Re: In the Land of Zu
Danyka pursed her lips lightly as she surveyed the others. She'd been quite quiet during Nicollo's speech about what their orders could be interpreted as and more importantly what their duty might be. A slightly bemused smile touched her lips, as she noted casually, "You'll all become proper conspirators in time..." The issue being, of course, that the young Llaelese gentlewoman had already been convicted of treason in her homeland. There'd been a reason that she'd was on the lam and trying to sneak her way to Corvus, when she'd been swept up in a raid and effectively press-ganged into the Iron Fist. The gallows hadn't been in her plans; so, Dany wanted to keep her neck out of the noose.
But here she was. Contemplating throwing her lot (and the rest of the Iron Fisters) into another fray in this land far from home. The thin Rynnish gun mage turned to look out over the rolling waves for a moment. Standing on the deck of the Seacutter with the ocean spray upon her face, Dany closed her eyes and contemplated, Is it as simple as Nicollo makes it?
She took in a deep breath, which caused her slight frame to shudder and her black woolen travel cloak ripple in the breeze. "Okay." Danyka breathed out with some finality, "I ... I have little desire to return to our superiors at this time; I suspect that they will simply send us out on another mission - though perhaps one closer to home. But, I also recognize that we may be venturing outside of our explicitly stated mandate ..." and she glanced in the direction of Nicollo, "despite the assurance of our Thurian colleague."
Up until now, Dany's expression had been genial enough, but it grew more serious, "He is correct that the Seacutter should not return empty-handed, if possible. And that the protection of the major assets which are both seafaring vessels and their technologies is part of our orders." Her deep green eyes fell upon each of her companions in turn, as well as the assembled command crews of two vessels, "Both ships need to resupply for any long term action. I propose that we open discussions with the Rish, Khuno Manco and her people, and the Prince concerning supplies and further trade; this will need to be done quietly and quickly."
"The Seacutter will go to the Rish, both as proof of our prowess and our word." Dany noted, "And in preparation to return to Immoren." She let that latter sink in, then pushed on, "Anyone that has any qualms about what we are embarking on should return with them and report back our progress. Returning home, will mean a promotion given the success of this part of the mission. You can even report on our plans here; I will make them clear. Some of us will remain to ensure the continued safety of our people and ourselves. I don't have the authority to pardon or release any of you from the Iron Fist; I can only offer you the chance to leave now - you will be given safe passage back to Immoren. If you remain in Zu, you will continue to remain under my command and subject to my interpretation of our orders."
Another thoughtful, deep breath followed as she measured her words, "Have no doubt, if you remain, you will be required to engage in an actions that could - nay, probably will - get you killed. Think hard, for I only want those committed to remain - we cannot afford dissenters or deserters; our presence here requires us to cover each others backs. If you are harboring ideas of setting up your own pocket empire far from home, get over it. Do it somewhere else. Because we can't afford you as a liability." Her lips pressed thin as she paused for a moment, before continuing with a harsh, hushed intensity, "And know that we are, in no uncertain terms, already plotting the overthrow of one despot." The implication being, anyone else that became an issue would be blacklisted as well; they just couldn't afford that type of insubordination or dissension in the ranks.
"The Resolute will remain here, near the promaxim, to work with Manco's people and the Prince." Dany then proposed, "We'll need to get up to speed quickly on the lay of the land. Only then can we decide on a decisive plan of action. But, rest assured: we will act." Her expression was a touch troubled, for it lay in teh back of her mind that niggling sense that she was never to see Llael again. She'd been resigned to that fact all those years ago when that frightened girl had first fled into the dark and perilous night. But, there was something that felt much more final (perhaps even fatal) here.
"That is all for now." and Dany adjourned the meeting and turned back to stare out at the open ocean once more, resolving to meet with everyone individual to discuss matters both personal and professional within the next day or two. She needed personal commitments here, not mob rule.
The thin Llaelese gun mage was up early the next morning. Wearing little more than her dark woolen breeches, light silken tunic, and her tailored, padded fencing vest and gloves, Dany had been practicing with her curved Elven fencing blade for more than an hour before the sun came up. The blade whipped back and forth in an accelerating dance of burnished silver and steel. The morning air was crisp with salty tang, but it had a slight oily odor from the thin protective coating Danyka had applied to prevent oxidation. The perspiration glistened upon her brow as she moved with a measure and tightly controlled precision through a common set of technical movements; she'd done them hundreds of times before almost without thought. The drills helped her focus. The drills molded her resolve. The drills gave everything that she did (and was) an edge.
Danyka knew the score. She'd spoken to a number of the crew already and they would be losing some people. The wounded and injured. The homesick. The untrustworthy. The thin Rynnish brunette had expected it; it only remained to see what final numbers would be; she'd never asked for the job. But, she'd still see it done to the best of her abilities...