Devin closed the door to Aeshma's shop and left the witch and the spectral Felinoids to their work. Rousing accordion music and drunken voices were coming from the Gun Deck, but he headed for his cabin, wanting to keep a clear mind for what lay ahead. He sat on his bunk, deep in thought about what he had learned. Shock and confusion had almost overwhelmed him when Aeshma had blurted out that the High Queen of the Banshee be Aylar's familiar! And that be under a charm when she should not be able to lie! He knew the surprise must have shown briefly in his eyes before he got everything back under control, but with such a fantastic claim he could be forgiven a bit of shock. Captain Aylar may have claimed the siren, but he was not a mage. He was certainly not one of such power to be able to bind the extremely powerful High Queen of the Banshee to himself! In the space of seconds Devin's mind had spun wildly with the implications of possible shadowy omnipotent machinations and Council schemes as he sat the lovely witch down and carefully untangled her tale.

He couldn't deny he still didn't like the truth of it, or at least the truth as Aeshma believed it to be - and she believed his lady phoenix was now Captain Aylar's familiar. Devin had the results of his query. He knew Aylar the Red Mane now. The question became what did Aylar know, and what did Aylar want. Did his Lady of Stars know? What be ye getting us into this time, M'Lady? Aeshma had sworn his lady had accepted Aylar and the name he bestowed. His lady had cause to know that name well, but if Captain Aylar even slightly thought to make her a prize won he would soon learn differently. He laughed softly. It would be just like his lady's sense of humor to go along with it just to see when the High Queen's grandson might put things together and realize just who he'd gotten himself bonded to. it seemed his Lady of Stars had a special talent for causing disruption in the Banshee High Court. He had no doubt that should any in the Courts challenge Captain Aylar over it though, that Court would find itself in for a refresher lesson on the inadvisability of pissing off a phoenix - especially this phoenix. Devin was almost sorry he wouldn't be there to see it. It could be a dangerous game, but one with possibilities.

Still, why had she not called on him for this? No, that was unfair. He knew why. Just as he knew, hoped, that she didn't know what he'd hidden so deeply for so long. Could it be she didn't realize it was a bond and not just a link? Be that it, M'Lady? Didst ye not tell him how to Call ye apurpose, or doth ye not realize what ye and he hath done? Either way, like it or not, until Devin could break her free and determine the ramifications of it all, he had to protect them both - and hope his goddess approved.

The next day Devin helped Aeshma and the others unload the Ship as the Crew moved to the Dragon Turtle's Island. The Black Emanuelle and Count Karnstein should be arriving tomorrow with his dwarven carpenter and the Ship was scheduled to be beached for those repairs. They worked quickly. Another ship had been spotted which looked to arrive sooner and they both knew a Council ship with the replacement Guide and a possible captain was due very soon. Devin did not trust the Council ship, or what they might try with the Crew. It was lucky that Kyp had returned and had such a friendly rapport with the Dragon Turtle. With Pugwash missing and with the Council threat on the horizon, he had persuaded the Crew it was better to stay on Dragon Turtle Island rather than possibly trap themselves in the Grotto. The Council ship and crew would not chance angering an elder Dragon Turtle, and Count Karnstein's carpenter could be employed repairing the pier and buildings for Kyp and the Crew.

As the sun sank, painting the sky with brilliant fire, and the last of the Crew's items were offloaded, Devin turned to Aeshma. "The Count be a Brethren Captain," he told her. "Be that so, once he be here any Council officials are required by their rules and the Code to deal with him in all matters of the Crew until Captain Aylar returneth. Mighty is an honorary Warchief on Monkey Island. They wilt have to face him, Monkey and the cannibals if ye go to the village, so let them keep ye defended if ye need go there." He thought of the Count's meeting with Beckett. "Lastly, doth not trust the Council nor anyone who tries to get the Crew to leave the Dragon Turtle until Captain Aylar or the Admiral tell ye."

She nodded while looking at him with worried eyes. He knew she understood it would be dangerous, but he had not let her know how dangerous. His Lady of Stars had called him for a reason, and he now knew that reason. The 'living' Crew could not sail the seas they would sail, nor walk the otherworldly paths Devin would now walk, protected by his goddess. Aeshma had prepared and left a small stock of potions for healing and curing and some resistances. He had not told her they could not help him where he was going. Only the special ingredient he had requested from her would be needed ... and it was not to be for him.

