Zakhar wields a greasy frying pan with bone handle.

Zakhar takes Sharpened butcher knife with engraved antler handle from Curious vest with straps for weapons.

Zakhar takes A metal teacup saucer with rounded seashell engravings and a couple of dents from Curious vest with straps for weapons.

Zakhar takes Clay pot with sneeze dust from Sling Satchel with bleached thumb bones.

Catalana wields a sea-swirling steel shortsword.

Tovell wields Cleaver of Waves, the tempest hued diamondplate longsword.

Ever since the Assembly of Peers, the progressives of the Mourning Isles have been gearing up to face the confrontation that the traditionalists have pushed. Prince Dagon Thrax demands to be installed on the throne once again, while Lord Anders Nightcove seems to be in charge of all of the major military operations that are occurring across the region.

Today High Lord Victus Thrax and the allies of House Thrax race to Darkwater in a bid to beat out the combined forces of Nightcove and Dreadcall before they can reach the county and lay siege to it. The winds are generous, the sea is calm, and they have good weather on their side. But it remains to be seen if anything /else/ is on their side. (leadership, war, sailing, at easy)

Ember checks command and war at easy. Ember is successful.

Romulius checks command and war at easy. Romulius is successful.

Victus checks command and war at easy. Victus is successful.

Martinique checks command and war at easy. Martinique is successful.

Jasher checks command and sailing at easy. Jasher is successful.

Haakon checks command and sailing at easy. Haakon is successful.

Eirene checks command and war at easy. Critical Success! Eirene is inhumanly successful in a way that defies expectations.

Aedric checks command and sailing at easy. Aedric is successful.

Ian checks command and sailing at easy. Ian is successful.

Aethan checks command and leadership at easy. Aethan is successful.

Titus checks command and war at easy. Titus is successful.

Harlex checks perception and war at easy. Harlex is successful.

Tesha checks command and war at easy. Tesha is successful.

Sorrel checks charm and leadership at easy. Sorrel is successful.

Catalana checks command and leadership at easy. Catalana is successful.

Orland checks command and sailing at easy. Orland is successful.

Ariella checks command and sailing at easy. Ariella is successful.

Marina checks command and sailing at easy. Marina is successful.

Tovell checks command and war at easy. Tovell is successful.

Caspian checks charm and leadership at easy. Caspian is successful.

Quenia checks command and war at easy. Quenia is successful.

Evander checks intellect and sailing at easy. Evander is successful.

Richard checks intellect and leadership at easy. Richard is successful.

Azova checks intellect and sailing at easy. Azova marginally fails.

Fatima checks command and leadership at easy. Fatima is successful.

Wash checks command and sailing at easy. Wash is successful.

Savio checks dexterity and sailing at easy. Savio is successful.

Zakhar checks command and war at easy. Zakhar is successful.

Temira checks dexterity and sailing at easy. Temira is successful.

Aleksei checks charm and leadership at easy. Aleksei is successful.

Teague checks command and war at easy. Teague is successful.

Raven checks command and sailing at easy. Raven is successful.

Thea checks command and sailing at easy. Thea is successful.

Romulius Thrax sails to war upon the Dirge, a massive dromond planked in black-stained wood and decorated with iconography depicting the sorts of horrors that legends say lurk in the fathoms of Mangata's realm; tentacled beasts with impossibly gaping maws, eyes too many to count, and teeth that would tear any man unfortunate enough to find himself their victim to shreds. Lateen sails carry the sigil of House Thrax; a sea serpent trailed by a bloody red wake. The Deputy Warlord himself, at least, doesn't strike so macabre an imagery - dressed in gleaming diamondplate and carrying a greatsword forged from precious opalescent metal, he is instead the picture of one of the Mourning Isles' few proper knights. With his admiralty vessel sailing near the Prince of Maelstrom's Lady Thunderstruck, the Royal House of Thrax's naval might is on full display.

Lucita checks command and leadership at easy. Lucita is successful.

The sea is something Lord Teague Charon is not use to at all, but he was called by friends and told to suit up for war. He stands there that long hair is tied up in a bun, his hand is resting on his hilt of his ax as he glares forward. His armor is freshly worked with oil, his eyes are cold dark brooding as he waits now. As the war starts, it is time to protect the Compact and those he cares for to do his duty once more. His eyes move over them in the center of his armor is the symbol of the pink buzzard, painted on the front and back of the chest piece of leather his hand is tapping against the hilt as he waits now with a soft chuckle. "It's off to war once more." His voice is booms out of the mountain of a man as he looks over scanning the others, seeking out those he cares for in the throng of those coming to war.

Zakhar takes Prince Victus Thrax plushie with otter from Sling Satchel with bleached thumb bones.

Valdemar checks command and war at easy. Valdemar is successful.

Harlex has never been much for the sea. It's too uneven, wide, like standing in the middle of the world with arms wide asking for trouble. He stands on the deck all the same, here in the capacity of a mercenary swordsman rather than THE Sword of Lenosia. His forearm rests lazily on the hilt of his weapon and he studies the soldiers, their positioning, as well as the positioning on the other vessels with the keen eye of a former General. The wind stirs lightly in his black hair and over his deep, black leathers that protect him.

Valdemar wields Widow's Lament.

As both a Mercy of Lagoma and a Knight of Solace, Lord Richard Wyvernheart is both healer and soldier. The way he stands on the deck of the as-yet-unnamed caravel of the Mercies however is with a slight unsteadiness to suggest he's not often used to being out on the sea, and the way he's dressed, in full rubicund, would suggest he's here more as a Knight than a Mercy for the time being. He's been in many battles, but ship-board ones are a new experience, his somber expression also registering something unsteady as he watches the sailors move around with confidence as they race towards their destination. "How far to Darkwater, Lady Azova?" he asks his fellow Mercy, since it's her home and he figures she'll know better even than the sailors.

They're going to war! Martinique is thrilled. She's kitted out for fighting of course but that's really just 'Martinique got dressed today,' the real indication that she's heading to war is that she took a nap on the way out here to the big fracas. You never know in combat when you'll get to rest again, so now, rested and refreshed and only two drinks in, she's standing on the deck of a Redreef cog under the command of Marina, at her Countess's side, ready to fight.

Stood atop the fearsome dromond, Lady Thunderstruck, High Lord Victus' snakeskin coat billowed in the seabreeze. Alaricite and leathers decorated his person, and the full-face helm he wore was designed in the visage of a sea serpent. He looked every part like House Thrax's banner-beast. Just in a much smaller, much less wide and much less sea-worthy form. Nonetheless, he looks every bit a royal prepped for war that he appropriately should. He holds his greatsword, Barathrum, with its point resting upon the deck. Both hands atop the pommel to allow a counter-weight. Giving him a ready position to respond at a moment's notice. His clawed gauntlets direct his sailors, along with his booming voice as the flagship lurches forward.

Catalana is a Kennex and while not known for being a sailor, she too did grow up on boats...ships...things that float in the ocean, and she does know how to take orders and keep order on a ship. Slightly out of place in leathers and a sword at her side, she does cause some of the crew to stop short on seeing her. She gives them all a tight grin and encourages them to go about the work, tighten ropes, run ladders. Anything that the other Kennexes have taught her over the last few years.

Tesha wields wings of twilight oathlands steel longblade with twisted flames handle.

With the mighty and renowned dromonds forming the spine of the Thraxian armada, a wide screening force of hundreds of longships carries out scouting and skirmishing duties, screening the maneuvers of the heavy warships as the two fleets draw closer and closer to the battle. It is among these longships that Haakon stands, eyes narrowed on the nearing foe, sword and shield in hand.

Valdemar is aboard the Song of Sorrows as he and the Grimhall contingent follow Thrax to war. Occasionally he shouts commands which are abruptly followed. He is watchful, as are all of his warriors, for the first sign of confrontation with the enemy.

The old man sits curled into the bow of an Eswynd ship entertaining the warriors sitting at their oars with a small plushie play of Victus dancing along edge of the frying pan. Zakhar looks up from his little play to tuck the plushie back and give the frying pan a spin.

Tovell is not a sailor. Instead of plying ropes and aiding in the hewing of keel to sea at best haste, he sits amidship one of the many vessels which fly toward Darkwater. Clad in the glittering plate of the King's Own, the man draws a whetstone the length of his greatsword, making ready for the inevitable. A steadying representative of the crown, Thrax's call answered, waits, nascent readiness for violence wrought within every line of his bent frame.

Countess Ember Redreef wouldn't miss this for the world. The Crimson Countess of Redreef Shores stands on the deck of one of House Redreef's cogs. Redreef's fleet is a small one, but one that's agile, quick, and skilled at hit-and-run tactics. How useful those will be remain to be seen. Ember herself is in full armor, including her gruesome skull helmet. Her scythe is held at her side. She looks like a specter of death standing on the Redreef deck. Or maybe the specter of something worse.

Aethan stares ahead from the aft deck of the Indomitable, eyes constantly scanning the horizon as he casually gives orders to the sailors around him on keeping their speed and their heading. Hooked to his swordbelt are a pair of weapons, one a cutlass and the other a diamondplate axe. Breathing in the sea air, he smiles at the memories it brings back to him. "Be ready for anything." He says to all those around him as he turns and paces across the deck to the other side of the ship to start scanning that horizon for any signs of the enemy.

Azova sails aboard the still unnamed hospital ship, care of the Mercies. And that is essentially how she's advised the leaders of the impending battle how to recognize it; it's nameless. The white clad people mixed with protective knights might give it away, but they've aimed to sail in the midst of the fleet to remain as hidden as possible. "Not far now, Lord Richard. It would help, of course, if they hadn't fucking wrecked our Lighthouse though." Her lips press together thinly there, and leaning over the edge enough to look for their position within the fleet and any landmarks, she's able to give a more precise answer.

Riven isn't a naval power, but Malvici is. And no-one anytime soon will forget that Eirene was born to that house. She sails with the Kennex fleet, wind whipping her leather duster about her as she stalks the deck with expert sea-legs. "Ship to ship combat is your livelihood, but I'm here to show you sea dogs how we do it in Southport," she barks, voice harsh and deep from years of night air and whiskey. She starts running the Kennex reavers through drills to prepare themselves with a masterful technique worthy of the City of Swords.

Fatima has brought the (sea)dogs of war with her, every Isles Canine she could find. She, herself, is on the Desert Queen, her caravel, right at the prow with a pipe to her lips and the wind tugging at her hair. A special installment of a fresh figurehead has been installed. It's unmistakably her, topless and with a fish tail, giving double middle fingers. (To the traditionalists, naturally).

There's a smaller southron ship on the waters with black sails, on the main sail there's a burning drop of crimson blood in white flames while the masthead is a decapitated head of a bronzed screaming gorgon chained to the wood as grim looking Sangrinites onboard are ready for battle to support Thraxan allies. On the deck of the Gorgon, the cloaked Titus is watching the horizon and checking the sides for any signs of enemies.

For Evander it was imperative that the war be documented. When asked, he leaned on his patriotism and duty to Vellichor. To the other leaders, he revealed the intention behind his efforts, was to fight Legion as he had read others done before him. Every soldier, marine, and sailor of Darkwater were given a journal and a tag of metal with their names imprinted on it. Their names added to a log. For filling out the journals with their experiences and returning them when they come home, they would get silver. This promise was extended to all the sailors and soldiers of the other houses. He sails along Azova, with a crew of scouts, spies, and scribes.

Amadeo/Proscipi-via-Amadeo sails with Eswynd, combining a number of their vessels with the fleet of longships that bear Haakon. Among these craft and perhaps not far from the Gorgon, the Lords Amadeo Savio and Orland are dressed ready for combat! Savio is uncharacteristically quiet, eyes on the tide, the wind, the armada.

Which one is Jasher's ship again? That's the one Aleksei is on. He's not just 'not one for the sea,' the sea /actively hates him/. He has stuffed and slathered himself with every remedy known to the Compact, courtesy of several kind healers sending them all his way. He has sucked down so much ginger candy it's coming out of his pores. He has, at various points when they're not close enough for danger and the weather is fine, asked Jasher very pathetically if he can steer to try and ease the seasickness. All in all, he does not seem /well/, but he manages to avoid, you know, puking his guts all over Jasher's /crew/, so there's something. He's managing.

Tesha is in armor today, but she's not unfamiliar to going into battle, even if she's not a front line fighter. The lady from Telmar is dressed in a mix of rubicund and diamond plate armor given the venture they are on today. And she's boarded which ever ship was accepting Oathlanders that were wanting to help with Thrax's cause. She's been awfully quiet though. Which isn't out of the ordinary for the woman.

Jasher sails aboard his ship, The Sea Drake. She is a seagoing cog constructed of oak, outfitted with one large, rectangular, square-rigged sail and twin stationary ballistae secured to her deck, both fore and aft. House Thrax colors fly in the breeze to signify that it belongs to the imposing Leviathan. The prince is composed and taciturn as ever, with obvious exception made for the delivery orders to his crew. He occasionally speaks at private volume with any peers and allies that have chosen to fight at his side, should it come to that. Reflective diamondplate shields his form while Reafian hangs from his swordbelt close at hand, her ruby-encrusted hilt glinting in the natural light.

One of Princess Sorrel's favorite things about going to the sea is singing sea shanties. Standing near to the High Lord of Thrax as his dromond pulls along, she lifts her voice in one of the grim but beautiful songs that help sailors maintain the rhythm of their labors. Her voice carries as she leads the singing, allowing other ships to match their rhythm and pace themselves all together.

Being a combat medic, Thea has found her way here, comfortably on the Kennex ship. It's almost like a second home. The sailing part, not the shp itself. She's prepared for anything, her face somber as she simply watches.

The blood red sails of the Red Bargain stand out as the vessel slices through the water amid the Kennex fleet, with Ariella Igniseri at the helm. Joining her amid the crew are her twin Baroness Lucita Saik, who keeps getting over-shoulder glances in her direction from the golden eyes of her ever-watchful sister, and Quenia, Marquessa of Granato. The Captain herself keeps a weather eye on the flags of the Kennex ships, taking direction from their signals and then barking to her crew, so far keeping her language tame.

Marina cuts a fine figure aboard ship, even if she's being far more serious and focused than she is during less oppressively important voyages. She paces the deck, Wavebreaker used to gesture, point, and generally enhance sharp, clipped orders in the way only an axe-slash-prybar can add that extra emphasis to orders and reminders to keep rigging taut and lookouts alert. But while she's /more/ serious and focused than she might be when going out to simply hunt raiders or remind people that House Redreef does indeed prowl the waves, she makes sure to throw in the occasional wry remark to keep the atmosphere as lighthearted as sailing into war can be. Best not to give the crew time to consider the grim specter of death approaching. Even if her sister's doing her best to make it look like it's already arrived and is on their side.

The Amadeo colors are flying. Lord Orland Amadeo is among those that are here, as the House has many friends in Thrax that they're here to support of course. Orland is not here on official business with the Order of East Light, but that said, he has made many friends on both sides of this conflict that hail from Thrax territories. It was hard to stay put and ignore this conflict was happening. He was leaning into the wind, his one hand on the rigging as he gave orders to send along the lines, before coming alongside Savio. He bumps shoulders with him though, "If it gets too bad we've a few of the smaller ships to retreat away with. Our friends will know we've come and that'll be all that matters, that we shed blood with those who shed blood with us." His eyes look to the waters full of sails and colours, "We're not alone." There's some greeting done via sails and flags to those they sail near, but he is, alongside Savio and whoever else is on the ships with them.

Yuri stood idle amongst the other sailors and combatants aboard The Sea Drake, under Prince Jasher Thrax's command, doing his best (but barely) to keep his footing as the vessel sailed at full speed along with the bulk of the Leviathan fleet. Helm was held and stashed underneath his arm, subtle twist and grips of fastens of his rubicund plates before taking a steady grip to wherever he could reach as the seas raged on. His head casually paced over to where Jasher was raising his voice, keyed into his patron's words.

