Calarian moving into the beaches is a laborious process for his guards; first, the five-man party stop atop the hill, and the nobleman lifts a hand to cover himself from the sun and gaze upon the crowds. After some unintelligible words with his assistant and guards, they aid the Prince in his descent to the beaches, and traversing through the sand with all his courtly garments. He doesn't seem to mind to get them a little bit stained with sand. The nobleman's attention is undeniably on the group -- be it disembarked or not.

At sunrise on this chill, cloudy morning, the eastern beaches are a scene of unusual activity.  A large table serves as the gathering point for all assembled captains, noble warriors, and interested observers. A long blast on a signal horn summons the captains to council.  A handful of mighty dromonds and war galleys are at anchor offshore, floating like wooden fortresses, while a half dozen longships are drawn up on the beach, ready to ferry the captains to their vessels.

Duke Grimhall is in full armor, as he speaks to the captains in an unhurried rumble. “The allied fleet are the defenders. Kennex, Navegant, Valardin, Velenosa, Grayson. Your goals are thus: send out scouts, find the enemy and defeat him if you can, escape to open water if you cannot. I will lead the enemies, so save your strategies until I am gone. All ships have been provided with mock munitions; wooden swords, blunted arrows for archers, sacks of dry leaves and sand for the catapults. Your accuracy and range will be reduced as a result, it will likely come down to boarding. You have the advantage in large ship's, but will be outnumbered.” The old reaver draws a slow breath, looking between those assembled. “Remember that whichever captains and ships are sent as scouts may be out of reach and formation when the fleets engage. Choose your pickets wisely.  If you have questions before we begin, ask them now,” Harald invites, plainly.

Reese arrives in her pink leather armor and with a falcon perched on her shoulder. She peeks over to Calarian as he arrives, giving her cousin a smile of greeting. She looks toward the Duke as he explains the game, nodding in response.

Henrik arrives, following Sameera.

Antonio is here representing Lenosia- and the Lyceum as a whole, it would seem. He listens to the briefing, nodding his head a little bit as he glances toward the other captains assembeled, his fingers tapping gently on the hilt of his cutlass.

Princess Lou didn't waste time getting back to her old outfit of a tunic dress and pants that blends into the woods, or her leather armor. Oh, and a bit of jewelry to make it all look somewhat girly. Her trusty weapons are sheathed, but within easy reach.

Skye arrives late to the naval maneuvers, missing the explanation that was given. She inches up to the group, a little shy but she does wave to Edward, Ian and Regla as she takes her place.

The Princess Admiral of Valardin stands amidst the named defenders, cheeks dimpling faintly with a subtle twitch of her lips as she sways aside to bump a shoulder lightly against Reese's own. "We've got this," she declares with quiet confidence, her eyes bright with burgeoning excitement. Booted feet shift in the sands, turning smoothly to level a reproachful look upon Antonio. "It seems we will have to save that wager for another time, no?" A pause, a hint of teeth revealed in her small grin. "Unless..."

Princess Lou didn't waste time getting back to her old outfit of a tunic dress and pants that blends into the woods, or her leather armor. Oh, and a bit of jewelry to make it all look somewhat girly. Her trusty weapons are sheathed, but within easy reach. She makes her way to the beaches, having heard about the mock battle today. She's certainly interested, as her expression is full of curiosity. She spies Reese, and waves over at her sister, grinning a bit. "Hey Reese," she greets her.

Sameera arrives late, probably because she decided to focus on something else and belatedly saw the time. And because her player is unable to get places. Everyone in general gets a bow but no vocalized greeting. Thus far Sameera seems more interested in just waatching.

Yeah, all the other Grayson are battle-ready in their armor. Calarian is not. He is in his jacket and brocaded courtly attires. "Reese, Lou, Cousins of Mine," he greets Reese and Lou with his lordly, mellifluous voice. He presses a hand against his back, before saying, "I've come to watch the mock battle. Who's in charge of our fleet today?"

Reese smiles over to her sister as she arrives, seemingly happy to see her. "Lou.." She says gently. She then turns her focus to Katarina. She sees encouraged by the Valardin princess' confidence. "Maybe we should join your ship." She murmurs musingly. It is possible that Reese doesn't know how to sail a ship. but she still seems eager for the game. "This is my sister Lou and my cousin Calarian. And this is Princess Katarina, who knows about sailing and war, both."

Sameera has joined the Beneath Trees.

Skapti stood, listening to the Duke, thumbs hooked into his swordbelt. "Any rules of engagement, besides 'Don't actually try and kill your training partner'?"

Antonio tilts his head toward Katarina, echoing her little grin with a broad smile of his own. He lifts a hand to sweep an errant lock of hair out his face. "Oh? Did you have something in mind, your highness?"

When she spots her cousin, Regi lifts a hand waving back towards Skye. However, she turns her attention back to listening to things.

Titania is standing on the beach listening and watching but she is in no dress, she is in leather pants and a silk top with knee high boots and a sword at her hip, she has her arms crossed over her chest as she stands listening.

Adam, A Young Apprentice, 3 Navegant Marines arrive, following Turo.

6 Crimson Blades Sergeant arrives, following Tobias.

"Princess Katarina," Calarian greets Katarina with a smile that reaches his eyes as he assumes a position by Reese and Lou, the Grayson. His entourage of guards and assistant settle next to him too. After a moment of silence, he adds aside to Reese and Lou, "Or I can stay in the shore, however works better. I'm here to watch."

