Amarada - Open Ocean

She might be a small cargo ship, but she's clearly built for speed and maneuverability - a ship able to sail the high seas but also able to move along smaller inlets and waterways if need be. Sleek lines and a proud cutting prow mark this elegant ship, which is obviously well kept and tended to meticulously. She sports three masts, two main and one half to provide her with greater speed when the winds will allow for it. High above upon the center mast she flies the flag of an independent ship, each such vessel having their own crest or symbol. The flag of the Amarada is a red heart framed by white wings on either side. To show her affiliation with the Buccaneers, she flies upon a field of black. What marks her most to the layman's eye is the unusual figure upon her bow. Unlike the common maiden or mermaid, the Amarada bears upon her breast an Empyrean woman, her white wings unfurled and extending back along each side of the bow. Her face is a vision of beauty, exquisitely carved with long blonde tresses streaming back from her features as if blown by the sea winds. She smiles, serene and confident ... and there is something about her that is strangely familiar to certain eyes that rest upon her visage.

Morning is always a hectic time aboard the ship, especially as the shifts are changing and men and women are hurrying to and from the morning meal, lest they find themselves at the end of the line and being fed whatever is left. But this morning appears to be more hectic than usual, or perhaps it is caused by excitement. The night's watch woke the captain with reports that a few lights were seen in the distance behind them, faint sparkles on the horizon that were too bright and too low to be stars. No one seems quite alarmed, but there is caution and everyone is prepared for the ship may be friend, or she may be foe. A few sailors are even getting in some quick sword practice, those that are not on duty that is, and those handing the sails are climbing the rigging and checking to make sure that everything is secure. Again, just in case.

But for now there is not much for Zea to do, except for staying out of the way. She looks tired; she's yawning every few minutes and she's still dressed in a long chiton and her robe as she walks the deck. It seems that when the captain gets no sleep, neither does she. She carries in her hand a stout mug of something warm as she looks to the south where the sails of another ship can be seen bobbing along on the horizon.

Mahina watches the horizon. She's quiet at least for now. She'd been doing her job: keeping watch and sensing weather. The young Atlantean woman sighed. She rolled her shoulders and neck and then raised her head.

Zea takes a slow drink from her mug as she wanders along the railing of the ship, her wings held tightly against her for additional warmth. The northern waters and northern air - even in the middle of summer - are unpleasant for the Empyrean woman. She noticed the Atlantean watching the skies and she wanders over to her, pleased to find that there is someone else that isn't making her dizzy with the speed of their duties. "Ave," she greets the woman quietly so as to not startle her. She takes another sip and looks in the direction Mahina is watching.

Mahina blinks. "Blessings." she says, she turns green eyes on the woman. "How are you, Zea?" she asks. She knew the Empyrean woman by name only.

Zea answers to a variety of titles some complimentary, others not so much, and she's slowly getting used to hearing her given name used on a regular basis. She does not even flinch anymore, not even her wings. Leaning forward against the rail she takes in a deep breath and looks down where the boat slices through the water. "I could do with a few more hours of sleep, if the truth be told, Mahina, but such is not to be, especially if this wind slacks. Everyone has a duty and I'd feel even more distant if I retreated to my bed when I am needed." She glances up and studies the horizon. "It does not seem as if that ship is trying to catch us, that's good."

Mahina nods in agreement. "I could use with sleep as well. But as you said we both have our respective duties, and I believe that maybe once we enter port, you and I should get something to eat and drink, and just talk." she said inviting the Empyrean.

The invitation is quite unexpected. The crew is respectful, more or less, but there are few with who Zea spends any amount of time with. She takes another drink of her tea, watching the Atlantean over the edge of it. The invitation comes at that time and she just keeps herself from choking her surprise. "I would appreciate that Mahina, though I am not too familiar with the kind of food the Aesir eat and what they have to offer." She pauses for a laugh and adds, "But I've heard they seem to have a great deal of ale and other alcoholic beverages. If nothing else, I imagine the men are looking forward to it."

The Atlantean nods, "I'm sure the men will enjoy it."

