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1999-12-12
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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Enlisting Ettore
Ettore Village
The village meeting hall is impressive
in a rustic way. Rough-hewn planks panel the walls of the building,
and enormous stone fireplaces at each end provide heat during the
winter. Tables and benches fill the space which is used for meetings
and community feasts.
The meeting hall is full this evening, everyone in the village having crowded in to meet with their ruling family and the crew of the Mare. Jared Greytail and a half-dozen of the crew are standing watch and Skeee is flying guard, but the rest of the crew is also present. The dark fox stands at the back of the room, his long sword resting on his shoulders, and both arms looped over its length.
Gunther stands up to call the meeting to order. "All right, you lot, quiet down! The rumors have already been flying and it's time to hear what the real story is. Those of you who haven't met them, this is Carroll St. Genevieve," he points, "-Dimitri, Horatio, and Alexandra. Captain?" He turns things over to the guest speakers.
Alex smiles and nods graciously, like she's been taught. Horatio tries not to fidget, and succeeds somewhat, nodding quietly and staying out of his siblings' way. Carroll smiles, and murrs, "Thank you, Gunther." He steps up to the central position, and calls to the room, "Hello, everyone! It's good to see you all, and we're pleased to be here."
The audience stays mostly quiet, whispers running back and forth but their attention on their guests. Alex smiles at Horatio and gently puts a small paw on his, hoping to quiet his small fidgetings so no one's distracted from what Carroll has to say. Horatio glances to Alex and smiles softly to her, turning again to look at Carroll.
Carroll continues, "The reason we're here now is, however, not normal business, as much as I wish it were." He looks back and forth across the crowd before he murrs, "The St. Genevieve family is under attack from someone influential and powerful. As far as I can see we were set up to fail, and fail spectacularly, to be an 'example' of what success means around here, if you don't kowtow to the local bigwigs." He then explains the situation, how the family went in to debt for a job, and then the vessel -- with cargo and Count -- vanished, and how that led to most of the family's assets being seized, eventually collected by House Pravinchandra. He continues, outlining the situation with the ship, the crew who'd all had past histories of dissent with Pravinchandra, the cargo and its differences from the manifest, as well as the unfriendly ship and some well-timed sabotage, followed closely by an unfriendlier seagull armed with fire.
The audience is muttering by this time, and the crew of the village's sole fishing boat look horrified at that last revelation. "So my sister and brothers and I, all that we know of the family, realized that moving ahead -- delivering this wrong cargo -- or back, to return to the port and demand an explanation, would each probably be laden with peril, at the least looking like fools and being accountable for another lost cargo," murrs Carroll clearly to the crowd, "We also were relatively easily able to see who wanted these things, from our 'benefactor,' and from the words of our saboteur."
Carroll murrs after a pause, "We didn't want to step in to the trap we could see so clearly ahead or behind of us, so we decided we had to resort to strong measures. While Pravinchandra has the power he does, no trader is safe from him, least of all us. We feel that if we are to do anything for ourselves we will also help others, which gives hope in the light of what we also realized we had to do."
Alex is trying to keep her ears up and a politely calm look on her face... but at hearing Pravin's name her eyes narrow and her ears flatten in anger. One of the crowd, a bulky boar, calls out, "So when do we lynch the SOB?" Alex covers a grin.
Carroll grins and murrs, "If only it were so simple." He murrs, "Instead, we've got to hurt him where it counts -- his pocketbook. Undermine his economic advantage, and you undermine his entire empire."
Horatio blinks a little at the boar's outburst. That doesn't sound quite like what the plan was... The boar grins. "Okay. First we bankrupt him, then we lynch him?" Alex tries unsuccessfully to stifle a giggle at the boar. Horatio's eyes widen a little, but he conceals his expression quickly. Oh, dear. Dimitri quietly mumbles, "Is it pillage, murder the..." And then he just clamps his muzzle shut tight.
Carroll murrs, "So, we have retreated here -- to a little known and hopefully secure location that Pravinchandra can't get his paws on, to form a secure base from which we will set out to cost him money, every way we can." He grins at the boar, then murrs, "Honestly, I'd rather let him live, to suffer with the loss of his power, but that's because I've a nasty imagination. Death is too quick for him." Looking back at the room in general he continues, "The rest of the world unfortunately will likely see this as piracy -- Pravinchandra will, of course." He smiles sharply, adding, "Things here will probably get somewhat interesting for a time."
