At the dock, there is a registry to a sturdy Galley. On the front of it, a wooden woman wears a painted gold crown and points forward with one hand and clutches her bosom with the other. On the side, it reads "The Infanta". As crewmen prepare the vessel with last-minute procedures. Checklists for food, rum, and ammunition as well as properly kept sleeping areas and a clean ship. A very tall man argues with a squat man who waddles where he goes and yells almost incomprehensibly. The crew seems to understand him perfectly, however, as he prepares the vessel. Plenty of signs and messages and rumors of a new ship sailing to hunt down smugglers around Thrax has been spreading, so discovery of this was easy enough. Indeed, so much that some smuggling and black market trade has died down - slightly - or at least been a bit more careful...

While marines dress for battle Castiel dresses for the weather; it's a chill wind that blows in the open seas and the Serpent is wearing a full two layers underneath the light-gray woolen coat, its high collar raised all the way to his chin, and he has put a thick black tuque over his head tucked all the way down to cover his ears. Not that there are any weapons on his person, at least none that are visible, but he seems perfectly satisfied with that as he climbs to the bridge seeking for the Infanta's captain with a serene expression on his face. "Who's in charge here?" he asks the man yelling without bothering to raise his own voice, waiting for the answer as he passively observes how the sailors responds to their instructions.

Orathy Culler was part of the crew that was on board, previous arrangements made with the Prince to reserve a fighting spot on the Infanta, with the promise of plunder and booty likely doing as much to keep him on deck. Who knew if the Lower's man could survive the churning seas, but he had brought a satchel with him all the same, a few possessions that amounted to private stock of whiskey and tobacco, and well, that's about it. Wearing his arms and armor, he's got a foot propped up on the quarter deck railing, leaning over it with an hand clutching one of the rigging lines. Sailor, probably not, but here all the same.

Alexander arrives, following Calliope.

Alexander have been dismissed.

1 Grayson Guardsmen, Alejandra, a snowy white hound, Peaches, a lovely white war filly with a peach saddle arrive, following Reese.

1 Grayson Guardsmen have been dismissed.

It's kind of amazing what some people will do when bored. All the more amazing when that boredom comes upon some highborn sorts. Too often lately for Luca the Languid, grim prince of Velenosa, that has equated laying around for days blackout drunk. But lately he's been staying resolutely sober by some miracle of promised action that has yet to manifest. So when he heard about this little call out for additional hands to the hunting of men on the sea, the Champion duelist apparently on a whim decided to stop by and see what there was to see. And here he is, dressed for war, or at least as much so as he ever is. In glittering slickness of diresnake skin in shining dark blues and purple scales, pants skin-tight and waterproof as any mariner gear, albeit probably less warm, while the hooded cloak he wears is draped loosely over him, hood up, the twin blades of viper-pommeled sabres rising from his back through slits in it. He doesn't seem too bothered by the chill despite the lighter armor, and equally doesn't seem to be overly bothered rushing to the ship or to find who is in charge. It's almost like he is waiting around for someone in particular, despite being evidently ready for action.

Coming aboard the 'Infanta' Sir Perrach climbed the gangway one heavy footstep before another until the last booted thud would bring him upon the ship's wooden deck. Against the sun's glare in the sky he squinted, blurring shapes of men and structures before him. No need for sight as the man moved aside, permitting others to come aboard after his wide leather clad frame paused on the deck and drew his arms to fold across his chest in waiting for instruction.

And there's Zaina. Female. Pregnant. At least she's not wearing a dress. But those pants, they've definitely been let out. It's a good thing the thick cloak that covers her mostly hides the roundness of her belly. She follows in Castiel's wake, oh-so-quietly. Almost as if she were sneaking. If she's got weaponry on her, it's well concealed. Her bag is evident, though, slung over one slender shoulder, and modest in size. She's got on a thick veil, that hides all but her eyes. For warmth.

Calliope's attire isn't at all appropriate for a trip on a ship, she's in skirts and full heavy cloak and hood, trimmed and lined with furs. She doesn't look at all thrilled about being here, a bit of pallor on her skin displaying her nervousness to those that know her. Approaching the dock, she lifts a hand as she sees Castiel, starting to approach the man. The satchel over her shoulder has books peeking out of the edge, and a bottle of something.

Orathy, already aboard and arranged prior with Eric, starts looking at the figures that are strolling up on the gangplank, brow lifted at the various figures, noble and otherwise... pregnant too! He snorts and grumbles, "Aint no proper plunderin ship, this..." he watches as Castiel boards, seemingly approving of at least the Thrax contingent, "Better get paid fer this still..."

Reese arrives while adorned in her rose decorated leather armor. She has a ruby pink sword at one hip and a silvery pink sword at her other hip. The girl draws near to Luca, giving him a smile. "Oh, you decided to come, Prince Nimble." She murmurs. She sends her war horse and hound back home with Grayson guard.

Peaches, a lovely white war filly with a peach saddle have been dismissed.

Alejandra, a snowy white hound have been dismissed.

"HAW RIGH, LADS! SHUT IT An' LISSIN' T' TH' CAP'N!" cries out the Quartermaster. Eric looks at the people as the silence lessens. "Right men!" booms Eric with incredible authority. "We have villains loos in the waters - and they aren't us!" he says, a few of the crew laughing. "We're going to be looking for a specific vessel - known as Tehom's Servant. She's been carrying dust en masse and inflicting its plague on the area for far too long. Today, this ends!" he calls out and pulls out his sword and raises it high. "MEN OF ARX, MEN OF THE INFANTA! Today, we cut off but one of many heads from a monster that seeks to devour our country! For this, you will be rewarded fairly, as men of this realm. Let us begin!" He looks over. "Quartermaster, you know what to do."

The Quartermaster starts hollering at the various men and women as they drop sails, pull anchors, and tie ropes secure.

Castiel smirks at Orathy. "You're going to get a cut from the proceedings, naturally, on top of your normal salary." he informs him with a raised brow, then he spots the ladies approaching. "Miss Zaina, Magistrate Grimhall, I do not know if I have introduced my new enforcer." That's apparently the burly man's job description since he nods in Orathy's direction to indicate him then turns to the other two. "And the ship will just have to do. There aren't that many seaworthy vessels available right now for reasons that ought to be obvious." He notices Reese boarding, squinting an eye in her direction but doesn't say anything else past that. Luca and Perrach are observed, people he recognizes, but Eric's yelling things distracts him enough to peek at his already bared sword with a raised brow.

