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"Your grace... I am Calico Jack... the most fearsome pirate of the seven seas, at your service... fairness is overrated" grinned Calico with a flourishing bow slashing forward

Ryiah had only done a meager job at best in deflecting Calico's perfect initial strike she fumbled in her step and her spin nearly brought her down, much less the captain's next strike. Regaining her balance finally, she could only twist in time for his next blow to glance off her armor, bringing her own sword up toward his side.

((Horrible luck these rolls! ))

"Tut tut... I taught you better than that... don't make command my pirates to kidnap an empress to ensure you sharpen your skill for I can and will make good on this.

I'm sure I can risk Morgan's wrath a while longer and endure him giving us all chase if it gets your stances somewhat improved" smirked Calico

Calico lunged forward again, throwing yet another thrust though on this occasion he lost his footing altogether

((OOC surely the next round must be a better one for you))

Ryiah, too had completely missed her strike on the last attempt, but still managed a soft laugh as Calico lost his own footing. "Are you sure you'd be able to manage a kidnapping, Captain?" She asked with her own smirk. "Your own footwork suddenly seems to need practice."

With that she spun to try and get behind Calico and bring her blade to his neck.

"My my, seems you did learn a thing or two aboard my vessel, it was not all lost time then. I hereby surrender my sword and my heart your majesty" assured Calico dropping the sword, feeling the cold blade touch his neck

Ryiah dropped her sword tip and stepped back a pace, her cheeks heating a bit from her nearness to Calico. "Don't you mean my heart?" She asked him with a smile. "You can keep it." She said before lifting her sword again, "shall we have another go?"

"If you feel the need to improve... you are always welcomed to try again... perhaps next time you will manage to knock the sword off sooner uh?" teased Calico

"Indeed Sendara, it is your heart indeed... I wish to offer it all to you and claim you my bride if you would have a simple master-at-arms" nodded Calico offering her a ring kneeling before her, his smiled dropping flat at seeing Morgan rush towards them, clutching his arm.

"Taff was at the port... Taff was by the sea talking to those merfolk... it was too many of them, pirates with turbants, those islanders or their kinsmen, they acted too quickly, they've taken him, Calico, they've taken Taff. Word is that Harrishim is awaiting you at the next race and... don't be late... a sorcerer of his mighty power is one of a kind, he intends to keep him should you fail at the next race.... perhaps Sendara should ride this one out... given you're still recovering..." reported Morgan

Ryiah's heart skipped a beat as Calico knelt before her, a soft gasp of surprise escaping her lips as she was caught by surprise. Did he really want her as his bride? Fully human, but fully dragon as well, she wasn't sure if she knew who she truly was. But she knew she couldn't live life the same way if Calico wasn't in it.

Opening her mouth and trying to find her voice, her chance was taken away as Morgan stormed up to deliver his news. "I....Taff.." her head seemed to be whirling, yet her gaze moved back to Calico, worry creeping in. "You can't go back there, it nearly killed you the first time. I will fly there and rescue Taff. They won't expect a dragon." She paused, her gaze softening and she put her hand in Calico's. "Of course I will have you." She whispered. "If you can handle a dragon, I think I can handle a pirate turned master at arms."

"No way I shall let my damsel go into danger alone... if you were to fail, which is always a chance, you will need me to acquire you back, don't worry, if I can handle a dragon I can handle their Arabian horses... though, Harishim might insist on setting unfavourable terms this time round, given he already owns the warlock." muttered Calico

"On the other I will not prevent you from partaking, after all, your majesty, it is not my place to command the empress... rather to serve..." assured Calico

"Well Nonesuch is waiting and the tide starting to widthdraw, best you go and hurry along" urged Morgan "Who knows what they may be doing with or to the poor boy..." muttered Morgan somewhat worried.

"I owe it to him anyways, I did kidnap him from the royal dungeons the very first time ...." admitted Calico

"Then you best bring him back..." frowned Morgan "Capturing a royal manservant was still treason last I checked" muttered Morgan

"Yes, of course, worry not I was just on the way..." muttered Calico trailing off "Ohhh so that is why my crew raided provisions and left port uh?" quizzed Calico

"Errr Prodius insists Taff is your slave and they wouldn't stand by letting pirates raid your property, it does have some bearing into their hasty departure indeed" nodded Morgan

"Well... general... better bring back your men then... someone has to row the Nonesuch after all..." muttered Calico causing Morgan to look up offended and hesitant

"The imperial army are not rowing slaves..." protested outright at the downright humiliating downgrade from top to bottom looking at Ryiah "Unless... of course... her majesty commands...." added reluctantly

Caersar brought Taff, well chained, caged and gagged over to the islands and deserts, quite set on winning some of those finest horses for his own empire.

