"Very well." Talogan said once Tayang had finished speaking. The captain then rose to his feet, approached his first mate, and placed a single glowing finger on the few parts of Tayang's injuries that Derrick missed, causing them to close up in the blink of an eye. "Thank you for the rundown, Mr Iron Guts." Talogan said. "That will be all." Once Tayang was gone, Talogan looked out the window and observed the former slaves at work. The dwarves he was definitely going to offer work to. Experienced or not, people who could swing a weapon would always have a place on the Kraken while Talogan was in charge. He'd have to speak with the gnomes before he made his final decision on them. Tinkerers had their uses, but only certain tinkerers had the uses Talogan was after. As for the halflings, Talogan decided he'd let them walk. Stout and hardy was all well and good, but Talogan preferred the sort of people who either knew their way around a weapon or had skills grander than tilling a field.

Turning away from the window, Talogan walked over to a small wardrobe he kept in his quarters. After using a sliver of the Mighty One's power to heal the last few cuts that hadn't healed up on their own, Talogan took a spare set of clothes from the wardrobe and changed into them from his current bloody attire. After that, Talogan took his blue studded leather coat and washed out the bloodstains. Once he wasn't looking like he'd just been in a fight, Talogan left his quarters and ascended back up above deck. "An exceptionally fine outing today." Talogan declared as he arrived topside. "We set out to plunder holy water from a hamlet temple. But tomorrow, we will return to port with a far grander bounty than we initially expected. A bounty everyone on this ship will share in." Talogan paused to let the crew's cheering die down before continuing. "I've also been told that three barrels of fish were among the prize we took today. And so tomorrow morning I shall have Mr. Fishbones prepare us one of his excellent fish soups for breakfast." Talogan paused again to let the crew's even more enthusiastic cheering die down before continuing again. "Mr. Collins. Dr. Boulder. Bring the crate of books we plundered to my quarters. Ms. Orocho. Have Nox take a message to the former slaves on the warship. Let them know that they are invited to join us for breakfast in the morning. The rest of you, back to work."

With that said, Talogan descended back below deck and returned to his quarters. Once there he sat at his desk and waited for the crate to arrive, intent on perusing its contents to see if any useful knowledge could be found within the collection, as well as to single out any holy texts of non-goblinoid deities that lay within the crate and add them to the pile of books that Talogan ripped pages out of and tossed into the sea to pass the time.

Orders were doled out and done as quickly as could be done. Kulee was all too excited to finally make his fish soup again, as time consuming luxury that he would never really get to part take in during long oversea voyages. Nyx passed along the message to the slaves and after a while the response was that they needed to figure out where they were and how easily they could return home once they hit shore. A surprisingly large amount of the smaller folk were interested in becoming part of the crew while the dwarves didn’t mention their thoughts. As for the books, surprisingly only three were holy texts. On was a small personal journal containing the lessons and teachings the small hamlet priest had prepared while the other two were about the lore of the sea gods and their history. The rest were books about general lore, biographies, and even some educational manuals on swordplay and crafting. Though mostly beginner things. The swordplay manuals reminded you a lot of your earlier days training, but aside from being a refresher of younger days they would teach you nothing you didn’t already know.

Eventually the Kraken would reach Red Shard. It was busy, with sailors and porters going about their business moving freight and shipping off or docking themselves. It was a bit difficult to find dock space for both your sip and the orc slave ship, but you managed. Some of the local guards came to investigate the orc slave ship, curious about the lack of orcs. “Hmm, seems that the port authorities are questioning the slaves.” Tayang mentioned to you as the crew weighed anchor and did a recount of their inventory. “Ought we explain the situation to em captain? Could help put the new lads in good faith if you cover for them.”

Talogan raised an eyebrow when he received the response to his message. He had only invited the former slaves around for breakfast, and yet they were replying as if he was inviting them to join the crew. Talogan figured that someone among the former slaves was insightful enough to discern his intent to offer places on his crew to them during breakfast. The crate of books arrived shortly after. The hour was late, so Talogan only read the first few pages of each book. Every time he found a holy text, he cast it scornfully into the ripping pile after confirming that each book was dedicated to a false god. When he had a free moment in the future, he would find no small of enjoyment in their slow and systematic destruction. Talogan stored the rest of the books on his bookshelf. The lore tomes, biographies, and manuals on crafting would all be read in time. The manuals on swordplay would probably be read last, if at all. Talogan had learned all their worthwhile lessons long ago under the instruction of his former captain. That didn't mean they were not of interest to Talogan. Though they didn't seem the type to be so, hobgoblins were just as prone to nostalgia as any other race was.

