The mood aboard Dauntless changed drastically over the next day. The eruption was still throwing too much heat at them, and the threat of the Thunderheads was on every horizon, but the sudden appearance of the Splinter and the hope she brought gave them a chance. The starving sailors had food in their bellies and a moving ship beneath them. They could deal with the heat for now, and the rain was for tomorrow.

On the main deck, Butterbelly was still cooking Kraken, aided now and then by Ozzy. The firewalker moved between multiple chunks of roasting Kraken, spreading the sauce over each piece of meat, sealing in the juices, and adding spice to the rich flavor of the ancient Kraken. The butcher would pause in his labors to wrap the food in layers of heat and smoke.

Time and again, he went down to the hold and pulled the heat from ailing sailors until his furnace was full to the point of bursting. The amount of Heat he carried nearly overwhelmed him, but there were always more sailors in reach who needed his help.

Captain Shively guided him back on deck to one sail after another. He lit each in turn, spewing out the heat from his belly until the largest twelve sails on the ship were ablaze. Each time he emptied his furnace of heat, he would wearily walk to where Butterbelly was cooking and eat pounds of food and a flagon of rum. Refreshed, he would add smoke to the meat and then head back down to pull the heat from another hundred sailors. It was late in the evening when he had finally finished. Some sailors would require more rest, but none were in danger of becoming charred.

The three captains joined him for the final labor, dealing with the charred sailors in the forward hold. Knowing this was mercy and would send their souls on a journey to be reborn made the job only a little easier. The butcher became impassive as he approached the barricade. The screams increased but then died off to pitiful whimpering. Ozzy pushed aside the barrier and strode into the room where charred sailors stood or sat quietly, looking at him.

Cavendish whispered to Woodrat. "What is happening here? I expected a struggle. They are just waiting for the headsman's stroke."

Woodrat had drawn his sword along with the others, getting a few stares as he did so. He gestured with the blade at the butcher. "He's a little touched. He told me a yarn about drinking with Gods of the Hunt and Death. I've grown to believe it. The undead sense that in him and know he's sending them to a better place."

One sailor leaped at Ozzy, screaming. The butcher swung an oversized cleaver and took off its head in one swing. Woodrat chuckled. "Well, most of them do. And he has a unique talent when it comes to dealing with those that don't appreciate him." One by one, the butcher cut off their heads, releasing their souls to race down into the smoke and get in line for a ship heading back to the land of the living. The remains of their bodies turn to a fine ash. Two cabin boys were set on the task of sweeping up the ash. It would be returned to an island to be mixed with the soil there.

Most of the crew of the Dauntless were up and about now, eating to replenish their fuel and smoke. Any excess heat they absorbed was used to heat the sails further. Captains Woodrat, Shively, and Cavendish worked together to light the smaller sails the Butcher had left for them. The large square sails provided the power, but the smaller, triangular staysails and top gallants made her easier to steer.

Ozzy sat with the doctor, drinking rum until the exhausted physician passed out and was put to bed by the crew. Sailors he had cured came by to drink with the Butcher, who seemed to have a vast capacity for alcohol. Men and Women from Dauntless volunteered to go aboard Splinter and allow the crew of the smaller ship to mingle with the larger crew and tell stories while eating and drinking. Splinter's crew weren't shy about showing off their fancy loot and their awards for their part in the demise of Lord Pearson. That story was told many times as the night wore on, as were many others. Some of the sailors on the larger ship had their own stories to tell. Monsters, pirates, and strange happenings weren't reserved for Captain Woodrat and his peculiar crew, but everyone agreed they were getting a larger share than most.

There were some doubters among the sailors and a few jealous of the magic swords and armor. No ship was without its grumpy or sour individuals. They were told to shut up by the rest of the crew, many of which had been near death until saved by the miraculous appearance of Captain Woodrat and his ship of gold.

Saving those near death has its rewards. At least for you.

Aspect of Heat has reached Rank 8

Heat the Sails has achieved Rank 8

RAD has reached Rank 3 and a total of 23 (unmodified).

INT has reached Rank 5 and a total of 18

You are only partially Shadowed.

It was very late when a sailor came and asked Ozzy to stand for 'a fitting'. "Captains say you should have a nice coat. I've got one in storage I can add fabric to so it fits your frame." An hour later, he was done, and Woodrat appeared on deck with Cavendish and the other four captains of the Dauntless. They motioned for the sailors to gather around and then spoke to Ozzy. "Captain Woodrat informed me that you were recently promoted from Mate to Captain. A small ship like Splinter may have only one slot for Captains, but Dauntless has an open one. With Captain Woodrat's permission, I would like to promote you to the position of Honorary Captain of the Queens' ship, Dauntless. And, of course any Captain needs a coat."

The coat was made of heavy cloth and unadorned, befitting his status as a new captain. It had hurriedly been altered and dyed a deep blue, almost black. Two of the Captains helped the nearly drunk Ozzy into it. He managed a few words and drank another round with the crew's cheering sailors. Woodrat looked him up and down. "That's a good look for you, quite imposing."

Ozzy smiled; the coat did feel good. "I'm just glad it's an honorary position. I don't think I know the first thing about steering a ship this size or being a captain."

Cavendish winked at him. "Luckily, Captain Woodrat assures me you're a fast learner."

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Ozzy had a sinking feeling. Woodrat was smiling, and that sparkle was in his eye. "We have a plan."

