Reality Fault - Starfall: Logs for 21November99

Saucy Mare
A lateen-rigged sloop, the Mare has a large triangular sail on the mainmast (slightly forward of the center) and standard square sails on the after mast. She is a sleek vessel, maneuverable and fast, although she has little cargo space.

The crew has broken up into small groups, discussing the Captain's comments. Ariel heads back to her bunk, looking grimly determined.

Carroll Waynewright St. Genevieve stands before you, dressed in a fine burgundy suit of some soft material. Beneath his paisley vest is a surprisingly white long sleeved shirt, which lets white ruffles, tipped with lace, spill from his collar and sleeves. Thin gold chains trail around one wrist loosely, while his short sword rides easily at his hip; difficult to say if it's mostly ornamental or not. His full, white-tipped tail seems to match the frilled sleeves. He smiles pleasantly at you, and nods graciously.

Alex watches the crew disperse into chatting clumps... then gets a thoughtful look and patters over to where Carroll, Jared, and Dimitri are, "Guys? I had a thought... there's a couple of things we need to do still, yes? We don't want the crew worrying, and we want them to continue feeling like a crew... we want it to be easy for Dimitri to keep an eye on our um... less-than-savory crew members... so... I thought now might be a good time for us to take inventory of the stuff we have in the hold. After all... we're in no rush, they can talk to each other while working... and I bet they'd be interested in what we have too." She smiles, "They have a stake in our cargo too now, after all."

An attractive young girl with proud carriage, her joie du vivre is apparent in her usual cheerful enthusiasm. Despite the pretty lace-trimmed silk shirt she's dressed in a decidedly non-feminine style, with snug bottle-green breeches, well-worn black riding boots, and long leather fencing gloves (finely embroidered with the house crest, of course) tucked casually into her leather belt. Most startling of all is the plain and practical military epee at her hip, which has a decidedly well-used look to it. If she's stared at, she tends to get a challenging glint in her large green eyes, and a defiant flick to her luxurious white-tipped, scarlet brush.

Jared nods. "Aye, ma'am. We don't really know what's in the rest of those boxes, do we?"

Alex nods to Jared, then looks to Carroll, "Does that seem reasonable, Captain?"

Carroll nods, "That makes sense to me. It'll also keep 'em occupied until later."

Looking up from where he sits again haunting the quarterdeck stairs, Dimitri nods. "Keep them busy, that it makes it easier for them to say yes, being treated like a crew. The ones who don't want to be here, well, they'll be the first to slack off." Carroll smiles, and nods.

Midnight. Coal black he is, with fur as rich as a starless nighttime sky. Brown eyes flash, above his sharply chiseled muzzle, quiet and sure, like a sea whose currents run deep. From one tall ear sparkles three rings of gold, as plain as any crest, campaign rings of Blackpool's Marines. A heavy cloak itself wraps about his rugged frame, tumbling to but a hand above the ground, its tall collar curled protectively atop his sturdy shoulders. The color of dusk wraps about the darkling fox, all the shades of gray falling in severe loose folds, as if carven from weatherstained quarry rock. Midnight black is his accent, the color of his tall polished boots into which his stone tinted breeches are precisely tucked. A black belt, tight, with silver fittings bright, complements his dashing tunic, that too the color of a fell evening fog. Beneath the tunic hides the only splash of color, where a pristine shirt of white hides, and mayhaps the hint of fine ruffles. Each movement is simple and professional, betraying a trained discipline. From beneath a long and rich tail occasionally sneaks, just as dark, touched hither and yon with a highlight of deep crimson. In one hand he carries a long and narrow package, wrapped in black leather and trimmed with pale gray fur. As long as he is tall it is, deadly steel scabbarded and held safe at bay.

Alex beams, "Okay! In that case, bosun, could you please organize the crew to start bringing boxes up? I'll get some paper for making a proper invoice, and when Horatio wakes up he can help write stuff down... and Dimitri will do whatever he needs to do to keep an eye on folks."

Carroll murrs, "Make sure people feel like they can discuss things, though. That's part of the point of a delay."

Alex grins at Carroll, "'Course!" She patters off for writing utensils, and is ready in a few moments. She'll keep a careful eye on what comes out of what boxes, so she can give an accurate invoice to the captain when they're done. Jared salutes and heads down to the main deck. A moment later he's bellowing at the sailors to form work details to start bringing crates up on deck.

Carroll murrs to Dimitri, "Make sure that Shifty fellow gets put away nicely, please? He'll be going ashore tonight, but until then we need no more trouble."

Ducking his muzzle, Dimitri slowly works his way forward. "I'll check on him. One more day behind a locked door won't hurt him none."

It becomes increasingly apparent as the day goes on that the cargo does not match the shipping manifest. When all of the 150 crates have been opened, the final tally stands at:

25 crates of clothing: 100 tunics, 100 pairs of trousers, 200 pairs of socks, 50 pairs of boots, 200 sets of underwear, 100 peacoats, 50 oilskin coats.
30 crates of foodstuffs: Dried biscuits, dried fruit, jerky and salt fish, flour, sugar, salt, and coffee.
25 crates of arrows.
10 crates of weapons: 50 swords, 25 bows, 25 light crossbows, 50 daggers.
10 crates of metal stock and fittings: iron, brass, copper and tin ingots, nails, hinges, pulleys, more arrowheads, bolts.
10 crates tools: axe heads, hammers, a half-dozen saws, chisels, chain links.
25 crates of wood stock and chandlery items: cordage, tar and oakum, boards, dowels, and miscellaneous carved items.
5 crates miscellaneous goods: Candles, lanterns, flasks of oil, soap, plates, cooking gear.
5 crates of sailcloth
1 crate contains a triple-pulley block and tackle
1 crate contains navigational instruments and charts
1 crate contains what appear to be spell components.
1 crate contains bottles of wine.
1 crate contains bottles of whiskey.

When the weapon crates are opened, Dimitri's ears perk. He abandons his watch post to move across the deck, inspecting the lot. This is the last thing I would have thought they'd be gifting us... Carroll moves among the crew, looking in boxes, inspecting things, helping to prise lids off of crates, and generally being approachable for any questions. The items begin to surprise him too. Dimitri looks to Carroll, one ear up, one ear flat. "If I didn't know better I might think we have a friend somewhere that we don't know about."

