Leila shuffled through Harrigan's papers as they made way
toward Port Peril, racing to warn the Pirate Council of the imminent Chelish
invasion. "Has anyone noticed that
this invasion plan seems to call for the Chelish armada to sail directly
through the Eye of Abendego?"
"That's crazy talk," Feruzi said.
"Damn it," Chopper complained. "I wanted to be the crazy one to suggest
that."
"Witchcraft?" Sandara offered. Chopper smirked.
"You, I like."
They arrived in Port Peril in a cold, drizzling rain. The harbor was crammed with the flagships of
pirate lords who, having received notification from the captured Wormwood,
wanted to be on-hand for this meeting.
Kerdak Bonefist called the meeting to order.
"There's only one agenda item on this meetin's schedule: this threat of a Chelish invasion. Cap'n Chopper 'as tha floor. Convince me."
"Welp, we have a fat lotta paperwork that sez Harrigan
was treasonous scum instead of, you know, the regular kind. Also, that the Chelish fleet thinks they can
sail through the Eye this time. So,
that's different. It don't mention
how. Was hopin' mebbe the Master of the
Gales could shed some light," Chopper declared.
The druid looked a little surprised at this request, but
only for a moment. "A 'blessing'
from their infernal masters would seem the most likely explanation."
"Ah. So. Water devils.
That's a thing. Huh." Chopper said.
"Point is, if the Chelish fleet be on its way by unconventional
means, we have far less time fer the usual smash 'n' grab that has been enjoyed
in times past. I don't fancy wakin' up
without me trousers and a randy fiend creepin' up behind." Sorrinash and a few of the rowdier pirate
lords laughed until Bonefist glared them down.
"That's odd, because you seemed to enjoy it pretty well
that one time," Feruzi said blandly into the restless silence.
Chopper shrugged.
"I mean to keep a sharp eye on the . . . well the Eye, regardless
o' what me fellow Council members have a mind t'do. I reckon we can bloody 'em some before they
sink us, but will it be enough to stop 'em running roughshod over the rest of
the Shackles? This don't strike me as a
half measure, ladies and gents."
"Is there any possibility of counteracting their magic
or whatever it is?" Feruzi asked.
"The Eye would do most of the work for us in that case."
"Calm yerselves," Bonefist grunted. "There ain't no devil magic at work
here. Papers don't make nothin'
true."
Ezikial abruptly stood up.
"Are you, then, so old and tired that you would rather close your
eyes to what is happening so you can drool into your feather pillow in mindless
comfort? Are you truly so daft, or are
you a pirate lord of the Shackles?"
Bonefist growled.
"Yer father was a brother-in-arms ter me, Besmara rest 'is
soul. That, an' that alone, is the
reason I don't have ye flayed alive here an' now. Erryone pay heed. No matter who forged these here papers hopin'
ter draw us inter an attack on an old enemy--even supposin this threat is real,
I reminds ye that meetin' the Chelaxians on th' open sea only plays ter Cheliax
strengths an' concentration o' force, 'specially their teleportin' diabolic
allies. Free Captains do best in battle
wi' small strikes, or from defensive positions."
Feruzi leaned over and whispered to Chopper, " Did he
say 'forged'?" Chopper nodded.
"If this threat is real and not some farcical invention
by untested Lords and Ladies eager to cast a disparigin' light upon their rival
Harrigan--who they obviously feel deserves more humiliation than mere defeat
can offer--let those devils try their hands against our ports after they have
endured the wrath of Abendego isself!"
Chopper thumped the table after Bonefist finished his surly
monologue. "By the powers, yer
right. Surprise is a key strategy for
men and women such as ourselves."
Bonefist relaxed a little, eyeing Chopper carefully. "Aye."
"So, I ask you, what could be more surprising to the
Chelish fleet than to find--for the first time in recorded history--the
entirety of the Shackles power in one place, ready to meet them just as they
escape the storm. As you say, whatever
their powers they'll be worn down by Abendego and therein will lie our key
advantage. If ye have no reason to take
our word for it, look t' yer own information sources. Ye'd be fools to take anything' said at this
Council at face value. And yer not
fools."
"Enough!" Bonefist bellowed. "Me mind's made up. Lords o' tha Council, make ready yer
squadrons fer when they be needed, but mark me words, what emerges from th'
northern storm will be in no shape to take e'en a single atoll." He glared down the table. "ANY captains who sail north on this
fool's errand might well find themselves branded traitors agin tha Shackles,
'specially if this be just a ruse ter distract our defenses."
"Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see you
proved right, of course," Chopper said, bowing. "Me, I'm sailing north."
"And those that value their lands and freedom should
consider doing the same," Reiko added.
"Not to mention those who value not letting us have ALL
the plunder," Feruzi continued.
Chopper stood, surveying the gathered Pirate Council, then
turned and walked out.
"Erryone's life is his ter throw away," Bonefist
growled. "This Council be
dismissed."
A few hours later, as they were transferring their equipment
from the Wormwood to the Crisis, a number of pirate lords--some under their own
initiative, others at Reiko's invitation--convened. Lady Fairwind, Cerise Bloodmourne, Arronax
Endymion and the Master of the Gales all accepted cups of grog and settled down
to chat.
"I remain in your debt after you cleared my name,"
Endymion began. "My personal
squadron is yours to command. After your
victory over Harrigan's armada, I am comfortable deferring to your
expertise."
"I have long feared that Drenchport would be the first
target of a Chelish invasion," the Master rumbled. "Your timetable confirms my fear. As a result, I have left my ships at
Drenchport. I will gladly offer you my
personal aid, though."
"Ooh, Druid spells!" Feruzi enthused. Chopper quirked an eyebrow at her,
smirking. "Don't even think of
saying that word," she added.
"Huh? Oh. Witchcraft.
Right. Doesn't apply. He and nature have an understanding."
"My squadron is with you, too," Tessa said. "And if, no, when we win I will
certainly support you in any bid to make for rule of the Shackles."
Chopper blinked.
"I think we may be able to get a few of the other Free
Captains on board with that," Reiko said as if this were the most natural
notion in the world."
Cerise snickered.
"Pity ye've no taste fer rule yerself, Tess."
"Bonefist stays locked away in Fort Hazard
"Just because you have his job doesn't mean you have to
do it the way he does," Feruzi said.
"True, true. But
I still don't want the job. Not as badly
as some of you might," Fairwind said, winking at Chopper.
"Well, that is not something that needs to be decided
at this point in time," Reiko said.
"But we are agreed that a change in leadership is
needed," Endymion said.
"For now, I think it prudent to make ready for an early
morning departure. Thank you all for
coming tonight," she said, bowing to the other pirate Captains, who made
their way off the Crisis and toward their own ships.
"Are you seriously considering making a bid for Pirate
King?" Feruzi asked, eyeing Chopper.
"Yes. It's
perfect. I don't think I ever told you
this, but I came out to sea to do what I could to lessen the hold of the
Shackles over Sargava."
"Ah. I was
rather looking forward to, you know, settling down."
"And you should do what your heart tells you. This has
been my dream for a long time. I just never expected an opportunity to fast
track it to present itself so readily."
"I'm just worried about someone stabbing you in the
back if you don't have anyone to look after you. There are just as many people
who dislike you as adore you. And if
this Chelish thing comes off there will be even more."
"Well, there's always Mister Hands. He would be murderously
annoyed, I think, should I come to harm."
"Mm. We'll worry
about that when it happens, I suppose."
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