William Brand

I'm working on a panoramic view of the fort and the surrounding grounds.

Exactly. It would need to be a shielded setup, of course, but it is very plausible. Dong one down at the encampments becomes a logistical nightmare, so that's out. It would be nice to have a camera on a pivoting mount, so that we could record some of the field battle, but I think that an angle showing the parade grounds would provide the best overall shot.

A very happy birthday, Captain Sterling. Birthday's are my favorite holidays by far, for they are the singular celebrations of every unique person born into the wide world. Would that I could raise a glass in your company today and gift the moment with a tale or two, but alas no. Still, may your day be filled with many a good volume of joy, rising and then sleeping with a smile like happy bookends. There was a star danced, and under that was I born. - William Shakespeare

Invented or borrowed? Oh who cares...I'll take a plate.

Actually I've been discussing that with a friend out of New York. He does a live cam for a convention every year and he does a ten second frame shot the whole time which produces a great time lapse video of the whole event. Even if the wi-fi proves to be spotty next year, we could still do the time lapse with the proper equipment.

Oh very nice. Another good link.

Very nice. Thanks you for the link. I'm hoping to have one built for PIP.

Today's special is baked Alaska! FOOOOM! Mind the curtains!

August 3, 1704 - At La cuisine de St. Martha "He certainly enjoys a fierce loyalty." Roldán began. "A trait which has not gone unnoticed by my master." The food arrived then and for a moment they did not continue. Several elegant dishes were presented in quick succession, with wordy explanations following each. Roldán seemed far less interested in the food, as did Tudor, but they bore the servant awhile and even managed a bite or two when he was gone before Roldán continued. Then, what began as a tale stemming from a very few well established facts about William Brand, soon grew into a long narration which included some three shipwrecks, a half dozen treasonous acts and one harrowing tale about the wholesale slaughter of some one hundred men, women and children aboard a merchantmen off the coast of the Azores. Roldán explained each rumor as he understood them with the detached air of one who has read many such stories. He placed no emphasis on one over another, lending no personal opinion in his tone. The he paused to eat and waited to hear what she might say. Elsewhere at La Chateau Anse William, Dorian and Claude made themselves known to the innkeeper, Monsieur Ferland, and his able servant, Marcel. Having rushed from errand to errand that day, William found himself hungry, so he ordered up enough food to serve some six men, hoping to reward Claude for many weary days and to provide Luigi some token befitting his recent loss. Then he caught up to bottles of fine port and left coin sufficient to cover all of this provender as they went up to visit the wounded man and his waiting companion. Upon entering the room they found Luigi in the care of one of the serving women, come up to bind his hand with fresh bandages. Teeke Ranst was there, though nodding in a chair when they arrived. He stood up immediately and saluted both, making a report of Luigi's health and recovery in a bad mix of perfect Dutch and random, poor English. "That will do, Mister Ranst." William said, holding up a hand. He passed a bottle of the port to the Dutchman. "Daar, goede kameraad." "Dank u...thank you, Kapitein." Dorian went to stand by Luigi and watched the woman work while Luigi made offhand comments about the money he would save on gloves. "A tithe of tanned leather..." he said at one point, and William couldn't help the smile which spread across his own face. "I am glad to see you well." William said with a tone of sobriety that was in utter contrast to Luigi's mood and his state of inebriation. "We'll soon see you home again." "If I must, sah." he returned in good spirits. "Don't worry, Luigi. There is no hammock waiting for you. Miss Wardell has quit the ship, so you shall have the surgery for an...appartimento." "I miei molti ringraziamenti, capitano." They shared the second bottle then and drank a toast or two, and even the servant stayed for a drink. While Dorian and the rest talked of the day and the many comings and going of the 'Dog and Lucy, William sent the woman to find some of the men of the frigate below in the common room. She returned shortly with Owen Monahan and Nathan Bly. 'A more mismatched pair she could not have found', William thought, but he liked the choice. "Captain Lasseter and I are bound for the Fort Royal Prison on ship matters. As you both are on leave, you shall be handsomely paid to see Luigi safely aboard the Watch Dog." William emphasized this with four very round French livres. Their 'Aye, Ayes' were well purchased and William invited them to remain and eat as the food arrived. Eight bells of the Second Dog Watch First Watch Begins Larboard Watches on Duty

