| Logs |
2000-04-30
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Setting Sail From Maidstone -- and Back Again
- The black fox watches his siblings drive off in their carriage
to meet with White Haven. He has a meeting of his own to attend, a visit
with the Queen over lunch. He heads back to his cabin to get dressed,
this time in his uniform, not the family's.
Dimitri throws his long sword over his shoulder to begin the long walk from the piers to the palace. His pace is easy, sure, and comfortable. He works his way through the crowded by-ways, patient, his tall ears forward, listening and watching as he does. Until finally he reaches the gates, coming to a stop a pace from the guards. "I have an appointment this afternoon?"
The guards salute. One of them says, "Of course, Sir Dimitri. Her Majesty told us to escort you to the Blue Room." He turns and steps into the guardhouse for a moment, then returns with a third soldier. "Patrick will take you there, if you don't know the way?"
Dimitri looks up to the newcomer and nods, "That would be appreciated, thank you." He falls into step a pace behind guard Patrick. Patrick leads the way into the maze of the palace, passing through the Grand Ballroom before arriving at a guarded door. He opens it, stands aside, and salutes again. Inside are three females -- the Queen, her Champion, and a middle-aged mouse.
Dimitri stops a single step in the door, drawing himself up. He nods once and then begins a slow and even walk to where the queen is. He pauses perhaps five steps away and then kneels. He carefully lays his long sword down. Taking two more steps he kneels again, muzzle ducked, not looking at the queen or her charges. "Your majesty, a word or five I beg of thee, if I might?"
Palace
The Blue Room is aptly named. A dark blue wool
carpet matches the draperies at the windows, while the furniture is a
lighter blue, almost turquoise. The walls are covered with tapestries
depicting underwater scenes. The cloth-covered walls and floor give the
room a hushed ambience.
Queen Arianna twitches an ear at Dimitri's relinquishing of the sword, but remains impassive. "Of course, Companion." The mouse excuses herself and departs with Patrick, who shuts the door behind them.
Dimitri takes a breath and continues, his words soft and even. "Three days ago... my brother... Carroll... did something which upset me. I allowed it to spill over into my actions, my manner. It reflected poorly upon me, but worse, poorly upon you. That I regret, and I apologize."
The Queen exhales softly, almost as if she's relieved by that statement. "I see. May I ask what it was?" She looks embarrassed as the tiger rumbles quietly, "That is, does it relate to the business of the attempted assassination?"
Dimitri's ears flicker and he starts, looking back up. He leans back a bit, gathering himself up a bit more formally. "Of course you may ask, and I shall attempt to answer my best. But to the point, no... it had nothing to do with the attempt on your life. That I was able to aid you is something I shall always remember. It was a personal misunderstanding between Carroll and myself."
The Queen nods then and extends her hand to Dimitri. "Then arise, my knight." She smiles. "It wasn't that bad, really. I've seen many furs even less comfortable than you were at being elevated to the peerage. I was just surprised that you were handling it so badly, being from a noble family already." The tiger is scowling, seeming a little disapproving of the queen's question. She gives her head the tiniest shake as Dimitri opens his mouth to reply.
Gently taking the queen's paw, Dimitri bows his head over it. Carefully he rises, and slowly releasing her paw he takes a step away, then two. His answer is simple, and succinct. And two words. "Thank you."
The queen nods. "Thank you, Sir Dimitri. Will you stay for lunch?"
Carefully almost kneeling, he drops to a crouch and then stands again with his sword. The scabbarded blade he leans on slightly, like a staff. "Thank you, and with that I now..." And then he stops, his sentence falling away uncompleted as Her Majesty speaks. For the briefest moment Dimitri is caught off balance, and the fall of his ears and duck of his muzzle betray his obvious conflict. "Lunch? A lunch with me? ...you do me more honor than I have the right or means to accept."
Arianna sighs. "And is it so difficult to have a meal with a young woman, Sir Dimitri? I was hoping to learn more about you and your family, and not be a queen for a little while."
Dimitri stands quiet for one heartbeat, and then he shrugs his shoulders. It is a simple, honest and friendly motion. "I have to admit, I have as much experience having lunch with a most charming lady as I do with a queen, your Majesty. But if you don't mind the company of a simple soldier, who am I to say no. It would be an honor to have lunch with you, crown or no. Thank you."
Arianna smiles then. "I would enjoy that a great deal. I so rarely have the chance to just chat with someone..." The tigress relaxes in the background, her muzzle twitching ever so slightly into a smile of her own as she steps to the door and signals the guard there to have lunch served...
It is much later, much later when Dimitri returns to the Saucy Mare; much longer than it would to make a simple apology and be gone. His step is light and his ears up... until he takes his first step upon the gangplank. Then he stops for a moment, one heartbeat, caught frozen. He then blinks and shakes his head back and forth vigorously before climbing back on board. Alex pauses in her acrobatics practice in the rigging to watch Dimitri for a moment... then just sighs, shakes her head, and continues.