"How could I resist invitation of my favorite pink-bladed menace, Ribbons?" Luca quips back to Reese with a roguish wink and rakish cant to lopsided smile, adding a bit more drily after with a snort. "Besides, I'm bored fucking mindless waiting on another piece of action." An 'after you' sort of gesture to the gangway and he's adding quietly. "You know those involved more than I, so after you. Kind of an interesting mishmash, so should be a hoot regardless." Then, following the princess in pink up, the diresnake-clad duelist settles in to listen to the speech given. The lazy prince by the end of it is just shaking his head a bit and murmuring something to the Grayson, though it ends with a louder mutter of. "...long as I get to stab something, I suppose I don't mind either way."

Calliope's hands reach up to push her head off of her face, lifting a brow at the speech to the men of Arx. She's not on board, she's still on the docks, and she murmurs to the merchant prince, "Prince Castiel. I hope this won't be a long journey." She nods her head in understanding, turning to give the ship a skeptical look, "This one is sea worthy though, yes?"

Zaina settles in near Castiel on the ship, her eyes darting above the veils settled lower on her face. When her voice comes, it's muffled by them. "Your Highness," she answers the Thrax Prince. "You haven't quite introduced your new enforcer, even now," she muses, and is that humor in her voice? "Does he have a name?" Her eyes dart to Orathy, but nothing further comes from her yap-hole. Instead, she listens to Eric's rousing speech.

Darrow silently steps towards the ship, a stern expression on his face. His salt rimed boots click as he heads up the gangplank. He's exactly on time as the sailors and men begin to winch the anchors and unfurl sails. Stepping towards Eric, he ticks his head. "My Prince. I've come to assist. Given that the salt laws of Thrax need to be reminded to those who would flaunt them." His stormcloak is pulled close over his leathers, though his hood is tipped back.

Orathy straightens at Eric's words of what they were going after. A merchant ship carrying dust. He looks around at the nobles and there's definitely a grimace showing on his face. He looks over toward Castiel for the reminder that he'd get some profit from this but his frown suggests he was thinking otherwise. He leans in to Castiel, muttering something, as he's introduced as an enforcer for Castiel, which also makes him wince a little, "Youse a right idiot sometimes Prince-" shaking his head, "-Don't be gonna tell the world wha I be like it be a fuckin badge, eh? Ever 'eard of da element of surprise?" He shakes his head but tries to look positive, which is hard to do, on a ship full of nobles for one. "Aye, a fuckin terrible name... Orathy."

"Well, I am not dressed for swimming, Magistrate." Castiel assures Calliope with an amused, raised brow. "It had better be. The world cannot lose one such as I." His smile is still spreading across his lips when he gives Zaina a careful look then he sighs. "Do you *really* think people are going to look at you and think you're there to carry my bags, Orathy? Maybe we can pass you as a collegiate scholar? he mutters to the other fellow. "Just make sure to give any of those miscreants we're hunting down today the shits the way you do to our servants and we'll be good to go." He smiles at the law-woman nearby though afterwards as he adds, "Also you better impress *her* while you're at it. One day you might be standing before her."

Eric walks over to Castiel and says "If you don't like the ship, you're free to swim," offers Eric with a grin. "This vessel is specially designed for boarding and chasing. You'll see." he says with the arrogant grin only a Prince can muster - and a grin that makes most others want to punch said noble... He looks to Calliope and says "This won't be an afternoon romp, I'm afraid. This will be a dangerous journey as we face heartless cowards, and if you wish to insult my ship one more time, I will throw you and anyone else off with you. Am I clear?" he says irritably. To Zaina, he nods and says "He's a valiant sellsword I met in training. A fierce heart, that one. I would rue the enemy who thinks they are his match.

Soon, though, the board is about to be rmoved, and last chances to hitch a ride on the Infanta - or to leave - are dwindling!

Reese removes her helm, revealing that she is wearing pink ribbons. She hopefully will place it back on once the battle is underway. She lingers close to Luca and is upon the boat now. "I am up for dangerous." She murmurs. "But I don't swim so very well, so I will try not to go over." She then looks in Orathy's direction, her blue eyes widening for a moment. "You should be behaved. I am of the Iron Guard." She says. A smile of greeting is given to the others here.

The Thraxian knight watched a few more new faces came onto the deck. Just over his shoulder the captain's voice boomed, calling the crew into action. Everything moved with purpose, sails snapped once caught by the wind and the grinding rise of the anchor grumbled against the ships hull. "I wouldn't even wait for the insult." Perrach remarked while glaring at the offendor. Nobles nor women were to spared.

weren't*

Calliope's brow lifts at the words from Prince Eric, and her smile is plain. "No insult to your ship Your Highness, simply a query, from one not so fond of sailing." A hand is lifted to forestall the protest, and she states, "I need only somewhere to hang over the rail, so that I don't dirty your decks." She seems unembarrassed by the fact that the motion of the waves might make her throw up, Grimhall or not.

Luca does as Luca is prone to doing too often lately. He just grins like a lopsided cheshire fox, finds somewhere to lean against, and watches the proceedings with clear mirth. Reese's comments especially seem to tickle the odd Lycene prince's funny bone, though he murmurs something to her at the end of it.

"I'll make sure to stay on his good side," is Zaina's reply. "Or at least the dull side of his blade. Do we have a general direction, or more of a specific place in mind?" the Eurusi woman asks, huddling closer into her cloak against the elements.

Orathy looks to Reese and gives a sudden BAILFUL laugh, "Aye, fuckin Iron guards don't be havin no fuckin place on a ship eh? So go take yer iron 'n pound water eh!" He shakes his head at her, spitting down at the planks of the quarter deck, turning back with arms crossed to the Thrax, "I be throwin her shit over board if she give me anymore lip." And so his eyes turn to the woman Castiel was introducing, snortin, "Well, reckon the law of the sea be the master 'ere..." a smirk, "Impress 'er I will by savin yer ass Prince..." This to Castiel, a shrug, "An' I reckon I can pass fer a good butler, eh?" Rub that salt in. RUBBB. There's respect shown to Eric, "An' of course the captain's law eh. Nothin else bloody matters." Until he gets off the ship, then well, then stuff matters.

