William Brand

SIREN'S BIRTHDAY! ALL HANDS ON DECK! Let's get some barrels up here! You there! Look lively!!!

Me. (sniff)

William awoke so many times during the night he had stopped counting. He had broken out in a sweat and he was fast becoming too uncomfortable to sleep, though he felt exhausted. He lay in his bunk pondering all the many ways that they might play this out. He considered the many ports where they might deliver the Dutch crew and the others where they might profit from the sale of their new gotten goods. He listed the pros and cons of every island from here to the mainland in his head and began to eliminate each of them for various reasons. It was quiet aboard the Watch Dog. Not absolutely still, but quiet. Some time during the night, the hammer and mallet of the Master Carpenter and Blacksmith had ceased their hammering, though this was no indication that their work was finished. Now, mallets and hammers could be heard reawakening to work on the Danzig Trader. Though he thought that sleep was beyond his reach, William drifted off again to the sound of wood and iron on wood and iron.

Once everything was set into motion, William advised Mister Lasseter, Mister Youngblood and Mister Badger, to begin rotations of sleep for the tired crew of the Watch Dog. Then, following his own orders, he retired to the ward room. Hours passed in this fashion, with cargo coming off the Danzig and supplies going back. The Samson's crew was traded out often to keep fresh rowers at work. The exchange went on for hours and all the while, Mister Lasseter kept the quarterdeck. After a time, the sounds of mallet and hammer of Mister Hawks and Miss Rummy could be heard traveling across the water as they set about in the dark to secure a damaged foremast. As night progressed, lanterns were taken aloft in the single mast and the Danzig seemed less crippled to those who watched the progress of the work. Almost a full half of the Danzig Trader's crew came and went from the Watch Dog to be fed and to make use of the pumps for cleaning. Some were quiet, passing their time aboard in silence. Others, despite the language barrier, claps hands and laughed tiredly to be clean once again. One Dutch sailor was found asleep at his half finished bowl of food. It was a strange night and a good night. Even so, as William had suspected, he had pushed himself too far too fast and he spent the long night in great discomfort.

Mate, if you're just getting our hopes up... Now you have to be there. Tease.

William pours a glass of his finest. To the Logan City Police Department! I should explain. Earlier today my four month old son and I were on our way to the university to pick up my wife, I was struck by an SUV running a red light. I pulled over and stopped my car. The damage was minor, and I was grateful that neither Liam or I was hurt. The woman who struck us pulled over immediately and I phoned the police department on my cell phone. The woman looked at me while I was calling and she remained there while I was on the phone. I turned to check on Liam for the second time, but when I turned back, she was gone. Hit and run. A man walked up to me with his bike and informed me that he was nearly struck by the same driver. In fact, if he hadn't braked, he would have been run down. He had a partial license plate and the make and model of the car. The police arrived, took our information, and five hours later they showed up at my door with her insurance information. I asked them what happened. Evidently, the 60 year old woman left due to a "bathroom emergency". The officer didn't elaborate and I didn't ask him to. If they hadn't found her I'd be shelling out money to fix my car since I only have liability, not collision. The Moral of the Story: Always be sure to go before you leave on a drive.

"Mister Hawks, it isn't that I mind the informality, but I would prefer that you not call me "Red" while we are among the Dutch."

"Mister Warren shall see you over with the Samson. As for the rest, you'll have to make due with what you find there. I know it isn't ideal, but they'll need you and the Master Carpenter if they're going to make the foremast bear the weight of that ship. I shall be sending you over once the Carpenter and Bosun of the Danzig Trader have both had a chane to clean themselves up. Mister Visser has a good grasp of the English language, so together you and Rummy may communicate with them."

