Morning was barely breaking over the city, as a well armed vessel was secured to a dock. It had been over a decade since Captain Blood had been in port here. Had been home. Many no doubt thought him long dead. Lost at sea from a dangerous storm or that of an enemies cannons.

Many of the crew had changed over the years, but one thing remained the same. The Bloody Howl was the Captain's ship and any onboard that thought to change that were swiftly dealt with. Once more in the good graces of his Father, Captain Blood had secured work for his vessel and crew with The Lysandros Syndicate.

Older, wiser and if possible, deadlier.

A hand rested to the handle of the modified flintlock pistol. Across his belt to the other side laid the triple barreled flintlock pistol with ivory handle. His unique sword laid to his right side. A fingertip in tap against the railing as he peered at the shores of the city so close at hand. How much had changed" He certainly had. Rhydin's seas had a way of doing that to a man. As did its bounty of species and races one could run into over the passage of many years.

Captain Blood gave a look over at the tall form of Red Nose Brenton. Acquiring his nickname through holding that big red nose of his. "Mr. Brenton, leave...be granted. Let's not burn down any Inn's or Taverns in this Port shall we" Have Mr. Adams set the watch onboard with shifts. Business comes to us soon. Prepare to receive the cargo this afternoon and ensure it's locked in the hold properly. You may take coin out of the chest for Kallista, Rebecca and Gilinda to purchase them more perfume and silk. Our Moral Girls need to keep their splendor. Please try not to find yourself emptying a barrel all by yourself for a day or so either."

Captain Blood turned his gaze back over the port. A slow smile perking his lips. "Yo ho me hearties, yo ho."

The Banshee's Cry was late, a few hours behind schedule. When it did arrive it was a mess. Rigging, deck, and hull had seen destruction and in some cases it was lucky the ship was still afloat. As it was tied up at dock injured crew was carried off the ship on stretchers and the unfortunate were packed away in body bags for a burial at sea. Those that were lucky enough to not need immediate care sat on the deck, hands holding their heads as they processed what had happened. Blood stained the wood like a polish.

The only figure that stood was the First Mate, a young woman named Von. She was a wispy woman, with more bone than meat. Her face was tired, shaken, and sunk with many tireless nights. Her blonde hair had crimson stains and her pale skin had scrapes and bandages that proved she had put up a worthy fight. Tired blue eyes stared, gazing back out at sea with a sorrow matched by that of the Banshee's crew.

It would be an hour or so, until that of Captain Blood would been seen about the docks. Seemingly always busy with something or other, the word of the condition of the 'Banshee's Cry' had spread through port side. Boots would come to a pause upon the dock just before the vessel. A perking brow below the sweeping brim of his hat. A hand moved to rest upon his belt, just before that of a unique flintlock like pistol. "A mess indeed we've got bestowed before us."

Von was moving about the deck, gathering men and workers to repair the ship. Everywhere her orders could be heard billowing out over the bustle of hammers and people. Shouts echoed elsewhere, but none were that of the captain's.

As Von rounded the deck and moved for the plank leading to the docks she barked out to one of the deck hands," Move fast, I have to send word to Lord Zayveon and then we are heading out. Come hell or high water. Do you understand"!" The man simply nodded in a hurry and moved off to assure that the work she demanded was done. The woman paused at the sight of blood and swallowed. "Captain."

His brow held high as the First Mate came down the plank and would give pause. "Your ship is a mess and I see not of your Captain casting out orders for repair. You had a simple run of medical supplies. What went wrong and where is your Captain?" A glancing of his eyes aside toward the mess of a ship that she was. Both hands would come to rest at the sides of his crimson long coat with decorative etching.

"Yes, it was a simple run. Deliver the supplies, secure the payment, and return. The delivery went along smoothly. There was no problem until we started our return with the payment on board." She sounded annoyed, frustrated, and at the mention of her Captain, furious. "We came under attack two nights out. They had bigger guns and more man power, we were caught unaware. They came at the dead of night and under cover of a light rain. We suffered heavy losses and damages. When the captain saw no way out, she waved the white flag." Which made Von sick to say so," She didn't want to risk the life of her crew over that of securing the payment."

Stepping foot on the dock, she decided to keep moving and with hopes Blood would follow as she continued. "When the enemy captain boarded the ship, he leered at her like some trophy and she used it to her advantage. He secured the payment and her as a guest aboard his ship in trade for us and the ship to be sent on our way."