War is serious business, this is true, but that doesn't seem to negate the effect on Ian of being out of Arx, sailing with his brothers and so many close friends (two of whom are VERY skilled combat medics). A cloud that's been hanging over him for days seems to have lifted as fair winds fill the sails and the ship swoops over the light seas. The occasional stumble isn't enough to detract from the smile that comes and goes across his expression, sometimes even lighting his eyes.

Temira rides along with her near brother Haakon, looking in the same direction as he does as they head into battle. A deep breath of sea air as she disappears now and again to help those on the ship with sailing it. When she does return to the deck, she takes a stand next to the other side of Savio, quiet as well.

Lucita stands near the rail of the Red Bargain as it sails with a mixture of Igniseri and Saik with the Kennex fleet. She glances toward her sister and cousin with a bit of trepidation showing. A little shake of the head is given but she says nothing to distract those who are doing the sailing, just helps keep watch.

Mikani stands on the Redreef cog. She stood fast as they sailed toward the battle ahead. Her usually warm face set to a grim scowl as her dark eyes stayed on the horizon.

Caspian stands, hanging off the rigging of Savio's ship. His face is alight with excitement and his voice raised with the others in belting out songs to encourage the crew. armor strapped on and numerous blades glistening from several sheathes.

Lucita wields steel dagger with musical score engraved on pommel.

Wash has promoted his first mate to captaincy today. And is looking out over the Kennex fleet, bolstered as it is by the friends House Kennex enjoys in the Compact. The only difference in his demeanor between this and a Sunday sail is an excess of watchfulness. He has the same joy sailing to war as he does any time he is on the sea. His first mate today is his protege Raven the Blackheart.

Raven has chosen to attend her patron, Wash, rather than bring her ship to battle. Knowing his established crew must work like a finely oiled machine she stays out of the way unless given an order by Captain Wash. Raven is not alone. Up high, perched atop of one of the masts is Moonsilver, a large and clearly well-fed Raven though her pale color might make that hard to tell from another ship.

Aedric Blackshore quietly patrols the deck of a nameless dromond, gauntlets resting comfortably between ribcage and breastplate. Intermittently, his cold cerulean gaze glances between the horizon and the many sailors and marines busying themselves about the vessel. What occupies the mariner's mind is anyone's guess; his gaunt features conveying their usual austere neutrality.

Quenia is indeed on the Red Bargain with her cousins Ariella and Lucita. She's busy barking orders while Ariella works on the whole sailing thing, giving her cousin the best strategic vantage point she can offer should they manage to find any activity on the waves. "Not to far from the Kennex, over there, should do nicely," she calls out to Ariella, before turning to see where Lucita is and making sure the Saik Baroness is situated.

As the fleet sails closer to Darkwater, they're making excellent time and the formations are well kept together. This is a well trained and organized operation, Lady Eirene in particular can be heard keeping things together in a testament to her Malvici roots. As the ships sail around the large island that's the home to not only Darkwater but Redreef Shores, the county looms in the distance. From the opposite direction, more ships crest the horizon line. The sails fly the sigil of Nightcove and Dredcall, swift ships cutting through the water without a care to stop. Their direction does not appear to be the county now and its many lighthouses but instead, straight at the Thraxian fleet.

And here! The enemy is in sight. Martinique is more of a land soldier than a sailor, but she can sense when the fight is nigh, and both sides are hungry for combat. She's ready herself, dagger trembling in her hand as she paces around Ember's death's-head visage on the deck. She smiles at her other soldiers, the sailors, but it's not reassuring. While she may administrate an army because it is necessary, sinking her hands into the direct fighting is still a singular joy to the general.

Sails ahead! "There they are," Savio's weirdly accented voice comments to shipmates Orland and Caspian, while he keeps an eye on the nearby ships of Titus and Temira-and-Haakon. "Those fuckers." Presumably he means Nightcove and Dredcall and not his friends.

Teague spins that ax around his hand as he frees it now, as he waits his eyes studying the horizon. His body is relaxed for now as he looks over at Ian. "Lord Ian, it is almost time for war my friend. It is time to show them the true nature of such endeavors." His hand is readies his ax, as he looks at them now studying the sails with a wicked chuckle. "Will we try to board or we will we be keeping our distance?"

Haakon draws a slow breath at the sight of the enemy and shouts, "Sails in! Run out the oars!" From the sails they had used in approach, to rest the arms of their rowers, the Eswynd longships draw in their striped sails and warriors draw oars overhead and into the water to maneuver in battle with more control. The rowing drums start to pound like a rolling heartbeat.

Ember knows the stakes here. If Darkwater falls, then the wolves are at Redreef's throat. The orders that she gives are few and terse. For the most part, she's offering suggestions to Marina and letting Marina make the final call. After all, it's her twin who Ember made Admiral of the Red Sails and Mistress of War. She turns her helmeted head to regard Martinique for a moment. "Dame Martinique," Ember intones, her eyes shaded by her helm. "Should you engage the enemy directly..." A pause for drama. "...make it messy."

As calls ring out, Tovell flits a shadowed glance toward the darkened horizon. Lips thin. His sharpened blade finds its waiting sheath, and hands busy with the sundry straps and layered pieces of armor worn. Everything has a place, and he makes sure his gear is as well put to order as can be had. It's an order that certainly won't last once the ocean runs red.

Catalana finally finds herself beside Wash as she looks out at the approaching ships. Squinting briefly, she tries to count them but quickly gives up. "There's a fair few isn't there?" Her joy of sailing is a very pale comparison to Wash and she seems a little lost now that they're so close. She tries to joke, "Think they're still up to a polite conversation and treaty?"

Richard's mouth thins briefly at Azova's response referencing the destroyed lighthouse, in sympathy. "A punishment for an unwelcome answer, I would guess." The tenseness in his posture doesn't ease with the answer of how close they are: if anything it increases. Seeing Evander, however, is a good distraction, and the Oathlands knight glances his way, taking in the man's garb and making an assessment about his combat capability. "If we're boarded, Count Evander, you should head below decks." As the calls about ships on the horizon ring through the hospital ship, he lets out a long breath as if preparing himself.

Harlex doesn't move so much an inch as the horizon fills with the flutter of sails, waves broken by the onrush of enemy ships. There's not much point in drawing his sword yet, he hasn't perfected a technique for cutting several miles ahead of him. Until that day, the black-clad swordsman moves just a bit out of the way, behind a few eager sailors with wooden shields. Better they handle the arrows. He takes a slow drag of his cigarillo and smooshes it into one of his clawed, black alaracite gauntlets. Then gingerly, he tucks it into his jacket for later.

Lucita looks back toward Ariella and with dry humor teases her twin, just to break some of the tension. "Did Luis give you that special 'rear end' shield he threatened to have made after you got an arrow in your backside in Setarco?"

Caspian shields his eyes, trying to get a better look at the oncoming flotilla. he lets a wicked grin play over his face and looks back to the others on the deck, "Well we didn't get all dressed up for nothing at least!" he gives a laugh, looking over to the eswynd ships with a smile. "Gods im glad Raven gave some instruction on what to expect or i'd end up in the drink for sure" he looks to Savio and orland, "Anything strange with your ships i ought to know? does it fire flaming coconuts from ballista or something?"

Beyond and behind the fleets of Nightcove and Dredcall, ships bearing the sigil of House Navegant appear next, their bows cutting clean, rippling lines through the increasingly choppy waters. If there was any doubt that Turo's words at the Assembly meant a military alliance as well as a political one, they can be put to rest now. There's no sign of the Marquis himself, however.

Orland pivots to look out at the sails in which Savio points out, "Aye..." He starts to bark at the flagman to get some signals going between their ships, Proscipi and Amadeo alike, like they've done this before - and they have. He side glances to see what Haakon's ships are doing and quickly has their ships running out oars if they come with any! Some of them are relegated to just sails. He grins over at Savio, then looks to where his other friends ships are, the Redreefs and Thraxian Royalty, whispering, "Gods speed everyone."

"There they are, men! Let's show these fuckers how Grimhall deals with traitors!" Valdemar yells from the deck of his ship, to be answered by war cries from his men. He gives no further orders, waiting for either contact, or commands from higher up the chain. For the moment, the Song of Sorrows keeps a steady pace, remaining in formation.

Zakhar stands as the call of the nearing fleet is sounded out over goat's horn, his Victus plushie sticking out from being tucked behind chest plate as he starts to speak softly to the plushie. "Yes... all the thumbs... What would they need them for... No, they would better as a necklace? No. No. Soup? You're hungry already? YOU Just Ate!" A glance to the frying pan and back to small metal bucket with dung and coal which has been out for awhile now, pointing at it with frying pan throwing some grease off the pan's edge. "See! Out. No. You ate. We can't offer breakfast. They had their chances. Now we bash skulls, add to a collection. Yes?" The old man looks to a rower and points at the ships, "That way. Row there, you get jerky. Yes?"

Eirene points her sword at the oncoming fleet. "Better they come for us than the civilians," she comments to Wash. "You're the boss," she continues, "so I'll help your medics or take a boarding party, as needed." She's all business for now, no smirks or smiles. "But either I fuck some assholes up or I keep our sailors alive."

Victus' eyes narrowed beneath his visor. Hefting his blade up and over his shoulder, the Prince points across the sea, toward the incoming sails. The dromond wasn't going to outpace them, but it could certainly lumber on with plenty of dread. "No quarter. No prisoners." He shouts across the deck.

House Bloodbrook's fleet sails with Dredcall and Nightcove, flying the flags that identify them proudly. Lord Helmer Bloodbrook, the son and heir of the Count of Bloodbrook as well as the Admiral of its navy, stands at the helm, watching the approaching Thrax ships with stoic expression, but something like excitement in his eyes.

"You can make out part of the Redoubt if you have a farseeer, from here." Azova gestures in the direction she knows her home to be, for Richard; concern for the county and it's people suddenly weighing heavy on her shoulders and showing in the lines at the corners of her eyes. The sails of Nightcove and Dredcall can be seen now, and so she seeks out the Darkwater sails as well, waving her approval for any of them that they pass. She's recognizable enough that hopefully they'll appreciate even a marginal morale boost from one of their noble family. "Honestly no, Lord Richard. They destroyed the Lighthouse before we had any chance to respond to their ultimatum. Not that it would have changed my answer on behalf of the County, though."

Quenia moves to stand next to Lucita as she watches the Nightcove and Dredcall ships. "I suppose everything will depend on how eager they are to shed blood of once friend and family members." She glances back to Ariella to see how she is doing, then looks back over the railing, frowning somewhat when she sees the Navegant ships. "Damned shame that."

"I am going no-where." Evander replies, his scholars loading the captain's table with charts and notes to assist the war effort. No one had read every book in the library like he had done, every corner and nook and craney, Evander had memorized. Smalls boats approached the bigger sails the Count rides on, arriving with reports to supplement whatever intel they were getting.

The appearance of the enemy fleet prompts an immediate shift from a formation intended for haste into one meant to meet their enemies; to sail for the Watch would spell disaster for the combined Dagonite forces, and so it is clear that a frontal engagement is what the winds have decided for the day. Romulius lifts a gauntleted fist from the pommel of his greatsword, and the Dirge's sails begin to furl upwards to allow for the hundreds of rowers below deck to instead power the warship's route towards the opposing fleet. The crew is one tested countless times over - against shavs, pirates, and unruly houses of the Compact - and it isn't long before the rest of the Leviathan begins to follow suit. Sight of Escuma's fleet manages to prompt a more pointed command from the Deputy Warlord, at least, "If the Marquis Navegant's ship shows itself, inform me immediately."

Ian's smile, often coming and going on the way over, widens as the black dots on the horizon reveal themselves to be ships, and then a lot of ships, and then REALLY a lot of ships. "Looks like we've all found what we came for," he chuckles to Teague, catching a railing to keep from losing his balance as the ship crests a wave. Then he adds: "Aethan wants a piece of Turo, assuming the coward showed his face here. We'll get our chance to fight."

Spotting the Nightcove/Dredcall fleet, Aethan turns and begins to bark out orders to those on his ship to begin making ready. While in the middle of giving orders he spots the Navegant banners. "ALRIGHT, LISTEN UP. EXTRA RATIONS AND EXTRA PAY ALL AROUND IF WE SINK ONE OF THOSE NAVEGANT SHIPS." He begins pacing and going back to giving out orders to make the crew ready for battle.

Tesha gives a look to the horizon after the sails break the smooth line of sight that they'd been enjoying. She helps with the preparation, not wanting people to be without a task. She was sure that they'd get to closer quarters in the future, but hopefully that wouldn't be too much of a problem given things.

"You're doing better than me!" Aleksei tells Yuri with forced cheer. Yuri may not have his sea legs, but he doesn't seem to be in danger of losing his lunch. Or dinner. Or breakfast. He gives Jasher a thumbs up. HE IS TOTALLY FINE.

As alerts and flag messengers are raised and received, Titus directs the Gorgon to follow alongside the fleet and wait for orders on a coordinated attack. On the deck, there's one southern priest who has a bottle and a chalice, pouring out a glass for the deep and offering a drink for the Sangrinites and their Warmonger preparing their hearts and minds.

When the enemy fleet is spied on the horizon, Jasher wordlessly steps toward the helm and places his gauntleted hand upon one of its spokes. Hard blue eyes shift to observe Aleksei's profile as he holds fast to the same wheel with white knuckled intensity, no doubt to belay the seasickness that threatens to rise. The prince nods once to his friend, then asks the loaded question, "Are you ready?" Were he less capable of helming the cog through any storm or circumstance, he might have left this duty to another member of his crew. Instead, the right hand joins its pair to replace Aleksei from the helm entirely. From the main deck, Squint shouts orders to the men in his stead. Some one-hundred lonships pull ahead of the cog and prepare to engage according to plan, prioritizing slow, heavy targets.

Thea hops from the railing. "I can back up Eirene. You fight assholes, I'll help keep sailors alive. You keep sailors alive, I'll make sure you and others aren't injured. As well others." Her eyes however are still watching. "Either way, this will be bloody."

"Well, you reap what you sow, as they say, so whatever happens was brought upon by themselves." Temira says as she takes a couple of steps up to stand next to Haakon. "The Mourning Isles Sea will be a blood bath." A stiffled laugh before adding in "You know, because we are in the water?" She takes a step back, knowing full well Haakon would not appreciate her humor right now, but it was an accidental one, so maybe he will be so mad at the ones out on the sea within sight and will let this slide... Temira can only hope.

Ian looks back towards Thea as the two fleets start to close in on each other. "I'm counting on it."

Marina works in concert with her sister, no surprise to any who know them, and as the enemy fleet comes into sight, she lets out a sharp, piercing whistle and gestures to the horizon, voice calling out, sharp, stern and clear. "Take a good look, men! Remember the sight of those ships on the waves!" She lets that declaration hang for a long moment, "Because you're to ensure they never rise above them again!" And with that, she moves towards the helm and her sister. There's no need to add /extra/ chaos to trying to issue commands. Things are going to get raucous enough on their own.

Ariella breathes in deep, rolling her shoulders and sighing out heavily to shake off the nerves those sails come into view. "Enemy ahead!" she calls back to Quenia, continuing to check the Kennex flags. When the Turo sails come into view, anything resembling the cocky performer that normally dominates the Captain's personality vanishes. "Quen, get Luci away from the rail. I want her midship." This, in case Lucita isn't paying attention or can't hear the words. "Presunto! Prepare to take the helm and bring me that rapier. I don't think rubicund is gonna do it this round." Presunto the First Mate of the Red Bargain hops to!