"Isn't it great? We're already getting along so well." Castiel smirks at Eric and Calliope. "The truth is, I've seen worse vessels in my day, some of which are even above water today, perhaps as we speak." He keeps at Reese though, raising a brow at the Grayson Princess before he turns back to those near him. "Yes, Orathy, you can pass as a fucking butler." he grumbles at the other man as he takes a few steps around the deck. "I'm just saying, it's the nature of the world; it won't hurt to make some friends among those of a, shall we say, legal persuasion. Not that you *need* such friends, but just in case."

Calliope's smile is directed at Orathy now, it's still that hard, brittle type of smile, quite out of character for the red-head. She's stressed about being on the ship it seems. "Respect please," she murmurs, and turns to Reese as well, "And you have no authority here. So respect as well please My Lady." A sigh, and she turns back to look at the water, a skeptic expression in her green eyes. "I hate this."

Reese leans into Luca, listening to his whispered words and giving the man a smile. She then looks over Orathy as he speaks of tossing her gear overboard. She sucks in a sharp breath as her gear is rather expensive. "I don't recommend trying that, Master Culler." She says in his direction. She then turns her attention to Castiel maybe noting his raised brow. She parts her lips as if about to speak and then Calliope is. She glances between the three of them. "I was mostly just teasing there. I though the silly was somewhat clear." She looks out over the water have taken off yet? The Grayson princess is possibly starting to regret this trip.

"Ain't that why we got you lords to take care of that legal shit?" Sir Perrach asked aloud to Castiel.

Pariah, The StormCrow, 4 Redoubt Buccaneers arrive, following Maximilian.

Rogue arrives, following Rowan.

Rogue leaves, following Rowan.

Luca's laid-back smile turns just a touch sharper, almost predatory, at Orathy's talk of throwing Reese off for lip, as if he'd argue the point, but he doesn't move from his lazy perch on railing for now in any sort of threatening way, and with his hood up to shroud most of his bronzed face in shadows, it's hard to tell really _what_ he's feeling beyond the evident good humor. Reese may be regretting her decision, but apparently the Lycene's just happy to be out doing something. Unusual for him not to be tossing around smartass comments though.

Reese checked dexterity + survival against difficulty 15, resulting in 54, 39 higher than the difficulty.

"There are things that I know about the law, good Sir", Castiel informs Perrach, "and it has the same relationship to it that maps have with rocky shores. It is not a very complicated relationship but it's based on aversion and maneuvering. That is about the legal shit I am able or willing to do." His grin doesn't take long to fade after that though as he turns to give Reese a polite nod of his head. "And I see you know my uh, butler." he tells her as the man's eyes roll at Orathy. "He certainly gets around, this one." The Serpent seems increasingly distracted as the tasks required of such a crew are more than to socialize with the other passengers.

Orathy looks to Zaina, "Aye, reckon yer right bout that o' Red Eye Prince," he's obviously jesting about Castiel, reaching out with his hand toward Zaina, "Youse be his friend, eh, then youse be mine, jist long as we can be comin to some agreement... over things, I reckon." He sends a sharp look back toward Reese and will make sure he'll pick the opposite side of the ship, but right now, he's hanging out with the Thrax Prince. "Wasn't jokin meself..." he says plainly, but of course, to do something like that would likely get him skewered so, it could be just bark. He does give a dark chuckle when he's introduced as a butler now, "Fuck." Because yup, he knows that's going to stick.

Reflecting-pool blue eyes staring out over the water, leaning against one of the railings as the sailors busy themselves making the ship ready. His frown is stoic, but his posture suggests restlessness.

Reflecting-pool blue eyes staring out over the water, Darrow leans against one of the railings as the sailors busy themselves making the ship ready. His frown is stoic, but his posture suggests restlessness.

Max checked strength + sailing against difficulty 15, resulting in 41, 26 higher than the difficulty.

"I know him." Reese says in response to Castiel's words regarding Orathy. She then turns her attention to the Culler direction, a soft long-suffering sigh escaping from her slightly parted lips.

Calliope's head inclines towards Reese, and she seems actually remorseful as she murmurs, "I am sorry then, I may have misunderstood." It seems she's willing to admit her failings. Frowning, she turns to stare at the side of the boat, almost as if questioning her vision, but a hand lifts to point towards a small splash, and she says fairly loudly, "Boy Overboard! Someone help him!" There's no way she's jumping in. There's fish in there, and worse, Kraken! Probably not this close to the docks, but still!

The vessel begins to launch and QUITE the hullaballoo starts, as always when everything is getting finalized and things begin to move!

Darrow checked strength + sailing against difficulty 15, resulting in 33, 18 higher than the difficulty.

"Did you ever sail with my cousin?" Castiel asks out of nowhere one of the times he passes right by Zaina, peeking over the edge to see if he can spot the boy Calliope yelled just fell into the water, or possibly for the Kraken she claims might have been there. "And stop this shit right now you utter fuckhead!" he growls at one of the cabin boys who, at the time, seems to be trying to pull up a length of rope far too large for his size which might end up hurl him overboard as well. He grabs the nearest object - it happens to be an empty wooden keg - and he throws it at him. "Are you blind?!"

Castiel checked command + leadership against difficulty 15, resulting in 40, 25 higher than the difficulty.

Maximilian Darkwater - Count - captain - Admiral. He's got a day off. One. Day. Off. In all the chaos and excitement of the Arx war and the Gyre war and all the other things happening, It takes a day off to maintain sanity. And so what does Max do for a day off?

He signs up on Erics crew as a day laborer, in essence. Coming up from below, he nods to Eric. "Bilge and hold are good to go, top."

Orathy just seems to be on his way upward, climbing as he did during Jaenelle's event, swinging around on the rope ladders and tackling the climb with a fierce precision about his footwork. He may not look like a sailor but he could certainly replicate one now as he climbed up to one of the sails being unravelled. It seems that there's some difficulty with the rigging getting caught up there, some catch and rope that wasn't giving way. He's too high up to initially see what he's doing but he's working to get the sail unfurled, by all looks below!

Castiel catches Zaina's attention. How could he not? Dashing Prince, giving orders on a ship. It's her weakness. She follows silently in his wake, though her eyes dart back and forth, scanning the ship's deck, the horizon, as she answers, "I've not yet had the honor, nor am I likely to, carrying his child. I suspect I'll be in some amount of trouble for coming along on this trip. Have you sailed with him?" she asks, her eyes falling upon one particular man, carrying a rope around pointlessly. Her dark brow furrows stormily.

ANd thusly, Maximilian passes onward, to the rigging. He doesn't bother climing the rigging, instead, he works the ropes from below. A few belaying pins and a pully or two, and he's managing his sailors load (Har har, people) wihtout much difficulty. No hotdogging. No rope tricks, as tHere's no room for showoffs in a crew. Just solid sailoring.

