"Of course. Try not to bleed too much before I get there."

"Aye, dealing with the Harbourmaster is part of my job, so approaching him wouldn't be out of place or draw any attention beyond the fact that I'm me." Samira responded to the question having drawn her attention back to the meeting from watching the crew dock the ship. "If someone would like to accompany me, that is fine. If not, then I can certainly speak to the man on my own."

Jarrun listens as people speak their preferences.  "I would speak to the archaeologist as well."

He looks out over the city and thinks.

"How long should we plan to remain here at a minimum, Captain, so that the ship's needs are met?  If it is for at least the whole day, then perhaps we should secure temporary lodging and a place to meet up in the city?"

Edward suddenly landed on the deck, next to Mr. Christian.  He glanced from the first mate to their charges.

"What's that, a bar crawl?  A possible brawl or two?  A night in the company of people of ill repute?  All in an effort to shake out hidden knowledge?"

He reached up and wiped away an imaginary tear.

"I didn't know you cared, Sir!"

He turned to the port and sighed, breathing deep the air of his homeland.

[Avalon]"Oh, Avalon, returning to your bosom and the bosoms of your ladies always brings a spring to my step and glint to my eye."[/Avalon]


He turned back toward the First Mate.  [Avalon]"So, what manner of bar shall we seek out, Sir?  Respectable?  Or one more my style?"[/Avalon]

"Mister Port, I'll remind you that you'll be on duty while in these establishments. Drunkenness and disorderly conduct will not be an excuse for not accomplishing your mission to the fullest, am I clear?" Samira was sure he could read between the lines of that order, Edward was after all a veteran sailor.

With practiced skill, Edward straightened into a proper Avalonian salute.

"Aye Aye, Sir!"

"Drunkenness and disorderly conduct will not be the excuse!"

After all, they were reasons all on their own.

There are at least a dozen dives on the docks, though not all sailors frequent those establishments. The 'most famous' of Wandesborrow's dives is the Salty Dog. Rumor holds that there is always a nightly bar fight.

None of the current crew have ever been to Wandesborrow before, so know little about the place.

The only other place known to the crew is the Eclipse Club--a gambling establishment.

"Very well, we have someone going to each place," the captain says.

"If I understand what you all said, we have the following volunteers:"

"Eisen and Nicoli will venture into the various dives in town. Remember, you are trying to find out the identity of our sailor with the Black Pearl, what ship he may have been on and where he or it may have been going... all without revealing that he has the Black Pearl."

"Christian and Edward will be visiting the same places, perhaps, but mostly any of the shops and cafes and inns, looking for anyone else who might be on the trail of the Black Pearl."

"Alicia and Jarrun are going to visit the archaeologist. I doubt if he'll have anything to add, but you never know."

"Samira is going to see the Harbormaster, to see what ships were here on that day, and perhaps he'll know where they were sailing."

"That leaves Lydie to visit the merchant. Perhaps he knows the sailor, and can give you some information on him."

"We have no heard from Alain or Gabriela or Seraphine. Are any of you interested in helping out in this situation?"

He glances around at the others for a moment before turning to Jarrun to answer his questions.

"We only need about 3 hours to resupply the ship, which is what I will be doing while you make your enquiries. We are not currently on any schedule, but I prefer to sail when the tides goes out. Since we came in on the low tide, we can sail in 22 hours, or wait another day."

And so, Gaspard was quick to criticize but not to volunteer. No-one else offered support to Jarrun, or to anyone else, as leader of the Seekers.

The captain seemed willing to function as the leader for now, while all were in the vicinity of the ship. Alicia had had plenty of experience with political infighting at the university. Gaspard clearly had had little or no experience if he really believed leaders appeared generically, through beneficial self-interest! "I will visit the archeologist with Jarrun. I can accept direction from the Captain for now.

However, since no-one else, other than Jarrun, spoke to my concern as to leadership of the Seekers, I am going to assume that the other Seekers are more in accord with M. Gaspard than not, and do not believe that we need organization or direction... or trust.

I do not like this sentiment, particularly when the cost benefit of the Pearl is considered and factored into the possible success of this expedition. I, therefore, am going to distrust all of the other Seekers, until they prove me wrong. And, as I have reason to distrust these other Seekers, I will be more concerned with protecting my own back when they are around than in interviewing archaeologists... or anyone else."

