The Roehmerl had made land earlier that sun and preparations were set about for the long journey ahead. Sounsyy had been most displeased with her assignment after being called from ongoing operations in Thanalan to safe waters in Limsa, only to return on a matter of import with only the scantest of details regarding the mission. Her commander, Sabine Gavronchette, had simply briefed her that it was a matter of great import to the Admiral.
"The mission is simple, too simple, and you know I hate simple, Captain," Sabine had said as she rounded her desk in the Coral Tower, "Your vessel is to take on cargo at Vesper, transport it to a rendezvous point in the Indigo Deep before traveling north where a Sharlayan vessel will await you."
"Sharlayan?"
"It would seem your intended cargo is a matter of some import. If you would, do find out what it is exactly. I don't think I must needs remind you we are in the business of obtaining information for the Admiral. I can only imagine the Admiral wishes to know the nature of these items and if they pose a threat to Limsa Lominsa, or, if they can be used to our advantage."
"Aye, ma'am!"
Sounsyy looked down at the papers strewn across her desk. She was alone in her cabin, one candle burning low and giving off a sweet odor. The dim lighting just enough to illuminate shipping manifests and illicit transactions that Sounsyy had been painstakingly monitoring for the last several moons. She thought she heard footsteps outside and began tucking the documents away in her drawer. She had just finished the tasked and locked the cabinet when a short rap echoed into the room.
"They're here," a woman's voice called softly through the door. Sounsyy extinguished the candle with a finger and the room fell into the darkness of the late evening. Sounsyy made a noise and P'welro stepped into the cabin doorframe. The light of the moon found its way into the cabin at the Miqo'te's feet.
"Welcome them, as we discussed," Sounsyy said lightly and set to the task of dressing herself for the occasion. P'welro nodded and closed the door quietly as she left. Her boots padding softly down the hall until she came to the gangplank.
Outside on the pier, Fhruhsunn stood statuesque as he watched the small dingy approach and its members disembark upon the sand. He was a man of impressive stature, even for a Roegadyn, tall, with darkened skin and salt-gray hair and beard. He could easily pass for a man in his late fifties, yet had maintained much of his youth's physique. He crossed his arms over his chest as the group of four came into view of the vessel. He dressed in a simple rust-brown jacket, with a simple pistol on one hip.
When the Midlander hailed him, he held up his right hand in silent greeting, ignoring the two Miqo'tes' griping. He began moving down the dock towards the gangway, beckoning silently for the group to follow him. He seemed genuinely unconcerned for his safety alone on the pier with strangers, but high above, the silhouette of an Elezen woman stood with musket in hand on the gunwale - ever watchful of the silent Roegadyn's well-being.
When the Sea Wolf had lead the group to the gangplank, he stood off to one side and motioned for them to go ahead of him. At the top of the wooden brow stood the figure of a grizzled Seeker woman with dirty blond hair and so many earrings adorning her ears they looked as if they were drooping from the weight.
"Ye muss be the cargo," the Miqo'te called out gruffly, "Welcome o'board the Roehmerl. Come now, that looks 'eavy, less get yer loot to the Hold a'fer yeh meet wit the Cap'n."
She motioned towards the Midlander as if speaking to him more than the others, continuing to speak as they were ushered by Fhruhsunn up the gangplank. This was clearly a crew that didn't like wasting time fraternizing. They had a long journey and a schedule to keep after all.
"Name's P'welro, Roehmerl's First Mate. Midlander, yeh got the air of this venture's leader. I'd say introduce-ins are in order, but we're all gonna have time to get chummy 'ere soon," she said and retreated into the vessel. She led them inside the empty gundeck, illuminated by a lantern on the mainmast base. "This ways to the Mess and Hold," she said as she walked, her left hand reaching out to one side to point down a connecting hallway. This slight of hand meant to detract from the smooth motion of her right hand drawing her pistol and turning on the Midlander's crew.
Several other figures materialized from the dark side hallways. A lancer flanked either side of the gangway the group had just entered. Their speartips pointing threateningly at the two Miqo'te. Two other musketeers appeared at P'welro's sides, holding their muskets at the ready to fire. The massive Fhruhsunn blocking the gangway behind them. Another lancer joining to one side, spear ready to pierce whoever dared tried to run first. Fhruhsunn remained with his arms crossed, his pistol still at his side. Clearly, he didn't think any of the four were foolish enough to try to escape by him.
"Don't," A soft voice said to the four from the dark. Sounsyy descended from the stairs to the main deck. Her tight leather jerkin creaked beneath her cobalt breastplate as she moved quietly down the stairs, as if not to wake some sleeping beast nearby. Unlike the others, her weapons were not drawn.
"Don't do anything foolish. Precautions, you understand. Set down the crate, slowly," she said calmly to the two Miqo'te. Her eyes locked onto Ryanti the moment she distinguished his face in the dim light. So he was behind this? She broke her gaze away from him and returned her attention to the Midlander, "What's in the crate?"
