William Brand

Key Lime Pie...

Nut brown and a reuben. Aye.

"I went about by way of the docks and my legs carried me aboard, Mister Pew." William said, a long, slow smile spreading across his face.

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July 27, 1704 - Ashore at Martinique They watched until the prisoners and soldiers melted against the darkness, then William pulled out the watch from the Heron and consulted the time. He tucked it back into the pocket of his waistcoat and turned to the remaining shore party. "Gentlemen. Let us go together to the nearest tavern or alehouse and sample our rewards. I shall buy the first round in gratitude of your weary watches." "Ayyyye...sah." Mister Pew said slowly and with drawn out enthusiasm. "Very well. You are hereby relieved of duty for the duration of this watch." William continued, striking the end of his cane soundly on the paving stones. "Let us to the mugs be brought." They wandered along the docks and past the occasional lantern. They were watched, and this was not surprising, since they talked as they went. Their English attracted attention from every other window they passed and they were obliged to greet a great number of strangers with a French phrase or two. When they had wandered a ways from the view of the port, they found a small establishment on the corner of two cross streets. It loomed crookedly and it leaned outwards over the street in a way that suggested it was supported entirely by the neighboring shops and it seemed to speak volumes about the inebriation one might achieve with a little coin and a little time. The sign which featured a serving woman and a wealthy, well travelled merchant read 'Le coin des français faveur'. "The Coin of French Favor?" Paul Mooney asked, looking up at the sign. "The...Corner...of French Favor." Claude corrected. "Ahhh." Paul returned thoughtfully, as if he would remember this always. William suspected that he wouldn't remember it past the second drink if he remembered anything at all tomorrow. They went inside. It was a true tavern after the French tradition, and they were favored with the sites and sounds common to alehouses the world over. Voices overlapped in competition for volume until the entire place was filled with the din of ghost stories, anecdotes, bawdy jokes, sad memories, tall tales, political discussions, and all other rhetoric. Songs and stories were everywhere shared at once until the entire breadth of Le coin des français faveur was filled to bursting. Just when it seemed that no additional voice might be heard in such a place, an impossibly thin looking man approached the shore party and greeted them. "Bienvenue, Messieurs." "Bonsoir, monsieur." William returned, as did Claude and the others in varying degrees. "William Brand, Capitaine du chien de garde." The volume of the place decreased almost at once, for the Captain's name was decidedly English, as was his accent. The proprietor's smile expressed surprise, but in the practiced way of all good tavern keepers. For rather than hide any small alarm at having foreigners in his establishment, welcome or not, he exaggerated his emotions, even going so far as to put up his hands in a pantomime of happy surprise. "AAAaaahhhhh, Messieurs! You er most welcome." he said with a pronounced delight which reminded William of something from an earlier time in his life, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. The proprietor led them to a table among the curious throng and William ordered a round at once. "A fine place." William said aloud as they waited, though he wasn't entirely sure that was true. "Women..." Mister Pew replied at once, having spied a dark haired beauty across the room. "Aye." Paul agreed, and William smiled to see that Paul could find distraction after such recent grief. The drinks arrived in tall spilling mugs and they each grabbed one up at once. Claude was already drinking when William said, "A toast!" Claude wiped away the froth and laughed a little as he choked. William paused, then said, "to Jean-Baptiste Labat." There was a silence which followed this, for no one seemed to understand the toast at all. "The father of rum." William added. "The father of rum!" they all chorused. Six bells of First Watch

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl takes place in 2003. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest takes place three years later in 2006.

