William Brand

Captain Brand nodded, returning his regard to Lady Ilex. He was quiet a moment in thought before he stood and went out of the lastage with the Quartermaster. "I will require those men already ashore for another task before they come aboard again. Have Mister Gage bring some small sup for them and prepare enough for yourself as well. I need you ashore for one final foray. The Lady Ilex will shortly divulge the whereabouts of her small fortune and I shall send you with a small company to fetch it back."

William watched Lady Ilex eat as carefully as a tired child. She was working at a piece of chicken with both hands close to her mouth. She made no eye contact, but he could tell how very aware she was of him peripherally. Time in the dark had made her something she had only thought she was before. An animal. William filled the dipper from the bucket a second time and held it out to her at arms length. It was a very long time before she took it from him. She had just begun to drink when Mister Lasseter entered their quiet circle. "Mister Lasseter." William said as quietly as he could. "What news?"

William watched the funeral procession depart into the gloom of the lamp lit docks as he made his way to the quarterdeck. He was there only a moment before he called Mister Pew aft. "You have the deck, Mister Pew. I shall return presently." "Aye, Cap'n." William made his way forward gathering Nicholas Johnson and Lazarus Gage to him as he went. They went down the fore companionway and then forward into the lastage which served as a cable tier. Here they found the Lady Ilex who was as far from the definition of lady by this time that she could barely be called human at all. Her eyes were sunken in a skin that needed sunlight and air soon. William called for a dipper and water and helped her drink, though much of her efforts were little more than a splutter. He let her settle again after a protracted fit of coughing before he began. "Come morning, we are departing La Margarita to places unknown. Ere we go, you will tell me where your small fortune is secreted. Once my men have recovered it you will be shown to a place of recovery here in port. You may choose your own course from there, for I will have no more hold over you. This arrangement is beneficial to us both and I expect to never see you again. Am I understood?" What was left of her answered with a nod and a croak. "Excellent." William replied, all good nature gone from his tone. Still, he sent for food from the galley at once to resurrect her enough that she might explain where his men should be sent.

shrimp bisque scallops Creme Brulee

William's concern was further exacerbated by mention of his note, but in the face of the Quartermaster's long explanation he found it impossible to be angry with him. After all, what was done was done and even William had voiced his contempt aloud. "That will do, Mister Lasseter. " he said as he bent down to turn over the fallen adversary. He studied what was left of the man's features a moment in thought, before turning out his pockets. He found a little coin. A very, very little coin. He took it at once and standing again before Chanault, he paid him in kind. "Monsieur." "Mister Gaultier is leaving, Mister Lasseter." William said, nudging the fallen Frenchman. "Please see him to the gangplank."

William heard the Quartermaster and then watched the casual exchange between Chanault and Mister Lasseter before speaking. "Might I take my ease in my cabin...? My ease, Mister Lasseter? There may not be a man or woman ashore that did not hear that report and this unfortunate fool's reach might outlive his short life. One may be sure that ease may be hard to come by if we treat not the next few hours of the night with care." William said this all with a tone that was less than pleasant and a visage that spoke of deep thoughts and even deeper calculations.

William removed his hat very slowly. He had been just about to give himself into the custody of the spy, certain that the Don would have him hung by his toenails once ashore, when Chanault ended the man's short stay and life aboard the Watch Dog, leaving him altogether uncertain how to feel about the present situation. He had imagined that Gaultier's demise would be most satisfying, but it had only punctuated a very uncertain future.

Welcome aboard, Freebird.

First Watch, Between third and fourth bell - Aboard the Watch Dog William watched the Quartermaster escort the spy and marines down into the berth decks. The Captain went immediately to Mister Pew, inviting him by a gesture to the bulwark rail. "Mister Pew, please pass the word by discretion that discretion should be used in regards to the marines. They are, many of them, handpicked men of Fournier's keeping. Let no harm come to them, save only to protect another crew member. The true threat is the interloper, and he is shadowed by Fournier's man in the event of any trouble."

I know. Still, it went a long way to destoying the overall atmosphere.

