, so your first job for him is paid for. His services are yours as soon as he completes his final mission for us.

You will surely understand our need to make an example of the loose-tongued traitor. If not, we will be forced to take action ourselves.

Cerak At'Thul

 

[Ania]

Ania rocketed up the balcony, nudging several of her compatriots out of her way. As she emerged up the stairs she spotted the sub-human that had defiled Elise Virak's presence with his own. Then, soaring by her face was a small knife which embedded itself into the soft wood of the balcony's railing.

The scum in question had an imposing figure, dressed in a black hood. A small cut left a ruby colored line across his forehead. Must've been from the flung dagger which almost gave her a similar cut.

Once on the platform the young dreadlord paced towards the direction of Lady Virak and her personal guard, placing Ania inbetween the rogue who had dropped in uninvited and Elise. Though Ania had a tendency for violence, recklessness, and irrationality she also knew how to follow orders. Miss Virak wasn't asking for this man's head, yet, and so he would keep it very much attached.

When the mysterious intruder felt into his cloak the pale dreadlord twitched and placed her hand atop her blade. As he produced a simple letter she relaxed until he motioned to hand the letter to Elise himself. That wouldn't do.

"Do not approach her," the raven haired woman warned, "allow me."

Ania retrieved the letter from his hand and passed it along to the other dreadlords to present to Lady Virak. Far too much risk to allow someone like that near a noble family of Vel Anir.

 

[Ademar Acero]

He would’ve continued attacking the man, and wouldn’t stop at accomplishing that if the Baroness he served didn’t intervene and raised a hand which ordered Ademar to stop his attacks. He would obey without questioning her decision, though his thirst for drawing blood from his own hands would be left in disappointment.

There may be some hope yet. The man was a peasant of the rogue type. At least Ademar managed to draw some blood from the dagger he threw.

Like Ania, who had just joined the scene, he stood at the very front and the two acted as the first line of defense for Lady Elise. The piece of parchment was passed along for the Baroness to read.

“I hope the offer is your head on a platter,” spitting his venom at the man, eyes with a lust to kill.

 

[Elise Virak]

For a few seconds Elise stared up at the other man, grasping the paper from Ania and watching it with a small amount of interest as she considered the offer.

The deal was actually not a bad one. If this man was telling the truth then she could gain both a political victory and a physical one. The Baroness had intended to attack the Pirates anyway, and this would only help her with that.

"Two conditions." She said as she held up two fingers.

The Master of Cerak At'Thul was not an idiot, she knew this, but there was a way to extract more than the simple boons already offered.

"You accompany us to the Pirate base and aid in their disposal." Not that they needed much help with the Forces that she'd already gathered. "Second, the rat you seek remains here and alive until after dispose of said pirate base."[/color[

She motioned to him. "Your sort can hardly be trusted."

It would keep him in line, and allow for other opportunities later.

 

[Ademar Acero]

Immediately his eyes widened at Elise’s words, seeming to accept whatever deal this scum offered to her which was a decision he disapproved of. Ademar look back at his Baroness and minced his words and tone before speaking to her. “My Lady, I mean no disrespect but I beg you to reconsider,” his tone wasn’t harsh and rough as many were accustomed to, this one was gentle yet still masculine.

He had yet to give his vows and oath to House Virak, but his mentor, the nobility (mostly Elise), and the other Dreadlords took an interest and liking in Ademar. An excellent took that could bring down walls and decimate legions from the prediction of his mentor, so long as he continued to develop his magic and home his skills. And so with that said, he was zealous in keeping Elise safe, even if it wasn’t his duty for this mission and something else.

He awaited for whatever decision Elise would make, but his guts told him she wouldn’t change her mind on having the rogue scum helping them. A decision he’d respect and not protest against.

 

[X Name]

It didn't take long for X to give his reply. He had anticipated the counter-offer. It was only logical for the Baroness to request an assurance of his service. "Deal." He gave her a wide grin, which he also gave to the two bodyguards standing between them. He cocked an eyebrow at the angry man that said he knew the protest would go unapproved. Then, his attention turned to the lovely dreadlord and he winked. "Hope I get to see more of you, my lady." He smiled wryly at her before returning his attention to the Baroness.

"I figured that would be your retort. You seem like an astute individual and I look forward to showing you how right you are. I can personally guarantee that I will gut more pirates than any other men in your employ." He once again glanced at the brute and winked at him provocatively as if to say Yeah, that was a challenge. "So... When do we leave for battle, madame?"

 

[Ania]

Ania cocked an eyebrow and looked in Ademar's direction. She wasn't sure how they did things in House Virak but in Weiroon if she were to question an order publicly, in front of a foreign adversary, they'd have ripped each of her fingernails off for a first time offense. It would be interesting to see how the Lady of Virak treated such insolence.

