Chapter 8 : Of Pirates and Sailing

#### Fighting Pirates

We expected a bitter fight, and indeed it was hard work. Unfortunately, both Drew and Juneeka were unavailable at the moment to assist us, but nevertheless we managed to methodically work our way through the attackers, putting them down one by one. When we finally bested the captain, the remaining crew fled back to their ship. Since our ship had been set on fire during the attack and we would soon be in need of another ship, we pursued them, expecting another round of heavy fighting. We were somewhat pleasantly surprised to find that the ship had been left almost completely defenseless; in all there were only five crew on board, including the few that had fled back after their attack on our ship. They had clearly expected an easy catch, leaving no option for a counter from our side. Anyway, they had seen their captain being slain, and surrendered on the spot, claiming their right to ask for parlay(1). They were not impressed by our demands to help us continue our journey – in fact they seemed rather smug for captured pirates. So, we tried our best and set sail in the general direction of our destination. During the following night, we learned that the ship had veered off course completely, and when we tried to correct, the ship fell still in its tracks(2) . We also learned that the crew, whom we had locked in the holds, had used a hidden passage to loot the galley – and to prevent us taking back the food had eaten all of it. We saw no other option than to let the ship run its course, wherever that might lead us. In any case, looking at the maps it would not seem to be taking us off course too much – it was heading to a peninsula less than a day’s sailing away on the other side of this part of the sea.

#### Skullport

The ship took us deftly through a series of islands, finally steering in between to large cliffs into a sheltered basin that held a port and city – Skullport. Rufus and I went ashore to assess our situation. Would we be
regarded as criminals for having killed a pirate captain? Could we hope to get another ship here, that could take us further on our journey? We rowed up to the large pier and found to our relief that no-one was paying us any unusual attention. The crowd was of a very diverse nature, and generally tended to high-spirited and free-minded, as far as we could tell from the first impressions.

We opted for a nondescript inn or bar that was in reasonably good shape – compared to the alternatives. It was as one might expect for a pirates free-haven; easy going, chaotic and utilitarian. They offered a choice of cuisine: beer, rum and food. We ordered ‘two beer and two food’ which turned out to be a reasonable and well nourishing stew. The talk of the town was of an imminent attack of some mysterious sea people(3) , who felt slighted by the attack on one of their trade missions by one pirate by the name of Rasforth Raven. Them being sticklers for honor and such, were seeking revenge, so the attack could actually happen any time, in a few days at the very most. In addition, the next day there would be a Council, which would include all captains who were at that moment in the harbor. Rufus immediately assumed the role of Captain to our recently acquired ship. To our surprise, this appeared to be readily accepted by everybody. Also we learnt that the late Sogar Elmsman, former captain to our ship, the Red Dragon, had been very well known in the city, and liked by many. Finally, one of the resident council members was Golden Tooth Misbar, if not formally head of the council, at least first among equals and held in some regard and respect by the others, and many in the city as well. It would not be far wrong to say this is his city.

#### Talk of fighting

The next morning we were alerted by a sloop bumping our hull. A man called out ‘Council in half an hour!’ and rowed on to the next ship. Rufus and Drew as his first mate would attend, Tinder and I remaining on board to guard the ship and the crew. The council took place in the keep, at the forest-side of town, which also was the residence of Golden Tooth. He sat at the head of the meeting table, with Rasforth Raven, captain of the Raven, at his right hand – the one who had precipitated the current situation. To the right of Rasforth, sat Escarp Rodenhart, of the Winged Beauty(4), flanked by Elanthir Sixfinger of the Espendarp (or some such). To the left sat Twinclaws Ergoth of the Swift Escape, with one seat left between him and Golden Tooth. After introducing himself as ‘Rufus Mad-dog Heifur, of the Red Dragon’, he took the seat to Golden Tooth’s left hand. Each of the captains had brought his second, but Golden Tooth had three men standing beside him – strongly underscoring his special position in the council. Golden Tooth made a hearty welcome to Rufus, and invited him to share the befallings of Sogar, and our reasons for coming here. Rasforth, who was looking ill-tempered already, scowled, and at the plunge of his dagger demanded ‘Yes, why don’t you tell us!’. Rufus gave a stark account of the story. Sogar attacked our ship, damaging it beyond repair, and turned out to be unable to hold on to his catch. Instead, he perished, and we took the boat that we suddenly needed. Some ‘technical difficulties’ caused the boat to turn up here with us on it. Rasforth started objecting, that we would not be trusted, but Golden Tooth silenced him with a gesture and half a word. This did not make him look any happier... Followed a quick overview of the situation, and some deliberation on what preparations should and could be made in the short time remaining. A quick vote settled that none were in favour of deserting the city – Golden Tooth least of all. We (by voice of Rufus) agreed to take our share of the fight, and start with scouting the whereabouts of the sea people, possibly opening a discussion with them to learn the source of their grief, and what possible solutions there might be besides fighting.

