As noon approached, Captain Mobus knocked on Prince Vasheron's door to accompany him to the meeting of the brethren captains on board the Crimson Rose.

"Enter!" Vasheron shouted through the door.

Mobus entered the room and looked to the large window where the Minge Prince stood. He practically sparkled in the sunlight. It had been decades since the captain had seen his prince dressed in his full royal regalia. Vasheron was clothed entirely in black. He wore silk pantaloons and a silk blouse with puffed sleeves, entirely covered in delicate golden embroidered swirls and flowers. His impossibly shiny coal-black boots extended to his knees. The coat covering his shirt was thick velvet with jeweled buttons and silver epaulets upon which the royal crest of Meris rested, carved in gold and intricately enameled.

At his side, hanging from a gold chain belt was a curved cloisonné scabbard depicting Shana's triumphant founding of Thoth. The sword hilt which extended from the scabbard was remarkable. While the handle was simple lizard-skin wrapped in braided gold wire, it was the handle-guard and cross-guard which stood out. Both guards were formed by a single figure. A solid gold sculpture of Shana, bending forward comprised the handle-guard, and his arms extending to the sides, provided two of the three bars of the cross-guard, with the mink's head, leaning back as though staring at the heavens, providing the third.

The final accessory to Vasheron's wardrobe was the most telling, the crown of office. It was a simple platinum coronet, thin around the sides, arching at the forehead and set with a polished black stone, said to have fallen from the sky on the day of the mighty conqueror's birth.

Mobus was confused.
"Sire, I do not understand why you would grace these sea-thieves with the glory of your royal raiments. They are not dignitaries, not of royal birth, not of any station that would warrant seeing you thus."

"Precisely, Mobus," Vasheron brushed dust from his coat, "they need to remember who I am, that I am noble, high above their common origins. They will be speaking to my office...leaving me free to study and gauge them. Appearance is important, Mobus...though I can see why someone suffering a disfigurement as you have would prefer to think otherwise."

The scarred captain unconsciously stroked the scars on his face and neck.
"I can see  your logic, sire. Do you think they will help you attack Azmeritus?"

"They plan to do that anyway. The question will be if they accept my help and let me take advantage of their attack on Azmeritus. I believe they will, it would be stupid of them not to seek every advantage in destroying the blockade. The only factor is how much they hate the Brotherhood and how much being trapped in port costs them." He walked to the door, "Come Mobus, time to play with the pets."

By noon, all the brethren captains with the exception of Willum were on the deck of the Crimson Rose, awaiting the arrival of Prince Vasheron and Captain Mobus. The Deev were approaching the ship on a small dinghy, its oar-beasts pulling furiously. Captains Hogbrow, Tonguescab, and Yellowtooth stood near the prow of the ship apprehensively. They were scared of the Deev, though they would never admit it. Dressed blandly, scarcely different from the common sea-beasts, they were attempting to not stand out.

Captain Redbush was garbed in his signature red pantaloons and blouse with a black bandanna tied tightly about his head. The human, Captain Greensap wore a re-purposed uniform of the Seth-e-Ramanian royal guard, of which he had been a member in his earlier life.

Wilbur and Ursamus leaned over the rail watching the Deev boat approaching. The bear turned to the mole.
"Where is Captain Crookfang? I'd think he would be here."

Wilbur smiled.
"He's been rummaging around de chests of clothes from Xenoth. Oi think he wants to make a stroiking appearance. Oi can't wait to see what he comes up with."

As if on cue, Captain Orange Willum Crookfang walked on deck. Ursamus let out a gasp and Wilbur broke into a snigger. The cat could not be missed. He wore dark red sea-boots, broad at the top and folded out, covering a brighter red pair of puffy linen pants. A deep scarlet sash extended around his waist holding twin crossed cutlasses. His blouse was a pale orange silk, covered by a deep orange knee-length coat with brass buttons and a dark blue fringe. His paws were covered in rings of all sizes on all digits. He wore a large golden hoop in his right ear and on his head, an oversize pale blue tri-corner hat topped by a large white feather.

Orange Willum looked like a walking flame and smiled to himself at seeing the impression he was making. He walked to where Wilbur and the snow-bear stood.
"Well, mateys, time ta meet our 'guests'."

"Oi like your strategy, to bloind them with your clothes," the mole said lightly.

Willum slapped the mole on the back before joining the other captains.
"Aye Willy, let's hope the coves ain't color-blind."

Vasheron and Mobus came aboard and faced the captains. The prince adjusted his coronet and Willum sniggered lightly.
"Is there a problem?" the Deev asked with annoyance.

