William Brand

The Cocoa Tree is my favorite tree in all of the world and I have yet to see one.

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog The payment of wages continued unabated, but for the glaring absence of several crew members, some ashore on business, while others were simply...missing. William tried not to think about the various dangers that might have befallen those still ashore. He tried to and failed. Claude and Cobus had been gone for over two days on an errand that should have taken but one. Ajayi, Klaas and Joshua had disappeared almost instantly in their course. Luigi was shore bound, as was Mister Ranst for the moment. The doctor and her companion were still conspicuously absent and now he had sent another two ashore to find what news they could, hoping not to lose them as well. "Too many fraying ends." William said to no one as he waited for the next able seaman to arrive and receive the coin owed him. Elsewhere... It was once said that 'there is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow', but no such providence, divine or ambivalent could explain away the uncanny luck and the equally uncanny misfortune that visited all of the rest of the world, when Tawny was discovered along the road near the port city of Fort St. Pierre. He had fallen into a ditch there due to a failing will and a persistent reaction to gravity. He had lain there for only an hour, bleeding out from his many injuries. He would have certainly succumbed to the many cuts and punctures in his person if not for the arrival of a man by the name of Lagueux Michaud, a wheelwright of that region. Laqueux himself would have never discovered the wounded madman had it not been for the dog traveling in his company. The short, but proficient bird dog had discovered Tawny the moment thy passed by him and Monsieur Michaud had plucked up the unconscious man and laid him in the cart, altering his course in search of the nearest doctor he could find. Tawny was unaware of any of this as it transpired, though he would have laughed at the irony of escaping the jaws of one dog only to be rescued by another. Certainly no one else would ever laugh about it.

It will be a year of much change and much expectation.

It was a good night and morning. Another year come and gone. In 2007 I was fortunate enough to see Amsterdam for the first time. I also revisited Israel and Egypt. I also traveled To Hawaii for the first time and PIP for a second time. Aye...it was a very good year.

The PIP DVD master copy arrived today. HUZZAH! FREE DRINKS THROUGH MIDNIGHT!

Coooool. That may just be my new favorite frivolous holiday after Talk-Like A Pirate Day. I'm making Key-Lime pie that day.

Call it a delegation of debauchery. The providence of a loyal patronage. Or simply call it free tea and naked women. The view doesn't change with the description.

It is very cruel to dangle a nice looking shirt in front of me when 2008 hasn't even begun yet and PIP is 340 days away. That said, I'll take mine with everything.

I heard my name mixed in with various harsh words and some slander, so I came as soon as I could. Not that I mind the slander. Much of it is true.

Have I mentioned that my favorite sushi place closed, because the really nice lady who owned it died. Life. Sigh.

Now I'm really craving sushi.

Aye...

Biscuits and sausage gravy...? Ewwwww. We make it with bacon gravy around here.

Whities sounded just a little better than pasties. And now...biscuits and gravy.

Homemade marshmallows are baked on a tray and cut out like little white brownies, or in this case...little white whities.

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog William offered Jim a place at the table while he gathered the man's shares. Then he slid the coin and the ledger over to him that he might sign. Jim left a well defined signature on the page and collected the coin with a hearty thanks. "Your work, your coin." William said, blotting the page. Jim waited. William was unsure why he lingered, but then shook his head all at once as it came to him. "My apologies, Mister Warren. We shall...speak on that other matter on the morrow. I must see that all of the dogs are returned home first." "I understand." Jim returned, nodding. "Enjoy the evening, Jim." "I shall, Cap'n." Jim went out. William remained and in short order he signed out shares for Petee Youngblood and Eric Franklin. He sent Eric's shares with the Master Gunner, receiving Mister Morgan in order afterwards. Mister Morgan received the last of those shares owed him from the Ilex Fortune and the sale of the Maastricht goods. He signed in the ledger with a broad hand and made a point to add his nickname, Bootneck. With coin in hand he turned to the door but stood awhile in hesitation. "Is something the matter, Mister Morgan?" William said, looking up from his work. Morgan turned about, but said nothing at first. William set aside the quill and leaned back a little in his chair. Mister Morgan started and stopped twice, without ever making a sound, finally deciding to keep his words simple. "Sah, I've been offered the great cabin on a merchant vessel." "Indeed..." William said slowly, leaning back a bit further and smiling as he appraised the Bosun's Mate. "Aye, sah." Morgan continued. "A good ship." "And do you mean to take the position...?" "Aye, Sah." he said, haltingly. "I'm sorry sah, but I..." William was already shaking his head as he stood up. "No need for that, Mister Morgan. The great cabin is no...small offer. For whom would you sail?" "A Monsieur Bellemare." William narrowed his eyes a bit, and turned his head ever so slightly. "Cantin...Bellemare?" "The very same, Sah. He has had some losses and he is inclined to be generous out of desperation." Mister Morgan explained, but William had heard of the baron by way of Goddu and had an understanding of the wealthy man's losses. He nodded as he crossed to the stern bench even as Mister Morgan continued to explain the why, how and where of the whole arrangement. William interjected when appropriate and agreed heartily that the shares, wages and comforts which would come from serving under Bellemare were not to be refused. He poured two glasses and passed one to Mister Morgan. Then he stood a moment, unsure what to say. "To the Watch Dog..." Mister Morgan piped up, raising his glass, "...and to her Captain." "And to the Captain of...?" William began. "...L'or Blanc." Mister Morgan finished, almost forgetting the name of the ship in his growing excitement. William smiled. "A good and fitting name." he admitted, and they both drank. When both glasses were emptied, William instructed Mister Morgan to see himself to Eric Franklin for his pistols. "You may consider yourself relieved of duty at the end of the Forenoon Wa...your pardon. The watch is passed, Mister Morgan, and my compliments on your service aboard the 'Dog. You stand relieved." "Thank you, Sah. And, sah...I should prefer a quiet departure." "I understand. I'll make it known afterwards that you went to a greater reward." "Thank you, Captain Brand." Morgan returned, and he raised his empty glass to make another toast. William charged both glasses and waited. "To John Sons and Jack..." Morgan began, but simply drank. William followed suit. "One more thing, Mister...your pardon...Captain Morgan." Bootneck beamed to hear the title said aloud. William went once more to the stern bench and fetched up two good bottles. One of a rare Spanish vintage for table and another strong, heavy drink for revelry. He explained as much as he passed them to Captain Morgan. "You'll have guests at once and you will require a well armed table. Never ignore the table in matters of position. Pick yourself a good Steward. A good Steward is a lieutenant at table." "May I have Miss Smith?" Morgan said at once, trying not to smile as he said it. "No you may not." William returned shortly, though not without good humor. Then they went of the Ward Room together. Two Captains parting the company of the Watch Dog's table, not to see one another for years to come. Three bells of the Afternoon Watch ~Larboard Watches on Duty~

