Chapter 4

Immediately, the Dwarven Pirate, Thorgrim, charged forward, shield first, slamming into Grimnir and knocking him back out of the rough formation we'd formed with a bull rush. As he stumbled, Grimnir caught an opportunistic blow from one of the other Pirates that had kept pace with Thorgrim, his opponent's longsword cutting a line of blood across Grimnir's thigh as the opening presented itself. Thorgrim sneered as Grimnir cried out in pain. I moved to help Grimnir out, cutting out with my own Longsword at Thorgrim only for one of his minions to try and cut me off and parry the blow. The Pirate tried to hook my longsword with the beard of his battleaxe but was just a tad too slow. Instead of successfully parrying, the Pirate caught my blade in the neck instead as he misjudged his parry, going down in a spray of arterial blood.

Unfortunately, in taking the blow for Thorgrim, that Pirate bought his boss time to lash out at Grimnir with his waraxe. Grimnir made to dodge, but the axe still took a small chunk out of the triceps of Grimnir's Shield Arm, acrid liquid sizzling out of the Waraxe to scald Grimnir's Arm. Grimnir struck back, with a snarl, but Thorgrim just barely managed to get his shield up in time, Grimnir's axe rebounding off the steel of Thorgrim's shield. With a shout from behind us, Janessa let fly at Thorgrim with her sling, the lead bullet striking Thorgrim in his helm sending him staggering with a burst of white light, Brother Argyle's Holy Weapon doing extra harm to the Evil, Piratical, Dwarf. That stagger allowed both Grimnir and I to strike at Thorgrim. I landed my blow, cutting into the back of Thorgrim's left thigh, while Grimnir managed a barely palpable hit with his battleaxe that slammed into Thorgrim's helm, bruising his scalp beneath.

The other Pirates then lashed out at me and Grimnir, I took a blow to the calf from a Pirate's shortsword but managed to use my buckler to parry the other. Meanwhile, Grimnir managed to lean out of the way of his own attacker's blade. His Riposte took the top of the Pirate's skull off his head, while Thorgrim turned to engage me. With a snarl, he tried to smash me back with his shield to open me up to the other two Pirates aside from him that I was fighting, but I did something he didn't seem to expect, I managed to parry his shield bash with a swipe of my buckler. Apparently, my working off of Pathfinder rules meant that I had an easier time countering combat maneuvers like that. Not wasting any time, I lashed out with my longsword, taking advantage of his shock to carve a line across the bicep of his axe arm. Unfortunately, his Riposte managed to take a chunk out of my own buckler arm, acrid liquid scalding my own biceps.

Another slingstone let fly, this one passing between me and Thorgrim and smashing into a Pirate moving to take me from behind with a shortsword, a burst of white light cracking out, leaving a broken Pirate skull spattering gray matter on the wooden planks of the street behind it as it faded. The last Pirate Minion tried to charge Janessa with a dagger, forcing her to try to dodge, only for him to cut across her shoulder with a slash of the dagger. Fortunately, the blow's impact was dampened by ironically the Umberlany Robes. Causing her to only take a small scratch across her shoulder. With a growl, she drew her shortsword and set herself to fighting the last Minion off.

In the meantime, Grimnir and I faced off against Thorgrim. Grimnir was looking more beat up than I was, however, and I was pretty well beaten up. I immediately began casting. We wouldn't survive against Thorgrim for much longer if nothing happened. So, in desperation, I summoned the power of comedy, casting through it using my training in SSpellsinging. Hoping this worked, I tried to get Thorgrim laughing enough to render him temporarily incapacitated, with a little mystical assistance from the Spell of Hideous Laughter, of course.

"Hey! Did you hear the one about the blind man? He walked into a bar, and a chair, and a table!" I cracked a joke, channeling my spell through it.