Too bad. First impressions were... first impressions.

Yet again, Alicia had proven true to form. But, that was not his concern. "Of course, I will help with the endeavor. I had monopolize so much of the conversation, so I felt it wise to allow other to assert their opinions. I believe that I would stand out in many of the tasks outlined, but I could provide financial aide to the other parties since most likely it will take gifts and financial encouragement to gain some information. Second, I could go with the First Lieutenant as it is not strange for a patron to support a ship. My one concern is that we maybe making to big of a footprint. I see little in the way to avoid this, but we do need to be careful on what information is shared in the pursuit of our goals."

Alain turned to address Alicia's concerns, "Usually, silence is a sign of affirmation to a proposition. I believe that each of the assembled are dedicated to the quest ahead. I compliment the ship's crew in its willingness to step forward. Though you do not trust us. I will do the best to my limited ability to insure the safety of all assembled including you, and I believe the rest would hold my same sentiment. You spoke of vices that would challenge us. Let us put aside difference that are petty, and focus on strengthening the fellowship we have established. Greed will not destroy us, but a lack of trust at a crucial moment will be like an assassin's blade to the heart."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Fri 16 Sept 2016.

Christian was not certain if he should talk, but he was not certain the Captain had assigned him right. "Uh Captain, I am sure you know best, but if you want me to find some Sea Dogs, and tap into their ship gossip. I don't think going to the shops will have the people I will be looking for, I should go talk to the sailors. Dogs stick together."

"Ah, fear not lad.  I'm sure that we can find 'shops' that offer the type of 'goods and services' that other sailors would seek out."

At each quotation point, Edward made an exaggerated gesture with his hands.

"Just may take us off the beaten path.  As it were."

Edward gave Christian a slight wink.

"I don't know." Eisen said sardonically to Gaspard's words. "I trust any man who has my back in a fight. Plus we haven't really done anything to earn the trust of the crew, something I hope to rectify. I trust that the two of us can suss out any word of any sailor that might have passed through. We may not be locals, but I speak perfect Avalonian for some reason. I can pass for an Eisen looking to make a better life as a prospective Sea Dog recruit. My sailing friend can help me with the language of the sea and together we can pump the sailors for information. Mercenary work pays well, and I still have some coin to buy some of the more talkative sailors a few pints. Men love the man buying the ale. We can also talk to Jenny's Girls. They know more than they let on. I'm not the first Eisen looking to make a few shillings and a new life, as far as they know, in Avalon. With luck I can find a countryman. They might be more willing to talk to me." Eisen took a breath. That was the most he had spoken all journey. The prospect of ale must have really gotten him excited.

"Well, 22 hours will give us plenty of time to get into trouble."

The big Ussuran looks uncomfortable in the surroundings, especially speaking up near the Captain.

"It's also enough time that we don't need to send crew off by themselves.  If Samira or Lydie want some company, there's still plenty of time for drinks and talk."

Rich... and spoiled. Sewing the very discord that he pretends to wish to avoid.

She spoke to Jarrun, "We can go to speak with this archaeologist now."

"I'll accompany Lydie," Mathurin volunteers. "Maybe I can get in a bit sight-seeing while we're at it."

He was half-hoping that this merchant would be... uncooperative. It wasn't quite the errand that a swashbuckler would find entertaining, but perhaps he would find an opportunity.

The various groups made it back to the ship. Only Lydie and Mathurin, and somewhat by extension, Seraphine, had a problem. A sorcerer had suddenly appeared in the store and stole the wrong black pearl. He'd created horrific rents, and Lydie and Seraphine had set about repairing them. They had no chance to pursue the sorcerer, though.


Alain, Seraphine and Samira had gone to the harbormaster, and found out about the ships that had sailed on or about the day of the encounter.


Edward Port and Christian Neville had visited several shops to see if there were other avenues of inquiry. They'd spotted two men that were also watching the shops. They did get some information from the fate-teller.


Eisen and Nicoli made the rounds of the bars and pubs, managed to make some connections with other sailors.


After comparing notes, you know that the sailor's name was Lucky Prad, and he sailed for Vendel on the Iphigenia. He has black hair that he wears in a braid, a gold ring in his left ear, and a tattoo on his left arm of an anchor with a snake wrapped around it.

The captain sat in his quarters and read over the message that Seraphine had handed him. It must have been important to have been sent by porte, though it was only a letter. Not that any such effort should ever be taken lightly.