The door from below opens up, the Captain of the Amarada emerging, all hints of sleep gone from his gaze though there is no sign of alarm about his features. Stormy ocean blue eyes scan the decks for a moment before he crosses over to the railing, gazing off the starboard side of the ship to consider the Makara sailing abreast of them, his hand lifting to catch the gaze of the Amarada's First Mate who is currently captaining their sister ship. The bright copper-haired mongrel catches sight of his captain and waves jauntily back. He turns to the aft of the ship, studying the lights upon the water behind them thoughtfully before lifting his gaze up to the clear skies above them. He would send a flying scout, save that they would be visible to anyone who had the sense to look up instead of forward. But there are ways to get around such inconveniences. His gaze turns to rake the deck and espying Zea standing next to Mahina, he turns and makes his way toward them.

Zea looks down at her mug of tea, now half-empty and then again to Mahina. "Enjoy it a bit too much of you listen to the songs and stories some of the men are passing around, but I imagine most of those tales are as exaggerated as any others that are told." With her back to the captain she does not notice his approach, but continues to watch the horizon and the sails that continue to bob into view. "Still too far out yet to see anything, I'd imagine," she says, commenting on the vessel to the Atlantean. "Though I'm frightfully curious now as to who that is. Not that I would know, of course, but the anticipation is always the worst."

Mahina nods in agreement. "It is." she closed her eyes. "I want to know though. What's there.... What are the Aesir like?"

Zea gives a small shrug and an apologetic smile as the beginning of an answer. "I'm afraid I do not know that much about them myself. I've never met one before; I've only heard tales from those that have. I hear they're of an Empyrean blood, but stockier than my brethren and their coloring is different. More warlike, I hear there is a lot of looting along their shores." She stands up from leaning against the rail and stretches her wings and her back, pausing in her answer. "But I also hear they quite enjoy their lives, which I can believe given what the men have said about expecting a warm fire and ale on our arrival." There is something more, but Zea pauses to take another drink. "I've heard rumors from another sailor on board that they take women and children as slaves in their raiding, but as to that, I honestly do not know if it is the truth."

Mahina shakes her head. "They may, Zea. If they must in order to survive. They may have had live through things we can only imagine."

He's in no hurry to interrupt the conversation between sailor water mage and wind mage, his gaze lifting to the air and then returning to the pair. His arms fold over his chest and the serious demeanor about him shifts as he listens to Zea try to explain what the Aesir are to Mahina, a small smile quirking his lips. "Actually," he interrupts, "you most have misheard them ... they don't take women and children as slaves, they eat them." His gaze flickers to the Atlantean and he gives her a quick wink, not knowing really if she'll understand the strange humor of landers and what a wink means at all. Still, he can't resist the rumor mongering opportunity. Reaching out, he lays a hand lightly upon Zea's shoulder, noting on a more sober note, "Wind Mage Zea, I have need of your services ..." Of course he could do what he's about to ask himself, but better to let Zea serve the ship and leave all his attention and concentration to the job of captaining - a most refreshing change of pace.

Zea had opened her mouth to reply, but the captain's familiar voice interrupts from behind them, but the interruption is welcome. Her expression begins as wide-eyed shock, but it lasts only a moment before she realizes his jest and her slightly-open lips curve into a smile. The smile remains as he reaches out to lay a hand on her shoulder, but again there is a moment's flash of surprise in her eyes at the gesture. "Of course, Captain," she responds quickly with a nod. Her chin lifts a bit and she takes on a more serious posture as she is called to duty. It is not entirely unexpected, she does not stammer or look upset at the command, she accepts it with an easy grace. "My services are at your command."

Mahina turns to the lander, the captain. The water mage smiles and raises her eyebrow.

At Zea's obedient response, one of Sebastian's eyebrows raises for a moment, his smile broadening for just a moment. His gaze meets Mahina's briefly but as the sailor doesn't speak or address him, is attention returns to Zea. One hand lifts up to the air, noting, "I was thinking that perhaps an ariel inspection of the ship coming up on our stern might be in order but the weather is being most uncooperative. Do you think you might be able to bring in some fog from off the shore or a nice cloud front, but in a manner that is subtle and believable enough not to tip our hand that we're arranging a little cover for a winged inspection?"

