The last Spanish van turns from Puerto de las Sombras’ guns, limping seaward beneath lowered colors. Smoke thins over the harbor as Ballantyne flags rise on every captured mast.
Mateo Vargas
The van is beyond effective range, Captain. Our harbor stands, and every surrendered deck awaits lawful orders.
Mateo remains aboard the captured flagship with Redmane. Villareal, disarmed but unconfined under guard, watches his crews secure guns and begin the passage into harbor.
Before sunset, boats from Tortuga cross the inner water carrying harbor officials, clerks, and merchants. They come beneath a white flag, bearing seals for recognition and ledgers for inspection.
Tortuga Harbor Authorities
By witnessed surrender and certified prize law, we recognize these captured vessels under Ballantyne authority, subject to open accounts and lawful shares.
Commodore Alonso de Villareal
My surviving officers will confirm the surrender before your authorities. The crews will obey while their shares are recorded.
The officials open their books beside Redmane’s command ledger. Around them, surrendered sailors stand watchfully on the captured decks, waiting to learn whether Ballantyne colors mean order, profit, or another battle.
“I present the command ledger for inspection and record the two captured flagships and surviving vessels under my colors including their cargo and munitions.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intrigue, rolled +2)
Redmane lays the command ledger open before the Tortuga Harbor Authorities, its pages ready for inspection. She sets the governor’s harbor signet beside the factoring papers and begins the prize record.
Reads Naval Tactics guides each entry: the two captured flagships, the surviving vessels, their guns, powder, shot, stores, and cargo are identified by berth, condition, and command history.
Treasure Accounting keeps hulls and munitions separate from cargo shares, while the factoring papers confirm the values and seals. Silver Tongue makes the procedure sound inevitable, and Inspiring Presence draws every witness into its order.
A wanted poster slips from a clerk’s bundle and exposes Redmane’s likeness among the assembled officials. She covers it with the ledger, turning the interruption into a visible reminder that authority rests on records, not rumor.
Commodore Alonso de Villareal
The entries are accurate. I confirm the surrender, the vessels, and the munitions under Ballantyne colors.
The harbor officials compare every mark against the ledger, then impress their seals beneath the governor’s signet. The captured flagships and surviving vessels are formally recorded under Ballantyne authority.
Tortuga Harbor Authorities
Inspection is complete. Cargo and munitions are entered, lawful shares are protected, and these prizes stand recognized beneath Ballantyne colors.
By nightfall, the accounts are witnessed and closed. Puerto de las Sombras holds its harbor, the fleet has multiplied, and Redmane’s command stands established in ink, iron, and open shares.
Mateo Vargas
The harbor is secure, Captain. Every flag that matters now flies for Ballantyne.
Commodore Alonso de Villareal
My officers will confirm the surrender. The ledgers are sound, and your authority is lawful.
Redmane pressed her seal into the final record. When the harbor clerk’s papers briefly revealed her wanted likeness, she covered it with one firm sweep of the ledger.
Captain Redmane
Then let the law remember the truth: these prizes were won, witnessed, and honestly entered.
By sunset, Tortuga had recognized the captured vessels, their cargoes, and their shares beneath Ballantyne colors. Villareal remained disarmed but honored as a surrendered commander, while Mateo watched the harbor settle into its new order. Captain Redmane’s authority was no longer merely defended; it was recorded, sealed, and made lawful.