Out of Durandon's Shadow (Open)

[Deleted]

The tavern was silent as Lucius sat alone with his great axe resting atop his restless leg. He had been a mercenary, he had been a village hero, he became a depraved smuggler, and now he was the aide to Orys Durrandon, constantly managing his funds and gathering supplies. Now here he was in the Isles as usual, once more without a goal as Durrandon had vanished. Vinland was not that great he decided with a sigh.

Pounding back his mug he slammed it onto the table and stood. It was a long and hard debated thought he had had but the conclusion was clear. "I need a crew!" He announced to the barmaid. "I need a ship too! Perhaps I can become a privateer for those interested in hiring me? What do you think of that!?"

"Uh, I'm not too sure Sir, I just serve the drinks here." She shifted nervously and looked around at the empty bar.

"Come now, you think this bilge water is going to bring you customers? No, no it won't. If you want people to come here you need something to excite them! Something to really, really make them think about their place and their lot in this world."

"I don't-"

"You don't need to understand my ramblings. But I want you to understand my confession. I've lost and gained so many things in my life and now... now I am going to take it all back." He grinned wide and wicked as he placed his axe over his shoulder. "The docks are going to be one Hell of a place here soon."

Handing a few coins to the woman he departed into the streets. The sea breeze was deceptively calm. It gave no indications of the storm he was preparing to brew. Putting a poster on the side of the building he announced his desire for a crew. But first he needed to buy a ship.

[Minerva]

Minerva slowly walked through the streets of the Isles. It had been a while since she'd been back here. She and Gar both had gone their separate ways, but now she had returned to the land of waves and shady characters to embark on another shady adventure. Her smuggling runs had gone well, but with her boat still laying low, back in Badon, she doubted that was a possibility. She would likely coast for a while, sizing up various groups of dark mercenaries or illicit traffickers before settling in to provide her skills for their coin. Mages were invariably a commodity that groups of smugglers and extortionists were willing to pay for. Most of the guys involved in the business usually couldn't think their way out of a box, and so when you put them against someone who could roast them alive before they could even swing their big scary wood-cutters, it usually didn't end well for them.

But for now there was not much to do, so the mage settled for being as showy and flamboyant as possible. Who knew? Maybe she'd get into a fight. She liked picking fights with people. Or maybe she'd attract the attention of a cute guy, who would be able to help her ease up and relax for a bit. Or there was the distinct possibility that she would just look stupid.

Regardless of the possible risk, she decided to go for it, and barked a single word, letting the power of Ilian winters condense and erupt from her hands, creating a splash of freezing water that bent into the air, twisting itself into the shape of a helmet. Minerva let the glacier-blue headpiece drop into her hands and slotted it on her head, smiling at her militaristic new style, and then swaggered off towards the docks to cause some commotion. Or get lucky. Maybe both.

[Deleted]

It was not long before Lucius had found himself before a great ship. It was small and humble but it was of good quality and any captain would be proud to call it theirs. As the crew worked on loading the ship of its supplies Lucius strutted up to a man pointing and yelling orders.

"Hey there captain!" He began, showing his axe menacingly. The man lowered his arms and looked at him irritably.

"Do you have some business with me or may I return to my business, time is short and time is money you see."

"Oh, I see it alright, BOY," the word came derisively. "I see a youth with far too much on his hands. I think you need a first mate, mate."

"Pfft, and I suppose you are suggesting yourself for this?"

"You are quick to pick up on my not so subtle hints now aren't you?"

The captain scoffed in annoyance. "I have everything I need, to INCLUDE a first mate." He gestured to an odd sort of fellow, he had a gut that stuck out but arms and legs that looked like they would snap under any amount of weight. His dress was little better being tight and leaving little to the imagination.

Lucius kept a grim and stern expression. "How much for the ship, and your crew?"

"Pardon, but it is not-"

"I SAID, how MUCH?" There was a threat in his tone now.

"Uh, well, there is the cost of the ship, which was exponential, and the crew is 72 strong, paid monthly, and all our supplies. I'm sorry but you look like common rabble. Now then, be off."

Lucius grabbed him by the collar and jerked him around before holding him so that his weight was over the water. "You're really bad at answering questions aren't you? So, I'll tell you who I am. Have you heard of a smuggling ring that travels all across this land?"

"Th-th-there is rumor yes, but that is underground stuff, deep underground."

"It is indeed, and have you heard of the recent assault on the local gold mines?"

"I have..."

Lucius grinned as he saw the look of terror and an understanding of just who the man may be, if he was not lying to him. "I am the one that runs the ring, and the one that went into those mines and blew it to Hell, trust me, you want to give me your ship."

"E-even IF this is all true, why would I simply hand it over?"

