Strange Ships on the Horizon ((Ts Nov 23, 10am))

[Ivanna]

*In the distance, people who normally walk the docks see three ship-shaped specks in the distance. It's unusual for this time of year, as the winds have already started to pick up and all ships expected have already docked. The first dock workers who notice the shapes stop and stare, then quietly nudge their companions to take a look. Odd pockets of stillness happen, on dry docks and ships, now empty of cargo and being brought in tightly in preparation for the winter storms. The three unexpected ships loom in the distance, approaching ever closer.*


*A few older workers go into the administration building. They find Master Rex reviewing the year's cargo records, and with only a few words and a look, Master Rex closes the ledger and follows them to the edge of an unused dock. He stares out over the horizon, watching the ships. As he watches, a young boy, dressed well but for his bare feet runs up behind Master Rex. He squints into the distant sea, a chalk board tucked under his arm.*


*Master Rex looks down at the boy, then takes up the chalk board. He writes down a few words, then hands the board back to the boy. With one last stare at the ships, the boy takes off running, away from the docks, towards town. Master Rex shakes his head, but continues to stare.*


*After a few more minutes, shouts are heard from various Mates and captains, harrying the hands back to work. But everyone keeps an eye on the ships, aiming steadily for Ralinwood.*


*The three ships loom slowly, steadily larger.*

[Emeil Foulée]

Dwiin, seated on the docks, looks up from his book to attempt to identify the boats with a raised eyebrow. He slams his book shut and holds his staff in his other hand and uses it to lever himself to his feet. Dwiin looks around the area for anyone with information on the boats.

[Bossova Vennirik]

Halting his work on his ship, Swiggins turns to the horizon noticing many doing so for a few moments and spots the distant shapes with a quirked brow. He rubs at his good eye to be sure he isn't seeing things before he pulls out a slightly broken Telescope and extends it out towards the ships trying to spot anything telling about the trio.

"What do we have on our doorstep this time?..."

He continues to fiddle and focus the scope until he can spot anything telling about them.

[Ivanna]

((PM incoming Swiggs))

[Bossova Vennirik]

With a quick mental note of all he spots from his scope and the placement of his tools into his holsters, he heads over to find Master Rex and explain what he spotted in detail in hopes of getting an explanation or some sort of information about the incoming vessels with a bit of a paranoid panic.

[Ivanna]

*Master Rex takes in the information, then simply says.*

"We're not expecting anyone else that I can recall."

[Bossova Vennirik]

"Well this be grand...I can't say I be recognizing any of the details offhand. They be grand that's fer sure and clearly ready for an assault if me eye isn't deceiving me on the larger's build, but this can't be spelling good waters for us. Sending word into town to shuffle some military and naval folk would be a smart plan wouldn't ya say?"

Swiggins looks back out to the horizon with his scope hoping to spot anything he may have missed, he tries to focus on the colours they are flying for a few moments. His hands shake as he tries to focus as his paranoia rattles him slightly.

[Ivanna]

*The ships move ever closer*

*Master Rex nods*

"Agreed. I sent for the Lady. She damn well better here right bloody fast with an answer. Otherwise...."

*Looks at the shored up ships, the workers watching things nervously.*

"Uh...yeah. We'll be fucked. Navy's here but they're still repairing from a few months ago, and a lot of 'em pulled out when M'Lord left. Well... Well, we're about as fucked as a whore after feastday."

[Bossova Vennirik]

Slipping his scope away and pulling out a horn, Swiggins braces up at the ready to let loose a loud cry of the horn as a signal of trouble. His left eye flares up as he watches the ships in the distance before speaking again.

"Say the word and I be callin' in some aid, got enough folk here in town we'd be set to handle whatever these raggabouts decide to throw our way, seeing also as we may be cut fer time. It's your call though. We waiting or we getting the ranks together and forming up a proper defense?"

[Ivanna]

*Master Rex looks at the horn.*

"I've sent a boy to town. Leave off the horn. Better that we get ready quietly, rather than put them on alert."