Odyssey

[rjo]

In the past I've tried to compare George they don't have two thingswhich George has. The first is easy, a ship, crew and adventure of sailing around the world. Dangerous Yes! but all that said every mission is an adventure of a lifetime. The second is a part of George himself, a much as his dashing good looks, that is his playfulness. Maybe its still that boy at heart. Maybe its that kind heart. What ever it is, it gives him the loyal friends he needs, the passionate lovers which at times he needs even more, and the dedicated crew which keeps him from getting killed. Thank you so much for returning to Granger and his rave crew. I was overjoyed to see a new chapter!

[Canuk]

I understand that style comments are supposedly reserved for the "review" paras and this for other comment, but I'd like to comment how cleverly this last chapter is written.

the excitment and tension were great, rounding teh horn, the storm and rogue waves all handled well without ridiculous detail that would make it drag, but with enough that a reader can visiualise and feel the tension of the situation.  Then the  tension and "relaxation" of the chapter rolls to an ostensibly simple end with Grainger heading ashore after a storm.  However in this simple ending, Mark has created  a serious undertone of impending activity, serious change-of-underwear activity. This , to me, is far more interesting and clever than a simple cliffhanger where the activity stops mid action.

 

this is why I read you, Mr Arbour and why I come back for more (and whinge when it ain't there!)

[Kookie]

Thank you for the chapters. I am happy to see that Granger and company has survived the challeges of sailing around the Cape. The ship that appears "shadowing" them is somewhat troubling. However, I believe is trying to lure Granger into a trap, believing that the Bachante is a whaler or trading vessel hoping to meet up with some privateers to capture it(if Granger could not ID the type of ship stalking him adequately, it would be questionable if the stalker could ID Granger's ship). While possible, overland travel to Chile from the eastern coast of South America would be near impossible and any ship would have had to tackled Drake's Passage or the Megellan Straits which as we know is difficult at best. Therefore it would be doubtful in my mind that Spanish or French are aware of a British Frigate in their midst.

[JimCarter]

I have been out of touch for awhile.  It was wonderful to find two new chapters of my favorite story.  Thanks Mark!

 

As usual, Mr. Arbor, you have me dying to find out who, what, and why of this mystery ship shadowing our illusterious hero.

Edited January 23, 2013 by JimCarter

[Mark Arbour]

I'm trying to get back onto a regular posting schedule, so I've designated Fridays as Granger day.  I've got enough working through editing that we should be alright for the next 4 weeks.  

[Westie]

Awesome.  Paya is away for a week and i'm so lonely!  but not with Granger around !!!

 

Thanks for posting !!!! it made my day !!!

Edited January 25, 2013 by Westie

[centexhairysub]

Well, Granger is set for another grand adventure and battle.  I can't wait to see what all happens when they take the fort and the second ship.  I don't know that even with all three ships that they could battle and win against a ship of the line but it would make a more interesting fight.  I am not sure that Granger will endanger his men to that extent however. 

 

I find the most interesting question is how did the Spanish find out that Granger was headed that way two months ago???  If Maidstone provided this information, Granger could have him charged with treason.  I think finding out how this information was leaked will be an important part of the story. 

 

Senor de Arana may prove to be a significant help to Granger even after he leaves the crew to go back to his own people.  If he can cause enough of a problem, the Spanish might have to focus more on problems on land rather than at sea. 

[Daddydavek]

I think the coming battle plan as laid out by Granger is a grand opportunity for Mark to exercise his considerable ability to tell about a compelling battle scene where most things do not happen according to plan and our hero must improvise on the fly.  

 

Just my prognostication.

[Clydee]

Awesome!  The only bad part of the Granger series is having to wait a week between parts!  I'm looking forward to the next part and I'm sure everything will go smoothly like always...let us hope!  If he captures that ship in the harbor he's going to become Commodore Granger! So if he captures any more Spanish ships he'll become a Rear Admiral very quickly!  Wouldn't that be a sight if he sailed back to London with three or four captured ships...

Thanks for the chapter Mark.  I always love it when you get into the Granger mode... 

If he was to capture that spanish galleon they'd have to make him a duke!

Edited January 26, 2013 by Clydee

[ricky]

Awesome!  The only bad part of the Granger series is having to wait a week between parts!  I'm looking forward to the next part and I'm sure everything will go smoothly like always...let us hope!  If he captures that ship in the harbor he's going to become Commodore Granger! So if he captures any more Spanish ships he'll become a Rear Admiral very quickly!  Wouldn't that be a sight if he sailed back to London with three or four captured ships...