It was a stupid joke, a bit of wordplay. It was what I came up with on short notice, however Thorgrim cracked a grin. Then he let out a giggle, then that giggle turned into a belly laugh as, despite himself, the stupid, silly, joke allowed the Spell of Hideous Laughter to take hold. My Hail Mary somehow, against all odds, worked. Thorgrim collapsed to the ground, laughing uproariously. That allowed Grimnir to hit the Dwarf from above with his axe, taking his head off. Shortly afterward, I moved to flank the last Pirate facing off against Janessa and ran him through from behind with my longsword. With that done, Janessa handed both Grimnir and myself Potions of Cure Light Wounds. We drank them down, gladly and then turned to look at the rest of the battle. The Pirates had retreated further into the Town after a few unexpected reinforcements had arrived from the Harborwarden's house. Unfortunately, Chief Harborwarden Arnuth was down and Harbormaster Daffyd wasn't looking quite so healthy.

No help would be coming from that quarter, the Harborwardens were too busy stripping the dead Pirates and trying to stabilize Arnuth. Grimnir, Janessa, and I did likewise, moving to strip Thorgrim and his Pirates. I took the Mithral Breastplate and the Boots of Striding. Grimnir took the Belt of Giant Strength, the Helm of Darkvision, and the Large Steel Shield Plus Two, and Janessa took the Ring of Protection Plus Two and the Amulet, which Identify told us was an Amulet of Natural Armor Plus Three. The Waraxe went into our collective pack since none of us had the required training to use it. The other pirates had mostly mundane, non-masterwork equipment. A few had various jewelry or coinpurses that had been plundered and those went into our packs as well. Four had potions, three Cure Light Wounds Potions, and a potion of Speak With Animals.

That finished, the Harbormaster limped his way over to us, nodding at us in greeting. "Thanks for the assist. Guess you lot aren't so bad after all. Shame Arnuth doesn't look like he's going to make it. His wounds are bad, beyond our Sawbones' ability to heal."

"We found this on one of the Pirates, it ought to help." Offered Janessa, proffering a looted cure light wounds potion.

As we administered the potion to Chief Harborwarden Arnuth, the most grievous of his wounds, a bloody gash in his neck closed up and he stabilized, eyes fluttering open. He looked at the three of us and nodded in thanks. "You saved my life. I owe you a debt."

"Can you fight? The Consignment Warehouse was under attack when we cut our way out, and I have to believe the same holds true for the Harborwarden's Hall, now that they've sent forces here." Questioned Harbormaster Daffyd.

"Not well and not for long. Fortunately, if you'll give me a moment. I can remedy that." Huffed Chief Harborwarden Arnuth.

Then, he reached into his pack and pulled out a trio of potions of Cure Serious Wounds, downing one after the other, his wounds knitting closed in front of our eyes. Taking a cue, Grimnir and I down two other of our looted Potions of Cure Light Wounds, feeling the rest of our wounds knit and vanish as we did so. Janessa insisted she was all right and did not require any healing, so we let her be. Now, with our party ready and raring to go, it was time to plan out just where to go, the Consignment Warehouse was under attack, as was the Harborwarden Hall. So too were Castle Jannath and the Temple of Valkur, but those could fend for themselves for the time being. That effectively meant that we had two choices of targets.

"This is a raid, the objective of raids is to take loot. If I had to guess, they're only attacking the Harborwarden Hall to keep us off-balance. The Consignment Warehouse is where the money is. That's where their main effort is." I pointed out.

"Agreed. It is a standard tactic for such things." Nodded Grimnir.

"We still need to send people to the Harborwarden's Hall. There are civilians sheltering there. Slaves are loot to these Corsairs just as much as gold and trade goods are." Pointed out Arnuth.

"The Harborwardens are meant to enforce the customs and excise laws first, Arnuth. Your duty to protect the people of this town is secondary to that. In keeping with your primary duties and as your Superior Officer, I demand you take these men with me to the Consignment Warehouse!" Ordered Harbormaster Daffyd.

"It's fine, we'll go to the Harborwarden Hall. We aren't Harborwardens, so it should be fine, right?" Queried Janessa.