Lou inclines her head to Calarian. "Good to see you out and about." She turns her attention to Katarina, and smiles a bit. "Princess Katarina and I met at one of the Pentathlon competitions briefly. I can try to help, but - I have no skills at sailing," she gives fair warning. "It might be better of if I just watch so as not to skew someone's chances."

"Your Highnesses," Katarina affixes a smile of the warmest reception toward Calarian and Lou, her arms briefly unfolded to issue a wave of a gloved hand. "You're all more than welcome to join me aboard the Unsullied. Pinky Princess," her sweet, fond name for Reese. "and I will be working together."

Once he has his armor on Edward climbs the plank onto the ship as it pushes out into the water. He walks into the bow as it backs out and he takes in the view of those still on the beach before he turns and begins to shout orders to the crew on the ship.

"For another day," Katarina surmises toward Antonio, her smile sheepish. "I wouldn't want to embarass you today, of all days."

Ian, on Skapti's ship, is presently managing to stay on his feet, because they're still docked, presumably in a bay or something, where it's nice and calm. And also becase he's found a railing to hold onto. Mostly the railing. "This is a fast ship," he says once Harald is out of earshot. "You're a strong sailor and I have good eyesight and a pretty good idea what to look for. We might make a good scout."

Reese smiles at Katarina's words, giving a nod to her kinfolk. She seems pleased they are here. She then turns her focus to Edward and waves toward the sailor Baron.

With no questions offered, Duke Harald states evenly, "I leave you all to choose your scouts and organize your strategy. Rocks and storms and death, defy." That blessing given, the old reaver withdraws to his longship, and sets to sea, swiftly striking for the open waters.

Once Harald is gone, Ford looks to those gathered on the beach, "Who's never formed a plan of action for naval warfare?"

"I'm just here to follow orders." Regi points out on the heel of Ian's comments to Skapti, since she really is just there. Although, if she needs to jump ship and go somewhere else, there's still time for moving her around as needed.

"There is little chance of that." Antonio tells Katarina. An eyebrow is arched as he watches a few of the captains depart for their ships before stragety is disscused and roles are choosen. Ford, who has stayed behind, thankfully, gets an apprecaitve look from Antonio.

"Well, then," Calarian breathes out in agreement to Katarina, "I am sure that none of us will have to use our wooden swords. The Unsullied is in most capable hands." A smile's given to Lou. "You too, Princess Lou," he offers back to her.

Along comes Tobias and his bodyguard retinue, as they step down onto the beach. Tobias himself is tunic clad, while his bodyguards are all armored. Soon, he's near the others, and giving the whole setup a look over, "When I heard about this, I got curious. I hope you all don't mind an observer; I'm more of a land warfare person myself."

"Well, you probably don't want me scouting, but I could try my hand being Admiral." Reese says and then turns her focus to Ford. "I have formed land plans for battle, but not at sea.

"We know you're a capable leader Princess. I'm hoping for someone who is less experienced. This is an exercise and learning experience. Having pros do it won't teach anyone anything." Ford says.

"I'm certainly no pro," Katarina smoothly inserts to Ford.

Standing off to the side is the Admiral, having been watching the unraveling of the entire affair so far with a slow and rather patient looking gaze. Or Count Turo, but right now, he's fully put his Admiral hat on. While the other start considering what's going on, he starts moving for one of the ships. "I need a scout. First come, first serve."

Calarian doesn't seem like he has any interest in stating his evident, shoutable ignorance on the matter of naval warfare (he's in courtly attires, god damn it). He remains silent, schooled into an idle expression as he listens.

Skye looks to Turo, "I'll be your scout if you'll have me."

Ford nods, "Katarina, then, you and your ship will lead the scouting efforts." Then he looks to the others, "Now an Admiral. For this I do need -some- experience."

Lou looks back to Katarina, considering her invitation. "If you have no objections, then I'd be glad to go along for the ride. My skills are specialized in survival, mostly."

"Fast, aye, but it's no longship, either," Skapti muses. The Leatherback being a Dromon, and all. "That said, my experience is mostly with the actual sailing once we've stuck in, rather formations before hand. Fleets are large, get spotted too easily," he finishes.

Turo gives a nod to Skye. "Alright, cousin. Let's get to it." He gives a gesture toward the boat. "Going to need your eyes, so make sure they're sharp." Oh, no Count here. That's the commanding tone of the Admiral. Right back into his element.

"You all realize that we're now doubling up on all the things." Regla points out, hearing both her brother acting as Admiral, and Ford calling for Katarina to scout, then she just rubs her hands over her face, moving to sit down in the sand to wait until someone figures their ass out from a hole in the wall. 'cause, it's not her.

"I've 'some' experience in commanding fleets and flotillas," Antonio says, a little smirk crossing his face. The Lenosian admiral casts a glance toward Turo. "Count Navegant. Perhaps join us in planning stragetgy? Otherwise, we're going to get in each other's way."

Sameera continues to just idly watch from the spot under the trees that she found. Katarina is belatedly noticed and waved at. So is Titania. Two of the people present she knows well. She doesn't look like she thinks anyone will need her.

Titania is not sure if she will be needed so she moves over to where Sameera is and sits in the sand next to her but remains quiet.

Skye glances over his shoulder as she started to move toward where Turo indicated. She looks at Ford and then at Turo, "Do we only have one scout or should we have more than one?"

"For this particular exercise we only need one." Ford says with a nod.

