| Logs |
2000-10-21
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Never Bite Off More Than You Can Chew...
- Maidstone Harbor District
The area near the harbor is a warren of small streets, with warehouses, inns, and shops jumbled together. In the near distance, the hills of the Upper City and the Palace Keep can be seen through occasionally.
Alex is quite busy after Don Carlos departs the Saucy Mare. First she trots swiftly downstairs to make sure everyone is getting taken care of, and that Cleo doesn't need her help. Carroll has also stopped in the little medical cabin to make sure everyone is all right. It's the least the Captain can do. Cleo is just finishing up with Jessie, wrapping bandages around the partially healed wound. Horatio is hovering, getting in the way trying to help. Jessie seems to be in good spirits, and is trying to reassure the worried fox.
Alex grins and pats Horatio's arm, "Horry... Cleo's the best, really. Sit down here, why don't you, so she can concentrate?" Alex makes sure the chair is out of Cleo's way, but where Horatio can put a worried paw on Jessie if he wants... strictly for medicinal purposes, of course! Carroll stays out of harm's way. He's surprisingly good at that.
Alex waits until Cleo's done, and is available if Cleo needs an energy boost. When Cleo finally gets a good look at Alex, the vixen grins slightly at the cat's shocked look -- and reassures Cleo that it's not her blood, really, all over her front! Cleo looks a bit ruffled even so, but quickly assures herself that Alex is fine. "Blood is terrible to get out of cloth, though."
Alex grins, "I'll take care of it, Cleo, promise... I just wanted to be available if you needed an energy boost... and I forgot about how it must look." She glances around, then nods, "So... our people are going to be okay? And... how's our prisoner doing?"
Cleo points at another bunk, where a patient is leg-shackled to the bed. "He's damaged but he'll recover. I can wake him up if you want to talk to him."
Alex nods briskly, "He can wait a moment. First I'd like to speak to Mikhail and Jessie, if they're all right to talk with?"
Jessie chirrs, "Go ahead. Cleo sent Mik back to his bunk, though, he just had a couple cuts."
Alex will, if Cleo allows, spend a moment talking with Jessie. She wants to thank the young mink for her efforts and courage, and basically be cheerful and upbeat for her. Then she'll ask Cleo if she could waken the prisoner. Alex is curious as to whether he'll be willing to talk or no. Carroll listens quietly, standing unobtrusively by the door. Cleo finishes bandaging Jessie while Alex chats with her, and then walks back to her prisoner-patient. "You want him malleable, or just awake?"
Alex tilts her head curiously at Cleo, "What's the difference in how he reacts?"
Cleo shrugs. "I'm not going to waste a potion on him, but some painkillers make you a bit suggestible. We could try one of those."
Alex says, "Oh, don't waste anything on him." Her grin is slightly malicious, "After all... he either talks, or he goes to Baroness Kerensky."
Cleo looks a bit unnerved by that, too. "Well, yes, but if he's drugged he won't be able to put together a coherent lie. Makes things easier."
Alex nods, "That'll do then, thank you."
Cleo nods. "Go talk to Mikhail, then. I'll wake him up and give him the medicine; he'll be ready in about half an hour."
While Alex and Cleo talk about Cleo preparing the thug, Carroll kneels next to Jessie and adds his own quiet words of thanks, telling her she's been a valuable member of the crew, and that he's proud to have her working for him. He smiles and pats Horatio on his shoulder, then makes his way out.
Alex nods to Cleo and follows Carroll out. As they walk along she murmurs quietly to him, "Does it seem at all strange to you, Carroll, that we were attacked by ten thugs? Does that seem like a bit of a set-up to you too?"
Carroll hmms and murrs, "Very possibly, yes. Question really is 'Who?'"
Alex rolls her eyes, "I'm thinking it's those silly Silver Talon folks again... either their thugs, or vultures that wait for drunken big winners to walk out of the establishment. They attacked me, Horry, and Mitya that night I won big at the roulette wheel, after all." She sighs in faint exasperation, "The silly thing is, if they wanted the money back so bad... why didn't they just ask? A simple donation or something, y'know?"
Carroll looks seriously at his sister and answers, "No, Alex. In the scales that house plays at, you didn't win enough to be too notable. You won a bit, yes, and if you'd have continued with straight wins, especially on the roulette wheel, you might have attracted their attention, but you didn't. This is something else."
Alex looks curiously at her brother, "You think so? Who do you think it is then, Cara?"
Carroll tells Alex, "Absolutely. Who it is, is a much harder question. Perhaps Don Carlos himself, trying another angle to get a connection to the family or the Queen. Perhaps foreign assassins. I don't know yet."
Alex looks suddenly a lot more serious as she ponders... she murmurs softly, "Don Carlos did kiss my hand this afternoon. I'll have to check with Cleo and see if there's anything magical he could have um... 'given' me then..."
Carroll comments dryly, "Or any diseases," and grins a nasty grin.
Alex gives her brother an amusedly exasperated look, whapping his sleeve lightly with her fingertips, much like she used to do as a young cub, "Oh, Cara... you are just impossible!" She giggles, then adds, "Wanna come along to talk to Mikhail?" She pauses, then adds more softly, "Cara... seriously, should we mention this to the crew? -or not? I was thinking of suggesting to you anywise that everyone leaving the ship go in no less than groups of 4 or so, and be back by twilight... what do you think?"
Carroll nods and murrs, "A sound suggestion, and one hard to argue with after an attack." He will, of course, see Mikhail.
