Post by Perrin Duré on Aug 21, 2010 22:56:57 GMT -5
Stepping through the door, I snapped to attention as I crossed the threshold. Vice-Amiral Marninon sat at his desk, gazing at me from the weather beaten crags of his face.
“At ease,” he said and I relaxed a little, but only just. Instead of offering me a seat, he rose and moved around his desk, the thump of his wooden leg the only real sound for a moment. Everyone knew the story of how he’d lost his leg; the limb having to be removed after it was crushed by a piece of the mast as it broke in the storm, Marninon refusing to leave the ship before the last of his crew was in the lifeboats, pinned against the railing as he’d been helping a young boy over the side; the tale was one of legendary duty and honor.
“I heard you made the last run to Amilcar and back in record time,” he said as he came to a halt in front of me.
“I don’t know about record time, sir,” I said, though I did, we’d beat the best time by three days. “Captain Hassel caught a fast current and favorable winds.”
“Bah!” he said, waving a hand dismissively. “We all know Hassel spent the voyage in his cabin with his favorite brandy. You were in charge of that ship.”
“Sir, Captain Hassel was in charge,” I said, lying again. This time from a sense of duty. Hassel may not be the best captain, but he was my captain and I would not disparage him.
Marninon stared at me for a moment, his near black eyes holding mine fast. Then he gave a small nod and looked away to his desk, picking up a scroll. “Have you heard anything about the Katherine Moreau?” he asked, tapping the scroll against his palm.
My interest grew sharp, I couldn’t help it. “Yes, sir,” I answered. “She’s under construction in Azzalle. She should launch by summer at the very latest. I’ll admit I looked at the plans when they were on display in the offices. She’s to be a fine vessel.”
“Well and good you think so,” he said. His arm extended, offering me the scroll. As soon as my hand touched it, a wry smile broke across his face. “Congratulations, young man. She’ll serve you well.”
My eyes went wide and with an uncharacteristic break in decorum, I tore open the seal and read the scroll quickly. It was my commission to Capitaine de Corvette and posting on the Katherine Moreau. Grinning like a boy, I looked up at the Vice-Amiral. “Thank you sir,” I said, my chest near aching with the swell of pride.
“You deserve her,” he replied, then clapped me on the shoulder. “Dismissed.”
I saluted him again and managed not to break out into a run until I was out of his office, but just barely.
“At ease,” he said and I relaxed a little, but only just. Instead of offering me a seat, he rose and moved around his desk, the thump of his wooden leg the only real sound for a moment. Everyone knew the story of how he’d lost his leg; the limb having to be removed after it was crushed by a piece of the mast as it broke in the storm, Marninon refusing to leave the ship before the last of his crew was in the lifeboats, pinned against the railing as he’d been helping a young boy over the side; the tale was one of legendary duty and honor.
“I heard you made the last run to Amilcar and back in record time,” he said as he came to a halt in front of me.
“I don’t know about record time, sir,” I said, though I did, we’d beat the best time by three days. “Captain Hassel caught a fast current and favorable winds.”
“Bah!” he said, waving a hand dismissively. “We all know Hassel spent the voyage in his cabin with his favorite brandy. You were in charge of that ship.”
“Sir, Captain Hassel was in charge,” I said, lying again. This time from a sense of duty. Hassel may not be the best captain, but he was my captain and I would not disparage him.
Marninon stared at me for a moment, his near black eyes holding mine fast. Then he gave a small nod and looked away to his desk, picking up a scroll. “Have you heard anything about the Katherine Moreau?” he asked, tapping the scroll against his palm.
My interest grew sharp, I couldn’t help it. “Yes, sir,” I answered. “She’s under construction in Azzalle. She should launch by summer at the very latest. I’ll admit I looked at the plans when they were on display in the offices. She’s to be a fine vessel.”
“Well and good you think so,” he said. His arm extended, offering me the scroll. As soon as my hand touched it, a wry smile broke across his face. “Congratulations, young man. She’ll serve you well.”
My eyes went wide and with an uncharacteristic break in decorum, I tore open the seal and read the scroll quickly. It was my commission to Capitaine de Corvette and posting on the Katherine Moreau. Grinning like a boy, I looked up at the Vice-Amiral. “Thank you sir,” I said, my chest near aching with the swell of pride.
“You deserve her,” he replied, then clapped me on the shoulder. “Dismissed.”
I saluted him again and managed not to break out into a run until I was out of his office, but just barely.