An Alliance Formed

[Harpy]

39 Saun 717

Crux Dregoon stood on the small skiff, his legs shifting weight easily as the waves underneath rocked him from side to side. He was chewing on a piece of tobacco, staining his saliva an ugly black. Beside him stood his second in command, Trey Haskin, but the smaller man did not look as comfortable as Crux on the boat.

"Calm down, man," muttered Crux as he kept an eye on the boats before him. "It's like you've never been on a boat before."

There was a snort from Trey as he raised a slender hand and pushed his long hair from his face. "It's not the sea I'm worried about. It's them women," he replied, derision in his voice. His eyes were fixed on the row boat coming towards the two onto their appointed meeting place.

"Scared of the girlies, are ya?" Crux laughed, sending a wink to his right hand man. There was humour in his expression, but the tension in his voice belied how nervous he was for this meeting - even if it had been his idea, and even if he knew he needed the Naerrik. "Explains a lot if you ask me," he chortled. Still, his eyes flickered back to his own ship that lay bobbing safely behind him, as if to assure himself they had not turned and fled from the Augierian pirates making their way towards them.

Trey didn't answer. His jaw was clamped shut, a vein ticking in his neck. He was nervous. And truth be told, Crux was too. But he needed to show strength. He needed to show Augiery that this alliance would be a strong one, fruitful for them both.

And so he waited, rocking in time with the ship, for the women to come to their neutral ground and begin the proceedings that would determine Bayward's success in their desperate climb to victory.

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[Nymph]

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It had been a strange request to receive, but one Runash would entertain for multiple reasons. The first being was that she was permitted to leave Augiery with a few select ships to go to this meeting with the Bayward Pirates. Although Augiery did not publicly announce what their navy preferred to do, Runash was a pirate first and foremost. She served as a Vice Queen strictly to claim dominion over the sea. Her "sisters" left her alone as long as she followed a few loose rules. The other priority reason was the benefit it could provide to Augiery. What did the Bayward pirates have to offer.

"We are almost there Admiral."

"Very good Maim."

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Maim had recently come to Sarraski from Scalvoris after events forced the Pirate Lords of the northern seas to split up and head their separate ways. A few of the pirate lords, including Maim, had heard of the Augierian Navy. Moreso, they had heard that the Augierian Navy was a cover used by other pirates to continue their ways. Many of the other pirate lords had been welcomed into Runash's fold. Maim, being a man, had to work extra hard to elevate himself. He had never set foot inside Augiery and abided by the rules set for free men. He had a few extra luxuries given his race, but he still worked very hard to ensure his position within the navy.

Runash had brought Maim as a tactic. She could have chosen any other captain to join her, but the sexual dominance had already been made clear across the southern seas. Bringing Maim along might make the Bayward Pirates a little more comfortable. In a sense, she wanted them to think that she liked men so they might slip up and make the agreement a little more one-sided to Augiery. Maim understood the reasoning and appreciated that his sex could play a role. It just gave an extra tally mark for all men in Augiery.

Runash was focused on her flagship, the Suge Berdea, while the closed the distance to the neutral skiff. Maim's ship was a distance behind the Suge Berdea, significantly slower than most of the ships in the Ursuges. He and several of his crew had swam ahead to join Runash and her grew aboard the Suge Berdea. Once aboard, she and Maim had set for the meeting place. Meanwhile, both crews were preparing for a backstabbing. Just in case the Bayward Pirates were planning anything. The glittering claw at the head of her ship threatened demise if they were to try anything silly.

A bump told her that they had arrived at the area. Runash, wearing her captain's attire, disembarked first. Main came aboard second, tying their boat to the skiff. The knot could was an easy release knot, just in case they had to leave in a hurry. The Shark Mer stood behind her in a threatening way. He opened and closed his mouth unconsciously; an old habit while in this form. As a Mertamorphosis practitioner, he still had habits that bled from his swimming form. Rows of teeth flashed behind Runash's tricorn hate and waves of black hair.

"Captain Dregoon. I hope that you have an interesting proposition to bring my subordinate and I so far away from our ships."

[Harpy]

Crux stood easily aboard the skiff, watching with a smile as Captain Runash came aboard with her Mer commander. He had, of course, heard of Maim - all pirates were aware of the happenings and troubles in Scalvoris - but he had not realised that Maim had decided to fly his colours under the Augierian flags. It amused him, to be true, that a man would willingly submit himself to a female - even a great pirate queen such as Runash. Still, he smiled an easy smile, the black tobacco infused spit gleaming grossly against his gold teeth. Trey shivered looking at the shark-man, but said nothing, waiting respectfully for Crux to begin the proceedings.

