BLUEBEARD'S END — SAVIOR

Nathaniel Salem turns to Lawrence, giving him a firm nod.

Lawrence Fathi glances back to the man, responding in kind with a grim expression.

Nathaniel Salem: "Very well."

Nathaniel Salem: < The past three days had been spent in a tense silence. Weapons were honed, men and women were trained, regardless of them being adventurers, Maelstrom, or Flames. Lieutenants & Captains were equally nervous. The morning of the final day, everyone gathered at the Push, for the final instructions... >
Nathaniel Salem: "The bulk of the Flames, the Maelstrom, and the other Adventurers are already in position. If YOU are here, it is because I consider you our elite." Nathaniel Salem: "I want everyone focused. I want everyone at their best. I want us to come home alive, and above all, victorious."

Tynervial Rillveroix adjusted his weapons on his back, to accompany the modified axe, There was his usual fanged staff, and a mask resting on his waist, He slid on his heavier gloves as he tapped his boot on the wooden deck, as his eyes kept focused on Nate as he spoke.

Nathaniel Salem: "Rymmskyfsyn, Altoix, Sui, Blanchard. Step forward."

Leonnaux Altoix hesitates, but does so regardless.

Sui Eclair does so, wordlessly.

Edda Vincents: ...Good luck.

Lynell Blanchard eagerly steps forward.

Lawrence Fathi: "Certainly victorious! If nothing else."
Lawrence Fathi nods sagely.
Nathaniel Salem: "You will be with Iyrnswys' men. Rose's crew has been sighted on the Western coast. I want all of you to join them, and form a barrage there. We do /not/ want to see reinforcements at Blue Fang. Am I clear?"
Nathaniel Salem: "...They may have Adelpo. Do not do any thing rash."

Leonnaux Altoix: "Crystal."

Sui Eclair stares back at him, wide-eyed, almost as if she hadn't heard him. Defiant Bride: "C-come back safe... as... er. Y-you can..."
Sui Eclair: "...Right."

Nathaniel Salem: "...Swozbhar, you're the head of this group."

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn clears his throat, nodding. "Ain't no one losin' a finger on my watch." Nathaniel Salem: "I am counting on you."
Nathaniel Salem: "Off you go. Now."

Tynervial Rillveroix: "May the twelve favor you, and may your skill shine in combat."

Leonnaux Altoix casts a glance over his shoulder to Edda for a moment, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, before looking up to the Sea Wolf at his side.

Nathaniel Salem: "Nald'thal's blessings."

Lynell Blanchard looks slightly nervous. "...W-We'll do great."

Sui Eclair is somehow eerily calm, despite everything, looking to her party and giving them a nod.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn: "C'mon you lot! Let's keep 'em off everyone else. Not one pirate head goes past us."

Nathaniel Salem: "Best of luck."

Edda Vincents gave Leonnaux a quick two-fingered wave as he walked off.

---

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn: "... If, they have Adelpo, then we do our best to take him back with us."

Sui Eclair: "...We won't lose. We /can't/ lose."

Lynell Blanchard: "Of course we can't!"   Leonnaux Altoix 's been wringing his wrists for a while, like his nerves have started to get to him now that he wasn't lined up with all the others.

Sui Eclair had kept her sights forward, not one for words today clearly—then again, neither was anyone else in the mood to chat.

Lynell Blanchard quietly takes various deep breaths. Trying to focus.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Reaching the bridge is no long walk, though it seems the pirates are already starting their attack as the party rejoins the Alliance's forces! Already, the sound of fighting resounds from the other end, the party able to see a tall, dominating pirate- swinging her axe with abandon, her face familiar to Sui and Swozbhar... In that time, grabbing a storm private and sending him down into the sea. "Don't relent, men! Carve a path through 'em rats!"

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn wastes no time, slapping on his helm and running to match her swing, stopping her from carving one other in half! It seems they lock together in combat, but around them, few pirates start to pour through the defeated forces, rushing at the party!

