9 The Meeting
The outside of Rupert's Rage was oddly quiet, the usual passing crowd dispersed. The doorway was guarded by two gruff looking men. The first with an axe across his shoulder, the second with a cutlass strapped to his waist.
Character Information
Name - Giovanni La Tangla
Position - Pirate Enforcer
Age - 35
Relationship - Neutral
Level - 3
Additional Information - In a past life, Giovanni was part of the Italian mafia, known for his violence and loyalty.
Skills - Loyal, Murderous Intent, Street Brawler
More information upon level up.
Character Information
Name - Eduardo Escabar
Position - Pirate Enforcer
Age - 37
Relationship - Neutral
Level - 3
Additional Information - In a past life, Eduardo was a spanish conquistador, who helped the Spanish with their early occupation of southern america. A prized fighter with a cold attitude, he personally lead troops to pillage tribes. He was eventually caught in an ambush and cooked alive, before being eaten by a cannibalistic tribe.
Skills - Pillage Master, Duelist, Salsa Dancer
More information upon level up.
"That's Giovanni and Eduardo from The Pheasants Death." Whispered Gan Ning to Mark. "They are pretty tough Pirates, Edward's must be taking this little meeting seriously."
"Good evening Little Tai and Xingba!" Welcomed Eduadro politely. Giovanni looked across to the 4 walking towards them and grunted, he squeezed his axe handle tight as a sign of intimidation.
"Hey Eduardo!" replied Gan Ning, "This is our boss Mark, we are here to meet with Edward."
"That we know," Interrupted Giovanni, "They've been waiting a while."
"They?" asked Mark.
"Yes, 'they'." Replied Giovanni.
"The Captain also came, interested to meet this little traveller the 1st mate was interested in." added Eduardo.
"Shit." Exclaimed Gan Ning, who stared at Little Tai knowingly.
"What's up?" asked Mark panicking
"We'll be fine, it just may be a little awkward." replied Gan Ning.
"Giovanni, you keep watching the doors, I'll escort them in." Eduardo ordered.
He swung the doors open and they headed in to the bar. It was crowded with men and women sat in silence. There was a range of people, bearded to bald, scarred faced and rough to fresh and clean shaven. The crowd were dressed in a range of clothes as well, but there was an aura in the air, they were all scary.
Mark saw Edward at the bar chatting to Alicia, they seemed to be happy and laughing. Stood with them was a slim woman with long black hair. She wore a long black robe and had pins in her hair.
Edward turned towards them and smiled, beckoning them to join him. The Woman noticed his movement and turned to look. A smile crept across her black lips.
The smile sent shivers down Mark's spine.
Character Information
Name - Zheng Yi Sao
Position - Pirate Captain
Age - 45
Relationship - Neutral
Level - 6
Additional Information - In a past life, Zheng Yi Sao was a Pirate Queen, with up to 40,000 pirates of all genders working beneath her. She married the famous pirate of time Zheng Yi and upon his early death inherited his fleet. She lived a long and happy life of piracy during the early 1800's.
Skills - Fleet Admiral, Ship Captain, Navigator, Mastermind.
More information upon level up.
The group headed towards Edward, Alicia and Zheng Yi Sao. Gan Ning, Mark and Eduardo led, whilst Boudica and Little Tai stood further back.
"Welcome Mark, we have been waiting." Smiled Edward, he then introduced "This is Captain Zheng."
"So you are Mr Clumsy I have heard about," she retorted. "It seems you already have a small gathering."
She looked around the group from Mark to Boudica, she then looked at Gan Ning before shaking her head at Little Tai.
"So, you have finally decided to do something with your life?" She asked towards Little Tai. "I'm a little surprised by your choice."
Little Tai looked down at his feet. Mark looked from her to him and back.
"So Mr Mark, Mr Teach here informs me you are creating a mercenary troup and would like to purchase yourself a base of operations?" She asked. "I have plenty of places for sale. He also told me you need men? I don't normally sell those, but I am sure I can help you get some recruitment going."
"Erm, yes marm, that is what I am aiming to achieve." he replied worriedly.
"Don't be so afraid, I don't bite, much." she replied, "Plus it's always good to make friends with those that want to take down corrupt kingdoms."
She laughed to herself, "Now tell me, how are you going to achieve these goals?"
Mark was prepared for this, earlier when he bathed with Gan Ning and Little Tai they had discussed these plans.
"We will get ourselves a base of operations, increase our troop count and train. We will then in the background take over a corrupt city near the sea and manage it kindly, creating loyalty from the citizens. With the sea we can also create a trading hub, which will allow you to profit." He started, "From that we will grow, and pull in more people and towns, creating our own substate. We will continue to grow until we can take down the Honda Clan. As a mercenary troup we can do all of this and earn gold and experience by working for the highest bidders."
"It's a plan, not the best, but atleast you have a plan." She replied.
"Then what would you advise?" Mark asked respectfully.
"I think your plan is naive, full of flaws and not detailed enough. But I learnt from my own mistakes, and I expect you will as well. A trading city on the coast does sound a good idea when you get there, I don't expect you to forget me when that happens." she replied. "Little Tai, what are your thoughts?"
Little Tai lifted his head and looked towards her. Mark and Boudica looked at him confused, wondering how they knew each other, whilst Gan Ning just smirked.
"I see adventure and a chance to continue to train." he replied.
"Or Xingba is going and you are being a follower as usual?" she retorted. Gan Ning went red in the face from embarrassment.
"It's not like that mother! I'm an adult and I am making my own choices!" he replied.
Mark and Boudica's mouth's dropped open. Little Tai was the son of this pirate admiral? Why did he have such a shitty job and was homeless.
"Very well, hopefully this will mature you so you can take your rightful position one day. Eduardo, you will follow Mr Mark and protect Little Tai with your life." She ordered.
Eduardo looked at her and bowed respectfully, before looking back to Mark and the group with a depressed look in his eyes. Eduardo had always been a loyal soldier to Captain Zheng and would do anything she asked, but he wasn't a baby sitter.
"Edward, what are your thoughts for a base?" She asked.
"I believe the old hill fort on Ravens Peak Captain, it's a 3 hour ride from here, easy access to the sea and plenty of room for growth for a small mercenary group. We also have little use for it anymore as we have better storage facilities in town and to the south." He replied honestly.
"Very well, 500 Gold and you can have Raven's Peak Fort." she said to Mark, "this is cheap as Little Tai is with you, and I expect your trade deal when you conquer in future."
Mark was gobsmacked, this all seemed to easy, way to easy. In one day he had acquired a fort and a small team.
"Deal." he replied. He looked across his team and was happy to see there satisfied faces. Even Alicia was smiling at him happily from across the bar.
"Very well, give the gold to Edward on the morrow and he'll take you to your Fort, Eduardo will come with him and join your troup. For now I shall return to The Pheasants Death and rest, Little Tai you will accompany me." she sternly ordered before walking towards the bar entrance.
"A lot of the people here have come to see who you are, a few may wish to join you, chat with them tonight and some may meet you at the fort tomorrow and join. We'll discuss future plans then." Edward added, before smiling to Alicia and leaving.
"I take it you want some extra rooms for this young lady and Xingba this evening?" Alicia asked politely.
"Erm, yes please." he replied, his gold slowly burning through his pocket.