"Captain Runash," he greeted, not mentioning Maim, but his eyes flicking to him. Dregoon stepped forward, slipping into a low, and he hoped, charming bow. "Thank you for meeting me out here in the open sea. I do have an interesting proposition for you, one that I think you might like." Crux tapped a dirty finger on his bearded chin, grinning at the pair. He preferred to conduct his diplomacy easily and charmingly, but that did not mean he was soft. He had his cutlass with him, and was ready to be strong and fierce should the need arise. One should never trust pirates after all. He was sure Runash did not trust him.

"Raskin here," Dregoon said, waving a hand back towards Trey, whose jaw clenched at his being brought up, "does not believe we need help in our endeavours. I disagree. I happen to know that Augiery is one of the finest navies in the world, and definitely one that is underestimated. Not by me, which is why I've sought you out."

He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "As you might know, Bayward has always had its... tensions with Ne'haer. Supposedly we are all autonomous regions," and there might be surprise at him speaking so fluently, but Dregoon knew how to speak and speak well, "but for too long, Ne'haer has tried to curb our way of life. They'd prefer us to be locked away, assimilated into their control. We have held out this long, but the time has come to take action. And it is a perfect time."

"War is brewing in our regions. Lysoria and Ironridge have banded together and are gearing up for civil war. Ne'haer is distracted, with insurrection on all sides. What better time to strike?" Crux sent a wink to Runash. "That's where you come in. If we can come up with some sort of arrangement - say, ah, Naer pirates in exchange for the slaves we pick up along the way - I'm sure we could find a mutually... beneficial arrangement."

Crux clasped his hands together and waited for a response. Surely Runash would see the advantages of such an alliance.

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[Nymph]

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"Admiral Runash," The Naer woman correct, folding her arms beneath her bosom. She had come to a stop across from Crux with enough space between them to easily balance the skiff. He was right to carry a weapon, but his adversaries did the same. Maim stuck the butt of his corseque onto the skiff, the points glinting in the light as he twisted it back and forth between his fingers. Runash sported a three headed flail. Tales on the high seas dubbed it the "manliest of weapons" as it sported more than normal men ever would. Over time, it had gained the name "Man's Envy". "It would have been more fitting for you to be on your knees, but as I have been told by Lust, men have languished in their freedoms too long and forget their place in the rest of Idalos."

It was probably hypocritical of her to say that given that Maim was standing directly behind her. The hammerhead said nothing. Their strategic positioning would allow him to spear someone with his corseque to prevent them from getting to Runash as she released her weapon and clubbed the skewered man on the head with Man's Envy. A strategy not many saw until it was too late.

Maim communicated with Runash in a way that the other men would not be able to hear. He set her telepathic images of the two across from them indicating that Raskin was a more loyal man to the Bayward crews where as Dregoon was the more intelligent man. Seeking aid was politically appropriate and often led to more victories despite the vulnerability it indicated of the opposing fleet. Runash did not move to indicate she agreed or disagreed. Instead, she listened until Captain Crux had finished speaking.

His proposition was basic and far to equal for her tastes. Ne'haer was a formidable group. It was nestled on the coast which made it a target for naval sieges. The other cities and territories would be significantly more difficult to deal with if they changed sides abruptly and came to Ne'haer's aid. If Lysoria and Ironridge were creating an alliance, what was to stop them from adding Ne'haer to the agreement? Or another territory? She would have to mention this to Tanvi so that she could investigate options on all sides. As the Vice Queen of Diplomacy, Tanvi catered to the outside world. She wanted their love and allegiances to further Audrae's conquest.

Currently, Audrae's eyes were set on the Southern region.

"Your proposal is basic." Blunt as always. She looked down to her acid green nails and picked underneath them idly as she spoke. "You will have to sweeten the deal a little bit to have the aid of Augiery's fleet."

Runash waited a trill or two to create suspense. Crux had already given away their weakness. They needed the Augierian fleet. That much was for certain. If their flagship's captain believed that they needed aid when his subordinates did not, they were automatically doomed to fail without help. "We will help you claim Ne'haer. In return, you will send us male slaves as you proposed. You will also plan on creating a trade route with Sarraski once you have established yourselves as rulers of the coastal city. This, of course, could be mutually beneficial. We get wood for ships and you get stone for fortresses. Finally, you will come to our aid in the future when we have need of it."

