Post

New World Meets Old World - II (w/Cuncorinacara)
Trade

Isla Francisco, Voltanese Gaen

It'd been a week or so now that the group had been on Nōdmothi, the islanders that inhabited welcomed the construction of these outpost, of course they thought it was just for trade but this was of course simply a means at holding the island and having a place to anchor at. This island was now under the Māiacumuve, to what he'd heard from a few of the other traders is after some time it would perhaps be given to one of the many landless lords of the Māiacumuve, perhaps two as the island was relatively large.

Tonight was strange however, Velan said a missive arrived specifically for him from the Ezhuvaan Rishi;

To Karun, bearer of this decree,

By the authority vested in the Ezhuvaan Rishi, you are hereby appointed to a position of esteemed significance within the Mūnār Kanapū Sheyka, tasked with safeguarding the interests of our imperial court.

Henceforth, you are to embark upon clandestine missions of paramount importance, engaging in raids upon neighboring territories deemed hostile to our sovereign dominion. It is imperative that you execute these operations with utmost precision and efficiency, ensuring the swift and decisive attainment of our objectives.

Furthermore, you are instructed to remove all markings from your vessels, obscuring any trace of affiliation with our esteemed courts. Blank sails shall be hoisted in place of banners, veiling your movements in secrecy and confounding those you relive of goods.

Your loyalty to the Ezhuvaan Rishi is paramount, and as such, you are afforded no option to deny this appointment. Your compliance with these directives is not merely requested, but mandated by the will of our imperial court.

May you discharge your duties with diligence and valor, upholding the honor and integrity of our noble cause.

Issued under the seal of the Ezhuvaan Rishi.

Karun still did not know many things but what he did understand was this was something that could not, not be done.

Amidst the inky depths of the night, Karun and his comrades embarked, their vessel cutting through the waters with silent purpose. Clad in garments that obscured their identities and lightly armored for stealth, they sailed forth. Karun, a novice to the ways of raiding, steeled his resolve as they approached the target island, his mind awash with thoughts of the perils that awaited them. But as they drew closer, a strange sight greeted their eyes - two massive figures shrouded in darkness, their imposing silhouettes towering over the shoreline like sentinels of the abyss.

As the vessel neared the island, the true nature of these enigmatic figures became apparent - two colossal Goliaths, their forms obscured by the cloak of night, standing guard over the realm they called home. Karun could scarcely believe his eyes, for he had never beheld vessels of such immense stature and… power, though it looked strange he could see what appeared to be cannons.

With a sense of foreboding hanging heavy in the air, Karun raised his hand in a silent gesture, signaling to his comrades to refrain from sounding the warhorns that would alert the island's inhabitants to their presence. For a moment, all was still as the vessel drifted closer to the shore, the towering figures looming ever larger in the dim light of the moon.

As they drew alongside the island, Karun could not help but marvel at the sight before him - massive sea vessels, unlike anything he had ever seen, anchored in the harbor with an air of imposing grandeur. How could something so vast and unwieldy even float upon the surface of the sea, he wondered.

***

Ramiro tugged at his shirt, enjoying the light breeze he generated under his shirt as it washed across his sweat-beaded skin. As always, it was hot here; how the veteran Gaenite’s had become so acclimated he hoped he would figure out. He’d already been in the region several months, and it never got better.

In a bid to bring a little more sanity to himself - perhaps by finding a light breeze he could see flapping in the ensigns above - he mounted the spiderweb-like shrouds that gave access to the many spars that made up the mast. With well-practiced ease he was quickly ten meters above the the deck, and there was indeed the slightest of breezes up here, perhaps thirty-meters above the waterline.

It was then his eyes settled on a dark mass in the harbor entrance; one that hadn’t been there just a few minutes before. As he focused on it he could just begin to make out a shape…a curious shape to say the least.

“Ahoy down there, I think I see…something. Due north, at the harbor entrance.”

This little potential of excitement aroused the dog watch, long afflicted with boredom in their time here, and observing it further Ramiro could just deduce that it was moving - and moving closer. “Aye, whatever it is it’s moving.”

The Lieutenant of the watch - the most junior lieutanant on the ship, was himself now gazing off the portside of the quarterdeck, peering into the harsh darkness in search of Ramiro’s spotting.

“I see it, I see it.” Another man said, “It appears to have a mast.”

In a hushed tone, Ramiro could just make out the junior Lieutenant asking the bosun if Captain Mondragon had mentioned a vessel which was expected anytime in the next few days. He didn’t know the result of the conversation, but he presumed it was a negative response for a moment later the bell was being run and the ship was being launched into a frenzy of activity. The sound of feet clumping about on deck boards echoed throughout the ship as a hundred-men were woken immediately from their hammocks. The Captain had not specifically been summoned, but he was a good officer and would notice the commotion - it would rouse him enough to come to deck at his own pace.

In just a minute the ship was suddenly a lively being, and as its bell had echoed throughout the harbor its sister ship was only just behind it, though undoubtedly remained uncertain as to the cause.

The Captain appeared, still dressed in his nightclothes, and quickly took charge of the situation. It was but a few moments before the junior lieutenant had a speaking horn, and was leaning over the edge of the ship - pointinng it towards their mysterious visitor a few hundred meters away.

“Ahoy there! You Approach the CIG Pionera under the command of Captain Ruy Mondragon. Identify yourselves!”

Karun could see activity and faintly hear a yell, “blow the warhorn and lift the sails,” untying the leather belt that kept his side arms fastened his weapons, “everyone besides a few throw your weapons down, we shall say we are a lost ship that were tasked with trailing a merchant ship.”

Though Karun was recently placed in charge of these men they followed his word without argument which allowed Karun to let out a sigh of relief. Grabbing the warhorn from the chest he stood at the front most part of the ship.

This was no ordinary instrument; the war horn was a masterpiece of artisanship, its body a confluence of vibrant hues and elaborate engravings. Crafted from the spiraled horn of a great beast, its surface was painted showing of the Māiacumuve conquests and glory, adorned with inlaid gold and precious gems that caught the morning light and fractured it into a myriad of colors.

The mouthpiece, wrought from gold and encircled with hymns, promised the blower the courage of the spirits of war. Karun raised the horn to his lips, his breath a gale gathered from the depths of his chest. As he blew into the horn, a deep, resonant sound erupted, cascading over the waves and resounding through the air. It was a sound that spoke of thunderous skies and roaring winds, a clarion call that shook one's body.

In the dark of the night, there was only one interpretation for such a noise - one of hostility.