Wash gives orders for Kennex and it's ancillaries to spread out South, stretching the battle lines so that they can begin the envelopment of the enemy. Flags raise from the ships to acknowledge the orders. "As you please Lady Riven." Wash confirms to Eirene. "Have a care for the formation though."

Eirene gives a sharp nod back to Wash before she turns to Thea. NOW she grins. "I feel like sending some shark-fucking fools down to the depths today. You get the medics, I'll take a boarding party. Besides, you got a baby to care for."

Raven resists the urge to pace forward for a closer look, squinting at the black dots to see what she can make out. Moonsilver serenely preens, "If it comes down who knows the sea the best, these turd-whistles are in for a very nasty surprise." she observes idly to Wash.

Caspian looks over to Savio and Orland, "so.. im all for boarding action but.. obviously im a bit biased. so just.. tell me what to do to be useful and i'll see it done." he gives a grin, twirling a knife in his hand as he looked around at the other ships.

Yuri glanced along with a gentle start toward Aleksei, raising his brow but offered a small smile to the mention of his resolve, "Just slow counting. Helps just a tad, I feel. Maybe." Jasher's question abroad was answered with a sharp inhale and action; claiming a plated hand over the mass of his helm and settling it down upon his head with security. The helm turned toward the captain of The Sea Drake before facing forward again toward the mass of dissident sails.

Lucita makes a low sound under her breath, not necessarily a nice sound, as Ariella sends her amidship. "I've a few wars and battles under my belt, just not ones asea." She sighs and lifts her gaze upward before dropping it toward the oncoming enemy fleet. She does, however, obey the ship captain and moves to the indicated place. "There, now am where you put me so you can focus on ramming a ship and avoid getting rammed when the time comes for that."

"Right, yeah, uh -- you should -- take that back." Aleksei lets Jasher take the helm back now that they're in sight of the actual enemy. "Much more ready for /that/ than I am for the journey," he says, voice a bit more grim now.

A somewhat unfamiliar sigil, that is one not belonging to any Isles house, is emblazoned on one of the sails of half a dozen ships that accompany the rebels. Bloody hands intertwined with one another. The vague features of a very angry gentleman is visible as the figurehead of the Dromond leading the group.

Thea actually chuckles. "If you find a dagger thrown at someone from somewhere, don't be shocked." There's a firm nod however, as she sets to prepare her duty. Looking over to Ian, she agrees. "I think everyone's work will be cut out for them,"as she jogs over to prepare. "Hey Wash,"she greets passingly. "I won't be in your way."

Orland is comfortable to ships now, which wasn't the story four years ago when he could barely keep his stomach. He had a stick of ginger in a pocket just in case though! His weight is balanced out, getting the feeling of the waves beneath the ships haul, glancing to Caspian, "Arrows. We have arrows and javelins. If we get close enough to board then we board. It'll likely mean our ships will get tangled up but that's bound to happen anyway with this many sails in the water." He tries to be encouraging, "Shall we sing? Savio, know a good tune?" Hah.

Quenia squints out over the waters, pointing out the new ship. "Can anyone make out that flag?" she calls back to Ariella and Lucita. "More importantly, does anyone /recognize/ that flag?"

Catalana checks the sword at her side. She checks it and then rechecks it. There's a brief tug of the corset and she makes sure her hair is tied back and out of the way. She looks at the new sigil joining the ships, "Is that Dagon?"

"We follow formation," Savio notes to Caspian, with a gesture to the Vaevici and Eswynd ships with which they sail, "But it's probably all going to hell when these fleets meet, so most likely we'll end up boarding after we close past ranged weapons, and hope real hard they do not have secret weapons that we did not forsee." With soul-deep unhappiness and the ache of anger, "Expect the unexpected."

The sight of the lead ship prompts a widening of Ian's eyes, and then a sudden and startled laugh. "Gods, Dagon's not wasting his time with subtlety, is he?"

Richard is no stranger to protecting people, and Evander's answer gets a crease of brow. "You'll change your mind if they come boiling over the sides of the ship. Do you have a weapon, at least?" The frown deepens at Azova's answer: clearly the lack of honor is the thing that bothers the Oathlander knight more than anything. "It gives us a measure of the honor of our enemy," Richard says flatly in response to Azova.

The combined forces of Nightcove, Dredcall, Navegant, Bloodbrook, and mercenary fleet, bear down on the combined forces of Thrax's ships, they don't veer off and they don't appear to be slowing down. They cut through the waves, full speed ahead until they are crashing dead on into the progressives unless they can make some moves to avoid them, pass them, surround them? And those that don't manage to avoid are getting boarded, with hundreds of soldiers spilling over onto the ships of people they once called friends and family, liege and vassal. Steel glints in the sun, soon to be bloodied.

Victus checks command and war at hard. Victus is successful.

Romulius checks command and war at hard. Romulius is successful.

Ariella checks command and sailing at hard. Ariella is successful.

Aethan checks command and leadership at hard. Aethan is successful.

Orland checks command and sailing at hard. Orland marginally fails.

Haakon checks command and sailing at hard. Haakon is successful.

Wash checks command and sailing at hard. Wash marginally fails.

Evander checks command and war at hard. Evander is successful.

Teague checks command and war at hard. Critical Success! Teague is spectacularly successful.

Titus checks command and war at hard. Critical Success! Titus is spectacularly successful.

Tovell checks command and leadership at hard. Tovell is successful.

Sorrel checks command and leadership at hard. Sorrel is successful.

Jasher checks command and sailing at hard. Jasher is successful.

Zakhar checks command and war at hard. Zakhar fails.

Valdemar checks command and war at hard. Valdemar is successful.

Ian checks command and leadership at hard. Ian is successful.

Catalana checks command and leadership at hard. Catalana is successful.

Aedric checks command and war at hard. Aedric is successful.

Harlex checks command and war at hard. Harlex is successful.

Savio checks command and sailing at hard. Savio is successful.

Fatima checks command and sailing at hard. Fatima is successful.

Tesha checks command and war at hard. Tesha is marginally successful.

Yuri checks command and sailing at hard. Yuri fails.

Ember checks command and war at hard. Ember is successful.

Martinique checks command and war at hard. Martinique is successful.

Caspian checks command and leadership at hard. Caspian marginally fails.

Eirene checks command and war at hard. Eirene marginally fails.

Richard checks command and leadership at hard. Richard marginally fails.

Raven checks command and sailing at hard. Raven is marginally successful.

Lucita checks command and leadership at hard. Lucita marginally fails.

Thea checks command and leadership at hard. Thea is successful.

Temira checks command and sailing at hard. Temira fails.

Mikani checks command and sailing at hard. Mikani is successful.

Quenia checks command and war at hard. Quenia fails.

Marina checks command and sailing at hard. Marina is successful.

With specially acquired charts, Evander convinces the captain to listen to him. He points out places where the enemy's ships can be run aground, all the helmsman got to do is listen to him. Leading a group of small boats, Evander uses them to reveal special routes to the fleet.

Aleksei checks command and war at hard. Aleksei fails.

Teague nods towards Ian as he looks out at the ships studying them now his hand is moving to spin that ax once more idle in his right hand, as the left grips the rail as another wave rocks him as he looks over at the others with him. As he lifts his ax into the air. "FOR THE COMPACT! FOR HONOR! FOR GLORY! FOR HOPE!" His voice is howls out over the sound of the waves, as he stares out towards them he is ready to bring the fury and the war. It was time to do the thing he was designed from youth to do, that clam and cold moment slowly filling his eyes as that mountain is ready for it all! He rush forward now as the fray has started with no thought it was time to get this started his ax is moving in front of him to start it's work to bring Hope to the World.

Raven checks command and war at hard. Botch! Raven fails completely.

It's really quite striking how much Ian sounds like Aethan in this moment, when he's relaying his brother's orders across the ship. It's impossible to escape the impression that Ian's leadership style, such as it is, is an excellent, note-for-note, imitation of Aethan. The resulting effect is efficient, but nowhere near as inspiring as Teague's speech beside him.

Zakhar's argument with the plushie doesn't appear to inspire any confidence upon the ship he's on. Thankfully, they are Eswynd and know how to handle themselves without the insanity of the old man being thrown about.

Romulius checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Romulius is successful.

Ariella checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Ariella marginally fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jasher is successful.

Savio checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Savio is successful.

Yuri checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Yuri is successful.

Zakhar checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Zakhar fails.

Ember checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Ember is successful.

Tovell checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Botch! Tovell fails completely.

Aleksei checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Aleksei fails.

Titus checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Titus is marginally successful.

Ian checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Ian is successful.

Fatima checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Fatima fails.

Aedric checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Aedric marginally fails.

Azova checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Azova marginally fails.

Quenia checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Quenia is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Caspian is successful.

Aethan checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Aethan is successful.

Orland checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Orland fails.

Martinique checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Botch! Martinique fails completely.

Lucita checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Lucita fails.

Victus checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Victus fails.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Raven is successful.

Teague checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Teague fails.

Evander checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Evander fails.

Richard checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Richard marginally fails.

Haakon checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Haakon is successful.

Wash checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Wash marginally fails.

Catalana checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Catalana fails.

Temira checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Temira is successful.

Eirene checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Botch! Eirene fails completely.

Valdemar checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Valdemar fails.

Harlex checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Harlex is successful.

Tesha checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Tesha is successful.

Marina checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Marina fails.

Mikani checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Mikani is successful.

Thea checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Thea is successful.

Sorrel checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Sorrel marginally fails.

Tovell checks strength and medium wpn at hard. Tovell is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at hard. Critical Success! Romulius is spectacularly successful.

Victus checks strength and huge wpn at hard. Victus is successful.

Aethan checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Aethan is marginally successful.

Sorrel checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Sorrel fails.

Titus checks strength and medium wpn at hard. Critical Success! Titus is spectacularly successful.

Jasher checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Jasher is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Caspian marginally fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Yuri is successful.

Harlex checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Harlex is successful.

Martinique checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Martinique is successful.

Aedric checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Critical Success! Aedric is spectacularly successful.

Raven checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Raven is successful.

Aleksei checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Aleksei is successful.

Ian checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Ian is successful.

Zakhar checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Zakhar is successful.

Catalana checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Catalana marginally fails.

Ember checks strength and huge wpn at hard. Critical Success! Ember is spectacularly successful.

Richard checks strength and medium wpn at hard. Richard is successful.

Teague checks strength and medium wpn at hard. Teague is successful.

Mikani checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Mikani is successful.

Orland checks strength and huge wpn at hard. Orland marginally fails.

Temira checks dexterity and archery at hard. Critical Success! Temira is spectacularly successful.

Fatima checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Fatima is successful.

Ariella checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Ariella is successful.

Haakon checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Haakon is successful.

Savio checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Savio marginally fails.

Valdemar checks dexterity and huge wpn at hard. Valdemar is successful.

Eirene checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Eirene fails.

Marina checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Marina fails.

Lucita checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Lucita is successful.

Tesha checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Tesha is successful.

Evander checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Evander fails.

Evander checks dexterity and brawl at hard. Evander fails.

Quenia checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Quenia is successful.

Wash checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Wash is successful.

Evander checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Evander is successful.

Evander remains capable of fighting.

Fatima checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Fatima fails.

Fatima has suffered a serious wound!

Fatima checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Fatima is successful.

Fatima remains capable of fighting.

Catalana checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Catalana fails.

Catalana has suffered a serious wound!

Catalana checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Catalana fails.

Catalana is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

As the two forces meet, Romulius delegates commands to a sailor who translates them into a series of complex flag movements, the Deputy Warlord's orders being issued in tandem with Victus's to control the Leviathan's mass of ships. His dromond sails behind an array of longships and galleys, the smaller vessels serving as a screen that allows the massive warship to churn forwards deeper into the heart of the Dagonite navy. Eventually, their forward progress is halted, and it's moments later that grapples are thrown from both port and starboard, drawing an opposing galley and a relatively diminutive longship into the reach of the Dirge. Thrax Irregulars pour over in an effort to quickly neutralize the seditionist vessels. Some bolder rebels make an effort to climb aboard the dromond that's seized them - the first of them immediately finds a boarding axe deflected by an alaricite greatsword before being grabbed by the throat and being dragged into the same weapon, steel chain giving way to the far greater metal of the weapon and ending the man immediately. The lifeless body is immediately cast overboard, the prince remaining on his ship rather than joining his marines' boarding efforts.

Teague rushes forward into the fray as his ax is spins around him in a circle, he is leaving himself up taking a serious blow to his right leg as he moves forward for each hit he is returning one. He is fights with fury, his eyes narrowed as he rushes forward that ax is spinning around from hand to hand, as he leaps forward now trying to force himself more into the fray. His eyes narrowed, as he bits into his lower lip as he howls out another scream of a warcry!

Much like the prodigals themselves, the longships of House Eswynd act as a dangerous nuisance to the Dagonites, screening the movement and number of larger dromonds, before abruptly rowing out of the path of the Thraxian juggernaut, and swarming forward with hungry aggression. Grappling lines are thrown and hauled taut, Haakon draws a great breath to shout, "Who will they fear?" Answered from hundreds of throats, "ESWYND." The notorious reaver himself is among the first of the Eswynders to swarm the Dagonite rails, fighting to cut a bloody foothold onto the rebel decks. The boarding action is one of hundreds.

Before Evander can react, the enemies have boarded the Darkwater ships and all hell breaks loose. The Count surrounds himself with the other scribes and they go ham fist to face with the invaders. Hurl off to the side, Evander is thrown across the deck bouncing off a sail post. He raises to his feet, wiping the blood and sweat off his face, "Fuck..." Evander mumbles, war surrounding him. He gathers his will and pushes through trying to get to the front to rally the men.

Ember lowers her horned-helmeted head and touches her forehead to the handle of her massive war-scythe. She says a quiet prayer, and then when she lifts her head, she raises her scythe into the air: a signal for all of the Redreef ships to get into fighting formation. Aboard the cog with Marina and Martinique, Ember uses her scythe to keep distance between her cloaked form and any oncoming attackers -- useful, since Redreef's vaunted hit-and-run tactics thrust them right into the mix, so to speak. As her twin and her knight are attacked, Ember moves from defense to offense, starting to rampage toward their positions. "House Nightcove," she calls, for anyone or no one to hear. "I'll bathe in your blood--!"

Desma wields Raptor's Revenge, the exquisite wings of Magnotta diamondplate bow.

Harlex's sword clears the scabbard as the first wave crushes into the side of the ship. He takes a step forward and removes the leg from a hatchet wielding mercenary bounding toward the sailors. He waves his arms, almost comically but for the gore, and plummets to his doom in the waves. "Whatever they're payin' you, it ain't enough!" He growls viciously at the Mercenary Ship before falling into the fray with the odd glint of his weapon shining like heat in the dark.

It's not long before the Lady Thunderstruck meets her foes. Victus continues shouting orders to the very last moment, before the Dagonites are spilling over the rails. "FORM TOGETHER. HOLD. HOLD!" Nightcove's men charge forward and Victus is in the thick of it to meet them. Swords clash with his alaricite, the hefty sword hardly conducive for quick movements. Hence, he's letting himself be carried by the momentum, making himself a proper /problem/ to anyone too close. Barathrum clips the neck of one before being brought up to impale another. In the midst, their blades slash across his coat and find purchase. Leaving deep red grooves against his arm before being pushed back again. Victus hisses in pain as crimson drips onto the deck, still on his feet for the time being.

Maybe it's because she got too cocky. Probably because she got too cocky. Eirene leads a party over to the side of the Kennnex ship and shouts, "Prepare to repel boarders" as she takes her position by the rail. But her proximity is what does her in. One of the first to make landing is a burly woman with muscles matching any bodybuilder and tatoos to cover them. The mountain of a woman takes a dagger out from between her clentched teeth and slashes right at Eirene's throat. If it wasn't for the shadowmeld... the black sinewy nigh-mythical fabric at her gorget, she could have been killed. Instead the force of the blade slashes through the material and leaves a bit of a nick at her neck. Eirene staggers back in surprise, unable to make any retaliation.