I had a dream that I was at a pirate festival and every booth was havng a sale on beautiful period items. The place was crawling with people who had played minor roles in pirate movies. All in all a pretty good dream apart from losing all the wonderful purchases when I woke up.

William's expression darkened ever so slowly as his eyes fell directly on Gaultier for the first time since departing Le Requiem. His eyes were as unblinking as his tone. "Please escort our guests throughout the ship, Mister Lasseter. I'm sure their prudence and precaution is not intended as an accusation." William said with no real conviction, for Gaultier looked like a fox set loose in the proverbial hen house. "Be sure to fold back the Ward Room table that they might examine the gunnage and compartments aft and see that they have access to the bilge. I am certain Monsieur will find it to his liking."

Normally I might recommend wine, but a fresh grape juice does very well with this fare.

William looked surprised. It wasn't an artificial expression and it crossed his face as candidly as any other. William had prepared himself to believe that they were still aboard whether they were or not. It was all a part of the practiced art of belief amidst the lie that allowed him to seem genuinely surprised. William might have been an actor had fate not steered him to other stages. "What...?" was all he managed, and as if to counterpoint his disbelief he took three short strides to the heavy door that separated the surgery and the gun deck, putting his face to the window at once. "Dammit, man!" Mister Lasseter looked between the armed men and the Captain and he too looked a little surprised. "Beg parden, Cap'n, but a great many men 'ave left the ship today. Tito and Firethorn drew pay and took what dunnage they..." William waved a hand impatiently, cutting Mister Lasseter off mid sentence. William looked more perplexed than angry. "Nevermind, Mister Lasseter. There is far too much that went unexplained today for there to be any fault."

First Watch, Third Bell - Aboard the Watch Dog 'Angels and ministers of grace defend us.' William thought to himself as they crossed beyond the bulwark rail, all too aware of Ciaran overhead. The man was aloft so often that William had almost suggested to him in jest that his hammock be affixed at the mizzen topmast stay. As he thought this, Mister Lasseter joined them at the waist and Captain Brand was all business at once. "Mister Lasseter, these men are here under the charge of France and Mister Gaultier to collect prisoners." William made no effort whatsoever to address Gaultier as 'Monsieur' nor did he gesture to the man while speaking of him. "They are here to take custody of those English sailors that came aboard earlier. Please fetch Mister Flint from the fo'c'sle and other gentlemen from the surgery if you please."

Tapenade with toasted bread and sides of garlic potatoes and coleslaw.

I would remove the overly loud dance music that drifts in over the fort walls all of the time.

William walked slowly to the Watch Dog. He was tired from too many overlong days. Each had blended into the next over the last week and he sometimes felt as though he were sleepwalking. Each day he had arisen exhausted, promising himself that he would recover lost sleep during the next watch, only to lose it again. He wished he had a pillow even now, but not to sleep. He felt like smothering Gaultier.

"Convenience?" William said disdainfully. 'You don't know the meaning of the word.' he thought. Then, he rose from his seat and bowing his head a little toward Capitaine Fournier he said, "Capitaine Fournier, now that the situation at hand has been...properly...explained to me, we will depart your comfortable grace and the leisure of your generous table and see to the tasks at hand.

That reminds me of a party we had for Leif Erikson Day years back. Everything was cooked viking style in straight honey or mead. The house smelled very good indeed.

Mmmmm...St. Patrick foood.

William made no effort whatever to hide the ice at the edge of his voice. He was not about to offer any false charm when addressing Monsieur Gaultier, and for good reason. First, he disdained the man, though much of his former anger was gone with his words. And Second, he was certain that any false or apologetic tone in his words would be seen to easily by the man anyway. Therefore, he simply laid out the invitation with honest disregard, caring not at all if the man disliked his tone. Apart from this, William smiled genuinely to himself, as the doctor, obviously uncomfortable at the over-quiet table, was attempting to cut a piece of meat too carefully in the silence. The knife squealed angrily on the china.

Oh Brother Where Art Thou. And if they told you wolverines would make good house pets, would you believe them?

breath.

The Flag is turning out very nicely.