William stood near the wheel, leaning again like a scarecrow, but with a smile on his face and bright eyes. He surveyed the broken Danzig Trader. She could be salvaged and probably would be, but it was such a waste to see her withered away and to know so much of it could have been prevented. Still, they would reap well the rewards of assistance and all were safe aboard. He turned back to the gun deck. "My fine crew, may I say how pleased I am at you conduct these many hours. You each played your part in this very well. You demonstrated cool heads and even hands. You've staved off sleep, thirst and impatience and we shall be well rewarded for it. As a crew you were flawless, but let me take this time to thank many of you individually. William seeks out Ciaran, only to realize with a smile, that the good lookout is still aloft. "Ciaran! Good eyes, dear fellow. We would not be here were it not for your good eyes. The tide may have carried that wrecked ship even further to sea if not for you. Come down, man! You've been aloft too long! Some laughter comes up from the gun deck at this and more so when Ciaran stretches weary legs before climbing down. William sends up replacements for both he and Swan. William tips his hat to them as they reach the deck. "Master Gunner! A fine crew. A very fine passel of powder monkeys, indeed. My compliments sir. Steady nerves and even steadier shots. That mast felling was a thing of beauty. I shall very much like to see such shooting the next time we are engaged with a more dangerous target. And Mister Warren? William looks about but doesn't see him. Diego points to the larboard rail. "Ahhh." William says and makes his way to larboard. "Good sailing, sir. I've never heard a more silent departure. Or rather, since I didn't hear it, I've never heard one yet. Fine work. Please be prepared to cast off with supplies from the Watch Dog presently." William turns to face the crew again. "The Captain of the Danzig, in his wisdom, has put out all of the fires aboard his ship with his fresh water stores." William waits while this bit of news spreads about the crew. There are many wide eyes and head shakings. William just nods. "We have been offered a trade of well priced goods in exchange for spare sailcloth and line. I need fresh water stores loaded immediately aboard the Samson for departure to the Danzig Trader. Make haste, and be at hand to send and receive goods. Send someone below and see what sailcloth can be prepared for trade. Rummy! Hawks! Your services will be called on aboard the Danzig before the end of day. Please report to the quarterdeck with your tools! That is all! Thank you, one and all. Let us be to our duties."

A cry came from the upper decks then, followed by commotion. William excused himself with instructions for Miss Smith to see that these men were offered a chance to wash up and rest. William retired to the gun deck. He arrived to find men and women offloading cargo from the Danzig's cutter. Barrels, bags and boxes were coming up from the cutter and filling the space normally reserved for the barge. Diego placed himself smartly in front of the Captain. "Why, my good Monsignor, you have a high regard and optimism for the outcome of my negotiations, to have brought me the cutter before knowing the outcome." William smiled a satisfied smile. "Please assemble the crew here if you will. Our Mister Lasseter is indisposed at present. William made his way to the quarterdeck as the crew assembled.

Mister Lasseter escorted Captain Scully from the ward room. They had made an enemy that day, but William was never more glad of it. He turned to Miss Smith who was still brandishing her flintlocks. With a smile and a gesture from William, she lowered them. She had a face on that he had never seen her wear before. It was surprising on such a young face, and in this new light, he was even more glad that he had made her his steward. William turned to Visser then. "Gentlemen. I don't know how long you've had to suffer under that intolerable ass, but I assure you, you will have better treatment from us. I will send my men to bring your cargo aboard, so that might remove it quickly and refill the boats with provisions. I will have my doctor sent over. Given the misunderstanding with your Captain, I hope you'll understand if I send my people under guard." Visser nodded. He didn't look frightened or alarmed in any way. He simply looked worn. Eynbrecht seemed to press him for a translation, and when Visser explained what was to happen, Eynbrecht nodded and began to speak in rapid succession. William waited while Visser attempted to keep up. "He wants to know if we might trade some of the cargo for any spare sail you might have and the use of some tools and line." William smiled broader than he had at any time since Ciaran had sighted smoke on the horizon. "My thoughts exactly."

Before William could answer there was the unmistakable click of a flintlock hammer being cocked back. Then a second one. Miss Smith had drawn and pointed her pistols at almost the same time that Mister Lasseter had drawn. The plate she held moments before was rolling across the room, where it settled in the corner. Visser, who had long since stopped translating was half way out of seat, but settling into it again. Eynbrecht's eyes were large and the man was visibly sweating. It made dark rivulets as it carried soot into his clothing. William removed the pistol from Captain Scully's hand. Scully's face was ugly in its anger. William didn't care. "Mister Lasseter, please take this dock handler to the hold and see that he has fresh water and a basin in which to clean himself."