She has been ready for this for what seems like days, but really, minutes, hours, there was a nap involved--and now it's time for fighting in earnest. Now, there is a chance to stab some Nightcoves, and Martinique is eager for it. A blade comes, connects, as Martinique advances too eagerly, but Ember's scythe rakes through them before they can finish any bloody work; the soldier fights on despite the injury and stabs another who crosses her path. There is no shortage of enemies, and soon they will swarm over them to burn them to the waterline--or such is what Martinique yells, but in a garbled half-shav Oathlands dialect.

Catalana is not ready, I suppose nothing can prepare anyone to boarded. The boats collide and Cat is thrown to the side and she staggers to regain her balance. She does not even have time to draw her sword before one of the enemies is screaming in her face and slashing a sword at her. A deep gash splits the little armor the lady had and blood begins to bubble over and stain her white shirt. She goes very white and her eyes roll back into her head before she sinks to the ground gasping and uselessly trying to stem the bleeding with her own hands.

Ships collide. Dredcall's marines board. Aedric, flanked on either side by two members of the Black Vanguard, draws his longsword and mutters a command beneath his breath. They mirror the baron's actions and instinctively drop their blades into a low guard. Troops clash, but the line holds.

Injured but not too badly, Sorrel makes very little progress at fighting off the attackers who storm onto the Lady Thunderstruck. But she does keep singing, hopeful and fierce, making some effort to inspire their people to do their most here.

Aedric wields Atonement, the Blackshore heirloom diamondplate longsword.

Richard's expression remains on the verge of glowering, his left hand hooked into a rope to keep his balance, his right resting on his mace. Battle is, by its nature, exceptionally chaotic. Once the ships clash it becomes much more difficult to tell us-and-them, as the fluttering of flags pulls less of the knight's attention than the closeness of the ships. One particularly bold ship that appears to be from the mercenary company sails directly for the Hospital Ship, coming alongside it. Moments later, figures begin to climb the sides and boil over the edges, and Richard and other Knights of Solace on board immediately step in to block them from the mercies, but the numbers aren't initially in their favor. Cries rise up across the ship, Richard himself grunting in pain as he receives a blow to his left arm that leaves it briefly numb and the blood that drips down unnoticed, as he ruthlessly cuts down one of the boarders. "Mercies to the middle!" he calls, as they battle the boarders.

Marina's snapping orders, shoring up nervous crewmen, urging them to brace, all the things that comes before the crashing of timbers and tangling of bodies. She is, if anything, too focused on the tactical situation and the strategic effort, even as the ship is mired in a boarding action. Her axe swings, sweeping legs, solid haft ringing heads. But for a brief moment she's too distracted in yelling towards one of the seamen who's faltering in the face of an approaching Nightcove marine to notice a sharp blade swinging in at just the right angle to slip between leathers and draw blood, earning a feral snarl and a swift backhand of Wavebreaker. She's giving as good as she gets, but she's getting better than she'd prefer.

The hiss of Ashfont coming free from its leather sheathe is close enough to silent so as to not be audible at all in the rising din. The beautiful, elegantly balanced diamondplate blade flashes in the air as Ian uses it to knock down a boarding pike aimed his way and step on it, causing it to splinter. He's noticed what's happening with Eirene just behind him, however, and this fact saves the life of the man who made the mistake of choosing him as a target; he whips around with a fierce, two-handed swing, slicing across the other burly woman's broad back in a long diagonal line. There's no fury on his face. No, this is worse. Ian's expression has become still and slack, and his electric blue eyes, moving fast to take in the fight as a series of details absorbed in quick succession, are absolutely at peace. He's going to kill this woman. The two of them are WAY past the point of no return.

Quenia wields a diamondplate rapier with phoenix motif hilt.

Tesha was shouting orders as the enemy boarded the ship that she was on. Maybe she could channel Arn during all of this. She manages to dodge the first swing of steel that goes her way and answers back with her own strike, but this one finds purchase in the figure she's fighting. It was chaotic at best, but she could keep up. Hopefully.

The Bargain lists as Ariella maneuvers her deftly, narrowly avoiding being rammed by an oncoming Navegant ship. "Fuck youuu!" she shouts at them as they pass close by to one another.

Too closeby. The crew isn't fast enough with their ship axes to keep up with the hail of grapples that come over, and soon they are being boarded. "ALL HANDS, TO ARMS," booms her voice as she passes the helm over to her First Mate and draws Truestrike, throwing herself at the first enemy combatant that finds her way onto the Red Bargain's deck.

Thea watches the movements, the bodies. With a loud commanding voice, the Wyvernheart Countess starts yelling,"Start pulling those that are the most wounded here,"pointing to more secure area. "Those that need minor, here. You'll be tended to in a moment." Thea starts hurrying, pulling bodies and aiding those most injured. Seeing Catalana, she hurries to her as well. Eirene gets a thinning of her lis and a frown. Seeing she's still up and moving however, she continues.

Lucita being in the midship is no protection when an oncoming Navegant ship draws nearer, nearer, and so near Lucita's eyes widen and she sucks in a deep breath with a hiss. While the attempt to ram the Red Bargain is avoided by Ariella, she grasps a dagger and watches closely as one of the enemy sailors swarms over the rail. When that sailor nears her, her dagger flashes as she spins it to reseat it in a different grasp and first jabs then slashes, shoving the sailor overboard so he does not bleed over Ariella's ship and make a mess. Unfortunately, it is she who drip, drip, drips a trail of blood as she did not escape that fight unwounded.

The Bloodbrook ships hand back from the rest of the Traditionalist fleet. They do not rush in with the rest of the ships to board.

There is no pre-arranged moment in time that Jasher calculates as the perfect one to relinquish control of his wheel to Squint who has ascended to the stern deck and stands by his side. They trade places when a Navegant ship draws so near to her cog's hull that they can make out the the distinguishing features of the enemy soldiers aboard, brandishing their weapons with raw, unmitigated fury. He descends the stairs to the main deck and commands his crew to, "Make ready the grapples! Draw your weapons!" Members assigned to the aft ballistae prepare to fire as Jasher reaches to grasp the hilt of Reafian. It is drawn and extended out to the enemy threateningly. "No quarter, no survivors! For Victus! For Thrax!" With that, the combatants of both ships initiate boarding actions, and Jasher deftly dodges the first incoming strike with ease, then turns in time to drive the blade into the foe's exposed back.

The chalice is taken by Titus from the priest in pale hands and lifts it up to the sky and takes a long drink before tipping the rest down the side of the ship to the deep in a prayer or rite before that decayed voice says "Give thanks to our gods for such a battle that we might witness and be witnessed in supporting the Compact. Let not one cry out for victory, but may you each hold strong in your honour and determination to the end so that our ancestors who watch can be proud! And should you find yourself waking to a chuckle and see the Queen, the Sentinel and Vellichor recounting His Story, worry not for you are dead and we will return you back to Sangris! Oars ready, myrmidons! Put your backs into it, slice the sea and may our fangs bite deep!" There's a bloody call from the myrmidons to their Warmonger as the smaller ship begins to peel across the waves towards the oncoming enemy maelstrom. The smaller ship can move and turn more swiftly, and so the Warmonger uses that advantage as he unsheathes the Flame and points towards the Navegant ship. "Close in, ram and board! Form a circle, bring them within and let judgment happen." And so the southron Screaming Gorgon ship does just that as it comes up to a Navegant ship and hooks go over and a small group of myrmidons climb over the side with their Warmonger and Titus creates a small foothold on one ship. It's a clash of metal, sounds of yelling as brawn and emotions flex. And sure enough, one defender after another is brought into the circle's middle where Titus is at. It's quick work for a few enemies, their hearts taken and in the midst of their screams, their heads too. Not that the defenders are weak, there's times where he's hit but the war of wine he drank has filled his spirit.

Mikani calls out to her crew as they enter the fray. Her ship starts to bear down the Nightcove fleet. "All hands to Arms!" She screams as she lifts her arm high. "For Redreef and for Freedom!" She screams as they ready for attack.

Savio takes over command of the Amadeo vessel he shares with Caspian and Orland as they approach the fleet, and is actually successful in directing the sailors toward the enemy forces. Shocking. Who knew he had it in him? Maybe there is something surprisingly competent in there underneath the veneer of unfocused ridiculousness that defines the rest of his life. Or, it's an anomaly, who knows. EITHER WAY, the vessel is obliged t endure a hail of arrows intended to skewer its occupants, and weathers this to join Eswynd in its longboat assault of the Dagonites they have engaged. When the fight gets to the rails and grappling lines pull them close, a rogue lurch of the ship jostles the occupants such that they might miss their opening blow against the enemies they are swarming! Bummer.

Caspian grabs a javelin from the nearby rack and sends it hurling toward the rebel ship, a particularly burly looking bloke his target. Sadly, right as he did so, the ship jostled. cursed boats.. always jostling. the throw went wide and then the hooks started flying, dragging the ships together as men and women started scrambling together in a boarding action. "Come on you damned fools! its time to reap the whirlwind of your choices! For Thrax! For Skald! For Freedom!" knives out, he charged into the oncoming boarders. "Come on! these scum lovers seem thirsty! Lets give them a drink!"

You can bet that Azova will have a few choice words to say about the kind of people who board Hospital Ships. For the moment she's a little busy being knocked around by the combination of the waves and the ships ramming against one another; a loose crate tumbling off of it's perch to knock her down to the deck for a moment. Which, leaves her pretty well placed as 'in the middle' so the Knights and better equipped knight-mercies can protect them. However, if she's going to be stuck with boarders.. she scrabbles for the first weapon-ish thing she can get her hands on, and readies a metallic red mug to try and whip at a boarder when they get close enough.

This is not Quenia's first battle, or even sea battle, having had a fair few things she's tended to in the past for Granato. While she is no sailer, she does her best to help guide Ariella into a better position, but her cousin seems to be doing much better a job of that than Quenia can provide. Leaving Ariella to it, Quenia wields her diamondplate rapier, the newest in her collection of weapons, and prepares for whatever boarding party there might be. "Just stand ready," she tells Lucita as an aside. "If we work together, we can dispatch them in no time." Her footing is certain and she seems confident with her blade. She swirls it once, then twice and then as sailors start to pile onto the Red Bargain she shifts into a dance, with a back and forth sally, with hopes of trying to control where the sailors go and whom they attack upon the Bargain.

Desma has be unusually quiet so far this entire battle thus far, staying in the shadow of Eirene and Thea on their ship, helping her family out before the engagement and now letting off potshots with her bow from the deck of her ship. So far she doesn't have made much of an impact on the battle as a whole (apart from that one guy that ended up with an arrow in him from her). Her sharp eyes sweep the decks, seeing where Eirene and Thea are currently.

Orland braces for impact as the ships close on each other and no one is clearly playing chicken today! It's all straight forward one another and to the abyss with stopping! Arrows fly off the ships, javelins are tossed! Oars are breaking and snapping as some of the ships collide and there's screams from all around them as wood can be heard over the waters of the ocean snapping and groaning. As a Knight of the Order of East Light he has prepared for this sort of warfare but it's much different when he's no working with his Brothers from the Order! It's much different when it's a crew of your own people! Of those who you are responsible for! Arrows whizz by as they pass some of the ships. He's trying to yell some orders but a jostle of the ships makes him lurch to the side and he has to grab some of the riggings. The SOUNDS of BATTLE are deafening. So many people screaming, roaring, singing, fighting, running ships into each other! He clings for a moment for balance to look out toward the ocean now raging with battle. Though with Savio's command, he gets a minute to catch up from the shock of it all. Long enough though to be a pin cushion for an arrow that launches him backward to the decks. "Fuccck!" He moans over the arrow lodged in that shiny armor of his. Not dead! He yanks it out and throws it aside, thankfully the new sparkling metal protected most of him.

Wash tries to keep the Kennex command vessel at arm's length from the enemy, but while caravels are great for surveying the battle, they are also prizes, desirable targets for boarding action. As the battle grows more dense with their longship escort tied up in individual conflicts, it becomes impossible to keep the Indomitable from every sally. As the crew shelters from arrows, grappeling hooks give access to the decks. Kennex Corsairs sally to the rails, and it is mayhem. Wash takes an arrow but stays at the helm, too high above the battle to do more than throw a knife when it matters. His maneuver to the South of the conflict was successful, if costly. The Kennex fleet wraps around the conflict and into Navegant's flank. "RAVEN! GET her OUT of that MESS!" Wash calls from the command deck, pointing to wear Catalana fell.

Into the teeth of it they ram.

Tovell stands slack among the crimson myrmidons as they close with the Navegant vessels, one hand steady upon the rail. His weight is thrown as the Screaming Gorgon's ram cracks viciously into her targeted vessel---and then he's over the railing and landing among the stunned Navegant crew, hewing through them with an abandon bred from dreadful purpose---to kill, and to be good at it. The Knight fights with little care for his own wellbeing, and many a blade and pike find the gaps in his plated armor. There's nothing clean about the man's killing; sanguine and scattered bodies slick the deck in his wake, a way cut clear for the Warmonger's men to fill into after.

A breath and a call to action from Jasher had been sounded. Yuri hung toward the boarding side of the ship, waiting for the moment when grapples had been launched and found their home before a rush of combatants ejected from all angles; the lord rushed forth with a bolt of energy from the captain's commands. A glancing blow from a Navegant defender was parried with the same stroke from Yuri's sword that lay him down dead upon the deck. The knight took moderate flight, launching himself over from The Sea Drake with the other crewmembers, settling himself into the fray.

Aethan takes in a breath and shouts, "FOR STORMWARD AND FOR FREEDOM!" He lifts his axe and lets out a cry as his ship collides with a ship from Navegant. "AND FUCK TURO NAVEGANT!" He adds this for good measure as he lines up Kennex fighters to repel boarders. Thankfully his sparring sessions with his brother have knocked some of the rust off his reflexes and he's able to step out of the way of an incoming sword thrust from a Navegant marine, a sword thrust that he returns with a vicious swing of his axe.

There's no hesitation from the Navegant ships when those from Victus' fleet begin targeting them and shouting threats. Indeed, the Navegant soldiers are swarming the edge of the decks, and quite a few of them are practically howling in return, smashing weapons against shields even as archers take aim. Ships that haven't directly engaged do so now, some going so far as to simply slam into the ships of those attacking them, leaping aboard with an eagerness that matches, or even surpasses, that of the Leviathan fleet.

Zakhar braces for impact of hull of ships, readying for nets and hooks to be thrown across and watches as the Eswynd warriors take to clambering over in a fierce force launching themselves into a shield wall and striking with a fierceness few get to walk away from to describe later. The first wave sending a few into the waters with blood sliding over decks. The old man takes to climbing over nets, only to stand up and be hit with an arrow to his left shoulder. Staring at the bolt and pushing at the shaft he mutters to himself as the bolt's shaft is broken off leaving the head in place then staring at the archer that shot him. Or at least the one he believes shot him and launches himself in a flying lunge at them. Tackling the suddenly confused archer to deck and taking a heavy swing with frying pan at the Bloodbrook archer.

Raven braces herself as battle joins. "Aye, Aye!" She swiftly dispatches one enemy and shoves him overboard, letting that motion yank her sword clear before hastily wiping her blade and sheathing it to find and fetch Catalana, "Don't panic, M'lady. Bodies are made for abuse." She carries Catalana to safty and sets her down to be tended by the ship medic.

