|
Post by Ladorak on Nov 23, 2012 17:03:23 GMT -5
Ladorak watched (though didn't move up to the poop deck) as Sieg went to retrieve his weapons. He saw that it was a dual spear that Sieg was looking for, and though Ladorak couldn't completely remember this weapon, he at least knew Sieg had possessed it four years ago.
It was modified to attach at the center, and was quite the impressive weapon as far as the stoat was concerned. Despite his years as a slave, Sieg seemed to suffer from no diminishing speed or power in his swings. Ladorak smiled, and shifted his attention back over to the ship's wheel as the lookouts suddenly gave out cries from aloft of land sighted off the larboard bow.
That would be Personza, Ladorak knew. Admiral Parker was taking them into San Fiorenzo, where they would anchor and await the arrival of their new admiral. Admiral Jervis was said to be traveling aboard the frigate Lively, and would thus be arriving faster than if he'd been on a ship of the line.
"Keep her steady!" Ladorak ordered the quartermasters at the wheel. "Let's follow the Princess Royal on in." he suggested, pointing right at the big three decker ahead of them, which was their division flagship. It was Admiral Goodall's command, but sadly, Ladorak knew they'd soon be losing him as well. Admiral Goodall was much like Ladorak: ambitious and desirous of a high post. Disappointed with his career thus far and at not being named to command the Mediterranean Fleet after Hotham was relieved, Goodall was planning to strike his flag and retire with Admiral Jervis's arrival. It would be a sad end to an otherwise distinguished officer, and one Ladorak counted as a good friend and superior out here.
The stoat strode over to the binnacle now and retrieved the ship's logbook, making a note that land had been sighted. He popped open a silver pocket watch and also noted the time down that Personza had come into sight. The rocky green island was indeed becoming visible now on the horizon, or more specifically, Cap Corse was.
"Right on time..." Ladorak muttered, snapping his watch closed and pocketing it as he replaced the logbook now.
|
|
|
Post by ninjasquirrel1 on Nov 24, 2012 18:53:34 GMT -5
Siegfried joined Ladorak by his side, his sight riveted on the three decker ahead of them. It was a beautiful ship. It's huge white sails billowed in the wind and crew beasts scrambled about the rigging. Really, the whole fleet was a beautiful thing. Sieg found his good eye slowly performing a 360 degree turn as he took in the impressive sight of the fleet. He felt powerful; safe as well amid the ships. "Is there any duties you would like me to perform, sir," Siegfried asked. "I was always good with rigging sir, I can join the sail crews." OOC> Sorry for shortness, not much to write.
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Nov 25, 2012 12:11:38 GMT -5
Ladorak smiled now as Sieg offered to help out in the rigging. He nodded, and clapped him on the back (not too heartily though, in case he hit a tender or injured spot). "Very well, Jal Ronshausen! Just don't exert yourself." the stoat cautioned. "I'd hate to be responsible for you taking a fall from the rigging. We're going to be reefing the sails here soon once we head into San Fiorenzo Bay, and I assume you'll be familiar with all the orders the boatswain will be giving out."
Gradually, as they edged their way in, the main courses were reefed and secured, and then the topgallants were taken in once the fleet began coming to its anchorage. The small seaside town of San Fiorenzo was a cluttered looking place, with buildings crowding each other incessantly, as if they were trying to push each other into the sea and jostling for position. Welkin's dockyard facilities had sprouted up rapidly after Welkin had conquered the island, and the docks buzzed with activity, resembling ant hives from this distance.
While Personza could be rather abysmal in the summer, in November it was a pleasant and moderate temperature, the current thermometer reading a very temperate 57 degrees. There was just the slightest hint of a chill in the air, and it was the reason the island made such a good winter base for the fleet.
The topsails were taken in, and the ship slowly ceased its forward momentum. "Drop anchor!" the stoat captain ordered, and the Agamemnon's starboard bow anchor was let go, the massive iron tool splashing into the water and sinking into the depths as they came to a stop.
Caden approached Ladorak now, and threw him a salute. Ladorak returned it smartly, and the young albino marten stood in a relaxed posture now. "Sir! I was thinking of taking the first longboat into town with a few of the others."
"Aye, that's fine, Midshipjack Fugate." Ladorak responded, giving his ward a nod. "Just speak to the coxswain about it, as I'm sure he's already in the process of getting the ship's boats ready. I might join you in fact... but I need to get a few things in my cabin in order first." the stoat said.
"We can wait for you if you want, sir." Caden suggested.
Ladorak nodded, and replied with: "That would be fine Jal Fugate."