She did not specify when or how often they would be called upon. She simply left it open for interpretation. Maim sent a simple thought to her, ensuring that he understood her meaning. His telepathy indicated a forest city, set afire while tanned men and women were shuttled onto ships so they may have their sentencing in Augiery's caverns.

Audrae would one day rule the South. Runash and the other Vice Queen's would see to it.

[Harpy]

Internally, Crux flinched, but he made no show of his expression. He simply schooled his face into one of steel. "Admiral Runash," he said, swiftly, a soft smile on his face to show his apology. "My mistake, of course." He said nothing of the talk of free men but he could feel Raskin's fear emanating from beside him. Of course he did not agree with the Naer - how could he? - but he said nothing. He needed this alliance, and he needed Runash to see that she needed it, too.

Again, he did not flinch at Runash's words. Basic? Very well. She spoke bluntly, and so it was time for him to do the same. Clearly the sweet talking and the charm that had served him so well in the past would do nothing here, and Crux cursed himself for thinking it would. Of course it wouldn't - the Naer were determined to subjugate all men. Why would Admiral Runash, as she had corrected him, care if he were handsome and suave? She cared only for dominion. Very well. Crux could work with that.

Raskin, he knew, wanted to run away, but any fear displayed would leave them even further in the Naer's debt - or even worse, a flail in their back as they turned hide and ran. The only option was to forge an alliance, one that would work even slightly in their favour. He needed them - fuck, he needed them. Anger burned in his chest as he thought of letting Ne'haer remain a free city, but he ignored it for now as he listened to her words.

"A trade agreement, of course, yes," he said smoothly. Loathe as he was to continue trading with the Naer, if this was what it took, he needed them. "We will establish one from Bayward, and yes, from Ne'haer, when we have it." And they would. Crux was determined. "We have already begun raids, but we are seeking ships to increase them - as well as our attack which will fall in late Vhalar. That is when we will truly be united and show the Ne'haerian dogs how they underestimate Bayward and Augiery." The anger was clear in his voice.

"And yes, Admiral Runash - a long lasting alliance would do well for both of us." He would not overcommit. But he could not tell her no, either. "Do we have an accord, Admiral?"

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[Nymph]

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He was falling to her requests just as she had expected. Maybe he realized that the agreement was beneficial to both parties. With the slaves continuing to come into Augiery from Ne'haer under Baywards control, they would be able to pour more stone, gems, and blood foods into Idalosian markets. Aurelia would be able to saturate the stone world and then take away the flow as easily as they gave it. Prices would sky rocket and stone demand would go up. The Ganga would fill with nel and Augiery would have made a global stamp upon the world. He would have his ships once she secured her deal.

He fell to her whims almost to easily. Not that she minded. Maybe they were so in tune she did not have to ask further. Odessa and the others would have been upset with her had she not had some sort of guarantee from Bayward with their long term plans for Southern domination. Runash lifted her hand so that Maim could see it over her shoulder. With a quick gesture, Maim lowered his hammerhead over her shoulder. Whispers were shared between the two as Maim moved his mouth in a gasping fashion. He would have much preferred to be in the water.

"Augiery Bayward-ekin batera eramango al duzue?" Maim simply nodded in return to Runash's guttural Grovokian. She bid him to lean back.

"We have a deal..." Runash started, smiling pleasantly. "To show my commitment to your cause, I shall send Maim and his crew with you now. The Mer will be able to offer you assistance above and below the surf. Several ships from our fleet will follow behind as soon as I return to Augiery to give the order. I shall send another Pirate Lord to lead them. She and Maim will govern our forces alongside your fleet."

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Maim took that moment to step forward. His heavy steps rocked the raft a little bit. As he had done before Runash when he and his crew sailed south from Augiery, Maim lowered himself to one knee and pressed a fist to his chest. He could have spoke common, but he felt it more personal and honorable to share a connection with Crux as he would with his fellow Mer. He shared images of sinking Ne'haeran ships and the parapets of the city aflame from the Naer terrors sent onto land. Victory from the ashes with a strong friendship ironed between the two. He believed it as much as Runash.

"Raskin was it? I would like him to join my crew until you uphold your end of the bargain. Once you come to our aid in the future, we will happily return him. He will be treated fairly," Runash clarified, in hopes that the men would see she held no ill will. "...and as a free man."

OOC

"Augiery Bayward-ekin batera eramango al duzue?" - "Will you lead Augiery alongside Bayward?"