Enatic Clans

"The Grand Empire of Inglovia is at wit's end. Not that I'm assuming but I do feel it. Use me but don't expect my loyalty doesn't come up with a price. I'm not their enemy but as their valuable and strategic asset. Arrrr~... Afterall, savagery shapes me to who I am as of now." proclaims the savvy captain.

"Ooooo… tell us what kind of proposal the envoys of the Grand Imperial bargain with you, Captain Leonis."

"Glad, you ask! If the Crown seeks manpower from us, me the leader of this fort island could renegotiate the terms of equal amounts or the relative amount to their initial offer. If I sent fifty thousand on-the-second men, better be I got fifty thousand women or more - slaves, sluts, fallen nobles, peasants; it doesn't even matter, just give us women. Regardless of race - orcs, elves, dwarves, succubi, vampires, giants, anything."

"Do you expect your men will die in uncertainty?" Lord Remer is concerned about the tactical usage of Captain Leonis about his men.

"Aye, it is a waste but if some survive - let's say a hundred out of fifty thousand, that number still would be a huge deal for Fort Quogsagihaxee'e! Bad news for the Grand Empire of Inglovia, since their blood tithe, the initial proposal of women, were integrated deeper into our society and it can't be rescinded. Hahaha~ Fort Quogsagihaxee'e boyos will always return to their birthly abode. Their experience is adamantly instrumental for the future generation. I, as their leader of this fort, would be giving gifts - a ship, a piece of land, a pension, their naked statues of themself, a seat in my inner circle, five virgins per head, or an artifact. No problem. They have done great service outside the fort island in exchange for the prestige to the Fort Quogsagihaxee'e." as the captain purportedly claims.

I have done my math in my head: The Grand Empire of Inglovia will get a couple of thousand militia from this fort island, but the veterans can always return. Fort Quogsagihaxee'e, on the other hand, will get the full bulk of exchange of either the same size or two thousand and five hundred, but these meat gifts are tainted during the duration of the conflict. Since these women are deemed wretched and impure for political purposes - no rebates. A dealbreaker, indeed! Captain Leonis's parasitic doctrine - 'Captain Leonis Celamus Thought'.

I sigh, "Yeah, right, I have known enough that Captain Leonis is not some lad who is interested in zero-sum games. Short-term gains are equivalent to breeding long term setbacks, adversarial karmic force, and foes. The captain is afraid not of losing a plethora of battles, if it would buy him a future to live for and a day to fight yet again. Captain is playing a long game during his tenure and after his death via win-win situations. But optimistic about the failures and missteps of his partners to gain an upper hand by renegotiation or setting a higher concession. Even the divs might be reluctant to sign a pact with him - seeking not for personal triumphs, for he owns his blunders himself and he entails his victories to the fort island. Earning himself a place into the abyssal desolation, away from the seventh warmth, and melancholic cold of Kigal. You truly are a spawn of a Riivaaja, Captain Leonis." getting the grasp of his intentions, as I am boring this mental note in my head. Very nefarious.

"Why women, though?" Lord Guan asks, with an uneasy expression written all over his face.

"This is a pirate republic, Sir Clef… the sons of this fort republic." the captain answers Lord Guan's question, "Fort Quogsagihaxee'e is a syphilis-infested zone, mind you. Sounds brutal but yes. But that's what life is. Don't be too idealistic on your principles, Clef. And reminding y'all yet again, ill people are a liability." Captain Leonis unfazed saying this, which is in my opinion - it is fairly true.

The captain adds, biting his lips, saying: "They ask for gold, we demand the increase of export of our very own 'Fort Quogsagihaxee'e Special'. They desire a naval attaché for our piratical background? In return, I demanded a scholarship and sent my very best pirate captains or inexperienced greens to the University of Inglovian Occidental - Military Academy. The Crown wants our surplus of seafood, Fort Quogsagihaxee'e must increase the radius of our fishery rights. At the end of the day, I have the leverage. And I'm willing to exploit the system for the common good of Fort Quogsagihaxee'e. It is a strategic leeching - we as their far-off colony enjoy the protection under the umbrella of the Grand Imperial sphere of influence while exercising our liberty of autonomy. They use us, as they expect to be used by me also." he descends to the stairs. He says it himself - a grand bloodsucking scheme.