"Sit down, Captain." William waited for the quiet dueling of contempt between Mister Lasseter and Captain Scully to play out. Captain Scully returned to his seat only when Mister Lasseter began to smile. Few men knew what to do with that smile. It could be unnerving. "My crew has traveled all night to be here. My people are tired. I am tired. Mister Lasseter, here, is tired. But more importantly, I can imagine that your men are tired. I should like to see to their needs, sir." William paused. "I am relieving you of duty." Captain Scully blanched as though he had been struck across the face in the presence of his men. "I beg your pardon." was all he managed. "You are relieved of duty. You will surrender yourself to a place of my choosing until this matter is resolved." William's voice was quiet, but direct, he only raised it when Captain Scully began to rise from his seat. "SIT DOWN!" Surprisingly enough, he did, but he also began to protest. "The ship belongs to me and cannot be..." "SHIP!?" William shouted. "That...thing...off of my larboard bow? That floating wreckage soon to become a graveyard by your incompetence? You, sir, are relieved." "You do not have the right! You have no flag. What nation do you serve that you would dare to relieve me?" William quieted a little at this and smiled a little as he did so. He gestured around the room. "This, sir, is my nation. When I am Captain of a ship, that ship is my nation. Your burned and bruised ship is resting in the waters of my nation. You are now under our flag, our law and the shadow of our mercy. More mercy I think than you would get from your own if they should learn of your mistakes."

Captain Scully was quiet for a time. Mister Lasseter was hovering near him with a plate, focusing on it with an attention to his food William had never noted before. William started to smile and stopped, though he was at great odds to keep from smiling when Mister Lasseter stepped between Captain Skully and the table to help himself to a second portion. Still, he pressed forward with questions. "How many wounded do you have?" When the Captain didn't answer, Visser spoke up."We have 27 injured." William was surprised by this. He had seen at least that many moving about the decks of the Danzig. "That must be the greater number of your crew." Visser didn't say anything for a moment, but before William could continue he added. "We have over eighty men aboard." William was uncertain he had heard the number correctly at first. The idea that over 80 men could travel on such a ship was beyond reason. He thought it might be a matter of language, so he pressed the Carpenter. "A slave ship?" Visser shook his head. "Eighty men and more? Over four score?" Visser nodded. William came back with questions in a flood. "Do you have sufficient supplies for that number? Can you comfortably maintain so great a host on a ship of that size? Eighty men! Do you even have enough water? Visser looked embarrassed. "Not anymore. The...fire..." William couldn't say anything for a time. He exchanged looks with Dorian. They both stared at one another. The idea of 80 men with no water on the open sea was horrific. William looked directly at Captain Scully. "You used the fresh water stores to put out fires aboard the Danzig? Are you mad?" "How dare yo..." Captain Scully began. "How dare I...? Visser looked uncomfortable. Eynbrecht confused. "The cargo was at risk and everything we sailed for could have been lost." Captain Scully stated in a matter-of-fact tone that showed just how little he understood about his own foolishness. William explained as carefully as he could, what Captain Scully should have understood on his own. "You have no sails. You have but the one mast and no rigging. You used your fresh water stores on a fire as easily dealt with by sea water!" William's voice was rising. He couldn't help it. The man was as incompetent as any Captain he had ever met. "You filled your boats with so much cargo that you left little room for rowers! Rowers who could never row such a load, let alone without water! You cannot pull your ship with rowers, having filled the boats!" William couldn't finish. He had altogether forgotten the injury in his chest.

William Kidd. But it would have to include the kangaroo court trial they put him through. Poor bastard. They hanged him twice. The first time the rope broke.

Um...can I get you anything else?