"Will there be anything el...?" William began, astounded that one more thing should have escaped his notice amidst the turmoil of the morning. "Good gods." He pushed past her into the corridor and called for Mister Warren. Jim met him amidships and a flurry of inquiries passed from William's lips. Jim explained that Luigi had remained at La Chateau Anse in the company of Teeke Ranst, until the Dutchman could be relieved of the duty of watching the Italian, or until Luigi himself could be brought again to the 'Dog, as the doctor had ordered him to remain. Still, Jim himself had not been present at the inn, so he suggested Willem Tuygertgen to explain any further details. "Maddie!" William bellowed and the Dutchman appeared post haste. "Kapitein." "Why was I not told of that harm which befell Luigi?" "Sah...I..." Mister Tuygertgen stammered, uncertain of his English. "I thought you would...eh...u zou het weten." "No." William said, sternly. "Misser McDonough...she to het schip came...and...I..." "Miss McDonough..." William repeated, pressing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. "It was she that was threatened at La Chateau Anse, Cap'n." Jim explained. "A few of the lads said a wealthy man struck the finger off with a sword. It seems that Luigi came to her aid and was wounded for his troubles." William nodded, still pressing the bridge of his nose. "Was a doctor fetched to him?" William asked without opening his eyes. "Aye, Kapitein." Mister Tuygertgen returned. "Mijnhe...Mister Ranst is with him." William looked about. Tudor had appeared on deck by this time, laden down Jacob's shares. William noted her arrival and thanked Jim and Maddie for their added information. "Mister Badger! You'll accompany Miss Smith to La Chateau Anse with shares for Teeke and Luigi." "Aye, Sah." "Mister Ranst is to remain with Luigi until he can be brought again to the Watch Dog. I will fetch them before the end of the day." William waited a moment too see that his orders were understood. Then he called Jim Warren to follow him aft to receive shares. Between Two and Three Bells of the Afternoon Watch ~Larboard Watches on Duty~

"And what has happened to Luigi!?" William said so loudly that it certainly carried from the room. Tudor looked surprised, for Luigi's injury was the gossip of the moment. Everyone who had witnessed Luigi's injury the night before had returned with tales of dueling and exaggeration, so that by now, Luigi had fought some six armed men at once in his chivalrous charge into danger. "Where is he?" William asked, not waiting for the first answer at all.

"Ahh, Miss Smith. Half a moment." William jotted down a small notation in that logbook which reflected all of the newest recruits and set it aside. Then he invited her to sit while he penned a short letter to Captain Lasseter, wherein he explained the conversation with Durand and the need to speak with Miss Ashcombe within a few hours time. When finished, he powdered the paper gently and blew off the excess dust out one of the stern windows. He did not bother with sealing it, as it would only be passing through Tudor's hands before reaching Dorian. "I would like you to take these shares with you when you go ashore and see them to Captain Lasseter with this private letter." "Aye, Sah." "Mister Badger is to accompany you on his way ashore. These are his shares." William made a point of separating Jacob's shares from the rest. "Please see that Mister Badger reminds the lads and ladies going ashore that I want no one traveling alone if it can be helped. We've suffered disappearances of late."

William returned to the ward room of the Watch Dog to count out the final shares for the Whole Company. He first counted the coin meant for those deserving crew of the Lucy. He did this as fast as he could, knowing may of them might have already left for freedoms and debauchery ashore. The sorting took him longer than it should have. His mind was so distracted by the events of the day that he found himself recounting the shares some seven times. When he was finally done, he set the coins into a crate and called for Miss Smith.