Luca...looks supremely disinterested in overboard people as well as doing much of anything to help the crew with their tasks. For all intents and purposes, he seems like he might be treating this as a pleasure cruise, given how he's now sprawled out one leg up on the railing of the boat. From somewhere inside his brightly scaled cloak, he's pulling free a hip flask of volcanic glass stamped with Darkwater logo, taking a sip of what's inevitably rum, so at least he's got a good taste in drink for the occasion. The most useful thing he does? Call out from his sprawl upward to Orathy cheerfully in that Lenosian-accented, lazy voice. "Hey Butler, that bit up there's caught...oh, nevermind, you saw already! Good luck with that!" Before he's cheerfully going back to taking a pull off the bottle, saluting Max with it with wry grin when the Admiral-dayworker appears.

The sails launch! And with only mild incident. Soon, Eric begins to pilot the vessel into waters beyond Who knows what lies for them? Hopefully, the enemy? Hopefully an adventure! A good wind catches, and the sails fill, the vessel is pushed forward! Forward into the blue seas!

Castiel is still in yell-mode so maybe his words are somewhat louder than they could have been. "I would *rather* think it's a greater honor for you to let him put a damn *baby* in you than for you to be on a boat with him!" he points out but he's grinning already by the time he's done with that example of Thraxian tactfulness. "But once or twice. Never professionally, he tends to sink things I want taken and take men for thralls I would rather see plummet into a salty grave." He notices Maximilian for the first time though after that and peers at the fellow as he passes by. "Where the fuck did *you* come from?"

The movement of the ship. It's too much for Calliope, and all of a sudden, she could care less how many stupid boys falling overboard drown! Her face goes an ugly shade of green, and her chest jerks in a heaving movement, and all of a sudden it looks like she's holding something in. Two steps, three to the railing, and as promised, she's leaning over the bow, throwing up her entire breakfast into the sea.

The squat Quartermaster hobbles quickly over to Calliope "F'k yadoin' onna boat, mzz's! 'Ere! Keeper goots inside!" he says, offering her a mug of some brown mysterious liquid.

Maximilian grunts his greeting to Castiel... "My mommas twat! You look like you used da odda road, mate!" There's a grin for the Prince as Max continues to work. His work crew, he organizes and gets moving with expedience. "Ooooooh you boys! Ya good boys, ya know the Blue Saffron Sea, Aye?"

Max gets a few dubious looks from the sailors... Like of course they do.

Max Grins then, startingt he sea shanty..

"

There were two lofty ships
From Darkwater they came,
Row high, Row low,
And so sail we!
One was the Damnation,
T'other Enraptunator's Fame,
All a-reaven' through the Isles,
Of the Blue Saffron Sea!"

Perrach was leaning against the rail, observing the traditional madness occuring on deck. He squinted as the woman began emptying her stomach contents into the sea. The Thraxian knight gives a jerk of his head toward the woman, "There ya go... feed the fish."

Castiel checked perception + sailing against difficulty 20, resulting in 60, 40 higher than the difficulty.

Zaina does wince at Castiel's loud announcement, but there's a recovery quick enough. "It's a great honor," she confirms, good servant she is, "and if you're after that one next, I can put in a good word." Not such a great servant, maybe, after all. Her eyes dart after the man with the rope still. "That one," she gestures to Castiel. "He does nothing save carry the rope around, attempting to look busy. You ought to chuck him."

Perrach was leaning against the western railling, observing the traditional madness occuring on deck. He squinted as the woman began emptying her stomach contents into the sea. The Thraxian knight gives a jerk of his head toward the woman, "There ya go... feed the hungry fish."

Luca checked perception + survival against difficulty 30, resulting in 14, 16 lower than the difficulty.

Reese tries to keep her distance from Orathy while on the boat. Sure he probably was just barking, but Devotion being sent over board would be a bad thing. She notices Max when he starts to sing, because well he is impossible not to notice now and a nod of greeting is given in his direction. The Grayson princess is struggling with things like balancing on the moving ship and trying not to be sick. At least she is in leather instead of all her heavy steel. She tries to help out wherever she can and in true Reese fashion is even willing to try sailing, despite never having done such before.

Max checked command + leadership against difficulty 15, resulting in 47, 32 higher than the difficulty.

Maximilian settles into an easy rhtym with his work crew, the call and repeat of the song making it slide right into place. Sea Shanties were deveoped as a way to time mens activities together and make them easier to coordinate, so it's not vanity so much as how the job gets done.



"Aloft there, aloft there"
Our jolly bosun cried!
Row high, Row low,
And so sail we!
"Look ahead, look astern,
Look to weather an' a-lee"
All a-reaven' through the Isles,
Of the Blue Saffron Sea!


Perrach checked perception + sailing against difficulty 20, resulting in 34, 14 higher than the difficulty.

Darrow glances over to Maximilian, who seems to be lustily singing with the crew. He presses his lips together, not joining in, and returns his gaze to the horizon, and then the receding docks.

Calliope's vomitting stops for a few minutes, and the woman pulls a handkerchief from some pocket in her cloak. Wiping her brow first, and then her lips, she turns to attemtp to smile at the quartermaster. "Thank you," she murmurs, moving to accept the liquid, but the smell alone of it makes her turn green again, and she's hanging over the side again! Surely she didn't eat THAT much today!

Orathy was still up on the first tier of masts, leaning over and straddling it like any sailor might be, screwing with the riggings to get the sail unfurled. Once it seems to go and billows out, he shifts further on the mast, swinging back around onto the ladder to climb higher. Hell, even Orathy might be adding his voice to the sea shanty, although he remains up in the riggings to have a point of view... He hails toward a vessel with yellow and blue sails, "Thar she be! Port side, sailing North!"

Orathy checked command + leadership against difficulty 15, resulting in 28, 13 higher than the difficulty.

Castiel was giving Max the finger as he continued to gaze at the horizon *and* spent that time trying to hold a conversation with Zaina. "It's not my ship, miss Zaina, I am not a quartermaster. My job is to spot..." He stops though then when Calliope loses the contents of her stomach and turns to give her an amused look. "Now you are baptized *properly*. I'll need to put a good word in there for you with Lord Grimhall, Magistrate." he grins, but the act of looking in a different direction gives him the perspective needed to squint his eyes. "Hey. Hey!" he hollers to Eric. "Ship! I see our prey. There!" The Serpent's finger is pointed toward a nearly invisible spot far away.