"Gentlemen. My Steward, Miss Smith." Visser and Eynbrecht were already standing, having done so when Tudor entered the room. They each offered a small returning gesture, Eynbrecht bowing slightly, Visser nodding. "Miss Smith." "You have a woman as steward." Captain Scully stated. It wasn't a question. It was a critique. An open disdain. "Not just a woman, but the only woman whom I would have as my steward." William returned. He was angry now, but it was still just below the surface. William poured a glass for his Steward and passed it to her. "Please, Miss Smith. Do join us." William gestured to the bench along the wall and waited for her to be seated before returning to the matter at hand. He began again, even as he passed small plates of food to his guests, beginning with Miss Smith, then Visser, Eynbrecht, Mister Lasseter and finally Captain Scully. "How many men do you have aboard that ship? Do you have injured? Do you need a doctor?"

As William entered the ward room two of the three officers stood from their chairs. Captain Scully remained conspicuously seated. William strode to his place behind the table and remained standing, as his chair was still on the quarterdeck. William didn't mind, he wanted the added height as he spoke. He poured the officers a second round, taking none for himself. He sent for the Quartermaster and waited for him to arrive before speaking. When Mister Lasseter arrived, he bid him come over by the table. Now there were two of them standing over the seated officers. It gave William an added strength as he launched into his proposals. "Before we launch into the matters at hand, I think that you should know that my grasp of Dutch is very small." The Captain smiled a condescending smile. "I speak English very well." "I'm sure that you do, but far be it from me to exclude anyone in this room." William returned. He tried to keep ice from forming in his tone, but the man was goading him. "I can translate for the Bosun." the Carpenter offered. "Thank you...Mister...?" "Visser." the Carpenter finished. "And this is Mister Eynbrecht." William smiled at them both. Visser was young, and despite his appearance, very polite. Eynbrecht was a stoat man with a very ruddy complexion, but he had a shy smile and he did William the courtesy of facing him while he spoke, even though Mister Visser was translating for him. "I have several proposals for transporting and assisting your crew, but first, I should like to know the compliment and disposition of your crew. How many are there? How many are wounded or in need of rest or sust...?" "What about our cargo?" Captain Scully said, cutting in and diverting the conversation into material matters.

"Permission granted, Mister Lasseter." William stood up then with more ease than the steward would have given him credit for. He turned to her at once with instructions. "Please go to the cook and ask her to make up some refreshment for these officers and have it brought to my cabin." William walked to the rail and descended the steps to the gun deck. He did this without the aid of anyone else or the newly fashioned crutch. He knew he would pay a price for this exertion later, but he felt that he had to show strength and confidence as he welcomed these officers aboard. He used the pain in his chest and shoulder to steady himself. It was like a tight anchor holding him in place. When the first officer gained the weather deck, William removed his hat in a slow, sweep of respect, extending his hand. "Gentlemen. Welcome aboard the Watch Dog." The burned officer's eyes were a glaze of fatigue and disregard. The man seemed removed, almost aloof. He was nearly a full head taller than William, dark from dust and soot, but proud. He bore himself in a self possesed way that William found unpleasant almost at once. the man did not extend his hand. "I am Captain Scully." the man said, looking around the gundeck in a way that seemed to dismiss William altogether. When William said nothing the man looked back at William quite suddenly. His face seemed strangely surprised and he repeated himself. "Captain...Scully..." he said slowly, as if to emphasize a point not received. "Welcome aboard, Captain." The man straightened even more, and for reasons unknown, he seemed irritated. "I am Captain Scully." he repeated a third time. William nodded, unsure why the man thought he should repeat himself so often. He couldn't recall having ever heard of a 'Captain Scully'. Even if he had, he wouldn't have fawned over any man that would have allowed a junior officer to give permission for his ship to be fired upon by an unknown and foreign vessel. "Have you not heard of me?" Captain Scully asked impatiently. William waited for a long time before speaking. The man was on his ship less than two minutes, and already he was flaunting a false power that William found tiresome. "Indeed Captain Scully. I've heard of you three times now." William said flatly. There was a cough then from a member of the gunnery crew. It might have been a laugh. Captain Scully didn't smile. Neither did William. There was a long silence as the other officers came aboard. all at once, William smiled and extended his hand to the other officers. He was introduced to the ship's Bosun and her Carpenter. The junior officer that had first conversed with them was not among the officers present. "Gentlemen, let us retire below to discuss the needs of your ship and crew."

