William Brand

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~

Whoa...Bloody Spike Pierce is worth 250,000 Gold Dublooooons. That's over 220,000 in English pounds. Edward Teach was only worth 100 pounds. And Spike seems like such a nice guy.

They are for eating. Let's play draughts with them.

August 3, 1704 William, Dorian and Monsieur Durand arrived on deck blinking. The sun was at it's zenith and the eighth bell of the forenoon watch was almost upon them. Durand and Captain Lasseter exchanged pleasantries that were not altogether pleasant, though neither man was rude to the other. William called Preston aside a moment before departing the Lucy and explained his intentions for the two armed men bound for shore, giving him careful instructions before joining Durand on the gangplank. This done, they were ferried from the docks to the Watch Dog and passed the chosen men in the dingy. William nodded to them as he passed and they knuckled a salute back again. Once on board the Watch Dog, William and Durand retired to the ward room, where the Frenchman was surprised to be served a second time by a woman Steward. Tudor proved to be much more controlled, even confident in her role. She showed no outward sign that Durand's position or seeming power meant anything to her. She was polite and direct in her service, though Durand was not much interested in food or drink. "You'll take your leave ashore with the Starboard Watch, Miss Smith." William ordered, as he fetched the ledgers of the Watch Dog. Tudor thanked him graciously. "I was pleased with the part you played in all of the auctions yesternight. Please see that the inbound and outbound watches report amidships to receive the last of their shares. I will call for them presently." "Aye, Sah." She took her leave with the almost untouched tray. William settled into his customary chair as Durand went through the ledgers. William watched him as he had before, but was surprised to see the man's whole attitude altered. Durand had so carefully turned the pages of the ledgers aboard the Lucy, scanning every line for details and information. Now, thumbing through the books of the Watch Dog, the man all but skipped whole pages. Indeed, he focused his attention on the last ledger more than any other, particularly those pages concerning the Watch Dog's sojourn at Martinique. "This is the writing of Captain Lasseter." Durand pointed out, touching those pages at the beginning of the ledger. "Aye." William agreed. "He was the Quartermaster of the Watch Dog and the Whole Company prior to the taking of the Heron." Durand simply nodded and returned to the figures before him. He seemed most interested in the distribution of shares marked towards the end of the book, for reasons that William couldn't fathom. The letters of Marque, as they applied to the whole company, allowed for the distribution of shares as William and Dorian saw fit. The letters did not site the Lucy specifically, as she had not been in use by them at the time of the writing of either marque, but she was still a vessel of the Whole Company, and William was certain that no arguments would be made on that point. Still, Durand focused upon these pages with an unusual interest. "What do you see in those numbers that you dwell upon them so much, Monsieur?" William asked. "Are you considering an alteration of trade?" Durand smiled at this, but did not look up or answer. He simply traced the page. When he was at the bottom of the last, he stopped and looked up. "Miss Poole's name does not appear in the ledgers of the Watch Dog or the Lucy, Capitaine. Who is she and where does she come from?" Eight Bells of the Forenoon Watch. Afternoon Watch Begins. ~Larboard Watches on Duty~ Starboard Watches waiting aboard to recieve shares.

Excellent synopsis of your adventures. My compliments. Now...are you taking corrections? Chapter One... "Several folks stained the lanterns William bought for the event." The Callahans bought the lanterns. Chapter Six... " Mary Diamond (at right), William and several members of the Archangel crew headed off for a sunset cruise aboard the schooner Wolf, one of the sponsors of PiP, where Amanjiria was apparently photographed naked kissing a mermaid." We sailed on the Liberty Clipper that night, not the Wolf. And is it Silverhook or Silverhawk? I've heard both.

Have you ever tried homemade marshmallows?

August 3, 1704 - Ward Room of the Lucy William returned to the table without ceremony, though Durand gave him a questioning look. William let the look remain unanswered, and he sat facing the man with a posture that was more acrimonious than amiable. The glass turned and still Durand flipped a single, infuriating page. Jenny offered William tea during the long silence, but he shook his head gently and politely declined, fixing Durand with a look that was quiet but not pleasant. He was past politeness, and when Durand suddenly began going backwards through the ledger, William was certain that the gesture was designed to unravel their patience. William stood up. "Your pardon, Captain, but I have pressing business. Monsieur." "Capitaine Brand, I can expect to see your ledgerz within the hour...oui?" Durand asked as William stepped away from the table, though he did not do William the respect of looking up from the ledger. "Come and see them now, Monsieur." William offered, turning back to Durand slowly. "When I am finished here, perhaps." Durand returned without looking up. "Perhaps." William agreed. There was something then in William's 'perhaps' that gave Durand pause and he closed the ledger carefully. There was a deliberateness about the way William had said it which Durand mistook for subtle defiance. Only Dorian saw it for what it probably was and wondered who was baiting whom. William looked at Durand. Durand looked at William. The others had their pick of who to watch and how. A silence followed. Then Durand stood up from the table. "I will see your ledgerz now, Capitaine." "I will see you to them, Monsieur" William agreed at once. Between Seven and Eight Bells of the Forenoon Watch ~Starboard Watches on Duty~

William stood a moment in wonder at the strangeness of the visit. He tried to call Miss Kildare back again that he might advise her on a course equal to her fears, but she departed in the manner in which she had arrived. Unexpected and but partially explained, at least in terms that satisfied William's curiosity. Mister Pew, Tucker and Flint were in a close conversation about the day's work, but seeing the Captain alone, Pew crossed to where he stood. "If I could have ha'f a moment, Sah?" Pew asked, following William's gaze to Miss Kildare as she disappeared into the crowd. "What was that business about?" William shook his head, still watching the place where Briar had disappeared. "Mister Pew, I could not say with any certainty...though I was instructed not to speak on the matter in confidence." William made a note to visit the offices of the Particular Governor if time permitted. "And the man in the ward room...?" Pew prompted. William turned to him with a sigh and removed his hat long enough to run his fingers through his hair. It was a gesture he often made when he was tired or weighed down with many matters. "A Monsieur Durand is repudiating the ledgers, Mister Pew." "Shall I take care of it?" Pew offered, his eyes on the companionway door. William smiled. "If it comes to that. Your pardon, Quartermaster, I must return to the business at hand." William made his way aft, but stopped at once. "Mister Pew...please send for two men of the 'Dog, armed and fed for an errand ashore. I will return to the deck presently."