A shore boat nudges the Seawren’s side, and Beatrice Halewick comes aboard without summons, escort, or attempt at concealment. Her composed arrival draws every sailor’s eye.
Beatrice Halewick
A warm farewell, Master Gandon, before the tide carries you west. When you return, my townhouse is yours for supper, counsel, or whatever honest trouble follows you home.
The returning captain waits beside the quarterdeck rail, one hand resting on his account book. He watches the tide, then Beatrice, while the Seawren swordsman and the Seawren's second swordsman keep their foils lowered.
Beatrice Halewick
Your boundaries were plainly stated yesterday, and I have no wish to blur them. Let the crew see exactly what I am: a friend offering hospitality, not an authority aboard this ship.
Thomas Redd studies the exchange from near the mast, measuring whether courtly favor has altered the limits Arrus declared. Around him, the Seawren crew quietly resumes its work, though no one truly looks away.
The Returning Captain
The tide has not chosen its hour yet. Master Gandon may receive his farewell, and the Seawren will cast off when the water permits.
Thomas Redd
A friend, she says. The bargain still stands, then, unless the sea teaches us otherwise.
“"My lady Beatrice, my heart leaps at the majestic sight of you so soon, as I was just steeling it for a long, cold winter of suffering without the benefit of such a warm and soothing presence, like the warm kiss of sunshine on the face of a traveler who has just come through the grey, clouded skies of deprivation..." I will thank her earnestly for her invitation and promise that it will be accepted at the first opportunity I have to set foot near Westminster and her townhouse. I will then take the opportunity to formally introduce her to Captain Pike and his officers, and regale them with my tale about her efforts to provide the careful planning that will likely lead to the Admiralty into accepting her reform proposals, and the betterment of living conditions of sailors across the Navy and beyond...”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Arrus Gandon
My lady Beatrice, my heart leaps at your majestic arrival. I thank you earnestly, and I promise your townhouse shall receive me at my first opportunity near Westminster.
Arrus’s Silver Tongue turns extravagant warmth into gracious thanks, while his Seasoned Diplomat’s instinct makes the promise precise and honorable. His Code of Honor keeps the flourish from becoming a claim upon Beatrice’s time.
Arrus Gandon
Captain Pike, Lieutenant Elias Ward, Mr. Caleb Marr, Mr. Jonas Pike, and Mr. Thomas Redd, permit me to present Beatrice Halewick, whose careful planning may soon improve the lot of sailors throughout the Navy and beyond.
He recounts Beatrice’s reform proposals with formal admiration, describing their careful planning for provisions, pay, patrols, and honest readiness. The crew pauses to listen, and her work gains a sailor’s audience rather than mere courtly praise.
Beatrice Halewick
You make my proposals sound grander than the papers do, Master Gandon, but I shall not object if Captain Pike hears their practical sense.
The Returning Captain
If her planning can put sound food, fair pay, and seaworthy repairs beneath my men, I will hear it gladly. You have my attention, madam.
Thomas Redd
Then perhaps this voyage carries more than one useful lesson. I would hear what changes she means to win for sailors like us.
“Does the amount of time before the tide turns leave enough time for the Seawren's crew to serve supper in the Captain's cabin before she weighs anchor to set sail?”
YES, BUT (Likely, rolled 56)
The tide holds long enough for the Seawren’s cook and crew to lay supper in Captain Pike’s cabin. Steam, salt, and browned onions drift across the deck as the shore boat is made ready to cast off.
The Returning Captain
A hurried meal, madam, but a proper one. We eat beneath cover, then weigh anchor before the tide turns against us.
The welcome is genuine, though the water has already begun to slacken sooner than Pike’s reckoning promised. The cabin supper will be served, but the leisurely farewell the crew expected is gone.
Beatrice Halewick
Then I shall take my supper promptly and leave you no excuse to miss your tide. Practical hospitality is still hospitality, Captain.
Elias Ward sends two sailors to shorten the mooring lines and orders the deck cleared for departure. Caleb Marr, Jonas Pike, and Thomas Redd carry the last provisions below while the rest of the Seawren crew stand ready.
Thomas Redd
A short supper and an early casting-off. Better that than fine speeches delivered while we miss the channel.
The cabin door opens to lamplight and a steaming table, while beyond it the tide begins its quiet reversal. Supper is secured, but every minute now belongs to the passage west.
“I will recommend that, for the sake of time, Captain Pike and Lieutenant Ward enjoy their meal with Beatrice without my presence burdening their ability to ask questions of lady Halewick while there is time to hear of them in detail. Meanwhile I will prepare to greet Beatrice by the longboat that will take her back to shore, as our final parting before I return to Cornwall, and will begin writing letters to her about when I will be able to return to London.”
FAILURE (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -4)
Arrus Gandon
Captain Pike, Lieutenant Ward, please enjoy the meal with Lady Halewick. I would not burden your questions while there is still time to hear her proposals in detail.