"Quite the villainous look ye've chosen, Deev. What's the matter, couldn't find a black cloak or gloves?" Willum said looking Vasheron up and down.

"Asks the beast who looks like he just escaped from a carnival," the Deev Prince said dismissively.

Redbush interrupted.
"Now that the niceties are done, can we get down to business?"

"Aye, don't mind the prince and I, we're just teasin', ain't that right, me coal black Minge?" Willum asked grinning.

"Whatever you say, pirate," he pointed towards the captain's cabin, "shall we go somewhere more private where we can discuss the matter at hand."

"Let's go then...," Willum motioned to the other captains, "come on ye orphans o' the sea, lets go to me cabin, drink some grog and figger out how we're gonna send those blood-colored maggots to the bottom of the sea."

After they entered the cabin, Mobus went to the large table and cleared it off. He unrolled the large map he brought and placed empty glasses on its edges to hold it flat. It was a map of Minga, including the harbor and passage to the Cold Narrows, depicting not only the positions of the Brotherhood ships, but the varying depths of the harbors including the two crescent shallow shoals on either side, which served to bottleneck the harbor and funnel all exiting ships toward the blockading scarlet ships. During the course of preparing the map, Mobus noticed Captain Redbush staring at his scarred face and neck. The Deev became annoyed and snapped at the fox.
"What are you looking at, fox!?"

"I'm just a sucker for a pretty face," he smiled wickedly, "mind yer manners, my pretty mink, snap at me again and I'll match the left side of ye with yer right!"

Vasheron stepped between the two beasts and began to speak.
"Enough of this petty nonsense, come see what I propose."

Willum walked to the table and studied the map.
"Say yer piece, Deev."

"Aye," Redbush agreed, "what is this plan yer all so excited about?"

Vasheron leaned over the map and pointed to the four Brotherhood ships at the harbor-mouth and the two additional ones several hundred yards  past the harbor in the Narrows.
"These fours ships are all anchored to face the harbor with their numerous sets of catapults, as well as rotating squads of archers. In the event of a blockade-runner getting up close without being set ablaze, each of these ships houses over a hundred soldier-priests to board or repel.

"These ships are only a hundred yards apart since the mouth of the harbor is only navigable in a five hundred yard wide natural canal due to the shoals. Being this close together, any ship approaching would be vulnerable to attack from a minimum of two of the vessels, if not all four. No ship is allowed closer to the blockade than one hundred and fifty yards without being fired on.

"If a ship somehow manages to break through the four ships of the line, the two remaining ships out in the Narrows, including the heavily armed frigate, the Neure, would be ready to attack and deliver the final coup de grace. A formidable blockade, wouldn't you say?" The Minge leader smiled.

"We are well aware of the difficulties," Captain Greensap acknowledged, "you wouldn't be so cavalier if you didn't have a solution...so what is it?"

Vasheron found a chair and sat.
"I received word earlier today from Xenoth. It was my privilege to inform that necromancer, Azmeritus that I had recovered the artifact that he has been so desirous to obtain. Azmeritus has requested my return to Xenoth and has instructed the Commander of the blockade to let my ship pass through.

"I am to stop at the Neure and show my prize to the Commander to insure that it is in my possession, at which point I will be given leave to make the delivery. Sadly I will not have the artifact onboard, rather, I will have a full crew of your buccaneers hidden below decks. We will send a boat over, loaded with Deev and pirates. We will take the Neure and sink her smaller sister ship in the narrows...Then we will turn the Neure and the Windspirit and attack the line from the rear, while you attack from the front. If you truly are as good as you boast, we should certainly win. Then we will head to Xenoth."

Willum nodded.
"I hates to admit it, but it ain't a bad plan. When are ye plannin' ta meet the Neure?"

"The day after tomorrow."

Captain Redbush threw up his arms and faced his fellow captains.
"Ya don't mean ta trust this dressed up scoundrel, do ye?" he exclaimed in frustration. "He's betrayed us once and he'll do it agin, mark my word! I fer one ain't gonna take a run at those war ships if'n I have to depend on that cove to be attackin' from their rear. If he don't deliver what he promises, I pity the ships headin' forward, they'll be burnt down ta their anchor-chains."

Vasheron seethed quietly, but managed to answer in a calm voice.
"That problem is easily addressed, Captain Redbush. As I said, I'll be taking a pirate crew with me to seize the outlying ships. Let it be your crew, with you as their captain. When we take the Neure, you and your crew take command of her for the battle and keep her when we are victorious."

The idea of taking a prize like a fully armed frigate forced the fox to smile. Greed tilted the balance in Vasheron's favor. Redbush tried to sound less anxious for the opportunity than he was.