Luca, after having taken a few swigs of rum, has taken to a distinctly unique method of observation of dangers or prey out on the waters. Namely, he's staring at the backs of his own eyelids where he sprawls against one rail precariously. Somehow, the lazy bastard seems to have gone to sleep! And yet his body is moving with the rock and jerk of the boat such that he doesn't fall overboard in that state, so maybe it's just an act. Yes, that's it! He's ACTING like he's sleeping, to lure the enemy into a false sense of security. Be glad Luca's along all!

Still close to Castiel, Zaina's gaze follows his, narrowing a touch. Maybe it's the dark back drop of the veil just below them, but the Eurusi gives a shake of her ebony head. "Those sails are turquoise, Your Highness." She squints a little closer. "And it looks as if they're sailing the wrong way." Takes a thief to know a thief? Or where a thief might go.

Reese is here in her brown leather armor trying to be useful and not actually being all that useful. She isn't doing any climbing, but is walking about the main deck of the ship, attempting to help sail. Where does this rope go? She peers at the rope thoughtfully. She then lifts her gaze to Orathy as gives a report. She squints at the ships when Zaina draws attention to them, trying to make them out.

Ashe, the studious Stormward paralegal arrives, following Octavia.

Ashe, the studious Stormward paralegal leaves, following Octavia.



"Oh hail her, oh hail her"
Our gallant captain cried!
Row high, Row low,
And so sail we!
"Are you a man-o-war
Or a privateer?" cried he!
All a-reaven' through the Isles,
Of the Blue Saffron Sea!


With the call of the ship as seen, Max turns his work detail, to pivot the sails and prepare to bring them about. Half of good sailing is knowing what the captain wants before he wants it. A decade on the sea with Victus Thrax and Max has a pretty good read on a captain. "Preparing to come about, top!" declares Maximilian, voice cutting to Eric.

Eric cries "Aye!" to Maximilian. The Quartermaster starts screaming almost incomprehensibly as people are preparing to chase! "The wind's on our side! Let's caputre these bastards!" the captain cries and begins chasing the turqoise and gold vessels!

With Calliope's vomiting accompaning the sailor's shanty, the Thraxian knight turned his head away towards the ship's bow. A head, far off the distance he witnesses the ship they pointed out and he's lingers on the direction they're headed. "It's sailing for Arx!" Pushing himself off the rail the salty knight relocates himself from the ships railin and towards the other side of the deck where the ballista rested.

Perrach^

6 Thrax Guards arrives, following Jasher.

6 Thrax Guards leaves, following Jasher.

The only thing Calliope's trying to convince is her stomach. To please stop vomitting. Standing up slowly, her arms crossing over her stomach, her lips press together and she stares into the distance, trying to see the ships everyone is talking about.

Orathy checked command + propaganda against difficulty 15, resulting in 17, 2 higher than the difficulty.

Orathy gestures from up on high, being one of the only ones who had climbed the rigging right? He waves and signals, pointing Port Side toward the northern ship, "Ta Port! Reckon tha be thar point, ta land in Arx! Port Cap'n!"

Luca cleverly retains his illusion of sleeping on the railing to ensure the enemy spotters don't take threat of them seriously. It's probably working too well and may be affecting their own crew a bit. It's possible he won't get invited on any more Thrax operations after this.

\Zaina echoes Perrach, the Eurusi sticking to her guns with a considerable amount of persuasiveness.

Maximilian's preparations to change course are paused now, the ship holding steady - waiting for the course from the captain.

At first, Eric beginst to continue to the turquise, but then, hearing Luna and Perrach, he nods and turns the ship around to the blue/yellow ship and begins. "We have to get closer! LAUNCH THE WHOMP!" The Quartermaster smiles and ayes "THE WHOMP, BOYS!" and soon the men run together and unfurl a previously held up triangular sail. VASTLY larger than the others, it opens and gives the sound it was named after. On it, the symbol of House Thrax is proudly displayed and the vessel LURCHES forward a moment as it catches the wind the smaller sails missed. Eric seems to have trouble steering the ship a bit as that much thrust pushes the galley forward at insane speeds!

Soon, the ship slows, however and a rope snaps - the Whomp falls, and the ship slows to previous speeds! "Damnit, men! Get up there and fix this! We can't let them get away!" he calls.

Max checked strength + sailing against difficulty 25, resulting in 67, 42 higher than the difficulty.

Reese checked dexterity + sailing against difficulty 25, resulting in 13, 12 lower than the difficulty.

Perrach checked strength + sailing against difficulty 25, resulting in 55, 30 higher than the difficulty.

"Come about!" Shouts Maximilian, as he comes up on the side rail of the ship. It would be a gunwhale, but this ship has no guns by which to whale. Using the rope to counter balance, wrapped around his forearm, once then twice before being held in his hand (Safety first!), Max hauls on the rigging, as his crew shifts to move the main spar of the sail. The count handles a ship like some men handle a sword - with expert precision. When the rope snaps, Max glances upward, pushing a man out of the way of the falling block.

"Look alive boys!" He calls out, as he goes aloft in the shrouds. A whistle - shrill - is given, and then MAx is thrown a thin lead line on a weight. Catching that, Max pulls it, until it brings upthe heavier rope with the replacement block on it. "HEAVE!" HE calls, the work only half done.

Darrow checked dexterity + sailing against difficulty 15, resulting in 40, 25 higher than the difficulty.

Reese tries to help, but aid involves trying to steer the ship in the continued wrong direction. Hopefully the others are able to fix her mistake.

Max checked perception + sailing against difficulty 34, resulting in 29, 5 lower than the difficulty.

Years of battling the waves brought threw the reaver into action. He shoulder checked one of the incompetent 'sailors' out of the way, "Fucking move!" He shouted, reaching for the rope that whipping out of control. With every amount of strength in him to lednd Perrach wrestled to dominate the line.

Perrach checked perception + sailing against difficulty 34, resulting in 39, 5 higher than the difficulty.

Darrow grunts as a stumbling sailor bumps into his shoulder. With uncanny speed, he ducks the swing of a boom as Eric calls the turn. He twists, grabbing the trailing rope and pulley, stumbling along with it for a moment before he arrests its clattering astray. He plants his boots in the decking, tying the stray tackle down.

Darrow checked perception + sailing against difficulty 34, resulting in 41, 7 higher than the difficulty.