Alex happily goes to visit Mikhail with her brother in tow. Carroll may be amused to note that Alex obviously watches and emulates him -- for, much like she did with Jessie, Alex thanks Mikhail for his personal courage and his efforts on the behalf of the St. Genevieve family... then also adds a bit similar to what her captain said to Jessie -- namely that she's proud that Mikhail is a valued member of the crew she serves with. Carroll smiles at Mikhail and stands silently behind Alex, letting her talk. When she's done he adds, "Thank you for the good work, Mikhail. It's very appreciated." Mikhail is resting in his bunk but, as Cleo had said, he isn't badly hurt, just a few scratches across a badger's tough skin. He's a bit embarrassed by the attention, actually.
When they're done thanking Mikhail, Alex asks Carroll if he'd like to come with her to talk to the prisoner? Carroll nods, "Yes, I'd like to." On the way back to Cleo's little sickbay he tells Alex, "You're doing well too, both now, after the battle, and from what I hear, during the fight, keeping everyone together and no stupid heroics. You've done a lot both the family and I personally can be proud of."
Alex blinks up at her eldest brother... then suddenly flushes with pride, even her inner ears darkening slightly. Her beam is radiant as she says happily, "Thank you, Cara! You really think so?"
Carroll laughs and murrs, "Yes, Alex. You're an asset to the family, and you've a lot to be proud of."
Alex impetuously gives Carroll a tight hug -- then blushes again, stepping back a bit as they walk along -- first mates shouldn't hug their captains, she knows! She's still practically glowing with pride, however, as she adds hastily, "Well, I do need to practice my sword-work some more, I think... oh! and I noticed something very interesting during the fighting, Cara!" Her eyes are still shining, although this time with excitement as she adds, "Cara... when I use magic I can make a little dagger hit harder... than I can with my sword!" She can't repress a small skip of enthusiasm as she adds, "If I can figure out how to use magic well when I fight... I could maybe someday be as good a fighter as Mitya, I think!" She adds happily, "And if I can figure out how to work as a team with someone... we could maybe do some real impressive work!"
Carroll tells her, "You're already a better fighter than Dimitri; he merely has more strength and a heavier weapon." After another step or two he adds, "Practicing that, though, would be both valuable to know, and likely to surprise whoever you hit quite a bit."
Alex blinks startledly at Carroll -- wow, a whole TON of compliments tonight! She's (practically) speechless! She brightens again with pleasure, her face almost glowing, then adds pragmatically, "Well... we could sure use that strength and heavier weaponry, yes? So... if I can figure out how to replicate it, that'd be an excellent thing!"
Carroll nods, "Yes indeed, that would be quite valuable. If you could manage to trip or hold opponents too; that might be useful. Dunno how it works, so I can't say if you can or not."
Alex grins mischievously, "Already know how to trip 'em -- Bryn taught me that! Hm..." she thinks a moment, then nods, "Sure, I'll work on holding them. I should be able to figure that out eventually, I think."
Carroll says casually, "That, with someone who knew to expect it, could be quite the maneuver. Or it could save someone who you couldn't reach otherwise."
Alex nods gravely, "I'll definitely work on it then, Cara. If I could have grabbed the dagger, maybe Jessie wouldn't have been hurt."
Carroll sighs and murrs, "Alex... one of the hardest parts of being a leader is watching those you're responsible for be hurt when you can't do anything about it. You can't always stop the dagger, or talk your way out of the fight, or outrun the other ship. People get hurt. Sometimes it's bad luck; sometimes it's really your fault. Doesn't matter. You have to pick up and keep on, and not let it stop you. Your crew has to see that you're still trying and doing what you can do, and they'll understand. Don't kid yourself that you can always save everyone. You can't."
Alex opens her mouth to protest -- then sighs softly, deflating a bit, "I... understand, Carroll. Mitya used to say the same thing to me... I thought maybe with magic I could do it anyway, manage to do it all... but I guess... it's just another level of power, right? Not a fix-it..." She sighs quietly again, then smiles ruefully up at Carroll and pats his arm gently, "It's okay... I just... don't want to stop trying my best, you know?" She softly adds, "Sure would be nice if there was a fix-it though..."
Carroll hopes valiantly that his sister can't see through his facade. The message is important, even if this is one of his own weak points. This is something he can't teach her well. This is something she should have learned from Father. Blast him for not wanting to see her a Captain, and not wanting to have to watch her be hurt. I hope I can teach it, rather than merely not wanting to. He replies quietly, "Yes, Alex, it would be nice, but it's never something that's been true. Magic is just another tool, and it has its limits too." After another step or two he adds, "Don't ever stop trying your best, though; but know that sometimes it's not enough, no matter how hard you try."
Alex nods silently, pacing along next to him... although if he doesn't object her small paw will slip into his as they walk... at least until the medbay door, where she has to be a first mate again. Carroll doesn't object at all, no. He smiles quietly at her, in fact, until he too has to be official.
Cleo nods as they step into the sickbay. "I was just about to send someone for you. He's awake... what do you want to ask?"
Alex smiles and nods to Cleo, "Nothing too terrible. Just what he knows about the whys and wherefores of the attack on us tonight. I find it quite suspicious that there were ten well-armed and well-prepared thugs, after all."
Carroll comments, "All they were lacking was uniforms."
Alex grins amusedly at her brother, "Let's not borrow trouble here!" Carroll just smiles and gestures his sister towards the prisoner.
Alex paces quietly over to stare thoughtfully down at the prisoner. Her voice is calm and conversational, "So. Who sent you to attack us, and why?"
The injured badger is looking around a bit blearily, his body awash in morphine. He looks suspiciously at Alex and Carroll, but answers in a slurred voice, "...wass Delos' orders. Said he had a lead on a rich and soft target. Idiot..."