Horatio is happily in his cabin, finishing off some calculations on his slate. He looks around. No, best not to do experiments on the ship, too risky, best to wait till they get back home... he sighs. Home... not Starfall, somehow that doesn't feel like home. Not with Pravinchandra so in control there. He jots down the results of his calculations on some parchment, seals them in leather tubes and tucks them away safely. He stretches and steps out of the cabin on deck.
Dimitri looks up to the rigging and then boards, sitting down on the steps to the quarterdeck. It is becoming an accustomed place for him, on the steps, close to the gunwales. Carroll emerges from his cabin/office with his portable slate, and is heading towards Jared when he notices his absent brother boarding the ship. He turns and walks over towards him. Dimitri blinks, quiet, his ears falling backwards a bit as Carroll approaches. He just... waits. Carroll reaches his brother, the look on his face noncommittal. He asks, quietly, "How did it go?"
Dimitri rubs his muzzle with one paw. "It went... well. I said exactly what we both agreed on, and..." Dimitri pauses for a heartbeat, and then continues. "... Her Majesty seemed pleased." There is a long, forever seeming heartbeat. "Then she asked me to lunch."
Carroll nods, and murrs, "Hardly a surprise considering the time of day. I hope everyone had a pleasant luncheon, yes?" Alex pauses again, swinging by her knees from a rope ladder, obviously listening curiously.
Dimitri nods quickly, looking relieved. "Yes, Ari... Her Majesty and I had a very good and quiet lunch. I didn't say anything upsetting." Alex grins quietly to herself, and swings back into her practice.
Horatio emerges from belowdecks, looking preoccupied and thoughtful. He looks around briefly and starts pacing out the deck. "Fifteen... sixteen... seventeen... hello, Carroll, Dimitri, excuse me... nineteen... twenty..."
Carroll smiles pleasantly and murrs, "I didn't think you would." He adds, "We've had an interesting lunch of our own with Duchess White Haven and her family. We have a patron, it seems." He steps aside wordlessly for Horatio and adds, "I was just going to talk to Jared and Sam about what we might need to resume our quest. Come along and make sure we don't miss anything, please?"
Dimitri blinks, "Horatio! 'Ware the block and tackle!" Alex drops lightly from the rigging rope ladder to grab another rope as she falls -- the block and tackle rocket upwards about 4 feet before she snares the ladder again. Alex watches Horatio walk obliviously by under her with a grin... then carefully ties the tackle off and continues her practice.
Horatio nimbly ducks a moment after the block streaks upward into the rigging. He pauses at 'twenty-six,' looks up, blinks, looks down, then back up again. "Ahh... thank you!" he says to Alex and Dimitri. "Good heavens, forgot that was there. Hrm, maybe I can find some way to tighten that up, maybe have a small standing windlass over here..." The pacing forgotten, he starts tracing out the lines which terminate in that particular block.
Alex grins at Horatio losing track of what he was doing and curiously calls out, "So what were you pacing out, Horatio?"
Horatio blinks, and looks up at Alex. "Oh! Oh, pacing out er, radii for the spread of er," cough, "-fire, that's all..."
Dimitri looks to Horatio and nods. "Three steps to your right, and twenty-six."
Alex gives Horatio an astonished look as she finishes tying off the tackle, "Fire?! Um... I assume on someone else's ship, yes?"
Horatio blinks to Dimitri and looks down a bit. "Ah! Thank you, Dimitri! That's what I had calculated to within five paces... or was it seven... Anyway, too much to risk." He bobs his head to Alex. "Oh, of course, Alex. That's why I'm not trying any incendiary experiments on ship. I'll have to wait until we reach home..."
Dimitri's ears rise at Carroll's words. "We have a patron?"
Carroll smiles and murrs, "Yes. It seems the Duchess isn't pleased with House Pravinchandra either, and that her House is willing to support our endeavor to curtail his activities."
Dimitri softly growls, "Enemies of our enemy are our friends? Or are we to do her dirty work?" Horatio glances over to Dimitri as he says that. Well, at least he's not the only one with worries about what's going on here in Maidstone and how deeply the family's getting involved!
Carroll murrs, "Mostly the former, although we'll try and cover our own costs by attempting to abandon taken ships in places her staff frequents so they may have the salvage on them." He smiles, adding, "The lovely Duchess seemed to like the idea of selling Pravinchandra his own ships back. I wonder why?"
Dimitri softly growls, "A bitter sense of humor, Carroll."
Alex drops down lightly to the deck, "Hey... be nice, Dimitri. The duchess and her family are nice people."
Carroll looks at his brother and murrs, "One I share lately." He then resumes, "I was going to put together a list of things we could use before we set out again, so that we can get underway again. I don't want to become too entangled here."
