Beware my nautical friends, these seas be home to thieves and scoundrels, me mate and I among them...
It was a voyage like any other. Cargo needed hauling from Morrows' Peak to Crook's Hollow, and we're not the kind to turn down some easy coin. We accept the contract, and make our steady way toward The Ancient Isles.
As we arrive my matey, @Octopus-Lime shoots himself to the island, intending to ensure the cannon above the dock is not manned, so as to save our precious rum from taking a beating. But too my sudden surprise, as I round the island shore... A Brigantine! Parked between our ship and our destination. An opportunity of plunder arose, and we sure took it!
I laid down cannon fire, laughing as the panicked crew quickly ran back to their ship. Octopus dashed from the top of the island, easily boarding their ship and cutting down their crew. With all hands perished, and their ship quickly sinking, I join him to gather loot and supplies. As I climb aboard he quick exclaims "they're on a Gilded Athena voyage, bucket some water, keep them afloat!". Without asking, I scoop out some water whilst Octopus, thinking on his feet, ran to the map table to find two islands circled. We now knew what they were doing, and where they were going. Our adventure just got interesting..!
Not wanting to be around when they came back, we quickly gathered our (their) loot and got ourselves to Ancient Spire to cash in. It wasn't long before we spotted familiar sails making their way to Crook's Hollow.
Now, the hunt is on. For the next hour we shadowed our prey, knowing they would soon leave Crook's Hollow and make way for Lone Cove, we set sail cautiously north stopping at random islands and forts to make out we were minding our own business. As predicted, they cast off and stopped at Lone Cove, we knew now that the next island they go to will be the final map. The time to spring our trap was getting near.
We waited for some time, Octopus at the nearby fort and myself with the ship at Cannon Cove, silently watching our target for what felt like a few days. Then, movement, the brigantine begins to turn and drops sail heading generally south and east. I follow suit, dropping our sail whilst Octopus takes a mermaid back. Again, we shadow their movement, trying to predict where they were heading without getting too close to them. "keep your distance, but don't look like you're trying to keep your distance" said Octopus, at which I growled (for some reason) "I don't know!" he exclaimed "sail casual". We continue south east, by now getting close to Barnacle Cay and it seems ever apparent that they're heading back to Crooks Hollow. Very strange, we both thought, perhaps they had forgotten to pick up a piece of cargo? Wanting a better look, Octopus jumps in to our row boat and makes his way over. As he gets close a member of their crew confirms with context chat that he has the rum bottles, signalling they were probably about to move off. Having to think fast again, Octopus quickly boards, hoping to hide himself away but is soon spotted and despite offering a banana, is quickly dispatched to the ferry.