Thanks for the chapter Mark.  I always love it when you get into the Granger mode... 

If he was to capture that spanish galleon they'd have to make him a duke!

Well he would have a bit of trouble returning the way he came with the smaller ships. But it would indeed be interesting to see him return with a new Pacific fleet. The prior knowledge of his arrival is a bit disturbing. And he has no way to contact England. No mail ships or dispatches until he gets to his destination. Obviously something is afoot. I just hope his family is not involved in this mess. This is going to be a mess of epic proportions. A Spanish Galleon would certainly be an accomplishment. And remember that he was asked about being an escort for the Spanish Treasure ships. I wonder if when one surrenders to him easily he is surprised to find them bearing orders from the king for him to do just that. That would make the cheese a bit more binding wouldn't it? And it wold be just like Lord Arbour to throw in such a twist.

[Clydee]

Well, he could leave the smaller ships in Madras and take the galleon on to England...Spain might have a problem with taking the galleon to England, I would expect!

 

Well he would have a bit of trouble returning the way he came with the smaller ships. But it would indeed be interesting to see him return with a new Pacific fleet. The prior knowledge of his arrival is a bit disturbing. And he has no way to contact England. No mail ships or dispatches until he gets to his destination. Obviously something is afoot. I just hope his family is not involved in this mess. This is going to be a mess of epic proportions. A Spanish Galleon would certainly be an accomplishment. And remember that he was asked about being an escort for the Spanish Treasure ships. I wonder if when one surrenders to him easily he is surprised to find them bearing orders from the king for him to do just that. That would make the cheese a bit more binding wouldn't it? And it wold be just like Lord Arbour to throw in such a twist.

[JimCarter]

I'm trying to get back onto a regular posting schedule, so I've designated Fridays as Granger day.  I've got enough working through editing that we should be alright for the next 4 weeks.  

This is music to my ears.  Your storytelling ability is outstanding,  buy your battle and action narratives are off the charts.  Thank you so much for this series.

[Daddydavek]

The latest chapter is up and is interesting in several ways.  Granger's involvement in a threesome with a well stretched hind end was hot.  His aftermath from his overindulgence in liquor was less savory.   The battle at the fort is a tour-de-force but what is the result?  Is he safely in control and what of the enemy force outside the gate?  So many questions and no word of the second part of the plan by sea either.   I know, bitch, bitch bitch!  I'll just have to wait and see along with the rest of you. 

[centexhairysub]

I just loved the latest chapter...  The sex, the drama, the chivalry... 

 

The three way with Granger, Calvert, and Somers was hot hot hot.  I was really suprised that Calvert was so amiable to the idea.  Somers is so freaking hot and in charge... 

 

You just knew the gate was going to be closed and there would be more to getting the fort.  Having to climb the cliff was that one extra step that made it just that much more exciting.  Granger had to think fast and improvise, two things he does almost as well as sex.  The first step is taken care of and now we find out where the plan goes from here.

 

I love the fact that Granger and the Spanish officer were willing to fight each other directly to both spare their men from more fighting.  Granger was able to overcome a more skilled opponent by using his head.  Now, just as you know he will, he will honor the fallen officer by taking care of his men as best he can.  Chivalry lives...

 

I really liked how Granger made sure that all of his officers understood the dangers and what would be expected of them if Granger and Calvert fell in this latest adventure.  Even while planning this audacious move, Granger understands that the voyage is no where near the end and that those that could be left understand their responsibility.  I don't suppose Granger can take the fort and Calvert take the ship but Calvert fall in the process???  I know, I know, Calvert is gonna live forever...

[ricky]

A great chapter, a great invasion. Now, who will follow the fallen leader's directives and who will tell the guys outside?

 

So much yet to come. Next Friday seems forever away. When they are this good, they could be chapters the size of war and peace and they would still be too small.

 

Thanks Lord Arbour.

[BeysJoshersLepton V2]

That was bloody brilliant and it wasn't even a Friday such a nice surprise coming home, best procrastination work from the disso I could of hoped for!

[Clydee]

Mark, you may have an Odessey frenzy any time you wish!  

 

This was as exciting and swashbuckling as any Errol Flynn movie I've ever seen!  What a surprise to find Humphrys and Fitzwilliam there.  What assets!  So there is at least one other French privateer in the area and I believe a spanish 64 gun ship of the line somewhere in the mix to deal with.  It's a shame he burned the Saphiro (Calvert, that is) but a necessary evil, I guess.  If he can take that 64 gunner, he will have what amounts to a squadron, I think, two frigates and a battleship, maybe more.

 

I love the way you write!!

