Racana Port

[khalora]

Khalora brooded over a map of the port city, studying the defences that it had already in place. Now that the pirates and Southerners were allies, he had to ensure that its cities were well prepared for an assualt. And Racana was well within the firing line.

The ground side defences were alright, with the addition of an extra regiment of Danartan crossbowmen, but the sea side was giving him a bit of grief. Every scenario he went over in his mind always allowed an enemy to land troops via the sea.

"We'll need to install a few ballistas facing seaward atop these sections of the shoreline." Khalora marked several points along Racana'a defences. The pirate captain beside nodded silently. it was obvious that he wasn't completely sure what was happening, but he was determined, and that was enough.

"With at least three standard pirate ships firing continous broadsides from here, here and here..." he pointed to the map as he said the areas. "... this port could withstand a medium sized naval attack." He paused. "I'm surprised that you've managed to keep this fort in such good condition after your armies took it from us so long ago."

Khalora had another agenda for this meeting. He wanted to meet some of his pirate allies, some of the warriors that would be fighting under his joint-command with Amory, who was also due for an appearance here to survey Alessio's work. He was confident in his work.

Khalora looked out past the balcony and out to the ocean. It wouldn't be long before Amory or some other pirates showed up...

[amory]

"Don't be so surprised," Amory said, just a couple of minutes after he had said that. She was lucky enough to even hear his faint statement, after just arriving at the shoreline. Although she couldn't respond so quickly, when she stopped the ship and put it in its proper place, dropping the anchor to allow it to stay. Amory suddenly missed her old ship, one that she hoped she would get back eventually. She shook her head in an effort to forget about it and gazed back up at Alessio who was standing on the balcony. She put a hand over her eyes to block them from the sun. "We wouldn't let this place go to waste." She crossed her arms across her chest and raised an eyebrow, looking around. "You seem to be doing a fine job yourself. However... We were able to come upon the land very easily. I see no defenses against the sea yet."

She suddenly walked out of his view and only moments later did she appear next him. She looked off of the balcony, and then at Alessio. "The others will be here soon to introduce themselves. Well, depending on how soon is..." She wondered who was under Alessio's command, or at least, who was the Royal Guard for the Southern Army.

[Poker]

ooc: I really don't want you changing your towns defences. Just leave them as they were stated in the Ongoing Campaign thread or else it will become to hard to keep track of.

Poker stood at Amory's side and Archer stood at his. He gazed at Alessio with narrowed eyes. He didn't trust him. Poker had grown up under the belief of hating Southerners and now that he found himself with them he was rather uncomfortable and annoyed.

When Poker had talked to Amory about alligning, that's all it had been, talk. Now that it was reality, Poker couldn't help but be angry at himself for supporting the idea.

Poker lightly lay one hand on one of his cutlass' pommel and rested the other on Archer's head.

For the moment he remained silent, just glaring at the Southerners that were infesting the outpost and changing as they went along without any care for what the general public of Pirates thought. Poker could easily see that he wasn't alone in that thought. Other pirates were regarding the Southerners with distrust. Amory seemed the only one at the moment who trusted them.

She was walking a fine line in politics.

[khalora]

Khalora noticed that the pirate who was standing beside Amory was glaring at him, and if he was at all trying to hide his contempt, he was failing miserably.

"Don't worry soldier," stated Alessio calmly. "We're not here to cause you or this army any harm. In theory, you should rejoice that you have a new ally. Although in reality I know that this concept will be hard to grasp... for us all."

He looked at Amory and continued, "I know that we've been at war for years, but in the grand scheme of things, our conflicts have been rather minor, especially compared to other states. It is my hope, that in due time, we will learn to work and fight together, as one."

Alessio looked back to the map, "Now lets get to work on fortifying your post shall we?" He smiled a little, he hoped that at least this gesture of alliance would earn at least the slightest respect from the pirates, and pave the way for their freindship.

"As I saying earlier Amory, the land side is well kept, and quite sturdy, however, the sea side has very few defences. We could move some of the ballistas around on the walls to gain a better range of fire, but whatever happens, if this port gets attacked, we'll need ships to guard the entrance to the docks." He stopped and pondered the map some more. "Danarta's navy is strong, but few in numbers, as we have not had many resources for ship construction. However, the pirate's fleet, when combined I believe has high potential..."

