"Arturieaux sent confirmation of the shipment. However, the kobolds have begun growing more aggressive and encroaching further into Lominsan territory. He said he may have to move his laboratory," Garalt murmured. "He'd be moving to the other side of the island, just to be safe." The Highlander's statement was punctuated by him sweeping a thick finger across a map of Vylbrand.
Nero nodded. "That'd be best. Kobolds will draw the attention of the Maelstrom...we will need to give him time. Let's keep the Forte in Limsa for now." The smuggler fingered another map, a nautical chart. "Our man in the 4th Squadron said the patrols would sweep the northeast of the Rhotano." The Hyur snorted. "Merlwyb's fast, I'll give her that. Someone must be pressuring her to tighten security in the Strait, so naturally, we'll go ahead and give the 4th Squadron a distraction." A finger moved and tapped on elsewhere on the map. "There's a few raiders based out of the Cieldalaes. Let's have them be fodder."
The Highlander grunted, shaking his head. "I don't like this, Nero," Garalt said quietly. It was rare when the otherwise passive Highlander expressed an opinion; even rarer when he addressed Nero by anything other than "captain". "Sending other raiders as...distractions. The Forte can easily slip here, south through the Cieldalaes, to Thanalan. Even with the 4th Squadron."
"I don't want the Forte participating directly in runs for now. We lay low and give the hounds something to chew on," the smuggler said firmly. "We need to make repairs, get our bearings, and give Arturieaux some time. And I can guarantee you that Ul'dah won't sit still." Nero tapped an index finger against Limsa Lominsa. "They'll send agents after us, but Limsa's home territory...we can take care of them there, then we can get the Forte back into ops unmolested."
Garalt studied the Midlander's face, scrutinizing it with a hard gaze. "You intend to start an incident. Merlwyb won't suffer Ul'dahn interference in Limsa Lominsa."
"I intend to arrange it in such a way that we come out on top regardless of the outcome," Nero responded confidently, waving an idle hand. "Put the charts away. We'll reach port in a few bells."
The Second Forte bobbed gently as it cut through the waves. It wouldn't be long before it reached Limsa Lominsa; a gentle wind had brought the ship to a comfortable, if somewhat slow cruising speed. Nero sighed and rubbed the back of his forehead with a hand as he leaned against the railing on the stern of the ship. Watching the parting of waves pass behind the ship was calming to him, even as his mind was fraught with thoughts and introspection.
Roen was presumably still below decks. Nero couldn't help but roll his eyes at nobody in particular at her presence; as soon as the paladin had found out he'd cleaned himself out of Ul'dah, presumably she'd started looking for him for reasons the smuggler couldn't fathom. With impeccable timing, she'd manage to catch him before he left Vesper Bay, and the smuggler, being ever punctual, had insisted without thinking that she come aboard if she wanted to occupy his time with talks.
Natalie had made herself quite clear when she said she did not want Nero anywhere near Roen, to which Nero had responded that the latter would have to stay away from him first. Roen seemed to follow him like a lost puppy at times, and it was not as if the smuggler could simply beat her upside the head and abandon her...although the thought had crossed his mind during some of their more heated arguments.
His plan was moving, but slowly. Far slower than Nero liked. Ceruleum was beginning to become difficult for him to get his hands on, yet the smuggler had no presence anywhere near Bluefog. The pirate only had a smattering handful of agents in Ul'dah, and their allegiance was suspect at best. Nero did not mind conducting his operations from afar, but his plans in Ul'dah were delicate and he'd prefer to apply his direct intervention in them.
But that'd have to wait. Surely the Monetarists were going to send someone to Limsa. That Natalie woman was surely shrewd enough to have started looking for him; just because Nero had left Thanalan doesn't mean the raids against Monetarist ships would stop, not as long as there were pirates willing to accept the smuggler's coin.Â
Take care of one thing at a time. Nero inhaled, letting his breath out through his nose.
It was a strange thing, this series of events. The original plan had been simple: supply the refugees, and continue on his merry way. Lay under the Monetarist's radar and gradually build his influence. Instead, Nero had shared many exasperating arguments with Roen, who may or may not be infatuated with him, ended up killing a Brass Blade and a few bandits, and now had the attention of the Monetarists, the Sultansworn, and the Immortal Flames, and the only thing it would take to start a major political incident was just the slightest mishap, which was bound to happen with such a bellicose and volatile group all converging together.
True, Nero's intention had always been to bring Scythe into his fold first and feed the poor and beleaguered second...but it seemed now that going to the trouble of securing those supplies had lit a fuse.
Attempting to provide for the refugees left Nero in an awkward partnership with a paladin, and the Sultansworn chasing him out of Ul'dah. He was now running back to Limsa, and undoubtedly there were Monetarist agents that were going to pursue him. The list was now useless because he'd been run out of Thanalan, and if the situation deteriorated enough...Limsa Lominsa and Ul'dah would be in a very bad spot indeed, and the only one who did not believe him to be the villain in all of this was Roen. All because of those damned refugee supplies.
