Leaning upon the railing of [i]TRUE BLUE[/i] with a cup of wine in hand, the freshly appointed captain stared at the approaching ship blankly. Eyebrows and frown putting his mood somewhere between amused and annoyed. From the stairs behind him came a Dwarf with a beard that would have stretched down to the gentlemans boot laces had it not been tucked into his belt. 

Wringing his dirty bandana between his bloodied fingers he approached the captain hesitantly.

"Ah, sir. We have a problem." 

"I can see that, Dran. Can we outrun them?" The wine glass in his jewel studded hand swirled to the tempo of his displeasure. Captain Goldwater was a large man, standing over 6 feet of calloused muscle, covered by fine silk and exquisite leather boots struggling to shine in what little light there was the be found. A longsword rested at his hip, the handle showing it was well used.

For his own part, Raz Ironbrow was standing firmly if hesitantly against the captains displeasure but carried on with his duties. "The, uhh, cargo, sir. Not settling well."

Goldwater turned just enough to shoot the Dwarf an icy stare, dropping the cup of wine into the waiting waters below for added effect. Truth be told he wasn't annoyed but wanted to keep usurpers reasonably off balance. Nobody could tell if his mood would turn violent and so followed orders hastily.

 "We have bigger problems that shifting cargo, Ironbrow. That damn hunter ship is coming in and we're too far into the shallows to make an escape out on the black reef." Goldwater tugged at the whiskers on his chin as he ponderedthe available options. Worst case scenario he used their cargo to dispose of the threat, best case scenario was TRUE BLUE catching a break. True worst case scenario would see Goldwater back to the islands thanks to a recall scroll.

"Ironbrow, tell the crew to ready up. We can't hope to outrun that ship with ourcargo weighing us down.." A devious grin stretched across his weathered face. "Have someone go ready our cargo, while we're at it."

Knuckles turning white from tension were eased as Raz blew out a sigh. Captain was in good humors so he would be too. "Aye sir!" Flashing a salute, the dwarf stomped his way down the slick staircase leading to the cargo hold as he shouted orders at everyone around, a great cheer went up as weapons quickly found their way into every available hand. Crossbows, pistols, spears, swords, boarding axes. 

Captain Goldwater returned to his spot at the railing staring out as [i]Great Aquarius[/i] inched closer, drawing out his regular expression of annoyance.

"I should have kept that wine." He remarked to himself dryly.


[hr]

[@manofthenorth]

"Watch over our lads and ladies as you always do, Da- Izal. I'll hold our ship like always." She quickly corrected her near blunder, sometimes calling the aged man her father instead of his name. It was second nature after so many years with the man aboard this ship. Her ship, now. Silently she smiled at at the thought of how long they had run their business together as equals. Everyone aboard tried to work to their strengths. 

"Watch your back. Please." She whispered, just loud enough that only Izal could hear it.

To the others on board she called out loud and clear over the clatter of preparation. "Expect no quarter, give none back." Delilahs tone was cold as ice. The only one she would accept as prisoner was the captain of that stolen ship, to be returned to the Karaz Kharagul. 

Turning back to Izal, she took position to take the wheel so the main fighting force aboard the ship could focus on their tasks with proper leadership. "Have the ballista loaded with the special rounds. I want their rudder and sails mangled before we step foot on board." Once they had crippled TRUE BLUE and boarded, Delilah was confident they would sweep across every inch of the stolen merchant vessel like a hurricane.

Behind them both, Rolland chanted more wind into the sails with renewed fervor. Eager to be done with the bloody work ahead. 

In a matter of minutes the crew were within shooting distance. A stray arrow from TRUE BLUE fell short of the prow of Aquarius, putting them well within range for retaliation. On the deck readying pistols and bows were well over two dozen unarmored combatants jeering and waving their blades in anticipation. 

"You know what to do, so do it. Make me proud." Delilah winked.