Christmas Greetings.


The Bitter End swayed on the sea violently, rocking from side to side. The winter weather proved to be more severe then most expected. A shaggy pirate stood at the crows nest of the ship surveying the distant horizon.
Soon a ship will be approaching from the west heading towards Magincia. Old king british has detailed a small merchant vessel to send some relief funds towards the mayor of Magincia. The voyage was suppose to be a secret, but like most things in this world. secrets could be bought for the right price.

The wait finally paid off, the merchant vessels' tiny silhouette in the distance began coming into view of the Bitter End little by little. The night sky kept Kerrs' ship hidden on the dark sea long enough for the ambush to be sprung. A handful of pirates waited on the main deck of the Bitter End ready for orders to attack from their captain. With the gold captured from this voyage Kerrs would be able to restore some of Port Baldmor to its former glory. Alas, the minutes dragged on as anticipation of the coming battle made the crew restless.

Now, the merchant ship was close enough for the pirates to hear cries of panic from the other ship as they tried to steer away from the Bitter End. The scruffy pirate swung himself down from the crows nest and began shouting orders at the men around him. Within seconds the cannons were ready to fire as the crew of the merchant ship were frantically trying to turn themselves around.

"Move yee bastards, can't ya' see those pirates be aiming to send us to Davy Jones locker!" Yelled the captain of the merchant ship, The Coaster.

"Capt'n, Capt'n look, tis the ship o' Kerrs Holley thee Bitter End! We be doomed if he catch us out 'ere like dis." Cried an old crewman. The captain looked over his shoulder to inspect the ship closer. Indeed it was the ship of the notorious pirate Holley.

"Yer right old man, it be his ship alright, now move your spiny useless arse aside and let the sailors do their work!" Replied the captain as he pushed past the man, nearly sending the poor soul over board, and continued shouting orders to his crew. It was quickly becoming clear to the captain that his merchant ship was too heavily laden to out sail the pirate swoop.

"Man he cannons sailors, were not going down without a fight!" Shouted the captain of The Coaster, "Aim fer their sails and FIRE!"

*BOOOOM      BOOM   BOOOM        BOOMBOOOMBOOM*

The night sky lit up with cannon fire and smoke as the two ships sailed side by side. Wood and debris fell all about the deck of the two ships. Sounds of men dying and orders being shouting filled the air with chaos. The organized frenzy aboard both ships seemed like it would never seize, until the second round of deafening cannon fire filled everyone's ears.

*BOOOOM   BOOM     BOOOOMBOOOMBOOM        BOOOOM*

The captain of The Coaster lifted his head once the last cannon had gone off. Most of his men laid injured on the deck from the cannon and arrow fire. He spotted the old sailor trying to help a wounded man staunch his bleeding near the railing of the ship. He then turned his attention to look where the pirate ship was. It seemed the pirates were lagging behind. That last round of cannon fire seemed to have collapsed the sail and rigging of the main mast. Victory was almost secured. The captain of The Coaster rushed over to the railing of his ship beaming with joy.

"Oy, Captain Holley, tis nice to see your back from the dead sir. It has been a good ten years since I've seen your jolly roger flag. Too bad old age has left yee cripple and daft man, yer pirate days seem to be coming to an end yee old piss bag, AH-HA-HA-HA!!"

Then came a shout from The Bitter End.

"You speak a mouthful o' folly for a merchant captain, and you may be right sir. It has been years since I tried to plunder a ship. My age may also be a hinderance to my ability to captain a fine vessel such as The Bitter End. But me mind still be sharp sir, and one thing I do know is that your crew must be smiling from ear to ear by now. Why yee may ask o' victorious captain? Perhaps its because I know something yee don't know sir!"

"Oh, and what may that be Captain Holley?" Replied the merchant captain.

"It be simple sir, Me name b'aint the great Kerrs Holley yee FOOL, HAR-HAR-HAR!"

The captain of The Coaster seemed puzzled by the pirate Captains response. But all in all it made no difference to him, he prevailed and secured his King's treasure. "We have won the battle men, let us rejoice in a job well done."

But his only answer was the wind and silence of his ship.

The captain turned towards the main deck of his ship only to find the old man from before leaning against the railing of the quarter deck.

"What happened to my crew old man?" Asked the captain.

"They be all dead o' course sir, perhaps yee didn't follow al' captain Akwaa's jest 'bout them smiling from ear tah ear" replied the old sailor.

The captain looked around the damaged deck and noticed that every crewman was lying in a pool of blood with the throats slit. The captain stood frozen in place by the shock he was just given. While he was busy being distracted the old bastard was finishing off his crew one by one. He trusted the old man when he hired him to his crew a week ago taking pity on the poor bastard. Now this was his pay. Fury boiled over inside him as he glared at the old geezer.