Random! Leonnaux Altoix rolls a 76.
Random! Lynell Blanchard rolls a 310.

Sui Eclair recognizes her instantly from the crowd, feeling a pang of—something—that twists in her gut. This could be it—this could be their chance.

Random! Sui Eclair rolls a 965.

Random! Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn rolls a 136.
Random! Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn rolls a 539.
Random! Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn rolls a 615.

Sui Eclair rushes in with the party—her sights are set upon Rose, but before anything else can be done they're intercepted by the five. She doesn't care—not when Adelpo could be out there, who she still can't see—and she'll cut through the pirates if she has to reach their captain, jutting her spear forward to pierce through the line of enemies.

Random! Sui Eclair rolls a 243.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Staggered but standing as they step aside, the pirates push back Sui- one of them taking out a pistol and shooting right back! The rest seems to be circling the group- preventing their push. Random! Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn rolls a 905.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | As the group locks in combat with the pirates, the rest seem content to watch their captain fight the other Sea Wolf, a surprisingly agile Swozbhar hopping and avoid strikes best he can.

Random! Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn rolls a 270.
Random! Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn rolls a 244.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Through it all, Swozbhar does manage to get the upper hand with a stab, the woman in front of him nearly growling in rage. "Men! There's coin at the end o' this- Deal with them!"

Lynell Blanchard lunges forward the nearest pirates, pushing them down! As they fall to the ground, Lynell raises her wand-- waving it around to cast an attacking spell on them, hopefully opening a way for the group!

Random! Lynell Blanchard rolls a 978.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Through it all, Lynell's spell blasts one of the pirates back into the round 'arena' where Swozbhar and the captain fought, the latter looking down at her mate in realisation- barely blocking a swing from the party leader. "Gods damn it all!"
Leonnaux Altoix opens his grimoire when the pirates launch their attack, his hands shaking as he gestures, sending his emerald carbuncle forward. The arcane construct bristles for a moment, baring its (tiny) teeth before loosing a blast of wind-aspected magic at the opposing party, intent on catching as many of them with it as possible and pushing them out of their circling formation.

Random! Leonnaux Altoix rolls a 436.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | They are pushed back some, trying to regroup as one of theirs is knocked away.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn lock his blade with the captain's hilt, both nearly the same height and size. "Bloody Rose! Damn you- Where's the merchant?!"

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | She spits in his face, which sends him hopping backwards, away from her next swing. "What's it matter to ye, scum?! Ye think ye know the price it costs to live at sea?!" Cryptic, yet she seems irrationally angry, taking broad swings around the man- a miracle he's so nimble for his size.

Sui Eclair only succeeds initially in pushing them back, met with a bullet to her shoulder! Her eyes widen, the sharp, sudden pain making her momentarily lose her breath. It's not a good start in the least. She ignores the blood that begins to stream down her arm, however, teeth grit—the pain only encourages her to push them further back, again barreling through to gut another pirate down to clear the way. "Swozbhar! Don't let her escape—no matter what!"

Random! Sui Eclair rolls a 988.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Sui's spear pierces right through one man's guts- the rest looking slightly scared of her. Yet it's not the man who reacts, but his captain- a rage grabbing her, punching Swozbhar in the head hard enough his helmet is flung away, pushing him towards the end of the bridge..!

Random! Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn rolls a 135.
Random! Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn rolls a 241.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Struggling to hold on, Swozbhar can't do much but hold on to the bridge with one arm, struggling to keep the axe away from his neck. "You have any idea- the blood you're spilling, what it costs?!" She roars at him, threatening to push him off..!

Svanhilda Ealdgyd: A thunderous pounding of footsteps rattled the planks under the bridge, as a -massive- grey chocobo came charging up. Without breaking pace, its rider stood up on its back, grinning a cheesy, wild grin, and leapt from the bird's back with surprising grace, spear clutched in hand. She was headed towards the nearest pirate (D), aiming to land at his chest feet-first

Random! Svanhilda Ealdgyd rolls a 132.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | The pirate would dive to the floor, the chocobo running right past and around the man, Svanhilda landing slightly awkwardly too far. Oops. We've all been there.