Carroll sees the badger's eyes linger nervously on him, and he settles down, quiet, and more out of the patient's viewpoint. Alex's voice is still mostly casual and conversational, "Who was the soft target? and who gave Delos the lead? and what were you supposed to do precisely?"
Carroll murrs very softly, "One at a time, Alex. Also, why did they have so many?" Alex's ears flick back in acknowledgement of Carroll's instructions, even as she keeps eye contact with the badger, trying to be the center of his focus and attention.
The badger continues in a low voice. "He got his, though... saw that... little vixen put a dagger right through his breastplate. Eh?" He pauses, distracted from his line of thought. "Soft target... vixen and one guard, only it turned out to be three guards... supposed to kill and rob them..."
Alex's ears flatten a bit in anger, but she keeps her voice calm, "Why were there so many, for just two?"
"Wha, leave some of the boys behind? Nah... can't hurt to have extra swords... cuts down on casualties...." He coughs, a rather painful sounding affair. Cleo frowns at that.
Alex's ears are almost pinned in irritation, but she merely murmurs quietly, "Who gave Delos the tip?"
The badger focuses a little more closely on Alex. "Dunno... he had his own contacts. Never told us half the time... I know you, don't I?"
Alex smiles slowly, although the smile doesn't reach her eyes, "We've met. I'm sure we won't meet again, though." She turns away and nods to Cleo, "Thank you, Cleo." To Carroll she says, "Sir, I'd recommend just giving him to the baroness tomorrow."
The badger nods, and drifts back to sleep. Cleo nods to herself. "That's about all you'll get out of him for now. That throat wound needs to heal."
Carroll also nods, and murrs, "We'll send her a note and let her know she's welcome to him if she wants him."
Alex paces towards the door, her hands clasped behind her back, and adds quietly, "It would seem, captain, that we might even have done the city a favor in incapacitating several of Delos' dirty crew." She glances with distaste over her shoulder at the badger, then adds, "I shan't miss him at all."
A message is sent up to the palace, and Ludmilla herself turns up in response. She returns the salutes of the guards at the gangway and heads for the Captain's cabin. Alex smiles and opens the door for her, after knocking lightly to warn Carroll that the baroness was on board. "Good morning, baroness!"
Carroll is standing next to the door when Alex opens it, back to the wall. He flicks a dagger apparently casually across the cabin *thunk* into one of the beams of the wall. He murrs, "Yes, Alex?" to his sister without looking away, and flicks another of the daggers in to the wall with a healthy *thunk*. He tchs at his aim and only then looks over, adding, "Good morning, Baroness Kerensky."
Alex will close the door behind them both, then be a good hostess-type, "Would you like a drink, baroness?" She'll pour a glass of wine for Carroll -- she knows he likes that.
Carroll walks to the beam and wrests the four shining daggers from it, then tucks them back about his person, murring, "How may we help you, Baroness?" and thanking Alex for the wine.
The tigress grins at the target practice. "Not bad. And yes, sank you, I vould be likink a drink." She holds up the note that was sent up to the palace. "Sir Alex says she havink bit of a fight last night."
Alex hands out the wine goblets to everyone, settles in a chair off to the side (so the tigress can have the biggest divan chair), and smiles, "Yes... quite interesting. There were, all told, at least 10 of them, apparently."
Carroll settles at the small desk, gesturing, "Please, have a seat. And, yes, there was a fight. Ten armed men. Two of our crew were hurt and it might have been worse had, of all people, Don Carlos not arrived with his guards. Alex, of course, was there, so will be able to provide you with all the details you need."
The tiger's tail twitches as she sits. "Carlos? Vhere vere you?"
Alex smiles over the lip of her goblet at the tigress as Carroll speaks... then she sits up slightly, "Horatio and I were off duty, on R&R. The captain was on duty on the Mare, Baroness." She gives a clear, complete, non-florid account of the attack to the tigress... then adds (with quiet interest at what Ludmilla's reaction might be) the information she and Carroll learned last night from the prisoner. Carroll also watches the Baroness' reaction curiously.
Ludmilla nods as the story unfolds. "So... you vere near the Talon vhen you vere beink attacked. Not so unreasonable; Don Carlos is zere much. But... somevun vass settink you up. Not good."
Alex nods quietly, then pauses, thinking how to phrase this politely... then says carefully, "It would strike me as um... perhaps wise, baroness, were ah... Rana to never use the form of a red vixen, incidentally... if there is indeed someone looking specifically for me in this town?"
The tigress sits up. "Bozhemoi. Da, you are right. Rana shall a raccoon stay. Vould not be useful to disguise herself as you."
Alex nods, her smile a touch grimly amused. Carroll comments, "I might find that a bit distracting myself," and smiles cheerfully.
Ludmilla snorts at Carroll's comment. "Hooligan."
Alex covers a mischievous grin at Ludmilla's comment, then shakes her head at her brother. She asks Ludmilla curiously, "So... having had a good description of species and injuries, do you think there's any possibility of picking up any of the other thugs?" She adds thoughtfully, "It's a shame the leader got killed, in a way..."
Ludmilla shrugs. "Ve try. A chance, yes, but... is easy to disappear in city."
There is a soft knock on Carroll's door... Carroll looks over and calls, "Come in,"
Horatio enters finally, looking somewhat haggard and worn but animated at least. For once he looks like he didn't get a dram of sleep, and he isn't carrying his satchel with him... but neither is he carrying a scabbard. "I'm sorry I'm late, Carroll, I know I should have been here earlier; Jessie -- oh! I'm sorry, good... er, morning, Baroness Kerensky... erm... that is I was with Jessie and, er, sorry..." He looks tiredly sheepish as he quietly closes the door behind him.