Carroll nods and murrs to his brother, "And a new enemy. These items were promised to the ship we fled, remember? Useful for them. And, as it works out, for us. Perhaps Pravinchandra's second mistake."

Alex has an absent-minded habit of humming happily to herself on occasion, or softly singing along with the crew if they're singing sea shanties... she looks rather fascinated by the time the inventory is done. She presents the invoice cheerfully to Carroll, "There you go! The Pravin couldn't have given us a better cargo to start over with if he'd tried, I think." Thoughtfully she adds, "I wonder if he did? if he thought we'd just go off and become pirates, or settle elsewhere... but didn't realize we're not like him -- that we'll only be attacking his ships?"

Jared comes back from supervising the work crews putting the crates back in the hold. "That's the lot, then. I've taken the liberty of stashing those two crates of liquor in your cabin, Cap'n. Don't need the crew getting into them, eh?" Alex laughs!

Carroll nods and looks over the list contemplatively. He smiles and reads quickly. He blinks a couple of times, then tells Jared, "Make sure Horatio gets this crate of charts and tools, and that those spell components are put someplace safe-ish. Those are valuable."

Alex says, "Should we put the navigational stuffs, the spell components, and the block and tackle in Horatio's um... office-room-thingie?"

Carroll nods, "That will work well. There might not be much room for Horatio there until we land again, but ah well."

Dimitri looks to Alex and smiles. "The navigation instruments, yes, the block and tackle, well, not unless we want him sleeping in the hall."

Alex says, "It's okay, he's supposed to sleep in a berth as it is... maybe if there's less room he'll quit falling asleep on his maps?"

Jared smiles. "I would think we could keep the block and tackle in the bosun's locker. Don't need to clutter up his workspace with that, or with the tools."

Alex grins, "That works. Okay... so, now what, captain?"

Carroll adds, "While it's valuable, Alex, it's also heavy. I doubt it'll go anywhere." He looks to Jared, and asks, "So, have you any gut feeling for the crew's reaction to our decision?"

Jared looks more serious. "If you want my opinion, sir, I'd say you hit the nail on the head. I'd bet gold to grass that this was supposed to be a subsidy for that pirate that was chasing us." The muskrat nods. "I'd say most of 'em will join us after seeing this. It's pretty obvious that we were being set up." Alex looks pleased.

Carroll murrs to Jared, "It's some of what Shifty said, and that part seemed plausible enough to be true."

Alex glances at Carroll, "So... next step is to leave the um... unwanteds here and head on out, back towards Starfall, to move crew families to our estate?"

Carroll considers Jared's words and nods, asking, "Still have the same ones to add to the list of those who stay, or would today's work change that list?" He holds up a paw to his sister, murring, "A moment."

Jared thinks about this. "A few more are likely to stay on now, I think. Ariel will, for example, and a few of the others with families who were wavering. You'd better do your best to get their families out, though."

Alex nods gravely. "We promised we would, bosun. We keep our promises."

Carroll nods, "That will be our highest priority first off. Once that's settled, we'll be able to work on our other tasks." He asks his navigator, "Horatio? How far are we from Larris? That's the closest town from here, correct? How many days walk are these sailors from town?"

Horatio's ears perk, and he looks up from the chart table briefly, then nods and dives back onto the map, tracing it out with a finger... He blinks, grimacing, and pads over to Carroll with the map. "It could be bad, Carr- er, Captain, I mean! It's not far as the er, bat flies, but there's a mountain range in the way. About a hundred, hundred and a quarter kilometers, over the mountains. Say, ten days. Oh, I didn't know that peak was called 'Widowsfall'..."

Well, he stands a bit shy of five and a half feet tall, and has some noble features about him. That seems to be where nobility left him and had done with him, though. A pair of bright pale blue eyes peer out, and sometimes squint, at the world around him from behind a pair of spectacles. He also walks a little awkwardly, though you notice his drooping tail is held motionless behind him, as if he was concerned he would turn his back and accidentally swipe an experiment in his workshop. He wears a tabard and cloak in the colors of the St. Genevieve family, as well as somewhat rough (and slightly singed) clothing fitting for a nobleman's (younger) son. A sword-belt is cinched around his waist as well, with a scabbard in the hanger, though he seems to carry the shortsword with not a great deal of dexterity. However it is with somewhat more grace that he carries a well-worn satchel, its strap crossed over his chest like a bandolier. You get the impression that he has a lot more little items tucked away in the folds and pockets of his tabard, cloak, clothing, and boots.

Alex winces slightly at the mountain's name. Carroll hmms. "Is it a manageable hike? It's not winter, so the mountains should be navigable, and they can follow the coast and not get lost. And, ten days is good for us. Give them some sailcloth or something to make tents from and supplies from stores and the 'cargo' and they ought to be fine, right?"

Horatio looks up from the map, glancing between his siblings. "We could go around the coastline as well. That would take two weeks but we wouldn't have to climb mountains..."

Carroll smiles and murrs, "They, Horatio. And that's better yet. They won't get lost, should have an easy walk, and that gives us two weeks head start." Alex nods, staring at the maps with a faintly relieved expression.

Horatio blinks, and nods, "Ah. True. Uhm... I think they'd be able to find enough supplies along the coastline, if need be."

Carroll nods. "We'll supply them; we have the larder, and it's our responsibility. That's no problem," to Horatio. He looks at his sister and murrs, "To answer your question, I have to ask Horatio something else." He looks back to Horatio asking, "Does it take significantly longer to sail north around Lancer then straight west to Starfall Bay, rather than back across the open ocean?"

Alex gives Carroll a faintly puzzled look, but doesn't interrupt. Horatio says, "It would add about a day. We'll also be sailing into the prevailing winds, and they're a little strong this time of year."

Carroll explains for the others, "I was thinking, once we drop crew off, until they reach a city we're not known to be anything other than traders. After that, and some delay for the word to spread, we may be listed as pirates. That gap is our best bet to collect families and do any preparation."

Nodding, Dimitri adds to Carroll's commentary. "Not our best chance, our only chance."

Carroll continues, "We also have a known-unfriendly ship probably searching the open ocean for us, unless they're smart and went back to the straits to lurk there. Going around this island does two things; it brings us in from an unexpected direction, and it lets us make a quick stop in Larris or Falkirk if we think it useful, to find crew or marines or equipment. So on one hand a wasted day is a problem. On the other, it may avoid an unpleasant meeting."