Lynell Blanchard | Before she decides to take on another pirate, Lynell takes the time to twirl around and wave her wand to cast a healing spell on Sui. "That should hopefully do it! Keep going!"

Random! Lynell Blanchard rolls a 154.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Magics swirl over Sui, granting her one health point back!

Leonnaux Altoix lets his eyes slip closed for a moment. Maybe not the wisest thing to do on a battle field, but in that moment he exhaled sharply as arcane patterns drawn in his grimoire started to glow a bluish-white. He's mumbling something to himself, some justification for the blood that's already been shed. He holds one hand out in front of him and snaps his grimoire closed, then, and the spell releases from his fingertips as a bolt of unaspected aether--right at one of the pirate's knees.

Random! Leonnaux Altoix rolls a 61.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Leonnaux's spell lands right at the man's knees- between his legs, marking the bridge under him. Good thing that didn't end up below the belt.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | The two locks against the bridge, Swozbhar brings his bare head up- headbutting Rose in the face, before bashing her wrist, disarming her! But, in response... He throws his sword down, too?! The two stand still a moment, Rose feeling up her now-bruised nose, anger on her face. "What are ye lookin' to do, Rose?! Ye- Ye clearly don't want yer men to die-" She brings her fist to his mouth, the two starting to fight each other bare-fisted, gauntlets and gloves on the floor.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | The pirates on the line do seem a little shocked- especially seeing Rose's axe hitting the ground, looking to run back!

Sui Eclair rips her spear through the poor pirate, letting them topple over wordlessly, dead. There's smoke rising from where the wound was, and her gaze turns to the remaining crew in her way, struggling to focus on them. There's so much going on, she can't quite focus on her thoughts anymore, desperate to keep her sights on Swozbhar and the captain but not being able to amidst all this. She makes a move to attack—but is lucid enough to realize suddenly their backs are turned and they're fleeing.
Sui Eclair: "This—" She glares at the two Roegadyn brawling, to the pirates fleeing, then to her party. "We have to help him!"

Svanhilda Ealdgyd: The chocobo let out an unexpectedly delicate whistle, given his size, claws scraping ove the planks and leaving some scratches as he skidded to a stop. Fortunate as she was to have her feet as her landing point, Svanhilda still sailed over the pirate's head. The force of her impact reverberated through the bridge, and it took her a moment to right herself, stumbling forward over the planks. "Shite, shite, shite..." As she got her bearings back, her icy eyes flitted back and forth between the--
Svanhilda Ealdgyd: --fight behind her, and the pirate she had just leapt over, who was already scrambling away. "No you DON'T, you slippery dick!" Clutching her spear in both hands, Svanhilda turned on heel and came thundering back to clothesline the poor pirate (C) with the shaft and crash into him.

Random! Svanhilda Ealdgyd rolls a 505.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | The man is sent to the floor, his friend scrambling to pick him up, trying to drag him as fast as he can..!

Lynell Blanchard quickly tries to runs towards one of the pirates that were trying to run back. "Oh, no you won't!" As she runs close to them, she grabs them from behind, while raising her wand from the other... As the wand glows with unaspected aether-- she smacks the pirate's head, hopefully leaving them unconscious.

Random! Lynell Blanchard rolls a 974.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | He is knocked the shit out of, Lynell's magics making a short work of his conciousness. On the side, the burlier of the two pirates grabs both his tossed friend and the downed man, running away with both bodies back to the other end of the bridge- where a dozen more pirates lay in wait... Cheering on the fight?!

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | In the scuffle, the faith of both men don't escape Bloody Rose, who grabs- fully, without a sweat- Swozbhar, which is no small feat, throwing up to the hard wooden floor. As she's about to kick him, he rolls away...

