Helisto has had several ‘dealings’ with the Pani; none of them pleasant. The first was the storming of a Pani vessel in Helisto’s harbour of Verr’s Hoof Bay that had been engaged in espionage and sabotage and had seized the first girl of the Island. That was when we first encountered Calico, a Pani of the Torturer class, who, in the heat of battle, rescued the slave. He chose to take residence on the island as he bitterly disagreed the actions of his Daimyo. His information has obviously been of great use to us. There followed a punitive expedition into Tamber Gulf to destroy a mixed force of Pani and pirates that were disrupting the shipping route to Brundisium and it was there that we found evidence that Initiates, or at least a sect of them, were trying to regain influence with the Pani and were in fact aiding them against us.
The flagship Herlit and a single squadron of the Helisto fleet set out on the long voyage across the Thassa. Its purpose was to gain information of Pani activities and the location of any bases mid-Thassa they may be using. We reached almost to the Pani homeland before encountering them. A very large Pani warship was escorting two roundships. The decision was made not to attack, despite such rich prizes, as we did not believe the Pani were unified in their actions and there may be Pani Lords with whom we could deal.
Lookout : The Pani roundships are turning away but that three-decker is maintaining course towards Us! It's running up message pennants
Admiral Aiken : What do You make of that Calico? points to the pennants flying from the distant ship as I hand Him My glass of the Builders
Calico : Konnichiwa Talarius, Admiral, Aneesha looks out at the Pani pennants They seem surprised to see Us - ask what Our purpose is in Their waters
Talarius~FC~Aneesha~Helisto : Is that all Calico?
Calico : Hai - but half the pennants are 'diplomatic speak' ~grins~
Torres : How do We reply to that Admiral - We have no Pani pennants!!
Talarius : They may have ability to read Our flags
Admiral Aiken : Send up anything, they won’t know any different
Torres : Anything?
Admiral Aiken : send Greetings, We come in peace
Calico : That vessel carries the insignia of the Daimyo Haradu - known as a moderate with the ear of the Shogun
Torres instructs the signaller to raise those pennants
Talarius waits a response from the huge Pani warship
Calico : Message from the Pani vessel "If You come in peace then follow Us to Our home port - do not close within two pasangs of Us.
Talarius : So what port are they talking of Calico?
Calico : Most likely Dim-Yan in the Settsu Islands.
Lookout : That Pani three-decker is standing off - some two pasangs distant ...
Talarius : Your opinion Admiral - do We take that Pani vessel up on its offer ... or ... ??
Aiken : I think We should, proceed with extreme caution, after all we are in their waters
The decision is made to follow the Pani vessel to its home port as a mist falls on the sea.
While the Herlit followed in the wake of the Pani three-decker a smaller Pani vessel emerged from the mist heading for the Herlit. The Pani vessel fired on the interloper which seemed to be a fire-ship of sorts and the Herlit also fired on it. The vessel caught fire and sank and Calico put an arrow into the nearest survivor declaring "Ninja are better dead!". Continuing, the Herlit approached a harbour and Calico explained "This is indeed the harbour of Dim-Yan in the Settsu Islands".
The Herlit drops anchor in the port, that is owned by the Daimyo Haradu. They are invited aboard the Pani ship, the Sakura.
Harruto : Tal Talarius - I can speak the Common Tongue - welcome aboard and You too Admiral Aiken
Harruto : Will You Both take refreshment? ~signals to a hovering Pani collar-girl~
Talarius : I will take sake then ~smiles~
Admiral Aiken : What’s sake?
Calico : A fermented rice drink - quite potent Admiral
Admiral Aiken : hummm Ok in the interests of international good will, I will try it
Calico : takes a small cup of sake from the proffered tray as do Talarius and Aiken.
Anee§ha looks about the ship, then notices the cabin doors at the aft to the ship, starts to turn away and stops seeing them open and a Lady emerges, finely dressed in robes I do not recognise .. She sees Me look at Her . and nods Her head and I incline Mine in return . She smiles, and the first thing I see is black teeth !! Totally black as pitch.
Harratu : This One is contracted to Me and much valued smiles she is Seraddu.
Harratu : My Lord Haradu wishes to meet the representatives of Helisto
Talarius : Then - I suggest We dock Captain Harruto.