These bedouins had the finest of them but they rarely did give them away, spies informed him of this Taff valuable skills at the island and the interest Harrishim had with magic folk, deciding to have the boy captured and brought along as convincing payment for a few of those fine horses.

His ship docked by the island with his guards remaining firm and watchful of the pirates that sailed the seas and the islanders too.

He sent Ares, his warlord, to the island to find a sign of life and a sign of the horses, after much walking and trailing through the sand the warrior spotted in the distance the water oasis and the tents camped nearby.

"Greetings... I come in peace" saluted Ares turning his attention to Harishim and the turban wearing men, weary of the armed crowd

Sendara grinned then, the prospect of being able to return to the sea lightening her heart and making her frel a bit more free. Oh to finally see amd know what it felt likebto have the salty spray under her wings, and the blue expanse spread before her.

"Let's go then." She said, "Taff deserves a rescue at the very least. He has done much for the throne. He is no servant in my eyes, but a friend and worthy advisor." Turning then she gazed at Morgan, frowning a moment in thought. The man had redeemed himself somewhat in her eyes, trust beginning to return. "General, I need someone here to watch the throne while I am gone, someone I can trust to hold it steady, and keep an eye on my father." Her gaze grew serious, "From our adventure together I know you are capable. I will have men skilled in sea craft, and not my soldiers who will stay here at your command, gathered to sail with us under Calico's command. He needs a new crew for the time being, and it wouldn't do to spread my land resources thin to man the boats."

With a glance to Calico she couldn't keep a smile from lifting her lips again, her eye catching the ring he'd slipped onto her finger. "Are you ready then? Or have your land legs already replaced your sea legs?" She teased, eyes glinting.

"Unfortunately, I amd a very strict captain who rules by the sword and I fear any new crew chosen won't make it back... alive... out of ... lackings..." mused Calico

"Perhaps Sendara could take flight and hurry up to my ship and crew... surely they cannot be that far off that a mighty dragon couldn't keep up to their speed... surely..." teased and challenged Calico far preferring his trusted well trained men

Flashing a raised eyebrow at Calico, Ryiah Sendara dipped her head. "You've seen me in flight Captain, you know I am quite capable of such a task. I wouldn't want any poor seamen to meet their fates because they couldn't handle sailing beneath the infamous Calico Jack."

With that, she shifted form, the transformation taking little time and causing little to no pain now, her memories seamless and intact. It was a wonderful change. Finally, dipping her head she nosed Calico gently her hues softening. "Are you ready to ride?" she asked, lifting her wings.

"As ready as I can ever be... " nodded Calico, cuddling up the beast tightly and fondly before jumping on it

"I missed a good ride, go on Sendara, take to the skies and catch up to them" encouraged Calico patting the neck softly, clearly a child playing with his preferred toy

He saluted Morgan and looked up to the sky.

The day was warm and sunny, the sky as blue as a zircon gemstone which contrasted with the deep blue of the waters, as intense as a sapphire. He felt such excitement as the first time he climbed on her back, each opportunity granting him a sense of relief and freedom that he had honestly missed during their journey back

As Calico slipped atop her Sendara turned her neck to nudge his leg. Taking flight, she left the city behind quickly enough, the fresh air where the sea met the sky drawing the pair onward across the water. This time.. I am whole, despite having only half a heart. Sendara murmered to Calico as she flew onward.

Every so often she would curl her neck to touch her rider's leg, as if to assure herself he was truly alive. After flying until the sun began to touch the horizon, night drawing nearer, the pair would perhaps soon begin to see the ship through the gloom, the dragoness's wings carrying her far faster than the sea's wild currents would take the Nonesuch.

"Shiver me timbers that's Calico right there!" barked Prodius looking through the spy glass.

"Halt the rowers...." shouted Prodius to slow down the speed a little so the beast and its rider could come aboard sooner and easier than trying to play catch up.

Sendara did so, banking down in a smooth glide until she landed softy and gently on the deck, allowing Calico to slide off, then gave a snort as she looked around at the men. "Rather cowardly to run away, wasn't it? Leaving poor Captain Jack to his fate." There was a bit of sarcasm in her voice, as if she were jesting with them, yet her hues were serious.

Settling her wings against her back she curled a bit around Calico as she settled into the rythm of the boat as it rolled with the waves.

Rufus looked up at Sendara

"Now now, pet, with a dragon caring for him, he would still fare better than any of us could" shrugged Rufus

"I was enjoying lady Luck and lady Rum" pointed out Rufus showing the cup of dice and a mug of rum brimming

Sendara eyed the full cup, then huffed a breath off scalding steam, heating the brew to steaming. Hot rum... she purred, still curled around Calico, her gaze going to her rider.

You should tell them... about Taff and we should get going. her voice was a bit impatient, her fiery hues gleaming.