Calliope hangs onto the railing, tightly, one arm still holding her stomach, the other's fingers clenched about the rail. All the coming about makes it harder to maintain her calm stomach, but so far, so good.

Zaina keeps her dark eyes on the enemy ship, though she takes several steps back from the railing, finding cover behind something sturdy.

Darrow frowns, crouching at the now secured end of the loose tackle, checking the end of a rope. He straightens, his eyes searching the ship and the path of that swinging boom.

Perrach checked strength + huge wpn against difficulty 15, resulting in 54, 39 higher than the difficulty.

Okay, so there's times for sleeping on railings. And lurching ships in sudden pursuit with screaming people all around? NOT really the best time for that. Luca's left _very_ nearly rolling his stupid ass off into the waves when that first burst of speed hits. "Fuuuu....!!!" He exclaims as he's catching himself with a hand digging into wood hard enough to make railing groan. His sleep-acting is so good he's actually rubbing at his eyes blearily and staring off into the ocean in confusion, then about at the frantic pace before settling back to rail to call out helpfully. "Go team go! Onward to the stabbing part!" Nope, totally not getting invited on any more Thrax sailing trips.

6 Thrax Guards arrives, following Dagon.

Perrach begins to notice something and then out of nowhere throws a barrel up into the masts at Orathy! He would have hit if Orathy was high enough! Orathy, however, loses his balance from the start. He doesn't fall, but he BARELY catches his grip!

6 Thrax Guards leaves, following Dagon.

2 Redoubt Buccaneers, Minnow the Ocelot arrive, following Ariel.

2 Redoubt Buccaneers, Minnow the Ocelot leave, following Ariel.

Orathy makes falling look stylish, wrapping his arm around one of the ropes after the barrel smashed lower than he was, with a resounding crack that splinters the thing. Maybe the shock of it and the boom lowering and all that chaos... he falls. He slides down a ways with the rope tangling in his arm, hand unable to catch a grip until it was almost too late to stop his momentum. Thankfully wearing leathers so he doesn't tear his flesh open doing it. Swinging in the breeze as he looks down toward the culprit, he's reaching toward the rope ladder with the other arm, boots poised together on the rope to snake him upward in attempts to reach out.

Perrach shouts up at the swinging culprit, visibly disappointed that his attempt didn't knock the man off. "I saw you, you fucking scab. Get your ass down here!"

Maximilian glances over at Perrach as the sail is fixed, then steps closer. "Whats the sitch, mate?"

Orathy sweeps his arm into one of the ladder rungs, hauling himself forward, reaching out with a foot on the rung, unstringing himself from the rope now, pulling his weight up onto the ladder. He looks down at the decks, toward Perrach, exhaling a breath, "Youse fuckin nuts?!"

Reese looks between Orathy and Perrach, sucking in a soft breath and seemingly rather confused by the conflict between them.

"Guys! That is _not_ the stabbing part I meant! We're supposed to be stabbing the _other_ people, not each other!" Luca calls upward to the pair with an irritable sigh, turning a look towards the captain as if waiting for the thunderous ass-chewing he's heard Thraxian captains are good at giving.

"The damn fool is up there cuttin ropes." The knight answers Max then is right back to chastizing the swinging sailor, "Are -you- fuckin nuts?! You -want- to be stuck out here with miss feedin the birds?"

6 Thrax Guards arrives, following Donella.

6 Thrax Guards leaves, following Donella.

Maximilian glances up at Orathy - then down as the man omes down.... "A rope cutter at sea?" ASks Max, his voice going hard. He does not show any trace of not beleiving Perrach. He's a knight of the Thrax. A sailor. No. Max has no cause to not believe him. "CAP! WE GOTTUS A ROPECUTTER!"

Darrow straightens, with a frown to his features. Near the block and tackle, he looks from Perrach towards Orathy. To Maximilian he states, in a low, curt tone. "Someone cut one of the tackle lines. I didn't see where it came from." The knight looks back to the block and boom that nearly toppled him.

Eric looks at Max, then looks to Orathy. "GET THE BASTARD!" he orders, and soon, the ship swoarms towards Orathy!

Calliope steps forward, her brow lifting slightly at the accusation. She opens her mouth to speak, and then Eric's sent everyone after Orathy, and she murmurs, "You might want to ask him what happened." Sure, all logical and legal, even on the open seas, the colour of pea soup.

Reese doesn't seem inclined to storm after Orathy, still she brings her hand close to her blade. "Yeah, talk to him first." She says in agreement with Calliope. The Grayson princess seems quite tense now.

Perrach snapped his head around to Calliope, his voice loud and rough to carry over the sounds of the ships cutting through the waves. "Did you hear -that- man say cut the damn ropes?" He asked her directly, jerking a thumb to Eric. "Let me answer that for you. No. You did not hear anyone give an order to cut a fuckin a rope."

"At sea." SAys Maximilian. "The captain is lord and law." It's a firm, declaritive statement. "If he's got anthing to say, its to the captain. And right fucken now."

Maximilian holds up a hand to keep his very angry work crew at bay. Ol Jeinks looks incenced! Thats the guy Max pushed out of the way of the falling block.

Orathy chuckles darkly, shaking his head as the call is made against him, "Youse fuckin Silk bastards!" Though as the call is made to swarm him. There's too many for him to possibly take on. He knows this. Even if they were to give him a fair trail, well, there ain't no laws on the sea but the laws of the ship and that of the Captain. He swears, his routes of escape are rather limited. As if Jaenelle's practice event storming ships and leaping from them was some sort of odd foreshadowing... he considers his outs. There are none, other than returning to land shackled if they don't just kill him... It's one of those moments where a man takes his own life into his hands. Leap of faith yo! It's an insane jump, it looks almost clumsy. Like one that he may not ever resurface from, from the height he was at? But what's the option? Face Thraxian blades? Get keelhauled? It looks so close, like he almost swan dived into the boat... maybe he glanced it on the way down, but he's definitely gone under it when his body makes a SPLOSH... He doesn't resurface, lost in the churning wakes the ship makes!

Darrow's cold gaze watches the Culler male dive into the ocean and disappear into the wake of the ship. "He's chosen trial by the salt and water. Let Mangata judge the man." He extends a mailled finger out towards the fore, at the ship in the distance. "We've more important hunting."

Calliope inclines her head to Max, murmuring, "Of course he is. I was just saying..." A shrug, and she's willing to accept the words, and any decision made by the better sailors than her! Moving towards where the entrance to below decks is, she gets out of the way, and finds somewhere to stand and watch.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Calliope before departing.

