Chapter 61: A Quick Trip To The Sea

Chapter 61: A Quick Trip To The Sea

...I may have not quite thought it through. I mean, yeah, a great time was had by everyone, but I just signed myself for more work... Admittedly, I'd have to do this sooner or later regardless, I just moved up the timescale. By a lot. Oh well. The good part is, my harem is awed, my guests are awed and the whole royal palace is awed in the background. While it devolves into everyone doing something for a while, we all eventually settle down at the table and pizza is brought out. Which prompts hungry looks from my harem, Selene and Rafiqa, and puzzled looks from everyone else.

"Everyone, this is called pizza. You are supposed to eat it with your hands. Be careful, it's rather hot and has plenty of cheese in it." - I explain as Bridgit helpfully sets out a couple napkin holders around the table. I catch her before she skips away and in spite of her protestations, pull her on the seat next to me. "Shush. You're supposed to enjoy this with everyone, not hover behind everyone's backs." - I tell her and she subsides with subdued muttering about mistress that takes far too much delight in spoiling her faithful maid. Selene sets the mood by grabbing a slice with ham and scarfing it down. Ed, not to leave her hanging, repeats the movement, on the other side of the table Moon Unit grabs a slice and soon everyone is chowing down.

"This is a very interesting dish, lady Gillespie." - Hiram comments from his seat, waggling a slice with mushrooms and bellpeppers - "How come one pie contains vegetables and the other is nothing but meat?"

"Ah, well... To put it simply, pizza is a base of sourdough with tomato sauce on it and a covering of shredded cheese." - I explain - "Meat, veggies, mushrooms, more cheese, sauces, seafood? That's all called toppings, and chefs are generally encouraged to mix and match toppings to meet the specific eater's preference. For example, I like mine with an even mix of ham, bellpeppers, tomatoes and mushrooms, Selene likes ham-only pizza, Moon Unit prefers vegetable assortment without meat and so on and so on. Since I didn't know which variety will work best for most of you, I've opted instead to make enough of differing varieties to ensure everyone can taste this and that and make a decision which topping selection they prefer."

He hums. "Quite egalitarian." - he agrees - "Though, I suppose there is a practical limit of what can be reasonably expected to go well as a topping."

I snicker, and Selene across the table mirrors the bemusement. "Not really." - she drawls - "Some people put pineapple slices on it."

"Beg your pardon? Pineapple?" - he inquires curiously.

Selene doubletakes, then relaxes. "Sorry. I suppose it's pretty exotic fruit for someone who did not grow up in the port city. It looks like a huge pine with greenery coming out on top and does not keep well. If you're really curious, inquire with Pharos or Oijan merchants, they are more likely to have it than anyone else." - she explains. Nice going, Selene, no lies, but in the same time a decent evasion.

I catch everyone's attention by clapping my hands. "So... Once we are all sated, what do you want to do next?" - I offer - "I was planning to descend above the river and show off the speed the airship can reach, if everyone's fine with it. Then a straight voyage over the fields back to Parsee, we should be back at the Academy in the evening. Sounds good to everyone?"

"Ah... Just how fast do you intend to go?" - Ed inquires cautiously.

"Well, I rated the propellers for up to forty leagues per hour." - I tell them and jaws are falling open again. I suppose this is ludicrously fast for this age. Oh well.

Selene works out the destination first. "...Just... how far up the river do you intend to take us?" - she inquires.

"Oh, just to the seashore. I want to see the sloop your father mentioned in the last few letters." - I tell her innocently and she shudders.

"Oh gods why." - she whines - "You know he's going to want to see how fast you can go."

"I'm sure I can indulge monsieur Dantes in a little demonstration. He is doing quite a lot for me after all. Besides, I'm reasonably sure seeing one of my new ships on the water is of some interest to most guests here, ne?" - I quip back, and I see Hiram making a "mental note" expression. I'm guessing he, of all people, has quite an interest. "So? Does anyone have a problem with a quick trip to Haver?"

He cocks his head to the side, reminding me vividly of a dog who just heard something interesting. "Did something happen?" - he asks, worry well-hidden but present in his voice.

"Yes, but it's more of a good news." - I tell him - "First of all... Clipper is going to be expensive. While two cogs are not exactly cheap either, I do not believe you will gain enough out of it. I surmise you intend to make up the difference with your personal savings and possibly loans?"

He nods, his face gaining this terse expression. "...Yes. I do not have enough of savings to cover it, but Konistan trading house agreed to furnish me with necessary funds... though their terms are quite harsh." - he admits uneasily - "I have been hearing they are going through some sort of problem lately, but I have high hopes they will be ready to loan me the necessary sum once I'm actually ready to start building."

"Ah... Yeah. About that." - I begin - "First of all, Konistan was a grifter and you'd likely lose the ship before you can even sail it." His face hardens at this, but I continue before he interjects - "Second, he is dead. Finally, third, I have bought out the trading house in question and renamed it to Northern Trading Incorporated." And now his face is going through all sorts of expressions, vividly mirroring the storm of emotions he is currently experiencing.

"So. Here are the facts as of now." - I tell him - "Konistan had owned two carracks. They are... not in good condition, so I had them put into Mersaille shipyards for refurbishing and provided upgraded plans. Once they're done with this, which should be sometime around mid-winter, newly refurbished galleons will be put back into use. You are doing a good job here, keep up the good work and those two galleons will be added to your fleet. I have already vetted the crews and ensured all of them are agreeable with the idea."

He blinks. Blinks again. Swears quietly, as he thinks it over. "Two... carracks?" - he then offers in a strangled tone.

"Upgraded to galleon standards." - I correct him - "I will send you the blueprints for galleons so you could familiarize yourself. They are too big for your docks here, which is why I didn't give you the blueprints before. Once you finish building up the ships we had agreed upon, there will be six ships under your command, a spread of sizes suitable for a plethora of contracts."

He nods, swallowing - "This is a big responsibility, lady Gillespie."

"Selene vouches for you, and I trust her." - I tell him - "Besides... here." I pass him the copperphone and instruct him on its use. He is... very curious about it.

"This is ingenious." - he breathes after giving the thing a try - "Lady Gillespie, could something similar be installed on the ships?"

"Sure. Which brings me to my next point. Sometime soon, I will come back and bring you the seven piece communicator, for installation on each of the ships you will command." - I tell him.

"...Seven? But... Wait. Are you saying...." - he trails off with dawning hope.

"Once you put all six ships I am entrusting you with into operation, I will furnish you with the requisite funds to construct clipper." - I confirm - "To be clear, this is not a loan. This is a bonus for a job well done. I will need a suitable nucleus for a fleet, because my plans revolve around taking Thousand Isles from Sultanate, and those plans are well underway. And yes, it was me who cursed the Sultanate with bees. Once you construct the clipper, it will be your personal ship - and a flagship for the trading flotilla."

I see gears in his head starting to turn. "...But..." - he begins uncertainly, caught somewhere between incredulity and hope.

"Are you interested in the job, admiral Dantes?" - I ask him with a smirk.