Having finished reading for the night, Talogan had the now empty crate stored in the cargo hold for later use before retiring for the night. As he slept, Talogan dreamed that he was back at the fishing hamlet. Unlike when he was there previously, the hamlet a lot emptier than it was before. The buildings were still there but any sign that people had ever lived there was not. Talogan's crew wasn't there either. Neither was his ship. However, dream induced ignorance left him oblivious to these differences as he proceeded towards the temple and opened the door. The temple interior was deserted too. The corpses were not there and the room was completely empty save for the pool of holy water, the altar, the elven priestess, and the message written in blood. Much like when he wandered through the hamlet outside, the dream kept Talogan from noticing any of the differences as he approached the priestess. Soon enough, he was standing where he had stood only a few hours ago. But this time, without the potion to give to her, Talogan could only gaze down at this woman who had suffered so much simply because she had devoted herself to a pretender. Talogan began to do something. But before before he could do enough to know what he was doing exactly, the dream ended.

Talogan awoke to the warm scent of Kulee's fish soup cooking nearby. Judging from the scent, he'd have just enough time to go sell off his loot before breakfast was ready. Talogan readied himself for the day, then knelt before the shrine to his gods and said his morning prayers. As he prayed, memories of the dream he had last night passed through his mind. Wave of unease washed over him, though he did not allow it to stop distract him. Once he was finished praying and all his gear has passed morning inspection, Talogan made his way topside. They had made port somewhat later than had been predicted due to difficulties in finding somewhere to dock. Most likely due to the fleet that had arrived yesterday. As he surveyed the surroundings, Talogan caught sight of the port guards poking around the ship and speaking with the slaves. “Hmm, seems that the port authorities are questioning the slaves.” Tayang mentioned as he drew level with Talogan. “Ought we explain the situation to em captain? Could help put the new lads in good faith if you cover for them.”
"Ms. Orocho! With me." Talogan called out before looking to Tayang. "Ms. Orocho and I will handle the guards. In the meantime, have the wood, salt, and sailing canvas made ready to move. I intend to have it sold on before breakfast." With that said, Talogan went ashore with Nyx in tow and made his way over to the orc vessel. "Good morning." Talogan greeted as he moved within speaking range of the guards and former slaves. "These people are with me. Is there a problem here?"

There were four guardsmen here. From the look of their uniforms, they weren't of very high rank, more or less basic grunts. One of them seemed to carry himself with more swagger than the others, perhaps due to some level of seniority. "Aye. There is a problem here: An orc slave ship just showed up, sans orcs, but with many slaves. These lands are still Doros and we don't tolerate slavery in this country. Added that we have some trouble with orcs as of late, you'll understand that we'll have to confiscate this property and bring the slaves in for questioning." From the way the man speaks, you're well aware that this is the moment he expects some form of bribery. The other slaves look on from the boat, a mix of fear and uncertainty on their faces. Your deck wizard had something to say about this. "You don't see any orcs because we killed those orcs. And precisely because those orcs have been a menace, and by the Right of Acquisition, that ship and their possessions are ours to do with what we wish." Nyx stood her ground, arms crossed, but hidden in her hand was her small wooden wand, ready to join you if you want to start something.

As Nyx spoke, Talogan met the guards with a hard and withering gaze. Especially the one who stood a little taller than the rest and had declared their intent to confiscate the ship and take the former slaves into custody. Over the years, Talogan had built a reputation for himself as someone who was not to be crossed lightly. Several stories told at the fireplaces of dockside taverns across Keratia spoke of the hobgoblin dressed in blue and the many painful fates that awaited those who aroused his anger. Usually, this meant that guards didn't bother Talogan, provided he at the very least limited himself to minor criminal offences. Things were different with the guards of havens though. Pirates were expected to conduct themselves with civility in the havens if they wanted to do business there. This often led to the local law enforcement of the havens feeling confident enough to throw their weight around with the pirates who made port there. Fortunately, haven guards tended to fold easily enough when Talogan refused to dance to their tune and looked threatening. Already the guards before him were showing the signs of faltering courage.

"Well said, Ms. Orocho." Talogan said to Nyx once she was done talking. "I couldn't have put it better myself." Talogan then looked back at the guards. The hard look in his eyes was gone. The even, impassive look he usually wore now back in its place. "Now then, if that is all, don't let us keep you any longer." Talogan said to them. "Unless, of course, there is some other problem you would like to bring up?"