Nero could not help but smirk bitterly as he heard the sound of steps approaching him from behind.Â
No good deed goes unpunished.
Nero nodded. "That'd be best. Kobolds will draw the attention of the Maelstrom...we will need to give him time. Let's keep the Forte in Limsa for now." The smuggler fingered another map, a nautical chart. "Our man in the 4th Squadron said the patrols would sweep the northeast of the Rhotano." The Hyur snorted. "Merlwyb's fast, I'll give her that. Someone must be pressuring her to tighten security in the Strait, so naturally, we'll go ahead and give the 4th Squadron a distraction." A finger moved and tapped on elsewhere on the map. "There's a few raiders based out of the Cieldalaes. Let's have them be fodder."
The Highlander grunted, shaking his head. "I don't like this, Nero," Garalt said quietly. It was rare when the otherwise passive Highlander expressed an opinion; even rarer when he addressed Nero by anything other than "captain". "Sending other raiders as...distractions. The Forte can easily slip here, south through the Cieldalaes, to Thanalan. Even with the 4th Squadron."
"I don't want the Forte participating directly in runs for now. We lay low and give the hounds something to chew on," the smuggler said firmly. "We need to make repairs, get our bearings, and give Arturieaux some time. And I can guarantee you that Ul'dah won't sit still." Nero tapped an index finger against Limsa Lominsa. "They'll send agents after us, but Limsa's home territory...we can take care of them there, then we can get the Forte back into ops unmolested."
Garalt studied the Midlander's face, scrutinizing it with a hard gaze. "You intend to start an incident. Merlwyb won't suffer Ul'dahn interference in Limsa Lominsa."
"I intend to arrange it in such a way that we come out on top regardless of the outcome," Nero responded confidently, waving an idle hand. "Put the charts away. We'll reach port in a few bells."
The Second Forte bobbed gently as it cut through the waves. It wouldn't be long before it reached Limsa Lominsa; a gentle wind had brought the ship to a comfortable, if somewhat slow cruising speed. Nero sighed and rubbed the back of his forehead with a hand as he leaned against the railing on the stern of the ship. Watching the parting of waves pass behind the ship was calming to him, even as his mind was fraught with thoughts and introspection.
Roen was presumably still below decks. Nero couldn't help but roll his eyes at nobody in particular at her presence; as soon as the paladin had found out he'd cleaned himself out of Ul'dah, presumably she'd started looking for him for reasons the smuggler couldn't fathom. With impeccable timing, she'd manage to catch him before he left Vesper Bay, and the smuggler, being ever punctual, had insisted without thinking that she come aboard if she wanted to occupy his time with talks.
Natalie had made herself quite clear when she said she did not want Nero anywhere near Roen, to which Nero had responded that the latter would have to stay away from him first. Roen seemed to follow him like a lost puppy at times, and it was not as if the smuggler could simply beat her upside the head and abandon her...although the thought had crossed his mind during some of their more heated arguments.
His plan was moving, but slowly. Far slower than Nero liked. Ceruleum was beginning to become difficult for him to get his hands on, yet the smuggler had no presence anywhere near Bluefog. The pirate only had a smattering handful of agents in Ul'dah, and their allegiance was suspect at best. Nero did not mind conducting his operations from afar, but his plans in Ul'dah were delicate and he'd prefer to apply his direct intervention in them.
But that'd have to wait. Surely the Monetarists were going to send someone to Limsa. That Natalie woman was surely shrewd enough to have started looking for him; just because Nero had left Thanalan doesn't mean the raids against Monetarist ships would stop, not as long as there were pirates willing to accept the smuggler's coin.Â
Take care of one thing at a time. Nero inhaled, letting his breath out through his nose.
It was a strange thing, this series of events. The original plan had been simple: supply the refugees, and continue on his merry way. Lay under the Monetarist's radar and gradually build his influence. Instead, Nero had shared many exasperating arguments with Roen, who may or may not be infatuated with him, ended up killing a Brass Blade and a few bandits, and now had the attention of the Monetarists, the Sultansworn, and the Immortal Flames, and the only thing it would take to start a major political incident was just the slightest mishap, which was bound to happen with such a bellicose and volatile group all converging together.
True, Nero's intention had always been to bring Scythe into his fold first and feed the poor and beleaguered second...but it seemed now that going to the trouble of securing those supplies had lit a fuse.
Attempting to provide for the refugees left Nero in an awkward partnership with a paladin, and the Sultansworn chasing him out of Ul'dah. He was now running back to Limsa, and undoubtedly there were Monetarist agents that were going to pursue him. The list was now useless because he'd been run out of Thanalan, and if the situation deteriorated enough...Limsa Lominsa and Ul'dah would be in a very bad spot indeed, and the only one who did not believe him to be the villain in all of this was Roen. All because of those damned refugee supplies.
Nero could not help but smirk bitterly as he heard the sound of steps approaching him from behind.Â
No good deed goes unpunished.