There is an odd look that passes from Zea at the broadening smile from the Captain. Not an angry look, but a knowing one, but there are no words to accompany the look. Whatever is means will remain a mystery. She nods. "Of course, Captain," she responds again with a certain nod before she turns out to look over the waters and to the shore in the distance. "It will take some time to summon some fog that does not seem to be the work of a mage, but shall not be a problem. I hardly imagine that ship will catch up before it can be done." She seems quite certain of her abilities; it can be heard in her voice. She glances to the Atlantean and says with a grin, knowing already that her words will mean little to an Atlantean. "It is going to get a bit colder in a short while," she notes before turning her attention from the two altogether and focusing on the shore.

Mahina watches. Nodding to the others, "If you excuse me I have duties to attend to." she says.

His gaze shifts to Mahina, a formal nod coming from the Captain, appreciating the fact that she is attentive to her work. "As you were, sailor," he replies, turning his attention back to Zea. "A fog would work though if cloud cover would be easier to bring forth and more reasonable of a shift, that certainly is an option too. Denser too." His wings ruffle slightly at the thought of it getting colder. "Good thing I thought to put on my cloak before I came up ..." He pivots, facing once again to the stern of the ship to eyes the lights in the distance. Since the lights came into view the Amarada and the Makara were told to sail dark. Idly Sebastian notes, "If the ship behind us is pirates, they'll have a hard time seeing where we are now. But the fact that they are sailing with lights in view make it more likely that they're just another trading vessel." He pauses then, a small frown creasing his brow as he muses, "But then again, a clever pirate might set up a decoy ship to take our attention to the stern while the main attack ships close in on us from the sides ..."

Zea keeps her eyes towards the shore, giving the Atlantean a nod of farewell as she remains focused on her duties. "The weather and the dampness in the air will provide an easy enough fog, and the weather suggests one could easily form naturally, so even a magically created fog bank should not raise any suspicions." As she noted, the weather becomes a bit cooler as the winds slowly shift, pulling dryer air from over the coast to hang over the water and absorb moisture from the seas. The process is slow, also as she promised and for a while no one, save another wind mage, would notice anything different at all. She holds the conversation as she works, though long breaks are common for the moment. Eventually a few wisps of fog begin to form along the coast, but nothing dense enough just yet to serve as a cover. "I heard that pirates often visit Raven's Cove. Could it be possible one heard of our stay there and is seeking to finish what the Makara and her companions could not?" The air is already cool, but the thought of that sends a shiver through her wings, dropping a couple feathers to the deck. Best to consider the worst possibilities rather than be trapped by hoping for the best. "If there is an ambush," she continues after longer silence and a thickening of the fog along the coast, "this should help as well, mask ourselves to more than one possible foe."

For some time now it is Sebastian who has been teacher, showing and explaining the ways of the sea to Zea, and Zea who has been the pupil. As such he takes this time to reach out with his senses, studying how Zea manipulates the air and the weather, silently studying her technique and noting the differences between her choices and his. His magic overlaps hers, not interfering or hindering, but feeling the motion of her power. Like a blind man tracing his fingers over someone's face in order to "see" them, so does his magic trace over hers like a second skin. "Think it's unlikely - they would need cover in order to sneak up on our flanks, even if they were running dark. And since we are running dark, they cannot see us any better than we them. No, it's unlikely indeed, but it never hurts to err on the side of caution."

He can feel the air growing heavier as it hovers over the ocean and as his magic reaches out to follow what she's doing she turns her head a moment to give him a smile. It has been a while since she's really been able to teach him, she has felt like a student lately. "You see," she says with a quieter voice as the air is pulled from over the land. "Bring more dry air over the ocean and is with soak up the water like a sponge and cause the fog to form." The mage-created fog slowly begins to creep across the ocean, just as if it were naturally coming off the land. "Lift it higher and it will become just another cloud," she explains as the winds keep coming. Her magic slows a bit and reaches towards his, encouraging participation. "Try it, if you'd like." She gives him another smile and says, "It is not something that can usually be rushed anyway, so there need not be the concern that you'll suddenly form a massive and thick fogbank. The water can only move so fast."