"I will turn you such a large profit that you could rest easy for the rest of your days without working ever again. Or I can kill you." He smiled with a friendly bouncing nod at this last statement. "So, what do you say to this arrangement. Oh, and I, won't need your first mate. I will find another."

The man glanced at the water, then the axe, and finally his crew. None seemed to pay the two any mind.

"You're in the isles my friend. If you want safe, go through Lycia."

"F-fine! But if you don't turn me a profit, I will hire whoever I need to to ensure they bring me your head!"

Lucius pulled the man up and tossed him onto the deck. "That was easy, guess I am quite the haggler." Lucius gathered the man's information of where to send his portion of the profits before admiring his new ship. With a cynical laugh he looked around. Such a small show of force and a promise of riches was all it took? He was going to have guards on him soon, or something of the sort.

[Minerva]

Minerva continued her walk throughout the dock area, moving through the busy workmen and sailors without speaking a word. Her blue helmet, icy cold, drew a few looks, but her gaze, equally frigid, sent the common laborers turning away quickly, back to their work. The mage seemed to split the crowd before her as she strode with purpose but no clear destination.

An interesting sight caught her attention. A man was dangling over the water, his eyes wide as he flailed his limbs in an attempt to get back to the boat. His captor, a rough-looking fellow with an axe, seemed to be trying to extort something out of the man. Minerva sighed and began to continue past the boat, when she heard an unusual phrase.

“Have you heard of a smuggling ring that travels all across this land?”

Her footsteps slowed, and her head cocked ever so slightly as she continued to listen.

“Have you heard of the recent assault on the local gold mines?”

Interesting. Her feet moved backwards as she retraced her steps to the gangplank, walking up it as the two finished their ‘negotiations’ and her steps echoing briefly, a few precise and sharp clicks as her boots stopped in front of the axe-man. He appeared to be a simple fellow, simply another axe-toting bandit, but if he had connections to the ring she would be wise to flourish hers as well. Perhaps this could be mutually profitable.

"Thank you for your time, Former Captain. For now, I would appreciate it if I could talk to the esteemed Current Captain without fear of interruption."

The man gave a brief sputter, but fell silent when he appraised the woman who had spoken. Her robes were in fine condition, and all of her gear spoke of wealth and influence. That said, there was a look he had not seen in many nobles’ eyes in the irises of this mysterious newcomer. There was a fire there, which chilled him to the bone. It was a ruthless and opportunistic flame, akin to the glow in a raider’s eyes as he loots and pillages a defenseless caravan.

"My name is Minerva. You claim to have ties to the ring. I too have ties. If you are who you say you are, and you truly did participate in the attack on the mines, surely you have heard of the ship that made the Gharne run thrice in less than one moon. That feat has never been repeated. The ship that accomplished that admirable smuggling run was none other than the Minnow, as I am sure you are aware. Now think, if you have ties to the ring. Who was the captain of the Minnow? Who commanded the ship that singlehandedly made more illicit deliveries than any other team of ships?

I am sure you are wise enough to grasp the meaning of this, my friend. I come to offer you an interesting proposition. You are taking this ship…to earn profit. The Minnow is in hiding, in order to reduce the bounty on her hull and lower their awareness. I know the routes. I know the vendors. And I’ve been waiting for a chance to wreak havoc once more. You undoubtedly have heard of mages, or worked with them. But I doubt you have had a mage as skilled as I to back you up.

If you’re looking to raise hell, take me along."

[Deleted]

"I know a Mage or two yes... and I know they make one hell of a first mate!" He recalled his friend Bonnie's second and how often his magics had saved the three of them and even the entire crew both in port and out at sea. He looked her from head to toe. He liked the look in her eyes. It was a ruthless, cruel, and even longing look. He would have to keep her satisfied with how he ran things else risk mutiny he mused. "Well, your crown speaks of an odd fashion sense but your boast tells another tell!" He grinned with what was almost a snarl.

"You have the air of a noble but the aura of a bandit. A dangerous but desireable combination. I tell you what. My desire is to take this ship here and do some... Privateering. Bern is still recovering and if I can make the seas favorable to them I can garner an ally. My operations in Etruria were ruined due to... Unforeseen circumstances. So they will be my target. If you can speak with the nobles to make this deal you can be my first mate for certain. Hell, I'll even give you a ship soon as we secure a second one."

He looked out at the ocean. "Naturally that will only be the beginning of the storm. There are lords of the sea and they remain unchallenged. I would seek to change that. Not by destroying them, but to subjugate them to my command." He looked at her again. "If you would stick this out, you would garner untold power for yourself as my aide."

[Minerva]

"You have the air of a noble but the aura of a bandit. A dangerous but desirable combination."

