Thirteenth Dispatch - [written]

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio Hornblower is never unaware of the date, but lately he has been able to note it without thinking about it.

He has been here nearly eleven months. If time does not stop as others claimed... He will have been declared dead, at best, or a deserter at worst. His wife will have given birth. He will have a two-month old child whose mother is sure it will never see its father.

Perhaps it's been subtly looking after Archie this last while that prompted such thoughts. Perhaps its the coming of Spring. Perhaps its the thought of sailing Britannia, feeling the wind in his face.

The last is the easiest thought.]

Monday, April 2nd

Weather permitting, training of the crew of Britannia will begin on Monday, April 9th, at two bells in the forenoon watch.

Nine o'clock in the morning.

The first lesson will be regarding the use of bells to keep time.

Two bells in the afternoon watch will mark the time for a crew meal.

At four bells in the afternoon watch, lessons will resume. They will last until four bells in the first dog watch.

Attendance this first day in mandatory, so Mister Kennedy and I may get a practical view of what is already known and what must be taught. Mister Kennedy will head the actual instruction for the most part, but I will be observing.

This will be only be cancelled for heavy rainfall and strong winds.

[It shouldn't even be cancelled for that, but... As Archie is always reminding him, these are pure volunteers, able to leave at any time.]

Mister Kennedy and I would welcome any further volunteers to Britannia for this beginning of intruction.

Hornblower

Comments

[simplestgift]

"Hm? Oh." He rubs his eyes. "Some might mistake you for being a bit...cold?"

[captainhornblower]

Horatio manages a faint hint of a smile, but there's little humour to it. "If they are being kind."

[simplestgift]

"Because they can't see, they don't believe. The trouble isn't with you."

[captainhornblower]

"And so the fault must lie with all others?" He actually smiles as he says it.

[simplestgift]

"They do not all make the mistake."

[captainhornblower]

"Most do, Archie."

[simplestgift]

"Not most, either. Just a few very loud ones."

[captainhornblower]

"Back home, most certainly do."

[simplestgift]

"I thought that was your intent."

[captainhornblower]

"It suits a captain best... at least there. Any officer, really." He frowns. "Here... Here, there is no proper course of action."

[simplestgift]

"Welcome to life on the civilian side of things. Funny, you left it well after I did. How should I know more of it than you do?"

[captainhornblower]

Your father writes that you are a solitary boy...

"We all have our strengths, I suppose. I fear people have never been mine."

[simplestgift]

"And they needn't be. But I know you better, and I know the sort of man you are, and I say they're mistaken."

[captainhornblower]

"You're very generous, my friend." He smiles, bowing his head slightly.

[simplestgift]

"Don't mistake me. It wasn't a compliment, it's truth." He hesitates. "I heard the sorts of things that were said about me by Hunter and others, Horatio. If you were to contradict what they said, would you call yourself generous?"

[captainhornblower]

"I take your meaning."

A point.

"And respectfully disagree." But he gives his friend a small smile, chuckling under his breath.

[simplestgift]

"On what grounds?" He doesn't think this is funny.

[captainhornblower]

"I know my temper and temperament." A pause. "It makes for a decent," for he knows half of what he does is an act, and he cannot consider himself more than 'decent,' "military captain, but..." He knows he should be relieved to be away from war and worrying over debt, but there's a sense of idleness here that he can never quite shake.

"But I am not a military captain here."

[simplestgift]

"You are if we are attacked. Someone has to be."

[captainhornblower]

"With three men who will listen to me. Not favourable odds if we face more than a small party of enemies."

[simplestgift]

"With an entire crew who will listen to you. Who have volunteered. Perhaps more, since you proved yourself in battle already."

[captainhornblower]

"I hope the chance never comes to find out, but, if it does, I pray I am wrong in doubting their willingness to obey orders."

[simplestgift]

"Some won't. Others will. Others must. Horatio, it isn't fair, but think of it as beginning again as a midshipman. You earned the trust and respect of men before. You're just having to start again now."

[captainhornblower]

"I don't know how. Not here. The Navy had its order, its hierarchy. One had to learn to work within that system, not devise an entire one from scratch. And there we had the Admiralty, we had the Articles. Written law, Archie, granting authority. Yes--" he knows the protests "it was abused. God in Heaven knows it was, but it was necessary, too. I have no authority here, Archie. I am at their mercy, whether they obey or not. I can do nothing against them if they do not. I am at their mercy."

He pauses. It's strange to say, but it's true enough. Speaking to just Archie, he can find the words. "And that, my dear friend, is frightening."

[simplestgift]

"You're at their mercy." He'll give him that. "But of those who choose to follow you...can't you see, they are also at yours. And there are those who have chosen it. And I believe, based on your record, that they will continue to do so. It's what any captain in the world outside a navy lives on day to day. Even pirates settle things democratically. You must trust that they'll do what you say because they're intelligent enough to understand you're the one who gets everyone home."

A beat.

"Give them the trust you ask of them? Perhaps they'll give it to you if you make the first step. You always did it before."