12th Day of Ascending Water, RY 768
Noon

After a journey of about five days -- slowed mostly by the Tya merchantman, whose peak speed is still half as slow as the Dryad or Hammerhead -- the Cobalt Alliance approaches the coast of Abalone. The island's most defining characteristic by far is the towering Mount Hamoji, the volcano whose god holds the islanders in thrall. Whenever Hamoji threatens to erupt, the priestesses of the volcano god offer him prayers and even live sacrifices, taken primarily from imprisoned criminals and foreigners.

It's something to think about, particularly as two of the finest ships of the Wavecrest Navy approach at speed from the still-distant Seahaven harbor. These are no ordinary vessels, but merchant ships altered for battle with First Age quality hulls and sails of valuable steelsilk, armed with heavy fire cannons. Coming up from behind are four marine assault biremes, on stand-by while the captain of the lead Navy vessel addresses the Cobalt ships.

Clearly they are a rather paranoid, xenophobic sort, but Tya Rothalga had already warned them previously of just that.

"I am First Captain Buruku of the Wavecrest Navy," pronounces the captain, bellowing his words so that he is heard by all. Buruku is, for lack of any better explanation, a tall, bronzed god of a man: six foot eight with luxurious purple hair, standing confidently on the deck of his vessel with one hip jutting outward. At his belt hangs a perfect-quality sword, and his lamellar is similarly flawless, glittering as the midday sun strikes its scale-like plates. "Foreign vessels, state your identities and intent for entering our nation's waters. Failure to comply will be interpreted as an act of aggression."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:48, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

The sight of the Wavecrest navy accosting them does not surprise Lasuri - there is a reason why the Alliance had tried to either avoid or stay out of reach of the island nation. Nonetheless, a promise is a promise, and the Captain of the Dryad will not back down on his word to see Captain Rothalga and her crew safely back to their port of choice. Confidently, Lasuri walks forward, responding to the ship that hailed them.

"Hail to you, First Captain Buruku. We come bearing the flag of peace. I am Captain Lasuri Leomaris of the Cobalt Alliance, and this is the Spring Dryad. Our only intent in approaching your waters is to escort one of your kinsmen who have run into trouble at sea - we promised to escort Captain Tya Rothalga to his port of choice, to make certain cutthroats and corsairs would not prey on him and his crew after their numbers have been diminished."

He turns first towards the Marlena, then the Hammerhead, nodding sharply. "I will let the Captains of the other Alliance ships state their names and the name of their ships, if you need their identification too."

When Lasuri finished introducing himself and his ship Zeru took his cue. "Peleps Zeru captaining the Black Marlena also of the Cobalt Alliance."

As soon as Lasuri mentions her, the blue-haired Rothalga steps apart from her crew and addresses Buruku deferentially. "Captain Buruku, I am Tya Rothalga of the merchant ship Sea's Bounty. We were headed back toward Abalone from across the Western Sea when we were beset upon by corsairs. The members of the Cobalt Alliance protected us, though we suffered a loss of over half my crew. Then they offered to escort us here, sir, which we accepted."

Buruku listens pensively, crossing his arms over his broad chest. All ten ships in the vicinity -- the six from the Navy, the three from Cobalt and the Tya ship -- should have furled their sails and come to a stop, by now. So he takes his time, pacing the deck, considering the case brought before him.

Finally he raises his head sharply. "The Black Marlena eh? And if memory serves, the remaining ship is the Coral privateer ship Hammerhead. Is the wretched scoundrel Bloodeye among your number?" As his hand strays to the hilt of his blade, Buruku's gaze turns over to the Hammerhead, obviously expecting some response.

"Treon Fireblade, captaining the Hammerhead, also of the Cobalt Alliance," his voice ringing out loud and clear above the water, moving to the front of the vessel where he is easily visible.

"Hmph..." Buruku looks over Treon with interest. "So, Fireblade. You bested the bastard in combat, then? Or were you weak-hearted enough to take the man prisoner? No captain worth his salt would give up his ship unless forced."

"If I may, First Captain," Rothalga speaks up once more. "I've kept Bloodeye's head on ice for near a week now. The proof is here, and I saw with my own eyes the body of the pirate fed to the sharks."

The Wavecrest Navy captain paces another stretch, and rubs at his chin. He almost looks displeased at this turn of events, particularly in Rothalga's readiness to speak on Cobalt's behalf, but he does not order his men to arms. "How convenient. And here I thought the crew would get some exercise, as it were. Tya Rothalga, you will be held responsible if these Cobalt Alliance men cause us any trouble at all, in our waters or our shores. You will bring your 'proof' to me and all of you will be escorted to Seahaven harbor for inspection and further questioning."

The Tya captain inclines her head deferentially. "I understand, First Captain."

That said, Buruku begins shouting orders to the Navy ships and his personal crew on the Stormchild. Unless anyone bothers to voice protest, the Dryad, Hammerhead, Marlena and Sea's Bounty are summarily escorted to the docks by the half-dozen Navy ships deployed to meet them. The harbormaster stands waiting for them on the pier reserved for Buruku's vessel, as all around him dockworkers toil on the double to receive the rest.

Jadira orders her gunnery crew to ensure the Dryad's weapons are secure and unarmed -- including, now, the large Essence cannon taken from the Hammerhead. Her men begin to throw the large canvas tarps over the ballistae, catapults and cannon to protect them from the elements (and in the cannon's case, protect it from greedy eyes).

Then she strides up to Lasuri's side, rubbing his good arm affectionately. "Not exactly the warmest welcome, huh. Well, with Rothalga speaking on our behalf we'll probably not be questioned for long... I hope."

She stands with her Captain and lover, her eyes on the Stormchild in particular. Jadira hadn't realized Wavecrest even had access to hulls of that quality. Her only thought is that the leadership in Wavecrest thought them enough of a potential threat to answer it with their best. Admittedly, there weren't all that many ships at all of the Dryad's quality on the waves today.

"Kinda worried about the corsairs Treon took in though. And Tethia. Think they'll be all right?"

Tageru approaches the  captain and Jadira and his green eyes frown angrily. "What is this? Who are these people and what do they want from us? Are we under attack?"

He looks at the captain of the newcomers and his face changes from anger to frustration "Oh, Dragons, it's that bragging idiot, Buruku!", he says, careful not to be heard by the god-blood. "Why are they bothering us? Do they claim that we did something?"

[Private to Storyteller: OOC: I hope you don't mind my assuming Tageru knows Buruku, he's practically a celebrity, and Tageru has traveled the West with the Wyld Hunt. :) If it's necessary, roll Intelligence+Lore for me, and I'll use 1 wp to remember the captain. :)]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Wed 03 Dec 2008.