[Mark Arbour]

Thanks guys!  I can't quite see Granger outfitting an entire squadron in the Pacific, but he does need to deal with the Spanish ship-of-the-line.  Something to note:  When a captured ship was formally taken into the Royal Navy, it was a pretty lengthy and complicated process.  

[Kookie]

Mark I appreciate your efforts to post the related chapters closer in time to each other. But please make sure your arsenal of chapters do not completely deplete leaving us all go into shock from lack of Granger.

 

I am surprised that Calvert decided to fire all three prvateer vessels instead of capturing them and attempting to sail out to the Bacchante. But he did accomplish a good portion of part of Grangers primary mission in this area of the globe. With Humpheys, Fritzwilliam, the extra midshipmans and the freed British prisoners, there should be no problem in manning the captured frigate with a loyal crew. Now for Granger's destruction of the fort and their "retreat" from Valdivia.

[ricky]

The fireing of the ships had to fill the harbor with smoke as well. This may aid in their escape from the fort. Glad to see Humphries and Fitzwilliams but confused. Wasn't Granger the only one sent there? Clearly someone is trying to spread out the fleet. Me thinks there is a Royal rat in the castle!

Now, what of these four repatriated captains? Are they going to be a problem? Will they want his captured ship? Will Granger's orders give him the clout to become the comadore of the Pacific fleet so to speak? Or will he have someone with seniority try and take over. And what of the Captured English ships? We don't know if Humphries and Fitzwilliams were on the same vessel. Does this mean there are two English ships and perhaps an American one now acting as privateers?

 

Lots of questions.

Thanks for throwing us a bone Mark. And don't pay attention to Clydee, We'll take all we can get. We know you have a lot more Granger inside your head.

Thanks. When a chapter of Granger's exploits sets sail everything in life stops while I read.  Those Kenworth Truck horns are difficult to tune out. Can't they see the flashers! Just drive around, I'm too busy to pull to the side of the road. Jeeze, SOME people.

[Clydee]

The fireing of the ships had to fill the harbor with smoke as well. This may aid in their escape from the fort. Glad to see Humphries and Fitzwilliams but confused. Wasn't Granger the only one sent there? Clearly someone is trying to spread out the fleet. Me thinks there is a Royal rat in the castle!

Now, what of these four repatriated captains? Are they going to be a problem? Will they want his captured ship? Will Granger's orders give him the clout to become the comadore of the Pacific fleet so to speak? Or will he have someone with seniority try and take over. And what of the Captured English ships? We don't know if Humphries and Fitzwilliams were on the same vessel. Does this mean there are two English ships and perhaps an American one now acting as privateers?

 

Lots of questions.

Thanks for throwing us a bone Mark. And don't pay attention to Clydee, We'll take all we can get. We know you have a lot more Granger inside your head.

Thanks. When a chapter of Granger's exploits sets sail everything in life stops while I read.  Those Kenworth Truck horns are difficult to tune out. Can't they see the flashers! Just drive around, I'm too busy to pull to the side of the road. Jeeze, SOME people.

Heresy!!!!  I think Humphries and Fitzwilliam were still on the same brig...and if they had to take the brig around the horn I wouldn't envy them!  Only Mark can clear that one up.

[centexhairysub]

I think one of the big questions will be how Humphreys and FitzWilliams came to be in the Chillean jail.  When last seen they were sailing in the balmy seas of the Caribbean...  You have to wonder how they ended up in the Pacific.  Their ship wasn't designed to go through the horn like Granger did???

 

Masterful chapter and can't wait to see where the next one leads us.  There was a mention of another privateer or two, so I can see the next battle is coming up.  I wonder how many ships Granger will end up with by the time he gets back???

 

Mark, as to your pace of chapters; I would think that is mostly up to you...  You could do one a day and it wouldn't be enough for me but only you know where you are taking us on this grand adventure.  I am always glad to see a quick turnaround however, especially when those I care about are in danger...

[ricky]

ooops, I meant don't listen to kookie not clydee. My mistake. Sorry clydee.

[Canuk]

great chapter, but doesn't Granger have an excess of seamen? I look forward to how he releives himself of this burden.....  I have no doubt it will be in as entertaining a way as Mr Arbour is capable of devising!

[ricky]

great chapter, but doesn't Granger have an excess of seamen? I look forward to how he releives himself of this burden.....  I have no doubt it will be in as entertaining a way as Mr Arbour is capable of devising!

A bit of a horny smuck aren't ya. lol He has never failed to trip our triggers but its best not to have your eyes rolling back in your head when cannon balls are flying around your head.