"Thanks dad!" Caden replied, grinning now as he ran off forward to go and locate the coxswain. Ladorak hovered around the ship's wheel, smiling as he watched his ward dash off.
Turning his attention to the ship's first lieutenant now, Ladorak gave him a nod. "As of right now, I'm granting everyone shore leave if they so choose to take it. They aren't to leave the San Fiorenzo vicinity until I receive further orders from Admiral Parker, but everyone is on leave until further notice."
The first lieutenant gave a slight smile and nodded, saluting his commanding officer. "Yes sir, I'll be sure to pass it on." Nodding, Ladorak looked around for Sieg now, not wanting to head into his cabin just yet as he wanted to find out the ferret's plans first.
|
|
|
Post by ninjasquirrel1 on Dec 4, 2012 14:19:39 GMT -5
Siegfried merely nodded in response to Ladorak's concerns, he had been in the rigging of a ship numerous times and a bad eye was not going to stop him from at least doing something for his captain, he never did like being idle. A paw tugged on an invisible hat in salute and Siegfried was off to help prepare the ship to come to port. Now, it is common knowledge that a writer is limited by his field. Our good friend Cal could probably go on for paragraph after paragraph on the proper use of sails and how to man them as I could most likely go for a few lines on the superiority of four-day-old peanut butter over freshly opened peanut butter and the proper spreading pattern of the first (a topic for another time), but the point is, I have no clue in what manner Siegfried went about his duties. But I do know this: he did them well and without hindrance from his injuries.
Paw fell over paw as Siegfried quickly tied or untied whatever it was he was untying or tying, dangling in the air on the rigging (if this was his position, it is very likely he used a very long stick to accomplish his tasks), then moving the thing. OK. Forget it, the point is during his “duties” Siegfried's mind was elsewhere. His history of repeatedly doing the task again and again every time he heard the boatswain's call had merely programmed the instructions into his subconscious. Completely unaware of what took place around him or what he was doing, his mind tackled the question he longed for an answer. Was Luna OK? Through his captivity the only thoughts that could hold his sanity in check was her white fur and loving heart, every fiber of his being longed to see her again.
Ronshausen looked up in surprise as he stood on the deck with Ladorak in front of him; the ship was in port and most of the crew beasts were excitedly making preparations to go into town. Ladorak voiced his question a third time, the first two having gone unnoticed.
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Dec 5, 2012 15:58:42 GMT -5
"Ahem." Ladorak cleared his throat patiently, offering a smile to the ferret now, who had seemingly wandered down off the shrouds as if in a daze. "Jal Ronshausen... I asked if you'd like to take the boat with me into town?" The monocled stoat held up a paw in the direction of the boat being readied on the davits now up on the poop deck.
"I plan to head into San Fiorenzo myself and then meet up with Admiral Goodall of the Princess Royal, as he'll be leaving us soon to retire." Ladorak informed Sieg, slight sadness crossing his features. "Are you all right by the way?" he asked now, concern spreading over his countenance. "You looked to be deep in thought over... something." he pointed out.
|
|
|
Post by ninjasquirrel1 on Dec 19, 2012 13:04:31 GMT -5
Luna's face faded from Sieg as Ladorak pulled him from the deep of his thoughts. Gently wiping a dirty paw across his bandaged face he let out a long breathe and allowed the tension to be blown away by the wind. It was a trick he had learned as a slave, time could be passed easily and almost happily by merely leaving the body and focusing on other things while his body repeated the menial tasks without the need for his guidance.
A single eye turned to observe the boat being prepared and a silent nod accepted the invitation to go ashore. The two old friends began to make their way across the deck to the boat when Ladorak voiced another question. Siegfried stopped short and leaned on his double spear and matched his captain's gaze when he turned and waited for a reply.
“I'm fine. But is Luna?”
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Dec 20, 2012 11:23:06 GMT -5
Ladorak's face fell a little, the monocle held firmly in the grip of his left eyebrow as a regretful sigh fell from his mouth. "I'm afraid I can't answer that. You and her departed before I had actually put to sea after all, and I haven't seen either of you since then."
He clasped his paws behind his back once more, and looked at Siegfried with a serious expression that was also bordering on apologetic. "I'm sorry. I wish I could tell you she's fine but... well unfortunately I can't." the molting stoat said mournfully, giving the ferret a sympathetic look.
"Let's... proceed into town. I've some business to attend to there, and perhaps it will help you focus and relax." he suggested now, hoping to take the ferret's mind off of things for a bit.
|
|