His eyes widened in surprise as he read.

"I cannot begin to imagine what Father Alemberto could be needed so desperately for that you would be requested to return him," Captain Marcelo commented to Seraphine as he finished reading.

It probably wasn't unprecedented, but it was in his experience--porting someone back to Crieux!

"I also have a letter for Father Alemberto's replacement," Seraphine responded. "Fortunately, he is already here in Wandesborrow. His name is Father Carlo Eldersan. You should be able to find at the church."

"I will send for Father Alemberto, and also for this Father Carlo."

"The worst part about this trip?  Time."  The big man comments to Alicia as the Society members compare notes.  "Never seem to be enough time.  I could've spent a few days volunteering at the dig and learning those hidden stories, but time is always against us."  He sighs dramatically, but then turns to the rest.

"Captain.  Should we follow in this Iphigenia's wake on to Vendel?  Or do we have a better plan?  And what is this about a Father Carlo?"

He sits back in his chair, eyes wandering over the apparent charts and people, alert eyes always seeking knowledge.

"Ah. Not necessarily the person I was looking for, Jarrun," Marcelo replies to Jarrun, "but you'll do, if  you are so amenable."

"It seems as if a Father Carlo, currently at the church in town, is being reassigned to this ship and, presumably, our mission. Seraphine has just received a dispatch for him. Might you be persuaded to deliver the missive, and retrieve him?"

"I fear time is of the essence, though, for we most assuredly will follow the Iphigenia to Vesten."

He waits to see if Jarrun will accept this slight mission, before nodding to Seraphine to hand over her dispatch.

The big blonde shrugs and stands.  "Sure.  It'll give me a chance to maybe pick up a bit of fresh fruit on the way.  I've spent enough time on the sea to enjoy simple luxuries as I get them."

He'll tie his hair back with a leather thong and grab a small empty sack not even bothering to take the weapon he had packed away.

Etienne cursed loudly as he saw the stern of the Vague Bleue disappearing in the distance. It had departed without him ! Curse that vile-tongued bitch of a captain, Marie Pincée !
His anger flew away quickly though. In fact he had gotten well along with the red-haired and self-reliant woman with the ready and infectous smile. If she would have had any better manners, specifically holding that perty mouth of hers, he would even have contemplated taking her on as a companion on a social party in Charousse. She most certainly was beautiful enough to catch a stare or two from some hot-blooded courtiers.
Alas, the point was moot.
And indeed, Marie had warned him that she would not wait for him.
Etienne had learned quite a few facts from talking with the locals, but this sailor still eluded him. The harbour master had been reluctant, to say the least, to tell him the next destination harbour of the Iphigenia. And so he had been at a loss where Lucky Pratt was headed to next.
Until he had heard that the sailor had talked with the local priest.
"Farewell then my beautiful red-haired Marie.", he said to the wind and turned around back into town, making straight for the local church.
Naturally he had noticed the arrival of the Southern Wind and its rather unusual passengers and he had the nagging feeling that these men and women were also looking for the Black Pearl.
Etienne shook his head, this would take adressing at another time, now he had to talk to this Father Carlo.
The young swashbuckler frowned at the name, definitely one of Castille.
Before he could make a plan how to go about confronting the man he found himself right at the door of the church and entered.

Well, the Good Father, at least.

Jarrun and Alicia headed off to the church, reaching it about the same time that Etienne got there.

Father Carlo was tending to a few church things... souls, children's scrapes and bruises, baptisms, whatever. He was quite surprised at his sudden popularity.

Father Carlo looked up after finishing cleaning a scraped knee " well good day to you all" he said in a pleasant manner " how may I be of assistance ?" He asked . It was slightly off putting but though the father looked relaxed his eyes were studying all three intently

At 6'5" and a solid mass of wiry muscles, the big blonde created his own wake when traveling through the crowds at the harbor and further into the city.  Making good on his earlier words, he hit up a fruit vendor and acquired a few dozen fresh fruits on the way to the church.

To Alicia, he commmented on the city as he offered her some of the fruit. "Time was I could spend a few weeks in a place like this.  There's always coin to earn for entertainers."

Upon arriving at the church, Jarrun will notice the Montaigne arriving to also speak to the Father.  He'll let the other man speak to the Father first.  "Go ahead.  We have some time before we miss the tide."