July 27, 1704 - Cul du Sac Royal Mister Pew coaxed the prisoners forward to the bow of the small boat where he might watch them better, or if necessity demanded, shoot them. He laid his musket across his lap and focused on the prisoners with a circumspect eye. William sat aft, taking the tiller for the final transport of prisoners. He guided the boat away from the Maastricht. It curved out across the mild current of the bay as they crossed the inky darkness of the Cul du Sac Royal. The whole expanse of the bay was dark, but for a thousand lights which were still springing up along the docks, piers and buildings along the shorelines. Even the fortress on the rise of the port's Northernmost end shone with the starlight of civilization. They were all quiet as they rowed. Even the prisoners made no conversation, lost in their own thoughts and misgivings. The sound of revelries and night commerce carried from several points across the water. Music, voices, and even a solitary pistol shot drifted out to them, and while a few of the marines smiled at this, none of them spoke. William regarded the constellations of the Caribbean night, familiarizing himself with the North Star in relation to the island. The moon was absent from the sky, having set earlier in the day, and William calculated that the full moon was five or six days away. The docks nearest the fort materialized out of the darkness ahead of them under the glow of the lamps hung along the piers. The activity of the day was diminished, and while the number of soldiers sent down to except prisoners had decreased, there was enough activity along the docks to outnumber the shore party. William steered the small boat against the dock where it thumped gently. Mister Pew was on his feet at once, musket at the ready as the prisoners filed up onto the docks. "This is the last of the prisoners." William explained, as Claude translated. "I present to you Captain den Oven, First Mate Raymer and Doctor Van Zandt." "Bienvenue vers la Martinique, messieurs." the sergeant said, bowing only enough to recognize what the men had been before their capture. "Si vous viendrez avec moi..." Den Oven shot William a look that was all poniards and knives. William gifted him with a look of seeming apathy. He was neither moved to smile or scowl, and this seemed to anger den Oven more than ever. Perhaps the Dutchman thought he deserved some stronger emotion from Captain Brand. Anger. Disdain. Gloating would have sufficed. But this absence of emotion from the younger and deplorable privateer invoked a bitter look from the captain turned prisoner. Only Pew showed any real outward emotion. He smiled at den Oven. It was a small smile, yes, but it said 'What? You were expecting fanfare maybe...?' Den Oven fixed the Master-at-Arms with the same look that he visited upon Captain Brand. Five bells of First Watch ~Larboard Watch on Duty

I am spoiled in my own establilshment, I am. Aye. Spoiled indeed.

Cold December by Matt Costa.

Sorry for the absence on this thread. It was a busy few days and I'm suffering from not a little artistic burnout. Shall I attempt a more period look? I can borrow on the headstones.

Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Aboard the Maastricht at Cul du Sac Royal "Thank you, Mister Pew. No one else could have accomplished the task better. My compliments." "Thank you, sah." Mister Pew returned, and knuckled his brow a second time. William turned to Captain den Oven, Raymer and Doctor Van Zandt. Captain den Oven looked surly, which was not very different from any time before. Raymer looked more the part of Captain, as did Van Zandt, and William had a moment to wish these men had escaped the depravity of prison. This did not keep him from ordering them over into the boat. "Gentlemen, if you please." he said, gesturing to the rail. Mister Pew urged den Oven a little with a nudge. Raymer followed. William held Van Zandt back a moment and handed him an envelope. "I have taken the liberty of writing on your behalf. This letter explains your conduct aboard the Maastricht. It contains my personal observations in regards to the safety and care given to the wounded. Perhaps it will win you some added freedom to administer to the wounded. I cannot say." "Dank u, Kapitein." Van Zandt said, and the tired man managed a smile before going over the rail into the waiting boat. "Orders, sah?" Mister Pew asked, slinging his musket for the trip over the water. "Pick four marines for the journey. We shall go ashore and deliver the prisoners. Then you and I shall see what passes for taverns in this place." Four bells of First Watch ~Larboard Watch on Duty

On the Cul du Sac Royal William returned to the quarterdeck, and seeing the first of the prisoner boats returned, he ordered out the dingy to ferry him the short distance over to the Maastricht. He went as the others had before him, armed with a pistol. He also bore a blunderbuss slung over his shoulder. The business of sorting prisoners was still going on as William stepped aboard the Maastricht. Mister Pew and the marines were cataloging a small cache of confiscated goods as well as a prodigious pile of shoes which had formed amidships. William and Preston exchanged simple acknowledgments and William proceeded aft to the fluyt's great cabin. Doctor Van Zandt and Bartel Raymer were still in command of the surgery set up in the ward room, save for a few prisoners who had proved well enough to go ashore. William made no attempt to catch either man's attention as they worked. Even now, Van Zandt and Raymer were at work on a man who had finally lost his leg to infection. The man showed uncommon valor in keeping his peace as they removed the last bit of bone which connected him to the former limb. William was moved to cross over to the table and lend his limited assistance. Van Zandt looked up from his work only long enough to pass William a bloodied instrument that he had finished with before returning to the work at hand. Raymer and William could do little while the Doctor completed the gruesome business, so they regarded each other across the table as they held the man down. William noted that Raymer was decidedly calm and had probably witnessed his share of amputations in the last few days. "Geëindigd." the doctor said, mopping his brow with the back of his bloodied sleeve. It left a dark smear across his brow and William called out the door for fresh water. "How many more can go ashore, Arts Van Zandt?" The Dutch Doctor seemed not to heat at first, so Raymer reached across the table and touched his arm. Van Zandt looked up, removing his bloodied apron. "Elk van he...pardon. All of them, if I may go vith them." "Of course." William returned. "I will see what provision might be made in regards to your instruments. Perhaps I may persuade them to allow you some medicines and tools." "Dank u, Kapitein." William nodded and went out again onto the weatherdecks. Here he found Captain den Oven, whose appearance had not improved in the sunless cramp of the berth and holds. His hair was disheveled and his stately bearing had disintegrated into something more common. "Kapitein den Oven, you will soon be escorted ashore and delivered into the custody of the French. All of your men will be thus delivered." Den Oven said nothing. "Seems th' darkness gave 'im what 'is title could not. Civility." Mister Pew said, with special emphasis on the last word. 'Civil as an orange', William thought, but his mood for sporting with the Dutch Captain's misfortunes was long behind him. He was just happy to be at port so that he might be rid of the prisoners, and Captain den Oven was no exception.

