by Vandalaxis » Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:04 pm
The deck of the Vandal Star listed slightly in the tropical breeze out of the northeast, the flag galleon handling the surf at least as well as the heavy frigates they had been playing shadow games with for a fortnight.
VandalAxis sipped his rum and coconut milk mixture on the aft-castle in the early morning breeze, intending to leave with the tide before the heavies realized that they had already loaded and departed. The thought of avoiding attack again brought a smile to the Duke's face even now, after all the cat and mouse games, the thrill of the hunt was still alive and well. A cry from the crows nest brought Vandal out of his reverie.
'SHIP O' THE LINE! LAR'BOARD!'
The cry floated down to the deck below, making the sailors of the flag galleon more jittery than it should.
It was time.
'Loose the top sails, gallants and royals. Helmsman, make for the open water. Full sail.'
Vandal frowned as he poured his drink over the aft-castle railing. SHM would not approve of the wasting of rum.
The ship turned and sped into the bay outside of Baramas, Vandal put his hand on his helmsman's shoulder.
'Make for that Ship O' the Line Mate. Full speed.'
As the helmsman quickly complied with his order, his Quartermaster climbed onto the aft-castle to join him.
'100 crates are secure in the hold Duke. In spite of our sudden departure, we didn't break a single crate.'
The quartermaster went back below decks as he concluded his report. Vandal turned his gaze to the rapidly approaching Ship of the Line.
It was good to be working with Thalius again, it had been awhile since Vandal had seen the man. Long enough for Thalius to put his flag over the port of Baramas.
The booming of cannons behind the ship didn't break Vandal's thoughts, though it got the attention of the crew. Vandal took humor in the shock on his crews faces as the cannon fire came from shore side and not the group of large ships they were headed for.
'HEAVIES! THREE GROUPS!'
The second cry from the crows nest was not lost on the crew of the Vandal Star. Lines were tightened and cannons loaded with speed. The saltwater splashes around the ship signaled that the heavies were gaining on the lumbering galleon just out of range of the frigates fore guns. They had been spotted, right on time no less.
'Is this not madness Duke? We stand exposed Sir and we'll never outrun those heavies in the Star. You have to know she's no match for those line ships OR the heavies.'
Vandal's first mate was not privy to the operation at all. In fact, Thalius was the only man within 500 leagues that knew anything about what they were doing in Baramas in the first place.
'Calm yourself Mate. Taste the salt in the air and settle those nerves of yours. The line ships are mine. That's the Achilles we're headed for. The Star may be no match for those heavies, but Achilles will certainly give them a show.'
Vandal suddenly wanted his rum back.
His first mate grinned as he heard the words, as if suddenly realizing that this was a planned endeavor. Thalius had distracted their hunters for more than long enough.
'It's still not like you to be exposed Duke. Wasn't it you that has always said "Anonymity is the best defense of a savvy trader." ??'
Vandal smirked at his first mate's words because the man was right. Being known in these waters was a dangerous gambit.
'True enough Mate, but when your friend calls on you for something, you respond. Shadow wants this cargo in Goroum, so he shall have it.'
Vandal poured more rum into a coconut shell as he spoke, the Achilles looming starboard now and moving to intercept the chasing heavies. Her captain giving a friendly salute to the men on the aft-castle of the Star.
'Yes Duke, obviously. The men were a bit nervous when you had decided to captain us yourself. We all knew that something was up.'
Vandal frowned at that statement and thought a moment before responding. Sipping on the rum mixture while he did so.
'The men are skittish enough to be mistaken for little girls Mate. Perhaps I should not be so lenient with the lash in the future.'
Vandal's tone was quiet. Not so that he couldn't heard by the crew but because there could be no room for fear in the hearts of his men.
'I meant no offense Duke, it's just that this whole thing is far from the normal operations we're used to. This cargo must be very important and valuable.'
Vandal smirked again.
'No Mate. Quite the opposite actually.'
Vandal's smirk grew wider as a cacophony of cannon fire erupted behind the Star. The Achilles had engaged their hunters.
'Helmsman, make for Goroum with all speed.'
Vandal climbed down into the captains cabin as the cannon fire raged behind in their wake. His own mind strayed to the task at hand and possible reasons why they were here. Shadow had indicated that he only wanted a few of them, but Vandal wasn't going to turn up with only a few to give to Shadow and possibly have none of them suitable to his friends needs. Standing over the map of Avonmora, he couldn't help but wonder himself why the hold was full of fools gold in the shape of an ass.
Si Vis Pacem, Parabellum
The pursuit of peace is the knowledge of war.