The Watch Dog

[Silkie McDonough]

Miss McDonough’s opportunity to exit had gone with Miss Asbcombe. She sat sipping at the drink she had been served trying to keep calm, wondering if there was anything to be found by Durand. She knew very little about either captain, only that she owed them her life, her home …and her wealth. She trusted both instinctually. She had heard a few tales of the two captains but only in hushed rumor. However, she had no idea what they may have done before her rescue and she knew nothing about the cargo on the Masstrich and Heron or what other legal matters might be involved.

Had Murin not heard the first timid tap on the door she would have likely jumped at the sound of the louder second wrap. “Miss McDonough, the door if you will.” asked Captain Lasseter . Glad for the opportunity to do something, anything, Murin rose and opened the door. As expected Jenny was there with the requested tea. ‘Miss Poole’ entered the already warm and crowded room, placed the tray on the table and began to serve.

Murin turned once again and took a seat in the corner of the stuffy room and wished she had a bit of her granda's pocheen to add to the tea.

[Dorian Lasseter]

On deck of the Lucy

The Boatswain smiled and bit back a laugh at the return comment by the QuarterMaster. They settled and Mister Pew coughed, still not sure if trouble loomed on the horizon. Both scanned the deck of the Lucy and the wharf waiting to see if any soldiers were assembling. Mister Tucker squinted, trying to see into the shadows between the wharehouses and business on the waterfront for hidden men to spring from.

Just after Four Bells of the Forenoon Watch

[Pew]

"Mister Tucker, anything?" I could see him stare into the town's darkened alleys. "I see nothing as of yet."

"Nay Mister Pew. Nothing strange."

"Stay fer a Frenchie wishin' t' see th' ship's ledgers, aye?"

"Aye Mister Pew, aye." Lucky Tuck crossed his arms and squinted again. I hoped for both our sakes his nickname would show it's colors.

[William Brand]

Monsieur Durand continued to look over the ledgers, and had only looked up as Miss Ashcombe was ushered into the room. His one good eye had fallen on her just long enough to acknowledge her arrival with the heavy laden tray and no more, his perusal of the ledger continuing almost unabated. He did stop once to make note of Dorian's 'good hand', complaining aloud that Captain Stoneburrow's penmanship demonstrated a man incapable of much finesse. Dorian agreed, for he had fixed some of Stoneburrow's notations due to the previous Captain's incompetence, and also to correct for goods lost in battle or sold in port.

Jenny began the business of pouring tea, but not before pausing as she did so, uncertain who was to be served first, for it was Dorian's ship, William was the Captain of the Whole Company, Durand was a guest, and Miss McDonough was the only lady at the table. The matter of serving was determined by Dorian who gave her a nod towards Miss McDonough. The next serving went to Durand, who stopped as she served him.

William had been watching Durand the whole time with a growing impatience, not because of the man's purpose, but because he could find no comfortable way to excuse himself to those pressing duties elsewhere. William did not want to abandon Dorian and the others to some intrigue that might be dismissed easier if he were present, so he lingered. Despite his growing fatigue at the stilted conversation and the long silences, he was rewarded for his diligence in watching Durand carfeully for any disagreeable signs, when Miss Ashcombe interrupted him with a cup of tea. The man not only paused, as was polite, he reacted.

One moment he was reading along a page filled to the edges with tallies of rum and bread and the next he was turning to thank Jenny for the tea before him. William couldn't be certain, but he thought that Durand's nostrils flared. The Frenchman looked at Miss Ashcombe with a look of formality mixed with an habitual social grace, but with an added something that William found...telling. He couldn't decide if the smile that crossed Durand's eye, not his mouth, was a look that belied good or bad fortune. It was there one moment and gone the next, for Jenny did not meet Durand's gaze and he turned back to the ledgers before him at once. For the next few minutes William continued to watch the man and was quite certain that Durand was distracted ever after. William also noted that Dorian seemed to feel the change whether he had witnessed the subtle smile or not.