Smiling as she treats him more like an untried student than the reasonably experienced mage that he is, Sebastian chuckles and shakes his head. "No thanks, I'd rather observe. We have very different methodologies at times. If I do it myself, I do it the way I always do. I won't learn anything new. Besides" he gibes with a cruel smile, "you need to earn your keep around here ..." He takes a few steps to lean against the rail of the ship, his gaze shifting over toward Mister Burke on the Makara. Signaling to one of the water scouts, Sebastian murmurs, "I want to set up a perimeter patrol. Coordinate with Mister Burke over on the Makara and his scouts - search aft, starboard, and port sides. Report back through telepathy to save time should you come across an enemy ship - understood?" The water scout nods and salutes, giving Sebastian an, "Aye Captain" before diving silently overboard and making his way toward the Makara.

It is a failing of hers; she cannot seem to escape the 'elementary' teaching mentality she uses with him. The chuckle does help her relax a bit as she continues to draw dry air out to soak up the moisture and add to the growing fog bank. It is noticeable enough now that a couple sailors call out about the approaching fog. She does not turn her head at his comment on earning her keep, but she does look at him out of the corner of her eye and flashes a wicked grin, though he likely only sees the corner of it. "As you say, Captain," she responds to his rejection of her offer, but there is some teasing to be heard in her voice that neatly matches the smile. She turns back to keeping her focus on the rolling fog as Sebastian passes on orders to the Atlanteans. The chill in the air is one she brought on, but it still causes her to pull her cloak tighter around her. Glancing to Sebastian she notes, "I must thank you again for this cloak. I never imagined it would get so much use."

Sebastian's own cloak lies in placid folds about his figure, only the shifting of his wings and the turning of his figure revealing the overlapping layers. His gaze flickers to Zea's cloak, the closest replica of the one he had ruined that he could find. "Well, it seemed only fair after I bled all over your last one ..." He then turns and flashes a sign to one of the sailors who nods and flashes the sign in return. It is the signal for "all quiet". The ships must run both dark and silent now ... just in case the Captain -is- right and there is a trap afoot.

Epi's arrival is announced with lots of cursing by the man who'd just swabbed the deck as the young Atlantean woman comes over the rail, dressed in what Pasiphae had blessed her with at birth, though looking a lot better from that first appearance. Totally unabashed at her nudity, she pushes her hair out of the way and over her back, dripping on the deck. She pads over towards the two Empyreans and pauses, offering a respectful bow to the Captain. "Blessings, Captain," she says quietly, raising her eyes to regard him. "I was told you wanted scouting done?"

Frowning at the cursing sailor, Sebastian doesn't have to reprimand the man before one of the other crew members slaps him on the back of the head, shushing him firmly. His attention instead shifts to Epi and he nods. "Aye, as you can see by the distant lights aft, there's a ship coming up on our stern. She's still a ways off, but we want to make sure that she isn't an enemy ship. There's also a slight possibility that she's a red herring, distracting us from other ships that might be running dark and trying to close in on our flanks. So I want the water scouts to check the port and starboard sides first and make sure we're running clear and free, and then if that is the case, drop back and see just what sort of ship is tagging along on our tail."

The fog continues to creep and rolls across the waters, but unlike the still fog that hangs heavy in valleys on land, this seems to move as if a living thing. It is carried across the sea and seems to move with it, like two lovers who know each other well. Zea doesn't speak, though she does cringe at the man's curse, especially not that the fog is starting to creep across the deck and even a fresh-faced ship's boy knows that sound carries in the fog. Every so often she looks over to the Makara, making sure the smaller vessel is keeping up with the Amarada. Needing to provide it with additional wind right now might cause a problem with the fog and that's the last thing she wants to do.

Epi nods to the captain and offers a proper salute to him. "Aye, sir," she replies crisply, though still in that whisper touched voice that Atlanteans seem blessed with. She heads over to the side of the ship, climbs up on the rail, and dives into the water, disappearing for a short bit. It's a clean dive, barely any noise. Crazy fish people.