Horatio says, "They are nice, Alex." He sighs. "I don't know, though. I mean, I know Maidstone is a freeport but there is a lot going on here. We could spend weeks here alone." He nods in approval of Carroll's decision.
Alex nods to Horatio, "I know... but I guess part of it is that I like some of the folks here. If by a simple act you could help them, wouldn't you want to?"
Horatio sighs softly. "I would and I do," he says uncomfortably. "But the politics here... they're more than we've ever had to deal with in the past..."
Carroll chuckles and murrs, "Worse than you have had to deal with in the past."
Horatio blinks and looks up to Carroll. "Was Starfall ever as bad as here?"
Alex nods at Carroll's words, then smiles and pats Horatio's arm, "Horry, all I'm thinking of is mentioning that we saw the Westmark mink with Jeremy Featherstone at the Silver Talon, you know?" She blinks slowly, then adds, "Although... Duke Redtail did say something a tad odd, now that I think about it..."
Horatio says, "As far as politics go, I mean. I mean... well, the food and company here... when someone isn't trying to kill someone else... is wonderful..." He looks to Alex. "Good point... er... what did he say?" Carroll looks curiously at Alex, too.
Alex absently twirls one lock of hair around one finger, thinking... "You know, guys... don't you think it's a little... odd at how different the two attacks were? One was a straightforward stabbing, right? -and the other was... an attempted poisoning with a very unusual... almost distinctive weapon, yes? Almost as if... as if two different people planned each attack? And... that's what just hit me... I mean, maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill, but do any of you think it's odd that the duke said he didn't like being framed... and NOT that he didn't like being framed... again? He did seem a quite um... direct sort of fellow..."
Horatio says a little dryly, "That two separate attempts were made here in Maidstone doesn't seem to surprise me." He taps his chin. "That's reading a lot into the omission of one word which may not be a part of his speaking patterns as it is... but it's a thought. A disturbing one, which means we can't just ignore it."
Carroll murrs slowly, "I merely assumed that he considered both events to be the same, as in he is still being framed."
Alex nods, "Well, the duke could be quite innocent... but doesn't the dissimilarity of the two attacks strike you all as just a little... odd? In fact... you know what I'd like to know? I'd like to know just when precisely Westmark started dressing so oddly... as compared to when the previous king was killed?"
Horatio blinks. "You think that there might be a connection with him?
Carroll looks at his sister and murrs, "You're either very smart, or very paranoid."
Alex sighs softly, a tad regretfully... then blinks at Horatio, "Um... maybe?" then blinks at Carroll uncertainly, "Um... thank you?" She blinks again... then giggles in spite of herself! "That sounded really funny, Carroll!"
Shaking his head, Dimitri frowns. "Having seen only one of the attempts, Alex, I'm not sure we can make such a judgement for sure. It would imply that they are different... it just matters how smart the assassins are too. Maybe it's one trying to look like two. We just don't know enough. The question we should be asking is a different one."
Alex tilts a curious ear at Dimitri, "What's that?"
Carroll adds, "Perhaps they've also realized that the first, direct method won't work again, and they'll have to be a little more devious."
Looking back to Alex, Dimitri continues, very even. "Do we stay and try to find out the missing pieces of your puzzle... or do we leave... and hope that no one gets lucky before we find our way back here?"
Horatio looks fretful. "As much as I dislike the politics here... er... I'd not like to think that something happened while we were gone... but that's your decision, Carroll..."
Alex gives Dimitri a curious look, "I'd think that would be my question to you, Mitya... considering it's you the queen has a crush on. I'd thought only to mention our suspicions and thoughts to Matthew."
Carroll nods and murrs, "At least to Matthew, if not Ludmilla. They may have had the same thoughts dozens of times already."
Dimitri blinks, looking back, his ears suddenly flickering. "...a... what? No. And even... why would it be my question?"
Alex grins and rolls her eyes amusedly at Dimitri, "Oh please, Mitya..."
Carroll murrs, "While I think it's important to mention to someone here who can use the information well, we do have our own obligations."
Alex nods, "Sounds good to me, Carroll. So... mention it to Matthew, then we sail?" She looks rather pleased at the prospect.
Dimitri softly growls, "Then what are this evening's tasks, Captain?"
Horatio looks torn actually but nods; there's still their own work to do and once Pravinchandra is taken care of they'll be in a much better position to help the Queen.
Carroll murrs, "Once we see what we can do." He offers his slate, which has a few things written on it, murring, "Are there any other supplies we need?" He then asks Dimitri, "Would it help us to have more trained fighters?"
Alex raises a small paw, "A day flier, to help Skeee?" Horatio nods in agreement to Alex.
Carroll nods, and murrs, "A very good idea."
Dimitri looks to Carroll and nods, "A couple wouldn't hurt. The question, of course, being their references."
