Pyrates of the West Coast

[Tudor MercWench Smith]

As soon as the new guns were safely stowed, Tudor found the Captain on deck, to report. "The new armaments are aboard sir. Although the aquiring of them was handled entirely by his aide, the Don sends his regards." She said, to which the captain nodded and thanked her for her assistance. "Do you have any other orders for me, sir? Because if you do not having anything pressing for me to attend to, I was going to ask permission to go into the market while we are in dock. There are some clerical supplies that the Ward room is in sore need of."

[William Brand]

"Thank you, Mister Pew."

As soon as the new guns were safely stowed, Tudor found the Captain on deck, to report. "The new armaments are aboard sir. Although the aquiring of them was handled entirely by his aide, the Don sends his regards." She said, to which the captain nodded and thanked her for her assistance. "Do you have any other orders for me, sir? Because if you do not having anything pressing for  me to attend to, I was going to ask permission to go into the market while we are in dock. There are some clerical supplies that the Ward room is in sore need of."

"Yes, Miss Smith. You have my permission, but take someone with you. I'm not allowing anyone deep ashore without company. Take Hingerty or Woodington. They haven't been shore much this trip."

"Thank you, Sir." She turned to go and he called her back again.

"Miss Smith, take Hingerty and Woodington." he said smiling. "And while you are out, please try and find something suitable to the powder monkeys in the way of hard candy if you can. Something entirely too sweet if you please. I don't know when they'll see the like again.

[Dorian Lasseter]

::Time went fourth, the great guns and other supplies were aboard and mostly put to rights... The finalities could be left to others for the moment. Mr. Lasseter took off his hat and wiped his brow with his neck cloth, replacing his hat, he found his way over to William...::

Aye, William... might there be somat amiss? Leftenent Lamaire seemed a bit wary o' the new lads... Might 'ave a speak wi' us later...

By th' by... I fear I had not heard any news, but are the powers tha' be in great conflict again? Them Lads seem'd edgey... They be Jack Tars, an' we have Frenchies as comrades... among others.... If they's gonna ship out wi' us... they gotta learn new ropes...

::He turned to silent introspection, waiting for the captain to reply to his stream of thought... but before words came fourth, Mr. Lasseter spied The Surgeon and her Steward heading their way...::

AH, he come some o' are fine folk.... I gonna miss havin' Armand about...

[William Brand]

::Time went fourth, the great guns and other supplies were aboard and mostly put to rights... The finalities could be left to others for the moment. Mr. Lasseter took off his hat and wiped his brow with his neck cloth, replacing his hat, he found his way over to William...::

Aye, William... might there be somat amiss? Leftenent Lamaire seemed a bit wary o' the new lads... Might 'ave a speak wi' us later...

By th' by... I fear I had not heard any news, but are the powers tha' be in great conflict again? Them Lads seem'd edgey... They be Jack Tars, an' we have Frenchies as comrades... among others.... If they's gonna ship out wi' us... they gotta learn new ropes...

::He turned to silent introspection, waiting for the captain to reply to his stream of thought... but before words came fourth, Mr. Lasseter spied The Surgeon and her Steward heading their way...::

AH, he come some o' are fine folk.... I gonna miss havin' Armand about...

"The men are survivors. It seems that their ship was sunk by the French and they made their way here by longboat. Whether the greater powers that be are in an official declaration of war, I couldn't say. I take my allies where I can, when I can." William shook his head slowly. "Wars begin with one enemy and end with another, but they have no love for the French, whatever may be the case. We'll set our feet ahead of us one at a time. Mister Pew is going to take stock of their arms and secure them below with the rest. With any luck, they'll soon find too many countries live in this one barrel to argue over who hates who and who hurt who when."

And to the comment on Armand, William only said "Aye".