Horatio nods slowly. "But uhm, Captain... The crew we pick up in Falkirk won't know right away we're... er... supralegal. I think they'd really be much less inclined to follow us on what we're doing." Alex nods worriedly to Horatio.

Carroll looks to Dimitri, asking, "You're our tactician, Dimitri. Do you have any input on what's the better choice?"

Alex says, "Um... but if the pirates know where we're supposedly headed... well, if I were them, and I'd temporarily lost my target, I'd go lurk in the area they're expected to head for -- the ocean between Falkirk and Alburtis... right, captain?"

Carroll hmms, "Good point, Alex."

Alex adds a little diffidently, "Um... it was just a thought...?"

Carroll looks at the map and murrs, "Maybe back across is the best idea." He looks at Dimitri, questioningly.

Horatio says, "Maybe we can round Isthyr? No, that'll probably add three or four days, more if we hit bad weather."

Alex says, "Um... well, I was thinking that it's important that we get these folks' families safe as soon as we can, right? So... why not just straight-line it towards Jarrow -- Horatio's good, he could keep us on track -- then cruise up the coastline carefully, 'til we can take the eastern opening of the bay and sneak down to our island estate? We can send someone to Starfall to organize things, so we can load up quickly, right? They won't expect us to take the more difficult route, after all... they'll be expecting us to be heading towards Alburtis still?"

Carroll hmms, "All right then, back the way we came. I hope we don't have any trouble going through the straits."

Horatio blinks, and stands a bit straighter at Alex's praise. Alex smiles at Horatio -- she believes what she said quite sincerely -- then nods at Carroll's words, looking relieved, "Okay. How long till we can leave the folks we don't want, and set sail from here?"

Dimitri takes a breath. "Straight back, as fast as possible. If we are going there, we are going to be needing as much time as we can get. Remember, families are not the most fleet of foot. Especially, well, if some of them are like Lady Ariel's... a sick mother if I remember right?"

Alex nods to Dimitri. "And children. Nanna always said it's tough to move children."

Horatio says, "We'll be heading into the prevailing winds. We'll be tacking a lot, and that'll make our maneuvering more difficult if we get into combat, as opposed to if we had the wind abaft our beam."

Alex says, "If we go into combat we can turn and run with the wind, right Horatio?"

Horatio says, "Well... yes, we could, we'd be expected to, in fact..."

Alex grins, "And as far as tacking, you've made us the best set of sail for that in the entire St. Genevieve fleet, right? Probably better than anyone's fleet?"

Carroll nods and murrs, "Straight back, then, to collect as many as we can. We'll have a bit to think about how to do that. Sailing this in to the harbor might be a mistake." He grins.

Horatio taps his chin, frowning. "It would also take some time off our journey... though... thank you, Alex, I think we're faster and more maneuverable than any equivalent ship in Starfall. That might help us. Unless they try to come at us with two ships..."

Alex beams with fond pride at her next-oldest brother, "Silly... you aren't taking your own accomplishments into account. You should!"

Carroll murrs, "We also have to hope no one has family out here, and find that out before we get too far out. I hope the bulk of it is in Starfall."

Alex nods to Carroll, "Good point." She looks inquiringly at Jared, "D'you know?"

Jared shrugs. "Even if they did, it would take the news a while to get back, unless someone was willing to pay for a mage-relay."

Carroll murrs, "We have two weeks until that can happen. After that... Pravinchandra might. Are we ready, then?"

Jared pauses again, running through the crew in his mind. "I think there's about a half-dozen crewfurrs who will need to pull their families out. Maybe twenty furs to move, about half of 'em kids."

Alex says, "And are they all in Starfall?"

Jared nods. "If they're not, there's no problem."

Horatio shakes his head quietly and worriedly. "They're good modifications, Alex, but... I don't know, we can very well rely on them, but the Saucy Mare's never been in battle..."

Standing, Dimitri walks to the rail. He looks out across the water for a long, long moment, then turns about. "Carroll's right. And that means there's only one safe way to do this."

Carroll asks, "What are you thinking, brother?"

Alex murmurs in an aside to Horatio, "Is there some way to do a shakedown cruise... as if we were in combat, but not really?"

Horatio blinks to Alex and nods, "We can do hard tacking drills, practicing bringing wearing and staying, seeing how much the sails luff when we bring the bow across the wind...

Alex murmurs softly to Horatio, "Excellent. We can ask Carroll for permission later then, how's that? -so we know what we have to work with."

Horatio bobs his head excitedly. "That would be good!"

Slowly Dimitri walks back to the others. He sets the scabbarded point of his sword on the deck, both paws about the ricasso, leaning upon it. "This ship goes into Starfall Bay during the day and she isn't getting out. It leaves us one choice. At night, set two of us ashore at Andalin or Jarrow. They take fast horses to Starfall, gather the folks... and then meet the ship here, at midnight. We retreat to our island for the day, and hopefully sneak back out of the bay the next night."

Alex grins affectionately at Horatio, then turns her attention to Dimitri. Horatio blinks to Dimitri. "You mean, take out a few at a time?

Carroll hmms, "Not a bad plan. Could we do something more straightforward? Could we rent transport to this island?"

Alex nods slowly, "Jarrow would be my choice... since it would have to be Dimitri 'n me. I'm the best rider, and I'm the only one that can drive a team, if necessary."

Carroll murrs, "Send people in on horseback, have them gather people and simply hire a boat to the island? We do have business and people there. As long as the ship isn't instantly visible, they shouldn't expect us to be there, should they?"

Alex says, "No, have the Mare sail in at night, Captain... we'll be ready with the families to load quickly. Then sail to Ettore and tuck the Mare away into Ettore's bay, so the crew can help set things up for their families and be secure that they're safe. Then, when Ettore's all set up, sail out at night." She turns to Dimitri, "Is that what you meant?"

Dimitri nods, "Exactly."

Carroll shakes his head and murrs, "Why take the ship there at all?"

Alex grins at Carroll, "Well, our options are either use the Mare to get the families to Ettore... or getting someone else to do it. The latter option will cost us money, and we're not exactly rolling in it just now, captain."

Carroll murrs, "True, but it's better than being dead."

Horatio says, "Are there any boats we can use at the estate? Even rowboats or small sloops?"

