Snippet #2445305

"Kingston? Ah, so that's where I've ended up. As to the state of my ship in general and the state of my colors in particular--"

He swatted lightly at the Norse woman as she attempted to grab him, gesturing to the knife on his belt and indicating he'd sheath it in her if she attempted to carry him. He stood straight, if wobbly, and walked a few steps as such to prove that he could, even as he continued speaking.

"This is a privately owned ship out of France, and to discourage pirates we flew our own colors, a crimson flag with the family crest in gold. Apparently a british vessel mistook us for brigands and opened fire on us from great distance, using mast chain shot to attempt to hobble us. The took out my foremast and made a wreck of my aft, as you can see, but we hit a trough just as they hit a crest, and perhaps that cannon was also poorly moored, because for whatever reason it took off only the tip of the mainmast, taking my colors into the drink with it. Hobbled as we were, and with their clipper bearing on us at great speed, we attempted to surrender, but had no white canvas to raise to inform them we meant no harm. As such, they broadsided us, and the came about to do so again before leaving us to sink. We dumped everything in the hold save for our gold and crew, and then drifted along with our single sail for a time, coming across a small island one of the men recognized as being along a smuggling run. I gave any man who wished to permission to take my longboats and head to the island, but remained with my ship. That was... oh, it must have been a week ago?"

He gestured with his thumb towards the tall blonde woman, whom was nearly of a height with him it seemed.

"Now, while she may be your first mate, and she may not be hard to look at, I would prefer to walk of my own power aboard your ship if that's alright."

Without waiting for response, he'd start shakily across the gangplank, trying to look regal as he strode and failing only by a slight margin.

"I believe that the seven hundred francs in my hold should pay for my needs aboard your ship, Captain, as well as your rescue. If you'll throw in the laundering of my clothes, I'll give you a taste of the Spanish gold I've acquired."