Aleksei's footing is not quite steady yet; soon enough, the hit of adrenaline will focus him past the last of that seasickness, but when the first boarders from one of the Navegant ships reaches the Sea Drake, he doesn't shift in time to avoid the slicing cut of a blade. But soon enough his sword is flashing in the sun for its reply, cutting through its answer.

What appears to be missing from this contingent of Nightcove fighters is Admiral Anders himself. But that doesn't mean the fleet from the march isn't being lead. There's a perfectly competent commander in charge and he's brought the ships straight through, command his man to board the ships. As Ember focuses on them, they focus on her. The Nightcove soldiers are swarming over the Redreef ships, engaging without hesitation and seeking to take on their enemies.

And then, further in the distance? It's MORE ships. They sail in, encircling the Thraxian fleet. It's the vassals of Nightcove, Dredcall, Bloodbrook, Navegant. It's the reserves of Grimkin, sailing in to bolster the numbers. It's various ships sailing the flags of houses that are not intimately familiar to the Islanders. And that's because they're from the Crownlands. Thank the marriage contracts.

Ember checks command and war at hard. Ember is successful.

Victus checks command and war at hard. Victus is successful.

Romulius checks command and war at hard. Romulius fails.

The mercenaries don't exactly hear Harlex's call but they definitely note that he's addressing them. There's no response but one cannot miss the rising determination. The Captain almost looks amused, saluting the man as the ships steer that way. The men on the half dozen ships accompany him ready themselves for boarding or to defend their positions. Archers ready their bows to take aim once they're within range.

Aethan checks command and leadership at hard. Aethan is successful.

Aedric checks command and war at hard. Aedric is successful.

Jasher checks command and sailing at hard. Jasher is successful.

Eirene checks command and war at hard. Eirene is successful.

Azova checks charm and manipulation at hard. Azova marginally fails.

Haakon checks command and sailing at hard. Haakon fails.

Savio checks command and sailing at hard. Savio is successful.

Titus checks command and war at hard. Titus fails.

Evander checks command and leadership at hard. Evander fails.

Zakhar checks command and leadership at hard. Zakhar fails.

Mikani checks command and sailing at hard. Mikani is successful.

Teague checks command and leadership at hard. Teague marginally fails.

Valdemar checks command and war at hard. Valdemar is successful.

Ariella checks command and sailing at hard. Ariella is successful.

Wash checks command and sailing at hard. Wash is successful.

Quenia checks command and war at hard. Quenia is successful.

Fatima checks command and sailing at hard. Fatima is successful.

"ESWYND," Temira's voice is among the hundred who have answered Haakon, yet unlike the charge, she hangs back, pulling her long blonde hair back in a low ponytail and that falls down her back. Grabbing her bow that had been around her back, she retrieves an arrow from the quiver on her back, notching it in her bow. As she aims towards the now boarded ship, As the Eswynds fighters begin to make headway over the Bloodbrook ship, a few have managed to get close to Eswynds' long ship. "I don't think so." She says aloud as she releases the first arrow and hits one of the three men almost over, then in succession hits the other two, all falling down to the sea below.

Tovell checks command and leadership at hard. Tovell is successful.

Marina checks command and sailing at hard. Marina is successful.

Teague throws his hand upwards with his ax as he is about to yell again out another command towards the others of his house and than he is broken in mid scream to a blow to his chest. His eyes narrow as his ax is swings towards his next target, as he starts to circle the man with that massive body ax vs spear. Both of them stare at each other, as he moves back and forth trying to gauge ready for the next battle.

Haakon badly wants to find Anders Nightcove. Speeches have been made to that effect. Verses composed. But the prodigal reaver didn't live this long by getting greedy, and so as the larger dromonds of Thrax and Redreef drive for the Nightcove banners, the Eswynds take up their flanks, and Haakon finds himself cutting his way onto a Bloodbrook deck, as the shouts go up of a second enemy squadron. "Ye lot need live long enough for them get here!" he shouts at the foes before him. Alas, the Eswynd longships are quite thoroughly stuck in with the Bloodbrook ships, making any immediate efforts to disengagement or maneuver difficult.

Tesha checks command and diplomacy at hard. Tesha is successful.

Richard checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Botch! Richard fails completely.

Ember checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Ember is successful.

Yuri checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Yuri marginally fails.

Savio checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Savio is successful.

Titus checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Titus is successful.

Harlex checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Harlex is successful.

Eirene checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Eirene fails.

Aethan checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Aethan fails.

Wash checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Wash marginally fails.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Raven is successful.

Ariella checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Ariella is successful.

Quenia checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Critical Success! Quenia is spectacularly successful.

Haakon checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Haakon fails.

Victus checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Victus fails.

Ian checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Ian is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Romulius marginally fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Botch! Caspian fails completely.

Mikani checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Mikani fails.

Temira checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Temira is successful.

Aedric checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Aedric fails.

Martinique checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Martinique fails.

Teague checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Teague fails.

Tovell checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Tovell is successful.

Desma checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Desma is successful.

Thea checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Thea fails.

Fatima checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Fatima is successful.

Lucita checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Lucita fails.

Marina checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Marina fails.

Evander checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Evander marginally fails.

Orland checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Orland fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jasher marginally fails.

Tesha checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Tesha fails.

Sorrel checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Sorrel fails.

Valdemar checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Valdemar is successful.

Aleksei checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Critical Success! Aleksei is spectacularly successful.

Orland checks strength and huge wpn at hard. Orland marginally fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Yuri fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Caspian is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at hard. Romulius is successful.

Martinique checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Martinique marginally fails.

Harlex checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Harlex is successful.

Aedric checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Botch! Aedric fails completely.

Aethan checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Aethan is successful.

Teague checks strength and medium wpn at hard. Teague fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Jasher is successful.

Quenia checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Botch! Quenia fails completely.

Wash checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Wash is successful.

Ember checks strength and huge wpn at hard. Ember is successful.

Evander checks dexterity and brawl at hard. Evander is successful.

Aleksei checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Aleksei is successful.

Richard checks strength and medium wpn at hard. Richard marginally fails.

Fatima checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Critical Success! Fatima is spectacularly successful.

Haakon checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Haakon is successful.

Temira checks dexterity and archery at hard. Temira marginally fails.

Savio checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Savio marginally fails.

Ian checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Ian marginally fails.

Titus checks strength and medium wpn at hard. Titus fails.

Victus checks strength and huge wpn at hard. Victus is successful.

Azova checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Azova fails.

Lucita checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Lucita marginally fails.

Ariella checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Critical Success! Ariella is spectacularly successful.

Eirene checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Botch! Eirene fails completely.

Desma checks dexterity and archery at hard. Desma fails.

Valdemar checks dexterity and huge wpn at hard. Valdemar marginally fails.

Raven checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Raven marginally fails.

Tesha checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Botch! Tesha fails completely.

Tovell checks strength and medium wpn at hard. Tovell is successful.

Marina checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Marina is successful.

Thea checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Thea is successful.

Sorrel checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Sorrel marginally fails.

Mikani checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Mikani marginally fails.

Evander checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Evander is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Evander does not take a permanent wound.

Evander checks 'unconsciousness save' at hard. Evander fails.

Evander is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Eirene checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Eirene is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Eirene does not take a permanent wound.

Eirene checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Eirene fails.

Eirene is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Aethan checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Aethan is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Aethan does not take a permanent wound.

Haakon checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Haakon marginally fails.

Victus checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Victus marginally fails.

Victus checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Victus is successful.

Victus remains capable of fighting.

Mikani checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Mikani fails.

Mikani has suffered a serious wound!

Mikani checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Mikani is successful.

Mikani remains capable of fighting.

Temira checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Temira is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Temira does not take a permanent wound.

Aedric checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Aedric is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Aedric does not take a permanent wound.

Aedric checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Botch! Aedric fails completely.

Aedric is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Martinique checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Martinique is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Martinique does not take a permanent wound.

Martinique checks 'unconsciousness save' at hard. Martinique marginally fails.

Martinique is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Teague checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Teague fails.

Teague has suffered a serious wound!

Teague checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Teague is successful.

Teague remains capable of fighting.

Thea checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Thea fails.

Thea has suffered a serious wound!

Thea checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Thea is successful.

Thea remains capable of fighting.

Marina checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Critical Success! Marina is spectacularly successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Marina does not take a permanent wound.

Marina checks 'unconsciousness save' at hard. Marina marginally fails.

Marina is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Orland checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Orland is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Orland does not take a permanent wound.

Orland checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Orland marginally fails.

Orland is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Tesha checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Tesha is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Tesha does not take a permanent wound.

Tesha checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Tesha marginally fails.

Tesha is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Sorrel checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Sorrel marginally fails.

Sorrel checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Sorrel is successful.

Sorrel remains capable of fighting.

Richard checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Richard is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Richard does not take a permanent wound.

Richard checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Richard is successful.

Richard remains capable of fighting.

Caspian checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Caspian is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Caspian does not take a permanent wound.

Lucita is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Orland fights to his feet as grappling hooks come over the railing. He has to roll one way to avoid getting skewered by the hook itself before it drags and snaps tight to allow their enemies purchase upon their decks. Orland's eyes widen as he kicks to his feet and finds Tiderender from the weapon racks where he had put it. He pivots to turn to face the in coming enemy. He gets overwhelmed pretty damn quickly though from the coordinated attack... He shoots a look back toward Savio ... and maybe that was his down fall! It was totally his downfall! The Amadeo has no tricks to avoid the devastation and ... all he can do to avoid being stabbed thoroughly is TRICK the enemy in another way! He falls unconscious. Good as dead, right? They won't make sure, just yet. Hopefully.

Evander pushes through the fighting aboard the Darkwater ships his team had taken refugee on, receiving smacks to all sides of his body and head. He looses focus, his eyes narrowing into a point at the center but he doesn't stop. He thinks about Darkwater and how close they are. If he fails here, he can't fail. Evander takes a deep breath and climbs up a platform, gazing at the savagery below. He pauses, unsure of how to rally the men to push the raiders out, "Vellichor, please, I beg you, don't let our story end here." Evander prays as they are smacked again but this time, the hurt is less, perhaps from the numbness of the pain. Still, there he is, pushing through, "MERCY IS NO VIRTUE!", he yells and fights off the invaders on the Darkwater ships with his bare fists but that's not enough and eventually even the mighty skinny boy falls, beaten.

As it happens, properly recalling marines - even as well trained as those who serve under Romulius are - from a dual boarding action is a difficult task with a mass naval battle currently ongoing. While the vessels that have been grappled by the Dirge are crippled, there is blood to be spilled on them yet, and so the dromond remains stationary for the time being. It allows more of the seditionists to board, and with the Irregulars focused on the boarding the prince is forced to contend with a few on his own. He parries a sword swing, but a second catches a gap in his armor to deliver a shallow wound. The rebuke is immediate, Bainteoir flashing over the pitch-black planking of the dromond to deliver another mortal wound and send crimson lifeblood spilling across the deck as Romulius works to dispatch the rest of the counter-boarders.

Jasher attempts to remain aware of his comrades in arms all the while engaging Navegant forces that defend their ship with a fury unlike he has witnessed before. This Isles civil conflict was always bound to be fought by parties that feel an immense measure of loyalty and devotion to their cause. There are no fence-sitters here; it is to be expected that warriors, noble and common, will drive conviction behind every swing and make for a formidable opponent in this first of many battles for freedom, tradition and the future of the Mourning Isles. Jasher Thrax himself fully believes in the rightful rule of Victus, Prince of Maelstrom, and so strikes his next adversary with the full force that belief inspires. He may take a blow to the shoulder, but he lops the man's head clean off his neck in retaliation.

Azova may be known for a certain optimism and warmth when treating her patients, but she also loses control of her temper when the enemy boards a ship meant for /healing/. "You dumb fucks, you're boarding a hospital ship! Didn't your mothers teach you not to piss off the healers?!" Of course, she is saying this from behind the relative safety of Lord Richard and his much sturdier armor. At least, momentarily sturdier armor. And to emphasize the point, she takes a swing at the closest boarder with her mug. No doubt it rattles very menacingly.

Valdemar and his ships clash with those of house Nightcove, with the Duke leading the way to attempt a boarding action. "For Grimhall and the Compact!" he roars as he advances toward the deck of the enemy ship they've tangled with, Widow's Lament raised high. As soon as he brings the sword down in his first swing, he changes stance, grabbing the sword halfway up the blade with one hand, so that he can thrust with it more like a spear to stab at the enemies before him. Though he is bloodied from an earlier swipe at his legs, he's not hurt enough to put him down even if his sword is now mostly glancing off the armor of his opponents.

With the attention of the mercenary captain on his (someone else's vessel), Harlex braces with the others for impact. The crush is brutal. Soldiers and sailors trampled under foot more than even seeing the gleam of a weapon. Arrows fly and become horrid thorns, protruding from the mast and deck. But the black-clad swordsman is in the thick of things and his sword is singing. It's unnatural blade hewing through flesh and bone and metal, his steps as harsh and swift as the wind, his cuts deadly whenever contact is made. Blood drips from the shadowmeld, deepening his hue even more until only that sword and his piercing, green eyes are visible. And during all this, he searches for their leader. Anyone with the fanciest coat or biggest hat (as these things go), knowing the easiest way to shake a greedy sellsword's pockets is to butcher their boss.

Teague rushes forward as he starts to swing at the man holding that spear, but his ax is goes wide as he leaves himself open to the attack. As that is gets right through the side of his leather armor as he rushes forward once more. "YOU WILL GO DOWN!" His voice is booming out, as he leaps up with a his swipe of that ax as it is blocked.

On a Navegant ship, the Warmonger Titus is surrounded in a circle of his myrmidons that fight and as The awesome Sir Tovell is nearby, he flashes a smile that pulls tight the pale skin across the scarred face and he can see the Kennex too and even those from the Red Bargain. "Keep up your fight! Stand strong together as one my sisters and brothers! Feel that beating of Sangris in your heart, that unconquered spirit and hear the warcries of your ancestors!" As if to answer, there's a strong clash of metal as some myrmidons fall with a big badass mace smashing them down wielded by a Navegant fighter who joins in the fray. He swings it to play golf with the Warmonger's head! KABANG! But Titus brings up his war shield to block just in the nick of time as he likes his head on his shoulders, the sheer muscle and grit of the smash though sends him stumbling and sliding a few steps backwards though as he adjusts his position to size up the situation, failing to swing a strike and land it against him. The shield looks pretty bad, it has a wicked looking dent in the top half that some armourer is going to be cranky about. Titus shouts out "Start clearing a path to our allies to link!" He takes a couple of breaths and closes the distance between the Crimson Shellback who took a few myrmidons out of action. There's a small salute given in thanks for the rather wicked challenge, but the blood red eyes glance at something else and there's a frown. Titus thinks quickly.

Wash's usefulness at the tiller becomes superflous as a second longship lashes itself to the Indomitable's prow. Taking his cutlass in his right and dagger in his teeth, Wash cuts a line that lowers the boom the port side and flings him into the air toward the prow. The boom crashes off the thwarts and plunges to the sea, holing the longship tied up to her there.
Wash doesn't quite stick the landing, and has clearly aggravated his arrow wound. Still, he rallies the sailors in the prow, they who retreated to the forecastle to let the Corsairs do the bulk of the fighting. He will call orders from here as needed, but only once the Indomitable is free from her assailants.

The fighting is fierce and the general is ready. Martinique lays about herself with her knife, flashing dagger and feral grin equally readily as she duels against opponents. Unfortunately, at one point she isn't fast enough and takes a boarding axe to the side that manages to sink in--substantially. She doesn't fall immediately, slashes on for a moment or two before she blinks, somewhat in startlement, and falls to the deck. She cannot rise aagain.