Carroll murrs, "If it's not too expensive and our friends will bankroll it I was thinking to get some from the mercenary's guild. Is that reference enough?" Horatio frowns slightly, having never dealt with the Mercenary's Guild.
Alex says, "I'm not sure they'd want to be associated with privateers though?"
Dimitri looks to Carroll, "A couple skilled with the crossbow would be a definite plus. We are weak on the archery side of things, Carroll. Not taking away from Jessie and folks. There's just not enough of them."
Carroll murrs, "It may not be feasible, but it's an interesting thought to think? What of supplies?" He prods his family, and finds Jared and asks him as well, for thoughts on things they'd need to sail, and makes a list. Carroll also sends a small package with a note off to the Queen in a quiet moment.
- The crew of the Saucy Mare spend their time in port relaxing and
re-provisioning the ship. The cash ransom for the Pravinchandra captain
is used to replace stores and cordage, and by the time their officers
are finished with political maneuvering the ship is ready to go. With
only a few days left before departure Carroll sends a request for another
scout and a pair of archers to the local Mercenary's Guild.
The requested mercenaries arrive the morning before departure, a badger and a leopard carrying bows accompanied by another unusual bird -- black plumage and narrow angled wings, with a patch of bare red skin on his breast, what little can be seen above his tunic. Shortly after they arrive a third archer arrives, an opossum wearing the colors of House Dunbarton.
Alex blinks at the Dunbarton colors... how very nice of the queen! Carroll smiles and welcomes them all aboard, and explains the history of what's going on and the current plans. Dimitri sits the deck and leans against the gunwales, watching how Mister Mackenzie and Natasha handle the new recruits. His ears do perk, however, when the Dunbarton possum comes in. He gives Carroll a questioning did you ask for this look? Carroll looks innocently back at Dimitri and shrugs.
The opossum looks around the deck before walking over and presenting himself to the dark fox with a flourishing salute. "Sir Dimitri? Her Majesty has detailed me to accompany you on your expedition."
Alex raises an eyebrow... interesting that the opossum chose to present himself to Dimitri first... not the captain. Horatio comes out on deck, and catches this from the opossum. His ears stick straight up at that. Dimitri specifically? Not just the family? He looks around for Alex, a suspicion that this would certainly get her attention -- ah, there she is... Alex smiles ruefully and pantomimes a no idea! shrug at Horatio.
Dimitri blinks and then stands, brushing himself off. "She did? To me?. He reflexively answers the salute with a touch of his paw to his forehead. "That..." He pauses, for a moment lost in the politics. "We are honored, by her concern and your service" Dimitri nods, looking across the deck to Carroll. "Then we'd best introduce you to the Captain, and let him bring you aboard. Then you'll need to talk to that big wolverine over there. He's Tom Mackenzie, our sergeant at arms. He'll get you billeted and on the roster. The wolf's his second... Lady Natasha..." He then pauses, and just looks about, ending by giving Alex a confused look. "Come, here, this is Captain Carroll St. Genevieve... and you are?"
Alex smiles quietly and walks over, "I'll introduce him to the captain, Dimitri, how's that?" She turns to the opossum, "This way, please... I'm the first mate, Alex St. Genevieve. What's your name, soldier?" as she heads towards Carroll.
Dimitri nods as Alex intercepts him, "Aye-aye, Sir."
The 'possum drops the salute. "Ah. I see, I think Her Majesty wasn't quite sure of the chain of command. Corporal Barry Smetana, sir."
Carroll notices the archer and Dimitri coming over and looks up, murring, "Yes?" and then blinking twice at the livery. He listens to the introductions and explanations, and welcomes the archer aboard. He tells Jared to prepare to leave as soon as he has taken care of one thing. He goes off to the cabin to write a brief letter of thanks to the Queen, in a formal style, from the House St. Genevieve. He signs it and seals with the House seal, which he has been avoiding using. Emerging from the cabin, with this completed, Carroll finds someone who can make sure it gets delivered, and tells Jared, "We can leave the moment they return."
The messenger returns in plenty of time for the afternoon tide, and the Mare sails out of Maidstone harbor with her crew in high spirits. Nothing unusual happens until late that evening...
Dimitri stands the late watch, looking over the ship from his familiar perch at the edge of the quarterdeck. He slowly sharpens and polishes his sword. Horatio, at this time, is of course reading (that is, sleeping on) another book, fitfully. Carroll is in his cabin, either sleeping, or nearly so, at this hour. While Dimitri and Alex watch, the small hatch cover to the cargo hold slowly lifts and a small figure scuttles out, lowers it quietly and starts to head for the forecastle. Alex raises an eyebrow and gently nudges Dimitri, watching the small figure... once she's sure he sees it too she rises silently, very slowly drawing her sword. The black fox's ears just perk. He immediately nods to Alex, points to her and then motions her forward. She's the quick and quiet one. As he does a mischievous smile crosses his features. He whispers "Stowaway?"
