(Untitled)

[merrimanlyon]

It is mid-afternoon, and the Pridewin lies at anchor at the East India docks, rocking very gently with the slight ebb of the tidal Thames. Her crew have been given their most recent month's pay (a little under two pounds for an ordinary seaman, not a bad wage by the day's standards) and a week's leave, and as a result every man under the rank of

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[merrimanlyon]

A shilling and sixpence in all, then. Enough to keep a growing lad on a comfortable diet of beef, bread, and small beer for the better part of a week, if he is careful with how he parts with it.

Merriman duly hands over the sixpence, along with another brief note to deliver. (In lieu of an additional payment this time, the boy gets a small orange, a rare enough treat.)

Sir,

As I have a few matters of business to conclude in the general area, I shall call at your office at the suggested time. The offer of transport is most gracious, and if the hour warrants it (as it may, I think, considering the nature of the topic at hand) I will gratefully accept it upon my departure.

I remain,
M. Lyon
* * *
The church bells are ringing the hour as Commodore Lyon's walking stick clicks busily across the cobblestones. The Emerald Shipping and Trading Company's offices are at a fair distance from the mass of docks and wharfs and warehouses that service the East India Company's vessels, and as such the high-collared dark cloak fastened at his throat is there mostly to keep his clothing from being too conspicuous.

Not that there is likely to be trouble, but then again not all of the independent traders are as willing to extend professional courtesy to those of the Company as Captain Morrison happens to be.

[politestpirate]

Well, not all of the East India Company, perhaps. But Morrison is hardly the type of man to to paint all others with the same brush, and Commodore Lyon has proved himself to be a rare exception when compared to most that find themselves in the Company's hire.

Merriman finds no trouble on his way to the Emerald Shipping and Trading offices- the streets and alleys are quiet at this time of day. A lamp hanging over the doorway illuminates the way, as well as the discreet sign indicating that this is the place. The front office is mostly empty- an older clerk and a young boy are going over some papers at a desk in the back, with quiet murmurings, and seated at the front, looking over some papers of his own, is Morrison.

When the door opens, he looks up, and gives Merriman a wry smile. "Just the man I was expecting. Good evening, Commodore." Morrison stands, and motions to the other two to remain where they are.

"Late business, Jenkins. I'm not to be disturbed."

[merrimanlyon]

Removing his hat, Merriman gives Morrison a little bow in greeting. 'Good evening to you, sir.'

He gives the clerk and the boy a brief, seemingly incurious glance as he advances into the office, before he looks back to Morrison. 'My thanks once again for your prompt reply, and for your time this evening.'

[politestpirate]

Morrison bows back, and leads Merriman back to his office. The shelves and his desk are carefully stacked with papers and books, and what little space is available on the walls is taken up with maps. However, a small table by a pair of chairs has been cleared off- except for a couple of glasses and a small bottle of brandy.

"Do pardon the informalities-" As Morrison shuts the door, "But from the type of business we've discussed in the past, I do believe a bit of informality can be overlooked."

He spreads his hands, and then walks over to pour the brandy. "Even if nothing comes of this evening, I have enjoyed our past discussions- so my time is quite available, Commodore."

[merrimanlyon]

Merriman smiles, inclining his head a little in gratitude at the compliment.

'Informalities do have their place,' he agrees, unfastening his cloak and draping it neatly over one of the chairs. 'Indeed, you may feel free to dispense with the rank if you so desire -- I will not entirely be speaking as a representative of the Company tonight.'

He takes a glass of brandy, raising it in a small salute. 'Your health, sir.'

[politestpirate]

Morrison raises an eyebrow, but then nods, lifting his glass as well. "And to yours, sir."

"So, am I to take this that you've reconsidered my offer, perhaps?" Only somewhat serious, as he takes the other seat. "Or is this somewhat different matter, though along similar lines?"

[merrimanlyon]

'A different matter, though connected with something of the substance of what we have discussed before.' He takes a small sip of the brandy, briefly closing his eyes in appreciation of the taste. 'It does concern the Company, but more than that -- I have unexpectedly come into the possession of information that has the potential to affect all who make a living in the overseas trade.'

A slight pause, as Merriman contemplates the depths of his glass. 'The circumstances by which this information came into my hands must for the moment remain undisclosed. Not that your sense of discretion is at all in question, of course, but rather because the very nature of the problem demands it.'

Having drawn out the suspence for as long as he dares, it is time to be disconcertingly forthright.

'To put it frankly, I have reason to suspect that a well-placed individual in the employ of the Company is attempting to establish control over the West Indies trade by means that are nothing short of treasonable. And I use that word not only advisedly, but also in its most literal sense.'