Persephone watches the squabbling back and forth over who's going to do what with a neutral expression. She's only observing tonight herself, but its amusing to watch them all try to figure out who is going to be doing what. Lifting a dubious-looking brown bottle to her lips, she takes a swig and adjust the eyepatch resting of her left eye slightly, the right bright and flicking back and forth between people while she watches.

"Heading the scouting efforts?" Katarina arches her brows faintly at Ford. "I'm well experienced in either," she shifts in her place beside the Graysons to lend a look upon Turo. "And we're all content with Count Navegant as admiral?"

Sameera slants a look at Titania and gives what could be called a smile. Sure, it is a upward tilt of her lips, barely, but it totally passes for one by Sameera.

Reese seems a bit confused. "Well, wherever you want me." She murmurs.

"All of my experience is as a quick skirmisher," Ian agrees with Skapti. "In and out, agility and speed over power." The two of them, I think, are still hanging back. Ian's certainly not trying to give orders. "But I'm not sure this exercise is about doing things we already know how to do."

Ford folds his arms across his chest, "I'd like to make Antonio admiral for the exercise. We all know that Thrax sailors know how to do it. but we can't rely on Thrax sailors to handle all of it. Having a well rounded force is far better than a lopsided one."

As the others start to get ready, Tobias find himself a nice rock and moves to sit down. His bodyguards take positions around him as he takes out a sealed cup and undoes it, drinking a bit as he watches.

Titania looks to Sameera her blue eyes fall on her and her lips turn up slightly in a smile and then looks back over watching her family and such get ready.

Calarian remains silent and watchful of the ruminations of Ford and the rest of captains. He doesn't seem to have much to contribute for the present time.

Lou bites her lip as she listens to everyone talk around her, and it's almost like they're speaking a foreign language. She gives an apologetic look to Reese. "I think it's best I step back. Mason wanted me to go see some artwork for his art show."

Skye also waits for a direction on what's needed. She stands near Turo and Regla, her cousins, and quietly observes what's going on. She gives Sameera a little wave, recognizing her mentor.

Perhaps an hour after the scouts set out under Katarina, the Valardin's sail is sighted, at full tack. The ship is moving quickly back toward the allied fleet.

Sameera gives a responding wave to Skye. It's friendly. For Sameera. Tot Titania, "Feeling better?" she wonders of the Kennex noblewoman.

Reese peeks over to Lou, giving her a gentle smile. "Oh, no problem, take care Lou." She murmurs softly.

Since the rocks seem to be the place to go for spectating, that's where Persephone heads, settling her back against one to watch the proceedings. A sidelong glance at the man surrounded by guards has her giving a mental doubletake and shrug before shaking her head and looking back to the grouped folks.

Lou grins. "I will. We should get a drink and catch up sometime." With that, Lou turns and makes her way back up the beach.

Titania has joined the Beneath Trees.

Persephone has left the In the Water.

Tobias has joined the Beneath Trees.

Persephone has joined the Beneath Trees.

Skye has joined the In the Water.

    The faint echo of shouted commands sounds in the distance until the Unsullied has returned to the allied fleet. The boarding plank is dropped, and Katarina paces up the shoreline toward the amasssed Captains and the Admiral awaiting her report, Reese and Calarian presumably with her? "I was able to get a good assessment," she announces, Eurusian accent ever lilting. "Roughly a half dozen enemy scouts, thirty minutes out to the east, are posted sentinel. I was able to catch sight of a part of the main fleet, but I had to disengage before they were able to lure us in. Fifteen sails, smaller ships, total."

Ford looks to Antonio once Katarina returns with this information, "What's next Admiral?" It's said in a very... school teacher manner.

Aboard the Unsullied, Calarian is indeed amongst those crewed, though evidently he has taken the title of Officer for himself judging by how very little of anything but watch he's doing. Maybe he's mock-exercising his duties as the First Observer in a potential conflict. His hand rests against the edges of the ships, hazel eyes watching the sea, though they divert to Katarina when she gives that report, then to Antonio when Ford queries of him to fill in the blanks. "A nice change of winds, Philip," he decides to chit-chat with his assistant.

"So.. we're talking 20 or so ships total? Mostly longships?" Antonio says, nodding to Katarina before he glances around at the other assembled captains. "What have we brought to play?"

Ian also looks to Antonio, although less like an expectant teacher and more like someone who's interested to see what he can, and will do.

Reese is was aboard the unsullied with Katarina and Calarian, not knowing much about sailing, she seems quite content to follow the nautical princess' lead. She tried to be helpful by keeping a lock out and so forth, but she probably wasn't truly that much help. She returns when Katarina does to deliver the info.

Those of keen eyesight might pick out a single longship on the Eastern horizon, likely an enemy scout that trailed the Unsullied back.

Reese checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Calarian checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Reese doesn't seem to notice the longship. She stands quietly with the others, blissfully unaware that they were followed.

Ford checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Ford has the sun in his eyes.

Ian checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Calarian is following what Antonio says, and what Philip replies: "Yes, your Highness. The sea is said by some to alleviate the worries of the mind." The First Observer gives a pensive smile at that, though he doesn't follow up with another thought. "Is that an enemy ship?" he wonders naively, pointing an index finger to the single longship on the Eastern horizon. Well, he's good at Observing.

"So.. we're talking 20 or so ships total? Mostly longships? Outnumbered, just the way I like it." Antonio nods to Katarina, grinning. "Good work, your highness." He then grabs a stick, and starts sketching out what he assumes the enemies lines might look like. "Normally, I would say we should rush them, and take them by speed before they can muster, but it's a large force. We will be better off sending a few longships to try and lure them out and extend their lines- and see how many we can 'sink' with our catapults before fully engaging."

