675-09-05 - Nathan's Adventures 1: Which Way Did They Go Captain?
Which Way Did They Go Captain? | |||||||
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Summary: A few days after leaving the capital, Nathan Onimus hails a merchant ship for leads of where to start his search. | |||||||
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Nathan is dressed less heavily, as he is stands on the deck of his flagship. Common sense just says wearing plate armor is better done when there is solid earth beneath ones feet. And an armored arrival may cast a different impression than he was intending at the moment, so he is dressed informally but in lushly tailored clothing of fine fabrics as befitting his station. First he will approach the ship itself, and inquire if the captain is aboard. If so, he will seek to speak with him. If not, he will ask where he can be found.
As Prince Nathan stands on the deck of his flagship in his informal attire, the merchant ship that was hailed finishes pulling in alongside, as a rope ladder is lowered from the side of the Anaconda, as they are far bigger then most merchant ships. The formal "Permission to come aboard?" is given in the common language of Felaguria, though the accent suggests the merchant is from the Kingdom of the Two Rivers. The captain then starts to climb up the ladder, they don't wait for a reply to the permission, but then Nathan's ships hailed them, they have only a single merchant ship where Nathan's fleet consists of an Anaconda and three Squirrels. Also the rope ladder had already been lowered, so they likely view it more as a courtesy to show they have no ill-intent, then a true request.
Nathan of course gives a little wave of his hand to acknowledge that he is willing to grant permission, but the details of that h e leaves to the captain and crew serving under him. As long as the ship functions adequately and everyone does their part, he doesn't try to micromanage things. Best to not get his own hands dirty on those tarred ropes after all. Once the other is on board, he will beckon him closer. He's gotten used to the rolling of the waves, and the tossing of the ship by now. "Greetings!" he says cheerfuly. "I am Prince Nathan Onimus, welcome aboard my vessel." well, it's his in a sense for now, at least.
The foreign captain gives a commoners inexperienced bow and says, "Sorry mi.. Uhh, Prince. Why does a Prince hail me ship?" obviously curious.
There is a slight stiffening of Nathan's posture, as if he were for a second tempted to reprimand the captain for his clumsy form of address, but he restrains himself before anything more is evident. "It is a simple matter, good captain. Rumors of piracy abound, and I am investigating. Have you encountered any such vessels, or suspicious ships recently?" spoken with the air of a man who is used to getting exactly what he wishes, when he wishes. But he is being polite. Which perhaps counts for something.
The middle-aged captain things for a bit before says, "Aye. Come ta think on it. We spied a ship three days past headin' south that might have been one. They looked ta be heading 'round the Isles."
"I see, I see." Nathan turns his head and beckons to one of his men who is prepared for this purpose. The man approaches with a rolled up chart, a simple map of the isles and surrounding waters. That is unrolled and held, "Can you show me more specifically?" gesturing to the document. "And their course as near as you can recall." serious this man is, at the moment. As if this were quite serious business.
The captain looks at the map then calls down to his ship to send up his navigator. A minute or two later the nvaigator arrives, is told what was said, and looks over the map. Finally the navigator says, "Near as I can tell. They were seen here." pointing to a spot roughly three days away to the west, then adds, "Looked like they headin this way." as he draws a line with his finger in a curve around the southernmost edge of the Isles.
"Excellent." Nathan says, nodding to the men. "I thank you for your assistance." He makes note of the direction and the location, before having his man roll the chart back up once more and he smiles at the visitors on his ship.
The captain nods and asks, "Anythin' else you be needin' Mi'Prince?"
Nathan shakes his head and graciously smiles towards the captain. "Nothing else, captain. You may return to your ship and continue your passage, with my thanks." well, it's not money. But, surely Prince's goodwill is worth something. If nothing else, a few drinks at the bar from telling the tale to other drunken sailors.
The captain nods, but doesn't bother asking about money, besides it was a short enough exchange to not delay his run that much. After he and the navigator descend to their smaller merchant ship, they continue on their way leaving Nathan's fleet to do the same.