August 3, 1704 - At La cuisine de St. Martha The Lieutenant smiled a little as he filled his own glass. Then he looked about the room. "Perhaps the compliment seems...inappropriate in this place. Perhaps in time it will find favor, though in truth I spoke it in truth..." he leaned in a little as if in confidence. "...and in church." He paused a moment then, as if choosing his next words carefully. He picke up his glass and sipped it to wet his purpose. "In truth, I have asked you here on other matters." "Other matters...?" she said by way of prompting him, though it wasn't really a question. Something about the Navarra, Le Vedette, and his most Catholic Capitán Eustaquio Alano Avendano made such 'other matters' inevitable. "My Master, Capitán Avendano, wishes to travel to Trinidad in the company of a second ship. Le Vedette will not survive such a voyage until she is repaired, and no other ship but the Watch Dog is bound for Spanish shores at this time. My Capitán has certain doubts...no...certain..." "Misgivings." Tudor offered. "Sí." He nodded, pausing again. He looked at her evenly. "Your Captain has a history."

August 3, 1704 - At La cuisine de St. Martha A man overshadowed their table with a quiet, but pleasant smile, and there followed a fast interchange of French, between the servant and the Lieutenant. At one point Roldán looked to Tudor and gesturing to the man asked, "If I may...?" "Please." she returned. The two men continued to converse, exchanging many familiar words. Tudor recognized 'poulet', 'citron' and 'potage'. The word pudding also passed between them once, needing no translation from one language to the next. After a few moments, the man slipped off to the kitchens and they were alone again. Roldán made a point of looking at her without a word for several long seconds. It was a brash gesture, but the look itself was a genuine compliment nonetheless. "Your Captain Brand is a wealthy man." He said finally, with an undertone intended to further the compliment as he poured the wine.

August 3, 1704 - On the streets of St. Louis The Lieutenant's conversation was sparse at first, touching mainly on the subjects of the Navarra and the repairs being made to Le Vedette. He was very forthcoming about the number of men they had lost on their voyage to Martinique. He touched many times on the subject of Captain Georges Voulet, who had perished saving his own ship and the Navarra both. He did not mention his own Capitán Avendano during his narration, but he did praise the Navarra's Doctor several times. Like the first time they had spoken, he seemed willing to talk much about his life and recent experiences. And, like before, his eyes took in much, for he was ever watching the various nooks and alleyways of the darkening streets. They walked in the middle of the road, for few carts were out and this afforded them an open view of everything about them. They were not alone on their journey, for one of the Lieutenant's men had joined them on their way, though he was polite enough to accompany them at a distance. "One cannot be too careful." Roldán explained. Soon they reached a seemingly modest looking establishment which proved to be a unique, and surprising lavish affair. It was an unusual place for dining, having been built within the remnants of an old church. Most of the architecture remained just as it had been when the building had served as a place of worship. Now it served for worship of another kind, for it was filled with many comfortable tables and private corners for the purpose of dining in adoration of fine cuisine in the company of like worshippers. The whole of the place was lit by the sconces and hanging lamps which had once illuminated many a mass. A few of the tables were long enough that pews served for seating. Even some of the original stained glass was intact, so that the whole effect of the place was not lost on the patrons. And if the atmosphere where not enough, the name of the place itself provided emphasis, for what had once been L'église de St. Martha, was now La cuisine de St. Martha. Lieutenant De La Cruz lead Miss Smith to a table already waiting for them. It was set with a well chosen vintage and only two chairs, the Lieutenant's man finding a place by himself elsewhere. "Vontade este...Pardon. I use English less frequently." He drew out her chair. "Will this serve, Miss Smith?" Three bells of the Second Dog Watch Larboard Watches on Duty

Last call for shirt orders!

Wellllll...when Jock Matlow takes pictures, he takes pictures. It's always nice to see so many photos from an event. Thank him for sharing. And a special thanks for taking a few pictures of the architectural elements of the building itself.

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Roldán De la Cruz was all smiles, grace and decorum as he assisted Miss Smith into the small boat. Her descent into the waiting craft was noted by tested men and new recruits alike, for the men who knew her well smiled to see her in a dress, while the new prison recruits smiled to see a woman in any manner of dress that she so chose, so long as she was a woman. Also, the nights aboard the Watch Dog were quiet and filled with few entertainments but some small work and watches and little else but music and conversation, so the men and one woman watched them go. Argus even heralded them one last time with another bark and Treasure ruffled his bristling hair. "What are you gaping at you rogues?" Jacob shouted, coming onto the weatherdecks with Hollis and Kampaert hefting many a trunk over and down into the waiting boat. "See to your work or hammocks!" he called, and his bowels made his tone a thing which none of them could ignore. Even Argus was quieted by a look and Jacob smiled to himself despite his stomach. Then with permission, the small boat cast off. Two bells of the Second Dog Watch

You birthday, your choice.