"A suggestion, Antonio." Ford says, nodding lightly at the Prince's plan thus far.

Ian looks up when Calarian points. "That's an enemy ship," he agrees. "From here, it looks like a scout. It proably followed you back. It might be a good idea to try to chase it off or capture it before we actually get going." He's neutral about whether or not this would be a good idea. He really doesn't know.

Katarina turns her head, following Calarian's pointed hand out toward the horizon where the enemy ship is sighted. "Well then," she exhales, her weight shifting in the sands beside Reese. "It could be a lure," she theorizes to Ian. "Or it could be a bold ship, all the same."

Ford glances aside when Ian calls out a ship. "She's just taking a peek. but you're right, we don't have too much longer before we need to not be here." Then he looks back to Antonio, "If we can telegraph to Harald that we've made a mistake, and that our movements are fumbling, he'll strike out at the perceived weakness. We can use that to snare him." It may be an exercise, but Ford knows Harald. And they do say you should know your enemy.

Calarian turns his hazel eyes to young Lord Kennex at his confirmation, eyes narrowing on the enemy scout he discovered. "Hm," he murmurs pensively, watching the commanders to see what their reaction to this threat will be. He studies what Ford says, and his brows lift in a way that suggests he likes that plan. "And how would we telegraph such a thing, my lord?" he interjects in query.

"I'm always open to hearing suggestions." He nods a little bit, listening to Ford's idea. "Yes. That might very well work- we should also be ready for a ploy of some sort from them.. just a feeling that I've got." Antonio glances out toward the sea- and the scout ship. "Princes Katarina- your ship is close enough still to engage them. Direct your crew to try and capture them- but not to travel too far too do so. If they run off, well enough."

"We should get to our ships and aweigh." Ford says, clapping Antonio on the back, "We can communicate as needed with our birds."

Reese looks over to the ship that was spotted and then she smiles to Calarian. "Oh, that was a good catch, seeing, that." She murmurs.

Ian DOES understand single ship captures. To Katarina, he suggests: "If you can drive them into a second ship cutting them off, it'll be harder for them to flee. Having access to their crew might be helpful, if they can be taken."

Katarina brings her arm up in brief salute to Antonio. "As you command," she pivots on heel, a look flicked toward Calarian and Reese to motion them along before she breaks off in a loose jog toward the shallows. The Eurusi boards, and soon shouts of her foreign tongue and Arvani alike are echoing through the day. REESE IS UP.

Calarian gives another ruminating 'hm' as he listens to plan. Princess Reese nets a smile from the Prince. "First Observers have an eye for detail, they say," he tells her aside as he moves over to follow Katarina along, his entourage of three guards and one assistant making a marching sound behind him on the planks of the ship.

Ford checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 7 higher.

Antonio checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 13 lower.

Skye quietly waists for her instructions, giving a wave to her cousin as he steps away. She looks to Edward, Regla or Skapti to see if they need anything.

Regla is sitting around, waiting. As someone who is decidedly not a captain, her only job here is to help keep a ship moving when the time comes. Or in an actual war situation, stab things. Other than that she seems to just be loitering. Although, while others work out logistics, she moves over to murmur a question to her cousin.

Edward checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 1 lower.

Ian checked intellect + war at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Skapti, unlike Regla, /was/ a Captain, but Ford had already said he wanted to see non Thraxians put in their effort for this, so he remains quiet for now, just listenings as the others make their plans.

Antonio isn't much of a planner- he's a doer! "Sounds good. To the ships!"

Skye is discreetly talking to her cousin as she waits for her orders. Like her cousin, she's waiting to see who needs help manning their ships and will not be captaining.

Once on Skapti's ship and ready to take off, Ian hangs onto the... rigging climbing ropes, the names of which I'm forgetting. He looks up at the gently corkscrewing mast and takes a deep breath, then climbs. He's going to get the best idea of what's going on from up high, and so up high he will go. Also, apparently he hasn't lost the touch for picking out ships on the horizon that he acquired pirate hunting, back in the day.

As the captains return to their ships and load the mock munitions into catapults, Katarina's Unsullied sets off in advance. The mighty dromonds and galleys form up, and observe a nautical game of cat and also-cat. The longship stays out of artillery range, threatening a run at the Unsullied before backing water, swiftly. After fifteen minutes it becomes clear the Eurusi captain won't commit a blunder, and more longships hove into view. All gave gathered their sails, relying on oars alone. Six, eight, ten.. at last fifteen longships strike forward, in a loose line abreast, scattered to minimize the risk from artillery, a battle line easily twice as wide as that of the allies . Horns sound, drums beat time, and

Reese seems a bit out of her element and it seems that she missed a chance to contribute, liking her own fault for being a bit ocean battled confused. She joins Katarina, back on the unsullied and gets ready for action.

And so it starts, Skapti barking orders to his crew, apparently having no qualms about ordering the nobles on his ship about. He was captain dammit, and on his ship, his word was law, no matter blood or birth.

Skapti checked command + sailing at difficulty 30, rolling 4 lower.

Katarina checked command + sailing at difficulty 30, rolling 60 higher.

Ford checked command + sailing at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

Antonio checked command + sailing at difficulty 50, rolling 16 lower.

Ian checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

Katarina checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 3 lower.