Her gaze did not linger on Ademar long as the cloaked newcomer cut a wink and a sly remark. She answered in kind with a scowl though the pale woman would've preferred to inform him that by the time this mission concluded she would see him roasted alive. Elise had already indicated he wasn't to be slaughtered, for now, and she had made it clear that he was no friend of the Anirian regime.

It was not a dreadlord's place to openly question the judgement of their superiors. The apprentice would learn that, in time. They were tools of violence, espionage, and wanton destruction to be used under the unfailing guidance of the great houses.

Therefore a frown and a scowl would be all she'd offer to the dead man walking while she bit her tongue and awaited further orders from the Virak woman leading the assault.

 

[Elise Virak]

"Shhh." Elise said as she gently patted Ademar on the arm, like a kindergarten teacher soothing a crying child.

There was an amused smile on her lips even now, though just what she was thinking no one could actually tell. There was a plan in place, and she would see it followed through until the end. With a slight change of course.

Ademar was young yet, and the passion he carried would be twisted into loyalty before he rose to the Rank of Dreadlord. That much she was sure of.

There was a time to punish, and then there was a time to encourage. "We sail immediately."

Preparations had already been made, and with the executions done Elise slowly raised herself up from her seat. She made sure to stay behind her guard, gesturing towards the Dreadlords and soldiers.

"We go." There was no time to waste.

 

[X Name]

What about the deal?

Kill first. Kill them all.

Kill the pirates first. Then the traitor.

Just how many were there anyway? X chuckled to himself as he once again grabbed the edge of the roof and pulled himself up, flipping onto his feet as he did. He immediately set upon jumping from rooftop to rooftop, making his way toward the harbor as he looked around for whichever ship was unlucky enough to bear him.

He eventually settled on one of the bigger ships that held an emblem of the Virak house; the same symbol he saw on many of the Baroness' guards. He climbed his way up to the crow's nest and poked at the man already there. "You can stay, but it might get weird for you." He snickered as the soldier gave him an inquisitive look but said no more.

 

[Ademar Acero]

The Apprentice bowed his head in obedience when Elise calmly hushed him and light pats on his arms. He would not open his mouth again to question her motives as he already tried, instead he would support and fight for whatever orders she gave to him. If she wanted to keep this...this peasant amongst them, so be it; however, he wouldn’t hesitate in killing the man if he dared to compromise the safety of his Lady’s life, even if it meant breaking his orders or not receiving permission from Elise.

“Yes, my Lady,” the mountainous man said as he followed his Baroness, civilians making way as they cut through the sea of commoners.

The host of Elise arrived at the harbor with the same strange man from before already being there. Had he try to get near Elise, he’d push him away from her. He wouldn’t kill, on Elise’s order, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t give him a punch. He just needed a legitimate reason to strike the man, and he’d take it when given the opportunity.

With the arrival of Elise had the sailors ready to unfold the sails of the mast and to push off from port. Just needed the word.

 

[Ania]

Surprising. Did Elise's mercy on Ademar and the outlander belie a deeper strategy? Or was it a sign of weakness? No, Elise Virak could be described in many words but weak was not one of them. Time would tell and the dreadlord from Weiroon knew it best not to dwell on the intentions of her masters. She was simply a tool for them to use.

As the pale woman boarded the flagship of the assault her first stop was to the armory. Her slender estoc at her hip she requested three additional daggers from the man-at-arms. In addition, she procured an immense pike which was strapped to her back. It was just as much for show as it was practical. She was looking forward to this venture, longing to see the panic in their faces. It would be her, on behalf of Vel Anir, that would end the horrid lives of this criminal scum.

Once she was armed to the teeth the pale warrior stepped out onto the deck. Sun baking on her porcelain cheeks and reflecting off her onyx hair. The third level dreadlord made her way towards Lady Virak, ensuring she stayed behind Ademar. Though she was certain she was trusted by now nobles could get jumpy when a dreadlord from a rival house wandered too near.

"Let's turn the ocean red," she remarked, eager to press on.

 

[Yrael]

The docks sprang to life as the war party finally arrived. Sails unfurled their angry colors and men began barking orders at one another. The royal ship was no exception, and the commanding officers began ordering their men just the same. They would not be the first to leave the harbor, that would be House Virak, but damned if they would be the last.

Disliking the noise and crowd, Yrael entered the captain's chambers. The sturdy wooden walls provided merciful silence, even if the large glass windows looked out only on the bow of the ship behind them. The captain looked up at his approach but did not speak. He had learned better than to distract the Dreadlord with idle conversation. If Yrael wanted to speak, he would speak. Frankly, the captain appreciated the bluntness, even as he held a healthy fear of the man.

