You become acclimated to life at sea

True to the Captain's word, the following days at sea prove easier than the first. Sailing is never easy, and a large frigate such as this carries problems that a smaller slop wouldn't, but you at least become adjusted to them, and take a certain degree of pride in them. Life back in the Bronzebark Forests was simple, easy. Lazy even, by the standards of most. Being able to survive out here takes a hardiness and willingness most don't have, and each day at sea is something you can rest your cap on, as they say. The crew for their part becomes more adjusted to each other in the ensuing days as they also become more experienced; the fresh recruits starting to get a firm grasp on the fundamental aspects of sailing. They also become more used to the odd pair being on board, you and Trandal, seeing each of you as either side of the same coin. Although his Orc size makes the small quarters of the ship even more cramped, his strength and endurance is highly useful in the gundecks, manning the pumps, and other physical tasks. He more than makes up for your lack of brute ****, but your grace and nimble skills are more useful up in the rigging and handling the more delicate tasks. Having a second female on deck is a plus, even if it appears that you're strictly off limits to the crew. Rumors abound to you and him being a romantic pair, and even engaging in a tryst with the Captain, but the overarching sense is this is just fevered imagination of perverts. Neither you, the orc, or the Captain ever make any gesture of affection or desire towards one another, and there's scarce opportunities to be private on a ship of any size. While the rumors are true, you have no desire to entertain them further, for the moment, fearing confirming the romance may embolden them to further pursue you, or act out in retaliation against Trandal for getting what they want.

After you had had a firm grasp of the basics of seamanship, the real challenge of being aboard ship was the seeming tedious boredom that settled in. With a steady course and calm seas, there was little else to do in the meantime. You as a bard are here to help offset that monotony, but you can't deny that this is rather confining. You begin to understand why sailors, both private and professional, have a reputation for being so rowdy when they reach port; with only so much time on land to exert their freedom, they indulge in every whim and try to make the most of every moment they have. Although you're sure you would be a little more constrained than they, the only proof is making it that far, which may prove to be a bit more of a challenge than you first thought. After about a week of no meaningful activity, you hear a shout from the crow's nest. "Cap'n! Ship off the Starboard Bow!"

Captain Godfrey sprang from her quarters on the news, hollering back "What colors is it flying!?"

"She's flying Imperial colors, a ship of the line, Captain! She'll outgun us for sure!"

"Than we best sail well and fight hard! Run up the Royal colors! All hands, man the guns, square the rigging, prepare for battle!" The crew roars in excitement at the call for battle, and orders from various crews bellow out. You grow a sense of foreboding at the thought of it, especially hearing of going in outmatched.

"Captain, may I have a word?" You ask respectfully "Speak freely, Fiana" She replied, her eyes keeping a constant bearing on the opposing ship.

"Privately, ma'am?" You emphasize. Sensing your protest in advance, she relents. "Yes of course, it will take some time for us to be in range of the ship. To my quarters, please." You follow her step for step, waiting for the door to close.

"Are you mad!?" You ask exacerbated. Captain Godfrey is unflinching at your outburst "What makes you think I might be?"

"Your crew hasn't had actual fighting experience before, and your first test is to attack a military ship, with a more experienced crew and more numerous guns? And against the Empire? If they survive the battle and report home what you've done, it could break the fragile treaty your nation has with them. This could be a provocation of war, and you're risking all this for what?"

"Taking their ship as a prize into port would be a fetching prize for the Countess. Sell it back to the Empire for a hefty ransom. Take it as my own and sell this vessel to a more junior, aspiring captain. And that's to say nothing of whatever the ship itself is actually carrying. It has to be holding something in order to sail correctly, and I'll bet whatever it is has value, or else they wouldn't put it in such a well protected vessel" The Captain speaks with certainty, hardly paying you any attention as she prepares her flintlocks. "Like the sea itself, events can move in any direction, and the one who can predict the motion of the waves will best ride the storm."

You fail to understand the metaphor "Captain?" You ask simply, hoping for clarification. She finishes with her guns and prepares her rapier, before giving you full attention. Perhaps more than you wanted, as she grabs you by the shirt and thrusts you against the wall of her quarters "Do not ever think you know more than I do, Bard. You have been on these seas for all of five minutes. The Imperial vessel has more guns, but Imperial naval captains favor smaller guns with a larger range, they think it provides them a larger defensive circle. My ship has carronades, big fat beauties that will tear through them as we get closer. The opposing ship won't have any reason to suspect us, and by the time they do, it'll be too late for them." Marriana makes her way to the door to leave, speaking one last thing before leaving "Your concern is duly noted, return to your post."

As you walk out behind her, you hear her call out to the ship "All hands, give no quarter!" Your eyes turn wide at hearing her words, fearing this may be from bad to worse. She looks at you coldly as she affixes her fine feathered hat. "I was never going to let them return home. They may win, but they would sink to the shadowy depths just as we do."

Fearing you've joined the crew of a madwoman, you make the best of the situation. You take your own rapier from storage and assist the crew to the degree that you're capable. Trandal, for his part, seems completely indifferent to the orders to fight and the challenges to come. The going is slow to catch up to the Imperial ship, but they seem completely unsuspecting of your hostile intent. You are gaining on them, and the ensuing battle to come, you will have the more favorable maneuverability over this hulking behemoth of the sea. Just as you start to be in range, the captain issues different orders.

