       The sleek hull of the frigate was like a dolphin through the waves as it completed its trials. From where Captain Merfalkwyn and the Admiral sat, it darted back and forth around navigation buoys, sails tacking hard as the steersman called out commands. While the cannon were not yet aboard, the row of gunports above the waterline spoke of its teeth. Built from tropical heartwood that was solid as Iron, the ship’s menacing profile was enough to stop the heart of any merchantman that saw it. Or at least, it was until the Maelstrom’s reforms...
     “It’s a beautiful thing, Captain.†The Admiral smiles, as they look into the bay, “The Maelstrom may switch to steel and steam, turning their back on the Navigator’s winds...†His typical harsh demeanor fades as the ship dances among the whitecaps, “But not I.†He turns to the captain, “How do you like her?â€
     “She flies like a gull in th’wind, Admiral.†The new captain replies with a touch of emotion.  Â
      Decked out in her finest coat, Daniwyda Merlfalkwyn watches the newborn vessel with a swelling of deep pride. Every ilm of her being is brushed and polished to perfection, wearing her stripped down dress uniform with a passion that would make any officer blush.
     “There’s not a steamer out there, that can outsail a trim frigate in good hands.†She continues crisply. Naval service shining through, as she maintains the military baring honed over many years. Yet her iron-grey eyes flicker with a youthful mischief.   “...together she and I will dance to the wind.â€
    The Admiral grins, “Aye, I had hoped as much. We can’t compete with the fleet on tonnage, but we can on skill. I expect you to dance circles around them Captain.†He turns, light glinting off the massive axe on his back, “What are you going to call her?â€
    “Bad luck ter tell you, befer she’s properly christened.†Dani chides her commander, with a faint smirk. Her own eyes never stray from the ship, drinking in it’s clean lines and reading each tack and turn. “The crew would never stomach it, Admiral, I’m certain ye know.â€
    “I had to try…†He slaps her on the back, “Forgive an old sailor’s curiosity. I almost wish she were mine. The Flag has its benefits, but a dancer of a ship like that isn’t one of them.†He nods solemnly, “Drink it in, Captain. That’s what they’re trying to take away from us. That’s what they want to resign to history.â€
     Daniwyda finally breaks into an open grin, which seems to melt ten years off her visage. “There’s still the old spirit livin’ in Limsa.†She says, with a deep rooted confidence. “Ye see the old crews flyin’ her banner in the city but the sea be callin’ to them like it does ter us all. Give them a different flag ter rally under and they’ll remember the sweet taste of freedom.â€
      He nods, “Aye, I think so. That’s why we’re here, Captain. The Garleans are a threat, aye, we all know that. Yet we don’t need to give up on who we are to beat them.†He reaches down to grab a cluster of grass, lifting it up and watching it drift with the breeze as he lets go. “The Navigator blesses us, and we travel along her winds…. To explore, to conquer, and to pillage. We’ll set things right, Captain. That’s why getting that coin was so important.â€
     The new captain’s eyes follow the bits of grass out towards the frigate in silent appreciation.
Without hesitating, she withdraws a small pouch from around her neck and removes the coveted iron coin. Like everything else about her person, the tarnished metal has been polished to a sheen and the shield-maiden’s sign winks at the Admiral. With an almost careless confidence, Daniwyda flips the coin high into the air and snatches it before it falls again.
     “The shield-maiden of Eidendraga…†She muses “...... buried with salt and iron as she had lived.†Dani’s iron eyes slide towards her commander, “Aye… I remember the stories, I know who she is, but no songs sing of iron coins.â€
     “Now that… that story will come in time, Captain.†His eyes watch the coin spinning through the air, “Does it feel different, than other coins? It should. They have a certain life to them, a certain history. Some say if you talk to them, they’ll speak back.†He coughs, “Course, such things aren’t fit to let the crew know. Captains aren’t supposed to talk to strange coins.†He grins at her, in high spirits, “But a woman can be curious in private, aye?â€
       Lifting her eyebrows in polite scepticism, Daniwyda carefully weighs the coin on her palm. “Tis the role of the captain to know an’ revere the crew’s superstitions...†She quotes thoughtfully “.... but remain apart and unswayed by them, so their head canna grow clouded.â€
       Her iron eyes shift to the Admiral, taking measure of the man who has given her so much.
      “But yer no sailor’s fool.â€
       “I’m not.†He confirms, “And that’s no regular coin.†He turns away, “In any case, keep my advice in mind… and keep it close. Let me know when you’ve got a crew ready for that ship of yours, I’ve a job in mind for it.†He nods at the airship straining at its moorings further inland, “What do you think of Blaetusyn?â€
       The coin winks away, as Dani stows it safely back into it’s pouch, and tucks it beneath her glinting breastplate. “Ye know we sailed t’gether once, many years back†She offers  “....His father Blaetu was Captain at the time and Blaetusyn a mere cabin boy….†She trails away considering her comments with care.