A shift of boot as his brow held in arch, listening to the woman. As she kept moving he proceeded into booted step slowly with a turn upon the heel of his boot. "I see. Then it would appear your Captain is quite possibly still alive. If you were given a map, could you narrow down the general area where you were attacked possibly?"

"Oh I know where it is. I was on charts that night. I'm just going to Lord Zayveon to report our losses." Glancing to Blood, she paused, "You're the one the captain's been having night run ins with right?" She had an idea he was, but she never asked questions and she never bothered the captain about her affairs. This matter changed her views of privacy. "Do you have a map on you?" Von was being held to duty, but perhaps, he wasn't. He could get to her with a ready ship and crew, that is, if he was willing.

He considered a moment, glancing over toward the mess of a ship that was the 'Banshee's Cry' with a tap of a fingertip against the hilt of his sword upon his right side. A glancing back at the woman slowly. "My vessel is at dock thirteen. Meet me there in fifteen minutes, sharp. I'll have a map. After that, you may go report the losses to Lord Zayveon. Understood?"

"Aye." That would give her time to check on her injured crew. Without another word, she sped off. Making for the hospice near the docks. Von would be sure that those injured would not die, making their captain's sacrifice vain.

(Live play between Blood and Kidd.)

The fog rolled in off the small cluster of islands. Combined with that of the oncoming darkness of night, made for murky movement among the waters. Visibility was barely five to ten yards.

Creaking in the distance was a ship under very heavy repair. It bowed and swayed in the water while blood was washed off it's hull and deck. Lights draped the surface like a glowing shield, so that the workers could continue on even in the dead of night. The captain's quarters were ablaze with light, shining light a light house on otherwise still waters.

In the fog and perking dead of the night, the ship would stand out. That glow against the deck made her a prime target. A foolish decision to proceed with repairs at such a time and under so much light. There was an echo, a resounding bang in the distance through the fog.

Eyes all searched, flickered in the night, but none were prepared for what was to come. As a cannon ball struck right at the deck screams ignited in the night. People plummeted into the chummed waters and the sharks below. Men scurried to the rigging and to the cannons unarmed and still dirty from the prior fight. The captain burst on deck and scanned for the shots source.

Perhaps the most terrifying and scary of sounds to come after the single shot. Dead silence. No sound of anything moving upon the water, only it's lapping sound against the ship's hull. And then it came, this time from the direction of the bow of the ship. The distant sounding of three bangs in rapid succession. A few moments later, all three cannon balls would impact to the ship's bow, rail.

More screams, more bodies. Their figures joining the waters where a new horror awaited. Terror flooded the face of the Captain who considered at that moment to cut and run rather than face the hidden terror. The ships sails were hoisted and even though they were taking in water, he ordered them to sea.

Two minutes, roughly, until the next series of shots would ring out from the fog's embrace. Four in total this time. Their impact was meant for that of the main mast. Attacking their means of retreat.

As the mast went the captain roared for his cannons. But there was still nothing to fire at. He turned into his room, knowing full well what they had come for. Pulling the young woman out of the cabin. The captain moved to the center of the bright lighting with a pistol aimed at her head. Slowly he circled, showing the sea what he was willing to do if the assault continued.

Briget was maimed, battered, it was a wonder she was able to even stand on her own. She wore nothing but a silk gown that lead little to the imagination. It too wore signs of torment.

Being on deck, and under such a light upon the ship made him fair game. Quite true. But the sound of cannon fire from the fog didn't come. Through the night and the fog and the chill in the air, something perked. A dark figure. Growing larger...and larger. A frigate. Though little time for much to be done, as the ship's course took it right along side. Perhaps too close, as it's port side rammed and scratched along the other vessel's hull. Bumping along in a hard sounding of wood working it's way against each other. The captain eyed the frigate with raw rage before pulling Bridget's hair. There was a grimace from the woman as he jabbed the pistol beneath her chin. Her hands were bound behind her back and there were ties binding her ankles. As her eyes settled on the ship her lips parted to cry out for the captain aboard, but the Captain holding her hair wouldn't have it. He roared out to the opposing ship," Sail away now or your rescue will be in vain!"

"Killing the only thing keeping you and your ship afloat, not of the most wisest of decisions." Came a voice upon a low, yet seemingly carried tone upon the light wind. Venturing forth from somewhere upon the other vessel. Figures could be seen moving about the other deck, though with no light on board, it hard to note if they were taking aim at the crew members or not.