Shively had a whole jug of rum in one hand and took Ozzy by the arm. "A cunning plan, and one that might even work. Let's retire to Captain Cavendish's comfortable cabin, and we'll explain why you'll be on the bridge of the Dauntless tomorrow as we charge into the Thunderheads."

----------------------------------------

Captain Cavendish seated them at his table. Tea and the last of his almond biscuits were served. Captains Thompson and Carallo were encouraged to eat another bear-braised Kraken steak meal to refill their fuel for the next day. Ozzy was chewing on sausages, having already had three plates of Kraken that day.

"Firstly, I must again extend thanks to the Splinter for coming to our aid and Captains Woodrat and Ozzy for aiding us in tomorrow's attempt to run to safety. The plan involves shielding Dauntless and Splinter using the same shield. Normally I'd never attempt such a maneuver with only myself as a Captain of the 5th Tier. The loss of Captain Sawyer and Captain Beuclair dealt us a harsh blow. But I've been told Captain Ozzy has a peculiar talent from the conjunction that works as shielding here in the smoke?"

All eyes turned to Ozzy. "Aye. In the conjunction, I have a skill that shields me from heat and flame. I've been exercising it here and was rewarded with the Shielding Skill. I've managed to raise it to Rank 5. My other protections tie into my shields as well."

Captain Thompson observed the heavy layers of muscle and large frame of the man sipping tea across from him. "You look to have taken at least a Heavy Hull? I've always advocated for that, but not many midshipmen take the skills, and the academy ignores them versus focusing on the benefits of a high aura."

Ozzy set down his tea. "A little more than that. I earned Armored Hull in the Smoke but already had similar skills. With my Shielding up to Rank 5, I can put up 290 points of Physical Protection." The casual way he mentioned it was unnerving to the other captains, Thompson and Carallo. Cavendish was pleased with their reaction. Captain Shively already held the Captains from the Splinter in high esteem, which would be essential for their plan to work.

There was a pecking order among Captains, and usually, any officer of the Dauntless would hold themselves as superior to a Captain of a much smaller ship. That wasn't the case here. Captain Woodrat held one of the Seven Swords and commanded an ancient Ship of Gold. Captain Ozzy was a giant of a man that most of the crew were convinced of being touched by the Burning Man. Saving the lives of several hundred sailors and lighting sails with only his fiery breath was enough to shatter the established order. Cavendish needed that. His junior Captains had to see Ozzy as worthy of steering Dauntless, or their aura wouldn't reinforce his own.

Captain Thompson was taken back for a moment. "290? Yes, that's a good amount of shield. Adding that to Captain Cavendish will protect us from major damage to the ship from winds that a Cyclone can throw at us." He smiled. "And, assuming we survive, I'll be able to push harder for our 'young gentlemen' to improve their protections. How are we set for aura?"

Cavendish answered that. "Surprisingly good. My own is rank 12. Captain Shively has reached rank 6, and the two of you are four each. Captain Ozzy has focused on his shielding alone, but Captain Woodrat can add his impressive aura of 8."

Woodrat tried for the polite tones of a Captain, but he couldn't keep a grin off his face and a bit of mirth out of his voice. "I've managed to raise that somewhat. My sword is pleased with my progress and judges me as somewhat less of a rogue."

You have progressed the Quest: Seven Captains Ablaze!

Your aura is increased by +5.

But be wary; you will be tested, and this reward will fade if you don't live up to your legend.

"So that puts me to a 13, along with a Shielding skill of +3, thanks to our most recent battle that downed a Thunderhead and gave us a tasty dinner."

Cavendish bowed low. "I will be happy to add my aura to reinforce your superior aura." There were murmurs from the other captains.

Woodrat took a moment to polish the cufflinks on his coat. They began to shine and glow. "I think it's time to use these little baubles as well. Lord Peerson had a few secrets he kept to himself."

Lord Peerson's 2nd best cufflinks.

These non-magical cufflinks are made of silver with tiny pearls set as decorations. Good enough for formal dress and cheap enough to have several sets.

These enchanted cufflinks may be used in three ways:

Shining Bright: add +7 to a Captain's Aura. This effect will fade each day by 1 point and then become +7 again.

2nd Best: Non-magical and quite dull.

No one important: You're Aura is suppressed and even those who know you will dismiss you as no one worth their time.

There was silence from the table, and then Ozzy chuckled. "I wondered what those things really did. You weren't nearly as disappointed with them as you should have been."

Cavendish smiled broadly. "Excellent, sir! Bloody excellent! This gives us more than a chance of succeeding. With Captain Ozzy as the main shield and Captain Woodrat providing this splendid aura, we can make a run for safety." He began to use teapots and saucers as Thunderheads, a butter dish as the Dauntless, and Splinter was represented by a knife. "We start moving tomorrow at the first hint of light and build as much speed as we can with Dauntless. As we approach the line of Cyclones, Splinter will pull in tight against us, and our Shield will protect her as well as Dauntless. We'll be facing off against at least one Thunderhead, and maybe more. Evergreen has commanded them to tighten their circle and deal with the eruption, so we shouldn't be chased. But they are spiteful creatures. The danger will be short and extreme."

Woodrat blew out a bit of smoke, forming the silhouette of a Kraken on the table. "It's a shame we can't invite the damned cuttlefish to join the party. When they were around before, most Cyclones kept their distance."

Ozzy stared into space for a full minute, and Woodrat turned to look at him, wondering what was going on in his head.

The butcher smiled. "I have an idea about that."