The Imperial Hounds presented Silver Moon Song to Roneesh Eserah at the Cutterbaath landing strip. Wiz had imagined the famed guild leader would be gigantic, befitting the legendary sword’s immense size and power. But he and the others were shocked to see the slender woman gracefully lift it with ease.
"My thanks for getting this to me swiftly, friends," Roneesh said warmly. She drew the immense blade and inspected the runic etchings. Satisfied, she whispered an incantation that transformed Silver Moon Song into glowing emerald glyphs spiralling up her arm. The intricate magical bracelet suited her elegant form far better than lugging the cumbersome physical sword.
"Amazing!" Diana and Condense Milk gaped in awe as the transformed weapon twinkled around Roneesh's slender wrist.
"So that's the power of a master Sword Whisperer." Even Colgate seemed impressed by the casual display of arcane mastery.
"Well, I best be going now." As Roneesh turned to leave, something she said caught Colgate's attention. "I spotted the most peculiar pair of Sword Fishes earlier, escorted by a scrappy band of warriors."
Colgate stopped her. "Apologies Guildmaster, but did you happen to notice a peculiar blind youth among them? Carrying a long sword?" he asked urgently.
Roneesh hesitated. "I recall hearing one of them shout 'Hurry it up, blind boy!'"
Hearing this, Colgate was certain she had seen Hao Vee. He still burned for revenge after their past confrontations.
"The brat slipped away last time because of his meddling mother," Colgate growled. "But she's not here to protect him now."
Roneesh paused, tilting her head. "What is this about?"
Colgate clenched his mechanical fist. "That brat has stolen something important from the Imperial Storehouse. If your lead confirms his location, we may finally capture the thief."
Roneesh frowned in concern. "I see. The blind boy did have an odd sword strapped to his back. His party was on their way to the docks I believe.”
This was enough for Colgate. "That must be Hao Vee! We've got him now." Turning to Roneesh, Colgate asked, "May we accompany you to the docks in case the brat is still there?"
Roneesh considered briefly before assenting. If this thief truly had a relic from the Imperial Storehouse, it was her duty to help reclaim it.
The Imperial Hounds hurried after Roneesh to the crowded piers. Colgate could barely contain his excitement at the prospect of finally apprehending Hao and reclaiming Judgement Day. The memory of his lost arm fuelled his hunger for vengeance. This time, Quory Vee wouldn't be around to save his ass.
At the same time aboard Vicky's chartered Blade Voyager, the odd company was waiting to embark. Mentos and Raven were sparring playfully on deck with blades clashing as crew members scrambled out of their way.
"Getting slow there, muscle brains!" Raven taunted after landing a stinging blow across his shoulder. "Maybe lay off the big breakfasts if you wanna keep up."
Mentos laughed good-naturedly despite the bruise forming. "Just going easy on ya since you're a lady."
He emphasised 'lady' while giving her backside a firm smack with the flat of his blade. Raven yelped furiously and redoubled her efforts to thrash Mentos for his brazen grope.
Nearby, Hao was observing the duelling pair when he sensed heavy footsteps approaching. A massive figure strode up the boarding ramp - it was their assigned guide for this treacherous journey.
The famously scarred man stood even taller than Vicky. His muscular frame was criss-crossed by old battle wounds, attesting to his experience navigating Mirror Lake's dangers. Ropes of wiry dreadlocks framed his weathered but lively face. Strapped to his waist was an ornate cutlass bearing the carved effigy of a parrot on its hilt.
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"Permission to come aboard?" He rumbled to Vicky.
"Welcome aboard, Captain Depp," Vicky greeted the giant man cordially.
Captain Depp reciprocated her greeting then turned to address the passengers gruffly. "Right you scallywags, I be Captain Depp and this here's the Dragon's Dowry." He patted the ship's rail fondly. "She'll get us safely to the Blood Sap, long as everyone minds their manners and follows orders."
Mentos raised his hand eagerly. "Hey, any reason we can't just fly over the lake instead of sailing across? So far, I see a few Sword-Gliders zipping about."
Before Captain Depp could respond, a nasally voice piped up from the cutlass at his hip, startling everyone.
"Because you fool, the airspace is saturated with chaotic energy mirrored from Inverse!" the parrot figure scolded in its tinny voice. "Without a Blood Sap gateway we'd be shredded to bits, ya hear?"