       “Blaetu was a ruthless man, known fer getting things done at any cost. That same reputation follows his son. If he’s given a good crew, Blaetstyrm Blaetusyn will never waver or shirk from a fight but…†She cautions fixing the Admiral with a humourless, iron stare. “Ye run a gamble any time ye send him out. The man’s like a rampaging auroch; no notion of when ter stop. He’ll run his crew inter the waves before he admits defeat an he’ll raise the cry of ‘Pirate’ everywhere he strays.â€
         “Aye.†The admiral admits, “But every good pirate is a gambler, Captain. In any case, captain, you’ve a ship to crew.†He nods at her, “Return once you’re ready for the next mission.â€
     “It’s a beautiful thing, Captain.†The Admiral smiles, as they look into the bay, “The Maelstrom may switch to steel and steam, turning their back on the Navigator’s winds...†His typical harsh demeanor fades as the ship dances among the whitecaps, “But not I.†He turns to the captain, “How do you like her?â€
     “She flies like a gull in th’wind, Admiral.†The new captain replies with a touch of emotion.  Â
      Decked out in her finest coat, Daniwyda Merlfalkwyn watches the newborn vessel with a swelling of deep pride. Every ilm of her being is brushed and polished to perfection, wearing her stripped down dress uniform with a passion that would make any officer blush.
     “There’s not a steamer out there, that can outsail a trim frigate in good hands.†She continues crisply. Naval service shining through, as she maintains the military baring honed over many years. Yet her iron-grey eyes flicker with a youthful mischief.   “...together she and I will dance to the wind.â€
    The Admiral grins, “Aye, I had hoped as much. We can’t compete with the fleet on tonnage, but we can on skill. I expect you to dance circles around them Captain.†He turns, light glinting off the massive axe on his back, “What are you going to call her?â€
    “Bad luck ter tell you, befer she’s properly christened.†Dani chides her commander, with a faint smirk. Her own eyes never stray from the ship, drinking in it’s clean lines and reading each tack and turn. “The crew would never stomach it, Admiral, I’m certain ye know.â€
    “I had to try…†He slaps her on the back, “Forgive an old sailor’s curiosity. I almost wish she were mine. The Flag has its benefits, but a dancer of a ship like that isn’t one of them.†He nods solemnly, “Drink it in, Captain. That’s what they’re trying to take away from us. That’s what they want to resign to history.â€
     Daniwyda finally breaks into an open grin, which seems to melt ten years off her visage. “There’s still the old spirit livin’ in Limsa.†She says, with a deep rooted confidence. “Ye see the old crews flyin’ her banner in the city but the sea be callin’ to them like it does ter us all. Give them a different flag ter rally under and they’ll remember the sweet taste of freedom.â€
      He nods, “Aye, I think so. That’s why we’re here, Captain. The Garleans are a threat, aye, we all know that. Yet we don’t need to give up on who we are to beat them.†He reaches down to grab a cluster of grass, lifting it up and watching it drift with the breeze as he lets go. “The Navigator blesses us, and we travel along her winds…. To explore, to conquer, and to pillage. We’ll set things right, Captain. That’s why getting that coin was so important.â€
     The new captain’s eyes follow the bits of grass out towards the frigate in silent appreciation.
Without hesitating, she withdraws a small pouch from around her neck and removes the coveted iron coin. Like everything else about her person, the tarnished metal has been polished to a sheen and the shield-maiden’s sign winks at the Admiral. With an almost careless confidence, Daniwyda flips the coin high into the air and snatches it before it falls again.
     “The shield-maiden of Eidendraga…†She muses “...... buried with salt and iron as she had lived.†Dani’s iron eyes slide towards her commander, “Aye… I remember the stories, I know who she is, but no songs sing of iron coins.â€
     “Now that… that story will come in time, Captain.†His eyes watch the coin spinning through the air, “Does it feel different, than other coins? It should. They have a certain life to them, a certain history. Some say if you talk to them, they’ll speak back.†He coughs, “Course, such things aren’t fit to let the crew know. Captains aren’t supposed to talk to strange coins.†He grins at her, in high spirits, “But a woman can be curious in private, aye?â€
       Lifting her eyebrows in polite scepticism, Daniwyda carefully weighs the coin on her palm. “Tis the role of the captain to know an’ revere the crew’s superstitions...†She quotes thoughtfully “.... but remain apart and unswayed by them, so their head canna grow clouded.â€
       Her iron eyes shift to the Admiral, taking measure of the man who has given her so much.
      “But yer no sailor’s fool.â€
       “I’m not.†He confirms, “And that’s no regular coin.†He turns away, “In any case, keep my advice in mind… and keep it close. Let me know when you’ve got a crew ready for that ship of yours, I’ve a job in mind for it.†He nods at the airship straining at its moorings further inland, “What do you think of Blaetusyn?â€
       The coin winks away, as Dani stows it safely back into it’s pouch, and tucks it beneath her glinting breastplate. “Ye know we sailed t’gether once, many years back†She offers  “....His father Blaetu was Captain at the time and Blaetusyn a mere cabin boy….†She trails away considering her comments with care.
       “Blaetu was a ruthless man, known fer getting things done at any cost. That same reputation follows his son. If he’s given a good crew, Blaetstyrm Blaetusyn will never waver or shirk from a fight but…†She cautions fixing the Admiral with a humourless, iron stare. “Ye run a gamble any time ye send him out. The man’s like a rampaging auroch; no notion of when ter stop. He’ll run his crew inter the waves before he admits defeat an he’ll raise the cry of ‘Pirate’ everywhere he strays.â€
         “Aye.†The admiral admits, “But every good pirate is a gambler, Captain. In any case, captain, you’ve a ship to crew.†He nods at her, “Return once you’re ready for the next mission.â€