Alex nods at the baroness' words, thoughtfully running a finger along the edge of her goblet, her ears flicking slightly at the clear crystal chime... she nods absently to her younger brother, then suddenly looks up intently at the tigress, "Baroness... did you ever find Jeremy Featherstone... or his body? He was the gambler rabbit that bribed that young Dunbarton guard raccoon?" Carroll gestures Horatio in, and towards a chair, listening to Alex's question.
Ludmilla nods to Horatio as he enters. "Not needink to apologize. You vere vhere your heart is, am ssinkink." She turns back to Alex. "Young Tomasi is off beink border guard now. Feazzerstone... is not turnink up anyvhere."
Alex nods thoughtfully again, "I wonder if my speculation was right... and he's actually never going to be found." She sighs softly, shaking her head, "I don't know whether to feel sorry for him for tangling with more than he knew... or to wish him justice. Well." She looks up at the huge tigress and smiles, "Is there anything else we can tell you, baroness, that I've forgotten?"
Horatio's ear tips turn a bit pink at the Baroness' words, as he nods quietly and edges to the seat Carroll indicated. Alex smiles at Horatio, focusing on him, and waves him towards the wine carafe and a goblet of his own. Horatio blinks to Alex, his eyes flicking to the carafe, then he nods gratefully, retrieving a moderate splash of the wine in a glass, which he holds but does not sip from just yet.
The tigress shifts a little... embarrassed? Whatever it is, it looks unfamiliar on her. "Speakink of Rana... vhat vas it you vere doink on your trip? Her mazhesty is most anxious to do ziss again."
Alex looks puzzled, "What did we do? Hm..." she glances to her brothers for confirmation of her words as she says, "Well... we wandered through the bazaar... then we went to lunch, and after that to the Silver Talon! Um... I don't think we did anything unusual?"
Carroll hmms, "Let's see. We went shopping, poked through the marketplace. We had lunch. We went to the Silver Talon and gambled -- Rana did pretty well for a beginner. We had dessert, and sat and talked. Were you worried for Rana's safety? Everything seemed quiet and uneventful. A very pleasant afternoon out and about."
Alex nods cheerfully, "It was fun! We all got a chance to relax and not worry about anything official."
Ludmilla nods, and mutters to herself. "Rutinya... bednarya malenkya tsareva..."
Alex adds curiously, "What..." she pauses as Ludmilla speaks, then adds even more curiously, "What does that mean? Why do you ask?"
The tigress shakes herself out of her reverie. "Alvays vorry about her safety. I not realizink how much ze little ssings vould mean to her. Ve need to find out who is doink this so she can go viss you again."
Carroll nods and murrs, "I'm sure she realizes how concerned you are, Baroness."
Alex looks puzzled again, thinking. Finally she looks up at Ludmilla and says curiously again, "While I'm gratified that you'd like the attacks on me to stop-" she grins, since she knows that's not the precise thing the big tigress really wants, "-what little things are you referring to, please, baroness?"
Ludmilla waves a hand vaguely. "Shoppink, talkink, spendink time viss friends... she needs to do ziss, and is not easy to arrange."
Alex looks vaguely perplexed... but decides to think about it more later. She can't see the draw in shopping herself... she brightens slightly, thinking, unless it's for a nice set of matching daggers, or a nice new custom made sword... now that would be worth browsing for! Horatio remains quiet though the discussion -- not necessarily thoughtfully quiet, but contemplative. He appears to be regaining his animation from the night before. Finally though he says softly, "And this... incident didn't really seem to make it seem any safer for her."
Carroll comments, "Short of stealing her away to someplace no one knows her, I don't know a better way to arrange it. Perhaps find friends for her to visit with who are less inclined to be attacked." He grins a wry grin and adds, "Perhaps she'd get along well with the Lascarri family. They certainly know how to have fun." Alex giggles softly behind her goblet!
Ludmilla hmms at that. "Might beink not politically expedient... but might suggest anyvay. She is needink friends."
Alex nods, feeling vaguely sorry for the poor queen. She wonders absently what it must be like, to be quite so... 'on display' all the time. Horatio blinks, arching an eyebrow at Carroll's suggestions. He's not joking... is he? No, he's not... and he's also kind of right, I think.
Carroll cocks his head, and asks, "Why not expedient? As far as I understand, all three of the Duchies support her right now. I expect any of them would be pleased to spend more informal time with her."
"Favoritism. Still... might vork out."
Carroll adds, "My other suggestion would be an incognito vacation to someplace she's unknown, which would be very relaxing for her but would keep her away from here for a time." Alex grins, thinking of one of their estates on Starfall... and how happy Carroll would be to show the queen around!
The tigress nods emphatically. "Vhen situation is stable again. Soon, ve hope. But she could not be takink vacation vhile t'rone veak."
Alex looks surprised, "It's weak, now? Howso?" Horatio blinks, sitting up in surprise. The throne, weak? How so? I thought all that nonsense was over and done with?
The tigress shakes her head. "Not so veak now, but it vas. Vhen ve finally find who killed her fazzer, zen she has vacation."
Carroll also looks curious. He ahhs quietly. "Oh." Alex's tone is a little flat... she sighs softly, guessing the poor queen will never learn that -- it's a murder mystery that's several years old now... a cold trail indeed.
Horatio glances over to Alex. "Perhaps so, Baroness... but I'd be willing to say that there was a link between the ones who killed her father, and the ones who tried to kill her."