The fighting aboard the Lady Thunderstruck is grim. Little tact and little respect between opponents, it's just a drag-out fight. The ugliness of war. Victus remains standing with his soldiers and Sorrel. When the breaks allow, he's shouting further orders. But it's difficult to command and fight for your life at once. While he manages to give (almost) as good as he's gotten, he suffers a practically nasty blow to the side of his head. The helm saves him from blacking out entirely, but the warmth that trails down the side of his face told the tale of severe damage. He stumbles, the world seeming to repeat itself several times over in his vision. Eventually he manages to right himself, though his breathing is shallow.

Eirene is not having a good day. She's still stunned from a blade at her throat and tries to raise a defense -- but she cannot. Her longsword waivers, which is then knocked from her hand and slides across the deck. The long haired sailor who has the best of her thrusts for her midesction and slashes through the long coat and steelsilk with their angry force. She staggers back in shock, gloves bloodied when she pulls her hands away, and collapses in shock onto the deck. First to her knees, then to the side as she slumps into unconsciousness.

Despite effort to make it onto the ship, Yuri's small group he had charged over with became swarmed. Instead of broad strikes to beat back his attackers, Yuri was peppered with slashes and even close-quarters combat before he felt his armor puncture at the left side. There was an abrupt grunt from within his helm as he fought for a way out of the bloody fray that had amassed on the Navegant ship The Sea Drake had bore into.

For all their enthusiasm, Navegant finds itself beset from nearly all sides as the majority of the ships present target them. The waters run crimson as both sides engage, soldiers of all colors falling dead and wounded, some tumbling into the churning waters themselves. For several horrible minutes, the center of the battle falls on Navegant, and for all the damage and death they deal, they take it threefold in turn. Ships sink and shatter on both sides, but a large chunk of the Navegant fleet is shredded.

Caspian if tearing through boarders left and right, his blades flashing as he carves a path through the sailors. he grabs on of the lines and goes to swing to the other ship, taking the fight to them. no sooner than he lands he is swarmed by several men, including the massive one he had hurled a spear at earlier. he lashed out at them, keeping them back and striking a few. then, with a sickening CRUNCH a blwo from a sledgehammer catches him square in the stomach. it lifts him off his his feat and sends hims tumbling back toward the railing. its all he can do to manage to grab a rope and swing back to Savio and orlands ship. Each breath send pain through his ribs and he looks down to see his breastplate crumpled, pressing against his chest from the force of the blow. he grunts and cuts the buckles, letting it drop to the ground and drawing a breath, spitting blood to the side and going back in.

Lucita's wound steadily drip, drip, drips all over the deck and weakening. Bloody wet hands make it hard to hold a weapon firmly. As another enemy sailor comes at her, she makes an effort to attack him but the dagger slips and Lucita merely manages to slice his shirt, not flesh. But she is not so lucky in return and when she takes another wound, she crumples to the deck, losing consciousness.

Richard is trying to convince the boarders that they are BAD PEOPLE for boarding a hospital ship full of Mercies, not by smooth words but with the sharp pointy parts of his mace. He's also kind of incensed and not trying to hide it as he fights. "You dishonor Gloria, you worthless dogs," he growls, as he edges back towards Azova and the other mercies. One of the mercenaries attempts to strike past him towards Azova, and he steps forward, unable to bring his mace to bear in time, but instead using his left arm, raised, to take the blow. It's hard, and he lets out a cry of agony as he's driven to his knees, the rerebraces cracking under the blow as his arm hangs loosely, mouth pressed into a thin line of pain as he forces himself back to a staggering stand. There are increasing numbers of fallen all around them, but the Oathlander throws himself back into the fray despite his hanging arm, to give the Mercies time to work.

Aedric swings, miscalculates his trajectory, and is swiftly punished with a brutal riposte from one of Dredcall's marines. The baron subsequently collapses, his fate left to the vessel's captain and a dozen well-trained bannermen of the Vanguard.

Raven works on trying to clear the deck. She manages to avoid damage but those pesky boarders are equally quick, "You toad-fondlers are going to die no matter what AND THE MORE YOU MAKE ME CHASE YOU THE MORE I'LL MAKE YOU SUFFER BEFORE YOU DO!" She roars in supreme irritation.

Savio your dumb ass just lost your husband in a melee. "ORLAND!" Down he goes. Ah. Shit. Bad. Very bad. This is the thick of the fight, however, and it will be no service to him to break and run and rush to Orland's side. Nthing can be done except to fight and fight on, to try to repay that damage in blood, to watch the fleet and the allies, to ready in case the scales tip from attack to retreat for the forces overall. Duck, attack, over and over, Savio manages to avoid being hurt but is unable to make a meaningful dent in the enemy forces, not yet repaying the damage done to his man in the way that might have been most satisfying. Along with the other men of the ship, he persists against Bloodbrook as best as can be managed.

Marina continues to split her focus between shouting orders, and driving bodily into faltering knots of Redreef sailors to lend a far more direct, axe-swinging hand. She's a whirlwind of motion, speed and ferocity, amber eyes gleaming with a burning zeal, wound in her side forgotten, countless abrasions and bruises not felt. She strikes the head from an enemy boarder and draws a deep breath, preparing to shout another command, when she feels a sharp crack against the side of her head and suddenly the world is tilting sideways at a most alarming angle. Also, night's falling. It's definitely not that she's sprawling into a boneless, unconscious heap.

Haakon is a loud proponent of longships as great raiding craft. Best in the world. But even the dyed in the wool reaver will admit they struggle against larger ships in direct battle, and the push of Eswynders o to the Bloodbrook deck is a slow slog of climbed rails, shield pushes, and a bloody grind of attrition. Haakon cuts down a Bloodbrook warrior by hewing a broadsword into the man's helm, but is wounded by an axe blow that hacks the rim of his shield and bites the arm beneath, blood now flowing freely. "The Wind cares not," he growls and hews on.

With the arrival of the reinforcements, the press has gotten more dangerous, and Ian has his hands full with a couple of people who have caught sight of Ashfont's glittering ruby hilt and realized who he is. He stumbles as the deck pitches under him; his unpredictable movements make him hard to hit, and the intricately articulated alaricite glove that covers his left hand serves as a makeshift buckler to deflect an incoming strike from an ax, after which he grabs the blade of a sword coming towards him. He slams Ashfont onto the weapon as he holds the blade, snapping it, but the person holding it only grins and draws a knife long enough and heavy enough to be a beefy short sword. "Thea!" He takes a wild swipe at someone else with the tip of the sword that he now holds in his left hand, a swing designed to hold them back rather than injure them. He's holding his ground over her, keeping anyone away who might be inclined to finish her off. "Get Eirene back!"

Mikani pulls out her fighting sticks as her ship gets boarded. Into the fray of those boarding her ship she goes. Several heads crack open as she cuts through them before one of them gets her good in the side. With a groan she continues to stand and fight heaving the man overboard.

Tesha is brought up short when the boarders actually starts attacking the healers on the ship and the woman gives them a thorough tongue lashing that doesn't seem to settle into those thick skulls. Try diplomacy until it fails. Then stab them with the pointy end of the sword. That is what she tries to do and given there's a rocking that sends Twilight from her hands it leaves her in a perdicament. "Ah fuck." the Oathlander states quietly as she gets hit very quickly after that and it sends her crashing to the deck. She was becoming used to this. Really!

Quenia continues dancing around the sailors who are coming through the Red Bargain, parrying them and dodging out of the way, waiting for her moment. She sees Lucita going down just as she is about to go into series of counter attacks. She dodges out of the way expertly from the next strike and goes to Lucita's side when she sees her cousin hit and go down. "Lucita, no!" she does her best to gain the attention of the sailors Lucita was fighting off, not realizing she's dropped her rapier somewhere along the way.

Not having a good day at sea, Sorrel has taken a couple of brutal blows as she attempts to fend off the boarders, but she hasn't given up yet. There is always hope. Still, trying to keep people off of Victus is an endless, exhausting, impossible task, and the battle is an unending cacophony of misery and death as weapons and swords clash in a fatal dance.

"LUCI!" Ariella cuts her way through to her sister after sparing a glance Quenia's way to ensure she's still upright at least, even if under attack. But Lucita is getting swarmed, and it makes Ariella vicious, tearing through enemy after enemy, sending blood and flesh spattering across the deck of the Red Bargain at the edge of her alaricite blade. "SERRANO, GET MY SISTER BELOW DECK NOW!" The Quartermaster dislodges his axe from the face of an opponent and runs over to peel Lucita off the planks and haul her to (relative) safety. Not a single Navegant sailor is left standing on the now-slippery deck of the Igniseri ship, and soon the crew is back to work dislodging the grappling hooks to free her for another fight.

Thea was busy pulling people aside. But as things were getting worse, she grows more and more restless. She rushes forward, blade in hand. "Not today! You're not hurting anyone else on this fucking ship today,"feeling the blade slice through someone. She turns, nodding as she rushes to Eirene. "Already on it!" Clearly she was maybe too---emotional in the matter. Hormones are still rampid as she feels the sting of in her side. "Shite!" But Thea rushes on, not letting that detere he just yet.

"HOLD. FAST." Aethan bellows as he and his men continue battling the Navegant marines that have boarded his ship. Gritting his teeth he throws himself towards several marines all while screaming his pent up rage at the world, axe coming down on one marine. "GET THEM OFF OUR SHIP!" He screams to his men who follow him into the fight. Might be a bit due to his recklessness or due to aging reflexes, but he's not able to get out of the way of a blade that catches him in the side. "Fucking bastards!" He spits into someone's face, someone wearing the colors of Navegant, not knowing if it was him that stuck him or not.

Attempting to board the Bloodbrook ships is challenging to say the very least. Haakon and the Eswynd forces aren't just met with heavy damage trying to board, they are also greeted to the sight of lit barrels being prepared to launch at the tangled mess of ships that are the Traditionalists and the Compact's fleets. They let loose almost as soon as it looks like boarding parties have been exchanged. The barrels are indiscriminate in where they land. They set both enemy and ally ships ablaze. This fire, it burns too fast and too hot, devouring the wooden ships like some sort of hungry beast intent on consuming whatever it comes in contact with, be that wood or steel... or flesh. The air begins to fill with smoke, limiting visibility.

Temira is at a disadvantage standing on her own away from the rest of the fighting. Making her a target, and with no where to really go on the ship, its quite an easy one. So far she has been able to avoid getting arrows in her, but this would not be long lived as one had caught her in the left arm and then another in her left leg. Piulling out the arrows wasn't a good idea so she would have to do her best with how she was now.

Wading into battle alone is a poor choice to make in a melee so crushed as this. It's a mistake Tovell does not make: he heeds the call Titus makes, and hews across the deck toward the Kennex fighters, cutting a line for the Warmonger's marines to fill into behind; the enemy crew fights on a rammed vessel, split with the boarding force pressing them toward the prow and chum-filled waters below. The sloshing sanguine from the battling crews already dies the waters crimson, staining the sky's reflection into a sordid un-reality beneath those who battle here.

Aleksei is so quick on his feet, he might have been fast enough to heroically save someone from mortal danger! But Jasher and Yuri only seem to be in a regular amount of danger at that present moment, so mostly Aleksei looks remarkably dextrous and impressive in twisting out of the way of an incoming blade. He cuts back, not quite as flashy, but certainly /more/ than effective with his sword. Swords are much better than boats.

"MARINA!" Ember howls as her sister is dropped. A moment later, her knight falls as well. "MARTINIQUE!" The Blood Countess swings her scythe like it's a battering ram, trying to bowl over anyone who might come close to the unconscious form of Martinique. She grabs Martinique by her leathers and drags her over to where Marina fell, standing over them both to defend their fallen forms. "I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS!" she screams. Ember, famously lucid and rational, has now totally lost her grip. "I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME, NIGHTCOVE?! I'LL SEND YOU TO THE ABYSS AND SMILE AS YOUR ORPHANED CHILDREN WEEP! I WILL MAKE WIDOWS OF YOUR WOMEN AND THEN CAVORT WITH THEM ON YOUR GRAVES, YOU DOGS! DIE! DIE! /DIE!!!/"

Desma moves along the deck of the ship, nocking and loosing arrows at whatever targets of opportunity she sees, while simultaneously avoiding arrows that get fired at her. So far she is more successful at not getting hit than inflicting harm but it's keeping her alive. Privately she muses the difference between commanding her archers in battle to personal up close fighting. Her thoughts are interrupted by cries of Eirene's name and she curses violently as she sees her Aunt fall and Thea head in as well. "I'm coming!" she shouts out, swapping out from her bow to her blades as she runs towards the fray.

Caspiantrague

Haakon sees the barrels and swears. He starts to order his men strike at the barrels where they lie- but there's no time. The flames spread swiftly in the tangled ship, and Haakon Soares only a moment to gauge the direction of the wind, before shouting at the Bloodbrooks: "Well then fuck the lot of ye, we're taking THIS ship, now!"

Teague rushes forward as he hears the call of Aethan his ax is spinning around his as he starts to bleed now, it is gushing out of his side. But that mountain of rage and violence, is still pushes forward that ax is spinning around him. He is not moving as quickly anymore, but that rage is fueling him into the battle as he keeps on trying to fight the good fight. As that mountain of a man is rushes forward with his right hand, swinging that ax with fury driven strokes. "FOR BLOOD AND HONOR!" His voice is howls out as he keeps on pushing forward, that blood is dripping from his hand and the side now as he takes another solid stab.

With the Navegant fleet falling, Wash turns his tactical mind to escaping the encirclement that the enemy planned. It didn't surprise him that the enemy would have something up their sleeve, but sometimes the only way to deal with a trap is to spring it and be faster than the trap. He searches the approaching line for weaknesses and signals to the Kennex fleet the most likely direction to punch through the enemy and still keep his ships upwind of the enemy.

"I WILL ROB YOUR ORPHANS OF THEIR TRADITIONS!" Ember continues to scream and rant. "I'LL GIVE THEM TO LORDS SAVIO AND ORLAND TO ADOPT AS THEIR OWN!" She's just going on and on.

Moonsilver tilts her head this way and that, noting the fire and smoke and launches herself into the air, pale wings churning rapidly against the sea breeze to make some clearance between flamable feathers and more flamable ship.

Fire. Fire, lots of fire. "What the shit is this shit?!" Savio asks, reasonably enough perhaps, considering that they're near ground (water) zero for where the barrels from Bloodbrook are dispatched. Distantly he hears his name. "YEAH," Savio shouts fiercely at the enemy, followed by, "Wait, what?"

He'll sort that out later.

| And then there's fire, spreading. Tovell draws short on his advance across the vessel's deck: the foundering ship's crew is dead, anyway. He prowls back to where Titus and his Myrmidons fight, closing the circle. "What comes next?" He supposes to the Warlord.

Orland is still pretending dead. He has no control over what Ember yells okay!

"Fire..." On instinct, Victus starts to run a hand over the top of his helmet. When he realizes it's in fact not his hair, he shakes himself back to the present. "Just like the goddamn Gyre- just like fucking Setarco- I'm not losing TWO dromonds! My good friend Magpie spent MONTHS carving the masthead for this!"

There's fire everywhere, but for some reason, Ariella doesn't seem /that/ concerned. At first. She runs to the helm to take over again, sending Presunto to check on Quenia and Lucita while she is barking orders to hoist sails and other nautical things. Her goal? Break through and ram those fire-throwing bastards with her flaming ship. "HAVE SOME PHOENIX FIRE, YOU FLAMING FUCKS!" her voice crows through the smoke.

Caspian is dodging stabs and hacks.. but apparently thats not enough. now there is fire. "Oh you blithering Idiots!! DO YOU THINK ANYTHING THROUGH!!" he growls as he tosses a man over the side, his blade sliding out of the rapidly corpsifying man. "Savio! Orland! its about to get awfully hot!!"