Alex says, "On the other hand, if we hire someone to row the families from Starfall Harbor to a ship at anchor outside the harbor... which would be the Mare -- and then sail to Ettore... that would be feasible, I think?"

Carroll murrs to Horatio's question, "Rowboats, and a fishing boat." He nods, "Could we take them by wagon a little out of the city, and board them to the Mare there?"

Looking to Carroll, Dimitri nods, "That's actually what I was thinking."

Alex says, "Um... that might be difficult, guys? Wagons don't get to the coastline easily?"

Carroll hrms. "We can discuss this under sail. We should get moving, don't you think?"

Alex says, "But... hey, how about this? What if the Mare stopped at Ettore first, got all the boats there, then went to anchor outside Starfall Harbor, and the boats rowed in? Dimitri and I could have the families waiting, and the crew would certainly be willing to row them to safety, I'd think... and once everyone's loaded, then just sail to Ettore?"

Horatio nods, "We'll have a few days to discuss this as we go to Starfall..."

Carroll grins, murring, "We could 'borrow' a Pravinchandra boat."

The sun is approaching the horizon. Jared stands up. "Shall I call the crew together to find out who's decided to come with us?"

Horatio blinks to Carroll. "How...?"

Carroll nods to Jared, "Yes, please do. We can move forward and discuss under sail." Alex grins at Carroll.

Dimitri softly growls, "Horatio, can you get a small boat from Ettore to Starfall?"

Horatio nods, "That should be no problem, Dimitri. Trouble is, with both moons in the sky it wouldn't be easy to hide."

Dimitri nods, looking back. "Then it's easier. Hide the Mare in Ettore. Take a set of small boats into Starfall Harbor. When we bring the families out we borrow a sloop to go back. Hopefully, well, very quietly. That way the Mare never gets close to the harbor herself."

Horatio says, "If we time it just right, though, it can be done. But we'd need to be there in one week on the dot."

Carroll murrs, "I'd be more comfortable with the Mare at Ettore." He asks Horatio, "So can we? We're fast and repaired, correct?"

Dimitri looks back, quiet. "That's where we find out just how good we are, brother."

Alex says with sturdy confidence, "We're more than good enough. We're House St. Genevieve. We'll do fine."

Carroll murrs, "We can worry about details underway. A distraction might be handy. Fire at the other end of the harbor, for instance."

The darkling fox just blinks, and can't help but laugh. "You really do want to burn down that warehouse, don't you?" Carroll just looks at Dimitri, and grins.

Alex grins mischievously, "Gosh, wouldn't it be a shame if it were a Pravin warehouse?"

Horatio nods to Carroll. "Yes. Yes, we can."

Horatio blinks, and fidgets a little. "Er... uh-oh... I, ah, take it you'll want..."

Alex grins, "Gotta finish your sentence if you want an answer, Horatio!"

Carroll looks at Horatio, and asks, "Want what?"

Horatio gulps, and sighs. "Well... I guess all that work at making things catch fire at the Academy will come in handy after all..." Alex laughs delightedly at Horatio, tossing her head back!

Carroll laughs, and murrs, "You don't know how much, my brother." He smiles and turns to see what's going on with the crew.

Alex says, "Hey, captain, Horatio and I have a favor to ask? He says we can check the seaworthiness of our rigging, like if we were in combat, with some specific maneuvers... can we do that too, on our way home? Sort of a shakedown cruise? And... we thought it might be better to discover any problems before combat, y'know?"

Carroll looks back and asks Horatio, "Do we have time?" Alex glances at Horatio too.

Horatio says, "Time? Time to get... ah, get in to set fire to the warehouse before things start happening?"

Alex giggles, "No, silly, for the shakedown cruise!"

Horatio ohs! "Uhm, it'll be close, really close.

Throwing his long blade over his shoulder, Dimitri looks to Carroll. "We have a plan. We have a ship, and we can check its sail when we are sailing. We still don't know if we have a crew."

Alex eyes Horatio, then Carroll with a mischievous glint in her eye, and murmurs in an aside to Dimitri, "You know... suddenly a lot of my questions about particular accidents that happened at home years ago... are being answered!" She grins and patters along with Dimitri to see how the crew's decided.

Carroll nods and murrs, "True. Let's see how accurate our bosun's feelings were." He smirks at his sister and turns away to address the crew, tail swinging jauntily behind him. Alex giggles at Carroll's tail!

Dimitri nods to Alex. "Though I haven't figured out why I always got the blame..."

Alex grins and patpats Dimitri's arm, "You didn't always... I managed to dump the blame on Horatio a couple of times. If I'd known it was Carroll behind it all..." she laughs softly, then adds with a grin, "I'd have tried harder to dump it on him!"

Carroll calls back to his brother, "Because I always got to Father before you did."

Horatio blinks at Alex. "Errr... merp?"

Alex checks to make sure no crew are looking... then sticks her tongue out at Carroll behind his back! Shrugging, Dimitri continues after Carroll. "Perhaps. Then again, I doubt you could have handled Father's beatings as well..."

Alex grins, covering her mouth, the tips of her reddened ears tilting back slightly, then says to Horatio with an apologetic grin, "Faked evidence... it was originally in Dimitri's stuff. I moved it -- thought you'd put it there, so put it in your stuff."

Horatio blinks at Alex. "Ah... we are really- going to have to talk about this later," he whispers to her.

Alex glances up at Dimitri, her expression sobering slightly... then looks back at Horatio, "Yeah, I think so." Horatio blinks, looking back at Dimitri.

Alex says, "Well... it's all past. Let's move forward... as a family." She takes a breath, straightening and walking with calm assurance next to Dimitri, "Let's see what we have for crew."

The crewfurrs are standing around in groups on the main deck. Jared and Skeee are circulating. Shifty, still in chains, is talking to a couple of furs. Ariel is sitting a few feet away, watching -- apparently she's been detailed as his guard.

Walking to the back of the deck, Dimitri stops and turns, a protective step behind Ariel. Alex moves up to the quarterdeck, so she can stand at the captain's right. She keeps a wary eye on Dimitri... or more specifically, who's behind him. Horatio pads quietly over to the fo'c's'l, to listen to Carroll from essentially the back of the crew. He probably won't be as good in a fight as Dimitri if something happens, but maybe if something starts he can see it coming better from here. Alex keeps a wary eye out for both brothers on the main deck then. Carroll looks down at the crew, also from the quarterdeck, not talking yet, trying to guess who's coming and going. He watches Jared and Skeee for signals.