From beyond the ship, An expression of painful discomfort contorts Epi's features before her body's form seems to lose cohesiveness, changing and solidifying into that of a sleek, compact dolphin.

Lyri clomps her way up the stairs from the galley below, but stops short at the top when a fellow crewmember waggles a warning finger before her nose. Lyri inhales a surprised breath, casting a lingering, appraisive glance around her, then attaining the deck with much quieter steps. She edges around a couple of sailors, drawing closer to Zea. She eyes the mage and the fog a long moment, throwing Sebastian a glance as well, then reaches out to touch Zea ever so gently on the arm, enough to draw her attention hopefully. Provided Zea glances in Lyri's direction, the cartographer's curious, questioning expression would be barely visible through the fog.

Zea watches Epi depart and catches the Atlantean turning into a dolphin before the fog covers the surface where she dove in. She smiles a touch as the shapeshifter's new form will actually aid them much better. But as much as she's like to watch Epi the dolphin leap through the waves, she has her own task to see to, to earn her keep or so the Captain said. The air is heavy now and everything begins to feel damp as the fog consumes the ships. The Makara is not so far away that it cannot be seen, but it is a hazy imitation of itself and faces are hard to make out as sailors hurry about their tasks in silence. Only Mister Burke with his red hair stands out from the rest of the crew. Zea tosses the mongrel a friendly and quiet wave before identification becomes more difficult. The wave is abrupt, stopping as she feels someone touching her other arm. Turning, she finds Lyri beside her and she smiles to the other woman and whispers ever so softly a greeting. "Ave, Lyri." Noting the younger woman's expression she points into the fog and explains, again in little more than a whisper. "Seems we have another ship coming up on us, but we do not know who she is yet."

Sebastian has departed from Zea's side, making the rounds of the ship quickly and quietly, checking in with each sailor either visually or personally to ensure they are attending to their jobs. He glances up at the lookout, but the man up high lowers the glass from his eye and shakes his head helplessly. The ship behind them is too far away to make out in the dark of night. Perhaps come daylight they can make out her colors, but by then it might be too late. Waving an arm in acknowledgement Sebastian eventually ends up back where he started, this time standing next to both Zea and Lyri. He nods to Lyri, a small reassuring smile touching his lips, but it's more for show than truly genuine.

From beyond the ship, a dusky dolphin is not so much leaping as she is speeding along just under the surface, knowing even in her dolphin form that speed is a priority over enjoyment. Time enough for splashing about later. She takes off to the starboard side first, disappearing while she searches the wide spaces without, as others fan out forward and port.

After some considerable time, one of the Atlantean crew approaches Sebastian. "Sir, the scouts report nothing is ahead of us or trying to flank us. Muirea Epi is going to investigate the ship to our rear." Aren't telepaths handy at times like this? And aren't we grateful they don't talk CB talk? 10-4 good buddy.

Copper brows arch at Zea in faint surprise, but Lyri says naught, understanding the need for silence. She gives the captain a nod as he draws up beside them, folding her arms before her and bracing her legs slightly against the roll of the ship. Wings tuck tight about her shoulders to ward off the increasingly damp chill the fog bears with it. Her fingers drum a nervous pattern on her tattooed skin while they wait, but the second the Atlantean moves forward to speak to Sebastian, she cranes her head in his direction, ears as close to perking as they can.

Like Lyri, Zea turns and watches the Atlantean address the Captain, holding her breath to hear his report, as if that faint trickle of air from her lungs might mask what he's saying. The fog is rolling full and heavy now but Zea keeps an eye in the direction of the shore, still feeling the wind as they go, just in case she needs to quickly summon more fog. She drops her hands to the ship's rail and holds onto it as she looks into the mists. Once the Atlantean has spoken to Sebastian, she allows herself a small sigh; at least no one else is out there.