Quenia checks composure at hard. Quenia is successful.

Jasher raises his voice above the din of battle to alert his allies and crew to declare, "Fire! Fall back! To the ship!" The hungry flames begin to lick at all sides of the enemy fleet, the host of longships he commands and his beloved Sea Drake. He repeats his orders over and over while parrying blows with opponents and taking very deliberate steps backward toward the deck of his own ship. Because /fuck that/.

Orland would answer you Caspian, but there's like this problem of another dead guy toppling over him and well, making sure he's thoroughly staying down for a minute.

Eirene continues to be out cold, a little paler than her tan skin usually is.

"Shit" was all Temira could say as she tried walking around with an arrow in her leg and upper arm. At this point, she wont make it anywhere, so she rips out the arrows and moves only slightly better, but she grimaces a bit and bears it, making her way towards a general direction that wasn't close to the fire, which was not many places. Even through the smoke, she knew this ship like the back of her hand, finding some cloth that hadn't burned yet to wrap around her two open wounds.

Teague turns slowly watching the flames as he throws another man over the side as he kicks another one solid in the chest knocking him off. "Very hot in here!" His voice is coming out in rage and passion as he starts to move away from the battle slowly backing up as the blood starts to drip more and more from him.

Raven pauses briefly in her chasing boarders to peer up at Moonsilver to check on her Avian Friend and then rather belatedly she notices the fleet on fire "What in the four winds...?" She squints, "What are you after, you deviant ass-pimple?" muttered mostly to herself before she's forced to dodge one of the boarders she's been trying to stab, "Try that again! I DARE you!"

The fire spreads, jumping ship to ship. When it reaches the ship that Romulius catches, the vessel suddenly RAPIDLY becomes engulfed in flames and all aboard are forced to evacuate immediately or become consumed by the flames. Sailors are diving into the water and attempting to swim for the safety of other ships.

For all that there is fire breaking through and catching upon the various ships, Quenia seems quite composed within the moment. She doesn't panic. She doesn't scream. For a moment, she might even seem mesmerized by it. That is, f course, until Ariella yells something about phoenix fire. "Right," she remarks perhaps a bit too calmly. She takes a breath and starts calmly passing Ariella's orders along, offering hints and tips where she can that might speed things up just a tiny bit.

Hard not to start seeing the smoke, Aethan curses under his breath catching sight of the fire and slips through his line of men to start barking orders about making ready to break contact with the enemy ship and push into open water. "Either get us moving or let us become shark bait, get your asses moving, NOW NOW NOW!"

Yuri jolted with a start at the call from Jasher, preoccupied with a fray of retreating and defensive sailors and soldiers that were looking to clear the way. The lord threw most of his weight back over The Sea Drake's starboard side, causing a cry of pain to echo from within his helm; no doubt from the wound sustained previously. Back away from the Navegant ship.

As fire begins to spread, Valdemar begins a slow, steady retreat back to the deck of the Song of Sorrows, signaling for the Grimhall men around him to do the same. Once they are back aboard their own ship, he yells out, "Get us away from those flames, now! Move!"

Harlex cuts a swathe through many of the mercs, no match for him despite their esteem and skill. The Captain readies himself for the fight, a grin on his dashing face as he prep--- oh and then there's fire. NOPE. He's yelling something to thew crew as the world is ablaze around him. Many of his fellows duck, those that aren't aflame and jumping overboard in an attempt to save themselves. The Captain and many of his fellows swiftly dive into the water and make for the 3 other ships that are /not/ burning and are making hasty retreats. It seems they really were not being paid enough. They make half hearted attempts to save their friends who'd escaped their torched ships but the number one goal: escape and survive.

"Fire's not to be fucked with," Ian shouts to Teague. He throws the tip of the sword at someone, who knows if it hits or not, and uses the tip of Ashfont to flip Eirene's sword up so he can catch it. "We need to go. Now." He'll shove Teague back onto the Kennex ship if need be, because he knows Aethan and Wash, and he knows that ship is leaving. "Drop lines! Let's get anyone out that we can on the way out!"

Lucita remains unconscious and thus oblivious to all the things happening around the battling fleets.

"Fuuuuuck--" At least some of Aleksei's clothes are fireweave? The fact that he's mostly in that and steelsilk means he's /very/ light on his feet -- when it comes to getting the /fuck/ away from that fire.

"See if we can pull anyone aboard!" Seeing the smoke the fire closing in, Azova tries to direct the Mercies who aren't fending off boarders to try and haul people aboard the hospital ship. And then GTFO.

Thea is hurt, bleeding. You can tell she's bleeding because it's through her hands. But it doesn't stop her from giving orders. "Those that are more serious, there. Those not and can still fucking move and walk. There." That said, she focuses on Eirene first. Hearing Ian, she exhales relievedly.

When /most/ of his sailors and crew are safely aboard The Sea Drake, Jasher commands his executive officer and helmsman to drop sails and flee. The prince cuts the lines as he strides across the deck to release his ship from the enemy's who had lashed themselves to it

Valdemar checks command and war at daunting. Critical Success! Valdemar is spectacularly successful.

Desma moves through the chaos towards Thea and Eirene, helping/protecting/encouraging them to safety (as much as can be found). Flames seem to light everything around her and she steels her resolve in face of the hellish light.

Aethan checks command and leadership at daunting. Aethan is successful.

Jasher checks command and sailing at daunting. Jasher is successful.

Victus checks command and war at daunting. Victus is successful.

Savio checks command and sailing at daunting. Savio fails.

Ariella checks command and sailing at daunting. Critical Success! Ariella is spectacularly successful.

Ember checks command and war at daunting. Ember is successful.

Quenia checks command and war at daunting. Quenia fails.

Wash checks command and sailing at daunting. Wash is successful.

Temira checks dexterity and sailing at daunting. Temira marginally fails.

Mikani checks command and sailing at daunting. Mikani fails.

Haakon checks command and sailing at daunting. Haakon is successful.

Titus checks command and war at daunting. Titus marginally fails.

Tovell checks command and leadership at daunting. Tovell fails.

Harlex sees the flames and has the same thought as the Captain, apparently. He's retracing the path he's carved, making his way back to the ship he came in on to put some distance between him and the roaring inferno. "Shit," he coughs. "Any of you bastards want to see another coin, give it up and come with us." He hollers at any of the sellswords being left behind by their comrades. But he isn't out here to be a saint. Just not a total villain.

Watching the sneaky fire attack, Titus appreciates the maneuver and he shouts over towards Tovell, "To the Gorgon! Keep the chains on this ship and we'll try to clear a path for others to escape. See you on the other side of the smoke and fire or the veil!" His myrmidons answer to his call to move quickly and they're slaying and scooting as quickly as possible. The Screaming Gorgon is manned, and the small ship's oars are trying like mad to cut through the sea as fire licks up the oars and the sides, a barrel or two caught in the chains but it doesn't seem enough.

At some point, one must recognize when the writing is on the wall - Prince Romulius Thrax's fondness for the sheer destructive power of Arvani Fire is well documented, and it's little surprise that his personal vessel maintains a sizable store of the deadly weapon. When the flames let loose by Bloodbrook reach the Dirge, the conflagration that forms is catastrophic. The Deputy Warlord, it seems, carried enough vats of it aboard his dromond to set blaze to an entire coastline. How *any* of the marines or sailors aboard could survive is incomprehensible, but it's a tense uncertainty afterwards before Romulius is somehow pulling himself up netting on the side of the Lady Thunderstruck. The former Blackshore lets out sputtering, gagging coughs, expelling seawater and the last scraps of breaths he was able to hold before he's on the deck of House Thrax's flagship. He makes a very intentional effort of not making any sort of eye contact with Victus.

At least the Dirge brought along a swathe of Dagonite vessels with it.

Haakon is shouting above the din and chaos for his men to cut lines and get distance from the spreading conflagration. His voice is rough and harsh, but doesn't lack for volume or projection. Meanwhile, oh yeah! There's still a melee going on!

With Marina down, Ember is forced to lead, in addition to screaming at people. Fortunately, her leadership also consists of screaming at people. Just differently, you know? "BREAK AWAY BEFORE THE FIRE BLOWS THIS WAY!" she barks. "PICK UP WHATEVER SURVIVORS YOU CAN!" Even in the midst of blood-boiling rage, Ember can still see the value in shifting focus to a rescue mission.

Tesha's not being a help at the moment. Except for the crimson of her blood collecting on the deck as she's unconscious. Maybe they needed a new color of paint?!

Tovell seconds Titus' command, bellowing it on down the line of sailors as they scatter across the enemy vessel, attempting to make certain that the chains are well set. But the fire spreads so quickly, and the smoke grows so thick---soon they're lost in the soup which spreads across crimson waters. Coughing and waving before himself, Tovell eventually retakes the Gorgon's deck, calling out, "---Useless! She's taken on too much water!---" The foundered vessel tears free of the Gorgon's chains, flames consuming its deck.

Richard sways as he stands, his left arm hanging loosely and dripping blood, coughing as the smoke rises. Even if he had time to stop and tie a cloth over his nose, his injured arm wouldn't let him do it; instead, once they've successfully repelled the boarders, he begins dragging people on the ship, and climbing up onto the mercies' caravel for safety, up onto the deck near the mercies. Tesha is one of those dragged into the safe circle of mercies, frowning visibly at her state but leaving those in the aeterna white robes to tend to. "Lady Azova, here," he calls.

"OARS!" This is Savio's agreement with Caspian that they need to get-gone, and sails cannot be trusted at a time like this. But fire and chaos is reigning and there is no clear path, and the Amadeo forces are struggling to disengage with the self-destructive Bloodbrook ships that started this mess. In the fray, he does manage to locate Orland and prop him up in the corner. "If we don't die right now, you want to adopt a traitor baby?" There is FIRE. And Orland is unconscious. "We'll talk later."

The Bargain swoops between blazing ships, aiming for an area relatively free of fire to slow and throw rescue lines down to some of those trying valiantly to swim to safety, Harlex among them! Once they haul as many of their own out of the water as they can reach on their way by (enemies are identified and promptly relieved of their blood before being tossed back into a watery grave), they high-tail it in the direction of safety.

Ember checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Ember marginally fails.

Titus checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Titus fails.

Victus checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Victus fails.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Raven fails.

Harlex checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Harlex fails.

Aethan checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Aethan marginally fails.

Richard checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Richard fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Yuri is successful.

Tovell checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Tovell fails.

Azova checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Azova fails.

Teague checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Teague fails.

Thea checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Thea is successful.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Jasher marginally fails.

Haakon checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Haakon marginally fails.

Sorrel checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Sorrel is successful.

Quenia checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Quenia is successful.

Orland's head as he gets propped up sort of does an unconscious head nod to Savio's question.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Caspian fails.

Ian checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Ian is successful.

Wash checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Wash fails.

Savio checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Savio is successful.

Mikani checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Mikani marginally fails.

Aleksei checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Aleksei is successful.

Ariella checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Ariella is successful.

Valdemar checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Valdemar is successful.

Desma checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Desma is successful.

Temira checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Temira fails.

Raven grabs drop lines and bellows to hasten compliance with Wash's orders while she lifts a leg and hooks it over the railing to cast lines and when one manages to keep someone holding onto it, begin to haul it up though with one arm quite weak she's forced to draft help for the task.

As he looks around, Valdemar sees an opening to escape the rapidly-spreading flames. "There, that way! And signal to others nearby to follow us!" he barks at his men as he moves to take the helm of the Song of Sorrows.

Ariella checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Ariella is successful.

Aethan checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Aethan is successful.

Titus checks strength and medium wpn at daunting. Titus marginally fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at daunting. Caspian fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Jasher is successful.

Victus checks strength and huge wpn at daunting. Victus fails.

Tovell checks strength and medium wpn at daunting. Botch! Tovell fails completely.

Thea checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Thea fails.

Harlex checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Harlex is successful.

Yuri checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Yuri marginally fails.

Teague checks strength and medium wpn at daunting. Teague fails.

Temira checks dexterity and archery at daunting. Temira fails.

Mikani checks dexterity and small wpn at daunting. Mikani marginally fails.

Ember checks dexterity and huge wpn at daunting. Ember is successful.

Raven checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Raven fails.

Haakon checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Haakon is successful.

Wash checks dexterity and small wpn at daunting. Wash marginally fails.

Ian checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Ian fails.

Savio checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Savio fails.

Richard checks strength and medium wpn at daunting. Richard fails.

Desma wields Warspite, an alaricite xiphos.

Aleksei checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Critical Success! Aleksei is spectacularly successful.

Azova checks dexterity and small wpn at daunting. Azova fails.

Desma checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Desma fails.

Valdemar checks dexterity and huge wpn at daunting. Valdemar marginally fails.

Sorrel checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Sorrel marginally fails.

Aethan checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Aethan marginally fails.

Aethan is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Haakon checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Haakon is successful.

Haakon remains capable of fighting.

Mikani checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Botch! Mikani fails completely.

Mikani is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Titus checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Titus fails.

Titus has suffered a serious wound!

Titus checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Titus fails.

Titus is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Victus checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Victus is successful.

Victus remains capable of fighting.

Richard checks 'unconsciousness save' at hard. Critical Success! Richard is spectacularly successful.

Richard remains capable of fighting.

Azova checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Azova is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Azova does not take a permanent wound.

Azova checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Azova is successful.

Azova remains capable of fighting.

Teague checks 'unconsciousness save' at daunting. Teague is successful.

Teague remains capable of fighting.

Caspian checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Caspian is successful.

Caspian remains capable of fighting.

Wash checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Wash marginally fails.

Wash checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Wash fails.

Wash is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Temira checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Temira is successful.

Temira remains capable of fighting.

The ships of Duke Valdemar Grimhall and Lady Ariella Igniseri are fortunate enough to find breaks in the fire, large enough that they can be guiding a retreat out from what's going to be certain doom for any who remain within the flames. Because even as the fire is spreading? Those that came to fight, those who brought this pain and destruction up on people they used to call friend and kin? They are still fighting. The water runs crimson, decks are slick with blood. Bodies of former allies and compatriots float in the water. Grief flows as freely as rage.

Although the Deputy-Warlord is avoiding his gaze, Victus was looking at him all the same. It's not with any measure of judgement however, but with pure sympathy. "My boat exploded too, once upon a time." He conveys. He'd even reach out and give him a reassuring pat, but, well, he was covered in blood. Additionally, there were still boarders on the ship. In the chaos, Victus' perception wanes just long enough for one of them to close in and drive a short blade into his side. He hisses, and beats back the culprit with the hilt of his greatsword. Now down onto a knee, the Prince clutches at his new wounds.

Looking about the battlefield; smell of smoke and seas polluted with blood, the High Lord takes this time to assess. Staggering back to his feet, dragging his sword along the deck while he takes stock of the situation. Chaos, splinters, metal and rage. At least he can spy a great many of the enemy's banners among the slain. His eyes eventually find the retreat of Valdemar and Ariella's ships, making his course clear-enough.

"Follow them out." Victus relays to those who stand around him, then shouts it to the navigator. "Follow them out! Signal the order to the rest! We're done!" He stumbles across the deck, making his way to the back. "WE'RE DONE, PULL AWAY FROM THE FLAMES!"

Ian throws Eirene's sword rather disrespectfully on the deck of the Indomitable, freeing up his left hand to grab Teague and haul him bodily aboard. He has to pitch back to do this, and stumbles almost to the point of falling, but gets the mast to his back before that happens. Ashfont, in his right hand, forms the diamondplate shield that's such a hallmark of his precise style of fighting. He's not even trying to hit anyone now, just to keep the crew of the Navegant ship from following him aboard the Indomitable. He's alert enough to his surroundings to understand what's happening on the deck of the ship. "Thea! Get Aethan and Wash out of danger. RAVEN! Take the tiller." That uncanny Aethan impression means that command flows fluidly into the hands of the youngest Kennex brother. Whether he'll be able to use it as effectively remains to be seen, but he hasn't hesitated to assume command. "We're following the Red Bargain out and buying Ariella whatever the fuck she wants to drink."

