Before the crew can disperse, a lean young sailor with weather-browned skin, a russet beard, and a patched blue waistcoat steps from the line. His wary eyes move from Arrus to Captain Pike.
Thomas Redd
Thomas Redd, Captain. I ask plainly: what authority does this bargain grant Master Gandon aboard the Seawren? May he train us, or may he command us?
A murmur passes through the sailors. Their support for the new lessons is genuine, but several glance toward the quarterdeck as though usefulness might quietly become command.
the Seawren's acting officer
Mind your tone, Redd. The captain has accepted the bargain, but no temporary instructor gives orders beyond the lesson or displaces a watch.
The Seawren's acting officer keeps one hand near the rail rather than his sword, watching for a quarrel. Captain Pike remains silent, letting the question stand and measuring whether Arrus answers as a guest, instructor, or rival officer.
Thomas Redd
I have no wish to follow a shadow captain, sir. But if he is responsible for our improvement, we deserve to know where his authority ends.
The deck settles into attentive silence. The Seawren swordsman and the Seawren's second swordsman hold their foils at rest, while the gathered crew waits for Arrus to define the bargain in his own words.
✓ Quest Accepted
Win the Seawren crew’s willing cooperation
“I will break the tension with an unusual display of haughty laughter. "Please, forgive Mr. Redd's question, my Captain, as his confusion is partly of my own making." I will then turn to Thomas Redd to try to save him from embarrassment of ignorance in front of his captain. "Mr. Redd, we are all seamen in service of the Crown, aye, but my insistance that you and your shipmates not disturb my presentation at the Admiralty's Hall earlier today was my own personal self-expression of duty and respect for the Admiralty itself, not because I am a part of the Royal Navy's command, nor am I free to accept it, ever were I to wish to; I am a sworn sword to serve Viscount Falmouth, and his envoy... I am only a guest aboard Captain Pike's vessel, and can only instruct you, Mr. Redd, I cannot command any man here besides to follow his senses." I will then look reassuringly at Captain Pike and nod in acknowledgement to the authority I had just specified as in indisputable effect aboard the Seawren.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Arrus Gandon
Please forgive Mr. Redd's question, Captain. His confusion is partly of my own making.
Arrus answers with haughty laughter, then reins it into polished courtesy. His Silver Tongue turns the interruption into a harmless misunderstanding, while his Code of Honor refuses to let Redd bear the embarrassment alone.
Arrus Gandon
Mr. Redd, I am a sworn sword and envoy of Viscount Falmouth, not an officer of the Royal Navy. I am Captain Pike's guest, permitted to instruct, never to command. I can ask a man to follow his senses, but I cannot order any man here.
His Seasoned Diplomat's instinct gives each authority its proper boundary, preserving the captain's command while granting Redd the dignity of a direct answer. Around them, the Seawren crew relaxes, though the public clarification makes Arrus's limits impossible to soften later.
Thomas Redd
Then I have my answer, Master Gandon. You teach us under Captain Pike's leave, and nothing more. I regret making a public question of it.
Arrus turns toward Captain Pike and nods, openly acknowledging the shipmaster's authority. Pike returns the gesture, satisfied, while Redd's apology restores the deck's order at the cost of leaving Arrus bound to the limits he has just proclaimed.
Quest Complete
Win the Seawren crew’s willing cooperation