Mentos yelped, nearly toppling overboard in shock until Hao grabbed him. "That sword just talked!"
Captain Depp chuckled. "Aye, that's Polly - smartest and most annoying parrot in Cutterbaath, not to mention my closest adviser." He gave the carved bird an affectionate pat.
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Captain," Polly retorted, though it sounded pleased. "Now get us moving before I keelhaul the lot of ya!"
Before Depp could respond, another foghorn blast signalled the grand gates would soon open for departure. Crew members scurried to ready the ship for embarking while Mentos and Hao secured their beast companions on deck.
Vicky beckoned Captain Depp over to review the route and contingencies. According to her intelligence, newer Blood Saps offered quicker access at lower cost, but came with greater risks. She was willing to gamble. Reaching those remote sites first would yield fortunes in treasures and Tokyo souls.
Another long siren blast made everyone jump. The sound of massive gears turning and chains rattling signalled the giant gates were laboriously cranking open for the armada’s arduous passage across Mirror Lake. The imposing stone barriers also shimmered with arcane sigils to reinforce their physical might.
“What an awful racket!” Hao winced, his sensitive ears were bombarded by the clamour.
Ciara and Lanor rushed up from below deck, roused from their petty squabbling in the galley.
Raven pointed ahead where the centre-most vessels were already lurching through the widening gap. "They get first pick of the Blood Saps since their tolls cost a king's fortune."
"Listen up! I'll be taking you lot across the beastly waters of Mirror Lake.” Captain Depp began bellowing orders to his crew as the Dragon's Dowry prepared to embark. But unknown to the occupants, they were already being tracked by outside forces.
Skulking nearby, Wiz's Bubble Bots that were deployed from his Blade Edge hovered discreetly above the docks. The flying droids' surveillance systems locked onto Mentos and Hao, recognizing them from past encounters. They quickly relayed the targets' location to the prowling Imperial Hounds.
"I've got that troublemaking brat on sensors," Wiz told Colgate. "He's near the rear on that big Blade Voyager getting ready to ship out."
Colgate immediately raced to cut off the vessel's departure, but they were too late. The Dragon's Dowry was already picking up speed, following the flagship vessels towards the lake’s tumultuous open waters.
"Dammit, now what?" Diana scowled in frustration, having been so close to capturing Hao again.
Roneesh strode up with her raiding team in tow. "Friends, why not join us aboard the Emerald Tide?" she offered graciously. "We're bound for the same Blood Sap. You can keep watch for the boy, and lend your skills should trouble arise."
Colgate quickly accepted, and the Imperial Hounds hurried aboard Roneesh's grand flagship vessel with Condense Milk dragging a protesting Diana along. The Chief Curator bid them good fortunes before returning to his own airship back to the Imperial City.
With its Aegis Bubble coming online the murky waters, the Emerald Tide surged forward in pursuit of the coveted Blood Saps. Roneesh made introductions and got them settled despite some dirty looks from her companions.
"Who invited these fancy city guards?" one burly raider grumbled to his mates. "They'll jinx our raid for sure."
Others seemed to share his scepticism about the uninvited guests. But Colgate ignored their glares, he was focusing intently on the Dragon's Dowry ahead while relaying instructions to his team. This time, Hao Vee would not slip away so easily.
On another lavish Blade Voyager, the crime boss Rector was also embarking with his own ragtag team of mercenaries, led by cocky upstart VCM.
"Get down from there you crazy fool, before you fall in!" the captain yelled in exasperation. But VCM remained perched negligently atop the bowsprit despite the torrential spray, he was enjoying how much he irritated the stuffy captain.
"Let the kid be," Rector said indulgently. "His skills outweigh his loose cannon tendencies. Now let's get moving - I want first pick of whatever treasures await!"
He stared greedily ahead at the blood-red Blood Saps shimmering in the distance as permutations swirled ominously around them. Rector licked his lips, already tasting the riches nearly within his grasp.
As the flotilla of combatants and fortune-seekers sailed onward, no one yet realized what horrors lurked both beneath the stygian waters and within the uncanny Palaces dominating this strange realm...
But Hao could sense a restless thrumming from Vibe Edge in anticipation of the battles ahead. Gripping the humming blade tight, he steeled himself for whatever lay in store across the perilous waters of Mirror Lake.