Day 2

4,421 words yesterday.

5,296 words today. A small sample…

“Tilney, you read the books before you came to us, yes?” The Croix regularly published its reports, with names changed and places adjusted, and the reports were widely regarded as the most dreadful of penny-dreadfuls.

“Of course, sir.” Norris still read them, keeping one or two by his bedside and re-reading whenever he had a chance.”

“Then you know how the order came to be. Why we wear this sigil.” He tapped the stickpin in his jacket’s lapel. It was a silver skull, atop a crossed sword and wand, wearing a golden crown.

“The order began as… well… I’ve never been sure how much to believe of this…”

“Pirates, Tilney. We are pirates. Go ahead, say it.”

“Pirates, sir.”

Lucius nodded. “Just so. We operate under a Letter of Marque and Reprisal, the original terms of which were set down in 1689, and which has been renewed by every head under the throne of Great Britain. We seek out threats to the British Empire, no matter where or what they may be, and we… resolve them. Again, by whatever means are necessary. Sometimes that’s as simple as a word in the right ear, and sometimes it involves rock golems and dragon kings. More often the former than the latter, thank goodness, but…” He shook his head, staring at the wood of his desk. “I don’t think you appreciate the position we are in here.

“We operate outside the law, for our own purposes, to our own ends – which during the entire existence of this organization has been and continues to be the safety and good of all Englishmen… and I need you to be more than a blunt weapon, more than just an obedient servant. You must respond proactively, using your own initiative and creativiy. You are an exacting person, Tilney. But you’ve never put a foot out of line, never stepped out of normal bounds. Frankly, it’s been the most depressing and disappointing part of your training. And I’m not sure how to crack this particular nut.”

Tilney blinked. He had no idea how to respond.

Lucius sat back and smiled. “Ah well, I’m sure I’ll figure it out eventually.”