Ludmilla nods. "Da. Most likely, zere is."
Alex sighs, "I hope so... for her sake. Otherwise it's a very cold trail."
Carroll asks quietly, "What if this is never resolved, Baroness? Will the Queen remain in fear of the throne being usurped forever? As I understand it -- from having each of them actually tell someone in my immediate family -- the Duchies all support the Queen, and are pleased to do so. Perhaps I am a fool, but I believe them and their relief about the Queen being more willing to accept them again."
Alex adds quietly, "Her people love her, Ludmilla. They welcomed us with open arms... because we saved their queen." Carroll nods, remembering the florist.
Horatio nods enthusiastically, more animation than he's had since the past evening. "We realize you probably won't take our word for it... but the plot did not originate from the duchies or from the people of Maidstone." Something tugs at his mind. A movement like the one Pravinchandra seemed to support? A blow against the nobles? Could whomever moved Pravinchandra to discredit so many noble families in Starfall be making similar movements here, in a more direct way?
Ludmilla growls. "Most of zem do. Someone doesn't, and ve still need to find zat person."
Alex sighs again and nods pragmatically, "Well, if there's anything we can do to help ferret that person out, let us know please, yes, baroness?"
Carroll counters lightly with, "What better way to find out whom then to set such a lovely trap for them -- the Queen gone! Also, it has the advantage of the Queen being gone, and therefore removed from the point of action."
The tigress nods. "Ve vill, am sure. But you need not be stayink here just for zat. Veren't you goink to be scoutink new trade markets?"
Carroll hrms and murrs, "Well, that's the excuse I gave Father for the trip. I can't argue that it might lessen confusion here in Maidstone a bit."
Alex nods, her glance towards Carroll a mix of amused and exasperated, "Tempting though it is to want to hunt down whomever's after me, a trip down south might be just the ticket to throw our opponent off our trail."
Horatio blinks to Carroll. "That's audacious. And it might work..." He considers, then grimaces, and nods to Alex. "Good point." He seems more alive now, thoughtful instead of passive. "We should do that soon. Next time it might not be ten thugs, but fire-wards."
Alex grins a little sheepishly at Ludmilla, "Sorry about that. We really had no idea anyone would be causing trouble here due to us." She nods gravely to Horatio in turn, "Right... and that I don't think I can stop yet."
Carroll murrs, "I sorely doubt that anyone will consider any of us 'an easy mark' again. Especially now that we're warned."
The tigress rumbles. "Vhich is meanink nastier trap next time. A trip vould be good for you, I think."
Alex hms thoughtfully to herself, "Well... is there anything else we need to do here, Carroll? We're stocked for the trip. Much though I'd prefer staying here... maybe we should jaunt down that way?"
Carroll considers, finally saying, "I can't think of any really good reason, no. With a good reason to go, it seems we ought to."
Horatio is still, perhaps visibly, itching to find out who specifically had ordered the attack on them. But it really might help if they slip away for a bit. At the very least... well, he'd be the last to try to keep Jessie out of danger. But it would keep the entire ship and crew out of danger from whomever ordered the attack. "Erp..." He blinks a little, as if realizing who he is: the navigator. "I can have a course line laid down by mid-afternoon, Captain," he says semi-formally.
Alex nods, "The crew can be recalled by... hm. I'll need to speak to Jared first, but I'm pretty sure we can be ready to go on tomorrow's tide, captain."
Carroll murrs, "That will give us enough time to plot a course and decide the details of where we're going, then."
Horatio nods, moving to the charts. "We have most of the south open to us..."
Alex sighs... then nods. She'd prefer to have it out with this annoyingly secretive jerk that seems to be hunting her... but she won't endanger others in her desire to do so. This is probably the best course of action, even if it's not the most fun. Carroll grins wryly and murrs, "I shall resist the urge to poke Prince Iago's ego by starting in Costa Yermo."
Alex glances over at Horatio's charts... then grins, "Shall we start in Hamasura? Their ambassadors seemed um... kindly disposed towards us?"
Carroll looks at the large map and suggests, "Perhaps we should work our way south, through the little countries south of the Empire, then to Hamasura and Costa Yermo? What's beyond them on that continent?"
Horatio glances to Carroll as he slips a large-area chart from its cubby. "Why not, Carroll?" he says wryly. "Besides... we might find a lead as to why Don Carlos is here... though... that might be a bit of asking for trouble." He nods to Alex. "The Hamasuran ambassador did seem to like us. Though that's no guarantee that Hamasura itself will be hospitable to us, it's promising."
Ludmilla gets up. "I vill pass zat on, zen. Good luck! And... good huntink!"
Alex chuckles, "Thank you, baroness. Good luck with the prisoner... for what little he knows."
Carroll comments, "Perhaps we should decide once we're at sea." He looks at the towering feline and murrs, "Thank you, Baroness. Good luck to you on this end. Let us know if we can do or find anything for you or the Queen."
- Jared has no trouble rounding up the crew, and the Mare does
indeed leave on the next morning's tide -- although it helps that this
particular high tide doesn't occur until almost eleven o'clock. The
little ship makes good time, considering that she is tacking upwind
against the tropical easterlies and moving upstream against
the Tropic Drift. Still, it's a long trip broken only once by a little
excitement -- but the pirate ship never really had a chance and they
broke off pursuit almost immediately when Carroll ordered the Mare to
turn toward them and Horatio fired a ballista through their mainsail.