Nodding in approval and relief at the report, Sebastian replies, "Very good. Inform Epi to indeed continue toward the ship aft but to remain undetected by her crew and be wary of possible other Atlantean crew of said ship." She, of all the Atlantean scouts, is the most likely to avoid detection in her dolphin form. "Have her try to ascertain what sort of ship it is - the flag will be the best indicator if she can make it out from sea level."

Lyri listens to Sebastian's response, waiting until the captain is done before leaning close enough to whisper, "Is tha aught I ken do, Cap'n?" Her brows are faintly arched and her arms uncurl to hang restlessly at her side a moment before she remembers the chill and crosses them again.

Zea shakes her wings a bit to get rid of some of the dampness that has settled on them from the fog. She is considerate enough to turn her back away from Lyri and Sebastian before she does it, though with everyone equally damp it would not make much difference. Once done, Zea pulls her wings in tightly again and adjusts her cloak. Her gaze strays over towards where the Makara is and peers through the fog, but can see little more than faint outlines and the occasional movement. The seas are scanned quickly as well, waiting for any further news from the Atlanteans.

From beyond the ship, Skimming under the surface, the dark shape of the small dolphin returns to the ship nearly three hours later, that Atlantean on deck relaying the message from the Atlanteans in the water of Epi's return.

From beyond the ship, With a pained cry, the dolphin's body seems to lose cohesiveness, changing, growing, and solidifying into that of Epi.

Turning to Lyri with a look of puzzlement on his face, Sebastian replies to her question with a question. "Ahhh, what did you have in mind?" He isn't really certain what Lyri might be able to do for them, other than fly through the fog to take a closer look at the ship in question ... but with Epi on her way and well disguised in her dolphin form, it seems unnecessary to send an Empyrean as well, who would have to get pretty close to see the ship through the fog and thus might in turn be spotted by the crew on watch duty. His arms fold over his chest in an effort to keep warmth in close to himself, his gaze shifting to the hazy form of the Makara off the starboard bow.

Lyri shrugs suddenly, affecting uncertainty. "Wasna sure. Just thought t'offer..." She falls silent a moment, then cants her head up at him. "Although...was lookin' at th'maps this mornin'...we're drawin' nigh on an area wi' some interestin' formations. Caves, submerged rocks. Body could lose a ship there easy. Or break one up on th' rocks. If'n 'twas necessary." She offers with another shrug, curiously nonchalant.

Zea leans in a little closer to listen to Lyri. The talk of caves and other natural formations is interesting, but a bit worrisome as well. She's the one who brought the fog in and thus obscuring the shoreline, which includes any harsh rock outcroppings. Her eyes linger on Lyri as the younger woman explains what is around them and then turn towards the Captain.

Frowning slightly, Sebastian murmurs, "I'm a bit wary of caves - they're rarely tall enough to hide a ship in and even if they seem to be there's always a chance that come high tide we'll be sunk or ruin the rigging. And with all this fog it would be dangerous now to sail amongst any dangerous rocks - might sink ourselves rather than our pursuers ... if they even -are- pursuers." Pursing his lips for a moment Sebastian ponders Lyri's suggestion though and asks a question in turn. "How about coves? Did you see any coves on the coastline ahead that might be large enough to tuck two ships into and remain hidden from ships passing by?"

Lyri chews liberally on her lower lip as she ponders the captain's question, twirling one finger around a copper dreadlock in a vaguely child-like expression of thoughtfulness. After a bit, she lifts her chin and nods. "Aye, I think I know o' one. Might be a tight squeeze n' 's still a bit off, but should do th' trick nicely. And it's no' near th' rocks." Her neutral expression shifts briefly into a rakish grin, then smoothes away.

Zea bites on her own lip, but not in a thoughtful manner, but rather to keep herself from saying anything too quickly. Best to wait and listen to what Lyri has to say. Only then does she offer up a suggestion that was better than what she might have said rashly. "Captain," she says, looking to Sebastian. "It will take some more work on my part, but I should be able to part the fog in front of us enough so that we can see where we are going without the ship behind us being any the wiser. It should at least give us some better visibility than what we have now and keep the ships in one piece."