Random! Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn rolls a 698.
Random! Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn rolls a 23.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn ... Before knocking his fist right on the side of her head, sending her rolling to the side. He lifts his hand in the air, signalling the party to cool down... Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn yells at the top of his lungs, trying to make sure the rest of her crew hears him too, the fighting ones having made their way back to the horde. "You- lay down your arms! We can figure out somethin' with the Maelstorm- if you don't care about Blue Beard! It's clear ye lot are in it for the rewards, not the man!"

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Rose huffs, clearly destabilized... A small party of pirates rushing in, fresh and ready to fight!

Leonnaux Altoix furrows his brow, bringing his hand back to his chest. It's been a while since he's used his grimoire instead of his deck of cards: that much is apparent. He spends a few moments looking over the battlefield, letting the gears turn in his head, instead of taking any action. For now he does nothing. The crystals attached to his grimoire do start to glow as he channels aether into them for later.

Sui Eclair watches Swoz return to the party, who appears none the worse of wear as she appears to finally show some semblance of concern. It's not over, not quite yet—even with their captain down, there's no giving up for them. "It's no use," she grimaces, readying herself for another bout of this. "They're not willing to listen. Not anymore." She isn't moving, not being the first to attack—there's a weariness in her look, as if she were in some pain, everything feeling like they were on fire.

Svanhilda Ealdgyd: The massive grey chocobo treaded back to Svanhilda's side, nudging the side of her arm with his beak. Hearing Swoz's words, she took a brief moment to glance between the bird and the oncoming pirates. After giving him a brief pat and a quick gesture with her spear to pull back, she crouched into a ready stance, her spear drawn at the ready...but not charging to attack. "Hold for now. We'll see."

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn sighs, getting his sweaty hair out of his face- very much red around his eye. He looks at his party, smacking his lips together- pulling out a short and wicked dagger from his boot, in case.

Lynell Blanchard quietly channels aether into her wand as she watches the forthcoming pirates. Determination is all over her face.

Leonnaux Altoix gestures forwards, and his carbuncle rushes ahead again, weaving between Swoz and Sui. It looked ready to attack, but didn't just yet, while Leonnaux himself  fills the gap between the bridge and their recently-arrived ally. "If they have Adelpo, then it may be worthwhile to spare as many as we can afford to," he says, just loud enough so that the party can hear.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Behind forming group, Bloody Rose's voice booms. "Men! Behind me- put your weapons down." They turn to her, confused... But she steps between them regardless, staring down at Sui for a moment as she approaches, seemingly harmless.

Lynell Blanchard: "...Ah?"

Svanhilda Ealdgyd 's posture relaxes just a little bit.

Sui Eclair doesn't move an inch, though refusing to let her guard down for this momentary reprieve. Her eyes meet Bloody Rose's, waiting for her to say or do anything.

Leonnaux Altoix: "So you /can/ reason with pirates..." he mumbles... Tenatively closing his book and watching the line of pirates before them carefully.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | Her voice is rough, motioning her men back. "... We're willing to parley. Put yer weapons down!" Her voice is loud and commanding, the mates behind her scrambling to stow their own.

Lynell Blanchard puts her wand down... tilting her head in confusion. "We're... listening..."

Svanhilda Ealdgyd relaxes entirely now, standing up straighter and standing up her spear next to her to recline on it. "...Of course you can." Svanhilda Ealdgyd: "They're not animals."

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn eases his stance slowly, stowing his dagger around his belt. "... Sui, stand down."

Sui Eclair doesn't want to. No, not after what's occurred previously—but then, she remembers, too, what had happened the last time they refused to listen, and she begins to feel a lump in her throat. Wincing, she does as she's told, weapon put away.
Sui Eclair: "..."

Leonnaux Altoix: "Mayhap not, but they act like them... Sometimes. Or, t'is what I tell myself to justify the sickening ways I've seen them put down."