[Dorian Lasseter]

Dorian had noticed a shift in his guests’ demeanor as he was served his tea. Weather it was because he noticed that his ‘Steward’ was a young woman or some other happening had caused this shift, it did not matter. As Miss Ashcombe, or ‘Poole’ served him, Dorian gave her a gentle smile, hoping it would relax her a bit as she still seemed to be tense. Captain Lasseter looked to Captain Brand, who held his cup of tea with the slightest hint of disdain. Dorian knew that William did not care for the brew and only took the cup so nothing seemed amiss. Dorian hid his smile in his cup as he took a sip. He looked about the room and took a step closer to one of the gallery’s window and unlatched it, propping it open to freshen the still air. He made a motion to Miss McDonough to do the same to the window nearest her, which she did easily enough.

[BriarRose Kildare]

As BriarRose neared the docks she felt a sense of jubilation among the men. There were small groups of men celebrating while others continued working. Nearing a group closest to the docks she enquired about finding one of the Captain’s.

“Aye, Miss, they be on the Heron, or now it be the Lucy.”

“May I find some one please to escort me then on to the Lucy?” She sweetly asked the men standing before her. For a moment they all seemed frozen then suddenly they all jumped at once to offer their services to her.

Looking over the men she chose the first man who had spoken to her to escort her on to the Lucy. Handing him several coins he then took her across to the Lucy. BriarRose took a deep breath feeling once again very foolish.

[William Brand]

"This is too much at once." Tucker said, moving to the rail as Miss Kildare came into view at the bottom of the gangplank. Preston joined him there and was not pleased at the sight of Miss Kildare, though his mood had more to do with the quantity of events unfolding, than the quality of the company.

"Miss Kildare." Mister Pew said with the smallest nod as she appeared at the gangplank. Briar thanked the man who had brought her to the Lucy and he left with a simple 'Pleasure!', hat in hand. "What brings you to the Lucifer this fine morning?" he said, with a small smile that had little mirth to it.

[Maeve O'Treasaigh]

The girl, despite her protests and seeming desire to leave, was now resting comfortably, albeit reluctantly, in Pew’s bed. Maeve had thwarted her attempt to rise and leave earlier, insisting, now that she was awake, that she reassess the injuries. Upon re-examination, Maeve discovered that the girl’s ribs were not in fact broken, but there was massive and deep bruising in the area, causing intense discomfort. There was also bruising on her arms and some small contusions on her face. Despite the severe abuse, the girl was going to be fine. For the moment, she slept again thanks to a weak dosing of laudanum and some leftover biscuits. While the girl slept, Maeve brushed out the snarls from the woman’s long, dark hair.

[BriarRose Kildare]

BriarRose looked at Preston’s tight expression. She replied, “Do not fear, sir, I am not here to hound you to death. I am here on the hopes of correcting a misunderstanding to a letter I had sent to Captain Lasseter. If the Captain’s are available I would like to speak with both of them please?” Her cheeks, flushed a rosy pink with embarrassment as Preston looked at her.

[William Brand]

At first, Preston did not allow Briar to board. Durand's presence had caused enough tension in the otherwise pleasant morning. Then it occurred to him that he might learn more of Durand if he could get one of the Captains away from the man, so he invited Miss Kildare to step in at the rails of the Lucy and asked her to remain there. Then he sent Tucker aft to fetch back Captain Lasseter or Brand.

Durand had just finished one ledger and was beginning a second when Christopher Tucker knocked at the ward room door. He was invited in, where he stood with his removed cap. "Beg pardon, Cap'n Lasseter...Cap'n Brand. One of the women that saw to Mister Pew...she's come aboard asking for the Cap'ns."

William and Dorian exchanged a look, and William's face was as perturbed then as it had been over the tea. Durand looked up from the ledger during this punctuated silence, but watched them with only a passing interest. "Your pardon, Sah. Captain." William said, excusing himself from the table. He gathered up his hat and went out of the room with Tucker following behind. Tucker went directly to Preston's side again as William stepped up to Miss Kildare, bowing to her graciously enough though he had no real smile at that moment. "Welcome aboard the Lucy, Miss Kildare. How may I be of service?"