"We won't take 'er, we'll earn 'er and ya kin be sure we'll be watchin' you and yer Deev real close-like."

"I would expect no less," The Minge leader said calmly, "are there any other objections, or are we ready to act?"

The captains looked to each other. Some smiled, some nodded solemnly, but all seemed in agreement. Willum spoke for them.
"Aye, we'll try yer plan. Day after tomorrah it is. We'll all be ready. We'll have a final meet at the Demon's Breath the night before. Now git back to yer crews and git 'em ready. It ain't gonna be a piece o' cake, no matter what ye thinks. It'll be a hard fight, so steel yerselves and yer sea scum and git yer ships in order.

Vasheron and Mobus called their Deev to the captain's cabin of the Windspirit as soon as they returned. The Minge warriors waited silently until their prince addressed them.
"In less than two days time, we will change our path. We will leave Minga and with the help of a mercenary force engage and destroy the accursed Brotherhood ships which seek to keep us prisoners. From there we will head to Xenoth and wrest control of the Scarlet Empire from the colorless paws of the necromancer, Azmeritus!"

A cheer filled the cabin. Vasheron raised his paw for silence, then continued.
"From this point on until we break this blockade, no crewmember is to leave the ship unattended...we cannot risk another scarlet spy on board to warn our foe of our intentions. Make sure we have sufficient weapons, especially arrows, bows, oil to soak bales of hay to launch from our catapults, and grappling hooks to pull us close enough to board. When you secure these items in Minga...watch the crew carefully...keep them together and under your eyes. Now go!" 

All the Deev except for Mobus left the cabin. The captain approached Vasheron and shook his head.
"I'm concerned about Redbush, he is intentionally provocative and hostile. He hates us...and in my case at least, the feeling is mutual. Mark my words, my prince...he will cause us trouble."

Vasheron smiled and clapped Mobus on the back.
"I'm surprised at you. How long have you known me...five centuries? When have I ever let an insult, like those that fox has thrown at us, pass un-avenged? Fear not, captain, he will not see the new week. I fear that brave Captain Redbush will be killed bravely fighting the red devils. We will come to his aid, but sadly we will be too late."

"Tragic," Mobus chuckled.

"He will simply disappear, no one will know for certain what happened to him," Vasheron said, making a sweeping motion with his paw, as though wiping away dust.

"I apologize for questioning you, sir. I will sleep better tonight knowing that that mote will be gone from our eye soon."

"Nothing will stop us from achieving our rightful place at the head of this world, not Redbush, not the wizards, not Azmeritus. We will use the mongoose's so-called god to bring our enemies to their knees and they will pray for our mercy."

The other boats were in the process of doing the same provisioning as the Windspirit. On board the Crimson Rose a skeleton crew remained while the main bulk of beasts were ashore. The Scratchbacks, master foragers that they were, had been put in charge of the shore parties. Willum was relaxing in his cabin with Wilbur and Ursamus. The pirate-cat looked fondly at his two friends. Ursamus seemed stoic as was always his way, but Wilbur seemed restless and apprehensive. Suddenly, Willum laughed loudly, startling both the mole and the bear.

"Ya seem distracted, Willy, all somber-like. This is what ya dreamed about... bein' a pirate. Why so glum?"

Wilbur rested his head in his paws and answered.
"The oidea of being a poirate is better than really being one, Oi think. Oi don't loike foighting with the Deev on our soide. They killed wizards...wizards! They're the bad gois, just as bad as the Brothers."

"Aye, no question," Willum said pensively, "but if it makes ya feel any better, I'll wager guts ta gold that the Deev got no intention o' honoring any truce after we do what they want. We'll be crossing swords with the smoky demons soon enough. Sooner if'n Redbush has his way."

"The fox really hates the Minge," Ursamus noted.

"That's a fact, but he's too ignorant ta keep it to 'imself. Vasheron was lookin' at Redbush the way a frog watches a fly. I fear we ain't gonna be makin' any long-term plans with the fox captain," Willum said sagely.

"Shouldn't we tell him to be careful with what he says?" Wilbur asked.

Willum chuckled.
"Redbush is a violent beast, not any better'n the Deev. If'n we were to get between him and the ghost, he'd take it as an insult and we'd be on his list o' beasts ta kill. I ain't that fond of the fox, certainly not enough ta waste my energy tellin' him what he should have the brains ta know. If'n they want ta kill each other, 'tis fine with me. They won't be worryin' about us if'n they're focused on each other."

"But Redbush is with us," Wilbur protested, "he's one of ours."