This was Sounsyy asking nicely. P'welro held her musket steady, her forefinger brushing the trigger, a hairsbreadth from ending the Midlander.
"The mission is simple, too simple, and you know I hate simple, Captain," Sabine had said as she rounded her desk in the Coral Tower, "Your vessel is to take on cargo at Vesper, transport it to a rendezvous point in the Indigo Deep before traveling north where a Sharlayan vessel will await you."
"Sharlayan?"
"It would seem your intended cargo is a matter of some import. If you would, do find out what it is exactly. I don't think I must needs remind you we are in the business of obtaining information for the Admiral. I can only imagine the Admiral wishes to know the nature of these items and if they pose a threat to Limsa Lominsa, or, if they can be used to our advantage."
"Aye, ma'am!"
Sounsyy looked down at the papers strewn across her desk. She was alone in her cabin, one candle burning low and giving off a sweet odor. The dim lighting just enough to illuminate shipping manifests and illicit transactions that Sounsyy had been painstakingly monitoring for the last several moons. She thought she heard footsteps outside and began tucking the documents away in her drawer. She had just finished the tasked and locked the cabinet when a short rap echoed into the room.
"They're here," a woman's voice called softly through the door. Sounsyy extinguished the candle with a finger and the room fell into the darkness of the late evening. Sounsyy made a noise and P'welro stepped into the cabin doorframe. The light of the moon found its way into the cabin at the Miqo'te's feet.
"Welcome them, as we discussed," Sounsyy said lightly and set to the task of dressing herself for the occasion. P'welro nodded and closed the door quietly as she left. Her boots padding softly down the hall until she came to the gangplank.
Outside on the pier, Fhruhsunn stood statuesque as he watched the small dingy approach and its members disembark upon the sand. He was a man of impressive stature, even for a Roegadyn, tall, with darkened skin and salt-gray hair and beard. He could easily pass for a man in his late fifties, yet had maintained much of his youth's physique. He crossed his arms over his chest as the group of four came into view of the vessel. He dressed in a simple rust-brown jacket, with a simple pistol on one hip.
When the Midlander hailed him, he held up his right hand in silent greeting, ignoring the two Miqo'tes' griping. He began moving down the dock towards the gangway, beckoning silently for the group to follow him. He seemed genuinely unconcerned for his safety alone on the pier with strangers, but high above, the silhouette of an Elezen woman stood with musket in hand on the gunwale - ever watchful of the silent Roegadyn's well-being.
When the Sea Wolf had lead the group to the gangplank, he stood off to one side and motioned for them to go ahead of him. At the top of the wooden brow stood the figure of a grizzled Seeker woman with dirty blond hair and so many earrings adorning her ears they looked as if they were drooping from the weight.
"Ye muss be the cargo," the Miqo'te called out gruffly, "Welcome o'board the Roehmerl. Come now, that looks 'eavy, less get yer loot to the Hold a'fer yeh meet wit the Cap'n."
She motioned towards the Midlander as if speaking to him more than the others, continuing to speak as they were ushered by Fhruhsunn up the gangplank. This was clearly a crew that didn't like wasting time fraternizing. They had a long journey and a schedule to keep after all.
"Name's P'welro, Roehmerl's First Mate. Midlander, yeh got the air of this venture's leader. I'd say introduce-ins are in order, but we're all gonna have time to get chummy 'ere soon," she said and retreated into the vessel. She led them inside the empty gundeck, illuminated by a lantern on the mainmast base. "This ways to the Mess and Hold," she said as she walked, her left hand reaching out to one side to point down a connecting hallway. This slight of hand meant to detract from the smooth motion of her right hand drawing her pistol and turning on the Midlander's crew.
Several other figures materialized from the dark side hallways. A lancer flanked either side of the gangway the group had just entered. Their speartips pointing threateningly at the two Miqo'te. Two other musketeers appeared at P'welro's sides, holding their muskets at the ready to fire. The massive Fhruhsunn blocking the gangway behind them. Another lancer joining to one side, spear ready to pierce whoever dared tried to run first. Fhruhsunn remained with his arms crossed, his pistol still at his side. Clearly, he didn't think any of the four were foolish enough to try to escape by him.
"Don't," A soft voice said to the four from the dark. Sounsyy descended from the stairs to the main deck. Her tight leather jerkin creaked beneath her cobalt breastplate as she moved quietly down the stairs, as if not to wake some sleeping beast nearby. Unlike the others, her weapons were not drawn.
"Don't do anything foolish. Precautions, you understand. Set down the crate, slowly," she said calmly to the two Miqo'te. Her eyes locked onto Ryanti the moment she distinguished his face in the dim light. So he was behind this? She broke her gaze away from him and returned her attention to the Midlander, "What's in the crate?"
This was Sounsyy asking nicely. P'welro held her musket steady, her forefinger brushing the trigger, a hairsbreadth from ending the Midlander.