[Act 2] [Scene 1] [Voyage]

[Korbel]

Marco pulls his fishing rod out from the water and puts it back in place.

- And then they could leave the woman on the galley or not. What if they lock her up in some village, or anything? Oh Ferran... well let's make an agreement - we can follow them quietly and when they stop for night, we'll see what they're up to and weigh our chances. But keep in mind, I won't risk them discovering our boat, currently it's my only mean to reach Mirandola.

[Benedict]

Ferran hears both his comrades, while he readies the map and the spyglass. He nods at Marco's proposition, then says.

"Better keep the fishing pole. Chances are they will check on us like I will."

Ferran checks the map to estimate their approximate location while he speaks.

"Make no mistake, I'm not that foolhardy to take on an entire crew of cutthroats. For now we can only observe them while posing as fishermen. Should any opportunities present themselves, then we act. The main points would be to board the ship while they sleep, locate the woman as fast as possible, and sabotage the ship so they won't follow us. As for the crew taking to shore, that seems unlikely. These are Arabs we are talking about, and there's war going on. I doubt the captain would place his men in a situation he can't control."

[Korbel]

"And then what, captain? After we rescue her? - Marco asks.

[Benedict]

"We go to Mirandola of course. You have something else in mind?" responds Ferran with a grin.

[Korbel]

"No, but are you going to take her with us?

[Benedict]

"Well, I'm not going to dump her into the middle of the river. When we take it to shore we'll see."

[thirtythr33]

After a short time following the galley from a safe distance you hear the rhythm of the drum beat slow down and the galley comes to a stop in the shallows of the river among the reeds. Through the spyglass you see the silhouette of a large anchor being lowered off the stern of the galley, followed by a second smaller one at the bow down river. The beat of the drums stops and the oars are pulled out of the water and withdraw into the belly of the boat.

The light of a lantern pierces the darkness and then disappears into the hold. Soon after the man with the lantern reemerges, followed by two others that are hunched over and carrying a heavy load; a large hessian sack that is shaped obviously like a human. With a coordinated heave they throw the sack over the side of the galley. It plunges into the water, making a load splash and floats slowly down river, not struggling.

[Benedict]

"Damn those bastards!" Ferran curses in a hushed voice.

"Seems whoever is in the sack is lost..." and makes the sign of the cross.

Turning to both men "Senor Marco should stay with the boat, sling at the ready. Me and Giorgio should get on the ship. We wait till night settles - then we board them."

[Korbel]

At first Marco frowns at Ferran for giving him orders, but then he just smiles and nods in agreement. He readies his sling and some bullets and watches his comrades and the galley in the distance.
- Good luck! - he says in a hushed voice.

[thirtythr33]

Giorgio looks stoically over the scene. "It would be best to wait for them to fall asleep... but if they keep dumping bodies over the side, I don't know. You reckon we should swim over or get close in the reeds from the river bank? I don't think I fancy making that swim with my longsword." He says pointing out his two handed weapon.

[thirtythr33]

Hours pass in silence and darkness blankets the river.

Ferran slinks into the wine-dark water, one end of a long rope in hand. Giorgio holds the other end of the rope and waits in the catboat for Ferran's signal or any sign of trouble.

[thirtythr33]

When Ferran makes it to the base of the Brigantine Giorgio slings his zweihander over his back, gives one last nod to Marco and lowers himself into the water. He uses the rope being held by Ferran to pull himself from one boat to the other.

Ferran climbs up the back of the Brigantine just enough to peak onto the deck from underneath the railing. Directly next to where Ferran is hidden is a small rowboat, hanging over the stern of the galley. A few meters away from Ferran is a pirate leaning against the railing looking towards the shore, smoking a pipe. He has an unloaded crossbow sitting unattended at his feet, and a sabre on his belt. Not far from that, is the access to below deck.

At the top of the closest mast Ferran sees a manned crows-nest, keeping watch over the riverbend downstream. At the bow of the galley are two more pirates, standing and talking to one another. They are holding crossbows and are keeping watch over the others on deck, not out to the waters. Sprawling over the deck are approximately two dozen people bundled up in blankets, sleeping.

[thirtythr33]

Taking a few moments to look closer, Ferran notices that only around a third of the sleeping figures have weapons or dress in the Ottoman style. The other two thirds are unarmed and dress in an Italian style.

[Benedict]

Ferran whispers to Giorgio.

- Seems the crew is a mix of Ottomans and Italians. Keep that in mind in case we have to parley with them.

[thirtythr33]

Giorgio looks confused for a moment and then nods. He whispers back "Do you want me to stay here or climb up?"