"Loosen the sails and maintain relative bearing. We'll wait until the sun is setting and come about on their port side. They'll be blinded and disoriented if we're lucky. If they're fools, they'll be settling down for chow." The helmsmen followed instructions as ordered, giving the opposing ship a wide berth to allay suspicion. In proud Naval tradition, Captain Godfrey stood on the deck with her men, ready to brave the ensuing battle with the rest. You feel your body fill with nervous tension as the final moments pass, and...excitement? Maybe, you aren't sure, but there's no turning back now.

"Look alive men..." Captain Marriana Godfrey spoke clear, loud, and confidently in the last seconds "Everything that happens from here is on us. Your life is in your hands now. Do not fail me, and do not fail each other. We've caught the Empire with their pants down, and we'll not be wasting the opportunity we have. They won't hesitate for a second to take your life, give them the same." She unsheathed her rapier, hoisting it in the air. "No mercy for those with no grave" She cried out, and the crew responded in turn.

"NO GRAVE BUT THE SEA!" followed by a massive eruption of the Vigilance's oversized guns. The sound was deafening, and the crew, despite its inexperience, found their positions quickly as the battle took place. The initial firing hit the opposing ship with great **** and surprise, forcing them to respond and regroup. In practiced form, the experienced helmsman took a hard turn behind and around the Imperial ship, trying to close the distance further while outside their range of fire. Having smaller guns, they had a greater degree of fire, and were able to fire a few across the bow of the Vigilance, one luckily grazing against a mast, but not seriously damaging it. Another terrifying volley was unleashed as the distance closed, horrifying sounds of wood splintering and bodies crumbling under the immense velocity of the enormous munitions striking their target. As the distance closed, Captain Godfrey prepared new orders

"Sailors, prepare to board!" This was your place to shine, as the ships moved directly alongside each other. The Imperial ship, hoping to throw its weight around, rammed alongside the smaller Vigilance, damaging the side and allowing some water to start taking in. It also closed the distance, allowing you to rope-swing yourself across, along with the other self-described "Marines". Successfully across, you find yourself in advantageous position, but see the ensuing chaos below. Unbeknownst to you, your foolhardy Captain swung aside as well, and is now surrounded by Imperial soldiers, vindictive and bloodthirsty. In a blind flurry, you jump down to the deck below you and pierce the soldier in the back with your rapier, cutting straight through his heart. Distracted, the soldiers turn to face the tiny elf that brought down their comrade, but are quickly laid low by the Captain. The next few seconds are bloodily chaotic as the two of you nimbly fight side by side. You see the Imperial Captain charging towards Marriana, armed with a cutlass and a heavy breastplate, ready to strike

"Captain!" You shout, to get her attention. With the most uncanny reflexes you've yet seen, she turns to see her opponent and drops her rapier. Dodging the opposing captain's blow, she quickly draws out her flintlock and fires it at her foe at point blank range. His head exploded into paste before you, the rest of his body immolating in flames from the spell inside. For the sake of survival, the rival crew now had to discard the captain off the starboard side into the sea with neither pomp nor ceremony, lest the whole ship catch flame. Their ship damaged and captain soundly defeated, the crew surrendered. Pressed into a line along the ships edge, Captain Godfrey's crew waited for final orders. Arms crossed, she looked at you, quizzically.

"Well? You said so yourself, they can't be afforded the chance to go home and tell anyone what happened. **** is the only proper recourse. These Imperial dogs wouldn't give us a second chance, had the roles be reversed."

"They weren't the ones who attacked, Captain. They didn't do anything as you approached, which seems to bely your theory. Even still, there are other alternatives."

"Oh?"

"Press them into service on your ship, make up for the men we just lost. Take them as prisoners to the Bastard Isles, let them serve as laborers or whatever the Countess wishes to do with them. Giving her a ship this sized without a crew to man it is a rather hollow tribute. It becomes an obligation." The Captain smiles as she pats your cheek softly "Very true..." she spun on her heels to address her captives "any of you men who would truly serve their Immortal Emperor until their last breath, we will happily oblige them. Those of you who would rather seek a longer life and a more grateful master, speak now, and you will forever sail for the Cutthroat Countess". The entire line agreed in the affirmative.

"Very well. Your first task is saving your ship from the waves. Everyone to the pumps. Prove your worth..." The defeated sailors moved without hesitation or doubt to their new task, making whatever repairs they could and working the bilges for all they could. Captain Godfrey and her crew returned to the Vigilance as victors, heralded by the crew.

"Great work men!" She shouted "I knew you wouldn't fail me. You all came together when you were needed, and the risk was well worth the reward." The crew's applause and cheering was deafening, and could only be silenced by the captain's. "We have some special recognition to dole out. Fiana Windblossom, come forward and take a knee!" Uncertain of what is to come, you follow your orders, kneeling in front of the captain.

"For uncommon gallantry in face of certain danger, for protection of your captain's life at the risk of your own, and for uncommon wisdom and fortitude, you are henceforth named as my First Officer aboard the Vigilance" The crew shouted and hollered at the news, any fear you had that they did not value or respect your presence aboard the ship dissipated instantly. Shocked, you are slow to rise to your feet.

"I am truly humbled, Captain. You honor me." You reply humbly.

"Don't thank me yet. Being my First Officer comes with extra responsibilities and duties. Are you sure you're able to the task?"

"Of course, Captain"

"Very good, Pirate" You and Marriana shake hands, as equals, leading to one last roaring applause before returning to the tasks at hand.