Alex grins over the crowd at Dimitri, her eyes dancing with amusement. Gunther nods. "So what do you need us to do?" Alex beams at Gunther, pleased at how ready he is to come to the family's aid.
Carroll murrs, "First, I want to give you all the same chance I gave the crew of the Saucy Mare. If you don't want to be involved in this, for whatever reason, you're welcome to leave. We'll do what we can to help you get off the island, leaving you somewhere near civilization. I understand completely if people do not want to be labeled pirate. It's a terrifying thing to have to decide to do. If you choose to stay, not only will you have a place here as long as I can arrange it, we will do what we can to collect any family you may have on the mainland and move them here, before Pravinchandra can use them as a weapon against us. We have several to pick up from the crew of the Mare, already."
Alex pats Carroll's arm lightly to attract his attention, and when he looks down at her she murmurs softly, "Don't forget to mention some of the manor servants will be coming here too?" She grins and adds in a whisper, "We gotta be gone by then too!"
Carroll looks to Gunther and murrs, "As to what needs to be done... there's a somewhat daunting list. Housing for families and crew, supplies, strengthening the defenses of the island..." He ohs and murrs, "Yes, that's right. Some of the staff from the St. Genevieve manor will be coming here, for safe refuge." He sighs, "Basically, we'll need hard work from everyone, a little different work then you've all been doing."
Carroll nods to Alex and murrs, "Soon -- tomorrow night hopefully -- we need to get some people out of Starfall City, before anyone realizes we're not where we're supposed to be. Anyone who has ideas on how to do that, or wants to help, please let us know." He finishes, "St. Genevieve is depending upon you, your help, and your loyalty, now more than it ever has before. I promise we'll do everything we can to make sure we have everything we need here, and that the family will stand behind you as much as we can."
Alex pats Carroll's arm again, looking faintly apologetic at interrupting again, and whispers, "Don't forget to ask for volunteers for the Mare, too? Sailors or folks who can fight? And mention that we've got the ballistae to put up to cover the bay entrance?"
Gunther shakes his head. "You know we can't fortify this place enough to hold off the Navy. I think our best bet would be to stay secret." He grins. "But you're not going to scare us off with hard work, sir. We're lumberjacks."
Horatio perks his ears. Defenses... secret. He'll have to remember that, maybe there's something he can come up with. Carroll nods to Gunther. He looks at Alex again and erks, calling out, "Alexandra has reminded me; part of that hard work we will need isn't here; anyone who knows sailing or has any martial skill would be greatly welcome on the Mare, as marine or sailor. Has anyone any questions?"
The boar raises his hand. "Where do we sign on?"
This gives rise to some good-natured joshing. "You'll do anything to get out of lumbering, won't you?"
Alex grins cheerfully at the boar and happily calls out, "If you want to fight, talk to Dimitri!" Horatio blinks at the sudden response and smiles, albeit mutedly. It's good that they'll have good people with them on this. But the enthusiasm... Alex oopses and blushes slightly, covering her mouth and glancing apologetically sideways at Carroll. She whispers softly and sheepishly to Carroll, under the cover of the audience noise, "Sorry! I'll shut up now, promise!"
Carroll nods, "If you're interested in fighting, talk to Dimitri. If you're interested in sailing, talk to Jared Greytail, the bosun on the Saucy Mare. If you want to do things around here that are a little different, talk to Gunther, of course. As soon as we know what's going on, and what we're planning, I promise, we'll make sure everyone knows."
The enthusiasm is not uniform. Some of the older furs look decidedly uncomfortable about this turn of events. Alex looks around thoughtfully, noting the folks that look uncomfortable.
Carroll murrs, "That's all the big and important news I have, although it's a big one. If anyone wants to talk about it, my family and I will be right here. Please don't hesitate to talk to us."
Gunther stands up. "You heard him. Think about this, if you have any suggestions bring 'em to me." The meeting breaks up into small groups, with the boar and a few other of the younger folks coming forward.
Dimitri quietly speaks up, his words calm. "Most folks here, you enjoy where you are, and have good homes and a decent future to look forward to, yes?"
