If anyone were to ask him -- not that most anyone would, but certain kinds of small talk are often unavoidable -- Merriman would have to admit that he does not entirely care for the map that Lord Beckett had commissioned to adorn an entire wall of the governor's office. It gives him a vague sense of vertigo if he stares at it for too long, resonances of the imperial hubris that won't catch up to the British Empire for the better part of another century. As useful as it might be for estimating distances with some degree of accuracy, it is difficult to look at it without thinking of the man who had ordered it made.
If he looks out over the harbour, though, he can keep his back to it.
'I know that Mister Wellard is somewhere in the town, and I feel certain that he and Captain Sparrow would not be far from each other.' He looks over at Archie, one eyebrow slightly raised. 'They may be keeping under cover, of course. Captain Sparrow still has a price on his head, no matter who happens to be in charge of this colony.'
Merriman shakes his head. 'My knowledge of the town is still too general. From what I have been able to learn about the geography of this town, though, there are a few streets down by the docks where he would most easily blend in. One or two taverns near to there as well.'
"I would compare it to Kingston, but I was a bit indisposed for that portion of the trip. I think I can more or less discern the sort of place Jack's likely to frequent."
'It might well be easier to find him than it seems. My predecessor appears to have spent much of his time here dealing with the colony's more disreputable or undesirable individuals.' His mouth tightens in quickly suppressed anger. 'If the records of executions are anything to go by, that is.'
He lets out a quiet sigh, and the tense moment passes. 'Regardless, I do appreciate your assistance in this matter. I am still too much of a novelty here to go about searching for them myself, and it would be out of the question to try to send any of my men to find them.'
It is his turn to give Archie a faintly wry smile.
'I think they would also welcome the sight of a friendly face.'
He turns slightly, gazing out the window ant the town below and the sea beyond.
"I appreciate being asked. Mr Wellard was my shipmate and my friend. He died with the idea that he was saving Horatio and I from the noose, it's the least I can do to try and look after him a bit. Besides, if it means I get to walk in the world again, even for one afternoon..."
Quietly, with sympathy. Because he does understand, perhaps better than most might realise.
'The astrolabe will give you all the time you need, and I have a few papers I ought to see to in the meantime. Take as much time as you require.' He takes a small slip of folded and sealed paper from his coat and holds it out to Archie. 'I doubt that anyone will think to question you, but in case they do you need only show them this. The sight of the seal alone should be sufficient.'
This time, his smile is both wry and privately amused. 'Besides, you are an officer of His Majesty's forces, taking two dangerous fugitives in for questioning. I cannot think that you would meet with any real resistance.'
If he looks out over the harbour, though, he can keep his back to it.
'I know that Mister Wellard is somewhere in the town, and I feel certain that he and Captain Sparrow would not be far from each other.' He looks over at Archie, one eyebrow slightly raised. 'They may be keeping under cover, of course. Captain Sparrow still has a price on his head, no matter who happens to be in charge of this colony.'
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He doesn't have as much of the burden of association with Cutler Beckett. He rather likes the map, and is studying it with some fondness.
"Do you perchance know of anyplace in town Jack is particularly fond of? And haunts, as it were?"
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There's a wry little smile for Merriman.
"I would compare it to Kingston, but I was a bit indisposed for that portion of the trip. I think I can more or less discern the sort of place Jack's likely to frequent."
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He lets out a quiet sigh, and the tense moment passes. 'Regardless, I do appreciate your assistance in this matter. I am still too much of a novelty here to go about searching for them myself, and it would be out of the question to try to send any of my men to find them.'
It is his turn to give Archie a faintly wry smile.
'I think they would also welcome the sight of a friendly face.'
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He turns slightly, gazing out the window ant the town below and the sea beyond.
"I appreciate being asked. Mr Wellard was my shipmate and my friend. He died with the idea that he was saving Horatio and I from the noose, it's the least I can do to try and look after him a bit. Besides, if it means I get to walk in the world again, even for one afternoon..."
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Quietly, with sympathy. Because he does understand, perhaps better than most might realise.
'The astrolabe will give you all the time you need, and I have a few papers I ought to see to in the meantime. Take as much time as you require.' He takes a small slip of folded and sealed paper from his coat and holds it out to Archie. 'I doubt that anyone will think to question you, but in case they do you need only show them this. The sight of the seal alone should be sufficient.'
This time, his smile is both wry and privately amused. 'Besides, you are an officer of His Majesty's forces, taking two dangerous fugitives in for questioning. I cannot think that you would meet with any real resistance.'
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"Don't tempt me, sir."
The lure of an anonymous crowd of people going about their daily lives, the smell of a fresh salt breeze...
"I suppose I'd best get on with it then."
He might have to pick up a bit of something for his girls, should he happen to pass by a shop on the way to the docks.
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And in the meantime, there are indeed a few papers that he needs to see to.
One happens to be more important than the others.
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"Aye sir, I'll have them back as soon as I can."
He heads out the door into the balmy sea air.
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