Period Sued-a-Fed...? I'll check the larder.

I did an aged version of my corsair flag and I thought I would resurrect this thread with it. Once again...there are some great flags on this thread. My compliments.

I'll bring Andrew to film. We're doing a short drama piece next year.

Every piece you take...you eat. Pirate rules. Well...Cannibal rules.

august 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog William looked at Durand without saying anything. It was a short pause, but long enough that he couldn't take it back again. Once the pause was made he couldn't unmake it. The questions about Miss Ashcombe had simply taken him unawares and he cursed himself silently for not thinking of this possible outcome. It was foolish to blame himself of course, but he had already paused and the pause had grown until it had become a small smile on Durand's face. William let the pause remain. He stood up. He went to the stern bench and pulled out a bottle of French wine and two small glasses. He returned to the table and set them out, filling them both almost to the lip. Then he corked the bottle and replaced it in the stern bench. Returning to the table he sat down and raised the glass, and still the silence continued. Only when William was certain that Durand had waited as long as he would before speaking again did William open his mouth to say anything. "Who is Turcotte to you, Monsieur?" Durand paused. Just that. He paused and then tried to begin a sentence. "I..." he began, but he did not continue. He simply smiled. William had handed the pause back to him. Durand raised a silent toast to William, who raised one back to Durand. They both sipped and the silence continued for a moment. "Who is this woman to you, Capitaine?" Durand asked, and this time he was asking for himself and not Turcotte. "I could ask the same question of you, Monsieur." William returned. Neither one of them made any further comment for several minutes, content to listen to the ship and the sea and the day as it passed about them. They looked at one another, really looked for the first time. Durand noted William's ability for long, patient pauses. William noted that Durand took in all, despite the limitations of his vision. "Is the woman his steward, Capitaine?" Durand asked, almost conversationally. "Yes..." William returned, simply. "...but not before today." he added, and it was no small addition. It was, as William imagined, the cleanest, most direct path in an otherwise dark wood, and he took it. Durand would surely press him, now or later, to the absolute truth about Miss Ashcombe, so he chose the most direct course that he could find through the conversation. Durand's curiosity seemed to alter, though the next question he asked seemed to come from himself and with no true ties to Turcotte. "What will I find if I ask about her...?" "I do not know." William replied, and this was his most honest answer yet, for he knew so little about Miss Ashcombe. "Can it be so important to you or anyone else, Monsieur? We are at war in a world of wars and a woman begged the boon of sanctuary aboard my ship and I gave it to her." Durand said nothing, but he watched William and waited for him to continue. William did, but he altered his tack. "Is Turcotte your superior, Monsieur?" William knew that the the lieutenant could not be, not in any real way, apart from some superficial position of rank, but he asked because the question had some leverage. "No." This seemed the limit of Durand's answer, but even when it looked as if he would add no more he continued. "I am compelled to learn why this man shot at the crew of the Lucy, and why this man should do so by daylight with no thought for hiz own life. If I should not learn why...Turcotte will find another to do so in my place." "I would also no why, Monsieur, but can there be an answer? The attack on the Lucy was born of foolishness, yea, even madness...for what man would fire upon such a ship from a lowly boat with no thought to his own defense? The smell of drink was not heavy upon him. He was not of great wealth and possessed of no more coin than a dockman's wages. If it was revenge, he is dead. If madness, he is dead. If despair...he is dead. The dead care not. Why should we, Monsieur?" "I am compelled to learn why..." Durand repeated, wearily. "Then Turcotte is your superior, Monsieur...if only for the time being." William said this in a matter of fact tone that he did not enjoy saying anymore than Durand enjoyed hearing it said, but William would not give Durand any ground not won and he knew this would place a grain of sand in Durand's otherwise calm and collected oyster. "He fired upon your people." Durand returned, as if this should be compelling enough to warrant William's need for understanding. "Yes." William nodded. "And this is answer enough for me. Why is it not enough for Turcotte?" William did not wait for Durand to answer. "Was this man, this assassin, above the laws of France that he should shoot so...without provocation? Without writ? Is civilization not come to Martinique?" "These are subjective arguments, Capitaine." "Yes." "I must speak with the woman, Capitaine." "I will do so in your place and bring you word, Monsieur." Durand made as if to speak, but he didn't. They had flanked one another, regrouped and had come to a sudden, fragile impasse that both men excepted without any further argument. Durand could have pressed the point, but didn't. William could have applied defiance, but didn't. Instead, both men sipped their wine and kept their own silent council. When Durand had finished his glass he set it aside and stood up. William stood as well, setting his glass aside. Both men regarded one another and Durand took up his hat as if to leave, but he looked at William and asked. "Did you slaughter the crew of São João Baptista, Capitaine?" William parried with a question. "How did you come to lose your eye, Monsieur?" There followed the final pause in the conversation. Durand replaced his hat. "Capitaine." "Monsieur." They went out together and William saw Donatien Durand over the side of the frigate without another word. First Bell of the Afternoon Watch ~Larboard Watches on Duty~