Jared confers with Skeee, then walks over and talks briefly to Ariel. He then comes up to the quarterdeck and reports, "Looks like nearly everyone is with us, sir. There's four, including Shifty, that we probably don't want to take even if they volunteer -- ol' Shifty's been telling his friends we're doomed. Are you going to give a speech, ask for volunteers, or what?"

Alex whispers to Carroll for a second. Carroll murrs back to his sister. Alex nods to Carroll, then goes back to parade rest and watches the main deck quietly. Carroll murrs, "Asking for volunteers, after a short speech about how dangerous it may be and that we'll be leaving some crew to lower numbers to a more sustainable level seems best." He waves to Jared to signal for the crew to stand to attention. The crew quiets down and waits.

Carroll calls down to the crew, "Everyone, you all know what the plan is, and you've had some time to think about it." He walks slowly back and forth across the rail, trying to look each crewmember in the eye as he continues, calling clearly, "We have chosen a dangerous path, not to run away and try to escape, but to charge in to the heart of the fire, where we can do the most good. We may be fools." Shifty can be seen nodding vigorously, his chains rattling a bit. Carroll stops pacing and says, "Now is your chance to say no. If you choose to leave, you do so with no hard feelings, and no lingering worry of what will happen tomorrow. We will make sure you have provisions and equipment to make what should be an easy, if long walk to Larris, where you can find new posts and resume your careers."

Alex watches the crew, Shifty, and her brothers with silent attentiveness. Horatio murmurs deep under his breath to nobody, "If Pravinchandra lets them..." He looks around, blinking, to see if anyone heard him. Skeee gives Horatio a stern look, but no one else noticed... Horatio blinks at Skeee, and looks sheepish.

Carroll calls, "If you choose to stay we shall do our best to take care of you and your families, and to break Pravinchandra's stranglehold here. I can't promise success. I can't even promise survival! All I can say is that we will have tried to do something." Alex nods quietly to herself.

Walking along the railing again, Carroll murrs, "We do want to lower the crew's numbers a little, and to eliminate some people who we have several in that capacity. Even if you do choose to stay on we may ask you to remain behind for purely practical reasons. I wish this were not so, but it appears to be the best course." He finishes, "Will any crew member who wishes to remain with us, to stand against this tyrant merchant, please come forwards now?" Alex smiles and steps forward, returning to Carroll's right.

The crew steps forward almost unanimously, except for the small group around Shifty. Jared nudges Ariel forward with the rest, staying at the guard post himself. Skeee makes a swoop past the quarterdeck and in a bit of acrobatics almost impossible to track, grabs a spar with her foot and swings around to perch on it in an upright crouch. "Hear, hear, Captain Carroll! Down with the fat merchants!"

Alex laughs at Skeee's yell and echoes, "Hear, hear!" Horatio grins softly. It's great when a plan starts falling into place. The crew joins in! A rousing cheer follows, even Jared joining in. Alex beams proudly at Carroll as the crew cheers.

Dimitri looks to Jared and nods, "Make your choice, bosun. Carroll knows where I stand, already. I'll watch these."

Carroll smiles and looks down at the crew, somewhat embarrassed but obviously pleased. He waits for the cheers to lower, and calls out, "I cannot thank you all enough! Together, we shall strive to free trade again!"

Alex murmurs to Carroll, still looking pleased, "So, captain, may I get folks moving to start preparations to leave?"

Carroll nods to Alex, "There's several details to cope with." He looks at her and says, "I'll give you a hard one. Get Dimitri and go make sure all the ones on the short list are staying as well. Send them to the passengers if they're not there already."

Jared taps two other furs besides the group around Shifty to stay behind. "Sorry, lads, but it's better if you don't come along." He approaches a gray-haired old squirrel, but the oldster interrupts, "I know what ye're goin' ta say, bos'n, but I'm stayin'. I may not be good in a fight, but you know durn well you've not got a better topman, and I've had enough of taking crap from the likes of that fat mongoose."

Jared pauses. "You're sure?"

The squirrel nods. "Durn tootin' I'm sure. Now get on with the rest of it."

Carroll murrs to his sister, "Jared may have beaten me to it, though."

Alex watches Jared for a moment, then grins at Carroll, "That's not so hard... looks like Jared's got it well in hand already... and that's what I would have done anyways. Sheesh... who else would I turn to but Dimitri 'n Jared for that?"

Carroll smiles, "Correct answer," to his sister.

Alex turns so the crew can't see her face, then makes a teasing mock-ooOOOooooh! face at Carroll for a second -- then grins and nods, "Yessir." Horatio pads down off of the foc's'le and back to the quarterdeck... Alex says, "I've got one question though, captain... we've got a LOT of good sturdy clothing... should we check and make sure our crew's all adequately supplied too?"

Jared shrugs and leaves the squirrel alone. He comes back up to the quarterdeck. "Those six. Looks like the rest of 'em are staying."

Carroll murrs, "Once we're underway," to Alex. To Jared he murrs, "Did you have any trouble?"

Dimitri haunts behind the bosun, and quietly escorts the little group off the ship. He holds on to the manacle keys, however. That will wait till just before they depart.

Alex nods, "Excellent, thank you, bosun. Could you please make sure that adequate rations and equipment are left on shore for those six, please?" She looks up, sees Dimitri already escorting folks, and doesn't interrupt him.

Carroll murrs, "Supply them and put them ashore, yes. Tell them to follow the coast, not to get lost, and to take their time. Give them a few extra rations. Then we set sail."

Alex grins at Jared, "Let's see if we can be out of here within an hour, bosun? We've got a shakedown cruise to run, and families to take care of!" She looks up for Horatio, "Hey, Horatio! You gotta moment, please?"

Carroll comments, "I thought we were in a hurry?" but doesn't contradict his sister. Crew experience on this slightly odd ship is important, and he knows it.

Alex turns to Carroll, "We want Horatio to set us on course for Jarrow, right? And he needs to set up the maneuvers we should do, so the crew's real familiar with the rigging... huh? We are in a hurry... what'd I miss?" Horatio nods and pads over quickly to Alex and Jared.

Carroll murrs, "Straight back to Starfall."