It's six weeks after the Mare leaves the harbor at Maidstone that she arrives at the westernmost outpost of Hamasura, the rowdy port town of Punta Arenas on Isla Cabrero. The town has a reputation for high prices and low quality, but most ships crossing from the League make a stop here, if only to replenish their water casks... and the Mare is no exception to that requirement.
The Mare doesn't stay in port long, just overnight to restock with water and food. She's outbound again early the next morning, skirting along the island on her way to the Republic's mainland port, Punta del Oro. Both the currents and the wind are tricky now that the ship has entered the Buccaneer Sea -- with its multitude of little islands, atolls, and reefs, it is one of the most dangerous regions for sailing vessels on the planet.
Horatio works hard at navigating the ship through the maze -- another reason why Punta Arenas manages to do a lot of business in spite of its reputation is the difficulty of piloting clumsy merchantmen through these waters -- and manages, although with several sleepless nights, to bring the Mare to her destination without a single bobble. Alex grins exuberantly the day they sight the port, and next time Horatio is awake he gets a sudden, very pleased and proud hug from his sister! Carroll also makes a point to tell Horatio -- and the rest of the crew -- what an excellent job they've done through those tricky seas.
Horatio looks somewhat the worse for wear after the last night of intense navigation, and it is a bleary-eyed apparition who can still see chart-lines and depth-numbers dancing in front of his eyes who gets enthusiastically hugged, blinking himself awake in surprise, then in sheepish pride and thanks for Alex's and Carroll's thanks.
- Punta del Oro -- Gold Point -- lives up to its name, the
yellow-tinted adobe walls of most of the town's buildings bright in the
tropical sunshine. The adult inhabitants wear clothing of thin white
cloth, both males and females generally in skirts and short tunics. The
cubs generally don't bother with clothing at all. The harbor is busy,
primarily with small ships -- fishing vessels and coastal transports
for the most part -- but the city itself looks sleepy in the blazing
afternoon sun.
Alex watches the new town come into view with delighted fascination. She can see the value of the light cotton clothing... she's hot herself, in just her silk shirt, breeches, and boots. Carroll approaches the deck railing, fanning himself with his hat and murring, "I expect we'll all be more comfortable if we get some of the local attire. I think it's that, or roast in the heat." He looks at the city and adds, "And I expect we don't get much done until evening." He chuckles, and watches the harbor.
Alex leans on the railing, panting lightly, her fur damp from where she's splashed a bit of water on herself to cool down. She grins up at her brother, then gets a quizzical look, "Um... wouldn't a skirt and top look a tad odd with a sword belt, captain?" She adds curiously, "I wonder if there's a League ambassador here?"
Carroll murrs, "We'll have to see how the locals manage that."
Horatio leans on the railing, watching the port drift by. He's panting as well from the heat, and loosened his jacket considerably. He doesn't blame the folk for wearing what they wear. "I don't imagine they wear swords much here, Alex," he provides. "If it gets really humid, swords can rust right in the scabbard... hrm... I'll have to pack the ballistae's arms and cords in wax, actually, to keep them from getting adversely affected... if I'd known it was going to be this hot and humid..."
Alex's ears flick towards Horatio and she nods, "Okay, I'll make sure to mention that to Mac... and I should check my sword too."
Carroll asks his brother, "Once you've done that, see if you can figure out some way to rig some sort of shade over the deck while we're in port, or we'll bake. I expect the others do something like it."
Alex grins at Carroll again, a little excited, "So! When do we go exploring, captain?"
Carroll tells his sister, "Once we're tied in and have coped with the dock master I think we'll be able to, although I wouldn't be surprised if things are closed in the heat of the afternoon." He tries to remember the other things the other Captains and his Father told him about Hamasura and tropical heat.
Alex nods, "Let's get settled then... and we'll be ready for twilight, when the heat will hopefully break."
- A harbor pilot shows up not too long after the Mare arrives,
and guides them to a berth a little way from the docks... then dives over
the side to get back to shore. Not much else happens until the sudden
and short tropical twilight gives way to night. With the disappearance
of the sun the air cools noticeably and lamps are lit all over the city,
firelight and magelight giving it a fairyland appearance missing in the
bleak daylight.
Carroll has spent the afternoon on deck, mostly staying out of harm's way and making sure some sort of shade is arranged. When night falls he finds Alex and murrs, "I believe the city will be more interesting now."
Alex has been watching the passersby, the harbor, the city itself, and the slowly setting sun with ear-pricked interest. She beams happily up at her brother, "Sounds wonderful, captain! So... shall we go a-wandering?" She isn't quite bouncing lightly on her toes with enthusiasm... but her tail's afluff and switching back and forth slowly -- she's looking forward to land-legs for a bit!
Carroll nods and murrs, "Yes, I think we should. Collect some appropriate guards for us, and find Horatio." He changed in to his lightest clothing during the day; he keeps it on to go to shore.
Horatio is still trying to find the best combination of what clothes he has which would be comfortable in this heat and humidity. "Hopefully it'll be a quiet visit... still, we should be a bit careful..."
Alex makes quick, smooth arrangements, and is ready in no time, waiting at the railing with the guards, with the little skiff below, for her brothers. Carroll murrs, "Shall we, then?" and gestures towards the city.
The skiff is oared smoothly to the docks, and the party debarks. After that the small boat is sent back to the Mare, to wait upon their return. Alex happily trots down the dock gangplank to the harbor proper, looking around interestedly, her ears alertly up, "Which way first, captain? The League ambassador first, then Colonel Villeja's friends?"
Skeee flutters down, having used her wings rather than riding in the boat. "Mind if I come along?"
Carroll smiles, and murrs, "Not a bit, Skeee. Glad to have you." He nods to Alex, "Those sound good. I'm curious about the marketplace myself, but that won't go anywhere."