Captain Leonis and his naga moxie are half-way through the stairs, "With regards to women as such: skins so silky and white as snow, fair face, huge bosom, tight wombs, androphobic, or of the royalty or higher nobility birthright. It's not me who will hoard these women. I could distribute these women among the captains such as Captain Robert McAllen O'Valentine de Alcanzantre and Captain Razor Rommel 'Rat' de Regalshire and to the most promising young talents of this fort island. If they want more, they can always have a second. That way, their loyalty to me will prolong - give or take fifteen years. It's a win-win situation, regardless of if I'm still prompting for cheap ass meat outhouses." turning his back, while he entails another strategic insight about his grand scheme of things keeping his internal factions and future rivalries at bay. His naga lover shares a thought of her laughter.

With my monologue keeps it safe, "He uses the goblin or volklurche logic as well. Truly savage, he is." internally via at the back of my head.

Captain Leonis and Habaraef, together with several lapdog on-the second men, walks us from the upper deck of the ship. And now, we are here underneath - the lower deck. The ventilation is sufficient. With a lot of portholes, not only for the compartment of cannons. As I assume they cautiously design this for safety reasons.

"Two hundred years ago, oars were supplemented with arcane arts. And around that time, there were some nautical experts and maritime enthusiasts who dispute the use of sail plus oars for practical reasons. You know, hiring magic users is far more exorbitant, economic-wise. Hence, during this timeline - two hundred years prior, there was another set of radical naval thinkers to utilize the sea monsters instead for propulsion. That group was fairly brazenly practical but where do they get such vital resources in the first place? Thus, their notion had been scrapped." therein explaining, Captain Leonis shares a brief overview of the nautical world. It is not that we are asking in the first place but he is just sharing it to us.

I still pay heed to the explanation of the captain but for certain, one thing piques my interest. I spot that there is a well deck while looking down through the bannister. And here it hides, two sloop ships at once. 'Pristinia' looks beautiful, indeed. I am going not to lie per se.

"Moving on, fast forward to fifty years, which is a hundred and fifty years before, the age of oaring was waning and being superseded by the art of sails - mainsails, staysails, trysails, spritsails, et cetera, et cetera. Then after that, fifty years forward, the maritime navigational scene incorporated the matters with the arcane division. Same case, restraint by the resource of gold. Then the same radical freethinking naval group who insisted on enslaving the sea monsters was revolutionary. With treatises, of course. Proving their point further, succumbing to the potential divide between the 'sails and magic arts' versus 'sea monster-powered'. This is the climax where intellectual warfare started within the nautical world. Intrigue. Auspicious favors. Blood spilled. Brain drained. And all."

The group seems awed by the lost and dark history of seafaring. Similarities occur in espionage. I have been in the business almost a score. Clandestine taught me all. Everything. But such a stride in a strife in a rare occasion happens in this line of work. Networks like these link towards kingdoms, businesses, and ecclesiastical affairs. Those three where we get our commissions.

"After fifty years and onwards, hundred years ago, that is, team 'sea monster-powered' was disbanded once more. 'Cause study has shown that subjugation of such species is costly both to gold and men. Another opposition had emerged to team up with the 'sails and magic arts' and those were the 'wahsh and animal preservatory vigilante' group. In the end, said-group had a contentious scandal running around on how they treat these alwuhush. Coincidentally, I took part in the initiative as a cluster of the 'sails group'. But underneath the growing dissidents within the 'sails group', I seceded. Well, at least, I have their knowledge while making my own innovations."