Alex stands up and taps Carroll's shoulder so he'll tilt an ear to her and she can whisper to him privately... just to him she murmurs, "There're some folks that look real uncomfortable still, Carroll. They may be thinking we're just kids getting all upset over nothing... so I was thinking, why not ask someone like Ariel tell what the mongoose did to her family?"
Horatio pads up quietly to Carroll and Alex. "That may be a good idea, brother. It would help to convince the others that we're, well, not playing sailor..."
Carroll steps down and murrs to Alex quietly, "Too late. Let's see if we can't go the other way. Can you ask some of the crew to circulate and tell about their experiences with the Pravin? Maybe Skeee if you can find her, and Ariel. I don't know what she'll say, which is another reason not to put her in front of the crowd."
Alex nods, "Sure, no problem, Carroll." She slips quietly through the crowd to Ariel's side, and murmurs quietly to her that if she or any others of the crew want to tell folks about what the mongoose has done to them and/or their families... they should certainly feel free to do so. Alex will mention this to a few others of the crew who have families... then she'll get out of the way and let the crew tell their versions of their stories.
Carroll grabs Horatio and steps up, putting his public smile back on, to talk to those who've made it to the front himself, introducing himself and his brother, and asking their names. Horatio erks! as Carroll grabs him, and puts on his best quiet-younger-brother-who-is-glad-to-be-a-part-of-this-mess-with-his-siblings-how-do-you-do? smile. He doesn't mind this, of course, but social interaction was always a bit far from him.
Alex wanders quietly through the crowd, listening to crowd murmurs, smiling and nodding and speaking pleasantly to those that want to speak with her... and slowly working her way to where Dimitri stands. Jacko has noticed the older furs' worried looks and has joined a group of them, discussing things. Alex makes a mental note to thank Jacko later... not least for this. She grins quietly at Dimitri as she reaches his side... she'll stand next to him and continue being the gracious daughter-of-the-family to those that want to speak to her. She figures being in an easily accessible and visible spot is the best way to do so. Leaning against the wall, Dimitri just nods and listens, quiet, to the conversation.
Gunther circulates, briefly talking to most of the groups in the hall. The settlement has nearly 500 adults, most of whom are here tonight, along with some of the older kids. Carroll stays down in the front, smiling and talking with all of the enthusiastic young people who are sorting themselves to the front. He watches who goes where, and tries to keep an eye on everything, probably only mostly succeeding.
Alex even manages to smile pleasantly and chat nicely with the older women that gush over how she's grown up so pretty! -and when is she getting married? Hilda and a few other older females gravitate toward Alex, as do a fair number of the older female children present. Their reactions toward the whole affair are mixed, the old ladies worried about 'the poor girl, mixed up in such a nasty business' and the kids mainly wondering if she can teach them how to use weapons, too?
Dimitri smiles mischievously and does shake his head once, as the would-be swordsmistresses gravitate towards Alexandra. Alex grins just as mischievously and directs the kids to Dimitri -- she assures them earnestly that he taught her everything she knows! -- and smilingly reassures the older women that she doesn't mind... she's proud to be able to help pull her own weight in assisting the family in such troubled times, really.
Horatio keeps an eye open as best as he can, a little worried. He looks for the craftsmen of the community, the ones who have had the most experience rigging the fishing boat's sails... the gathering shows no sign of breaking up. Someone has brought in a keg of homebrew and the discussions are getting louder in some corners. Carroll smiles a lot. He tries to sort the young and enthusiastic out from the others, so he can circulate a little and meet more people.
Alex smiles, noticing the keg... then brightens, "Oh! Mrs. Hildy, I don't suppose..." she grins a little wistfully, "-does um Mr. Gunther still play the fiddle?"
Hildy smiles. "That he does, dear. But I'm not sure it's... appropriate to have a dance tonight."
Alex looks a little wistfully at Mrs. Hildy, "No?" She sighs softly, a little longingly... then brightens a bit, "Maybe when we come back with the crew families we could plan a nice big dinner and dance, d'you think?"
Hildy nods. "That sounds like a much better time to celebrate, Miss Alex."
Alex beams happily at Hildy, "Oh yes, definitely!"
Dimitri looks down at the younglings and quietly nods, "I can teach. But it's a long, hard road learning. You decide to take that road, though, and you might be as good as Alex one day."