The matter is decided - and Max turns to go back to work.

Both feet remained planted on the deck as Perrach watched the saboteur leap from the rig and into the chilled waters below. He then spit over the railing, somewhere towards where the man had leaped. "Kraken have at him."

The ship's rigging is worse for wear, but not completely undone. "Right, men, the worthless dog is just a servant of those druggers! Let's hit him where it really hurts!" With the 'Whomp' repaired, the ship lurches once more towards the enemy. They've spotted them by now and have been taking evasive maneuvers! Will The Infanta catch them?

"Well...that guy's dead! He's going to sink straight to the bottom of the ocean by those giant brass balls he's toting about in his pants!" Luca sounds...admiring somehow. Amused as hell, and admiring. And maybe _just_ a tiny bit jealous. He's eying out over the waves, as if trying to judge distance to land from here. Wondering now if _he_ could survive the challenge of jumping off and swimming home. There's a brief insane moment where he almost looks ready to try it, even though _he_ has no need to be diving overboard clearly. With a sigh and a glance to Reese, who he can't bring to leave there, Luca's relenting from the idea and calling out. "So...uh, we almost there yet?" They are going to turn this ship _right_ around if he doesn't shut up!

Luca is overheard praising Orathy for: Well...that guy's dead! He's going to sink straight to the bottom of the ocean by those giant brass balls he's toting about in his pants!

Reese sucks in a soft breath as she gazes out over the water. "Maybe." She says now turning her attention to Luca. The girl doesn't seem very pleased by this situation. Maybe she worries that Orathy will die or maybe she worries that he won't die. It is hard to tell for sure. "I will arrest him, if I see him in town." She offers.

Perrach begins returning to his post at the ballista and remarks to Reese in passing, "If House Thrax doesn't get him first."

"He should pray to the gods that he makes it to shore and that Guard gets to him before Thrax. I don't think you will treat him as kindly." Reese murmurs in a soft somber voice.

Eric smiles. "No. We won't." he tells Reese as they look to get closer to the target.

Maximilian moves over to the Captain, to murmur a few words.

6 Thrax Guards arrives, following Donella.

6 Thrax Guards leaves, following Donella.

Reese checked dexterity + sailing against difficulty 10, resulting in 30, 20 higher than the difficulty.

Darrow checked dexterity + sailing against difficulty 10, resulting in 31, 21 higher than the difficulty.

"NO!" Eric roars to Maximillian, "I will not let that man ruin our chance. We've not lost yet men!" By the power of youthful hope, he continues to sail!

Maximilian's features harden, and then he nods. Law and Lord. Thats the rule of the sea. Council given, council denied, Max turns to pick up his armor. "MARINES!" He declares. "To arms."

The Whomp makes for difficult navigation, but they catch up in surprizing time. "READY THE HARPOON!" he calls, the Quartermaster yelling the same thing louder, and more incomprehensibly.

Luca may know shit about proper sailing, but he's nimble and strong as any man, and so with a long-suffering sigh, is declaring to some passing sailor. "Tell me what the fuck to do in order to get us to the killing faster." And he's actually pitching in! He's tying off ropes as directed, scaling poles or ropes as needed, or doing whatever else it is he can to help. Now that he's in sight of prey, he's apparently willing to do something more than sleep...err, pretend to sleep.

Maximilian calls to Luca... "Shield wall - When we come close, they will pepper us with archery shot! Shield men forward. Cutmen, behind! Your job is to make sure they can't get away! Slice their shrouds!"

The bolt and rope goes wide, missing the vessel. Eric growls and says "Damn. READY THE SECOND!" he calls. "Only one more shot, or this guy's gone for good..." he says angrily. The Whomp has been raised so they can move with more agility so, their speed is no longer there.

Reese goes over to one of the ballistaes. She doesn't know how to use such, but what could possibly go wrong! She tries to get it get working.

Reese checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 19, 4 higher than the difficulty.

The Thraxian Knight bellows a loud curse into the air when he missed the first shot at the ship. Another attempt was given. The ballistae loaded and he tried to give a good aim on the massive weapon.

"What in the fuck is a shroud?" Luca's calling out as he leaps down from rigging to an almost inhumanly graceful crouch, then rushes where directed with a kind of confused expression as he's calling out. "Nevermind, I'll just stab anything that moves and cut anything I can cut. Easier that way." And saying that, Luca's drawing the twin viper-pommeled blades from his back with an easy flourish, mirror-dark diamondplate in left, gleaming quality steel in right. Two curved fang-like sabres...which may not get put to any use. Worst case, Luca can jump off into the ocean and see if he can swim home at least.

"Damn!" he calls and growls. He turns and pauses. "Call it off, boys. We're goin' home." he says. "You've done your duty. It seems Fate had other plans." With that, he moves to turn the ship around and turns home, a look of Ahab-level burning anger in his eyes. "Men, we lost our bounty. Know you lost it by the hands of Orathy. 1000 Silver for his head. The rest I could care less for." The old Quartermaster walks over and puts his hand on Eric's back "D'ja did gud, c'p'n," he says, a grin with a few rotten teeth smiling warmly. "Aincha fol'"

Maximilian glances up at the sky. Fucking MAINLANDERs. "ROPES! CUT MEN CUT THE ROPES!"

Perrach checked strength + huge wpn against difficulty 35, resulting in 42, 7 higher than the difficulty.

"Gods damnit! We can't let them get away!" Luca's proclaiming with utterly dejected frustration at seeing another ballist miss its mark! He's sheathing one of his two blades, looking at the distance, starting to back up. On his way, he grabs a coil of rope, then, wincing as he's as far back as he can get he's calling "Fuck me, I'm so not going to make that! Someone give me a boost at the last second and help toss my ass!" Well, he _is_ possibly the shortest man there, but...that's mildly insane isn't it?

Darrow watches the shots, and the other ship starting to pull away, with about as much optimism as he faces anything - a flat, dispassionate stare.

Perrach stepped up Luca almost eagerly. There may have been a small smile appearing in the corner of the Salty Knight's mouth. "Don't miss." He warns the swarthy man as maneuvers himself to help give the added boost the man would need to make it onto the other ship.

Reese looks worried, very worried as Luca asks for a boost over to the other ship and then gets one. She sucks in a sharp breath and then another one.



For boarding, for bladesrike,
A long time we lay!
Row high, Row low,
And so sail we!
'Til at last the Captain,
Broke the pirate's courage away
All a-reaven' through the Isles,
Of the Blue Saffron Sea!


