Open Chronicles WFC: Carried On The Tides

[Lucius]

Cortell - Near the Straits of Cortell

The Painted Dove was a decent enough ship. A single mast, low profile, and fast enough that it could run even an Allirian blockade. At least that's what it's Captain Cima Deleon claimed.

Lucius wasn't entirely sure about that claim, not because of the ship though. The Dove carried none of his doubts, it was mostly the crew that concerned him. Men and women that had signed on for...well, he wasn't entirely sure what each of their reasons were. Some were patriots, others in it for the coin, and the rest? Well, they were really the ones that he couldn't figure out.

He himself was here only because of a favor, because Cima was one of the few people from the old days who hadn't looked down on him when he'd been in the gutters. Who had tried, and then failed to get him out off the Shade before Peyton had ultimately succeeded.

When Cima had asked him for a favor, asked him to sign on as the First Mate for the Dove in just one smuggling run he hadn't been able to say no. A decision that he didn't quite yet regret, but one that he was starting to question more and more. He only wondered if this would all be worth it. The Feiarens undoubtedly needed the supplies they were bringing, but Tychos' navy wasn't a joke, and with a crew like this?

Lucius just wasn't sure.

"Ah, getting jealous of her already?" Cima asked as he came up behind him, clapping Lucius on the shoulder. "Sorry, lad, but she's not for sale."

A scoff echoed passed the Pirate's lips. "When we're done here, lets take a second and put the Blackheart against this little dingy, yeah?"

Cima didn't answer, only returning a grin to his old friend as he shook him a little. "Don't look so worried, It'll all be fine."

The words were spoken as a loud whistle sounded from the crows nest, the shrill sound a warning that they were nearing land. It was a sign that things were about to turn serious. The plan was to cut down the coast and pass through the straits of Cortell, arriving at their meeting point where hopefully they could off-load their cargo and get out before any Tychen ships spotted them.

Which would, of course, only happen if they made it to the rendezvous point at all.

"Well." Lucius said as he hopped off his perch. "Lets see if that'll ring true, eh?"

 

[Igni Ymaranath Ythys]

Igni Ymaranath Ythis was an oddity to these sailors and pirates. They had surely seen rich merchants before, but quite possibly none so young, or so round as Igni. Despite the setting she wore a regal blue dress more befitting a royal gala than a sailing ship, though its multiple layers of fabric and petticoats did nothing to slim her immense figure. Long auburn hair had been carefully woven into a plait and wrapped carefully atop her head, so that from behind it resembled a rose. Though the salty wind had loosened more than a few strands which she had tucked beneath her slightly pointed ears.

Nobody knew why the enormous woman was aboard the Dove except for the captain. All he had told his crew and comrades was that she would make the ship faster. Exactly how he had left entirely a mystery. If there was anything Igni loved more than being enigmatic it was a big reveal, which would happen when the time was right.

Still, despite her regal - if not wind-swept appearance, Igni still had trouble with the rolling and pitching of the ship over the surf. She grasped the rail tightly with one small, plump hand as the other lifted her dress and the many petticoats beneath, as if she were walking down stairs. Her belly and bosom arrived before the rest of her did, sidling up to Cima just as Lucious had hopped off his perch.

"What's that whistle mean? Are we in for some excitement?" Igni grinned with child-like enthusiasm. Perhaps unaware of the dangers they were truly in.

 

[Edward Lorain]

Edward had joined the Painted Dove as a favor for his old friend Cima. Well, also The Shag had been experiencing a decline in jobs with the growing security in the area and a giant hole in its hull. Edward was hoping that the money he would make on this would be enough for repairs on his own ship.

Once Ed had learned about the job at hand, it was smart that Cima had asked him for this favor on this mission. This wasn't going to be easy, and they were going to need the best of the best, which he was.

Edward crawled down the rigging with the grace and speed of someone who had been born into this life, which he essentially was. His climbing style was a mix of jumping and falling, his hands always amazingly finding the handhold he needed just at the last second.

"Maybe don't start bragging about your ship until we really push her to the test, ay?"

He said it in jest, as it was already clear that this vessel was of good quality...He should invest more in his own boat. No, it was not a good idea to compare vessels when he was lucky enough to have one. The Shag got him where he needed to go, and was always there when he needed her the most. That was all he could ask for.

 

[Lucius]

Lucius was really questioning the make-up of this crew. His head shaking ever so slightly as he watched the woman approach, and then question probably one of the most basic naval signals around. Did she even have any sailing experience?

Kress, he should have asked for a roster weeks ago. "Well, no excitement yet."

He explained, figuring that the least he could do was be kind. Peyton had been workin' on that, trying to get him to not be so damned abrasive with new folk. Though he still thought it was better to keep a ship to those who knew it.

"Three whistles means trouble, for now we're just hitting the narrow." He continued. "This is where the Tychen's patrol."

Meaning they would probably hear those three whistles sooner rather than later. "So, it's only a matter of time."

He rolled his shoulders, casting a glance over the side of the railing as the Dove cut through the narrow sea and headed south.

"Ey!" Cima called up to Edward. "I've tested 'er plenty, otherwise I wouldn't risk this."