"Ever heard the stereotype that Norlurians can't swim? I wouldn't mind being the one to test that hypothesis." Cobiah looked out to the horizon, seeing the two Seatone cruisers tailing them. "Those ships have been on our tail for a while now, huh?"
Jack looked over with alarm. "They have? How have we not noticed?" He went to the side of the ship and peered closely. "That flag looks familiar to me."
"Think it's the Corps?" Cobiah asked, knowing fully well that it was not. "They don't seem to be closing to cannon range. And we just got out of port, it could be coincidence."
"Perhaps," Jack said, "but it's better to be safe than sorry. I swear, that flag looks familiar. It's not the Corps, but I don't know what it is." He stood up straight, and brushed his hands of dust. "I'm going to go talk to Natalia." Suddenly, as if summoned, Natalia and Rhys walked on deck. Natalia looked worried, with her eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes unfocused in thought. Rhys also looked concerned, but he waled with a kind of swagger as they joined Jack, Avice, and Cobiah by the edge. "Cap'n," Jack said, pointing to the horizon. "The ships?" Natalia looked at them curiously. "Hmm," she said tugging on a loose lock of hair in thought. "Keep an eye on them. If they get too close, fire a warning shot." She turned to the others, with a mix of a grin and a grimace on her face. "Well, everyone, get your winter gear out; we're going up North! Rhys has told me an approximate location, and we're traveling there presently."
"This treasure is taking us on one wild goose chase. We'd probably visit every country on this planet before we find this treasure." He began to walk back down to his quarters.
Natalia ignored him, tired of his cynicism. "We will stop in a few towns on the way there to gather some supplies. There are," her brow furrowed, "some strange stigma attached to the legend, and if they are true, then we need certain supplies." Rhys nodded with a somewhat cheeky grin, and he elbowed Natalia. "And from what I've learned, ol' Captain here doesn't like to be unprepared for anything." He frowned. "Anything." "When you found yourself facing supposed monsters and phantom spirits, you might thank me," she said smoothly. "I doubt that all of the legends are true, but it would be very foolish to enter this situation without careful planning. Besides, according to the legend, we need various objects to be permitted into the island; it seems to be almost magical, with a mind of its own."
Avice perked up. "It has a legend? Those are always fun to listen to. Magical island adventure! What do you guys think will happen?"
(Congrats guys! We now have the Non-Pony RP with the highest amount of replies! Also, sorry I was gone; I had a babysitting job that took me away from home for a couple of days with children from Hell.) Natalia shrugged. "Honestly, I'm not sure. Some of the legend is fairly unbelieveable. Rhys has it memorized, and he will be working with me quite frequently to record the story, as well as other facts. He studied the legend in Norlure, and he was a thief to make ends meet. That's why he was in prison." Rhys coughed in embarrassment. "Well, what can you do..?" he mumbled, kicking at the wood slightly. "If we have time tonight, he will relay the story during dinner, if that is alright with you, Rhys." Natalia said, idly sweeping the dust off a railing nearby. "Aye-aye, Captain!" He gave a half salute, and Natalia almost looked amused. "Very well," she said. * * * As the ship cut through the waves, Jack kept peering back at the ships he had seen. "Guys," he said, "those ships are still following us."
Avice pulled a long cutlass that was set neatly in her belt. She examined it for a moment, lightly tapping the top as to test its sharpness. Satisfied, she placed it back to its hilt before looking at Jack with a cool expression. "Let's fight them, then."
Jack looked at her for a moment, and tilted his head in thought. Then, he nodded. "We need to talk to Natalia first, of course. There are more of them than us." (@Proxy, how many ships are there?)
"Then let's just get on with it and talk to her." Avice was obviously eager to fight people once more.
(2 Ships.) "Are you guys sure? Those ones look like they can out pace us, and are probably below the firing arcs of our cannons."
"We should at least tell Natalia," Jack responded. "We can probably take one of them, but two might be a challenge. We can't just have them following us."
Avice looked at the ships, her eyes sparked with ferocity. "You should tell her. You are the first mate after all."
Jack nodded. "I'll be right back," he said. * * * Natalia's lips were set in a firm line when she heard about the ships. After staring at the ships for a few minutes, she spoke. "They have been following us for too long for it to be a coincidence," she said. "Prepare the cannons, if you please. They aren't in range, but they're bound to get closer if they are pursuing us."
Jack cleared his throat and nodded. Turning on his heel, he returned to Avice and Cobiah. "It's your lucky day," he said. "She said to ready the cannons."
Avice grinned and gave a low, "Aw yeah!" before sliding below deck. She prepared a few of the cannons, filling them with gunpowder and cannonballs.