Waiting until the six have disembarked from the little ship's boat, Dimitri pushes back off, heading to the Saucy Mare. Perhaps ten feet from shore he turns, and then tosses the keys to Shifty's manacles back to the beach.

The group on shore looks both sullen and relieved. The two volunteers that Jared turned down glare at Dimitri but don't push the issue.

Alex murmurs in a quiet aside to Carroll, "Um... I was under the impression that we wanted to drop two people off at Jarrow, then send the ship into Starfall Bay, for Ettore?"

Carroll murrs, "I thought we decided it would be smarter to land straight on Ettore, and then work from there. We can send crew in from rowboats or the fishing boat, or on horseback if we have to."

Alex rolls her eyes, then murmurs to Carroll in an aside, "Okay, can we worry about the plan later, and just set course for Jarrow now, since it's closest?"

Carroll murrs, "It's the wrong way, though. Too far south. We won't know for an hour or so where we're going anyway.

Horatio arrives by Alex, Carroll, and Jared. Alex says, "Heya, Horatio. Can you set us a course for Andalin Island, please? And figure out where and when to hold the shakedown cruise maneuvers, please?" She whispers quietly to Carroll, "Please, captain, can we argue about this later?"

Carroll nods, to Alex, "Definitely."

Alex looks relieved, "Thank you," then turns to Horatio and Jared, "Okay... let's get moving, as soon as Dimitri's back on board.

Horatio nods, "Certainly. Probably about three days from now."

Carroll nods, "Let's set sail towards Andalin, the north half. We'll know a more definite destination soon."

Horatio nods, "Aye, aye, Captain!" and hops to charting the course.

Alex says, "Okay. Captain, Horatio, Jared, can we plan a meeting in the captain's quarters after we're at sea and moving? I'll tell Dimitri... and then we can decide what the best course of attack is, yes?"

Carroll tells Alex, "We have to know -- now -- if there's any crew's families that need to picked up from Larris or Falkirk."

Alex says, "We already know, Carr- captain. Jared says no."

Climbing over the rail, Dimitri returns to the ship. "Passengers away, Captain."

Carroll ahs, and murrs, "I apparently lost a detail." He sighs, "Homewards, then."

Alex says, "So... shall I tell Dimitri captain's quarters in about an hour, sir?"

Carroll murrs, "Please."

Alex nods, turning, "Bosun, you too please? I'll go tell Horatio and Dimitri."

Jared nods. "One hour, ma'am. I'll be there."

Alex says, "Thank you, bosun." She patters off to inform them of the meeting in about an hour.

An hour later the officers gather in the captain's cabin. Jared starts off by reporting on the ship's status. Horatio clutches a couple of charts in his hands, listening. Carroll is sitting tiredly, legs crossed and boots off, on the narrow bunk, back to the wall. Alex curls up neatly out of the way on the window seat in the captain's quarters, watching folks come in and settle. She brightens and pats the seat next to her in questioning invitation when Dimitri comes in. Dimitri slowly walks in and settles in next to Alex, leaning his sword up against the wall. Alex beams happily and leans companionably against Dimitri, listening intently to Jared.

"The repairs look excellent, and we've got Skeee flying watch again. We're going to take a little longer heading back since we have to tack. We're going to switch every two hours tomorrow, but for tonight we'll make a long run on the starboard tack, since we'll need to make some northing before it's all said and done." The muskrat stands at ease after his report.

Alex nods, then looks at Horatio, "Can you coordinate with Jared for the shakedown cruise, so the crew gets the most valuable experience time with the rigging?" Relaxing, Dimitri for a heartbeat rests his muzzle atop Alex's head. Then he looks back to Carroll.

Carroll nods, murring, "Good. We're at full speed now, or are we holding some reserve?" He looks to his brother and to Jared. He mms, "Yes?" to Dimitri.

Dimitri blinks, "You wished something?

Jared looks at Horatio, then back to Carroll. "Well, we're not going to make anything close to our full speed heading upwind, but we're going almost as fast as we can."

Alex smiles, "He was just listening to you closely, Carroll."

Carroll murrs, "As fast as we can is our full speed. It's just slower in to the wind."

Horatio nods to Alex. "That won't be a problem. We'd like to do it in the next day or so, that way we're further from any ships that might be coming out of Starfall and they won't catch us in the middle of them.

Alex nods to Horatio, "Sounds like a smart idea."

Horatio nods, "We can get it set up, as I said. Maybe no more than six hours' worth, any more is cutting into our margin.

Carroll nods, murring, "Yes, take care of that." He looks around the room, tired, and then murrs, "As to where we're going... Jared, are there any family members outside of Starfall?" Alex gives Carroll a faintly puzzled look, but doesn't say anything. Carroll looks at his first mate and raises an eyebrow. He murrs, "Alex, if you don't actually say it to me I'll have no idea what you're thinking. Now is a good time, too."

Alex gets faintly pink at the tips of her ears, but politely says, "I believe the bosun informed us already that there are no crew families that need a pickup outside of Starfall, sir?"

Carroll ohs. He murrs, "I'm sorry, I lost that in the flurry of the day."

Alex says, "Quite all right, captain. Um... so, may I recap for us all?"

Carroll leans his head against the wall, and looks tired. He murrs, "Please."

Leaning back against the window seat, Dimitri just listens. His ears are up, attentive, his tail just twitching every now and then. Horatio nods to Alex... Alex says, "Our current course is towards Andalin Island. Horatio and Jared are going to set up a shakedown cruise in a day or two. Once we've passed that, it is our goal to get the crew families safely out of Starfall and onto Ettore. Dimitri suggests we drop two people off at Jarrow, who can ride to Starfall and prepare the families for pickup. This would add a day to the Mare's travel time. Our other option is to sail directly to Ettore, then send two folks off to prepare the families." She pauses, looking around, "I believe that's the current issue at hand here -- where to set course to -- Ettore, or Jarrow?" She glances at Dimitri and grins -- she's been working on her military-style preciseness when speaking! -then she adds, "Depending on where we set course to, our plan will develop from there."

Carroll asks, "Horatio, how much time will a stop in Jarrow add to our trip?"

Alex says gently, "A day, he said, Carroll."

Horatio hrms, and looks quickly at the map... Carroll nods. He looks to Dimitri and asks, "Tactically, which makes more sense? To drop off and try to connect again, or to get to Ettore and work from there?"