[BriarRose Kildare]

Looking up at Captain Brand, BriarRose dipped a quick curtsey before replying,” I beg your pardon Captain. I did not mean to intrude, it is just that…..” looking down she softly continued, “I wanted to apologize for any misunderstanding my letter may have caused for either you or Captain Lasseter.” Looking back up her warm blue eyes turned a stormy gray as she added, “I truly don’t know where to begin with out sounding absolutely foolish.”

[William Brand]

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Lucy

William said nothing. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter which Briar had addressed to Captain Lasseter. He unfolded it gently, explaining as he did so, that Dorian had given the letter to him upon its arrival. He read it aloud, word for word, before folding it again and replacing it in his pocket.

"Miss Kildare, your request, while unusual, is certainly not confusing. That said, I had thought to speak with you on this matter privately later today, but as you've come now I shall speak plainly. You cannot be unaware that the Watch Dog is a privateer, and that therefore, as her companion, the Her...pardon...the Lucy is also a privateer."

[Pew]

I pulled Mister Tucker closer by the shirtsleeve, "would someone please explain t' me, wha' th' fek 's going on? Why's th' apothecary comin' aboard while th' Frenchie's checkin' th' books? Somat amiss I says."

[Dorian Lasseter]

Tucker half shrugged at Mister Pew.

“I’m just follerin orders… I was left officer a’ th’ deck, unless yer ta relieve me, I take it ya took th’ captain’s offer a’ QuarterMaster… Dunno wot all’s goin on just yet, too much happenin all at once, an I still got ta get th’ crew back ta work, addin’ the new bits ta th’ Lucy.”

He looked at Mister Pew with a hopeful look, hoping he would relieve him of the deck so he might attend to the work at hand.

[BriarRose Kildare]

Chewing on her lower lip, BriarRose looked up at Captain Brand and replied, “I am sorry Captain, I feel very foolish, but if you have time I would like to speak with you at your convenience. I….I” sighing she continued, “I am at a loss of words on where to begin though.” Waiting for his response, BriarRose tugged at the hood of her cloak nervously trying to keep her face concealed as much as possible with out being rude to the Captain.

[William Brand]

"There may be no convenient time for some time, Miss Kildare. We are, even at this time, playing chess with those powers that be, and our situation is uncertain. This is of course, part and parcel to our existence, for I myself have been on the run for some eight years already." William paused, but he was troubled enough with the bothersome details, that explaining the larger picture would have indeed required him to sit down and discuss the matter with Briar over several hours. Meanwhile, the unknown Durand, the mysterious Miss Ashcombe and every other errand that waited for him were passing him by, moment by moment. "I am the Captain of a privateer. I have some one hundred able seamen aboard my ship, and while they are most able in every capacity and capability aboard the Watch Dog, great and small, they are also...many of them...capable of vile crimes against men and women alike. Some of them have committed acts both horrendous and capital. To add to this, nearly half of those aboard the 'Dog and Lucy are just recently come from the Fort Royal Prison, and I cannot say aught of them, but that they were so recently prisoners! I could never vouch for your safety anymore than I could vouch for my own. At least in any absolute way."

William paused, because he could not contain the rising anger in his voice, and knowing that so little of it had to do with Miss Kildare, he forced himself to stop for the moment. Briar was as she was before and kept her own council long enough that William was, by sheer practice of a patience earned over many years, forced to change his tone to one gentle, if not a little artificial.

"Miss Kildare. Your service to Mister Pew not withstanding, please understand that your request comes at a time when I cannot consider it...unless. Unless you make me understand why you must leave this paradise on Earth for destinations unknown in the company of pirates and prisoners while you have adequate lodging, clothing, friendship and the means to enjoy them all. I will not be making another appointment with you and will not hear this request again unless I may be certain that you will explain your need so well as to earn passage by the tale alone. Can you now give me any reason that I should give you an audience again on this matter?"