Minerva began to chuckle, nodding slowly as the man continued to speak. After she heard his proposition, she took her helmet off, tossing it up and sending a tiny spark of flame up. The bluish headpiece exploded into a small cloud of thick snow, which fell upon her and the other man, covering them in a fine sprinkling of the flakes. Indeed, the air around the two of them felt cold, as if Ilia's winters had briefly visited them, before the snow and cold faded away, leaving only the two of them, eyes locked, both glowing with fiery determination.

"Though my birthplace is Ilia, I hold no allegiance politically. If we will be assisting Bern, so be it. Wherever the action and the coin is. And if we're targeting Etruria... then I will be more than happy to help with negotiations. I've no love for their damned Saint and the cult of fanaticism that follows her around. So let us take down Etruria and aid Bern.

About the ship... I do not necessarily require one, though if we'll be privateering a ship more suited to combat would be preferable. The Minnow is pretty much simply a smuggler's dream, not a ship to do battle in."

Essentially, they were vying to become the most powerful of the various pirate bands that controlled sections of the sea. That was an interesting idea. She could live with being one of the leaders of a great pirate band. That would be indeed most interesting.

"Piracy, smuggling... I would be most happy to work with you. My name is Minerva. I am a mage, a skilled user of the magic of nature. I seek power and strength, and I enjoy working with the strong and the ruthless. I hold no respect for weaklings."

[Deleted]

Lucius began to laugh roaringly. It was more like a bark really. "Alright then! I am Lucius Baron! I was once Durrandon's aide but no more. The man has seemed to be satisfied with stagnation but not I. We will make the sea our own. Let men and women alike tremble at the mere thought of the ocean I say!" The goal was lofty and the rivals many. He knew once he proved himself a bit he would have the services of Bonnie and her crew but he'd gain the attention of the likes of The Orange Plague. He was willing to do battle with the man but he knew he could not take him lightly, a young brat or not.

"I can outfit the men with the best gear a smuggler can access but to gain Bern's aide we will need something to show for it. I propose we first raid Etrurian merchant vessels. We will offer 'all' of the riches we procure to them as we make the bargain." He thought in this. "Or should we partner with Lycia? They are actively in combat with Etruria after all." He waved the thoughts away, "we can decide that over a drink." Hefting his axe on his shoulder he began to walk back to the center of town. "Come Minerva! There is business to be discussed." It would not take very long to return to the same tavern that had no business. The barmaid looked at the two worriedly but returned to cleaning tables. "Give me a round of the best you've got!"

Sitting at a table he looked at his new business partner. "Alright then, what are your questions and wants from this?"

[Minerva]

"Alright then! I am Lucius Baron! I was once Durrandon's aide but no more. The man has seemed to be satisfied with stagnation but not I. We will make the sea our own. Let men and women alike tremble at the mere thought of the ocean I say!"

Minerva laughed along with the man, shaking her head. The name Durrandon was not familiar to her, though she assumed it was associated with his work on the gold mines. The goal itself was enough to get the fire flickering in the mage's eyes and the blood rushing through her pulsing arteries. Creating an empire, a web of control that would rule over the mighty ocean itself... That was something she would relish, a project she could throw her whole interest and passion into.

"I can outfit the men with the best gear a smuggler can access but to gain Bern's aide we will need something to show for it. I propose we first raid Etrurian merchant vessels. We will offer 'all' of the riches we procure to them as we make the bargain. Or should we partner with Lycia? They are actively in combat with Etruria after all...we can decide that over a drink. Come Minerva! There is business to be discussed."

Together, fighter and mage walked the streets, passersby moving aside to allow the two to continue their course, walking side by side. Perhaps it was the axe, or the cold air that seemed to surround them, but something certainly drove others away. It was good, as it allowed them to arrive quickly and without incident. The two sat, were handed fine drinks, and then went straight to business.

"Alright then, what are your questions and wants from this?"

"I've been a smuggler, I've been a bandit, and I've done my fair share of dirty work. I'm not afraid to do more. So I'll hold a similar status to you, of course. I won't waste time bickering about who calls which shots, but I will not hesitate to let you know if I think you're being asinine. You may assume control over the vessel you've obtained. Once we become more established, if I bring the Minnow into the picture to run blockades or smuggle high-priority goods, she will remain solely under my leadership.

That's really all I care about at this point. We make enough money, we won't be haggling over who gets how much. And if we need some startup coin, being the bastard daughter of a noble helps to give a bit of a boost to my purse. I think the current state of affairs, with Etruria invading Lycia, might give us the opening we need. If we establish ourselves there, as an unaffiliated third party that might help Lycia out if they name the right price or hand over the right ships, goods, equipment, you name it... We'll have a good start. And then we can become more bold, and seize what we want until we control the seas."