Horatio says, "It would be one day out of our way... but another three to ride to Starfall."

Carroll asks, "Have we horses or would we have to buy them?"

Dimitri softly growls, "If you think you can get us into Ettore without being spotted, that would be a much better and safer base to work from.""

Alex frowns, thinking, "I agree with Dimitri."

Carroll nods and murrs, "That's my feeling as well, that we'll be safer and better staffed and equipped once we get to Ettore. We can also make sure there's a place for twenty extra people to stay. And the crew."

Alex says, "Okay... so we're setting sail for Ettore after the shakedown cruise."

Dimitri leans back again, "That is, if you can get us to Ettore without being spotted."

Carroll shrugs. "Come in the eastern strait, then almost straight south to Ettore."

Alex says, "Once at Ettore-" she grins at Dimitri, "Horatio can do it. Once at Ettore we need to-" she starts counting on her fingers, "one, figure out our plan to rescue the families, two, get them safely to Ettore, three, make sure there's a safe place there on Ettore for them to stay." She looks up, "Did I miss anything?"

Jared nods. "Hardly anyone in the eastern part of the Bay, shouldn't be a problem."

Carroll murrs, "Clear of the shipping lanes, yes."

Horatio nods, "I can do that, yes. If we get there at the right time, one moon will have set, the other won't be giving too much light..."

Carroll murrs, "The next question, then, is how do we get the families out?"

Alex nods, still recapping, "Drop Dimitri 'n me off and we'll sail or ride to Starfall to warn the families to be ready the next night. The crew will probably be willing to man the small boats at Ettore, yes, bosun?" She looks up inquiringly at Jared. "And bring 'em back to Ettore?" Horatio nods.

Carroll murrs, "I don't think we have enough small boats to carry that many people and belongings."

Dimitri softly growls, "First we have to contact them. Then we have to get them together at the docks. Then across the bay. All the movement should be done once, and preferably at night. How many families were there?"

Alex says, "About 20 folks, Dimitri. Including kids. Some of them might have boats too, remember. Fishing boats can carry a lot of folks."

Horatio says, "Might, but... we can't count on that..."

Carroll murrs, "And, we have one fishing boat and a handful of rowboats at the sawmill. They don't have a ship; they're dependent on the trade ships to stop." He murrs, "I suppose. Try to sluice out one end of the hold and put people there for the trip. Disgusting but effective."

Alex says, "Well, why not put all the baggage in the fishing boat? That leaves the fishing boat's deck, and the rowboats, for ferrying folks?"

Jared says, "Kind of obvious. And a fishing boat would take at least a day to make that journey."

Alex hmms... then looks up at Jared, "Suggestions, please?"

Jared nods. "Better to put them in the hold, even if it does smell of old fish."

Alex says, "Um... except Ariel's mom, perhaps? Since she's already infirm?"

Horatio says, "It might be best to get the persons here as soon as possible..."

Carroll murrs, "The smell they'll survive, yes." He remember something Ariel said to him, "In fact, it might smell less bad than some of the slums."

Dimitri softly growls, "So she goes in the cabin. I can rest on deck."

Alex smiles and hugs Dimitri quietly, "You're nice." She turns to the others, "Okay, so do we have a plan here? We go ahead, warn them, and that night the fishing boat comes in and they all go in the hold?"

Jared nods. "Sounds good."

Carroll murrs, "Anybody asks, and the fishing boat came over to buy something they couldn't wait for. We'll have to think of something."

Alex looks at Jared, "You need to give us someone to come with us, that can find all the families. Who they'll believe."

Dimitri shrugs quietly. "I'm used to it. The deck, I mean. You'll get used to it too."

Carroll murrs, "I expect we'll need several sailors along."

Alex beams happily at Dimitri, then admits a little sheepishly, "Um... actually I kinda like it on deck!"

Horatio says, "And also that night, ah... myself... er... and I hope someone else... ah... er, does something to that warehouse..."

Carroll smiles, a glint in his eye, and murrs, "Save that plan for another night, brother. We don't need it this time."

Alex giggles at Horatio, then looks at Carroll, "You said you had someone in mind to help us place stuff in the warehouses, yes? -oh, okay."

Carroll murrs, "Sometime, when we need a diversion, we'll do that. No one's going to notice our fishing boat at dock, nor people at it. That boat is known and has every reason to be there." Horatio nods to Carroll, breathing a sigh of relief.

Jared sighs. "I guess I'd better volunteer, then. Most of the folks we're after know me."

Alex grins at Jared, "Oh, c'mon, Dimitri 'n I aren't so bad!"

Jared nods. "Not that Mr. P concerns himself overmuch with the fishery docks."

Alex beams happily, "So, we have a plan then, yes?"

Carroll murrs, "I think it's a plan, yes."

Alex says, "Great! Let's do it!" Carroll nods.

Dimitri closes his eyes, "That means I can sleep between here and Andalin, right?"

Alex giggles softly at Dimitri, "You sleep just fine once we're off watch and finished exercising, don't you?"

Carroll nods, and murrs, "Let's hope for an easy sail."

Dimitri looks to Alex and laughs. "Most important skill they teach in her Countess's Marines." Alex grins at Dimitri affectionately. Then Alex will wait till Jared's left, but will lay a hand on Dimitri's (and Horatio's, if she can reach him) arms, so they don't leave immediately. Horatio blinks, and nods to Alex curiously. Carroll isn't going anywhere.

Jared heads for his hammock. "Goodnight, sirs, ma'am." He closes the door behind him.

Alex will, once Jared's left, patter over to sit on the edge of Carroll's berth, next to him, and take his paws. Worriedly she says, "Carroll... is everything okay? You seem... always tired. We're family... you can tell us, if there's something wrong. Is there anything we can do to help you?" Horatio tilts his head to the side, looking over to Carroll as Alex speaks.

Carroll murrs, "It's just a long day, Alex. I've been up since 4 am, and it's after dark now. I'm taking responsibility for the welfare of my family and my crew, not to mention the family name. I'm trying stay far enough ahead of the game so that I'm not surprised." He smiles and murrs, "You, all of you, already are helping. You're doing a wonderful job. I couldn't do this without being able to depend on each of you."