[Capt. Lazarus Gage]

I hear footsteps behind me and quickly turn to see four men whispering at each other coming from the Fore hatch. An odd expression loomed on each of their faces witch instantly made me wary of the lot. The man in front speaks up, “Cap’n sent us down to fetch food and rum.” I put on a good smile and addressed the man in front, “I see, well, might I know yer names gentlemen?” “Me names Bill Flint, this here’s Tommy Halsey, Nathan Bly, and Jonas McCormick.” The man replies. Well gentlemen, welcome to my galley. I’ll fetch you some rum, boiled beef, and soft tack, if that’s to yer liking. “That’d be fine.” Replies Mr. Flint. As I go about my task I keep a good watch out the corner of my eye at the group of men behind me, still whispering amongst themselves.

[Bloody Bill Flint]

Bill started to follow the others into the galley but paused. He wasn't all that hungry and that gut feeling was still nagging at him, in addition he was developing a headache from Jonas' incessant whining about the escape plan. Of late he'd been getting alot bad portents about the events surrounding his arrival on the island. It seemed rather convenient that the French should have interdicted the Dreadnaught with enough firepower to overwhelm the crew and send her to the bottom, hell it seemed more than happenstance that the French had found them at all. They'd been operating with impunity all over the Carribean wrecking merry hell on all enemy shipping to be found. They'd stuck to their orders and attacked only military targets, merchantmen were best left to the privateers anyways, then the queer order to push south and the French had been waiting it seemed. And Now they were here. More and more Bill suspected a spy. But who? Certainly not Nathan, he'd known Nathan forever as they had grown up in the colonies. Henry was this very second a prisoner of the Spanish, but that could a trick to lure the rest out of hiding in an ill advised rescue attempt. Then again Tommy was the only one who'd known he was jailed. More likely it was Tommy or Jonas. Both had been acting rather peculiar of late. But if they were acting with the French, how and why? Bill rethought his earlier plan. Perhaps it was best to stay on with the Watch Dog and get to the bottom of this, besides Nathan didn't look too well and Bill didn't wish to risk travelling him. For now Bill decided he must keep to himself and watch and listen. He sat down in the galley to think on it over a tankard of grog.

[Tempest Fitzgerald]

Le Requiem~Great Cabin

After the inititial report delivered of progress, Dominique had fallen into a somber state and seemed content to work away at the small wheel of camembert before him. One decamter of vin rouge had been conquered and was quickly replaced by Fournier's valet. Jean-Micheale, ever the master of masking inner thoughts, watched his cousin and let the other have self infliceted solace. Not that the silence was not disturbing in regard to the individual sharing mahogany length; quiet was an unsettling thing in regard to typical nature. The amber sights narrowed slightly in response to thought process, a response that by hapstance was caught by the younger.

"Something on your mind, Jean?"

"One might ask the same of yourself..." Was the reply given with air of nonchalance. The Capitaine reached to crystal decanter and refilled both goblets, though his eyes never left companion. Grasping the goblet's slender stem, Lamaire made small salute before sampling.

"Armand is leaving Chien de Garde for La Desirade..."

"Oui..."

"Oui? You know of this?"

Fournier chuckled, "Of course."

"Begging your pardon, but I have just found out about this and you say that you have knowledge already?Comment?"

"You were absent for sometime earlier...In that time a gentleman came to speak with me. Presented himself as the Capitaine of Voyage Gracieux, the brigantine merchantman moored on the outer boundry of the harbour."

"I am aware of the vessel..."

"Said capitaine requested escort to La Desirade and informed me to the nature of the situation. It is a pity that Comte Laurent has passed, though I am sure Monsieur D'esnambuc shall handle the challenge well enough."

Jean-Micheale paused to sample pungent elixir and a smile of satilsfaction teased to corners of his mouth, "Mademoiselle Bertrand is more suited to Chateau de la Soliel Dore' than shipboard life, in my judgement. It puts my mind at ease knowing that she will be in safer surroundings."

Dominique opened his mouth to speak and quickly closed it, attention skitting to the half devoured camembert. Fournier caught the sly and raised a brow. "You were saying?"

The Lieutenant made quick work of his goblet's content and set it down with a pushing away, he considered what should and should not be said. A hint of impatience played the Capitaine's expression, "Do continue, s'il vous plait."

