The Captain nodded affirmatively, but Koke shook his head in denial of the Captain's expressed action.
"We can't focus on such efforts right now Captain. We need to strike the pirates now, while their newfound powers are not quite realized if we have any hope of seizing the scroll away from them."
The Captain's face looked strained for a moment as he contemplated what Koke was asking of him.
"You are suggesting that I commit my fleet to open confrontation with the pirates?"
Koke nodded grimly.
"Such an action would be an act of suicide, if they've uncovered even just a part of what the scroll implied was buried in the city!"
"Even so Captain the battle is before us. The Sea People need your fleet to act as a diversion, while we do what we can beneath the waves. Are you in or out?"
A long moment stretched out then, which Koke broke with, "Captain Hiro we don't have much time."
The Captain looked down with a frown at the sand specks sticking to his otherwise immaculate looking boots. His tone reflective sounding he said, "We're dead if we don't and dead if we do."
The Captain looked up to stare directly into Koke's eyes for a moment before flatly saying, "We're in. It is better to die in honor than to be hunted down and raped individually into a state of defeat. We will fight!"
Koke reached forward to grip the lean Captain's shoulder, "Thank you Captain! Give us four hours to get our people into position before you make your approach on the city."
The Captain nodded and started to leave, when not being able to hold back what I felt burdened to say any longer I said, "We should pray."
All eyes turned to me. Swallowing down my apprehension at so many direct stares upon me I said, "It would seem that our chance for victory is a slim one. I just thought it wouldn't hurt to seek a little Divine favor."
Koke nodded in affirmation and glanced to the Captain, who looked decidedly uncomfortable.
The Captain spoke haltingly, "I gave up the belief in my gods long ago, as have most of my men, but if you wish to pray to your God I will listen."
I nodded and started into a prayer that I hoped covered the situation we were faced with, but what was more important than that was I prayed what I did with all of my heart.
Some distant part of me couldn't believe that I was leading such a diverse group as was gathered on this beach in prayer.