Alex blinks a little startledly at Dimitri at that comment -- then blushes hotly, looking very pleased! -but manages to continue talking nicely to the ladies. Dimitri leans over and quietly teases, and it's definitely a whisper, "Well if I could teach you, I can teach any..." He lets the sentence mischievously fade away...
Alex's ears perk straight up, an indignant expression on her face -- then she laughs and turns and tugs lightly on one sable ear, "You tease!"
Suddenly yerfing, Dimitri stands back up. But then he looks to the goodwife and nods seriously. "Actually, Ma'am, it is very appropriate for tonight. Aye, it's serious conversation. But to be able to come gather, in our homes, for a chance to chat and play the fiddle, in our hearths, our home, our town, that's what we are making the stand for. For you. And to let a mongoose steal even one night of good cheer, that would be a very true shame, would it not, Miz Hildy?"
Alex looks up at Dimitri interestedly... then nods, "That's right, actually... I think it's quite appropriate for the people to enjoy themselves. You and I, though, Dimitri... I think maybe it's time for us to leave?"
Horatio wanders a bit away from Carroll, and manages to find one of the men he had seen earlier working on the rigging to the fishing boat. The crew is definitely doing their part, happily drinking beer and talking to the villagers. They're quite in demand for their stories; after all, isolated villages like this are always anxious for an outside face. Alex will continue chatting with people... and curiously watching if the crew is circulating and talking too. She thinks the crew, oddly enough, is one of the family's most convincing 'cards' to play.
Dimitri nods quietly, "Where to first. The port?"
Alex says, "I think so. Let's check in with Carroll so he doesn't worry, then we should go. I'm all packed up." Alex takes Dimitri's hand and if he comes with her she weaves lithely through the crowd towards Carroll.
Dimitri taps his greatsword. "This is all I need..."
Carroll has found himself a glass of the homebrew, and is sipping it slowly, talking now with some of the fathers of the excited ones. Alex waits 'til Carroll notices her (and incidentally realizing it's much easier to get folks' attention when your great big brother is standing right behind you!), then smiles and murmurs quietly, "Carroll, we need to plan the rescue now... how're Dimitri, Jared, and I supposed to get quietly to Starfall, and when will there be a ship available for the families, and what ship will that be, please?"
Carroll looks blankly at his sister, and murrs, "I have no idea. We'll need to talk to Gunther and crews, at the least."
Alex says, "Perhaps we should do so now, so Dimitri and I can get going?"
Carroll murrs quietly, "I don't think we'll be able to get a crew out before morning, myself, but we can ask." He turns to the people he's talking to and excuses himself, then looks over the crowd for Gunther. Gunther is still circulating, currently talking with a group that looks like local tradesmen. Horatio sees the siblings gathering, then perks his ears. Oh! The rescue plan, almost forgot...! He excuses himself -- with great difficulty, the old badger does enjoy talking about the boat -- and makes his way back to Carroll, Dimitri, and Alex.
Jacko comes back up to talk to the siblings, bringing with him the captain of the fishing boat, a rather... fragrant otter. Alex blinks but doesn't wince as she smiles and nods at being introduced. Quiet and sure, Dimitri just stands behind Alex, listening silently. Horatio's nose barely twitches (he's smelt worse after a particularly bad bout of trying to work an athanor) as he tries to catalog the scent silently. Hmm... fish? Yes, a touch of that. Uhm, salt, perhaps... Oh, yes, not washing for three or four months might make that scent! The otter holds out a hand which still has fish scales stuck to it. "Kerry Wavedancer, at yer service. Unnerstan' you wanna hire the Alewife for a rescue mission?"
Alex nods and shakes his hand firmly, "Yes, Mr. Wavedancer. We need two trips, please, if you will... we need to have three people dropped off at Starfall Harbor quietly either tomorrow morning or dusk. Then we'll need to have the families of the crew that need rescuing transported back here the next dawn or dusk... whichever is most appropriate, and will cause the least possible suspicion."
The otter snorts. "Tomorrow evenin' if we leave now. The Alewife's a trawler, not a speed yacht like yer pretty little toy."
Alex's ears flick up in startlement and she says indignantly, "The Mare's not a toy, sir! She's the fastest sloop you'll find in Starfall Bay, thanks to my brother's work on her riggings!" Horatio perks his ears at Alex's praise, glancing at her. He hadn't even caught the moderate insult, if insult it was, from Wavedancer.