"Doth ye read the humans' classics, divine one?" He smiled at her puzzled nod. Bowing over her hand he brushed the back of it softly with his lips as she carefully dropped the small vial he had requested from her hand into his own. "Then 'With my shield or on it,' lovely Aeshma," he quoted. "I shalt return with M'lady, or not at all."

Devin winked at Aeshma mischievously as she climbed down to the waiting catamaran and cast off. His gaze turned to the darkening sky. Tonight was the first night of the full moon. His time of biding was over and he was eager to get to it at last. He retrieved his lute from his cabin and returned to the deck, watching as the moon rose until it seemed to barely touch the sea. Running his fingers lightly over his braid he softly whispered a chant as he walked to the forecastle railing. Out on the horizon his half-elven eyes spotted the sails of a ship flying the Council's flag. They were out of time. Looking over his shoulder he signaled to Cap'n Rummyfangs at the wheel and returned the Felinoid's bare-fanged grin. He watched Sensei climb to the crow's nest. At Cap'n Rummyfangs' command the ghostly crew the Aasimir witch had called upon last night swarmed onto the deck to raise the anchor, hoist her colors and unfurl the sails.

He thought again of the words Aeshma had said his lady had spoken. Deep within him the predator stirred and his gaze grew more intense as his grin broadened. Knowing what he knew now, he rather thought Aylar would not let vengeance rest. Devin certainly would not, and her request had not been made to him. Let the Council come. Without the Ship as hostage, which harbored the Crew's spirits now secure, and with Captain Aylar and the Crew out of their reach, the Council was thwarted.

He smirked as he gave a two-fingered impudent salute across the water to a swearing Captain Jac on the deck of her ship. She knew they wouldn't be able to follow him. Play nice indeed. Ye shouldst have known better, Captain Jac. I be not playing. They shalt not take her Ship, They shalt not take her Captain, They shalt not take her Crew - and they most certainly shalt not take M'Lady. There be only two ladies that command me loyalty, me goddess and me Lady of Stars - and whilst one holds me life, the other wilt forever haveth me heart.

Turning his gaze forward once more, Devin bowed deeply to Her and then straightened as his moonstone earring glowed with the moon's reflected light and the silver runes on his lute drank in Her power. This would be the easiest part. Strumming his lute, he sang in a clear melodious voice, keeping his eyes on Her as a moonlit path illuminated the waves and his goddess opened the Way.

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ooc: Devin's suggestion of Dragon Turtle Island to keep the Crew safe was GM dice approved.
Aylar, apologies for stealing the Ship without permission, but I require it for my task. Alas, the opportunity to thwart the Council be just too good to pass up. I do plan to return it. Talk to the GM's dice if I fail. I be enjoying that you've managed to cause an incident that be majorly inconveniencing the High Council from the old campaign. Well done!

Captain Barfdeck Rummyfangs' Felinoid eyes scanned the Ship before turning to the sunset. His whiskers quivered in anticipation, even as his tail slowly waved from side to side as he tried to appear casual. His mind went back to the meeting the previous night and he went over everything again, just to make sure he had it firmly in his mind...

Cap'n Rummyfangs had listened carefully as Devin went through everything that would be demanded of them and every risk they'd face. His tail had twitched with growing excitement and a fierce gleam lit the spectral Felinoid's eyes. Yes, he understood and he would be ready. He, Cap'n Barfdeck Rummyfangs, had been called upon to help save Captain B's Ship, his memory, and his Admiral who Cap'n Rummyfangs had also come to know well. Devin had said that together they would save a lady fair, restoring Ship and Crew! Rummyfangs washed his whiskers and grinned at the boldness of it all. Stealth, stealing right out from under authority, dashing into danger, high precision maneuvers demanding skill, instinct and catlike reflexes ... and piracy. Also heart, the courage of the heart would be demanded or they would fail. It was a Felinoid's dream. Devin even promised to make a song of it once they accomplished the task!

By the end Cap'n Rummyfangs had drawn himself up to his full height and placing one paw on his rapier, he'd clasped Devin's forearm with the other as he bared his fangs and nodded. The Ship had revealed its name to him. Only he was a spectral captain of the Crew and so could Captain this next voyage. He was needed, and Cap'n Rummyfangs agreed whole-heartedly. He grinned as the others had groaned at his joke, considering what he was about to do. He was a captain of the Brethren and a fur-ocious fighter. More groans, he was in fine form. He watched as Aeshma lit the candles for the seance and Devin moved to leave, Cap'n Rummyfangs stopped him with a twitch of his whiskers and an uncertain flick of his ears. Um, how exactly was he supposed to do this? Fur-tively he hoped there wasn't some ritual sacrifice involved. Sensei shook his head and sighed as the others chuckled. Devin quietly explained the steps. Oh, was that all?