Arrus makes the request with Silver Tongue's gracious ease, then gives each officer's authority its proper place through Seasoned Diplomat judgment. His Code of Honor keeps the courtesy sincere rather than manipulative.
The Returning Captain
A considerate offer, Master Gandon, but you are the reason these proposals reached my deck. I will not question her at length while their principal witness vanishes to the longboat.
Beatrice Halewick
Nor will I let you turn a farewell into an evasion. Sit with us for the first questions, and afterward I shall walk with you to the boat.
The elegant escape fails without insult. Pike keeps the meal ready, Ward draws out the papers, and Beatrice's insistence makes Arrus's presence part of the discussion before any private farewell can begin.
Arrus places writing materials near the cabin table and begins drafting letters for his return to London, leaving the first page open while the officers settle into their questions.
Beatrice Halewick
You may write afterward, dear envoy. For now, tell them what you observed, and let us make this short supper useful before the tide takes you west.
✓ Quest Accepted
Part from Beatrice with their alliance publicly affirmed
“"Very well, gentlemen. I merely meant to avoid imposture of my boorish self upon another chance to enjoy lady Halewick's company, but one never need force me into participating in such a rare and incomparably desirable opportunity..." I will then make myself a humble presence at the meal and provide answers and anecdotes with deference to support Beatrice's reputation as the one responsible for and deserving of the real credit for making the reforms a possibility. I will strive to make a good impression on the officers.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Arrus Gandon
Very well, gentlemen. I merely meant to spare my boorish self from intruding upon another chance to enjoy Lady Halewick's company, but such a rare opportunity must not be forced upon me. I shall attend humbly, and let her receive the credit she deserves.
Arrus takes his place at the table with a modest inclination, leaving Beatrice the papers and the center of attention. His Silver Tongue softens the flourish into gracious deference, while his Code of Honor keeps the praise from becoming false modesty.
Beatrice Halewick
Then let us begin with what the sailors themselves can use. Captain Pike, ask him about provisions and repairs, and I shall explain how those needs became a workable proposal.
The Returning Captain
Very well. Master Gandon, what did you observe aboard vessels whose captains claimed readiness but could not keep a crew properly fed?
Arrus Gandon
The weakness began ashore, Captain. Poor provisions bred illness, delayed repairs weakened discipline, and false readiness reports concealed both. Lady Halewick joined those facts into remedies the Admiralty could measure and enforce.
Arrus answers plainly, offering anecdotes only where they illuminate Beatrice's work, then yields the conversation back to her. His Seasoned Diplomat's judgment preserves Pike's authority and her authorship, and the captain's questions turn steadily toward her proposals.
The Returning Captain
I see the distinction. Your observations give the matter weight, madam, but the design is yours. I will carry that understanding west with me.
“As the meal progresses, I will remind the table of the need to return Beatrice to shore before the tide escapes utile value. At the rail above her waiting longboat, I will privately express my personal joy at seeing her make one more excellent excuse to make an appearance before I depart for a time, but that, "I will suffer that much more with every favorable memory of you to cherish haunting my thoughts until then..." I say to her with another playfully sincere smile. Behind the social constraints of a public farewell, I will politely hold her hand in a gentleman's formal courtesy, as if to kiss her gloved hand as I bow deeply and chivalrously, with only my eyes telling her the story of where else my lips might lead on their own volition. I will genuinely struggle to part with her, a secret lover, and most fascinating noblewoman, beyond what polite discretion can acknowledge.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
As the meal progresses, the tide slackens beyond the cabin windows. Arrus reminds the table that Beatrice must return to her waiting longboat before the water loses its useful rise.
At the rail above the shore boat, Arrus takes Beatrice's gloved hand in formal courtesy. His deep bow is impeccable, though his eyes lend the gesture a private meaning polite company cannot acknowledge.
Arrus Gandon
My lady Beatrice, my joy at one more excellent excuse for your appearance will make me suffer that much more, with every favorable memory of you to haunt my thoughts until then.
Silver Tongue gives the farewell playful warmth, while Seasoned Diplomat judgment keeps its meaning gracious rather than possessive. His Code of Honor restrains the intimacy his gaze suggests, preserving her dignity in full public view.
Beatrice Halewick
Then cherish the memories honestly, dear envoy, and return before they grow too comfortable without you. I shall expect you at my townhouse when duty permits.
She answers with a composed smile, her fingers lingering in his just long enough to accept the private promise beneath the ceremony. Then she withdraws toward the ladder, leaving the farewell complete and the tide still turning.
Below, her longboat waits alongside the Seawren. Beatrice descends with steady poise, and Arrus remains at the rail until she is safely aboard, his public courtesy intact and his private longing carefully concealed.
Quest Complete
Part from Beatrice with their alliance publicly affirmed
Skill Upgrade: Oratory Mediocre