Well, now, William, be that VICARIOUS enough for ye? The missus was kind enough to share a spot of lip color for me in the lav, then up the stairs we come to find sneaky Pete! BTW - the fine gent standing in with us was NOT her Da', twas her BEAU. Her Da' beat a hasty exit when he saw what we were up to ~ Aye. Vicarious indeed. And precarious. And hilarious. All of the ariouses combined I should think. Thank you, all.

I am craving a strong Middle Eastern cheese and falafel. Isreal is only months away and I can't stop thinking about the food over there. I am very preoccupied of late.

I fine mix of pictures indeed. Thank you for sharing the event vicariously.

You have an excellent start. You can add upon this theme by researching all the important dates which coincide with the places you are or have been. Create a timeline of real events in history which may have impacted you.

William could just make out the strong warnings of the Master-at-Arms from the fluyt amidst his own orders. In the absence of marines, William armed several of the able seamen and ordered Miss Smith to fetch two pistols and a musket for herself. While this was being done, William watched the first of the Maastricht prisoners come over the side and into the cutter. some of them had to be assisted, though this assistance came from their own, for all of the marines stood apart from them with watchful eyes. Mister Pew stood on the Maastricht's larboard rail, one hand on the shrouds and one on his firearm, surveying every captive that went over into the waiting boats. The breeze on the harbor was a gentle one and this kept the water relatively calm. The favorable anchorage off the Savanne was proving to be a good one, though with so many sailors to ferry ashore for leave, William considered moving the 'Dog to Anse Mitane once the prisoners were ferried. "Miss Smith, you have the deck. I'll be in the Ward Room."

Jim Warren ordered the cutter crew over the side and into the waiting cutter. He climbed down and took his place at the tiller as it filled with men and marines. He called out to each man in the boat and ordered each to his proper place along both sides of the small craft. Eric Franklin came down the on board stairway and passed down Mister Warren's personal arms. He also sent down a pistol for each rower, that they might back up the marines at any sign of trouble. Then Eric joined the men at the head of the cutter. Mister Pew did the same on the 'Dog's opposite side, manning the tiller of the jollywatt once every marine was in place and every rower was lightly armed. Added to this was the jollywatt from the Heron and the longboat of the Watch Dog. The jollywatt remained near the cutter while the longboat went to the Maastricht to meet the marines already there.

The Heron's small boat crossed towards the 'Dog and Maastricht and William turned again to Mister Pew. "Assemble your marines, Mister Pew. You may dispose of the prisoners ashore, but keep the senior officers for last. I will go with them ashore at the end." "Aye-aye, Cap'n" "Boatheaders and boat crews to the smallboats!"

On the cul-de-sac Royal Two bells of First Watch The first shore party returned by boat across the cul-de-sac Royal. It was a warm night, and the wind coming from the East carried the sounds of music and the commerce of the night across the bay. This was answered by the bells which came from the Watch Dog, Maastricht and Heron, along with every other boat on the water as the second bell of the watch carried in all directions. The smallboat thumped alongside the 'Dog and the shore party climbed into the frigate's waist. Mister Pew called for his marines at once and William crossed to the opposite rail to send out word to Mister Lasseter. "Success, Captain Lasseter! All's well ashore! Pistols for coin and marines ashore ready to receive prisoners!" There was a short pause as his voice carried to the Heron. Dorian cupped his hands together and called back again. "What orders then, Cap'n?" "Prepare to lower away all the smallboats for the transfer of the captives!"

How very authentic. I'll take two.

Reading...?

I'm going to say 3 is the lie. You would have never named it Fred. 1 - I got into a fist fight with a guy who sexually assualted a friend of mine while I was dressed as the Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse. 2 - I woke up to hear whale song and coyotes at the same time one night while camping on the beach at the Sea of Cortez. 3 - I saved my brother from being killed at a They Might Be Giants concert.