Post by Badwater on Sept 15, 2010 2:57:44 GMT -5
The pirate captains present wondered amongst themselves as to the atmosphere of the hastily arranged meeting. It was most peculiar, and they resented the disruption of their regular duties. Finally, the Harbour Master appeared and silenced the room.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Someone whispered, "Maybe he lost 'is favorite sleeper, eh?" Snickers rolled left and right in the room.
The Harbour Master glared. "Enough will be enough, lest you jesters care to spend some time in the jails?" Silence. "I thought so."
"Affairs in this port have gone to hell in a handbasket. I cannot provide guarantees of your safe passage with all the riff raff that wander about, causing a stir and sometimes killing some of my men. This will end."
"Well, what you you propose, good Master?"
"As I see it, you have two choices. One - I drastically increase the cut that this port receives so that I may provide order and the safe transfer of goods here."
"....or?"
"You provide security for now to help this situation. I don't think this will last forever. But sparing a few men for guard duty is preferable to dipping into your pocketbooks, is it not?
Murmurs rumbled about the room as the pirate captains reviewed their options. Finally, one of them stood. "We will provide guard aid, in our mutual interest. This will not be a permanent arrangement, however. You depend on our efforts as much as we might depend upon you."
"We have an understanding, then."
"What is the meaning of this?"
Someone whispered, "Maybe he lost 'is favorite sleeper, eh?" Snickers rolled left and right in the room.
The Harbour Master glared. "Enough will be enough, lest you jesters care to spend some time in the jails?" Silence. "I thought so."
"Affairs in this port have gone to hell in a handbasket. I cannot provide guarantees of your safe passage with all the riff raff that wander about, causing a stir and sometimes killing some of my men. This will end."
"Well, what you you propose, good Master?"
"As I see it, you have two choices. One - I drastically increase the cut that this port receives so that I may provide order and the safe transfer of goods here."
"....or?"
"You provide security for now to help this situation. I don't think this will last forever. But sparing a few men for guard duty is preferable to dipping into your pocketbooks, is it not?
Murmurs rumbled about the room as the pirate captains reviewed their options. Finally, one of them stood. "We will provide guard aid, in our mutual interest. This will not be a permanent arrangement, however. You depend on our efforts as much as we might depend upon you."
"We have an understanding, then."