Yrael did not speak. He instead idly turned the pages of a large atlas without touching them. The images of the world as they knew it intrigued him, particularly the bits at the edges. Recent additions, those were, and only faint whisperings of the kingdoms beyond the page had been recorded.

When he looked at the images, Yrael contemplated how small the area controlled by Vel Anir truly was in comparison to the continents at large. The logistics of governing aside, surely they had the power to expand. He felt perhaps, if the ruling houses could stop their bickering for a moment, they might have a chance at true power. The glory of Vel Anir spread across the world. That was certainly something worth fighting for.

In this regard it should be comforting that multiple houses had once again allied behind a single cause. It was not. Nevermind that the alliance was purely out of short term personal gain for each house involved, it was again behind Elise, a woman who's power had grown dangerously over the past years. A woman who, should she take the reigns of her house in full, would have no qualms using any means necessary to solidify her power.

Yrael could relate.

The first mate entered, informing them that they were to set sail, and soon they were off. Yrael watched from beside the helm once more, feeling the wind pick up. It would be calming to obliterate some pirates.

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise stepped onto her ship with all the regal stature of a Queen.

Half a dozen soldiers moved quickly behind her, Ademar at her side as she made her way over the deck. The Captain offered a short greeting, then a word about how the seas would fare today. Before he could finish his sentence the Baroness held up a hand.

"Captain, I am neither a Sailor nor an Admiral." She stared at the man, her expression about as blank as possible. "Keep my fleet afloat, defeat the pirates at sea, and you will hear no other commands from me."

It was that simple.

Elise would not pretend to be a battlefield commander or General.

Her expertise lay in the politics that went on behind the scene, in twisting people to do as she willed. What was the point of having servants if you did their jobs for them?

The Captain offered her a quick nod, and within a few minutes the sails of Elise's massive Galleon unfurled and the Fleet began to move. The tide of the sea swept them out quickly, and faster than most would have thought possible the Armada was on it's way.

 

[X Name]

As the ships started to sail, the sailor in the crow's nest was having a difficult time focusing on his watch. One could imagine how difficult it was to keep one's composure with the seemingly one-sided conversation going on nearby. Only it wasn't really one-sided. The sailor simply couldn't hear the other sides of the conversation. X had been keeping better watch himself as he spoke and listened to the others.

"Well, why wouldn't we go clear out the pirates? They've already been disowned by the masters. They signed their own death certificate."

We do not trust. We only obey when it suits us.

How has that made our life better?

"It gave us coin. My job is to kill or capture. This time, it's just kill. Is that not acceptable?"

Very acceptable. Paid to kill. Paid to maim. Paid to gouge out their...

No. We should be doing our first job. Abandon ship and go for the traitor.

"Now you're just talking crazy talk. If we do that, we are obeying and disobeying the masters at the same time. That was not in our contract."

But the contract said to torture and kill the loose-lipped traitor BEFORE the new contract.

"Sometimes the plan must be made pliable. Bend the rules in order to obey them."

Yes. More killing that way. Maybe the pretty lady will let us kill more later...

Or perhaps she will terminate us after this mission...

"I already have a contingency plan for that. Let's hope it doesn't come to that though. I very much like to be paid to kill, but I enjoy living more. Practicality should be my name."

Only we don't have a...

"Enough! Let us be done with this. Keep watching. I want to be the first one on the enemy ships and I better have the first boots on ground. We have a reputation to uphold..." A smile crept up on his face as he glanced at the terrified sailor next to him. Then, he watched the horizon for anything noteworthy.

 

[Ania]

Ania shook her head as the salty mist coursed through her hair. Her slate blue eyes matched the shade of the sky as the dreadlord looked at the unfurling sails. Though it was only a glimpse she had noticed that Yrael stepped aboard the ship. An unusual individual. What self respecting dreadlord would pledge themselves to the royal family?

She was an upstanding Anirian citizen so it was only proper that she would protect the royalty with her life if asked. But to pledge to them and not one of the Great Houses? Maybe others said similar things about her though. Weiroon had not seen an archon in over a century. They had but a single level one dreadlord and no level twos. Perhaps Yrael was trying to prove something.

To that end, she could relate. Her aim had always been to bring glory to her house. Perhaps the dreadlord pledge to the king simply wished to restore honor to a fallen bloodline indentured by the Great Houses. It was a fool’s errand but an admirable one none-the-less.

What had concerned Ania far more though was the mysterious cloaked man. He was clearly deranged. She recognized insanity as she suffered her own false illusions and phantom pains from her abilities. Sometimes it caused her grasp on reality to slip. The apothecary had an elixir which helped and she had a devotion to focus on. The hooded man, however, seemed entirely unhinged and that was a risk.

‘Need to keep him far, far, away from the captain and Lady Virak,’ Ania thought to herself.