Alessio looked out over the pirate fort. There was only a few Southerners here at the moment. One battalion at the most, but they, combined with the pirates could hold up here for a while if they were attacked.

Alessio noticed the large german shepard sitting placidly beside the pirate he had talked to before. "Is this the royal guard of Teer you've said so much about?"

[Poker]

Poker said nothing but he continued glaring. The arrogance of the King's words annoyed him.

Positions in high places will make you that way. Poker thought. He swore to himself there and then not to ever try and be a King if that was the outcome.

"No. I am no Royal Guard." Poker said, every word dripping with acid. "I am just a normal Pirate surveying for myself the fabled 'spread' of Southerners into Pirate Land."

[amory]

Amory would have said something to Poker, to tell him that everything was all right, but she couldn't say a word with Khalora there, to witness it. Alessio soon began to talk, however. Amory listened to him, thinking of other possibilities to help protect their fort. Ships seemed to be the only reasonable way to protect the fort, however, Amory wished there were other sources. They could build a wall in the sea, but that cost money, and took time that they could not spare. She nodded her head at the Southern King and agreed. "Yes, we will need to have armed ships to help with protection. Battleships, and cruise ships around all of the open areas. I'm not sure how effective it may be, as the Navy has many more ships then we do. They may be small now, but I'm sure that they will quickly grow in numbers in time." However, having their own ships out at sea would buy the army time to prepare themselves for the enemy to invade the land by sea. Amory looked at Poker again and narrowed her eyes, hoping that he was all right with not being the Royal Guard. She looked at Khalora. "The Royal Guard is not here yet," she said. "This is Poker, a great Pirate whom I trust very much." She gave him a look. "It seems those are our only options at the moment." They have to work with what they have.

[khalora]

Alessio nodded at Amory and looked back at the maps in front of him. He had spending countless hours devising new strategies and formations that better suited the pirate army. Hopefully it would improve the effectiveness of their troops and naval ships, and Khalora needed the pirate army to be strong and ready. Otherwise both they and the South could fall.

Alessio noted that Poker's words were extremely hostile, and the hairs on the back of his neck started to stand up, not that he feared the pirate in front of him, he only feared that the pirates would not respect an ally. But Amory had said that there were far more pirates that were in favour of the South than those that were morally opposed.

"Poker, you obviously have no trust or respect for our armies, and that I can understand. Racial differences are often hard to cast aside. But in time I hope that our armies can work together, and we will all benefit from it in the end, I promise you." He started speaking to him as an equal, because if he tried to be too autocratic with him, then all hell would break loose.

"How are the defences of Teer handling at the moment?" He asked Amory. "And the equipment of your soldiers?"

[Poker]

Poker visibly stiffened. Archer's teeth showed in a slight snarl but no sound escaped him. The tension between he and the Southerner King was growing, or it seemed to for Poker. The King was right, racial differences were difficult to cast aside and Poker didn't feel the need to cast them aside. He was from the Pirate army, the most resilient army there was. They didn't need Southern Scum helping them.

Poker remained shock still, his feet seemed rooted to that single position.
In time I hope that Amory will stop this before it goes too far. Poker thought in reply to the King's words, but he said no word. No word needed speaking. The anger was visibly obvious to anyone with half a brain.

[amory]

Amory looked at Poker once again, noticing how he stiffened, and she lightly touched his shoulder. She leaned into Poker when Alessio had looked away for a moment, and whispered, "Don't worry..." She wondered why he had been acting like this, but knew that this was not the appropriate time to ask him. She pulled away and looked at Khalora. "Teer is currently under control, however... we have been in better conditions. But, it wouldn't take very long for us to pull through and get up to high standards. I wouldn't worry about it much. Now that the Pirates will have something to fight against, that will motivate them to train some more." She looked over the balcony once again, surveying the area. "How are your troops?"

[khalora]

Khalora looked over towards the small group of soldiers who had come with them. "The royal battalions are at full strength, and they always will be. The infantry battlions are high in numbers, and their equipment is in good shape. My crossbowmen are starting to dwindle a little, its hard to find good shooters these days, but they are trained and equiped well. Mostly they are on my ships, but some work with the infantry. My cavalry at the moment has more horses than soldiers, but I am hoping that could change if we begin a recruiting drive... perhaps we could give some of the horses to the pirates... I'm not sure if you have a cavalry regiment yet."

Khalora noticed that Poker was obviously close to breaking point, but he didn't say anything more to him. Only actions could gain trust between them now...