[Silkie McDonough]

Just Beyond the Wharf

He had been sitting in the darkest corner of the pub for nearly three hours starring at the Lucy docked across the wharf from the open front of the narrow building. Sunlight reflected off the world outside in stark contrast to his immediate surroundings. The stone wall of the building, still cool to the touch, reminded him of his most recent residence. His resolve was finally set. There was no need to continue this foolishness of doubting his initial decision. England was his place of birth not his home. The sea was his home; it had been since he had left his apprenticeship at the age of 16. He had also taken this time to review why he accepted the invitation to freedom by Captain Brand. He recalled his first impression of the man, his words and the respect paid by his crew. Yes he still had misgivings about the events of the past two days but was once again convinced that this life of a free man, free from king and country, the promise of the unknown, was well worth the risks. He had made freedom his choice.

Benjamin Quigley rose deliberately, pulled a coin from his pouch, and as he made eye contact with the server, laid the coin on the table. He walked the straight line to the Lucy without interference and paused but a moment to address the mariner stationed at the base of the gangway before making his way onto the Lucy and to her Bosun. “Mister Tucker” he knuckled his right eyebrow “Quigley reporting for duty sah.”

[Dorian Lasseter]

Just after Six Bells of the Forenoon Watch

Christopher Tucker stood and watched the new man come back aboard the Lucy and report for duty. He did not carry himself in merriment as many of the others had. The Bos’un looked him up and down, thought a moment, then spoke.

“Quigley… head for’ard an’ help out ‘oward n’ Leigh wit work on th guns…”

The man knuckled his brow again and headed toward the men Tucker had pointed out. They were affixing the name plates to the trucks of the guns. He watched the man go then turned to Mister Pew.

“He don’t seem a jolly sort, do he…”

Starboard watch on duty

[BriarRose Kildare]

BriarRose looked intently at Captain Brand. Thoughts ran through her head on what to say. Taking a moment she looked away to consider her words. Sighing and nodding to herself she turned back to the Captain and said, “It is a rarity that I give complete trust, Sir, but I feel that I can give you my trust in what I tell you. Miss O’Treasaigh has been a very good friend and confidant to me. I am staying at the moment at her place because I am in hiding. Prior I had been staying at Saint Louis Cathedral, but left due to a warning from Friar Thomas. You see both my father and the man I am bequeathed to marry are searching for me. I will not fair well if either one finds me and it is my fear that the longer I stay with Miss O’Treasaigh, well, she may come to great harm. In fact I fear that even when I leave she may not be safe.” Swallowing and taking a deep breath to calm herself a bit, BriarRose continued, “You may not understand the severity of my position, but my father is a Baron and he is seeking to marry me to a higher ranking nobleman. I refused and ran because unknown to my father, the man he has given his word to is very cruel and powerful. Please Captain, if I come aboard this ship neither would expect me to find passage upon a privateer. They are very close to finding me and my time is limited. I would rather be thrown to the wolves of your crew than to face the man I am to marry.” Shaking her head a bit she continued in earnest, “I would not expect passage for free. I can give my services as an apothecary. I am a good seamstress as well. And if in a pinch I can make a pretty good stew.” Looking up at him she waited for his response.

[William Brand]

William found it hard to consider much of what she said, for the fact that her father was a Baron had surprised him, and he said as much. He was also surprised to learn that her intended fiance was a man of power. He was quiet for a time and considered several avenues of outcome, all of them bad. Then, he returned to the subject of Durand.

"I have, even now, a man of some seeming power in the ward room aboard this ship who has been instructed to search our ledgers for discrepancies. To what end I know not. It is likely that he will employ any mistake found therein to harass the Lucy and the 'Dog to some unimaginable end, due in part to an equally mysterious occurrence which took place upon the Cul du Sac Royal just yesterday past. Now, you would have me add to the dangers spread before me by taking you on as a passenger, thereby incurring the wrath of your father the baron, who no doubt possesses some power here at Martinique and to whom I may find myse..."

"My father is not at Martinique, Sah." Briar corrected, gently.