"Like a sly fox." allegedly calling Captain Leonis as a cowardly man with no morals, Lord Remer expresses his disdain for underhanded maneuvers.

"Ahaha~ Like a sly fox, indeed. Arrrr~ 'tis ain't jousting or wrestling with rules. This is the real world!" the captain happily accepts and agrees to Lord Remer's accusations. The captain is bound not to anyone or anything but his pirate republic.

"So what is the point of reviving the muscle-powered method via oars?" I turn around, facing the captain to inquire.

"You have a good question there, Sir Æ. Actually, this idea also came from the very founder's mind of this fort island. Your very own, yours truly, may the gods and goddesses bless his soul - Hizer Słońcesław. He stated this in his journal." as he pulls the content out of his pocket.

The captain vocalizes, continuing: "Again, economic reasons. Yes, I admit these three methods prove to maximize the output - 'sails', 'magic arts', and 'rowing'. Speed and alternative techniques within a ship. But we're here in Fort Quogsagihaxee'e. First and foremost, where the budget is tight. Additionally, we don't have such talents. And if so, barely."

"Then, in lieu of the exchange of grand imperial whores for your on-the-second men. Why not, parley with their grand imperial mages instead?" I rebut, crossing my arms.

"Good point, Sir Æ. But I ain't that desperate and I solely focus on the survival of this fort island for the moment."

"Touché." I respond with a deadpan expression while nodding my head.

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"As you know, Sir Æ, I hate buttering reality with tomfoolery. What I need is an aftermath, a result where Fort Quogsagihaxee'e will last a hundred years. If I am too idealistic - forever. To bolster my argument, magical arts is a huge gamble and it takes a lot of balls. Huge risk wasted on a whim with no research nor experiential thoroughs. Equals kill yourself. I care not at all how, just end your life." the captain clears his throat, as the one of the first on-the-second men lands his foot on the ground, where Captain Leonis follows.

"Going back to the Grand Imperial-Fort Quogsagihaxee'e dialogues. What if the Crown refuses to make a deal with you, Captain Leonis? What makes you assume you are leading the zero net sum instead of a win-win situation?" Lord Guan asks the captain, glancing at his back, while we are on the lower deck.

"Huh? What are you talking about, Clef?" he returns to the question of Lord Guan, "I did say I have the leverage, yes. I never said they will always succumb to my demands. My purpose is to squeeze whatever the Grand Imperials have in order to keep the Fort Quogsagihaxee'e afloat. Be smart while y'all are younger as of now, kiddos. Being wiser comes naturally." adding, as the captain entails once again his fruitful experience.

After my scrutiny with the wheel well, there is something that piques my eyes. Several powder monkeys of different races and descents are practicing the unloading and reloading of each cannon on the gun deck - starboard side, port side, and bow side. At their youthful stage, displaying childlike energy and vigor. I also notice some teenage snotty gals tied with bandanas on their foreheads participate in this line of work. Not only as precise as their male counterparts, their gunwale is directly at the butt of the artillery which shows gallantry among the peers.

"Boy First Class Reina Anna NhicDouglas O'Neil de Fort Quogsagihaxee'e. A powder monkey. Nice to meet you." says the human girl of ambiguous ethnicity with an eye patch and sports a yellow bandana, interacting with me, I suppose that is her rank then.

Yes, a typical name of a commoner. I am aware of it. Following this format: either one or more given names, the name of their father, the name of their clan or common ancestral name, and then the place where they were born to.

I smile, "Likewise, young lady. People call me, Æ." as I see in her eyes - full of passion and life.

"Second Master's Mate Douglas McPercival O'Neil de Eischrein. Allowed for promotion, if my handler, you know? Second Master Ryan of the House of Xioanze will be promoted as well to Master." as a Nír human man who appears to be in mid-30's introduces himself from behind, planting his palm on my shoulder.