"Are you certain? That Amnian Pirate Captain, Fuerza, took a group of Pirates that way." Cautioned Arnuth.

"I think we can handle one Pirate Captain, right?" I asked my companions.

"Indeed." Agreed Grimnir.

"Yeah." Affirmed Janessa.

"Very well, let us hope that your confidence was not misplaced. Arnuth, get your men ready to move out." Intoned Harbormaster Daffyd.

And like that, our course was set. We would head to the Harborwarden Hall and help save the Civilians from Captain Fuerza. Meanwhile, Arnuth, Harbormaster Daffyd, and their men would move to back up the forces at the Consignment Warehouse. If only we had known what Captain Fuerza could do, we might have listened to Arnuth. Unfortunately, we were too high off the victory we'd just had against Thorgrim and our confidence in our own abilities was running high. We would soon find out that when it comes to fighting, there's one big rule that seems to apply constantly. That there is always a bigger fish.

Learning that lesson would be one of the most difficult trials of either of my lives so far. . .

XXXX

Lord Cadfael was incensed. Pirates, assaulting his town? His very Castle even? How had they stolen a march on him like this? This was the worst possible timing for an attack! They had to have had a man on the inside to get this far, it wasn't possible for such things to occur without some sort of help! He couldn't, no, he wouldn't believe that such a thing was possible without it, magic be damned. After all, Pirates didn't specialize in divination, everyone knew that. They preferred more combat-ready repertoires, and while it wasn't impossible, especially for an outfit like the Skaug Corsairs, it was much more likely they had informants in town. But who?

"My Lord. We have to get you out of the castle." Intoned Rhys Mostyn, Lord Cadfael's Captain of the Guard.

"Why? Is the castle not impregnable?" Demanded Lord Cadfael.

"Normally, yes. The Cutters and Harbor Defenses of the Lower Ward are usually sufficient to keep most attempts at bay, and the landward side is also well-fortified and well-garrisoned. Normally, we'd be prepared for a siege." Confirmed Rhys Mostyn.

"But not now?" Questioned Lord Cadfael.

"No. The Corsairs hit the Lower Ward hard, from surprise, and with magical aid. They've already swept over the Cutters and pushed the Defenders in the Lower Ward back to the Stair Gate. If they break through that, then they'll be able to attack the Upper Ward directly via the Sea Tower." Reported Rhys Mostyn.

"How did it come to this? They must have had an inside source, who was it?" Queried Lord Cadfael.

"It doesn't much matter at this time, My Lord. We need to escape. There are horses waiting to take you to the village of Pysgod on the other side of the island. It should be possible to purchase passage on one of the smaller ships there used for fishing. You need to get to go to one of the other Islands to rally your fellow Lords for a response." Insisted Rhys Mostyn.

"Of course. I just can't shake the feeling that we're missing something." Huffed Lord Cadfael.

"We need to find Lady Morwen, then we can ride for Pysgod. We can attempt to figure out what we missed after you are safe, My Lord." Pressed Rhys Mostyn.

"Looking for me, Father?" Asked Lady Morwen as she rounded a corner, several guards in tow.

Unlike her normal day-to-day wear, however, Lady Morwen had added an extra accessory. An amulet showing a forked, curling, blue-green, wave that pulsed with power. A Holy Symbol of Umberlee on a silver chain around her neck. Likewise, the quartet of Guards wore blue-green bandanas around their biceps, showing their allegiances to the Bitch Queen of the Sea. That seemed to stun both Rhys and Lord Cadfael. Of the two, however, it was Lord Cadfael who recovered first.

"What is the meaning of this, Morwen?" He demanded.

"I'm afraid this is a coup d'etat, as they say in parts of Amn. You wished to know who the traitor was? It was I." Smirked Lady Morwen.

"How? Why?" Questioned Lord Cadfael.