Wavedancer nods. "Tomorrer evenin' then, and we can head out with the fleet in the morning. If ya need more time, I'll go out and come back in with 'em agin the next evenin'."
Alex blinks, and hastily adds, "But um, excuse me, tonight is fine, certainly. We need to transport myself, the bosun who's on the Mare right now, and Dimitri."
Dimitri reaches out and places a heavy paw upon Alex's shoulder. He looks past her and nods to the otter. "And I am sure your trawler is a good and sturdy vessel, a working furr's ship. And she's perfect for the task at hand, and we appreciate your help in doing what the Mare cannot." Alex flicks her ears a little embarrassedly at her outburst, and nods earnestly to the otter.
Carroll finally manages to make his way over to the others, coming up behind Alex and Dimitri, listening quietly. Alex counts on her fingers, murmuring under her breath, then looks up at the otter hopefully, "Can you hold um... 32 people in your hold?"
The otter thinks about this. "Don't see why not. She'll hold plenty of fish. Might be a bit much of an odor for them, but they'll live."
Carroll grins, stepping up next to Alex, and murrs, "I'm sure they will." He adds, "Time is of the essence, I fear. Would it be possible to leave tonight, or is that too much to ask?"
Alex beams happily, "Excellent! Then we can take the crew members with us -- that'll help us get everyone out quickly and quietly! So let's see..." She looks around thoughtfully, then nods, "Dimitri, Mr. Wavedancer, would you come this way please?" She gestures towards the speaking stand, almost bopping Carroll in the chest, "Eep! Sorry, Carroll, didn't see you there!"
Carroll grins and murrs, "Don't let me interrupt. Take care of this."
Alex grins at Carroll, "We're moving as fast as we can, Carroll, really!" She heads for the podium and hops up on it, then coughs once. "Excuse me! Could I please have your attention?" Horatio looks up to the stand as Alex jumps onto it, edging a little closer to Carroll as he listens. Carroll grins at his sister, then looks back to the Captain, who he was speaking to. The crowd quiets down slowly, but they are mostly looking at Alex after a minute or two.
Alex points, "This is Mr. Wavedancer, who captains the Alewife, the trawler here. He tells me that he can carry Dimitri and myself to Starfall, as well as the rescued families back... but he also says that he can take the crewmembers whose families are there! So, to the crew of the Saucy Mare, if you have family in Starfall and would like to come along, we'll be happy to take you along if you can be ready to go almost immediately!" She pauses, taking a breath, then grins happily, "If you're ready to go, c'mon over here please!"
Dimitri looks across to the others. "First, we will be bringing everyone back. But as you volunteer, remember, the more we are traveling with, the better the chance we have of attracting attention."
Alex nods thoughtfully, then adds, "And the more hands to help move people. We may need to rent a wagon, Dimitri."
All of the furrs with family members to rescue want to go, with the exception of Mackenzie. The wolverine just says, "Tell her it's a bugout."
Alex nods to Mackenzie, "We will." She thinks about that for a while... odd thing to say... then blinks and ah!s as she remembers some of Dimitri's teachings on planning ahead of time. She looks around, then nods, "Mr. Wavedancer, I believe we're ready to go, sir!"
The otter grins. "Ought to be fun, then. Tweak the old mongoose's tail, eh? You furrs going to crew for me, or shall we take the regular crew along?"
Dimitri laughs quietly, "Well, half of them are sailors to begin with..."
Horatio takes in a deep breath. "Alex... ah, Ma'am?"
Alex says, "Yes, Horatio?"
Horatio coughs slightly, stepping closer self-consciously. "Just.. wanted to say... I would wish you two luck, but... between you and Dimitri, I don't think you'll be needing much...!" He smiles quietly. "All the same, well... see you when you get back."
Alex blinks at Horatio... then grins suddenly, her eyes fierce and bright with excitement, and throws her arms around Horatio in a big, tight hug! When she steps back a moment later she adds, "We'll be back before you know it, Horatio, you'll see!"
Horatio smiles as she grins, then ERPS! with the sudden tight hug. He manages to blurt out, albeit a little chokedly, "AH...! -good! Good! Looking for'ard to it...!"
Alex giggles delightedly at Horatio, then turns to grin at Dimitri and the otter, "We ready, guys? Sooner the better, yes?"