Regla checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 3 lower.

Skapti checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

Antonio checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 1 higher.

Ford checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 1 lower.

Skye checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 11 higher.

Calarian checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 2 lower.

Reese checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Edward checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

The enemy longships charge hard, once the fleets come into range, and the allied artillery lets loose. Whether for the awkward munitions, or the sheer speed of the enemy advance, only one longship takes a hit, sending up a storm of curses and sand burns among the crew, who strike oars, and drift as 'sunk'. The remainder loose a storm of arrows, with two especially bold longships making shearing runs at Antonio's flagship, smashing and splintering several oars. Iron grapnels on ropes are thrown across, as the aggressive Grims start efforts to board.

Well, things are not going as planned! Even still, there is a grin on Antonio's face as his ship is grappled. Drawing his blunted practice weapon. He holloars at hs crew. "BOARD THEM!" Oh yes. The counter board.

Clearly Regla wasn't paying enough attention, because she very nearly takes an arrow to the knee. The surprise that crosses her face is evident as she nearly trips on her own feet trying to get out of the way of the flying arrows.

    "TAKE COVER!"
%

Katarina's voice echoes across the Unsullied's decks as a longship drifts to the starboard of her ship, throwing herself down from her lofted perch upon the shrouds of chain and rope clanking in the strong wintery winds. She lands with a thud across the decks, scrambling to her feeet only to have an arrow shear through netting and thud against her shoulder. Thank God it's a dummy. She grimaces, rocking to her feet to take stock of Calarian and Reese's positions. "Pinky Princess, please," she bellows. "See if you can find us an advantageous path to lure away some of Grimhall's fleet away!"

Skye manages to move out of the way as the arrows come hailing down. She looks at the design of the enemy ship, trying to guage a weakness in the hull and then take down the ship that Antonio isn't engaged in boarding.

Skapti, too, seems a fan of the counter board. It's not long after they're grapped that he's giving orders to Regla and a contingent of Navegant marines to repel boarders, and board in turn.

Ian was up in the rigging, miraculously un-dinged by arrows, when he felt the familiar crash of ship on ship. Instinct takes over. He swings down -- and remembers at the very last moment not to let go of the shrouds. But hey, he has a wooden sword and is perfectly okay by being clubbed by a Grim warrior (which is what is going to happen), in case boarders actually make it onto the ship.

Ford is leaning against the guard rail of his Dromond, shouting to the ships closest to him to move up to encircle the ships that dared grapple allied ships. Shutting them off from escape.

Calarian by miracle manages to turn his head down when an arrow hisses by his face, as do all of his retinues. His face now seems alarmed as he calls out, "Are those real arrows?"

Repel boarders? Board in turn? These are things that Regla has been waiting for, and with a quick check to make sure she's not going to get hit with another arrow, she starts to move towards the railing to follow orders.

Reese checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Titania has left the Beneath Trees.

Antonio checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 19 higher.

Regla checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 41 higher.

Katarina checked command + sailing at difficulty 30, rolling 39 higher.

Ian checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

Reese looks over to Katarina, giving her a nod. She then studies the ocean carefully and tries to find a good course. She seems happy to have gotten the instruction.

Skapti checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 28 higher.

Edward checked command + sailing at difficulty 50, rolling 13 lower.

Antonio checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 14 higher.

Calarian checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 6 higher.

Edward has rolled a critical success!
Edward checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 5 higher.

Reese looks over to Katarina. "The longships are swarming the ships they caught. they are pouring more warriors into boarding and we can easily escape. They are prioritizing the big dromonds." She calls out sot that the admiral princess can hear her.

Ian checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 2 higher.

Reese checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 10 higher.

Skapti checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 1 higher.

"Real enough that you should be careful, First Observer," Katarina shouts back to Calarian, throwing her arms up above her head to signal Quiet, her Champion, to take over the task of being the meat shield for the prince. "Please, try not to get stuck with one!" At Reese's call, she bows her head and turns to look out for the other scouting ships not currently engaged as she takes the helm, quickly maneuvering her ship out of harm's way as two long ships attempt to pin them.

Katarina checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 5 higher.

Skye checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 16 higher.

Regla checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 9 higher.

Reese looks over to Calarian and she seems a bit sheepish, maybe feeling a touch guilty at having brought him to the battle. Still she gives him a smile. "Yeah, we don't want you getting hit with one. You far to valuable for that." She says and her cheeks are just a touch pink.

At first, the allied strength of arms, and larger ships make the Grimhall boarding tactic seem ill advised. Every ship holds firm against the Grims, and Antonio even carries the fight onto the enemy deck. Yet experienced eyes will see it quickly: the longships butt up alongside each other, pouring more warriors into what is becoming one great, extended boarding action. Still, the allied fleet is in a strong position against the fleet of smaller ships.

Skye makes a noise of frustration, "No weaknesses in the hull...we're sitting ducks here as long as our men are on their ships and there's more of them sure to join." She looks around to see what the others are doing and if there's anything she can do to help.

Calarian "Okay!" Calarian calls out to Katrina, "they have like, fake tips don't they?" When Reese confirms that, no, they are real arrows, his mouth forms into an 'O.' "Where's my detachment, Philip?!" he calls out, and his voice now adopts that kind of urgency that 'war' bids. The three soldiers quickly approach the balled lord at the corner of the quarterdeck of the Unsullied. The First Observer goes silent for a moment, before he urges them: "Get me a shield or something."