The town seems to have come alive with the dusk, the streets a lot more crowded than they looked from the ship during the afternoon. A small group of older cubs, mostly naked, come clamoring up to the party from the Mare, offering various services... mercado, taverno, other things, mostly in the local language which no one but Jared and Skeee seem to speak. The bat finally spreads her wings out and screeches loud enough to make everyone's ears ring, then clears her throat in the silence. "We need one guide, and we need one who can speak Killimaran. Anyone?" Most of them miss the cue, leaving a young armadillo lass and a coatimundi lad arguing over who was there first while Skeee chases the rest of them away.
Carroll smiles at the resourceful Skeee. Horatio visibly winces with Skeee's screech, his ears flicking slightly, but he does have to grin a little at Skeee's way of choosing a guide. Alex also flinches slightly at Skeee's er... pragmatism, then grins and whispers to Carroll, "Can we hire both of them?"
Carroll murmurs, "Let Skeee handle it. She seems to know what she's doing." Alex nods. Good point. She settles back and watches Skeee with attentive interest... although she's made sure her coin purse is tucked into her shirt!
Skeee, however, having cut through the worst of it, turns to Carroll to make the final decision. "These two both speak our lingo, Captain. Which d'ya want?"
Alex grins quietly, watching the two kids attentively. Carroll asks the two children, "Which of you knows where the Killimaran ambassador is?"
The two cubs (well, they're almost full grown, and both are wearing skirts though not tops) don't miss a beat, assuring Carroll that they know exactly where it is. They don't seem to want to explain how to get there, though, just on the off chance the other one is lying...
Alex grins, "Shall we flip a coin then, captain?"
Carroll will have none of it, and says, "No, no, directions."
Alex smiles and beckons to the little armadillo, "Come whisper to me, and your friend can whisper to the captain, how's that?"
Carroll nods and murrs, "That's a good idea."
Skeee clears her throat as the kids look suspicious. "You haven't discussed pay scales yet, boss."
Alex says, "What's the usual rate, Skeee?"
The bat wingshrugs and whispers to the officers. "Depends what you need. If you want to hire them full time, a good price is a dollar a day plus food. If you want directions, a quarter is more than enough."
Alex nods thoughtfully... then glances at Carroll, answering just as quietly, "Find out which one's more familiar with the city, then hire that one full time, captain?" She adds, "We can ask them to whisper the route to the embassy, figure out which is better from that, and hire that one?"
Carroll shrugs and murrs, "Can't get something for nothing, can I?" He grins and adds, "That's fair. All right, I'll offer a dollar per day for guidance and knowledge, plus food, to one of you. You both still interested?"
Alex smiles, adding one last whisper, "And it might be nice to give the one we don't hire a dime or something?"
Carroll nods to Alex, then finds a couple of dimes and adds, "I'll give each of you a dime now to tell my sister or I directions so we can decide. That way, you get something even if you're not who we choose. The one we choose will get the rest of the dollar for today."
The two perk up again and start quarrelling, each denouncing the other as an incompetent who could get lost on the way to the latrine. Skeee finally has to land nearly on top of them to keep things from coming to blows. "Enough, muchachos! Take the offer, or not!" Alex covers a grin.
The two subside and agree... the armadillo whispering to Alex and the coatimundi to Carroll. The directions are nearly identical, although couched in street names that the new arrivals don't know. Alex thanks the little armadillo, hands her the dime, and compares notes with Carroll. She's hoping one's a little clearer than the others... otherwise, how to tell which to pick? Carroll makes sure each of them gets their dime and confers with his sister, comparing notes about directness, accent fluency, and general cleverness. Most of it's subjective. Alex whispers to her brothers that she thinks the armadillo girl is a bit more fluent? a bit less... cranky sounding? -and, to Alex the most important thing -- the girl's magical aura is a tad brighter? "Do you guys feel that way too?"
Horatio blinks a little to Alex and whispers, "I think so, Alex... I'm not the best judge of... er, character, but she does sound more fluent in the language..."
Carroll agrees with Alex and Horatio, and turns back to the two eager natives, to murr, "We'll hire you," pointing to the armadillo. He thanks the coatimundi and says, "Good luck," to him. Turning back to the armadillo, he offers her four of the nine outstanding dimes, and asks, "What's your name?"
The armadillo makes a sketchy curtsey. "Rosita, Captain. You weesh to go to the consulate, si?"
Alex nods to the little armadillo girl, "Yes, please!'
Carroll smiles, and murrs, "That'll be first, yes."
Rosita smiles again and leads the way up the street. "We go thees way. We take the Street of the Chandlers to the Street of the Tanners, then turn left..." The route is fairly direct after all, though it would have been tough without a guide. There don't seem to be any street signs. The League Consulate is open for business, the outer office staffed by a few locals who summon the consul himself when Carroll asks.
Carroll greets the consul, murring, "Good evening, sir. Thank you for seeing us tonight." He introduces himself, his family, their staff, and their ship, saying, "We've just arrived in town and wanted to make sure that we hadn't made any foolish oversights."
The Consul is a rather relaxed-looking otter with a Skaergardian accent. "Well, you've arrived just in time for the cashew harvest, Captain. That'll make things busy in a couple weeks, but for now things are slow. It's hard to make really bad blunders, the locals are pretty forgiving of differences in manners. Just... don't get dragged into political discussions. They get rather passionate about their politics."