Alex mutters grimly under her breath, "Gonna be an ex if it's another saboteur!"
Dimitri nods, "But a saboteur would go about their saboteuring first if they were smart." He nods again, motioning Alex forward, before following himself.
The small figure sneaks through the shadows to the head and disappears inside. Alex paces silently to the head and waits quietly, her back against the wall on the side the door isn't hinged on. A minute later, the door opens again and a small figure runs smack into Alex. A small figure in dark golden fur..."Eeeek! Dame Alexandra!"
Alex scoops up whomever it is, "Hey now! Mitya, a light!" A polite saboteur -- that addresses me by title?! she thinks incredulously.
Dimitri blinks twice, his ears perking. He strolls quietly across the deck, snaring a lamp as he does. "You do know what to do when you've caught a too-small fish, Sir... you throw it back into the sea..." Dimitri raises the lantern so they can see just who and what the night's catch is.
The lantern reveals the familiar face of a young and mischievous mink. "Oh, it's not fair. I wasn't going to come out for a couple days... but the stories never talk about having to... umm..." Her voice trails off in embarrassment.
Alex gives Demeter an incredulous stare... then bursts out laughing! "Oh my! Oh Demeter... oh dear! Mitya, this is Duchess White Haven's granddaughter!"
Dimitri looks back, his head tilting. "Who?"
Alex puts Demeter gently down, still chuckling, "I'm sorry, let me do it right." She gives a small, polite nod to the little mink, "Demeter, may I introduce you to my brother, the Saucy Mare's Master of Marines, Sir Dimitri St. Genevieve? Dimitri, this is Lady Demeter, the granddaughter of Duchess White Haven, and daughter of Count Reginald Lascarri." She's got a broad grin on her face, but politely does not mention the reason Demeter came out of hiding, giving the small mink a chance to regain her composure.
The young stowaway's training comes back to her as she straightens up and bows properly to Dimitri. "Charmed, Sir Dimitri."
Dimitri looks down, crossing his arms. "She still looks too small to keep." He looks back to Alex. "Is that the family who's supposed to be our patron?" He looks back at the little one and just places his paw on his muzzle. "Does this mean we are now kidnappers as well as privateers?"
Alex grins mischievously at Dimitri, "Throw the fish back... hmm... d'you think we should?" She smiles and shakes her head, "Oh no... no, Mitya, I'm sure her family is frantic with worry right now. We'll go back."
Dimitri looks way down at the young minkess. "Charmed." He takes a step away and just gives Alex a look, "I suppose you want me to go tell Carroll?"
Alex laughs, "You? Silly... no, why would I want that? He needs his sleep... and we both know Carroll would agree to turn around if he knew." She turns and calls out the appropriate commands to the crew on nightwatch with her, watching a moment that the reversal is appropriately handled. Then she turns, putting her small paws on her hips, "Well now, miss! I don't suppose you'd like to tell us why you stowed away on our ship?" She's still grinning as she does so. She grins and winks quietly to Dimitri as she addresses the little mink girl.
Demeter looks down and digs her toe into the planking. "It sounded like it would be fun. Ms. Jessie told all those exciting stories about being a pirate! And... I was hoping she could teach me to shoot the way she does..."
Alex sighs and shakes her head, folding her arms, "Demeter... Jessie has had several years of practice... and her father both knows she's here, and approves." She tilts her ears inquiringly to Demeter and adds gently, "Does yours?"
Leaning on his long scabbarded blade, Dimitri can't help but smile. He looks down at the two. "This sounds like one of your schemes, Alex..."
Alex gives Dimitri an indignant glare, "I never! Oh, and you are helping so much here, you!" She looks like she's struggling with a smile there... no, she's going to be stern!
Dimitri looks back with mock hurt, "I suggested throwing her overboard..."
Alex gives up and laughs! "Oh my... ah well, we'll have her back early tomorrow, I guess." She grins quietly, "We can maybe send on one of our fliers with a message when we're close enough."
Demeter looks indignant. "Of course he knows where I am. Or he will. When he finds the note."
Alex glances at Demeter and laughs again despite herself, then adds, still smiling, "And does he approve? Hm... let's see. When did you last eat, Demeter?"
The mink looks smug. "Oh, I had plenty to eat and drink. I brought food with me. I just forgot... umm... y'know..."
Alex nods briskly, "All right then... it should take less than a day to return, so let's clean out this little hidey-hole of yours, yes? Hm..." she eyes Demeter suspiciously, "How did you get aboard unseen, girl? Did one of the crew help you?"
Dimitri softly growls, "Then at least a proper bed. Where can we bunk her, Alex?"
Alex says, "She can have my bunk for now. No one will bother her there."
Demeter pouts. "Do I HAFTA go to bed? I slept most of the day! I'm not tired!"