Alex frowns worriedly, "Carroll... you really must sleep more, if you're regularly staying awake that late. Dimitri and I can take care of night watch, you know that." She tilts an ear, "Or... hopefully this is just an isolated incident of staying up late?"

Horatio smiles softly. "Well... then perhaps you should get some sleep, brother."

Carroll smiles, and murrs, "Today was an unusual day, yes. Although, I've yet to see a captain get much more sleep."

Opening one eye, Dimitri observes. "No. It's why father liked him best. He's the responsible one. But you should sleep. You are the Captain; we need you, Carroll. Me, I'm just the guard. If all goes well, it's a long and boring trip for me. You are different, you need to be sharp."

Alex hmfs, "Have some faith in us, Carroll. Here... we can tuck you into bed right now, how's that." She pushes gently against Carroll, trying to pull down the covers for him. She glances a bit worriedly at Dimitri... then blinks and looks at all her brothers, "Am I the only one getting enough sleep around here?!"

Horatio blinks to Alex. "I've.. been sleeping all right. I think..."

Carroll smiles and murrs, "I'm more than happy to sleep. It's been busy."

Alex laughs! "Sheesh, Horatio, remember last night but one? You woke up with your clothes on... do you even remember me leading you to bed? Blowing out the lantern? You were face down on your maps when I looked in on you!"

Carroll corrects, "And I do trust you all, or I would have never started this; I'd have cowed to Pravinchandra."

Alex nods firmly at Carroll, "Good, then take your shirt off and get into bed!" She bahs softly, "You're not the cowing type, don't be silly. Get in bed, or I'll..." she giggles, "Or I'll get Dimitri to stuff you in there himself!"

Carroll does as he is told, undressing and climbing in to bed. He murrs, "Goodnight, family. We have a plan."

Dimitri looks to Carroll, tilts his head and goes "Moooo." Horatio grins widely. Dimitri shakes his head. You are right, it doesn't sound right."

Alex beams and tucks Carroll in, drops a light peck on his cheek, then laughs at Dimitri, "You're a very silly person! and NOT just a guard, sheesh!" She giggles softly, shooing folks out and blowing out the lantern.

Dimitri shrugs quietly, stretching out on the window seat. "I get it from the bratling."

Carroll smiles, quietly, and murrs, "Goodnight, family."

Alex puts her hands on her hips and snorts indignantly at Dimitri, "HMF!"

Horatio says softly, "Good night, family..."

Alex grins, grabs one darkling fox ear (carefully, she knows how sensitive they are!), "We have a watch to be keeping, silly foxy!"

Meeerping, Dimitri allows himself to be dragged from the window seat. Snaring his sword, he nods. "Counting stars tonight..." Alex giggles delightedly at Dimitri as she follows Horatio out, then carefully closes the door.

Carroll is asleep in the merest of moments of the lantern going out, for the moment at least safe and watched by family. Horatio pads off to his own little closet to study ship maneuvering for the trials. He is blissfully unaware of the moment he starts using the book as a pillow...

Alex would seem to be rather enjoying night watch, odd though that might sound. She seems in fact to be rather thriving on it... occasionally snatches of softly sung music can be heard coming from the quarterdeck, and she seems to always have a cheerful comment, and know the names of, the crew that keep night watch with her. Skeee can sometimes see her standing facing into the wind, back along the path the ship's taken, her hair blowing back, laughing in quiet delight.

Horatio's ear twitches a bit as he sleeps, half-awakening with the sound of singing coming to him. He lifts his head up, bleary-eyed.

Alex has also been taking to her morning exercise with Dimitri with much the same pleasure... while she's fiercely intent during the actual bouts (except when she's been knocked for a loop, or is biting back a yelp of pain), she seems to walk (or limp, as the case may be) away from them... almost with pride.

Walking silently up behind Alex, Dimitri stands looking off the back of the ship. "Alex... that's where we have been. Up there, bow-wards, that's where we are going. It's best to always look that away... and Alex?"

Alex turns, smiling, to face Dimitri, "Mm?"

Dimitri speaks softly, gently. "Get it out of your system now. The singing can be heard about five hundred yards out. It's very pretty, very nice... but you're a Marine now, Alexandra." He pauses, one heartbeat. "I'm sorry."

Skeee flutters silently in, perching on the after rail in front of you. "At least that far. It's not a problem tonight, there's no one anywhere close by."

Alex grins up at Dimitri and Skeee, "Oops, sorry... was just in a real good mood. I won't do it any more."

Dimitri nods, "So sing tonight, my lady fair, for tomorrow, well, tomorrow it's closing time."

Alex glances over her shoulder, the wind blowing her hair back for a moment again, then turns to face Dimitri again and says happily, "I just liked the feel of the wind in my face... have you ever noticed how much like... like dancing a sailing ship is? Or like riding a horse? So effortless when it's done right... like you could sail up into the stars -- forever?" She's silent for a moment, then glances up at Dimitri again, her eyes sparkling, "I know what I want to do now, Dimitri... I want to be a St. Genevieve captain. I don't care what Daddy says... that's what I want to do. I know it'll take a while... but I'll get there." She glances a little shyly sideways at Dimitri, "And... I'm going to be sure there's always a spot on any ship I captain, for a particular captain of marines... if you wanted, Dimitri?"

Looking down at his sister, Dimitri considers for a long, long while. "Then you shall be. Captain Alexandra. A nice ring to it. Of course you know you'll be the first lady captain." He smiles then, quiet. "That's not what I want, though."

Alex tilts her head at Dimitri, "What do you want, Dimitri?"

Dimitri shrugs his shoulders. "I would like to be able to throw this sword away because it wasn't needed anymore." He looks out across the black waters. "But I don't think that's going to be happening anytime soon."

Alex grins with calm assurance at Dimitri, "It's about time there was a lady captain in House St. Genevieve." She flicks one ear thoughtfully, then looks a bit wistfully at Dimitri, "I... don't know how to help you get that, Dimitri, I'm sorry... but if you told me how I would?"

Dimitri lets out a long breath. "I'll let you know."

Alex glances a touch worriedly up at her brother, leaning for a moment as if to hug him... then remembers she's on deck and just stands as companionably close as she feels she can get away with.

Last modified: 2000-Apr-12 13:35:37

All material on this site is
Copyright © 1999-2024 Reality Fault
unless specifically indicated on each document.
All Rights Reserved.
Administrated by Reality Fault Webmaster