"Because, Father, the Wavemother commanded it. Attempts to seize control of Jannathstaad by subtle means weren't working as well as hoped. Jarl Ullr Finehair is devoted, but his son and heir, Magnus Ullrsson holds true to Tempos. He is not interested in what the Wavemother can grant him, only the Glory the Battlelord can bring him. We've decided to try a more forceful hand here." Informed Lady Morwen.

"You're an Umberlant?" Queried Lord Cadfael.

"Not just an Umberlant. I am a Flood Tide of the Church of Umberlee. I have been a Priestess of the Wavemother for years, not that you ever noticed, not so long as I played the dutiful daughter." Sneered Lady Morwen.

"The Temple of Valkur should have sniffed you out. How did you manage to avoid detection?" Asked Rhys Mostyn, rallying.

"The Church of Valkur is full of old fools, useless old men, and broken-down ex-sailors who wouldn't notice an Umberlant in their midst even if they sobered up!" Scowled Lady Morwen.

"I see. So what happens now?" Questioned Lord Cadfael.

"Now? I'm afraid you will be slain in the Pirate Attack. A terrible tragedy, quite unfortunate. I will then ascend to the Lordship and establish Umberlee as the official religion of Cadfael Island. Of course, we'll also have to get rid of Rhys over there as well. He simply knows too much now." Chuckled Lady Morwen, darkly.

"My Lord, run! Head for the Landward Gate whilst I hold these wretches off!" Commanded Rhys Mostyn as he interposed himself between Lady Morwen's group and Lord Cadfael.

Lord Cadfael didn't need to be told twice, running for the exit of the Keep even as Lady Morwen incanted a prayer and a beam of blue-white energy lanced out toward Lord Cadfael only for Rhys Mostyn to take the attack for his Lord. Lord Cadfael disappeared around a corner as sheets of ice covered Rhys Mostyn's body, a chill running through him and crackling across his skin, leaving faint traces of frostbite. However, Rhys Mostyn was made of sterner stuff than that and shrugged off the spell, ice, and snow sloughing off his form as he took up a stance there in the corridor of Castle Jannath, hoping to buy his Lord as much time as he could to escape to Pysgod Village. Leveling his blade at Lady Morwen, Rhys Mostyn snarled out a challenge to her and her four guards.

"I will be your opponent! You will have to go through me to chase Lord Cadfael!" He challenged.

"So be it." Concurred Lady Morwen.

The Traitor Guards advanced on Rhys Mostyn at that and Lady Morwen began to chant another spell or prayer, bolstering her Guards abilities with Divine Aid. Even with that, Rhys Mostyn fought like a Devil to defend his Lord. He took a few wounds in the doing but managed to slay all four of the Traitor Gusrds and engaged Lady Morwen directly in combat. Unfortunately, Lady Morwen was soon backed up by an Elven Duelist, and together, the fell powers of Umberlee and the preternatural skill of the Duelist combined to put an end to Rhys Mostyn. By that point, however, Lord Cadfael was already out of the castle. It was just a shame that Lady Morwen was not the only one looking for him. To circumvent an even more powerful Cleric of Umberlee who was storming through the Upper Ward of Castle Jannath on her own, slaying anyone who attempted to engage her, Lord Cadfael was forced back into the Town of Caer Jannath.

It would be there he would meet his end. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, here we see the next part of the Pirate Attack. I did mention there were larger forces at play here than the Skaug Corsairs and now you guys get a bit of a look at what those are. The Church of Umberlee is trying to gain control of the Jannath's Tears Archipelago for some unknown reason. They tried to play it the subtle way in Jannathsdaad, but Jarl Finehair's heir isn't playing ball even though his father is. Now they're trying something more forceful in Caer Jannath.

Unfortunately, our heroes got stuck in the middle of it. They've made out all right so far, mind you, but that sort of luck isn't going to last. Not against one of the Captains of the Corsair Flotilla. Thorgrim was only level six and he still beat them up a bunch. Captain Fuerza is three levels above that at level nine. Suffice it to say, they're in for a world of hurt when they fight him.

Speaking of which, that will happen in the next chapter.

Stay tuned. . .