Liza giggled.  "My goodness, Marianne, you're becoming a matchmaker like me now.  Very well, I shall have a look at your gentleman-friend at breakfast; I am sure I can come up with a new outfit by then.  So, then, let me tell you something else while our lad Brent's away...this Baroness...well, she called herself a Countess last time I saw her, in '87, not that I think she has a drop of blue blood in her, and I don't think I'm that old my eyes are gone bad.  Her very double - but I rather think it was her, cos those black diamonds were the same - which makes her the best-preserved faker around !"

Meanwhile, Brent made his way up to the bridge, to speak with the Captain.  The Captain was a morose Spaniard, speaking to an alert-looking dark-skinned man in spotless uniform, in Spanish of course; Brent caught a few words of their conversation. "...keep everyone on alert; double the watches.  She cannot fall into their hands..."  And then Brent was noticed, and the two men turned to look at him.  "Yes ?"  the Captain said, in accented English.

Brent had no idea what to say even though he'd been thinking about it for nearly an hour. The Captain seemed on edge, quite rightfully, and was clearly concerned about a strange man walking onto his bridge.

'I was just wondering if there is anything I could do to assist at all Captain? But you seem very busy, so I shan't take up your time. Brent turned to leave the bridge wondering why he'd even thought he'd be able to trace a Zepplin.

Marianne frowned thoughtfully, her authorly instincts on alert at Liza's words.

"In '87... But that's 39 years ago! Are you quite certain it's the same person, Liza? How old was she when you met her? This might be her daughter. Either that, or she has enviable genes."

"Yes, smashingly well preserved,"  slurred the slightly smashed authoress, with a smirk.  "Doesn't look a day older, that's not bloody fair, isn't it ?" Then the clever eyes narrowed.  "Oh, you don't think...Marianne, this could be a faschin...fastening...fastinatin' story....."

The Captain had a slight Castillian lisp, but was all authority and competence, even if the worried hound-dog eyes seemed to say more.  "I don't suppose you are a man of military experience, sir ?"  he asked politely of Brent.

'Ah no. Apparently I didn't respond well to authority but as your ship saved my life I feel slightly obligated in maintaining her safety' Brent could se worried faces, it had been awhile since Brent had been thrown in the dark seas so why was there so much tension on the bridge. 'But I can handle myself with a gun if you need any extra firepower!'

"Then I would appreciate it if you would take your place among the passengers and remain...on guard...against any difficulties." the Captain said, with his accent and his good manners.  "Is there anything else, sir ?"

The night sky betrayed no trace of the zeppelin, but one could tell from the tension in the air that the crew of this ship still feared its return.

'Very well, and thank you once again for you hospitality.' Brent nodded and left, it was late and the crew were working into the night and Brent decided against pushing the issue. Maybe the Captain would be more approachable tomorrow.

"No, it isn't fair," Marianne agreed gravely, her lips twitching in suppressed amusement. "And it would be a great story. It fits right into the novel I'm working on actually."

"Why don't we go out on deck for a breath of fresh air and talk about it?" she suggested.

Brent went to bed, which was merely a berth he had to share with two sailors, though both of them were on deck working at the moment.  It was quiet, warm, and no one was trying to shoot at him, so it was perfect to sleep in.

---------

Liza nodded at Marianne's suggestion.  "I could do with some fresh air," she slurred, and wobbled along after Marianne, clearly having had her fill of amber blessings.  Once on deck, she sighed and folded her arms, looking up at the moon, the refreshing cool air clearing her head.  "Damn that man," she said, more to herself than anyone. "I DO miss him so."

Reverie over, she looked back at Marianne.  "You know," she said, "I don't think I'm so old that I can't have one more adventure.  I shall speak to your gentleman friend, inveigle myself into his confidence and force him to take me along."

Marianne blinked in confusion. Adventure? Confidence? She hadn't blurted out something about Basil's secret while she was drinking, had she?

"Look out, Basil! I've seen you in action, Liza. He doesn't have a chance," she laughed. "And you certainly aren't too old to have some fun and adventure! But where will you force him to take you along to?" she asked.

Liza grinned mischievously.  "I don't care if you're just going to interview workers on the rubber plantations, my dear, if there's a place for me, I'm there, and that's adventure enough compared to my little cottage in the lake district.  Where are you going, anyway ?  Hope it's not got snakes. I dread snakes."

"Well, in that case, you may want to reconsider. We're heading out to the Amazon to research a book, and I've heard stories about a lot of creepy things, including snakes." Marianne grinned, remembering the map.

"I'd love to have you with us, Liza, but you'd have to ask Basil. He's my intrepid guide into the unknown!"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:33, Sat 07 May 2005.

"So I shall,"  Liza declared.  "But the snakes, I might just stay in the hotel or something."  It was clear she wasn't accustomed to 'roughing it'.  "So then, my dear, I think I might turn in now -- I'm feeling in a writing mood, and I made sure to rent a typewriter on this ship, because you never know when the urge will hit. Hope that nice purser fellow got it up to my cabin.  Good night, my dear girl."  Liza's money also made things simple for her.  She gave Marianne a hug, kissing the air by her cheek, and wobbled off towards her cabin.

"It's late, and I have a few notes to write up before I go to sleep as well. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Have a good night," said Marianne and headed to her room.

Brent and Marianne both had a restful evening; they awakened to a grey drizzle of a morning.  In light of the extra passengers, breakfast was a simple affair of scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, fried potatoes and similar items, buffet style.