"Ain't no other pirate with us, they be alongside us till they get what they want. We ain't no army, just a bunch o' coves what wants the same thing. A word to ya Willy...pirates ain't ta be trusted, deep down we're thieves and cut-throats. We're beasts and men like any other, with the same flaws and weaknesses. There's a reason they like ta hang us."

Wilbur shook his head.
"You're a good beast, Willum. I trust you."

"Bless ya, Willy," The cat-corsair said smiling, "ta tell ya the truth, I ain't been a proper pirate since the wars. I'm here ta take Azmeritus' heart out of his slimy white body, nothin' more. I care not for profit or glory. I'm an avenger, plain and simple. My piratin' days are well behind me and if'n I live through what's ta come, they be done fer good."

Wilbur smiled.
"I don't think I  want to be a poirate," he laughed, "Oi just like the costumes."

Willum laughed loudly.
"Aye, we are fine dressers, ain't we," he puffed out his chest and stroked his orange coat, "and I'm the best dresser of the lot."

Ursamus rumbled with laughter.
"A fine cut of a corsair, that's you cap'n. There's no mistaking Orange Willum."

"And don't ye ferget it Snowflake! Like I told Willy's uncle way back on Xenoth, it don't matter what ya actually done...it only matters what they think ya done. If'n that scum we're a gonna fight think I'm the devil 'imself, I gots the advantage, so I best dress the part so they can recognize me."

It was Wilbur's turn to laugh.
"With that outfit, they'll see you in Xenoth before we ever leave Minga."

The day of the final strategic meeting was a lovely one. The sun shined brightly between brilliant scattered clouds. A light refreshing breeze smelling of wisteria and honeysuckle wafted through the oceanfront of Minga replacing the odors of fish and the previous night's revelry.

The Brethren captains and the Deev leaders met in the same room of the Demon's Breath as they had before, behind closed doors. The various crews on shore leave before the anticipated battle filled the harbor-front bars and dives earlier than usual, knowing they needed to be back aboard their respective ships before the sun was set.

The Demon's Breath was nearly full and very noisy. Tired musicians, not used to performing in the light of day, fumbled through various jigs and bawdy ballads much to the apparent delight of the heavy drinking clientele. At a small table near the main bar, Burgle Tootspin, taking a break from his bar-keeping duties sat with Wilbur and Gella who were enjoying a chocolate flavored tea and waiting for Willum to conclude his meeting. Burgle smiled wistfully as he recalled his life aboard the Dark Devil, Willum's privateering vessel during the Khalisian Wars, where he had served as ship's cook.

"Willum's the finest beast I ever known. These other blokes, Redbush, Greensap and the rest...they'd sell ya fer a hot breakfast, but not Willum, no sir...he'd stand by his friends, no matter what the cost. That's why 'is crew loved 'm...and that's why 'e's so hell-bent on avengin' the burnin' of 'is ship. Old Crookfang and I are all what's left of that fine pack o' beasts and men. When 'e lost the Dark Devil, 'e lost 'is life, 'e did. Willum can't get it back, neither...not till Azmeritus is dead."

Wilbur looked up, moved by Willum's torment and asked the old sable something he had been afraid to ask the pirate himself.
"Whoi doesn't he send for his woife, he's a free beast here and can live a good loife with her. When he talks about her, it's plain as the snout on moi head that he loves her."

"That's a fact," Burgle agreed, "but just as true is that fact that he ain't ever gonna subject her to 'is pirate life. She's 'is muse, I suppose... 'is angel and 'e's intent upon protectin' 'er from ugliness."

"What about her?" Gella asked. "What does she think?"

"Jessie?" Burgle answered, "I can't say fer sure. I ain't seen nor 'eard about 'er in nigh on five years now. I reckon she thinks 'e's dead or on the run."

Gella shook her head.
"That's very sad. I hope Willum gets what he wants so he can see her again and I hope she doesn't hate him for staying away."

"She shouldn't be mad, he's troiing to protect her," Wilbur protested.

"He should have let her decide if she wanted to join him, not just leave. He probably hurt her more by just leaving than to try and shield her from his life. If she loved him, she would have understood, she would have helped him," Gella insisted.

Just as  Gella finished speaking, the door to the back room swung open and the captains filed out, followed by Prince Vasheron who quickly walked past the bar's patrons and exited the establishment on his way back to the Windspirit. Orange Willum walked up to the table. Wilbur looked up at his captain and smiled.

"So what's the word, Captain?" the young mole asked.

Willum clapped Wilbur on the back.
"It's on fer tomorra Willy and a right fine plan it is. I'm thinkin' this here enterprise might just work. So this is how she sails...come dawn we weigh anchor, then a bit of dancin' with them scarlet devils in the harbor and then...next stop Xenoth!"