Antonio will direct the portion of his crew whose boarded to try and take control- and baring that, cut the grapples to free his ship up for more meanuvers, while he remains aboard the Wreckless, fighting them off.

Katarina checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

Skapti checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 5 higher.

Ian has rolled a critical success!
Ian checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 52 higher.

Antonio checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 13 lower.

Calarian checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Next to Prince Calarian Grayson, Philip is also balled, keeping his arms over his head to protect him from potential arrows. "I don't know, Lord! I thought this was a mock up battle!" the assistant exclaims, like it was quite a tragic scenario. The Prince scolds him as he keeps protecting himself against the edge of the quarterdeck, "It's a bloody mock-up battle, Philip, you're not going to die. Just cover yourself."

Edward checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 4 lower.

Calarian peeks over the edge of the quarter-deck, as if to see if the danger attacking them has done. "Wait, wh--" he goes, before he exclaims to Katrina or Reese or whomever is near him in the Unsullied, "Hey, there's like five cogs over here!" He jerks a thumb over his head, to the south.

Titania has joined the Beneath Trees.

Reese looks sheepishly toward Phillip. She then ohhhs to Calarian. "Good eye!" She says, glancing over to the cogs he is speaking of.

Skye stands on deck, left in charge of the men that stayed on Antonio's ship. She shots orders, trying to defend the ship they best they can while Antonio leads the boarding party onto the enemy ship.

Skapti's ship seems to have no issue repelling boarders, as the former Thrall, Regla, and even Ian manage to fend them off and loosen the grapples. Orders being barked again, to come around, and make them pay a price for the attempt.

Still at a distance, and moving without the aggressive speed of the Grimhall longships, there is indeed a cluster of five cogs and coasters hugging the southern coast and coming into view, closing on the spreading melee in the bay.

With some luck Edward's ship had managed to duck through the first wave of longships ducking arrow fire that raked at them. Clearing that first line he takes a shot and guides his ship straight for the master of House Grimhall and the defenders of the larger ship where Harald is located maneuver just right to rock into his boat, holding him up for the moment as they begin to swarm on board. With a pull of his sword Edward raises it and shouts, "To arms!" before leading into the fight.

Katarina glances back at the distant cogs and coasters Calarian sights, swearing softly in Eurusi before shouting commands up toward the crow's nest for a lookout to signal Ford's ship her intent to engage the them, but only with his aid, and if heis willing.

With the brunt of the Allied forces occupied with boarding actions, Ford sticks his Dromond between the clashing ships and those still probably approaching. Ready those catapults baby.

So. Grim warriors with swords vs. Ian, the guy who can't even -stand- without hanging onto the shrouds, and it's a testament to how good a swordsman Ian used to be that he's more than holding his own in this particular contest. With something to hold onto, that skill is on display. He fights like the sword and the shrouds are all extensions of himself, like he knows what's going to happen before it comes.

Well, Katarina can work with that. "Ready yourselves," she shouts down to Calarian and Reese before spinning her wheel a sharp right. Her crewmen's shouts ring out into the early morning as The Unsullied takes point in an attempt to bait and lure cogs away from their lines and into Ford's firing range.

Katarina checked command + sailing at difficulty 50, rolling 4 higher.

Ford checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 23 lower.

Antonio checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 2 lower.

"Are they gone, your Highness?" Philip queries to Reese, quite nervously. The Prince Grayson's peeking over the chains of the edge, trying to get a view at the five cogs. His hazel eyes do spot Katarina indicating her intent to engage, and then his eyes travel to Ian's ship and the skirmish happening there. He takes advantage of the situation to rise, and crawl closer to some barrels on the quarterdeck, evidently having gone out of the 'lordly' phase and now in some fashion of survival mode. His guards brave a march, following their lord with their eyes constantly on the following cogs to see if anything's coming their way. Philip remains at his corner, cowering and trembling.

The flotilla of approaching sailing craft are stymied by Katarina's maneuvers, which result in two cogs tacking east to avoid a collision. Though the Kennex artillery does not land a hit, the five fresh ships are kept out of the battle for several crucial minutes.

In the melee for the allied flagship, Antonio's boarding party is turned back by deep ranks of Islesmen in maile hauberks, who have now set foot on the deck of the big dromond, though the fight goes on.

Seeing Skapti's sheep break free, Antonio barks orders to his runner. "Send a bird to that ship! Request their assitance with our boarders!" ANd then he's back in the thick of it, swingin his dulled blade.

Skapti checked command + sailing at difficulty 20, rolling 26 higher.

Boarders repelled, it seems the former raider isn't waiting to be told, as Skapti maneuvers his ship into contact with the long ships, waving Regla and her men over to help the Lycene 'Admiral'.

Reese looks over to Calarian and Philip. "Oh, that is good take cover." She murmurs. She draws her weapon just in case they get broaded. It is a practice blunt weapon. She doesn't want to actually harm anyone, well not seriously anyways.

The final pair of Grimhall longships that had given up pursuit of Katarina's masterfully handled vessel turn back into the fray, making oat for the Leatherback, as the Navegant flagship joins the central melee.

Ian checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 13 higher.

Antonio checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 2 higher.

Reese checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 19 higher.

Skapti checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Calarian checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 11 higher.

Ford checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 3 higher.

Skye checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 22 higher.

Regla checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 5 higher.