Marianne spotted Basil Rose busily stuffing his face and scribbling notes onto a notepad.  "Ah, my dear authoress...how are you today ?" he asked, beaming at her.

Brent was in queue for the buffet when he was jostled by a teenage girl in a red dress that was a little too 'mature' for her...and felt a feather-light touch on his coat as the little minx tried to lift his wallet !

"I'm very well, thank you. It's a lovely morning isn't it? I hope your nephew is feeling better?" asked Marianne, taking a seat opposite Basil.

"And I hope you don't mind, but I've invited a friend to join us for breakfast. I thought you'd be interested in meeting her." She grinned at him.

She tucked into her breakfast with relish. "Did you hear about what happened last night with the Zeppelin?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:29, Wed 11 May 2005.

The indefatigable Basil Rose was putting paid to a plateful of breakfast. "Charmed, I am certain," he said, rising to bow to the impishly smiling Liza Waters.  Introductions being made, he sat down again.  "Neffie's still a bit green, shame about that.  Can't imagine why, ships always put a big appetite on me.  Food's definitely improved from the last time I sailed !"

He shook his head, looking curiously at her, as she mentioned the Zeppelin.  (Marianne...roll spot hidden - % dice !)

"Well, I'll let you get the eyewitness account," she said, smiling at Liza. "We have the Baroness to thank for the pleasure of Liza's company today."

"I'll have to take notes. It's a great story! Maybe I'll even write about it when I'm done with current projects," she added with a grin at Basil.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:24, Sun 15 May 2005.

Alert as Marianne was, there was something she felt she missed, though at the moment she couldn't put her finger on what it was. Liza rattled off a demure story of her travel, which included how she got to come on board the ship - wrapping her pearls and diamonds around the furry neck of her little poodle so as to hide them from the pirates - and did her best to charm Basil, who was indeed charmed.  Basil declared that it was his duty to look after a lady in distress, so he promised to find her quarters in Manaus.  "Cos that's where we're headed...the mouth of the Amazon.  Sent a man ahead to arrange things, Marianne, so all should be settled."

Breakfast was enjoyable enough, and Basil was again charming and sweet.  Marianne could tell that Liza liked him, and considered it Job Well Done.
It seemed that Liza would at least get as far as her Hotel.

The day passed on, with a relaxing opportunity to rest and enjoy it.  The rescued passengers were settling in, and all seemed well, even if the weather was a little grey.  She heard a shout from the crew, and then looked out at the water, where they were pointing - the water was a muddy brown.  They were getting close to the Amazon.

She heard a rumbling sound, and saw a plane cruising along, rising steadily up off the water and heading north.  It was red and white, and had the pontoons on it for a sea landing.

"Thank you, Basil," Marianne replied with a smile. He really was being his best adorable self, and Liza had a sparkle in her eyes. Her mind returned to the feeling she had had of something she had missed. But she was unable to pinpoint what it was, so she turned her gaze out to the sea.

She saw the plane descending in surprise and curiosity. First the Zeppelin, and now a plane. This was a busy time at sea.

The seaplane was off and cruising northward, on whatever errand.

The liner headed onward, chugging along in the now muddy water.  She saw land; emerald green and tan, and from it came a sweet breeze, full of the smells of earth and forest.  A pair of tugboats were coming along their way; they would guide the liner to its place in port, and the passengers would disembark onto the New World.

Basil appeared, his valet behind him.  Despite the warm air, the old man was wearing a rather long jacket, that seemed to half-hide some bulges that looked suspiciously like gun holsters.  Carson was just plain armed, with a bandolier across his chest, a machete strapped to his thigh, and a shotgun in a case over his shoulder.  Basil's things had been packed into a backpack, which was on Carson's back.  "Oh, don't fret, it's just better to be a bit cautious around here." Basil said, but his usual cheerful tone sounded strained.

Liza, wearing a pretty cotton print dress and a sun-bonnet, soon appeared, her little dog trotting smartly along beside her, and her few belongings in a satchel over one shoulder.  "Ready to proceed !"  she said brightly.

"Very good - my man should be waiting for us, with a boat to take us to Manaus,"  Basil said.  It struck Marianne as a bit unusual that Basil had not asked to see the map again....didn't he need it ?

If Marianne was just the slightest bit concerned about the situation, it seemed she had ample reason. She took in the sight of Basil and Carson armed to the teeth with a thoughtful expression, her lips pursed, an eyebrow lifted consideringly. She couldn't help but feel that there was a particularly nasty one lying in wait for them. Except it didn't seem to be a surprise to her intrepid guides.

"Basil." She stopped him and pulled him aside, gesturing at a suspicious bulge under his arm. "You're obviously expecting trouble of some sort. Would you please tell me what is going on?"

"This is a...less civilised place," Basil said, with a thoughtful sincerity, after she had dragged him away and quizzed him. "Still, no need to be alarmed; we'll be fine."  He smiled the charming smile. "Fortune favours the prepared, m'dear."

Marianne nodded, still uneasy, but she couldn't put her finger on what was bothering her. She looked out over the mouth of the river to the port. It all seemed very civilized. Manaus couldn't be too different either.

"If you say so, Basil," she said a little worriedly. "Will we all need to be armed?"

She gave him a wry smile. "I don't have much experience with weapons, but I know which end to point at the bad guys."

"Oh, I shouldn't think so - I doubt we'll even have to look too threatening.  Carson's a good man - served in the Great War, don't-you-know.  Shouldn't worry about it," Basil gave the smile again, with a nod.  "Shall we proceed, then, m'dear ?"  He offered his elbow to her, to Liza's dismay.