"Mademoiselle is not accompanying to La Desirade."

"Comment?! Quoi?!...non." Jean-Micheale's palor gained hue and it was evident that normal cool composure was struggling to maintain. Dominique calmly refilled goblet, though his eyes betrayed unease.

"There is more that I had wished not to breech..."

"Please enlighten me." A cold fire had become evident in amber pools.

Lamaire hesitantly relayed what he observed and overheard while away which brought what seemed a drop in the cabin's temperature. Fournier beckoned valet near requesting parchment, quill and inkpot. Obtaining requested objects he began correspondance, nearing the midpoint of scribe, the quill was set aside.

"Did you not make a comment in near past that William was short of crewmembers with recent events?"

"Oui? But I fail to understand how that enters into the equation?"

"Prendre patience, Gaston."

Motioning to valet, the Capitaine spoke quiet instruction that the message was to be delivered unto Capitaine Hollande and that an answer was to be waited for in request of audience. The Lieutenant watched on in bemused manner as Fournier sampled from remaining cheese.

"I will not take steps going back on word of honour given to William...Nor will I take chances in regard to the well being of Mademoiselle Bertrand. Send word for Monsieur Chanault...I wish to speak with him."

[Pew]

::Heading below to find our new crewmates, I pause to compose myself a bit more formal than whenst I first met the gents on the beachhead.

Stepping up to the galley door, I brace it gently and begin, "Lads, I take it ya 'ave met Mr. Gage, the best cook this 'ere side of the pond. We met briefly back on the shore, names Pew." I shoot out my hand for a handshake again with each of Bill's Flint's mates.

"Gents, Master-at-arms is my trade 'ere aboard tha ship. Cap'n runs a taut ship 'ere wit stowin' the personal and ships arms whilest we be underway. Ifin ya 'ave yer pistols, muskets, or what ya brought aboard the Watch Dog 'ere, I be gladly takin care of 'em for ya and loggin' inta the log 'ere." I tap on my breast pocket making reference to the armoury logbook.

"Mr. Gage, ifin ya let 'em finish up their victuals, whouldja be so kind as ta show 'em the way ta the Armoury? Greetings and well met again gents."

[Capt. Lazarus Gage]

“Aye sir, it’d be a pleasure.” I replied. I made a swift glance to the group and back again, giving a wary nod to Mr. Pew as to convey my thoughts about the men. I had no substance for my ill feelings for the group, and it wasn’t all of them mind you either. The man that had spoken up first, Bill Flint, seemed like a fine man, and the one named Nathan seemed to illto cause any trouble, but the other two didn’t act quite rite. Nothing apparent, just a tad off kilter and as anyone can tell you, you can’t take anything for granted at sea. The men had finished eating and their tankards were dry,I approached Mr. Flint as he started to stand. “If you’ll just follow me gentlemen, I’ll lead you to the armory as Mr. Pew suggested.” The walk to the armory was silent and the air heavy, I had a feeling these men didn’t like the idea of giving up their arms. “Time will tell” I think to myself.

[Bloody Bill Flint]

The four men followed Mr. Gage to the armoury in silence. Bill didn't like giving up his arms, especially when he felt danger so near by, but orders were orders and he did seek to make a good impression with the Cap'n and the rest of the crew. His uneasy feeling continued to persist, and now he was certain that either Jonas or Tommy, or both were in league with the enemy. He had played over all the evidence in his mind. Jonas upon hearing Bill's plan had been adamant that they not leave the ship and the French were in the area. Jonas had never been one to whine or question Bill's orders. Then there was the attack by the french. No man had left his station during the attack, yet when he had given the order to go over the side the long boat he found himself in with Tommy and the others was already prepared to leave. Further more how had Tommy known that Henry had been captured? And Bill didn't entirely believe the story regarding Jeffery's death. The disease didn't sound like anything they had encountered so far, he decided to question Tommy and get more detail from him. He would then cross refernce the information with the ships surgeon. Speaking of the surgeon he decided it would probably be wise to take Nathan to the infirmary, the lad looked even paler than he had an hour ago.

