A cutter bumps against the flagship’s lee, and the privateer comes aboard from its dripping thwart. Saltwater streams from her coat as she strides straight toward Redmane, urgency in every step.
The Privateer
The convoy has slowed at the reef passage. Their lead escort is sounding the channel, and the treasure vessels are bunching behind it.
She spreads the wet Admiralty chart across a coil of line, pinning its corners with her hands while the tide pulls hard beneath the hull.
Mateo Vargas
Then the flagship must not approach. Its breadth will expose our reserve before the sloop reaches the convoy, and every escort will turn toward us.
Mateo steps beside the chart, one finger marking the flagship’s concealed station, the other resting on the reef passage where the sloop is already committed.
The Privateer
If we wait, the convoy clears the reef. Bring your reserve forward now, and we can close the trap before their escorts regain formation.
The tide runs against the flagship, the sloop’s advantage narrows by the minute, and two contrary courses wait before Redmane: reveal the reserve, or leave the sloop to strike alone.
“I order the sloop to close on the convoy”
SUCCESS (Superb Seamanship, rolled -1)
Captain Redmane
Close on the convoy. Take the reef passage before their escorts can regain formation.
The order carries across the flagship. Redmane opens the command ledger, reading its tide marks and reef soundings, then signals the sloop toward the narrow channel.
The Privateer
Aye. Keep her bow inside the darker water, and the convoy will not see our reserve until we are upon it.
Redmane reads the convoy's altered spacing at a glance: the lead escort's wake leaves a turning lane. Her tactical sense finds the cleanest approach, and her superb seamanship holds the flagship against the contrary tide.
Mateo Vargas
The sloop has the channel. The escorts are still bunched behind the sounding boat.
The swift sloop closes on the convoy through the reef passage, its sail emerging inside the escorts' uncertain formation. The treasure vessels are within striking reach, while the flagship remains concealed behind the shoals.
Quest Complete
Intercept the convoy
New gift: Convoy Ambush