Carroll smiles and murrs, "I'll warn my crew." He asks the consul some trader's questions; what's a good cargo to sell, to buy, what are notable dealers, that sort of thing. Alex watches quietly and observantly... she's interested not only in what a consul lives like, but also how one deals well with one. Carroll may realize she's got that intent 'I'm learning!' expression again, in fact, by the attentive tilt of her ears.
The consul -- "Call me Hans, it's too hot to be formal," -- is willing to discuss cargoes and prices but stops short of endorsing particular dealers. "They're a pretty good bunch here, not like the crowd at Punta Arenas. As I said, they'll be harvesting cashews in a couple weeks; naval supplies are always available, medical and alchemical substances if you know what you're doing with those things..." He's interrupted by a commotion in the outer office. "Now what?"
Carroll smiles and steps aside, letting the man get to his staff, and being somewhat unobtrusive, listening. Alex glances around automatically for her group... Horry, Cara, guards outside... where's the little girl, Rosita? Voices can now be made out, and the otter puts his head down in his hands. "Oh, no... not him again. Crazy bird... keeps insisting I need to see his marvelous new material."
Carroll asks the otter, "May I inquire what is going on? What new material?" Alex looks puzzled, then leans slightly to look out the door, since it doesn't seem to be an emergency.
The otter looks up. "He's trying to sell me on this stuff he gets from tree sap. It's a sticky, gooey mess that he claims could be made into flexible, waterproof material if only we'd put our alchemists on the job..."
Alex grins mischievously, "Sounds like something that's right down Horatio's alley, eh, captain?" She giggles softly, "And maybe talking to Horatio would keep him from bothering the consul any more!"
Carroll smiles and murrs, "It certainly does." He asks the otter, "Why don't you introduce us, Hans, and we'll take him off someplace and talk to him. At least you'll be rid of him for the evening. I happen to have a very skilled alchemist with me," he indicates Horatio, "-who might be free to look at this. And if it indeed does this then we're quite prepared to help him sell it."
Hans perks up at this. "Milord? Would you mind? If he had a chance to talk to a League alchemist, at least maybe he'd leave me alone afterward..."
Carroll ohs, "Of course, Hans. It would be our pleasure." He adds, "Always nice to meet local color," and winks at the otter.
Alex nods, adding confidently, "Horatio's the best, sir. If this bird's singing nonsense, Horry'll soon put him right!"
Carroll comments, "And if he's not, we'll take care of everything."
The outer office is a rather bizarre scene, with a large brown bird trying to talk to the secretaries to make an appointment to see the consul, and the secretaries resolutely ignoring him. Rosita and the guards are off to one side, bemused by the whole affair, while Skeee has apparently gone outside. As the three foxes step out of the inner office, the bird's rapid-fire speech picks up speed. Alex says politely to the large bird, "Excuse me, sir, but are you the bird that needs an alchemist? If so, perhaps we could step outside and I could introduce you to my brothers?"
Carroll murrs, "Perhaps you can introduce us, Hans." Alex grins at Carroll, guessing Hans wants nothing to do with the bird, but stepping aside so the otter can indeed introduce them.
The oilbird looks blankly at Alex... apparently, he doesn't speak Killimaran. Hans steps in, introducing in both languages. "Lord Horatio St. Genevieve, this is the fellow I was telling you about, Pedro Valencia. Senyor Valencia claims to have discovered a useful new substance."
Alex smiles and nods politely when she's introduced. She grins, expecting Horatio and the bird to quickly get lost in both alchemically fascinating abstrusions -- and tangled up in the problems of translation! She wonders if the little coati's still available -- maybe they could hire him just for Horry.
Carroll smiles, and murrs, "I see the language will be an irritation. I hope the language of science will overcome this." He adds, "We will be happy to have our alchemist assist you while we are in town if, in return, we will be able to oversee the marketing, production, and distribution of this new material, should it prove viable. You will, of course, be the discoverer and receive a significant return on your discovery if we are able to successfully market it." He asks the otter to translate, and where they might find a translator who can manage the alchemists' babble?
Rosita demonstrates a bit of initiative at this point, stepping forward to handle the translation as the consul escapes back to his office. The discussion gets a bit beyond her capabilities, leaving all three of them floundering for words, but he does show a toy ball made of the dried substance -- it bounces dramatically off the hardwood floor -- and a vial of the original tree sap, a sticky white milky liquid. Alex laughs at the little bouncy ball -- how cute! -- and one paw flashes out to catch it when it carooms off something on the floor and isn't caught at once by the bird. Carroll smiles widely and nods enthusiastically at the bird. He asks Horatio, "What do you think?"
Horatio nods seriously. "It might be quite feasible. There are questions about how much of the stuff could be harvested, and it might get brittle if it was cold, but there ought to be a way around that if so..." He drifts off into alchemical technicalities, almost as incomprehensible as Valencia at times.
Alex grins and rolls her eyes amusedly, then whispers to Carroll, "Let's get him a translator, and leave him and senyor Valencia in peace, yes?"
Carroll nods and murrs, "Yes, that's what needs to happen next." He turns to get the consul's attention, then changes his mind. He turns to Rosita and asks her if she knows someone who can help the alchemists talk?
The armadillo is a little hesitant... she's probably wondering which job would last longer before committing herself either way... but finally admits, "Juan isn't a total idiot, Capitan. He could probably manage to translate, as long as he didn't have to lead them anywhere."
Alex grins at the armadillo, and murmurs quietly, "Good for you, chica!"
Carroll oversees, via Rosita, the finding of Juan, the location of a meeting place, makes sure Horatio has some money and a guard, and tells him to keep Juan around so he doesn't get lost, sending the alchemists off to do their work. Then he tells Alex, "Real work done already. That's a good sign."