Teague feels the fire and it is coming down around him as he lights up as he leaps forward but it's the right way. His war is coming out as Ian is yanked upwards his armor is almost going up as he coughs slowly. "I HATE SEA BATTLES!" His voice is booms out that large massive man, as he struggles to breath as he grins at Ian. "Thank you. I'm going to need to seek a bed to sleep in for weeks next." He than slides the ax into the now burned up leather strap at his side. "I need a holster for this, everyone has been yelling at me now is the time."

Fending off attacks on the prow, Wash is caught by a wave of heat as yet another pressurized barrel detonates on a nearby Bloodbrook longship. He is hurled against the foremast hard enough that the broken arrow in his upper torso is forced all the way through his armored vest. That will save the healer a hot minute getting it out of him, but the pain and concussion is enough to render Wash completely out of it.

Eventually, enough of the sea is forced out of Romulius's body that senses return and he's capable of rising to his feet. Waterlogged and exhausted, there's a certain sense that he should *not* have survived the inferno created by his own ship, yet he manages to stand aboard the Lady Thunderstruck. Victus, thankfully, spares him any excessive reprimand, and so the Deputy Warlord takes up his place as the second in command as best as he is able. The crew is amongst the best in the Compact, though, and there is little for him to do but ensure that the High Lord's orders are being carried out with all the urgency they're due.

The Screaming Gorgon continues against odds trying to clear fire barrels. There's a heavy blanket of smoke that rolls over the smaller ship making it difficult to see anything except the glow of fire from nearby ships as well as the ship Titus is currently on. Terrible screams can be heard by those unfortunate souls burning while the fire crackles and licks up the sides of wooden ships as monstrous forms of black and orange move about in almost a lifelike manner. For the southern Saffron Warmonger, that produces a particular reaction as fire licks up around him and his body. There's plenty of things happening, chaos as the fire hungrily consumes what it desires. With the Screaming Gorgon lost in the thick smoke, Titus moves to grip the wheel of the ship to lash it to his body as the chains continue to capture fire barrels but unfortunately it means his own ship is burning. The smoke fills lungs, it makes blood red eyes burn and the tall pale Warmonger's last vision is the fire and darkness growing before he slumps, lashed to that wheel as a last hope for his crew, ship and others. Even when he falls unconscious, he isn't giving up.

"Lord Richard." Azova pulls rolled up bandages from one of the many secured crates on the ship, starting to toss them towards the Mercies first to tie around their nose and mouth to help with the smoke. For the injured knights protecting them all, including the Wyvernheart calling for her, she offers to tie one for him. "Have your arm looked at, before it gets harder to see. We're going to need you to help with the patients too." There's an apology there in her expression, seeing how hurt he already is. But, then she is turning to look at Tesha and assess her injuries, sending one of the other Mercies to tell the capable ship navigator to follow the Red Bargain and Kennex ships out. She's already inhaled far too much smoke by now, wheezing and coughing so much that she needs to rest a moment before helping others.

What's survived of the Redreef ships -- and the Redreef sailors -- are making a break for it. They've thrown down lines where they can, pulled up the people that they could, but they're still sailing through a mire of broken wood and water-logged corpses. "MIKA!" Ember roars, as one of her oldest friends goes down. She storms to Mikani's position, and swiftly slays any remaining boarders in her way. As Ember takes hold of Mikani, fire gusts along the wind and catches Ember's shadowmeld cloak. So it is that when Ember is finished dragging Mikani to a safe spot over by the fallen Marina and Martinique, the Countess of Redreef Shores stands at the fore of her cog, pointing her scythe to the path cleared by the others. "WE SAIL! FOLLOW HIS GRACE!" Ember roars. It's quite a sight, because as she points, as she issues her orders, her cloak is still burning. She'll put it out when she's done attending to what needs to be done.

Ember checks command and sailing at daunting. Ember fails.

Successful retreat and the combined skill of Jasher's marines and crew deliver them from the flames, though there are a number of enemy combatants still on board and pursuing close behind through the chaos that Arvani fire unleashes upon the battlefield, against friend and foe alike. Jasher makes every attempt to dispatch the stragglers, along with a number of his loyal combatants that had already been successfully defending their ship from capture or submersion. From their vantage point, the Lady Thunderstruck can be observed sailing away from the battle through a break in the flames and wreckage. "Follow them out," he commands of Squint after ascending to the stern deck, breath ragged and brow beaded with the sweat of exertion. With that done, he turns to address the crew; his protege and friend among them, and ensure they are still alive and in one piece.

Savio checks command and sailing at daunting. Savio marginally fails.

Romulius checks command and sailing at daunting. Romulius fails.

Ariella checks command and sailing at daunting. Ariella fails.

Haakon checks command and sailing at daunting. Haakon fails.

Jasher checks command and sailing at daunting. Jasher is successful.

Valdemar checks command and sailing at daunting. Valdemar fails.

Ian checks command and sailing at daunting. Ian fails.

During his attempt to withdraw from combat, Aethan wasn't careful enough and a sword slipped through his defenses and gave him a little gash in the shoulder. He stumbles back a few steps falls to one knee, and then the world goes a little topsy turvey a moment before he falls to the deck, the world going black.

Harlex pulls himself aboard Ariella's ship. The fighting to clear the deck had been so brutal, he hadn't noticed the hatch wedged into his back shoulder. It's blade trying as it might to pierce the tough armor and the thick muscles underneath. He fans his fingers back through his hair and keeps his sword out in the other hand. Bitterness moves over the wine-dark sea and he cannot help feeling like a bystander to some tragic chapter in history. There's a look toward Ariella but she's busy being a Captain and so, for the moment, he uses a little bit of fire from a failed flaming arrow to re-light the cigarillo and catch his breath.

Raven checks command and sailing at daunting. Raven fails.

Victus checks command and sailing at daunting. Victus fails.

Haakon has never named his ships. It's a sentimental practice the prodigals tend not to indulge. If a captain and crew are too fond of it, true they might fight harder to keep it, but so too might they linger longer before fleeing it, and whatever else the Eswynders might be called, they are a brutally practical people. Haakon lands a vicious chop across the face of a Bloodbrooker, adding one more body to a mess of bodies and burning wreckage already beyond numbering. A gout of flame from the dying ship behind him sears the bare skin of Haakon's arm, and the side of his face, causing the reaver to recoil with a curse. "After the Grimhall, on the oars, go!" Temira gets the added instruction to, "Bring down the flag, afore they end us!" with his gory sword pointed at the Bloodbrook banner.

Raven's head sharply whips around and she notes Wash's prone form and her lips press. She doesn't argue with Ian, sprinting to take the til. Once she has it her jade gaze narrows in focus to follow the other ships She calls, "Bring the lines in! No more floatsam! Free hands dose the flames!" Another sharper bark, "LEAVE the LINES!" She looks up at a sky of smoke, unable to see Moonsilver but knowing she's there.

The vibrant red sails of the Red Bargain are easy to see even in the thick smoke, and they do their best to flag the remaining ships on their way out, but they cannot linger and ensure the safety of their own. Ariella remains at the helm as her crew sets about repairing damage to the ship and one another, as well as those lucky few they managed to fish out of the water on their way by. The /moment/ they are in the clear, she passes the helm to Presunto and hastily makes her way across the deck to check on every person aboard her ship with genuine concern.

Thea starts mumbling,"Fucking Wash. Knew he'd be--,"her words trailing. But the smell of fire causes her run faster. First Wash. "Looks like you'll be resting up next to your wife. Which may be a good thing, as you won't be hovering,"and starts moving him away. She struggles a bit, gesturing to Desma. "Hey! Can you help me? I can't seem to--you know? I think a ribs out." Then she starts darting toward Aethan. She lifts her fireweave scarf over her nose. No one has to tell her twice what to do.

Caspian scrambles along the side of the ship, hacking grapples free and slicing at ropes to cut themselves free of the burning vessel. "I think we have overstayed our welcome!" he looked to the sailors and forced a grin, "Come on! unless you want to be warming your self by the fire till you die we'd better get this ship OUT of here! Stick with the fleet and follow them out before those fire--GAAH!" a sizzling piece of timber snapped off and came crashing down, trapping caspian for a moment. He howled in pain and shoved the wood off him, rolling to douse the flames that tried to grab hold of his clothes. he clambered back up to his feat, face and body covered in soot and blood. "We need to get out of this inferno!"

It's like he was saving up all his effectiveness by being totally useless on the journey over. Aleksei is practically /dancing/ across those blood-slicked decks, weaving out of danger with every shift of his body, even as he leaves more blood in his wake as they retreat. Back on the ship with Jasher and Yuri (and the rest of the crew), he allows himself just long enough to grasp Jasher's shoulder, give it a squeeze, before they're back to the matter of survival.

Yuri passed through to the amassing flee of soldiers that were making their retreat and fortifying positions on The Sea Drake. Try as he might to notify the remaining combatants to take care of the fire, he was not the sort to lead men or ever given a directive. It was yelled once and if no sense was taken, may they find the Wheel a pleasant release. His aim was to reach the height of the ship at the command deck, where survival from the flames may have been better than the main deck. That pain at his side caused footing to falter, clambering up the steps toward where Jasher was ushering retreat commands. Still alive, breathing heavy, but alive.

"Go, go, go, go, go." Quenia urges Ariella as she watches her cousin expertly sail the ship in away that allows them to be able to break the line. Of course, she might also be shouting that to the Kennex ships as well to encourage them to follow, follow, follow, follow. She stays out on the deck, having placed some Igniseri guards to watch over Lucita as they sail away. She moves toward the aft of the ship once they break through the lines to keep a watch and make sure they are not flanked. "Seems the others are fixing to follow us out," she tells her cousin from over her shoulder.

A rattling cough shakes Richard as he navigates the smoke, the movement of the mercy caravel underfoot, while not unexpected, proves sufficient for the Oathlander little used to sailing to be jolted off his feet, thumping a shoulder into the mast. It pushes out all his breath, and stunned for a moment, it takes longer for him to stagger to his feet this time. It's probably this sudden awareness of his unusual frailty that makes him accept both Azova's offer to tie that strip over nose and mouth, and to accede to her suggestions. "I'm good to help," he says, though his voice is rough, eyes blinking quickly as he staggers towards the injured. It's a hard job, still dressed in armor, but either there's no time, or he refuses to take what's left off. With only one hand, he's not as useful as he might otherwise be, but he can certainly assess and triage, the occasional grimace aside as he tries to keep his balance as the caravel flees with the rest of the fleet.

The Song of Sorrows is easily visible as well, its striped blue and green sails billowing as they catch wind to carry the ship safely out of the fire. Valdemar is breathing heavily, but relieved to see that their allies got the message and followed them out through the hole he found. In spite of them seeming safe, he remains wary; the enemy has proven themselves tricky, if nothing else.

"After them! Out!" Conditions are terrible, and Savio is struggling to guide the Amadeo craft out of the Danger Zone, even as he joins Caspian in hacking the lines apart. "WATCH OU--" Too slow. Crunch. Caspian is on his own though, as Savio has his hands full with the navigation of the vessel and control of the crew. It's not going as poorly as it /could/, but it could be going a lot better. Something is whispered under his breath in his native language; maybe it is a prayer that benevolent forces will turn a kindly eye to this plight, or a remembrance of the pitiful dead.

Savio says in Arakkoan, "Fuck my life."

Desma does a remarkable job of avoiding getting hit in the disengaging from battle, swaying, dodging and parrying her way through the madness towards Thea who is struggling with Wash and Aethan. She doesn't pause at all, the Magnotta hooking her arm under the armpit of the down Wash. She hefts, dragging him along and put of further harms way before checking if Thea needs any additional help.

Haakon checks command and leadership at daunting. Haakon fails.

Tovell is but a silhouette in the raging inferno's smoke, only briefly illuminated by the licking forms which crawl their acrid way up the Screaming Gorgon's hull. He's shouting for the chains leashing them to their prey to be loosed, that the small vessel may plow free from the burning waters. He joins in on that, bulling through the burns and injuries to aid in that very same effort.

Titus checks command and leadership at daunting. Titus fails.

Ian lowers his goggles over his eyes to block out the smoke while he tries to get his feet under him. He doesn't falter, but he's only a cheap imitation Aethan, and whatever the older Kennex might have been able to accomplish by way of picking up stragglers, Ian knows better than to try. "Don't take a nap yet," he calls to Teague. "Cut down anyone in Navegant colors who manages to get aboard."

It's probably a small blessing that Tesha is still unconscious. The mercies are able to get her helm off of her head given it banged into her nose when she fell. She just looks like she's been having a nap after the got stabbed. Which might be the best option at this point.

Teague nods towards Ian that ax is back out in his right hand as he pushes forward with his battle brother, moving with him to push against the enemy. He is injured, blood, smoke, fire damaged the mountain is about to topple, but till he does he will push on into this fight. His eyes are cold, filled with pure rage as he pushes himself on to keep on fighting!

Raven grimaces in pain as she shifts her weight on the leg which has burnt snakeskin clinging to the flesh, nostrils flare and her gaze desperately seeks for a way out rather than careening into a ship on fire. Shocked and alarmed the crew who don't know her from a random stranger pretty much ignore her in the panic. She leans counter to the wheel to keep the turn suitably sharp.

It's chaos and not controlled chaos. The battle which was never one fought with cold calculation but with fiery burning blood in the veins of the soldiers and sailors taking this confrontation to a head, has transitioned to a raging inferno both literally and figuratively.

It's the literal fire that takes precedence now, what remaining forces of either side begin to retreat. Nightcove and Dredcall lead the call for those are still on their feet to man their ships and get out of danger. They don't follow the Thraxian fleet and instead find their own escape.

It's not a clean exit for any involved. Fire harries both fleets and there are losses even in their departure from the field.

As she tied the cloth to her wounds, things didn't look good. Most of the ship had gone up in glames, and had she not known the ship like the back of her hand, she wouldn't have been able to barely make it off the ship. Despite the pain, she decided she would try to jump ship... to another ship. Once she is midiar and realizes they are closer than she thinks, she collides with someone in some heavy armor and the force knocks her into the side of the boat. She would have gone overboard had her head not stopped her by slamming into the side. It was unclear just how long she had been knocked out. It couldn't have been more than a few seconds, but the scene that unfolds is grusome, bloody, and a whole hell of a lot of bodies. Growing up in a family of reavers, she's seen some shit, but it's always shocking when it's the first thing you see after getting knocked out. Temira realized she couldn't stay down. Temira felt a rib was for sure broken. At first it hurts to breathe, but at least she was still breathing as an afterthought.

Ember calls for the retreat with a certain number of intact Redreef ships, and she completes the retreat with a different number. The second number is smaller than the first number, but at least it's not zero. Zero is when it kind of looks like you lost. Once her cog is clear, Ember kneels over her fallen friends and family, and even though all she can smell inside her helmet is cooked leather, she prays.

The smoke is heavy, thick as it chokes and unfortunate ships that don't make it burn until they slip to the dark depths below as the ocean claims the dead. But one little southern ship still on fire a bit comes out of the smoke, the gorgon's head screaming in anger it seems as the black sails have been burned and many of the oars that strike the seas are burned and darkened. The myrmidons of Sangris keep faith and honour to the Compact as their Warmonger keeps on the wheel with Tovell as they sail back to regroup for another day.

Raven keeps the wheel steady, leaves the command to Ian, and tries not to worry about her Patron.