I feel like some pasta with mushrooms and shaved almonds.

Not too long after the Monsignor left the Samson, the barge crew was able to hear his return. There were many voices above them on the weather decks. Only Dutch at first, but this turned to some English with the return of the Monsignor. Mister Warren and the others could tell that some of the conversation was heated, the Monsignor's voice being the only gentle and reassuring voice in the lot. Shortly after this, several Dutch officers of the Danzig were assisted over the side and into the waiting barge. Tucker was surprised and he shot a questioning glance towards Mister Warren who returned only a practiced face of calm. It was Mister Warren's 'Steady On, Lads' expression. The barge crew made room for the officer's, careful to not place any of them near the hidden arms stowed in the Samson. The officers of the Danzig were quiet, but they did exchange a limited amount of comments in their native tongue. If they noticed the bundled muskets stowed beneath the seats of the Samson, they showed no sign of it. The leader of this bedraggled group was bearing an angry burn across his left jaw and neck. He was missing some hair here, but seemed to pay the sting no mind. All of them were dirty and covered in patches of soot and even some blood. The barge pushed off and was soon rowing gently back towards the Watch Dog.

Miss Smith seemed at once relieved and alarmingly abscent. She had a worried expression, but didn't seem to be looking at either Tempest or the Master -at-Arms. "Thank you." was all she managed before turning away and returning to the quarterdeck. The Captain was looking a little pale at the effort of being upright for so long. His face was calm, but each time he moved and each time he talked she could make out the pain he wasn't completely hiding. For all she knew, he might be bleeding underneath that jacket he was wearing to hide the bulk of his bandages. Still, she understood why he had to be here. It was plain to see that a captain, even a wounded one, has a way of steadying a situation fraught with tension, but she was more concerned with the tension that might wear him down before the day was over. She brought him a dipper from the bucket by the wheel. He looked up from his thoughts and smiled a smile that was both grateful and reassuring, but also mortal. "Thank you, Miss Smith."

The second time Jack began yelling from below, William turned to his steward. "Miss Smith, will you please go down to the ward and tell Jack or the Doctor to keep a silent surgery. I cannot have a man screaming from the lower decks while I negotiate the passage of an unguessed number of Dutch sailors. I would hate to shoot the Master-at-Arms, but he cannot be yelling while we have so much hanging in the balance." . . . Tempest came over to Jack and threatened to restrain and gag him him if he didn't stop this nonsense of working himself into a fit. The Captain's Steward arrived then and was armed with more weapons than was common for her. She walked over to Jack and said, "I am instructed by the Captain to ask you to keep silent. There are...many important deceptions playing out over your head. Miss Smith paused before brandishing a pistol. She held it in an unpracticed way and she turned to leave twice before she continued to speak. "I believe the Captain meant for me to threaten you as well, but I am not very good at threats. He did say something about shooting you if you won't keep quiet. I cannot be sure if he was exaggerating, so please don't make me come back here." Tempest almost said something. Then she almost laughed, but the steward's face was so serious, that she chose to say nothing.

The Monsignor was gone below decks for some time. It was difficult not to worry, now that the barge and her crew were in the line of cannon fire if anything should go wrong over the next hour. Still, William couldn't imagine the Danzig crew taking hostages while the Watch Dog was just off her starboard bow. The recent demonstration of prowess from the gunnery crew had been impressive. Not one, but several hits at a narrow target was enough to make anyone think twice about a double cross.

Despite a strong will and a determination to remain standing, William is eventually forced to take to the chair on the quarterdeck. He settles into it as carefully as he can and a fine sweat breaks out on his forehead. "I can't tell you how glad I am that our first prize is as crippled as I am, Mister Lasseter." William watches the Samson's progress across the water with the Monsignor sitting near the bow presenting the personification of piety and peace. William wonders how many weapons lie underneath that plain cloth.