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Splintered Light Chapter 10.1, Second Place is...

Although the water was easily shallow enough to drop anchor and the large rocky sea stack provided the Wave Rider cover against being spotted by the strange vessel they'd encountered, Willem was not pleased that the ship had stopped on the sea-facing side of any hard landmass; one rogue wave or a sudden shift in the weather could toss the ship against the rocks and cause significant damage. Regardless, and despite his suggestions otherwise, the officers had gathered on deck and chose to take a moment to assess the situation.

The fact that the ship flew no colors was a central focus on almost everyone's mind. While there was cause to be concern (after all, even pirates flew flags), the Goat was most displeased that such tunnel vision would leave the Wave Rider open to other, even more pressing issues such as full exposure to the sea and weather on the wrong side of a sea stack. What made matters even worse was that the Captain chose to conduct their meeting on deck with non-officers present who were more than happy enough to offer up their own, unsought opinion on the matter.

The Bosun's brother, a UPU scientist with no seagoing experience was at the forefront. "I'm not sure what the big concern is-- ships in port don't always fly flags, do they? Maybe these men have it lowered because they're not out at sea."

Willem didn't much care for the oversimplified comparison, especially because it was a poor one. "Master Severna, a ship that has set anchor in a natural harbor is neither in port nor docked. That would be like saying a man camped in the woods is in his room at an inn. It was a bad comparison, a horrible waste of words, and you should feel both ashamed and embarrassed, as I am both on your behalf. In fact, although I may be bold for saying so to a learned man, you are, in my opinion, a--"

The Goat had hoped the Bosun would have enough sense to realize where Tobias had gone wrong, but Rolf did not let Willem finish his very-suitable beratement. Instead, the Prong Horn held up a hand and interposed himself. "Thank you, Mr. Zuider. That will be enough."

The Foreman nodded with a snort, but he still had some words for the Bosun. "We should stick with the facts, and opinions of lubbers don't help."

Captain Jacksoni, ever the peace keeper, interjected. "Correct on both accounts, gentlemen. Master Severna was just providing a point of view and when it comes to brainstorming there are no wrong points of view."

The Goat snorted, speaking under his breath. "Usually..."

If the Tiger had heard the statement he didn't acknowledge it, continuing on with the discussion at hand. "As we ARE brainstorming, I wish to hear input from everyone... and if Master Severna has input to offer then we can take it into consideration."

The scholar nodded. "Thank you, Sir. The scientific way encourages all ideas, as the best way to test a theory is through trial and error."

Willem snorted. "Error on the sea can leave a ship fathoms under it."

Rather than becoming riled by the statement, Tobias smiled in what seemed to be a genuine manner. "Then it is a good thing for all of us that I do not claim to be a sailor."

Some way, some how, the obvious statement gained a round of laughs from those gathered; Willem didn't think it was very funny. Captain Jacksoni gave the scholar a slap on the back. "Good man. And, be that as it may, you have a different mindset from the rest of us so perhaps your novice eyes might catch something we would otherwise miss."

The Goat scowled, but he rubbed the end of his muzzle to hide it; Alistair was always far too gracious when it came to handling stupidity. The Bosun further humored his brother by turning the scientist's wildly inaccurate thought into something a little more reasonable (but no less foolhardy). "I believe, what Toby means to say--"

The scholar quickly interrupted him. "Tobias."

Willem actually did smile a little when Rolf, not dissuaded by the objection, grabbed his brother and pushed his fist against the other Prong Horn's head, rubbing it vigorously. "What my little Budder here means to say--"

The Captain stepped in and, despite not interrupting the roughhousing, did move the conversation along by translating. "Master Severna means to say that we may be overreacting and that there is nothing to be concerned about."

It was not the direction Willem wanted the talk to go, especially since the intelligent and prudent thing to do would be to consider any ship refusing to fly colors to be hostile. "Beg your pardon, Kaptain, but so long as we're far from civilized reach, we can't risk it-- when we find a ship like this we can't NOT be concerned."

Fortunately, the conversation got back on track thereafter when someone who actually knew something about sailing and naval engagement spoke up. Jacques le Blanc, the ship's Man-at-Arms obviously agreed with Willem. "I agree with our Foreman, Captain. Just because they aren't flying the flag of opposition does not mean that they are friendly. The fact that they do not have any colors should be of enough concern that we remain prudent. While we need not be hostile ourselves I advise that we show discretion and remain attentive."

The sound of men scrambling over the crumbling rocky face of the sea stack on the port side of the ship signaled that Viktor and several of his men were returning from their climb. Once the Wave Rider had set anchor the Captain had sent them scurrying up to the top of the stony outcropping to scout out the other ship's position. Although Willem was still displeased at the chosen location he was at least a little more relieved to know that they would have some more information about the situation. Viktor's report only added more fuel of indecision to the discussion. "Nobody aboard, Captain. The ship is moored in the harbor."

Captain Jacksoni began stroking his chin, as he often did when he was in thought. "Did it look like it was in need of repairs?"

The Hare shook his head. "Some wear... but nothing serious that wouldn't be able to wait until she returned to a dock."

Ash-Moon spoke up next. "Anything else? Shoreline activity?"

Viktor nodded to the First Mate. "Aye... looks like someone was building a wharf."

Willem interjected. "Was, or IS?"

The Rigger shrugged. "If they ARE building it then there's no one around now."

The Goat snorted. "Lumber trip?"

Viktor was definitive in his answer. "There's nobody there. We watched for ten minutes and didn't see anyone coming or going."