His gaze flickers back and forth between the two women before Sebastian nods. "Well, we don't know what we're up against just yet, if anything. No need to make any hasty decisions. If we're maintaining this course, the fog is not of any concern really. However if the ship following us -is- a pirate ship, best to attack her first and get the upper hand rather than have her dodging our wake." He's eyes squint against nothing but his own thoughts, a slight breeze picking up a few tendrils of hair that lay against his brow. "We'll see what Epi has to report - if it's pirates, then we'll have you clear the fog and lay a course for the cove, settle in there nice and cozy and then come round her after she passes us by, using the fog to hide us all the better. And if she's friendly, well then it's never no mind." And with that there is a tell-tale splash indicating the return of a certain Atlantean.

Epi climbs up the rope to the ship's deck, dripping more water onto the deck, poor swabber. She is a little unsettled, having had no time to recover from the shape shifting and trying to remember the details of what she'd seen. "Captain, it is a single ship behind us, a little larger than the Amarada. It was a little difficult to see much." Especially in the shape of a dolphin. "Most of their crew seemed settled for the night, as it was quiet. And as far as I could tell, the flag she flew appeared black." She lowers her eyes and says, "I could not see anything else on the flag or ship to identify her better."

Lyri nods to Sebastian, shifting her gaze to Epi as the Atlantean returns. She settles into silence again, wings flaring to shake off droplets behind her, avoiding those who stand nearby, as she listens to Epi's report.

Zea gives a slight shrug which could mean a variety of things, but again Zea's intentions behind a gesture remain hidden in her own mind. Her pale eyes watch the Atlantean return and again strains her ears to hear the whispered words. At the news of a black flag she frowns and looks more than a touch disturbed, even though she tries her best to appear unaffected. At that she fails. Wordlessly she looks to Sebastian, awaiting his response as well as his orders.

Well, it's not much to go on, but it's enough. Frowning with a sigh, Sebastian nods to Epi and murmurs, "Good works ... take a rest for now. We may need you in a few hours time ..." and having dismissed the Atlantean he turns back to Zea and Lyri. "Let's go ahead and clear the fog ahead. Zea, I'll want you over on the Makara. Inform Mister Burke to follow our lead and let him know of the plan. We'll make way toward the cove and tuck in there. Let the ship pass and under the cover of fog take her from behind by surprise and attack. With the element of surprise and two ships to sandwich her between, she won't have much of a chance, though all non-fighting members of the crew will be advised to stay below decks or remove themselves from the ship if they are able." His gaze rests on both Empyrean women, knowing Zea to be -no- fighter and uncertain of Lyri's abilities with the sword or bow. "Lyri," he calls, turning to the slight girl, "I want those charts pulled pronto and you and I are going to take a close look at them. We'll need to get a sense of the timing, whether we'll be striking at night or by day ..." Taking a deep breath he notes, "We run dark and silent till I command otherwise."

"Aye, Cap'n," Is Lyri's only response to Sebastian's orders. Having practically grown up on a ship, after all, she is more than accustomed to taking orders. For all of her usual irreverence and buoyancy of mood, she's utterly serious now, evident in both bearing and expression. Nodding to him and Zea both, she withdraws, turning on her heel and making her way carefully through the fog towards the stairs to begin pulling out the charts the captain requested, only the shock of her fiery hair visible through the obscuring mist as she goes.

Zea begins to unfurl her wings, sending the fog around her away in a series of curls and twists. The image is almost lovely and hypnotic in the way that dancing flames can be, but now is not the time to contemplate the beauty of the mists. Zea follows Lyri's lead and gives Sebastian a deep nod. "Yes, Captain," she says as she looks over towards the Makara through the fog. There is some thinning of the fog between the two ships as Zea focuses on pressing the mists, as if parting a curtain. Last thing she needs is to take a header into the mast. She lifts off, trying to be as quiet as possible and heads over to the other ship where Mister Burke awaits her landing.

Sebastian takes only a moment to watch Zea depart before making his way to the second officer and informing him of the upcoming actions, trusting that he will in turn spread the information to the crew. And with that he follows the redheaded Empyrean girl in preparation of studying the charts of the coast before them and determining just where and when they will change course and begin their preparations for battle.