(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

Comments

[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

[merrimanlyon]

An equally mirthless smile in reply. 'It is a distinctly flexible definition at that.'

The faint sound of church bells striking makes him lift his head a little, listening, before his gaze returns to Morrison.

'I am due to take the coming watch, and I ought not to detain you further. Is there aught else you wish to know? I will confide what I can, however little it may be.'

[politestpirate]

"Nothing that I can think of for the moment- If I do, I will let you know." Morrison nods, standing up and heading to the office door.

"I can have one of my men walk back with you, if you so wish- this area can still be rather unpleasant in the late hours of the night."

[merrimanlyon]

'I would very much appreciate it.' Merriman inclines his head a little as he takes up his hat and cloak. 'Not that I truly expect any trouble, but an additional pair of eyes is always welcome.'

After collecting his walking stick, he follows Morrison to the door.

'It almost goes without saying, sir, that I am exceedingly grateful for your assistance in this matter, and for hearing my concerns this evening. I shall keep you informed of developments as best I can...though I suspect that the course of events will become all too apparent in the weeks to come.'

He holds out a hand to Morrison. And I shall do all that I can to see your grandson safely found.

[politestpirate]

Morrison pauses in opening the office door to shake Merriman's hand. "And we will just see where the wind takes us in the upcoming weeks, then." He gives Merriman a wry smile, then steps through the door into the main office.

"Wellard, lad! Fetch Coultier from the warehouse, if you would. Him and one of his men, to see Commodore Lyon here back to his ship."

The young man- still a boy, really- working at one of the desks with Jenkins, looked up to give Morrison a nod and then hurry out one of the doors in the back. Jenkins just raised an eyebrow, then silently went back to the ledgers.

With a tilt of his head, Morrison looked back to Merriman. "Until next time, Lyon?"

[merrimanlyon]

Merriman had not fully taken notice of the young clerk in the office before, but his gaze sharpens as he watches young Matthew Wellard respond to his master's request -- and a faint trace of a smile softens the normally grim lines of his mouth.

'Until then, Captain Morrison.'