This gave William pause. "And just where may he be found, Miss Kildare? Where did you part his company?"

"England, Sah. My fiance is also..."

"England...? Your father is in England? What danger can you be in at Martinique with your father in England?" William looked about the docks and spread a hand in one wide gesture. "This is France..."

[Dorian Lasseter]

The Wardroom of the Lucy

With all the comings and goings in and out of the spaces on the ship, the Pooka let his curiosity get the better of him. He padded his way across the deck and slipped in as one of the men on deck headed to the door, knocked and was let in. he padded about the room and sniffed at this and that, then noticed the smell of the one sitting at the table, hunched over it. There was another new person in the room, but that one had been here over night. The Pooka padded over and sniffed the man for a moment before rubbing his face and half of his body across his leg.

Durand, again distracted from the ledger, cocked his head over and looked at the feline, who sat and looked back at Durand with such intelligence in his eyes. They regarded each other for an instant, Durand gave a short chuckle and returned to the ledger. The Pooka however renewed his interest in the mans’ leg.

[William Brand]

Durand did not pet the Pooka. He extended no hand and he made no overture to the ship's cat apart from the initial smile. He didn't mind such animals and he had never drawn a line in the sand either for or against cats, liking both dogs and cats equally since an early age, though to be honest, he was indifferent to them equally, having never had one that meant any more to him than a tool. Dogs for guards. Cats for rodents.

Still, he was distracted. Miss Poole's company was bothering him considerably, though he wasn't sure that this was in fact her name. He had not recognized her upon arriving, but having slept upon the pillows she had bedded down upon before him, he could not mistake her smell. It was something about the soap she used or the perfume of her clothing. It was also the scent of the woman herself.

'Parfum de chair' he thought with a smile. "Might I have another cup of tea, Miss Poole?"

[Bloody Bill Flint]

And so the crew celebrated the christening of The Lucy. However the shore was beginning to wear on William F. Flint, Marine of the Larboard Watch. Although his leave wasn't to end for several hours he decided to return early to duty out of a restless urge to do else but pour grog down his gullet. He was up the gang plank and spied Mr. Pew and Tucker in conversation. From what he could hear at that distance something was amiss on the ship. He decided to join them and be appraised of the situation and so drew near to the two men.

"Ahoy lads. Keepin' busy?"

[BriarRose Kildare]

BriarRose, turned away from Captain Brand looking out towards the water. Taking a moment to calm herself, BriarRose then turned back looking up at him and said, “I can see I have wasted enough of your time. I did not mean to be thoughtless in that your crew would be in danger from my predicament. As for both my father and betrothed being in England does not matter. I am being hunted down like a fox. They have both set their hounds upon me. I have barely escaped several times now. And I know they are once again getting close.” Sighing, she then continued more softly, “You see, once I am found my punishment will be severe indeed. But it was my choice to run knowing that eventually I would be found. I know you must think me very foolish indeed.” She smiled a bit sadly looking once more out towards the water. Looking up then at the Captain she said, “Thank you, Captain for your time. I will trust in you to keep what I have told you in confidence. Good day and Blessings to you."

[Red Cat Jenny]

Miss Ashcombe having served, took advantage of the distraction in attention caused by the large black and white cat which had appeared from some hidden corner. Monseur Durand had noticed her in a manner most uncomfortable. As she served, just the proximity of the man to her person revulsed her no less than the way she could sense as before, his attention though decorously hidden was drawn to her. As the cat caused a shift in that attention Jenny stepped away. She'd gone no further than a few paces when the despicable sweetness in his voice caused her stomach to knot as he called her back for more tea. Jenny poured quickly this time and placed the tray silently on the side table. She turned and settled on the stern bench grateful for both the distance and the fresh breeze now filling the room from behind her shoulder. She kept her hands folded in her lap. She did not speak nor look up directly but every nerve focused on the conversation. As she dared her eyes would flicker to the table and it's inhabitants, searching the expressions of Murin and the Captain, then back to the floor of the ward room.