Detlef did as he was instructed and sat down in the proper position. He immediately felt better. “Sounds good to me. How long until we reach our destination? Are we able to gain any ground to try and catch up?”

"Maybe," Valentino replies to Detlef. "The captain has put on full sail, not always a good idea in these waters, but the enemy may not be aware that you've acquired another ship so readily."

"A day should see us at Gottkirchen, a two-hour layover there, and another day to Posen."

"At that point, we'll have to decide where we're going next--Vendel or Rurik. It'll depend on what we find out."

Detlef mentally mapped out their course and thought about where the ship might go next. “I may be able to find out some information in Posen. My mother’s family is from there, and I might be able to use my status from the military academy I went to as influence in finding something out. At the very least, they will feel more comfortable talking to me than outsiders.”

Vasily awakens from his nap refreshed and ready, once again, to be aboard ship. Satisfied with his recovery, but still woefully under-skilled to assist in the actual sailing, he does what most in his position would; he acts like he's been an honored guest aboard ship all along. And so it is that he heads for the Captain.
"It is a fine matter to have had a chance to rest after all of the excitement ashore. I'm of the understanding that we'll be making port again sometime tonight? Do you know anything about the place where we'll be going ashore?"

Once out at sea, the peace and tranquility sets in. At this time of year, there's little chance of a storm at sea, but the winds are strong and the current is steady and going in the right direction.

Due to the tides and timing, approaching Gottkirchen in the middle of the night, which is when you get there, is not advisable, so the captain lays off the coast until dawn when the morning tide comes in.

As dawn approaches, you can get a glimpse of Gottkirchen through the spyglass.

Detlef wakes and stares out at his homeland with a satisfied smile. “Ah it feels so good to be back in my home country again. It has been far too long. Hopefully, I will get to spend some time here.”He turns to the captain and the rest of the crew. “On behalf of Eisen, welcome to Gottkirchen.”The mercenary was ready to get off the ship and onto dry land. He made sure all of his armor and weapons were presentable and his military academy emblem displayed proudly on his left shoulder.

"Thank you for the welcome. Hopefully the locals will be so welcoming as well!" Vasily smiles, then heads over to the area he's unofficially claimed as his own, and makes sure all of his stuff is in order.

"I am sure you'd prefer to stay awhile, Detlef," Valentino says, "but remember, we are only trying to find if the sailor had been here."

"If I'm not mistaken, we've only got about an hour if we want to sail with the tide. We'd have to for the next outgoing tide if we miss this one."

Gottkirchen isn't actually on the water, so no docks and wharves have been built. Only small fishing boats are beached on the shore... easy to push out into the water.

Whoever is going ashore will need to take the dinghy into town.

That should make it a bit easier to find out if the person you are looking for has been here.

Detlef nodded in understanding. “Well then let’s not dally. I will look to find the nearest establishment that serves sailors and then let you do the talking.” Detlef had one of the sailors lower the dingy into the water and descended. He waited for the others to join him before rowing to shore.

Valentino decided to go ashore, too. He liked to think he was a good judge of character and felt he could trust Marcelo. In any case, the crew was loyal to him, and wouldn't let Marcelo just sail away if that was what he wanted to do.

"Have you been to Gottkirchen before?" he asked Detlef as he climbed into the dinghy.

"Looks to be mostly a fishing village."

"I suppose it would not be unwise for me to join you ashore. Perhaps I can be of service, or at least help to keep things interesting."

Vasily climbs down as well.

Detlef waits for one of the sailors to get on the dingy as well to row them to shore and take the dingy back. He shrugs his shoulders at Valentino. “I have passed by here before during my travels very briefly. I don’t know it all that well, but most fishing villages are the same in any country.”

Detlef nodded in appreciation at Vasily. “Your presence is always welcome and more eyes would assist us in finding what we are looking for. Are there any questions either of you think we should ask first of the locals to try and find our quarry?”

Once they reached dry land, he would let out a sigh and pick up some dirt. He would rub the dirt between his hands and start walking to the nearest pub or any official looking office.

"I suppose we could ask if anyone has come ashore from a ship, other than us, obviously, in the past week or so. Given that they do not have a normal port, I would imagine not that many ships stop here."

"Well, then, since you are from this country, Detlef, you could tell folks you are looking for a cousin who moved here," Valentino suggested.

"It would explain why we are here. At the same time, that could easily be the reason the other ship stopped here... same as you, Detlef... visiting home."

"In any case, unless a ship is on a schedule, any opportunity to stop for fresh water and supplies is taken."

"Also, didn't I hear that Gottkirchen craftsmen are skilled scrimshaw carvers? Another reason to stop here, yet still not sufficient reason to create a port. I believe these days it is called a 'cottage industry'."

Detlef nodded. “I like it. So may I ask what is the name of the person and ship that we are looking for when we ask people questions. How long do you want to look around here?”He readjusts his zweihander and looks to see where the nearest pub is.

"His name is Prad. As far as we know, he's just an able-bodied seaman," Valentino answered.

"We still don't know how he came by the Black Pearl... if it is the Black Pearl and not just another ordinary black pearl. The reported size is what made people think it was the Black Pearl."

"Well, there's probably not a harbormaster, so we start at the pubs frequented by the fishers."

“Alright then. Follow me.” Detlef walked confidently towards the closest pub and opens the door for the other two to enter.

Vasily follows along towards the pub. Being from the inland, he did not know that much about coastal villages or fishermen.

"Master Peukert; you have been to many such villages, yes? What are the people like in such places?"

As they walked, Detlef glanced over his shoulder. “Simple folk. They keep to themselves mostly and most days are routine for them. However, small villages usually mean that everyone knows everything about everyone. Strangers are picked out of a crowd very easily. You’ll most likely find the one or two that will talk to us.”

"Hmm, much like villages in the mountains or deep in the woods. Complacent and superstitious. It is too bad that it leaves them so vulnerable to those they believe they can trust for one reason or another."

It's not a big town by any means, and you spot two pubs along the street facing the sea. One is pretty much in the center and the other is down at the end of the street into town. However, there are probably a few more on the other streets.

The central is probably frequented mostly by fishermen. Based on the sign, it's probably The Red Fish pub.

Entering the pub, you draw the attention of the dozen occupants. Some not at first, but they look up eventually as others don't recognize you.

It's a typical pub... a row of tables and chairs down the left side and the bar with stools down the right side.

Detlef walls right up to the bar and plops down. His sword jingling slightly off his armor. “I’ll take an ale.”He looks at his companions and motions to join him at the bar. The soldier scans the room to see if anyone looks nervous or tries to get up as leave.

Vasily sits at the bar, as the implied instructions indicate. He smiles at the bartender and asks: "Do you, by any chance, have any Vodka?"

Valentino hesitates outside the door for minute as he takes a quick scan of the street, paying particular attention to the layout of buildings and side streets. While he doesn't expect any trouble, it never hurts to take precautions.

Then he enters and joins Detlef and Vasily at the bar.

"I'll have an ale, too," he says to the bartender, then turns around and leans against the bar as he surveys the room. He lets a little smile touch his face as he tries to decide if any of the other patrons might be likely to talk to them. Or attack them.