#### Pirates Fighting

That had hardly been said, when the middle companion of Golden Tooth demanded his attention. ‘There is something wrong’ was all he said, and Golden Tooth immediately excused himself, saying that there were things they should look at now. All followed him outside, and could just see the onset of a flood starting to come through the cliff opening and pour into the harbor. In seconds the city was flooded, the water coming to more than halfway the keep, before retreating and revealing the damage that was caused. As soon as the water retreated, sea folk came walking out of it, and started working their way forward, hacking through anyone who stood in their way, but in a reasonably ordered fashion. Someone described them as fanatics that would do anything to reach their goal, once set. Two ships in the harbor were being attacked as well, and we could see two places where sea people trooped onto the land. We saw Rasforth dispatch one of his men to go to his ship immediately. The fighting started soon, not a block away from the keep. Golden Tooth fought beside Rufus and Drew, and many of the council, but Rasforth was for the moment nowhere to be seen.

#### Pirates Fighting Pirates

Meanwhile, Tinder and I had been relatively undisturbed on the ship, that had simply followed the water up and then down again. But although we felt the need to immediate action, we had no clue what to do. We had no sloop left to row ashore, so we started by releasing the crew, in hopes they had better ideas. They were eager enough to join the fight, but stymied by the lack of transport, and more used to following orders than to think themselves out of situations like these. Suddenly, our attention was drawn away by the explosion of a fireball on the seaside of our ship. It appeared to have come from the Raven, and at the same time the oars started moving to turn it towards us. Juneeka responded immediately with an Ice Storm, pounding deck, rigging and crew alike with ice and hail. We quickly sorted out our options, but in any case, if we survived, we would need a ship to get out of this city and off the island. So we could not let Rasforth take our ship. The solution was not elegant, but simple and effective. Juneeka used Control Water to create a huge depression in the water underneath their ship, which was sufficiently deep that they could go neither forward nor back. In fact, when the waters stopped falling, only the masts could still be seen. There was only one other way in which I could think to influence the battle in town; to redirect the sea folk’s attention to their real target: Captain Rasforth. Before his attack on us, that would have posed problems under the code; we were in a free haven after all, but that no longer posed a problem. I called out over the waters, hoping that all could hear, to Rasfort ‘Now Captain Rasfort, what exactly was your plan here?’ I was thrilled to see that within several minutes, orders were shouted by the sea folks in the city, and the attack was broken off. They retreated calmly into the waters and swam away. Meanwhile, Tinder had gained control over the ship, we went to shore, and we all joined Captain Golden Tooth to see what was happening in the Raven. When we drew closer, we heard sounds of fighting and when they saw us, they called for help. Golden Tooth stood up and announced clearly that we would not help – they had forfeited all and any rights the moment they attacked us inside the harbor. To us he added ‘If we abandon our Code, we abandon everything.’ It almost sounded rueful; but we felt no compunction at all to let these sea folks seal the fate that Rasforth had chosen for him and his men.

1. We agreed, realizing later that at that moment we knew not quite what we agreed upon – it turned out to be the right to bargain with the capturing captain – not as bad as we feared.
2. I’m sure that is not the right expression to use on sea...
3. We later learned they were called ‘Aventi’.
4. This ship, as we later would learn, shared the special properties of our ship.