Dimitri softly growls, "Sounds fair... come, lass, lets get your gear... and yes you do." He gives her a very stern glare. "You aren't part of the watch. And any good sailor knows if you aren't on watch, you sleep. Understand?"
Alex nods in quiet agreement with Dimitri, then adds, "You got it from here, Mitya? I'll stick on watch if so."
Demeter hides behind Alex as the big fox glares at her. "I was hiding in a box. I'll show you which one if I don't hafta go to bed."
Alex casually closes a hand on Demeter's shirt, although gently, and says softly, "Demeter... first rule on any good ship... you follow the orders of your superior." She adds quietly, "That goes for privateers as well, kit."
The mink pouts again. "No fair... all I got to see was that stupid box."
Alex nods quietly, "Truth... privateering isn't about fairness. Still... if you follow orders you'll be awake this morning... and if the captain gives permission maybe you can stand out of the way on the quarterdeck while we enter port." She adds sternly, "Maybe."
Dimitri looks up, quiet. "Double the lookouts, Alex. We need to be really sharp till we hit port." He then looks down at Demeter. "No. Just how many minks get a chance to see the cabin of a ship's officer, do you think. Unless you want to hurt Alex's feelings by refusing her kind offer?" Alex nods to Dimitri, letting go of Demeter's shirt and quietly barks out the appropriate orders and warnings. Horatio *snorts* softly, blinking and coming fully awake at the activity topside.
The kit looks more cheerful at that. "Okay!" She leads Alex down to her nest in one of the crates -- it looks like she found one with a loose board and pulled enough out of it to squeeze in. It actually WAS food, so she didn't need to bring her own...
Alex double-checks, "Demeter... how did you get into one of the crates? Did one of the crew help you?"
Demeter shakes her head. "Nope. Did it myself! Found a pry-bar and loosened the boards." There is a hammer in her nest too, which she apparently brought along just in case. Alex chuckles and shakes her head, then has someone hammer the crate properly back together.
When they return on deck Dimitri softly growls, "Come, mi'lady... your cabin awaits." And with one hand on the little one's shoulder, Dimitri escorts her to Alex's cabin. "Say hello and good night to Horatio, Lady Demeter." Alex smiles at Demeter... then continues to pace slowly along the deck, on watch.
At the dawn watch, Demeter sneaks out of the cabin to watch the sailors increase sail. Alex grins quietly at Demeter and snags her onto the quarterdeck step where she and Dimitri usually sit, "Shh! You can watch if you're quiet, okay?" Alex says, "And we'll have to explain to the captain why we're heading back, of course." The kit nods happily and watches. She really does stay out of the way.
Carroll comes on deck shortly after dawn and heads towards the quarterdeck, finding Alex and looking quizzically at the girl. Alex grins ruefully, "Captain... this is, as you know, Lady Demeter Lascarri... who is also a stowaway on our ship. I took the liberty of ordering us to turn back."
Carroll looks at the girl and then back to Alex. He murrs, "Very good, Alex." He shakes his head, looking at the mink again, then back to Alex, asking, "Has she been any trouble since you found her?"
Alex smiles, "No sir, none at all."
Carroll nods and murrs, "Good." He addresses the girl, murring, "Good morning, Lady Demeter. I must say I'm surprised to see you. I expect your family's worried." Alex falls easily into parade stance, watching quietly. Dimitri paces the deck, keeping a wary eye upon the horizons.
Demeter looks a little rebellious. "I left them a note."
Carroll nods and replies seriously, "That was very thoughtful of you." He smiles and shakes his head, eventually murring, "If you'll stay out from underfoot, you can stay up here, all right?"
The mink nods happily and smiles, then tries a salute. "Thank you, Captain, sir!" She catches sight of a familiar face and waves. "Miss Jessie! Hi!" Jessie looks appalled when she realizes who the officers are talking to. Alex raises an amused eyebrow at Jessie... she'll bet Dimitri or MacKenzie will be talking to her later. Carroll watches the salute and tries not to smile at the little girl, mostly succeeding. He gets an excuse to look, when she calls to Jessie, who he gestures over.
Cleo pops out on deck at this point and heads for Carroll. "Sir? I just got a message from..." Her voice trails off as she sees the addition to the crew. "Ah. I see you've found her."
Alex grins quietly at Cleo, "We're on our way back, if you can tell them that?" Jessie follows behind Cleo, trying not to look at the other mink.
Cleo nods and turns to head back to her quarters. "What time should I give them for our arrival?"
Alex says, "Should be able to do it on the midmorning tide, Cleo."
Carroll looks over at Jessie and murrs, "You've apparently made quite an impression, Jessie." He's smiling and amused, at ease and relaxed by both his stance and the set of his ears and tail.
Cleo nods and disappears. Jessie looks less nervous. "I guess so, sir. I didn't think she'd take things quite so... umm... enthusiastically." Alex raises her eyebrow again, smiling to herself... if Jessie thinks the captain's the worst she's going to have to deal with on this issue... Alex thinks she's sadly mistaken!