... Now Cap'n Rummyfangs turned and swaggered onto the quarterdeck, placing his paw upon the helm. He watched keenly as Aeshma left the Ship and Devin retrieved his lute from his cabin before he took his place on the forecastle. As the moon rose higher Devin looked over his shoulder and gave the signal. Baring his fangs again, Rummyfangs slipped into that preternatural state that all felines know and reached out into the silence, presenting himself to the Ship, offering it his fierce courageous heart. He was Cap'n Barfdeck Rummyfangs, Brethren Cap'n, friend to Cap'n B and a loyal member of the Admiral's Crew. He felt the silence pause but a moment out of time before the Ship began to awaken and embraced him warmly. Yet this was a different embrace as a spectral magic began to come to life to infuse the Ship again and Rummyfangs felt his own spirit intertwine and become one with the Ship in a symbiotic partnership. Cap'n Barfdeck Rummyfangs had been accepted as the new Heart of the Ship.

He summoned forth the spectral crew, filled out now with spirits Aeshma had called forth the previous night. Screened by Sensei and himself, these were all loyal to the Admiral, and had accepted the danger of this mission with their oaths sworn to him as their Captain. Wordlessly, he issued orders as he spun the wheel and the phantom crew leaped to obey. His Felinoid eyes picked up the subtle spectral currents of the moonlit path set out for him by Devin's goddess. Maneuvering carefully, Cap'n Barfdeck Rummyfangs set his course, gathered the Ship's swiftly renewing spectral magic and sent the command with every furred fiber of his being. The Ship gathered a ghostly wind into its sails, moving smoothly forward thru that opened otherworldly portal into the spirit realms. He hacked up a spectral rumball and spit it to deck with glee. He was Cap'n Barfdeck Rummyfangs, and he had just pirated away the Ship out from under this officious Council's grasp!

To those on the Islands, the other Crew, Captain Jac and those aboard the approaching ship, they saw the Ship hoist the Admiral's colors before it turned into the moonlight ... and then it simply faded out and ceased to exist.

The next morning the Black Emanuelle sailed in with Count Karnstein aboard. He arrived to see Captain Jac's ship leaving and a new large strange galleon ship flying strange colors where their Ship should be. He found Captain Aylar had left, leaving him as the sole captain for the remaining Crew who were now occupying Dragon Turtle Island. The Ship was gone.

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Special thanks to matterbandit for his enthusiastic permission and encouragement to 'adopt' our spectral Rummyfangs into Devin's plan in his 'Puss In Boots+Captain Jack Sparrow' style. XD

This is the Interim break cliffhanger, with the true Part 2 to be launched in September during the Pirate Day GA.

INTERIM ADVENTURES - What's happening?

I feel I should write a bit of an explanation here. Some Crew did some interim adventures and/or PM'd me more background information for their personal stories. Both Aylar and Devin play elves/half-elves as High Fae, in the style of old world European interpretation. As such, Aylar's background story had him unknowingly stumbling into tying his own family history to a hilarious story from an old campaign Devin and our phoenix have in common. Thus I ended up bringing background elements of that story into the present as 'history' for Aylar's and Devin's personal stories. It is Fair to say Captain Aylar invoked more than he knew with the simple bestowing of a name. :P (Yes Devin, the name was his own idea, I swear!)

So as we leave things, Devin and Cap'n Rummyfangs have just 'pirated' the Ship, for reasons which will be revealed in Part 2, but we also set things up for the coming missions and the boarding of some new Crew in September. Captain Aylar has left for Fae reasons on a mission of his own; Captain Baldbeard is chasing down a ship connected to our missing phoenix admiral which has the captured Durik and Pugwash aboard, and Count Karnstein and Kyp have both returned successfully which means Count Karnstein's carpenter can work on the pier and buildings on Dragon Turtle Island (and spruce up Kyp's new home), and nobody will be able to kidnap, capture or harm the remaining Crew there. ;)

See you all in late August/early September!