[Tudor MercWench Smith]

The market just past the docks was swarming with activity as Tudor, followed closely by Hingerty and Woodington, wound her way through the booths of merchants. The market was a wash of colour, sound and smells, silk merchant's wares fluttering in the breeze like flags. The pot-maker's booth echoed of clanging metal. She quickly pushed past the throngs of people, into the small mercantile store hidden behind the sea of humanity.

With quick alacrity, she made the purchase of several sheafs of parchment, a bundle of new quills and several pots of ink to last the ship until their next supply stop as well as a good sized sack of rock candy for the powder monkeys to fight over, leaving Hingerty and Woodington to peruse the merchandise at their own lesuire.

Feeling the need for fresh air, she stepped outside the door, always watching through the window as to not loose sight of her crew mates.

She watched the crowd surge, enjoying watching the busyness of life in a port town.

Then she felt the slightest of tugs on where her coin pouch was attached to her belt. A tug that wouldn't have been noticed, if you were blithering drunk. With quick reflexes, Tudor's hand whipped around and grabbed the narrow wrist that was digging in her money, before the wrist's owner had a chance to run like hell, and pulled the slight form around to face her. "You're not a very good pickpocket, y'know."

[Pew]

::Bill Flint's lads made their way to the armoury. Mr. Flint was very accomodating and even helped the gent he called "Nathan" remove the scabbard and cutlass and small brace of pistols he had round his shoulder. Still damp from sea water, I could see the salt drying upon the handles.

"Bad stretch o'luck you lads 'ave of late?" I chuckle to make conversation, but find it merely silencing the conversation that the two men behind Mr. Flint and Nathan were having between themselves. Mr. Flint seemed deep in thought and was more concerned with his mate who could barely stand.

"Might wanna be takin Nathan 'ere ta see tha Surgeon. Starboad side 'cross from the galley Mr. Flint."

Bill Flint takes Nathan's arm over his shoulder and turns him to go find the sick bay. The next two gents begrudgingly remove their swords and side arms.

"Problem gents?" I ask suspiciously?

The gentlemen look at each other and peer around the armoury, then turn and leave abruptly.

[CaptainCiaran]

(After helpin' his mates up above on deck, Ciaran decides to grab a bite of grub from the galley. Walkin' alone down the corridor, though, he is suddenly pushed aside and knocked to the floor by two men he does not recognize.)

Blimey! Watch where yer goin'! (he shouts, as they disappear out o'sight)

[Tempest Fitzgerald]

The dispatch had been received and replied to in good time, which in turn dictated the current movement of trio from fregate to frigate. As they neared, Fournier scanned nearing weather decks for her commanding officer and sighting individual of want, called forth with friendly voicing.

Lamaire glanced to the younger man that made them three, and as was expected, saw nothing in the expression worn. Raphael-Etienne Chanault was a quiet creature by nature and though only one and twenty years of age, he had seen enough of the world's offerings to be careful of easy verbose or facial tic.

[Capt. Lazarus Gage]

Back in the galley Ciaran walks in the door cursing under his breath. I quickly offer him a tankard full of grog and some conversation, “Ah Ciaran, problems? How about a drink, or bite to eat? I’ve still got some boiled beef and soft tack.”

[CaptainCiaran]

Arr, gramercy Mister Gage. Aye, a bit of soft tack will do fine.

(rubbin' his head) I was jes knocked down by two of the men I saw briefly up on deck earlier. They were in a big hurry, runnin' they were an didn't bother to stop when they collided with me.

Who are these new hands?

[Bloody Bill Flint]

Bill heard the conversation drifting from the port side galley and left Nathan to await the surgeon.