Carroll nods and murrs, "I wouldn't have either, but you can never tell." He shakes his head and adds, "We'll soon have you home safe, Demeter."
Demeter pouts again. "Aww...do you HAVE to? I could be a cabin girl..."
Alex gently points out, "Demeter... Jessie's father approves. Does yours?" The mink ignores Alex's question and goes back to watching the sailors. Alex grins quietly, "Guess that's a no, captain."
Carroll looks at the girl and murrs seriously, "Demeter, if we were merely out trading I would still have to take you home. We're not even doing anything that predictable, and it is very dangerous." He adds, "If you want to learn more about sailing or the ship your father may have a ship you could start on, if you ask him."
Demeter looks up at Carroll reluctantly. "Oh... okay... I bet he won't, though."
Alex rolls her eyes amusedly, but doesn't say anything... Carroll counters with, "If it's important to you, you might be surprised."
"Maybe I should ask Gramma..."
Alex laughs in spite of herself! -then grins mischievously, "Remember, don't call her that when you ask!"
Carroll chuckles, and murrs, "I'll leave that to you to decide, but you need to ask."
Demeter grins back. "Yep. She hates that. Says she's not old enough to be one yet." Alex covers another grin. Carroll doesn't do so well hiding his grin and looks out over the water himself, watching. Dimitri looks back from where he paces, simply listening. His ears are laid back. He returns to his watch.
Demeter bounces up eagerly onto the rail when the lookout calls, "Land Ho!" She's puzzled and disappointed that she can't see anything. "Where is it?"
Carroll walks up to the rail and murrs, "We can't see it quite yet. It should be just a bit. The lookout can see farther over the horizon."
The kit is puzzled. "Why is that?" She thinks for a minute. "Is it the same reason that you can see masts but not hulls first from the docks?"
Carroll nods and murrs, "Yes, exactly." He tries to explain, as best he can.
Demeter nods. "One of my teachers said it's 'cause the world is round."
Carroll nods, and murrs, "That's right."
Alex quietly curls up on the quarterdeck step. She's starting to get a bit sleepy... but she wants to be awake to be sure Demeter gets off safely, and for any explanations the Lascarii might want. Dimitri slowly crosses over to Alex and sits down next to her, offering her his shoulder. Alex leans quietly against Dimitri and smiles peacefully up at him. Dimitri nods, "Rest bratling. We are almost to port. Now we see how much the kit really wants to sail." Alex chuckles quietly at Dimitri's words.
A harbor-patrol bird hails the Mare as the ship approaches Maidstone. "Back so soon?" Alex grins at the bird's comment.
Carroll nods, and replies, "Have to drop of something important."
The bird nods and heads off again. As the Mare enters the harbor, the patrol boat approaches and escorts the Mare straight to the docks. A carriage with the White Haven colors is waiting there. Alex stands when they dock, straightening her clothing a bit so she's presentable. Carroll points out the carriage and murrs to Demeter, "I think they were worried, despite your note." Demeter has been trying to stay out of the way, mostly successfully, as the ship comes in to harbor. She's peering suspiciously at the carriage on the dock though by the time the Mare is tied up. Alex quietly makes sure she's standing near to Demeter. Dimitri is still next to Alex. His gaze though follows the kit. Carroll is also nearby, although not watching at every moment. He looks out, trying to see who's with the carriage. Once the gangplank is down Carroll offers his hand to Demeter and murrs, "Shall we, Lady Demeter?"
Demeter is still looking suspiciously at the carriage. "I don't think so, Captain." Dimitri's ears perk, as the little mink speaks. His head slowly turns, just clearing the gunwales, his eyes narrow.
Carroll blinks and asks, "What's wrong?" He looks back at the carriage himself.
As the gangplank falls into place two liveried furrs head for the ship, asking permission to come aboard. Demeter scurries off and tries to hide behind Alex.
Alex smiles and murmurs quietly to Demeter, "Face your threats with courage, Demeter... that's what Jessie did too, remember? Come..." she'll take her hand to walk towards the approaching furrs.
The young mink digs her heels in. "I don't know those two."
Alex hmms... but stops. She thinks a moment... then walks over to Carroll. If necessary she'll carry Demeter, but she's going to leave the girl with Carroll... "Captain, permission for the Master of Marines and myself to go see who's in the carriage?"
Carroll nods and takes Demeter's hand, murring, "Yes, go find out what's going on." He looks about, making sure there's an archer nearby. He murrs to Demeter, "Stay with me, please." Demeter nods to Alex and goes to stand behind Carroll. Jessie comes up to stand beside her.