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | "Ye want the lalafellin lad, right? Then, how 'bout this... We go, an' we free as many o' Blue Beard's slaves and prisoners, yer friend included. In exchange, you redcoat-lovin' slags grant me an' me crew a clean slate. Not wanted men an' women, not... None o' that shite."

Sui Eclair: "He's—"
Sui Eclair: "He's...alive, then?"

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn takes a deep breath, still out of it- Swozbhar seemingly having knocked the breath right out of her earlier.

Svanhilda Ealdgyd: "..." Svanhilda Ealdgyd: "Do we have the authority to do that?"

Leonnaux Altoix: "I wouldn't know. That said... If they uphold their end of the bargain, I don't see an issue with arranging for it..."

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn waves off at Svanhilda. "Go fetch the nearest corporal- we ain't nothin' but hired adventurers. But parley's got a few rules e'en the Maelstorm's got to uphold."

Svanhilda Ealdgyd gives a nod of her head and an affirmative hum. "Sir." Turning on heel, she jogs down the bridge to relay the message.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | She snorts, smiling with a few missing teeth. The two really went at it. "Pah- Authority or not, I'm tired o' this. Blue Beard ain't nothin' but a wild card, an' Rensa's comin' for us throats the instant this is done. I don't care for sidin' with the weaker side."

Sui Eclair steps forward, hand resting over her chest, eyes wide at the revelation. "Tell me, then, please—where is he? Is he alright? ...Do you even know?"

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | "Bottom o' my ship, still. Probably bein' used as a pillow by some o'her prisoner."

Sui Eclair | There's a long silence, gaze cast downwards and contemplative. It's okay. Everything—it really /was/ okay, and for the first time in weeks she begins to feel something akin to relief.
Sui Eclair: "Oh...thank goodness. Thank the Twelve." The anger, all of it—it was beginning to dissipate.

Leonnaux Altoix: "And if we take your offer." He raises a finger, stepping forward. "Who's to say that this isn't just... A play of sorts? To get us to let our guards down so that you can just send your men to the fight elsewhere?"

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn pats Sui's shoulder, letting out a sigh of relief too. On Svanhilda's side, it doesn't take but a short minute that she ends up running into Maelstorm reinforcements, quickly taking the information- their commanding corporal nodding, before rummaging through his pack for pen and paper, making their way to the bridge at their own pace, Svanhilda free to follow or run ahead.

Lynell Blanchard: "...He has a point." Lynell shows a skeptical look on her face, agreeing with Leonnaux.

Sui Eclair looks up at last to Swozbhar, a genuine albeit tired smile upon her countenance.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | She looks Leonnaux up and down, letting out a sigh. "Is we in ishgardian waters, knife-eared bitch? What say that ye lot aren't the ones to stab us in the back the instant the Maelstorm pups show up? I'm takin' a chance, here. Might be the best for me an' my men."

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | She follows with a deep sigh, clearly easy to anger.

Sui Eclair: "...It'll be alright," she tells the others.

Svanhilda Ealdgyd: Perhaps surprisingly, Svanhilda didn't run ahead, but stayed in step behind the corporal. She seemed less like a hired mercenary and more like a soldier going through protocol.

Leonnaux Altoix: "Touche, although I hail from the Shroud." He quirks a brow, rocking back on his heels. "I, for one, find the deal favorable. We get our--friend back, you go free... Free to go make messes of your own, maybe, but at least then it'll be on your own merits and not at the beck and call of someone like Blue Beard."

Sui Eclair: "This— It's all going to work out, I believe. We’ll all be able to benefit from this."

Lynell Blanchard: "...Yeah, I agree!"

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | "Smart girl." She says, trying to readjust her jaw. "Shite, ye swing a mean one." She huffs towards Swoz, who has to keep an eye closed and his nose pinched, clearly amused on his own end.

Swozbhar Rymmskyfsyn | As the Maelstorm comes around and takes over, the party is sent back towards healers, free to go, the man in charge headed to talk with Bloody Rose experienced and wise. The pirates, on their end, seem confused at first- but in the end, safety is a bigger reward than most.