The guards gave you and Nyx a hard look, almost like they were going to say something. But you could tell from their general body language that they were bracing themselves for a fight. They were scared and were considering running. Suddenly there was a shout in the distance, hard to tell over the hustle and bustle of the docks. But the leader of the group stood up straight. "Sounds like we're being called! We don't have time for this right now boys, let's go." The leader of the group says as they quickly scurry away. You could easily tell he was just making excuses to clear out without looking completely like a coward. Nyx simply huffed. "Honestly.... They should stick to bothering tavern wrenches and shaking down merchants." She says with a bit of venom in her voice. From behind one of the halflings spoke up.

"T-That's nice work ya did there, captain." The halfling looked old, with thin white hair where his hair should be. Likely shaved by the orcs as a means to demean the smallfolk. "Men like them... Seen their type before. Back when we were chattel. Wish I had that sort of courage me self." The halfling cleared his throat. "Spoke to your first mate. Me and the others want to join your crew, if you don't mind us asking a favor of you." The halfling seemed to speak with a scared tone, like he knew he was being presumptuous. "Our friends were taken to be slaves by the orcs. Some young men... And women. We want to free them, if you're willing to do that. We know where the orcs got a base at where the other slaves are probably at." He says as the other halflings joined him. "W-We're not much fighters, but we know we gotta work to earn our keep. We're a decent shot with bows and slings, light on our feet too. If you'll have us."

The dwarves would also soon approach. One was a dwarf with bright red eyebrows, similar to Tayang, but like the halflings most of them have been shaved by force. "We'd also like to join forces. I've been speaking to the others and while their priorities aren't set yet, we want to give what-for to those orcs too. Give us some axes and hammers and we'll show you want we're made of." The gnomes elected to stay back and just watch how this would pan out.

His point made, Talogan politely stepped to one side to facilitate the departure of the guardsmen. "Good day to you, sir." Talogan said to the lead guard as he led the retreat.

"Honestly.... They should stick to bothering tavern wrenches and shaking down merchants." Talogan heard Nyx opine.

"I cannot say I'm of the same mind." Talogan replied. "One should always keep ones skills sharp. And bothersome guards are always good practice for hard glares and legal knowledge."

"T-That's nice work ya did there, captain." A voice spoke up, causing Talogan to turn and face the speaker, an elderly shaved halfling. One of the four he saved from the orc ship. "Men like them... Seen their type before. Back when we were chattel. Wish I had that sort of courage me self." The halfling cleared his throat. "Spoke to your first mate. Me and the others want to join your crew, if you don't mind us asking a favor of you."

Talogan raised an eyebrow at this. He had delivered them from slavery and shielded them from the law, and yet the halflings presumed to ask for more. Talogan contemplated putting the halflings in their place, but the captain refrained. Although presumptuous, the old halfling seemed by no means ungrateful. And when he spoke, he spoke with respect and fear. He would hear the halfling out.

"Our friends were taken to be slaves by the orcs. Some young men... And women. We want to free them, if you're willing to do that. We know where the orcs got a base at where the other slaves are probably at." The old halfling continued as the other halflings joined him. "W-We're not much fighters, but we know we gotta work to earn our keep. We're a decent shot with bows and slings, light on our feet too. If you'll have us."

Talogan regarded the halflings with his usual look of cold stoicism. Despite their presumption, Talogan was considering the halflings' request. His abiding hatred for the orcish race meant he relished any chance to do battle with them. It would also further indebt the halflings to him, as well as any other slaves he freed. He still wasn't entirely sure about hiring the halflings on as permanent crewmen, but he could think of some good uses for temporary ranged combatants.

"We'd also like to join forces." One of the three dwarves spoke up as they also approached. "I've been speaking to the others and while their priorities aren't set yet, we want to give what-for to those orcs too. Give us some axes and hammers and we'll show you want we're made of."

Talogan regarded the dwarves with the same look he regarded the halflings. He had intended to see if he could could convince the dwarves to sign on with the Kraken, and it seemed that helping with the orcs would further ingratiate himself with the dwarves and help set their priorities in Talogan's favor. Another reason to assist.

Talogan then cast a glance towards the gnomes. The six of them seemed to be hanging back to watch how things played out, similar to how Talogan had decided to handle them. Tayang had mentioned that the gnomes were tinkerers, though they refrained from going into detail. Hopefully they be willing to share a little more with a little persuasion.

"Let us discuss matters over breakfast." Talogan said to the halflings and dwarves. "My helmsman is currently preparing fish soup on the Kraken. I give it a hearty recommendation. It should be ready soon, so make your way over and I will join you once I have concluded some other business I have on the docks." Talogan then turned toward the gnomes. "I also extend this invitation to you." Talogan added. "There are questions I have that I would like you to answer if you are willing to do so."