Nikolay, Viktor's Husky right-hand man spoke up. "Nobody on the ship or shore. We didn't see any movement."

Karl Jak, who had been silent throughout the entire meeting to that point finally had something to say. "Ten minutes isn't long enough to know for sure. When we approach we should have all men to general quarters, just in case. Whether this is meant as a trap or not, we should not give them any reason to make it one."

Nikolay interjected. "Assuming there's even anyone there."

The Rottweiler looked like he was about to growl, but his voice came out evenly. "For the sake of the safety of ship, crew, and passengers, we should assume there is."

Brother Gustave, the nosey Sea Otter missionary had apparently been listening in from his place by the mast. He took a step forward, raising his voice in the way only a public speaker could. "Gentlemen... if we brandish our weapons then we become a threat ourselves... such a thought could incite violence where none was originally intended."

Rather than disappear with his obligations complete, Viktor instead took control of the conversation once again. "We saw no colors, sir-- but the ship WAS marked."

The Hare handed a piece of parchment over to Captain Jacksoni, who looked at what the Rigger had scrawled onto it. "This looks Wyranese... or Doelichian."

Karl, who was closer to the captain at that moment got the paper first, then shook his head and handed it directly to Willem. The Goat accepted the note and looked down at it, reading it for everyone. "It is the name of the ship: 'In Het Onbekende'. It means--"

The Foreman had been interrupted enough during the meeting, yet he was forced to suffer it once again as the ship's translator, Calus Len had apparently joined the meeting without the Goat noticing. It was the Salamander who provided the translation. "Into the Unknown... perhaps we have encountered another exploration vessel."

Tobias the scholar seemed relieved. "Well, that's a relief. At least we know where the ship is from then."

Rolf, for once, didn't support his brother's assessment. "It's rare to see a Doelichian ship; Doelich is a land-locked country and doesn't have a navy of any sort. The question is, who would name a vessel in the Doelichian tongue?"

Captain Jacksoni offered an answer. "There are plenty of explorers in Doelich, Mr. Severna-- I believe Master Len may be onto something with the proposition that our employer has elected to offer commissions to more than one vessel."

The thought got Willem's fur standing on end; not only was that poor business practice but it lacked any sign of etiquette. "He better plan on paying out on all contracts then, or so help me God, Ik zal hun aars te trekken uit hun mond."

Switching to Doelichian to convey a suitable amount of frustration with proper cursing was a way that Willem usually maintained a degree of civility, but in that moment he'd forgotten that Calus was also present. He hazarded a glance to the Salamander, who simply nodded. "They would deserve at least that, yes."

Ash-Moon was much more pragmatic. "He may believe that sending out many ships would increase the chances of success. He would not have to pay any who died."

When Tobias next spoke up there was finally a spark of intelligence to his thought. "Well, be that as it may, if that boat IS owned by--

He was corrected simultaneously by numerous voices. "Ship."

The Prong Horn lubber tried again. "If that SHIP is owned by a Doelichian then why isn't it flying the colors of Doelich?"

Captain Jacksoni smiled. "A very good question. I could not say specifically why not; it is considered poor etiquette not to, and most usually do so for identification purposes but it is important to note that that private vessels aren't required to fly colors."

Ash Moon, once again, offered up some basic reasoning. "We are far enough away from everyone then they may not think people will see it. Why fly a flag if no one is around?"

Jacques was quick to object. "I don't like it. Flags are symbols of both morals and morale; the CREW would see it. Standards, colors, flags, pennants-- they should be flown at all times... when permitted by weather, of course."

Tobias shrugged. "Mayhaps they took it down for bad weather and simply haven't found the opportunity put it back up again?"

The Goat, finally having had enough of the conjecture mixed with excuses mixed with foolish suggestions put his hoof down. "Let's be away from this harbor, sir. We can find another berth and be done with this line of thinking."

Rolf shook his head. "Nay... that still won't resolve the issue with this ship. Let's close in and try to contact anyone aboard. If the ship really IS empty we can lower anchor, go ashore, and track the crew inland. Perhaps they need aid."

Ash-Moon glanced to the Prong Horn. "If they are in trouble why should we help?"

Reverend Gustave, who hadn't stopped listening in spoke up. "It's what any God fearing man should do. It is our duty to help our brothers if they are in distress."

The Tribal First Mate snorted. "No... we should sink the other ship. If only one of us is to get paid then it should be the Wave Rider."

The thought HAD idly passed through Willem's mind, but he found the words coming out of the Jackal's mouth to sound as distasteful as he thought they would. He was, therefore, the first to object. "We'll do nothing of the sort! Marooning a shipful of sailors on an island? Beyond reasoning!"

Jacques and Karl, after conversing quietly amidst the following rumble of objections, eventually caught the attention of the officers, and it was Jacques who pushed forth their suggestion. "If we are to interact with these men I would advise hailing the ship from afar. We can keep our crew at the ready for any hostile response."

Karl added to the thought. "And if nobody shows, we can maintain watch unto someone returns."

Reverend Gustave, of course, was more interested in living and letting live. "The island is wide and vast, Captain-- we need do nothing of this sort. Let us ignore them and go about our business."

Jacques was quick to object. "And if we encounter them later?"

The Sea Otter tipped his hat. "Then if they are men of God there will be no quarrel. Have faith, Mr. le Blanc; just because our two crew may have the same goal in mind does not mean things need dissolve into violence."

Willem didn't completely agree, but he was willing to set aside his doubt if it meant getting the ship into a better position than practically perched on the rocks. The Goat looked to the Tiger, who appeared to have made up his mind. "Orders, Kaptain?"