The two furrs smile at the Mare's captain. "Thank you for turning around so quickly, sir. We'll just take our young scamp off your hands so you can be on your way." Alex waves to Dimitri, then heads for the gangplank, where she politely but firmly explains to the two liveried furrs that she'd like to speak to whomever is in the carriage first before handing the child over. Horatio comes up on deck, stretching somewhat, and hears the "guards'" call Demeter a 'scamp.' No, that is not house guards. Dimitri slowly stands and balances his sword over his shoulder. Silently he follows up behind Alex. While Alex approaches the carriage, Dimitri strolls to the front, to the horses... where grabbing the reins would be easy. Alex knocks politely on the carriage door. Horatio blinks at what Alex is doing, then very surreptitiously slips to his cabin to get a crossbow.
The two furrs on the gangway are smiling rather nervously after failing to intercept Alex and Dimitri. There is no answer to Alex's knock, and the coachman stares straight ahead. Alex politely knocks once more... and if there's no answer she'll cautiously open the door. She has her hand resting on her sword pommel. Dimitri nonchalantly reaches out and loops his paw through the reins. He smiles at the coachman.
There is a sudden flurry of activity as Alex begins to open the latch on the door. The two furrs on deck dive over the side, and the coachman suddenly yells at the team and tries to get them to move. Carroll murrs, "Stop them! Crossbows!" Alex nods, unsurprised as she grabs hold of the carriage side to clamber up on top of it. She vaults easily up on top of the carriage and runs up to the carriage driver, whom she hits hard across the back of the head with the pommel of her dagger. Horatio comes up on deck just in time for the excitement, and dashes to the gunwales, bringing the crossbow to bear on them...
Carroll doesn't pick up his crossbow this time, but moves away from the edge a little, leading Demeter to the other side of the wheel, looking around for other attackers. It occurs to him and he calls, "Can we catch the two who went over the edge? Did they hit the water or the dock?" The two who went over the side hit the water. They are nowhere to be seen at the moment, and both were aquatic species... Horatio hisses to himself, and looks around for some of the marines who would be aquatic. Carroll mutters, "Unless Jared can catch them, they're gone. Blast." He calls, "Kammy! Don't lose that carriage, and help Alex and Dimitri if you can!"
The horses on the carriage start at the coachman's yell, but then stop as Dimitri tugs the reins -- Alex is soon involved in a tussle with the coachman, who is too busy to drive the carriage now. Carroll watches somewhat helplessly, still holding Demeter's hand and frowning. He finally orders, "Marines! They've stopped the carriage for now. Go help Alex and make sure there's nobody inside." Horatio dashes up to the dockside gunwale, eyeing the range from the ship to the coach, just in case.
The coachman gives up when he realizes that he's alone and that three crossbows are trained on him. The two who went over the side cannot be found in the trash-filled harbor unfortunately, and the aquatic search party returns empty-handed. Walking rapidly up, Dimitri nods to Alex. "Get him on the ship, Alex. He's got questions to answer, like how in all the frozen hells did they know."
Alex nods, already working on getting the coachman down from the carriage... on board ship she hmms... then suggests to the captain that she, Dimitri, and a few marines accompany Demeter, in this carriage, back home. The coachman (and anyone in the carriage) can be delivered to White Haven later. Alex says, "Or alternatively leave Demeter here, and I'll just take the carriage back?"
Dimitri shakes his head, "No. We return her."
Another carriage drives up just as the search party is returning, and this time Demeter runs to it before anyone can stop her. Her parents get out, and a happy/angry reunion ensues. Alex smiles quietly at Dimitri, "We can do that, if it's all right with the cap- ah... never mind."
Alex eyes the two carriages that are there side by side, trying to figure out how Demeter realized... are they different? Horatio half-brings the crossbow to bear on the new carriage, but restrains himself -- You're no daring crossbow master, after all, you know, he thinks to himself -- and is just simply surprised that Demeter knew the second carriage was authentic. Alex nods quietly to herself, watching... there are small differences between the two carriages, now she can see them both, and the coachmen are quite different -- then waits politely for the parents to recover before trying talking to them. Dimitri takes his place next to Alex, his expression grim. Alex makes sure the marines have the fake coachman bound and ready to go, and someone is holding the horses on the fake carriage. She says quietly to the fake coachman, while she's waiting, "So... who do you work for?" Alex doesn't expect an answer... but who knows, maybe the guy won't be a fool -- and she is curious.
Horatio carefully unloads the crossbow, feeling more than a little angry. The stakes have just been raised. And more than that... how did these fakes know that Demeter was on the Mare, and would be returning when she did? Alex blinks, then sends two marines to check on Cleo and make sure she's all right.
Cleo is fine, actually a bit surprised by all the commotion. She follows the marines back to the deck, quite angry herself, "Someone intercepted the messages. Either one of the Guild Mages gave away a message, or someone intercepted the message as it was being carried to the recipient."
Alex nods, "I see... thank you, Cleo. I'm sure the Lascarii family will be looking into that."