Shrugging quietly, Dimitri smiles grimly. "I'll bring them back Horatio. Or I won't be back. And you know she won't let me not come back."
Alex grins fiercely at Dimitri, "Don't even think it!"
Carroll nods, and murrs, "Good luck, family."
Alex grins just as happily at Carroll, "Thank you, cap'n!"
The otter gathers up his crew and heads out. "Let's be on with it, then."
Commercial Piers
The Alewife: A typical fishing vessel,
the single-masted ship is designed for cargo and durability, not
speed.
Alex quietly makes plans while the Alewife sails towards Starfall... she checks who lives where, who will need transportation, who (if anyone) has access to a wagon. Then she hms... "Okay. You're all going to have to convince your families to carry a minimum of goods, I'm afraid, since we've got very limited transportation capabilities through the city. Jared, can you contact MacKenzie's wife? I know Ariel's going to need help moving her family... will anyone else? Also, if anyone's families live close to each other, please help each other move. Dimitri and I will help Ariel... can anyone else and their families help others move?"
The crewfurrs nod, discussing this among themselves. Some already know, some need to find out. The consensus after a few minutes is that Ariel and Tina will require the most help...Tina's family is three younger siblings and her father, who is partly crippled. Alex also finds out who lives closest to the docks, and checks to see if it's all right for folks to gather there during the day... she doesn't want people and luggage hanging around on the docks to arouse suspicions. She checks for anyone else living near Tina... mentally crossing her fingers that the nice large Kennard maybe does.
Dimitri looks to Alexandra, his ears flat. "You help the Moulins, and I'll go with Miz Tina?" Then he shakes his muzzle. "I take it we are hitting the docks and spreading out each to their own, and meeting back at the Alewife separately?
Ariel nods. "Well, not a wagon, but a handcart. My mother used to use it to pick up laundry when she was healthy enough to work."
Alex nods to Ariel, "Good, that's definitely better than nothing to move stuff." She glances at Dimitri, "They are... you and I are probably going to be covering a lot of ground tomorrow, making sure everyone else gets back okay... unless you have a suggestion?"
Dimitri shakes his head, "Then I suggest we plan to meet at least two bells before we have to leave, and leave as soon as the last family arrives. That way if someone's late we have time to go find out why. Second, folks are agreed that Miz Ariel's and Miz Tina's are the ones worst off. Both deserve our attention, Alex. Not just Miz Moulin's. That's not fair. The question is, though, how."
Alex thinks for a while, her ears tilting back and forth as she ponders... then she nods, "Okay, Samantha, how's this? Go tell your mother immediately what's up. Dimitri and I will go with Tina to get her family to Samantha's mother's place as soon as possible. Everyone else head out for your families, please remind them not to pack too much, bring them back to Samantha's quickly -- we want everyone there at minimum two bells before dawn! Anybody here particularly good with kids? I need a volunteer to manage the children at Sam's mom's place. Dimitri, as soon as we have Tina's family safe we'll head immediately for Ariel's place. Ariel, can you have your family packed and ready for us to help you move that fast?" Alex sighs internally and thinks with amusement to herself, my kingdom for a horse -- and wagon!
Ariel nods. "We... don't have a lot to pack."
Alex smiles at Ariel, "Then things will be getting better soon for your family."
Ariel smiles, a bit wanly. "I hope so. I hope so..."
Owen shrugs. "Might be able to get my sister to do that. She's a nanny."
Alex reaches over and takes Ariel's paw gently in both of hers, "We won't be hoping, Ariel. We'll be making it happen... all of us. Because we have to... for our families." She glances at Owen with obvious relief, "Oh thank you! Could you ask her, please?"
Owen nods. "She likes kids, but she's not happy taking care of rich, spoiled brats. I think she'll be coming along."
Alex blinks at Owen! then tilts her head, thinking about that comment... then the tips of her ears turn pink as she nods, "Thank you, Owen." Internally she suddenly wonders, was I a rich spoiled brat? Did I make Nanna's life difficu- ummm... eew, I better think about this later... She looks around, taking a deep breath, mentally reviewing, then nods, "Okay. Does anyone have any questions or suggestions?" There are none. Plans made, the Alewife joins the other fishing boats heading in to Starfall harbor as the sun sets. The city hugs the mountains and gleams in the evening sunlight.