William Brand

You are most welcome, Doctor. And now...the Liberty Clipper.

Dorian invited her to walk about the deck then and see the Lucy in more detail. With fresh paint and freshly polished cannon, the cutter was now as new as her name and Murin did not decline to see her. William, as busy as he would be that day, did not mind another walk about the ship, for she was a good prize and an admirable companion to the 'Dog. As they made a turn about the weatherdecks they were joined by Mister Pew, who came aboard the Lucy with only a little difficulty. William made a point of addressing him informally as he arrived , Miss Kildare's letter still fresh in his mind. Preston paused, but no real expression crossed his face at being addressed by his given name. The man looked pale for his walk that morning, but no worse for wear and William was glad to see him by daylight and said as such. "Thank you, Captain." Pew said, looking about the deck of the Lucy with the new appraisal of a man whose position in life has been altered by many changes, and indeed his had. "The Lucy." he said, almost as flatly as William had just minutes before, neither a question or comment. They both looked at Dorian. "Aye." was all he said, then added. "Welcome aboard."

I was up late cooking bacon wrapped shrimp. Today's special is Italian lentil and vegetable soup...

William inclined his head, but waited again for Miss McDonough to start the conversation anew. When she did not he looked to Dorian, who asked, "What brings you aboard th' Lucy, lass?"

William raised a brow and exchanged a look with Dorian. "Send a smallboat and the smallboat is given the greater glory." William looked back at Murin. "Nevermind that the 'Dog was the port of origin." Dorian nodded, smiling. Both Captains stood before Miss McDonough and waited for her to continue.

Captain Lasseter granted her permission and she came aboard by the gangplank. "Welcome aboard th' Lucy, Miss McDonough." William said, offering her a hand as she stepped down from the rail. "Seeking a new berth so soon?"

I was the one that recommended the book, I believe, due to the many drawings and diagrams.

I am well. Well enough to know that I am well, and that I should complain of nothing, having as I have, sooo much.

William read the letter once and only once before looking at Dorian and saying, "It must be an unsettling feeling indeed to overwhelm the judgment of Miss O'Treasaigh and cause two privateers to seem more welcome than this Esperanza." William looked down the docks and wondered which of the vessels harbored there was the plague ship of Miss Kildare's letter. There was no ship along the docks that seemed more or less threatening than any other, though he thought he might go see this ship for himself before the day was out. Still, Miss Kildare would expect an answer and he would need to pen a letter, travel to see her or invite her to the Watch Dog for some discussion on the matter. "Is this Miss Kildare not a companion and boarder of Miss O'Treasaigh?" Dorian could not say, not knowing a great deal about the woman himself, and he said as such. He explained that she had been present as long as he had known the chirurgeon, but even he second guessed this after a moment, leaving the matter with a shrug. William looked at the boy and said, "Please inform Miss Kildare that I will speak with her by day's end and would understand her whole reason for seeking passage." The boy nodded and lingered and William was obliged to pay him another small coin just to see him go. Then, setting the matter aside, they went aboard the Lucy.

August 3, 1704 - At the St. Louis Docks Eight bells of Morning Watch. Forenoon Watch begins. "The Lucy..." William said simply, standing at Dorian's elbow. William was wearing the 'Dare I ask?' expression of a bemused friend, but said nothing. Dorian smiled and said nothing back. William looked at the cutter and then back to Captain Lasseter. "Will you not invite me aboard, Sah? We must drink to your new command." William said this with equal portions of jest and seriousness, for he was not of a mind for much drinking after last night, but as he had not been aboard the Lucy he considered the formality a good gesture to dissuade those superstitions which passed among the able seamen. Dorian gestured to the Lucy and they would have gone aboard the cutter then if not for the arrival of an unusual messenger. A boy, not yet 15 arrived dressed in the fashion of the poor, though clean and polite. He introduced himself not by name, but by errand, saying that he had come at the service of Miss Briar Kildare and would know which of the two men was Captain Dorian Lasseter. Once he was satisfied that he had the correct captain, he passed over a letter that had seen a rough night in the protection of the lad. Dorain accepted it and the boy lingered. "Not bad news, I hope...?" William asked, curious to know the matter without being too forward.

Welcome aboard, lass. Have you visited any number of replica ships in that neck of the woods, or in this case, sea?

William Brand and Mary (Donna) Diamond sharing bacon...

The Archangel Camp.

Boo's Camp. Jim Warren's Camp. Tortuga? Bilgemunky. Iron Jack and Paula.

At least once too many...

A small series of Mission pictures...

August 3, 1704 - The St. Louis Docks The Watch Dog anchored within a hundred yards of shore and her remaining smallboats were swung out to except those crew members bound for shore. William gave the deck over to Bootneck Morgan and leaving only the fore watches aboard, he allowed all who wished to go over to the Heron that they might be present for Captain Lasseter's ceremony at the St. Louis docks. Many excepted the invitation, as most of them suspected some celebration might be in order and rum beyond their alloted ration might not be out of the question. Eric Franklin left the ship, leaving Luc in charge of those marines on aboard. He joined Captain Brand in the jollywatt, where he manned the tiller during the short crossing. Soon they were all ashore and the mingling of crews continued as crew of both ships on leave found their way to the docks.

Ahhh...tonight's special is bacon wrapped shrimp in an apricot glaze.

OFM. WTF?

I'll print the order at the first of the year, but send away and I'll set aside an envelope.

I'll take a very dark chocolate. Very dark. I want it to stain my liver.

And we need some spice cake.

Tonight's special is potato soup with bacon and poblano chilies...

You now have to film it and put it to music.