Evolution: A Warlock's Rise To Power

After naptime, Lucan invited the thirty other players into his group.  The three other teams consisted of players he had bought from Sturdy Willow.  They were all at level 160 so that they wouldn't raise the difficulty of the instance.  Lucan had worked with a few of them when he had taken the fortress, so he knew that they were capable people.  Not only were they capable, but they were ready to take commands and follow orders.

When everyone was ready, Lucan selected the raid and led the group into the instance.

The sun was still rising in the distance and three pirates ships were heading in the groups direction.

At this point, Lucan had understood why the captured navy sailors were unwilling to help during the team dungeon.  If they had died while the team was taking over the ship, who would sail the thing during the raid.

Silent released the prisoners below deck and this time, they were more than willing to help out.  But there was a slight issue.  The crew's captain and first mate had been killed when they were captured.  Now the sailors were trying to decide who to promote to captain.

Lucan tried to step up and take charge, but while the sailors were thankful that they were freed, they weren't prepared to listen to the words of an outsider with no sailing experience.  He was brutally turned down by the sailors.

Silent Tried to hide her laughter after the sailors chewed her husband out.  But they had made good points, he knew nothing about running a ship.

But from the looks of it, if the players didn't make a decision, the sailors would continue their squabble until they were surrounded by pirates.

Lucan sighed and then looked to Super.  "You have the coat, why don't you take charge."

"It would be my pleasure."  Super said, as if he had only been waiting for the opportunity.  He marched up the stairs to the upper deck and looked down towards the sailors who were bickers. "Quiet down you scally-wags!  I am the captain here and anyone who has a problem with it will walk the plank."

The sailors stopped arguing and turned towards Super.

"Listen up!  Those sea dogs will be on us soon.  I need men to prep the canons.  Arhh, we be fightin' fer our lives here.  No more time for your tongue waggin and jaw jabberin'.  Half of you lot head below deck and prepare our weapons.  You other lads, hoist the anchor and draw the sail.  Now listen well and listen good because dead men tell no tales.  I don't want to end up in Davy Jones locker so we can't let those three sea rovers best us.  So not one more word of protest and git your hinds moving."

The sailors stood dazed and stared at Super for a moment.  He then slammed his fist on the banister and yelled.  "Go now or I will crush ye barnacles, and to every lad that gives it his all, I will buy you a bottle of rum once we get to port."

"Aye aye captain!"  Said a sailor.

"Move for the captain!" A sailor added.

"Move for our lives!" Said another.

"Move for the RUM!!!!"  No one was sure who said the last line, but the sailors doubled their pace.

Half of them went below deck to prime and load the cannons while the others began to raise the anchors and open the sails.  A single sailor ran to the upper deck and stood inforn of the wheel that controlled the rudder.  The sailor saluted Super.

"Where shall I set the bearing captain?"

Super Looked out across the horizon.  "There."  He said pointing to the north.  "Try to put that cluster of islands between us and those sea dogs."

"Aye aye."  The sailor said as he began to spin the large wheel.

Lucan and a few others chuckled and went to the upper deck.

Supper only smirked and let out a pirate laugh.  "Yo-ho-ho."

"I didn't understand half of what you said boss, but it seemed to work."  Said Bubblegumfairy as she stood next to Super.

"I just said all the pirate things I could think of and it worked."  He said while nodding.

"He, he, you're so corny."  She laughed.

"Watch your tongue lass or I'll tie you up and throw you in the brig."

Bubblegum winked at him.  "Maybe after the raid you can tie me up and punish me."

Super blushed as she walked back down the steps.  He noticed the sailor next to him was watching her rear as she went down the steps.

"Keep your eyes on the course or no rum for you.  Don't you be gettin' thoughts bout my wench."  He said while knocking the sailor on the head.

"Ah! Not the rum, take anything but the rum."  The sailor whined as he refocused on his task.

Lucan brought the players together as they began to discuss strategy.  They knew that if they tried to take on three ships with only one, there was no way they could survive.  They would have to take the fight to the pirates and either separate them from each other or board one of the ships and destroy it from the inside.  As they sailed towards the islands in the north, the group began to discuss how to best defeat the pirates.

***

"Fleet Commander! Fleet Commander!"  The call came from the crow's nest atop the main sail.

"What is it lad?!"  Shouted a stern voice.

"It looks like the scouting ship has been taken over by those navy bastards!"

Fleet Commander Richards took an eyeglass from his bag and turned it towards the ship in the distance.  They were too far away to see anything in detail, but the men scurrying about on the ship didn't look like his.

He collapsed the eye glass and turned towards the pirate next to him.  "Signal the other two ships. It looks like we have a fight on our hands."

"But sir, they are headed for siren territory.  Should we really chase them?"

"Hmpff, and what if they leave the sirens territory?  Won't the navy know exactly where we are.  I have spent too long searching for the pirate king's treasure.  I won't let anyone else get a whiff of this.  Now do as I say and signal the other and prepare for a fight."

"Aye aye."

The Fleet Commander mumbled to himself.  "A rag tag group of captured sailors won't be able to stop me.  I am the great pirate Richard.  Only I am worthy of discovering the pirate king's treasure.  Anyone who dares to stop me will meet my blade or take a long walk off the plank."

In the distance, Fleet Comander Richard could see dark clouds moving there way.  On the rushing winds he heard the soft roll of thunder.

"Aye, looks like a storm is comin'.  He, he, tis no better time for us to fight.  Let us see if these navy dogs know how ter' navigate the sea's wrath"  He then turned towards the pirates who were rushing across the deck, busily working.  "Come on lads!  Move faster!  We sail towards our destiny!"