The Concerns of a Shipwright

[Rezim]

In the King’s Court in Krearton, court was already in session when Nobleman and Master Shipwright Lucan of House Caledyr was announced.

The doors to the great hall opened not with any ceremony, but with purpose. The murmurs of the court softened as the man approached, grey at the temples, broad shoulders, his hands bearing the unmistakable marks of decades at work. Though dressed as a nobleman of standing, there was no mistaking his trade.

He halted at the prescribed distance from the throne and bowed - deep, correct, unhurried.

“Your Majesty,” he began, his voice steady and measured. “I appear before the crown not for the resolution of a dispute or in defiance, but in solemn duty to the Empire.”

“I hold the King’s Charter as Master Shipwright of the Royal Yards, and I bear the marks of my House upon every hull launched under my name. It is for that reason, that reason alone, that I must speak plainly.”

He gestured with one hand, and an attendant stepped forward, rolling a set of plans upon a low table.

“The designs submitted for the War Galeas,” he started, “word has come back from the Alpan Shipwrights… in trials in the Sidhaeg Bay the ship nearly capsized. The crew that went overboard survived, but the ship took on heavy water and had to be returned to port.”

“The ship is ambitious, and the design is ingenious. No one in this Hall would dare deny the ingenuity behind it. However,” he paused, “Yet when the ambition outpaces the water, it becomes a hazard.”

The hall was now silent. Silent and still, as this nobleman spoke with a clear and sobering tone.

“My King, I do not believe these ships can be built anymore,” he said carefully, “as it stands, this is not a design I can stand behind.”

He stood straight at the edge of the table, standing straight and meeting the eyes of the King.

“As a nobleman, I owe Your Majesty my loyalty. As a shipwright, I owe you honesty.”

He opens his arms, almost as if asking for forigveness with his palms open as he stands at the table.

“Your Majesty, I come to you to place this matter in your hands; before tools are laid down, before the ships with my Seal cease production. There are paths before you - I only ask that the choice be made with full knowledge of the risk.”

@Shadows

[Shadows]

The King and Queen nod as Sir Lucan enters the throne room. The King raises his hand and goes to speak, before the Noble begins to share the urgent news. The King remains quiet and nods, listening to the nobleman, and understanding that the break in decorum is only due to the importance of the issue.

“Lucan, you have served the Empire since you were a boy, and have risen to your place through merit and integrity. If this is your honest recommendation, I will follow it.” The King nods to the Scribe that stands to the side and behind the twin thrones, motioning him forward.

“Issue the decree, that on the command of the Emperor, construction of the War Galeas is to cease immediately. All hulls currently under construction are to be held until such a time as a permanent solution is found. Issue it at once.” The Scribe nods, handing the paper to the King for an official signature. Once given, he rushes from the room. As soon as the Scribe leaves the throne room, another is seen entering and standing beside the King, ready to continue.

The King looks back to Lucan. “What is your recommendation on the War Galea as a whole? Is the design able to be modified to work, or is it a lost cause at this stage? Please answer with the understanding that it will be your responsibility to enact any solution you present.”

[Rezim]

“My liege,” he started confidently, calmly. “I do not lie and I do not bluster - the ship’s design is truly a marvel of thought and ambition.”

He begins pointing at the original designs, tracing his finger along the beam on the design, then tapping his finger on the measurements shown.

“The ship is too narrow.” He said bluntly, if it was not for the clarity and forcefulness of his usual tone, some would believe him to be exasperated.

“If this ship was to leave Krearton tomorrow for the colonies, a storm could topple it with ease. It needs more…”

He looks around the court, noticing the stunned audience of courtiers and noblemen, and he spots a short and robust nobleman and gestures to him.

“It needs more girth, my liege. The ship has to sit wider if it is to be used beyond the Jagged Crown of Southern Weslif.”

The court gasps at the apparent insult of the nobleman, who himself appears oblivious to the commentary.

“The ship’s ratios are off. Ships of a similar design can maintain this narrow of a beam, but are also smaller.”

The shipwright takes an ink well, placing it on the drawing and showing where the cut off would be, approximately two-thirds of the way down the length to give the visual of his example. He takes another utensil to draw a line on the design laid on the table, showing the beam needing to be expanded by approximately three metres (~10 feet).

“This, my liege, can salvage the design without sacrificing its length and overall size. It may lose some speed, but she will withstand any storm - man-made or divine.” His allusion to artillery mounted on ships, a practice that has become increasingly common.

“I understand that any solution will bear my name and reputation, my liege,” he began. “That is a responsibility and risk I will take if it means sparing the lives of Silitonian sailors. If I fail, I can at least still hold my head up and say that I did what no one dared to say.”

[Shadows]

The King ignores the stunned audience, his full attention on Lucan and his words. He nodded along, watching Lucan draw the addition onto the ship. He motioned for the new Scribe, speaking softly. As Lucan finished his description, the Scribe handed the paper to the King to sign.

“Lucan, your words carry the weight of experience, experience that I shall not ignore. This is an official decree, permitting the redesign and reconstruction of the vessels under construction.” The Scribe takes the paper with a bow, before moving to deliver it to the Nobleman.

“Take this as an Imperial command, do what must be done to salvage this design. You have my blessing and my full support. Are there any additional issues you wish to bring to me?”