Max, with the Marines now, his twin sabers up and at the ready, his armor snugly in place, grins. Perrarch saves the day with his throw - and now there is a chance to salavage this... The next to last Stanza comes from his lips, called back by the men of the ship as he beats the meter with steel on steel. Psyching up time, me hearties.

"Be ready to pull us closer as soon as I tie it off if this works!" A breath then, and a loud "This is so stupid!!!" Luca's crowing out with utterly delighted air as he rushes at the other side of the ship in practically a blur, nearly inhuman speed driving him straight towards Perrach while he lets out a sound half-battle-cry and half-fear sound. A sound that takes him stopping perfectly off Perrach's boosting hands, flung by the man's prodigious strength through the air in an amazing arc. "AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!" It's all the smugglers get in warning before suddenly the insane Lycene prince is crashing into the back of their ship. For a second it looks as if he's going to fall, or maybe lose his blade or the rope. But he manages to catch footing on the railing, drag himself over, and amidst a probably stunned as hell crew staring at him, tries to tie off the rope calling "PULLLLL!!!!" back over the waters. Now? Now comes the fun stabbing part!

A shocked Eric stares for a moment and then says "YOU HEARD THE MAN, TURN!" Soon a large crank begins to pull and drag the ships closer to eachother. A crewman pushes a boarsing board onto some secured slots on the Infanta's arm and james it into the vessel as the men begin to flood onboard!

Maximilian stairs for a moment, lifting his helmet. "Well fuck me with a rudder." He murmurs, before commenting to the men. "DONT LET THE FUCKING MAINLANDER GET THE GLORY BOYOS! TO THE DECKS!"

Zaina watches the Prince with wide eyes. It takes a lot to amaze the Eurusi thief, but it seems like the impossible has just been accomplished. She is absolutely, visibly amazed. Still hiding, of course, but her eyes are agog.

Perrach wields a morningstar with a carved wooden haft.

Reese looks after Luca with intense concern. "I am going to be so mad if you get hurt!" She says. The blonde princess this draws her silvery pink blade, following the others onto the enemy ship.

Reese wields Devotion, a silvery pink alaricite short sword.

Luca checked dexterity + medium wpn against difficulty 16, resulting in 37, 21 higher than the difficulty.

Luca wields Viper's Fang, an elegant two-handed Lycene sabre.

Maximilian wields A Brutal Alaricite Cutlass with a Saw-Toothed Edge.

Maximilian wields a basket-hilted broad long sabre with an onyx in the pommel.

Luca checked dexterity + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 61, 36 higher than the difficulty.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 40, 15 higher than the difficulty.

Max checked strength + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 45, 20 higher than the difficulty.

Perrach checked strength + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 44, 19 higher than the difficulty.

Perrach checked strength + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 38, 13 higher than the difficulty.

Luca checked dexterity + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 57, 32 higher than the difficulty.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 53, 28 higher than the difficulty.

Max checked strength + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 51, 26 higher than the difficulty.

Luca checked strength + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 61, 36 higher than the difficulty.

Max checked strength + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 36, 11 higher than the difficulty.

Perrach checked strength + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 57, 32 higher than the difficulty.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 40, 15 higher than the difficulty.

Luca has rolled a critical success!
Luca checked strength + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 94, 69 higher than the difficulty.

Max checked strength + medium wpn against difficulty 25, resulting in 45, 20 higher than the difficulty.

Luca checked dexterity + dodge against difficulty 30, resulting in 65, 35 higher than the difficulty.

The fight was swift and decisive and the fate of the crew on it VERY bloody and very painful. The Infanta's crew went behind the Marines, clearing and crushing all in their wake. The ship seemed otherwise empty, however. Eric walks aboard and says "Right, we need to cupper this ship and make sure it never sees the sunshine again," he says. "Loot what you will. I'll be planning the journey home." he says and returns to the ship.

"RIGHT YA BLAGARDS! REMEMBER: LOOT *THEN* BURN!" the quartermaster calls out, the clearest thing he's said all day.



"Oh quarter, oh quarter"
Those pirates they did cry!
Row high, Row low,
And so sail we!
But the quarter that we gave them,
Was we sank 'em in the sea!"
All a-reaven' through the Isles,
Of the Blue Saffron Sea!


Max is not the worlds best swordsman. Nor is he the strongest. What he is is a sailor and admiral. This is his day off. He's not even supposed to be in today. But he holds his line with the competence one expects from a Darkwater. His small squad of marines start clearing the ship with a ruthless efficiency. There are no survivors in Maximilian Darkwaters wake. Any man who raised a blade, sleeps with the Queen of Endings this night.

Reese has her slivery short drawn. She follows the other fighters onto the enemy ship. The girl has this extreme nimble grace and she is very skilled with her blade. She cuts down three of the enemy men with seeming ease. Her blue eyes gaze remains somber during this battle. The blonde princess never really really takes pleasure in killing mortal men.

Right in his element even if we was the worst shot at the ballistae, possibly putting a hole in their own ship, the Thraxian Knight dived into battle with blood-lusting fervor. Once the ships were close enough the brown haired knight leaped with one foot of the railing and onto the other ship, his mourningstar swinging through air purely for the purpose and cracking open each and every skull that the ship posessed. Smashing Pumpkins.

Luca? Luca _clearly_ lives for the stabby part. He was laughing like a maniac by the time the crew pulled the ships together, having stood his ground against the other ships crew without taking a scratch, a twin-bladed viper in gleaming blue and purple diresnake scales like something out of a nightmare, dancing about the deck with an artistry of blade that never wastes the least bit of effort or energy, every motion into the next, every parry or sidestep of attack channeled into next strike. He had too many to contend with to have laid waste to the men, though more than a few bear cuts of those two viper-pommeled fangs of blades. No, it wasn't until the rest of the crew flooded onboard that Luca was given reign to REALLY cut loose. At which point the duelist became a dervish of death. A spinning, beautifully macabre arist cleaving flesh, limbs, and head in one case as he kills with abandon, gleefully grinning the entire time. Frankly, it's creepy as hell, but then, he needed to burn off some energy after that nap apparently.

Ren arrives, following Selene.

Ren leaves, following Selene.

Smashing Pumpkins = Perrach

The plunder successful, the ship burned and sunk, the Infanta sails home for repairs, knowing she has aided Thrax in its endeavors to help the Kingdom.