[politestpirate]

"Treason?"

Politics between trading companies, and 'friendly' competition is one thing. Conspiring against crown and country is another. Morrison's jocular mood dissipates.

"This information that you have, Lyon- is it proof enough of what this individual is doing? Enough so that it can be taken to the authorities so he may be dealt with?"

"Or is this situation much less concrete with less to go on?"

Not that he doubts what Merriman has said. But others will need proof before anything can be done.

[merrimanlyon]

'Proof enough to satisfy my own doubts, certainly,' Merriman says darkly, swirling the glass in his hand. 'But the position is made more complicated by the fact that I cannot be certain if this is part of a...grand design, in a manner of speaking. If this is a rot that extends into the Company proper, then raising a hue and cry over it may well do more harm than good. Drive it further into the core, even.'

He shakes his head a little, as his gaze meets Morrison's once again. 'If it is only an individual's doing, however, then that is another matter entirely. Easier by far to deal with one man's treason in the most appropriate fashion.'

The last is said in a near-growl.

[politestpirate]

"Quite so." Is the answering mutter back, as Morrison frowns at his own glass of brandy before taking a healthy swallow.

"And God forbid this is more than the work of just one man." He looks back up to Merriman.

"So, why have you brought this to me, if I may ask? I am very pointedly not in the East India Company."

[merrimanlyon]

'And that is precisely the point.'

He will start pacing the room in a moment, if he does not keep his temper in check. Another small sip of the brandy helps.

'I would have gone to my illustrious superiors if I thought it would settle the matter. But what appears to be needed here is a slightly different tack, something to ensure that this matter cannot be so easily swept under the carpet. There must be careful pressure brought to bear beforehand -- not enough to bring panic, but enough to call the Company's directors to account when this information is delivered to its intended recipient.'

There is a faint glitter in the depths of his eyes, possibly a reflection of the light of a nearby candle. 'Do you take my meaning, sir?'

[politestpirate]

Morrison raises an eyebrow, and glances back to his glass of brandy, idlely. "It is rather hard to deny something, if word about it has spread far and wide beforehand, isn't it?"

"And the underwriters at Lloyds are always interested in new news and gossip that affects our collegues at the Company." He manages a straight face, lips twitching to hold back a wry smile.

(The carefully contained mischievious look is vaguely familiar.)

"If that is your meaning, Lyon."

[merrimanlyon]

The look he gets in reply isn't exactly mischievious, but there's more to it than the outwardly composed expression would have it. And the glint in his eyes hasn't gone away.

'Well said,' he says quietly. 'Well said indeed.'

A pause hangs in the air for a moment, before he continues in a careful, deliberate tone, as if picking his words carefully. 'My other reason for approaching you in the first place is somewhat related to the first. You will certainly have heard of the coordinated attacks on Company shipping some months past -- the rumours are flying thick and fast over how that nefarious plot might have been achieved. It was the talk of Cape Town and Gibraltar some months past. But the more recent losses I have been hearing word of in London would appear to be those of independent ships...those not related to the Company.'

With a long swallow, he finishes the last of his brandy.

'I have no proof to back my suspicions in this instance -- save my general lack of belief in what some might call "coincidence".'

[politestpirate]

"All the attacks that supposedly took place on the same night, the world over?" Morrison carefully sets his glass down on the small end table.

( ~Compliments of Captain Jack Sparrow~)

"I did hear of it, yes." He frowns, quietly thinking for a moment.

"Possibly retribution for the losses they suffered. East India- present company excepted, of course- often seems to jump blindly to conclusions, as long as such conclusions work to benefit itself in the long run. And it is an easy mind set to follow- if you are not with the Company, you are against it."

Some of his ships are still out. However, the next few upcoming trips will be planned very cautiously indeed.

[merrimanlyon]

'It rather makes one wonder how many men have been driven to piracy over the years, rather than submit to such a mindset,' Merriman replies as he also sets his empty glass upon the table. 'There, at least, one might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb. And given a sufficient length of rope....'

He lets the thought end there, unfinished.

'The seas are cruel enough without men making matters worse for each other with maliciousness and spite and sheer blind ambition. Those who know what it is like to weather a tempest would say as much.'

[politestpirate]

"The sea doesn't choose sides- and any man who chooses to disregard that is a fool." Morrison shakes his head, then smiles humorlessly.

"That is one option that me and mine are far from considering, thankfully." He snorts. "Though if they change the definition of 'piracy' to better suit their interests- well, we will see what the future has in store for us. Specially given the information you've mentioned this evening, Lyon."