This Ryan-lad. From the House of Xioanze. Does he have a noble birthright? Seems like it. A fallen nobility seeking refuge to this pirate utopia? A classic journey of asylum, indeed. As he finds or is still attempting to fit in this place.

"The name is Æ. Are you perhaps the father of this young, bright, fair lady?" I introduce myself then proceed to my askance afterwards, referring to Anna-Douglas relationship.

"Indeed, Sir Æ." we share a handshake, after the exchange, "I hope seeing Captain Leonis's return to active sailing." he wishes, looking towards the captain of this fort.

"Breaking news, lieutenant of the second sailing master. It will happen not at all. The captain has done enough for him to go back to the waves. What he seeks is to make people akin to him in his likeness. He is no longer the king of the seas, but as the kingmaker." I respond in my mind, as I hate to pop it for this lad Douglas.

"I will be going…" as I leave the father-and-daughter, "Good luck on your promotion, Douglas. And you too, powder monkey. Keep up the good work." dashing to catch with the rest, as I bid them a farewell wave.

"Pirates of Fort Quogsagihaxee'e. Lady and Gentlemen, lo and behold - 'Pristinia II' and 'Lil Pristinia'. Minor Pristinia number one and minor Pristinia number two - amphibious assault ships within a heavy warship." as the captain presents two of the sloop ships inside 'Pristinia'. Managing to catch up, below the lower deck - wheel well.

In a sudden spurt of episodes, a small explosion transpired. Shrapnels causes him to be hit on the captain's left leg. The captain winces, but excruciatingly. Captain Leonis handles the pain well. And heroically shields himself as a collateral towards us.

Ya Allah, in my eyes-… no, a universal truth, this incident would be a death sentence to the pipsqueak girl who did the deeds. But instead…

The captain reprimands, disciplining: "You, fucking green." laying his hand towards the young junior, with a lenient slap.

"I'm sorry, Captain. I-..." whereas the fresh gal is trying to apologize, as she is cut by a backhand slap from the captain.

"From whose company you're in? Who's your warrant officer? Fetch me thine handler… Post-haste!" on the double, the girl follows the order of Captain Leonis.

"Head Buccaneer Michael Mitchellson O'Zobo of the Second Starboard Battery." the young adult man reports in, in front of the captain after a minute of waiting.

True to his character, instead of severely disparaging or flogging his subordinates and his crew, the captain himself educates them verbally.

"Young buccaneer, what is your name?" the captain inquires the young girl.

She stutters every breath, she says and refuses to make contact with the captain eye-to-eye. "Uhm,... buca- buccaneer… my name is… my name is–..." it makes me want to titter on how anxious the kid is.

"Out with it, buccaneer… ?" Captain presses the female junior, repeating the word while asking for her name.

"Buccaneer Apprentice Yalennessa, reporting for duty, sir! Achoo~" she sneezes at the face of the captain, as Captain Leonis wipes the snot in a gracious and elegant manner. The captain might be ruthless but he is cold against his foes instead of his people.

As the kid starts to ramble things once more that the captain does want not to hear. "I'll become a Buccaneer 3rd Class in two moons from now, or if I did my duties correctly in the upcoming voyage. I swore to comply with orders from my Head Buccaneer and I swore to expend my body via Pristinia's scheme and/or sexua-..."

"Right, right, right~ young gal Yalennessa, you're replaceable. But it takes a prospect to flourish, remember that. And as for you, Head Buccaneer O'Zobo, this kid is your responsibility. I don't want such events happening in a volatile environment. Capiche?" as the captain undertakes to rectify any grievous blunders in the future of the sake of the ship and their dwelling also.

To be honest, Captain Leonis seems to have good parenting skills. I might be oblivious to him and his son, Leonis Celamus II, however I assume there is a rift between them far more distant than emotional relationship. With few scars the captain makes to their faces, his naga paramore is ordered to patch their wounds of the junior and her warrant officer. On the surface, Captain Leonis may flaunt his personal achievement but deep down he is more wary about the future of Fort Quogsagihaxee'e. He truly cares for his men and the inhabitants of this fort island more than he realizes.