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Lieutenant De la Cruz smiled and repeated his previous bow, though with less grace, causing a few protests from those men at the oars. When he had steadied himself again he nodded and said, "I await your arrival, Miss Smith." Tudor left the rail bound for her own belongings and the Lieutenant was left to bob upon the bay, though he did exchange his share of composed looks with Treasure Tribbiani, who stood near the rail in Ciaran's company. She did not have many pleasant looks for the Lieutenant, but neither were they unpleasant, though she watched him and watched him until he could not help but watch her back. It was a staring contest of sorts, Treasure scrutinizing the young Spaniard while he observed her back again with an interest that seemed almost aloof, though he smiled at her once after a fashion. Argus barked once at him, and Treasure chided him for it, though she petted him a little after and said, "Good dog."

Wonderful...I just posted that drink. It's amazing. Pirates can hear a poured drink miles off.

Oh...and party drinks for Jacky Tar's birthday.

Wonderful with a capital 'W'. An Old Testament compliment to be sure. Very nice. For that you get an eggroll.

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog This was more to the Lieutenant's liking and he beamed a bit in a way that was controlled and casual at the same time, turning almost at once to his practiced charm. As he greeted her he removed his hat and even managed a bow without upsetting the boat. "I would be honored if you would join me ashore for a quiet supper and some conversation, Miss Smith."

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog "I best go up." Jacob said aloud, to himself more than anyone else. He left Jannes Kampaert and Robert Hollis in Tudor's charge as he went out to the weatherdecks. The night was clear, but Jacob was experiencing an unexplained irritation in his bowels and he was not much in a mood for surprises or fine weather. He watched the boat on approach and welcomed the Lieutenant with a brashness that caused the young officer's smile to falter a little. "Permission to come aboard, good sah?" He inquired. "To what purpose?" Jacob shot back, and Ciaran turned away from the rail with a smile he hid from everyone but Miss Tribbiani. Again the Lieutenant's smile altered a bit, but he persisted without pause. "Permission to come aboard and speak with Miss Smith?" Mister Badger did not say anything to this for a long while and the small boat was forced to lay along side at a distance, while Jacob considered the matter. His expression was not friendly, though in truth this was due to a plate of fish he had dined upon earlier that day, and had nothing to do with the Lieutenant. Still, never to keep a bad mood from an undeserving fellow, Jacob let his furrowed gaze burn the young man a bit before he answered. "A moment, sah." Jacob finally said and turned again to the surgery. He came in at the door directly off the weatherdeck and called for Tudor, who stood at the door which separated the surgery and the surgeon's private quarters. "There's a lad to see you along the Larboard rail."

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Lucy "Aye." William said, though he was tempted to add 'Whitingford' as a question as he went, but didn't. They met Claude Marchande amidships, where, armed and supplied with coin, they departed the Lucy bound for several destinations. Elsewhere on the Cul du Sac Royal Their departure was noted by the young lieutenant and First Mate of the Navarra, Roldán De la Cruz, who ordered out the jollyboat for a trip to the Watch Dog. He chose this opportune moment to visit the frigate, hoping that his choice of timing would lend him certain advantages aboard ship. In the grand scheme of things it would prove a very small move on an otherwise grand chessboard. The night would see larger events unfold than this. Larboard Watches on Duty

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Lucy William thought on the matter a moment and then nodded. "Aye, we'll discuss matters of the ships and the company as we go. You may join me and Mister Marchande ashore. As for more men...I will not refuse any additional help. Perhaps four men in two pairs serving in four hour revolutions from the Lucy?"

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Lucy "I mean to satisfy myself on a few matters ashore as touching the missing men. I've sent Eric Franklin and Robert Thatcher ashore to find Jean Doublet. then Mister Franklin and Mister Doublet shall travel North and West in search of news, while Pascal and Manus are bound for climbs North and East." William paused. "I need to purchase some goods for myself and then to the prison." "Recruiting again, Captain?" Preston asked from where he sat. "Yes and no. I mean to press Doctor Van Zandt again, that he might give up his stubborn cell for a place among us." William remembered a point of importance then and wondered if he had spoken to Dorian on the matter. "Morgan has left us for a post aboard a merchant ship." Larboard Watches on Duty