Sixteenth Dispatch - [written]

[captainhornblower]

To the crew of the Britannia:

We sail on the sixteenth as planned.


To interested parties:

Today is the last day I will allow new crew members to sign the muster list. My officers need time to relay important instruction before we sail.

- Hornblower

[In the face of everything? The threat from the Malnosso over this missing member of their own? Charged with unnamed crimes? And a ticking clock for how long they have to obey?

...It's better, Horatio thinks, to be away from the village. He has no place in the politics of this group. What they do is their choice. He will, though, be trying to protect his crew. It's a gamble, but it's one he's willing to take.]

[Filtered, Jilly, 25%]:

[He's slightly learned to filter!]

Miss Jilly,

I would like to request your presence on board Britannia for her maiden voyage.

Horatio

Comments

[action]

[simplestgift]

[Not as a good man. Never. In remaining visibly neutral, at least Horatio's planned mutiny has a chance.]

I will...help, in all the ways you need. How ever you need. If you need...an ear?

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[A captain keeps his own counsel.

...And yet...]

I... well may, Archie. Not... not tonight. [He does not know his own mind tonight. He could not ask someone else to try and parse through it.] But I well may, soon.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[A lingering pause, then a hesitant nod.]

All right.