I smile because Captain Leonis is far ahead than me, "I know a person who lies because I am one of them. Captain Leonis is being accused as one - neither because he is stirring the truth, not because giving half-truths, nor because of sowing misinformations or slanders; but because he is largely misunderstood by many. His intentions were clear from the start, it is up to one who will interpret it." admittingly since espionage is my coming-of-age and up until now.

"So, is this ship - 'Prisitinia' yours? As in, do you personally own it?" Lord Guan asks in a somewhat sheepish voice.

"It is neither mine nor other captains nor Habaraef's, 'Pristinia' belongs to Fort Quogsagihaxee'e solely. I have two personal ships at my disposal - 'Kraftschiffwagen', a light warship that utilizes the art of sails. And 'Little Quogsagihaxee'e', a sloop powered by both oaring and sails. Aye, I could use 'Pristinia' for emergency reasons or when Fort Quogsagihaxee'e needed her service, but not for my very own selfish leisure purposes."

The rest of them trail behind the naga, I make an opportunity to inquire something far-fetch, "I will be frank as I could be, Captain Leonis," I mutter lowly and articulately, "... you, he, we live in a world built on transaction… but what happens when the world demands something you can barter not at all away?"

The captain smirks, eyes glittering with cunning as he steps forward, uttering: "Then I trade blood. Whose blood, you ask? Yours, his, Habaraef's, theirs, my people, our enemies, our overlord, and especially mine. For I truly believe Fort Quogsagihaxee'e will stand with these sacrifices." demonstrating, with his undying ardent faith in his very own abode, he has a strong fetish for Fort Quogsagihaxee'e.

"So Captain," as Lord Guan breaks the ice once more, "... what is a Boy? I mean a Boy class whatever. Some approached to greet me as they state their names without regards of one's gender." where he cuts himself amidst us, I reckon he is talking about the rank itself.

"Ah~ Boy 3rd Class in terms of duties, these young seamen have the similar responsibility with the Landsman. Like Landsman, they do: harder manual labor, as waiter in this port, as a junior clerk to a local store, managing rigging, and others; before they step foot abroad." Captain Leonis answers Lord Guan's query, slowing his tread.

"Then, if there's Boy 3rd Class, there must a Boy 2nd Class and Boy 1st Class, right?" with those gleaming spark on his eyes, Lord Guan bombards the captain. In all honesty, I desire to know more about this type of world - either pirate or naval culture.

"Aye, that goes without saying, Sire Clef."

Lord Remer then follows, asking: "What is the difference between Boy 3rd Class to Landsman, Boy 2nd Class versus Seaman, and Boy 1st Class against Able Rate? Is it the age, experience, or something?" as his input is rather sophisticated.

"Yes, afterall, it is about seniority. But however,..." with a dramatic pause, "Young seamen will be promoted accordingly to their experience. Most of these teens got their firsthand wisdom through by handling bolas and powder bags as powder monkeys. Or handing munitions of the onagers upstairs—in the upper deck. And after they reach adulthood, they will become a fine Able Rate. But with a twist, albeit, these young seamen who have seen horrors and sought for deeper purpose have the stamp for fast-track because of their prior service. Thus not just becoming a petty officer themselves, but a senior officer." the captain finishes.

"Is this setting a standard naval traditional rank, like in the mainland?" Lord Remer follows.

"No..." the captain dismisses, his head shakes in a gentle manner.

"Then, where did you harness such innovation?"

"I think I've dreamt this a long time ago. No, I recall that I stole this notion from the otherworldly knowledge about this hierarchy. Mayhaps, up in my ass" Captain Leonis chuckles a bit, resuming: "Or maybe, I'm just lying though, where did I pitch this reorganization. Who knows." the captain insists on laughing. If so, then this idea is revolutionary.