"Well Amory, it seems that we will soon be ready for a war." Khalora stated more confidently. "I still don't know who we should move on first. What do you think?"

[Poker]

Poker's fists clenched. Amory leaning over and whispering seemed to do nothing to stop his anger.

He turned to Amory. "Your majesty, I feel the need to leave. If you need me I should be at a pub somewhere, a place where a Pirate is still welcome." he put the slightest possible stress on the last clause before bowing.

"Your majesty."

He stood straight again and turned to the Southerner.

"King." When he said it he did not bow and he made no attempt to hide the hatred in his voice.

Poker turned around and walked away. Archer barked once then followed obediently.

[amory]

Amory looked at Poker with soft eyes, knowing very well that he was not comfortable being there at the moment, but what pained her the most was thinking that he may never accept the alliance with the Southerners. She did not stop him from leaving, and she said no word to him. She took a breath and wondered if she had made the wrong decision about making the alliance with the South. If she didn't have the support of all of her army, of all of the Pirates, then that can surely destroy everything. Amory knows that one person can ruin an army if they have enough passion towards it, and it seems to Amory that Poker has enough hatred towards the South to make up for several others. Amory closed her eyes for a brief moment, composing herself once again. She looked at Alessio. "I'm sorry for his departure. He really is, believe me, an amazing Pirate. An amazing person." She nodded her head, just to reassure herself, and focused on the situation at hand. "But, yes. Who should we attack first? That's a very good question... It seems the Navy is weak at the moment, however, they will surely be attacking by the seas and that is our most vulnerable spot. The Ice Warriors... I haven't heard from Chase yet, I'm not quite sure what's going on with them. The Fallen Angels, I do not think I want to deal with them at the moment." She shook her head. "We might have to wait until Calypso and Chase come back before we decide who to attack. What we find out may change our current decision." She looked at him. "But, what are your thoughts?"

[khalora]

Alessio thought for a moment, "That is a fine thought. We shall wait until our spies return, and then we shall decide on our next move. Until then, all we can do is prepare for war, and steady our defences."

Khalora looked out towards where Poker was making his way down into the township. "I know that the pirates do not enjoy this alliance we have going at the moment. Maybe in time they will grow accustomed to us, but in the meantime I don't think our two armies should so publicly involve with another." Khalora recollected his words, knowing that that had come out wrong.

"What I mean is that I'm not sure how well our troops would fight side by side at the moment. The loyalty and companionship that ensures victory may not be present yet." Alessio sighed. "Do not worry though, our friendship here will remain true..."

[amory]

Amory looked out the balcony and nodded her head in agreement. Until they returned, that is all they could do. She wondered what was going on in the northern lands, as it was taking Chase and Calypso time to come back, longer than she was expecting. She would not worry, however, as Chase would not fail the Pirate army. He had too much pride and honor to fail something like this. She turned and looked at Alessio.

"I can see that," Amory replied. "If we fought today, it would be as if our armies did not make an alliance, instead the pirates fighting with the pirates and the southerners fighting with the southerners. It would be two sides, rather than one mixed." She took a breath. She hoped that the two armies would be able to fight alongside with each other soon. She knew that the Ice Warriors and Fallen Angels were probably going to make an alliance, if they had not already, and they would fight well together. The Pirates and Southerners, on the other hand, seem to have some personal feuds against each other. Hopefully, when the time for battle comes, the two armies can join together and set aside any personal disagreements they have and fight with each other, not separately. "Yes, for now, we will strengthen our forces and defenses, and hope..." She looked over the balcony once again, at the people below, working. She smiled. "I don't think we have too much to worry about... But of course, we can't be careless."

[khalora]

Khalora looked at Amory's back with interest, "Hmm... theres no reason to fret. No-one will break these defenses... We'll make sure of that."

He sighed and pushed the map away from him. He'd been up for way too long seeing these defenses set up. "Just so you know, theres a couple of coningents of crossbowmen on their way with three of Sanara'a trebuchets. They won't be here permanently, but for the moment, it is the best place to have them."

He looked around him, and down towards Achilles, who was standing silently just below the building. "I'll make my exit now mi'lady," he bowed slightly. "I won't be leaving Racana for two days to oversee these fortifications, so if you need me, I'll be here. You should probably stay here too, considering that the pirates won't follow my rule yet..."