"Why old man, I gave you work and food and this is my repay!"

"Oh, calm yourself sir, do yee really think I'de let you damage my glorious ship and get away with it. Oh no no, I planned this little plunder from the moment we met at the docks. Now that this ship is mine, me and my crew can start rebuilding our pirate haven with the help o' yer kings treasure. As fer ye good sir, ah'm afraid ah' canst have ye tellin' folks Kerrs Holley be back."

Slowly Kerrs lifted himself from the railing and walked purposely over to the middle of the deck. The captain stood in shocked horror as he kicked himself for not recognizing the pirate as Kerrs Holley under his nose all along. Then in one fluid motion Kerrs threw a dagger straight into the captain's chest. The captain hit the deck like dead weight, then began trying to crawl anywhere but the approaching figure of Kerrs. Slowly the old man made his way to the side of the profusely bleeding captain, reached down, and then twisted the dagger free. The captain's eyes widened in disbelief for a moment before rolling into the back of his skull. Gurgling sounds could be heard as the last of his air escaped his chest.

Kerrs reached for the wheel of The Coaster and began turning the ship around towards the crippled Bitter End. Soon both ship would be secured and ready for the return trip to Port Baldmor and reconstruction on the harbor could begin. Hopefully by then, Commodore Buds would be all cured from the blackrock spell. Then perhaps, if all goes well, the real fun may begin. With a little smile set on his bloodied face, Kerrs began humming a christmas carol he had heard long ago in Minoc during the Clearcastle festivities of the town...

The Bitter End crew was now throwing lines over to The Coaster as Kerrs brought the ship starboard side still humming.  

The commodore regarded the recent reports on the table with stern concentration.
Her crew was gathered around at the Soggy Barnicle sipping on cold ale. Plenty
old faces sat together once again as the pirates seemed to be working their way back to
the Port.

"So far so good mates, the navy seems to be having conflicts with each other. First the leave
of some former pirates" She nodded to Waldo and Bullseye,"and then some that have remained behind.
Their trust within their ranks should be fairly shooken."

"Aye commodore, an' em problems with Roland an' D'art have been another feather in we caps
matey" answered Waldo.

Buds nodded and moved the reports from the table to the brazier. Enemies were everywhere
right now. Having reports like those in hand find their way to the navy would put the
pirate revolt in jepoardy. Yes, once documents were read they must be destroyed.

As Buds burned the reports, she recapped each page mentally;

5 quick cutters, 2 frigates, and one galleon at their desposal.

A crew of mostly veteran pirates who were experienced at sea and in battle.

Names of Navy spies who were sympathetic to the pirate cause.

A list of supplies and trade routes still loyal to the DAGR family.

And then lasty, a sighting of "The Bitter End" harbored near papua in the lost lands.

Buds rubbed her forehead as she tossed the last report into the fire. So Kerr's old ship
has been stowed away in the lost lands. Seems old Holley may still be around. His presence
in the war might stir others to fight for us... But now to find the bastard before every
trace of him vanishes for good.

Looking back up at her crew, Buds began enthusiasticly,"It has been a long while since us pirates
stood against the bloody navy dogs. They have killed our bretheren, burned our ships and island,
and then claimed our haven for all lubbering louts to set foot upon. Well no more my fellow
Red Daggers will those navy buffoons see or walk the sands of OUR beach again! From
hence forth our goal will be as clear to all as a light house fire.

Blood.

Murder.

Revenge.

And most of all the glory of DAGR. Those who set sail in Brittania will once again fear the
name of the Red Dagger Pirates!"

ARRRRR!!! Replied her crew as they banged weapons and flagons on their tables in excitement.

(Later that night)

Most of the crew left the tavern on errands from the commodore to make preparations. Just as Waldo
was about to step out Buds told him about The Bitter End up near papua. She detailed him to the
job of finding traces of Holley. Since Waldo was very involved with the trade world his influence
with locals may help him gain information on Holley's location. Soon Buds knew  things would go either
one of two ways. A successful revolt against the navy, or a bitter defeat that might crush them for good.

Who will fate smile upon as Bud's crew readied for war against the navy once again!

Well were at war with the vicious Death Knights just for doin what we pirates are born to loot and plunder so get prepared for blood and kill those curs for messin with us

Seems to be more and more DAGR pirates have been seen on Port Baldmor word on the seas is that their outta hidin and the pillagin and lootin have already begun sailors alll over fear seeing the red and black flag of a pirate vessel shows on the horizion and  what will the future hold............................