There are now two distinct battles in the bay: one great melee of boarding and counter-boarding, centered around the Velenosa flagship, and a skirmish of the Unsullied and Kennex siegebreaker against five merchants turned troop transports.

Edward checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 9 higher.

Katarina checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 5 higher.

Ian checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 19 lower.

Ford checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 10 lower.

Skapti checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 1 higher.

Skye checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 34 lower.

Antonio checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 4 higher.

Katarina checked command + sailing at difficulty 50, rolling 13 higher.

Edward checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 38, rolling 1 lower.

"Take cover, yes, yes," Philip tries to find some reason in Reese's words, keeping himself against the edge he has decided is the safest place to take cover. On the other side of the quarterdeck, the First Observer is on the ground, against some barrels, occasionally peeking over them to see what is going on in the ship. His guards are next to him. He's not armed, evidently opting to stay out of the melee. His guards also abstain from combat, as does he. They're instead all watching the melee.

Reese checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 35 higher.

Regla checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 33 higher.

"Do you see Harald's ship?" Katarina shouts down at Reese and Calarian, a spray of ocean water misting the decks as the Unsullied is forced to make sharp turns that sends it careening left, then right, as she remains a hard target for the cogs, gaining on them.

Calarian checked perception at difficulty 30, rolling 17 lower.

Calarian lifts his head over the barrels to squint at the yore of the sea, gazing at the ships which are engaged in battles -- those which are chasing -- the distance. He actually takes some time. "No-- I -- can't see that one!" he calls out to Katarina.

Reese checked perception at difficulty 30, rolling 17 lower.

Reese tries to look as well. She peers and peers, but is unable to locate Harald's ship. "Oh, I can't see it either."

On the southern flank, Katarina manages to avoid becoming caught by any if her foes, though the Unsullied is pushed further out to sea in the process, three of the cogs growing closer to the Kennex dromond.

The Leatherback has an immediate effect on the melee, overwhelming one longship's worth of warriors, striking down two foes for each Navegant sailor lost. The melee on Antonio's deck spreads, with bruises, broken noses, and smashed teeth abounding. On one corner of the great melee, Edward's ship is being boarded by a determined band.

Skye lets out a piercing scream as she's hauled off her feet by one of the boarders. The young damsel is captured, moved by to the longship as she punches and kicks him to no avail. She is now the prisoner of the enemy.

Ian checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 7 higher.

Skye checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 15 higher.

Antonio checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 1 higher.

Edward checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 18 higher.

Calarian checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 9 higher.

Skapti checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 9 higher.

Katarina checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 1 higher.

Regla checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 0 higher.

Reese checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 1 lower.

Ford checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 6 higher.

Ford checked command + sailing at difficulty 30, rolling 9 higher.

Katarina checked command + sailing at difficulty 50, rolling 33 higher.

Skapti checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 3 higher.

Regla checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 1 higher.

Ian checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 22 lower.

Antonio checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 3 higher.

3 Grayson Guardsmen have been dismissed.

Philip, an overworked assistant have been dismissed.

Reese gets slammed in the fact with a blunt arrow and she was sure lucky it was a bunt, because it hits right against her eye. She goes stumping and fallings on the deck. Reese doesn't have the best sea legs every and she fails to keep her balance. She holds her eye which starts to swell and buff up. She will live, but probably with some temporary pain and with a dramatic black eye.

Edward checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 49, rolling 27 lower.

Reese gets slammed in the face with a blunt arrow and she was sure lucky it was a bunt, because it hits right against her eye. She goes stumbling and falls on the deck. Reese doesn't have the best sea legs ever and she fails to keep her balance. She holds her eye which starts to swell and puff up. She will live, but probably with some temporary pain and with a dramatic black eye.

It has been hours since the maneuvers began, and still the fight grinds on. Though a coaster and two cogs throw grappling irons at Ford's dromond, the defenders cast them off, raining arrows down on the decks of the smaller ships. Still, Katarina keeps up her dance, though arrows take her deck. In the melee, Edward's stubborn defense finally falters, opening a fresh front against the victorious Leatherback.

Meanwhile, a gamble is taken: with his deck still contested, Antonio charges after the captured Skye, landing on the enemy deck amidst several Foeman.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Katarina before departing.

When Ford's dromond comes under attack, Katarina sets her mouth into a grim line. Her gaze flits quickly over the deck, watching as her men raise shields to fend from the onslaught of arrows - and, oh noes! Reese takes one to the face! Whoever set that arrow loose had aim so true. The Princess Admiral watches her worriedly, sending Quiet along to take her to safety while the Unsullied is turned about to come to Ford's aid and intersect the coaster.

Skye screams for Antonio as her captor holds her in his steely grip. She looks frightened even though this is only a maneveur. But to Skye this is scary to get grabbed like this. She continues to wiggle and give her captor a hard time.

Regla checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 63, rolling 7 lower.

Skapti checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 63, rolling 2 lower.

Reese eventually rises unsteadily to her legs and she tries to gather her wits. Her cheeks are as pink as the ribbons in her golden locks as she tries to recover her Grayson pride. She gives Katarina a smile as if to silently communicate that she is okay.

Antonio lands on the deck of the enemy longship, accompanied by a few of his sailors as he starts to battle his way toward the captured Blackshore girl. "Kick him!" he calls out to her, as he clears a path.

Ian checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 45, rolling 21 lower.

Antonio checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 13 lower.