Suddenly the captain found himself in the same situation as Bridget was days earlier. The voice had a good point, but like hell he'd give in. There was a glance to his crew and what was left of his ship. Another tug was given to Bridget's hair before she was pushed back and into the water. The next second passed like a blur. The captain raised his pistol and fired, right at his own skull. His body toppled to the deep as well.

A bold move to be sure, but also a fools one in some respects. For the no doubt dead captain would be left to the depths of the sea, but not Bridget. Oh no. You see, the sea didn't seem to want her. Or was given the will' to reject her from it's depths. A push of water upwards. Ushering her up from the waves and drive over the railing toward the second vessel. Upon the deck the water's would deposit of her figure. Several crew members would move in as the waters eased back over the side of the ship. Knives

drawn and her bindings were cut free. As The Bloody Howel, eased from it's rub against the other ship. Drawing out and away. Given several yards distance, before an abrupt turn to give a side view of the feared frigate. It was then a single word perked from the Captain. "Fire." A volley of cannons fired off, running down the deck. Cannon shots impacted to the deck of the other ship, along with to her hull, while other shots' exploded a moment into impact to the ship.

The ship sank to the sea with its captain, drifting to the depths below. As Bridget was freed she sat up, but another sailor had to scoop her up to deliver her to Captain Blood. Once there, she was set before him. A swollen eye turned towards him. "Knew you'd come."

"Yes...well, it would be some trouble for me to find another woman to keep my attention." Spoken deep in tone, from the tall Captain. His sweeping brim tilted upwards some as he looked her over, before a slow smile perked his mustache and beard. "Secure all guns! Come about...we've a port to set our heading for." The crew moved about the decks, securing of both that of the 30, twenty-four pounder long guns and the 20, thirty-two pounders as well. Black sails were worked with rigging as men moved about.

It indeed was early about the docks. Few were about. Except that of a rowdy drunken bunch of sailors that were trying to slip a rope noose around a Troglodyte's neck to hang him from a wooden sign hanging outside the tavern they'd just left. "Now we got him boys! We'll show him for not leaving when he should have!"

A moment in passing and a shot rang out. The man holding the rope's end, while the others were trying to tie the reptilian's hands, suddenly fell to his knees and then the ground dead from the gunshot wound. The men looked downward then down the street at the approaching man. He was tall, had that of a crimson and silver or was it gold like long coat about him. His hat was large and sweeping with long hair passing his shoulders.

A shift of a fingertip against the Italian triple barrel flintlock in his hand, as the next barrel was lined up with ease.

"Hey! We're fixing to do us a hanging here! Who the hell do you think you are"!"!" Shouted one of the sailors as another nudged the one shouting. "Shush up Dougen....I think that's ...that's there...that's.."

The tall figure gave pause as he drew near them, giving a sweeping bow. "Captain Blood. A pleasure gentlemen. However, it's a bit early for hanging don't you think" And by what means did this...sort, cause such a fuss that you wish to hang of him?"

"He's not welcome here!" Shouted another sailor. Captain Blood glanced over the remaining five men and looked as if in thought for a moment, before pulling free with a reach of his other hand that of the Napoleon double barrel flintlock pistol from it's leather holster.

"Now lads...there be five of you after the departing of your dear mate." He gave a nod downward at the dead sailor already. "I've got four shots to be sure here. So, I ask ye'...which four of you are willing to give your lives so that the fifth has a chance in getting to me?"

The sailors glanced at each other, then at Captain Blood. What seemed like minutes, was only a few short moments before the rope was simply dropped and they stopped trying to tie of the Troglodyte.

"Um...he's not worth it...come on boys..." Motioned one of the sailors, they proceeded to pick up their dead comrade and glancing over toward Blood before moving down the street for their ship.

Watchful of the sailors before un-cocking of the pair of unique flintlock pistols and tucking them away to their leather holsters upon his person. Captain Blood turned toward the Troglodyte with a tilt of his head. "So, it seems you're free to go." The Troglodyte glanced after the sailors and then over at Captain Blood. A shake of his head. "No' Well in that case...how about we enjoy a bit of drink and some food" Perhaps there's something we can discuss." Captain Blood moved toward the tavern and pressed open the door to allow the reptilian to enter first. "By all means...let's chat."