"Believe I kin be answerin' that fer ya matey"

"They be two o' mine, we was sunk by the French and an woun' up on the island. Cap'n Brand seen fit te have us aboard. Please accept me humble apologies fer ther lack o' manners. I'll be havin' words wit 'em"

[Capt. Lazarus Gage]

My interest was now sparked, “Ahh, I believe the two men you are referring to are Jonas McCormick and Tommy Halsey, interesting lads aren’t they? They came on board with two other men, Bill Flint and Nathan Bly. Tell me Ciaran, did something seem odd about those two men who knocked you down, or is it just in me head?”.

[Capt. Lazarus Gage]

The voice of Bill Flint boomed from behind me and cut short my thought. I turned towards the voice, not missing a beat, “Mr. Flint, we were just talkin’ bout ya sir. How’s that lad Nathan twas with ya earlier, he seemed a bit pail.”

[William Brand]

William invited all aboard. They made their way through a small sea of onlooking faces. Most of the crew was accustomed to seeing Fournier of late. Some nodded. Some didn't. And some still seemed not to know whether they should nod or not. The well buffed uniforms implied the very power they held in their epaulets, but no man aboard the Watch Dog considered this alone when acting as they did. And since many were hard at work they kept to their labors.

Fournier seemed not to mind either way. He carried his power outwardly like a mountain. Strength in silence. He was not diminished by any lack of respect shown or unshown.

Still, William greeted them with a wide smile. He met them at the rail with the familiarity that had become common between him and the two officers. He was introduced at once to Raphael-Etienne Chanault, but beyond his name, nothing else was offered, and William asked for no more, content to usher them to the ward room.

They encountered Bill Flint conversing across the companionway to Lazarus Gage and Ciaran, but the conversation paused as they passed.

[Tempest Fitzgerald]

They followed William's lead to more secure surround, passing a small gathering of hands. Jean-Micheale was well aware of their pressence but kept aloof expression, Lamaire paused in forward progress to guage one of the grouping momentarily then continued on; Chanault slyed sidelong glance but nothing more.

Upon entering the Ward, Fournier removed crowning glory, and smiled warmly to William.

"I apologize if we are causing any inconvinience at such abrupt request. There are matters of which I felt should not be delayed with both of our current scheduels."

The Capitaine laid three scrolls down on the long table's surfface.

"I believe you are in need of these, ami"

[CaptainCiaran]

(Ciaran watched as the Captain and company walked past the galley. After their footsteps were no longer heard, he turned back to Lazarus and Mister Flint)

Mister Flint, it is. I am Ciaran, one of the lookouts here aboard the Watch Dog. Yer apology is accepted. No harm were done by yer comrades, but there be little need of runnin' down here, unless there was an emergency.

(finishes the food and drink)

Mister Gage, gramercy, that was jes what I needed.

Good day gentlemen.

[Dorian Lasseter]

::The QuarterMaster followed the group of officers and guests into the wardroom, he stood to the right of Willaim with his hands clasped behind his back watching the proceedings... He tried to keep the look of concern from his face at some of the thing implied by Capitaine Fournier, but some expression leaked through... He smiled as the charts were laid upon the table, glad to finally have good charts of the soon to be scouted land of recent posession...::

[William Brand]

"I apologize if we are causing any inconvinience at such abrupt request. There are matters of which I felt should not be delayed with both of our current scheduels."

The Capitaine laid three scrolls down on the long table's surfface.

"I believe you are in need of these, ami"

William smiled at the charts, more grateful of them than many of the provisions coming aboard. He might have sacrificed some of the fresh water stores in exchange for good charts, then dismissed this thought at once as he mind crossed over memories of the Danzig Trader.

"There is no need to apologize, Capitaine. It is all apart of the days work, and what work must be done is still being accomplished. I should think we wil be underway very soon...once all of animals are brought on board two by two."

[Tempest Fitzgerald]

Jean-Micheale was amused by William's play of words and laughed in response.

"We shall be departing soon, as well. It appears that escort service is needed to La Desirade and we shall accommodate."

The Frenchman paused momentarily before persueing other matters.

"William, I wish to offer you further aid as it seems you appear to be short handed of crew."