With the fight shifting away from the ship he's on to Antonio's ship, Ian's power to be of any kind of help dissipates. There might be a couple of Grim warriors playing a game of 'stay out of Ian's sword reach and try to dart in and smack him', and Ian's having trouble finding the rhythm of their attacks. It's probably tied to the movement of the deck that he can't feel. Finally someone, possibly one of the people he'd previously had his way with, comes stalking over and is done playing fun pinata games. He whacks Ian hard enough on the head to stagger him, and someone else plucks him off of the rigging. He's toted off to be a prisoner, and doesn't recover from the smack to the head enough to even think about fighting back (or think about anything else) until it's too late.

Ford has left the In the Water.

Keeping up the fighting his men are backing into circles to keep the Grims from their backs. He shouts orders to keep them maneuvering and then he lashes out in a move with his group to try and cut through them, men drop left and right but Edward keeps fighting while he shouts for the rope cutters.

Katarina has rolled a critical success!
Katarina checked command + sailing at difficulty 50, rolling 44 higher.

Normally, Skapti would work on getting his crewman back, as Ian is captured, but for now... Well, there's something else pressing on the Salt's attention, and so it seems Ian will have to wait for the moment.

Skye continues to scream in her captor's ear and kick him as Antonio tries to come to her rescue. She is doing her best to make sure this man regrets having captured her. While she is not skilled in brawling, she is making it difficult to hold on to her.

The influx of men onto their ship tears Regla's attention back to the ship, then when she spots something unexpected she laughs. She heads towards one of the men boarding their ship, joining Skapti in going after this person. As fiercely as she fights, it doesn't seem to be quite good enough, not nearly.

Katarina checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 6 higher.

Edward checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 18 higher.

Antonio checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 4 higher.

Regla checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 5 higher.

Ian checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 6 higher.

Reese checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 15 higher.

Skye checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 20 higher.

Skapti has rolled a critical success!
Skapti checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 27 higher.

Antonio checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 7 lower.

Edward checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 65, rolling 2 higher.

Regla checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 65, rolling 14 higher.

Skapti checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 65, rolling 4 lower.

Regla checked strength + medium wpn at difficulty 80, rolling 6 higher.

Edward checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 80, rolling 57 lower.

Skapti checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 80, rolling 2 lower.

Skye checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 22 lower.

One Grimhall warrior is likely regretting that killing Skye isn't an option, as the flailing, shrieking noblewoman leaves him open to a particularly painful blow from Antonio, selling both sailor and Skye to the deck. To the south, Katarina has made two merchant helmsmen pay for their inexperience, resulting in a minor collision among the enemy cogs. The Kennex dromond holds firm.

Meanwhile, aboard the Leatherback, although the deck is largely in the hands of Grimhall warriors, the trio of Skapti, Edward, and Regla surround one warrior among the Grim host: though Skapti and Edward each take a hard blow from the man, they leave Regla free to take one in turn. Harald grunts with the impact, nodding once, and bidding Rolf, "Sound the horn. It grows too dark."

Antonio leans down to offer a hand to Skye- and he'll pull her to her feet before turning to fight his way back to his ship. At least, that's the plan- the sound of Rolf's horn signaling the end of the exercise puts a stop to that. Instead, he grins a little bit at the girl. "You ok?"

Skye lays there panting on the deck after the fall that took the wind almost completely from her lungs. She's a bit battered from being dragged about but otherwise is fine. She takes Antonio

Skye lays there panting on the deck after the fall that took the wind almost completely from her lungs. She's a bit battered from being dragged about but otherwise is fine. She takes Antonio's hand and stands up just as the horn signals the end of the exercise. She gives him a nod, her cheeks flushed, "Yes. I am. Thanks m'lord."

Ian doesn't return to Skapti's ship when the game is called on account of darkness. He never looked particularly upset about being captured, content to watch the tail end of the action play out, and he's similarly philosophical about the game being called and everyone returning to port. Where he's sitting is fine. Even after something that -has- to have fired up his adrenaline, he's the exactly same level of calm that he always is. On the way back, he'll trade words with the man who hit him on the head: "All's fair. I got you in the nose with the pommel of my sword. That was a good way get in close enough to grab me."

The Unsullied returns from the sea and docks in its usual port nearby, and Katarina off-boards with Reese to the safety of solid land.

As soon as the horn sounds, Regla takes a step back from the fight with Harald, pointing a finger at him, "Next time." It's one of those promises that probably will end with her going overboard instead.

Reese departs the ship with Katarina. Her right eye is swollen, but she is trying to be in good spirits about that. "Well, that was enlightening." She murmurs softly.

Titania nods to the people she was sitting with the people under the tree, she stands up and heads up the path heading back to town.

Titania has left the Beneath Trees.

"Good, Good. Let me see you back to shore.. Lady Skye was it?" Antonio says as he escorts Skye back to his ship- and in turn, will sail his ship close enough to the beach for boats to take them ashore.

The horn blasts are echoed, and the ships all return to shore. As soon as the fighting ends, various men bring out various bottles of various drinks, and for the common sailors, the party begins. The captains will likely have much more to discuss.

As Skapti steps back once the horn is blown, he finds himself staring at the Duke, an assessing gaze. "Perhaps I should ask for a few pointers in the sparring pit as well," the raider mutters, before giving the Duke a nod, and then looking back to see how the rest of his crew has faired.

Edward is overheard praising Harald for: Conducting naval exercises

Skapti is overheard praising Harald for: Stronger than his years would suggest.