ricky

A brilliant chapter. Well worth the wait. Do you realize that the intrigue that you write is complex enough that I "ALWAYS" read it twice to try and pick up on the subtle implications that are found after reading the entire work. It's masterful and so very appreciated. I'm on the second read and then I'll comment in the forum. Thanks so very much.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

sigh

Geeeeettttiiiiing cloooooooser! YEA!

OH! I remember now, Wilson and the Monkey Blowtorch! Why didn't you just say so. Jeeze! Who could forget that! And Cosmie, you're losing your touch; No Cliffhanger? Oh I feel an edit coming on. No mom peeking out the window, no curtain movement? No porch light or wicked smirk from mom when he went in? No cell phone call from Haley to interrupt the goodnight kiss? No message left with his mom from Wilson wanting the details of his passionate date with his boyfriend? Really Cosmie Senility at 38? Or are you just going soft because of your neglect to all these other wonderful stories that you thought a cliffhanger would have warranted a contract out on you by all the deceased characters of GFD? Dang, the next thing you know there'll be a chapter of "A Class by Himself"! Nah, too much ta ask, I know. *sigh* BTW, an AWESOME chapter.

WooHoo! Actually it was 2 years, 6 months and 8 days. I had it marked to follow so it must have been good. Well, it's comicality so that's a given. *sigh* now I just have to figure out when I can reread the first 50 chapters so I can remember what it's about again. Hey Cosmie, does this mean you're going to give this the same focus as Billy Chase or will I have to reread the first 51 chapters to remember what it was about cuz if you're not then I think I'm gonna have to wait until I see a complete stamp on it.

Well Sady I've personally never found Monty Python to be humorous. Rather it's an embarrassment to humanity. I prefer the bits of life that are completely true that really set me to laughing. And not all of those moments were truly funny when they happened. And yes, I DO have an example in my own story locker. 1207 words of abject humility on my part as every word written is true. "Sex Ed With Rudy Sharkey" As stated, every word written is true. Not even the names were change to protect the innocent. But the laughter didn't stop with the story. You see, I figured that as old as I am that Rudy Sharkey was well into his next life. Turns out that one of the guys I went to school with plays golf with him every Monday and he googled his name to see what he could find and came up with the story. And so I was outed to the class but even better, he printed it out and delivered it to Sharkey. He said that he laughed and said he remembered it and really only objected to my description of him. So at least his advanced age has brought forth a sense of humor in him. But somehow, I don't think I'll ever be on his Christmas Card List.

UGH! Still 2-3 days off. Snow bound and desperate. It will be like a ray of warmth and sunshine when it lands. And WHO ORDERED THIS SNOW STORM! Send it back, it's the wrong size. We ordered warm flurries!

Yikes, he's right. Up until now its been HMS Dependable Expendable! Perhaps he'll end this book on a high note with Freddie and Davina's carriage mishap. And the Earl of Bridgemont leading a chorus of ding dong the witch is dead?

What part of "fat fingers" didn't you get? I used the smallest words I could. 0.o (SOME people's children) Besides, everyone knows that Scotty has long since retired. You'd have to get Jordi to do it.

A dish best served co . . wait, so you think its a good time to bring in the Klingons? Hmmm, well there are more than a few ships called Enterprise. Hmmm . . . The HMS Enterprise, Captain George Granger Kirk (Oh wait, that won't work at ALL. Everyone KNOWS the captain get's all the "women"!

I'm gonna plead fat fingers. And I can see that at 28, 20 years must seem like a lot. Like you're almost ready for a walker to an 8 year old. But that's ok, you'll grow out of it. The problem with a 5th rate is that it would, I believe, be tied to a fleet. He needs to not supersize this meal. We know there are no major naval actions to be had for a bit so the next one will have to be primarily a land lovers political intrigue piece. (I think Mark is looking for something a little easier to research for this one.) You know, it happens when you get older. So it'll be more like, "The Royal GSA" or "Plowing the Uphill Prince" I think. And it will probably involve a castle being built someplace in Ohio.

Well besides the fact that Granger is fully capable of personifying either name, Wiki shows those two as being commissioned in 1799.

Well, be the slave driver that your students tout you to be and tell them to read a bit faster would you. Offer to double the wages you're not paying them. Slackers! (Except Sharon of course) Now, the name of the next book would really depend on the theme. Personally I'd be happy with HMS Champion or HMS Pandora. But I suspect it will be something more politically landbound or innocuous like "The Battle of the Guild" or "The Privy Council vs the Guild: A Grudge Match"

Anyone hear anything from the great state of Misery? er, uhm I mean Missouri? We should be getting close. I can always tell when I'm getting desperate.

Talk about rolling out! And certainly more than a game of craps. Once more we have irrefutable evidence against the evils of gambling! And again, a snippet of brilliance that could serve as a launch to a well formed other world fantasy. Would I be out of line in saying that you're certainly full of it? I'm speaking of creativity of course! Well done. You have such a grasp of other world fantasy writing, I'd certainly enjoy reading something . . . epic? I know the word terrifies you when it comes to fantasy but give it a shot. Look at the Eragon series or the Harry Potter series. Yours are every bit as good. And both authors are living on easy street and THAT's not otherworldly either. Well? We're waiting.

Delightfully real and so full of hope and love and fear. As I've always said, a good story has to exercise all of the readers emotional muscles. This achieved most of them. And short stories are the most difficult. There can be no words wasted. Every word must add to the story. It's a much harder task than a serial novel. It was marvelous. And the prize at the end was perfect. I thought it might have been a picture of him that he snuck. But the frothy glimpse shared was perfect. And I realized that his picture would have been entirely too mushy and way too outing. So well done. Thanks.

Unless of course he pushes for it himself of course. Remember his Grandfather is out there yet and he has a fondness for him. And just because it is far away doesn't mean it's in a fever area. I can't see him tied to anyone's apron strings. They only said he wouldn't be sent far away, not that e couldn't request it. And the America's aren't really that far, right?

Well we still need to see the death of Nelson I believe. Remember also that the American's are around so they should be considered in the equation as well. he Logan Act passes in January for instance. The first standardization of parts in musketry and rifling occurs making accuracy greater and reparations faster, cheaper, better. A damaged musket could be parted out to repair others. It was the moment of standardization. An act that would affect trade world over as other industries find ways to standardize. (Caroline and George own interest in an iron foundry do they not?) China is also an option and after all, isn't chartley supposed to be there? And what could Bertie do to screw up George's life some more? A few other things were mentioned that I think will play into the story. I believe there was a gambling institution which Caroline is involved with, and Iron works and a new home. Is it done? And obviously we are not done with the guild yet either. I think we may have some surprises in this one. Unexpected involvements and such. Perhaps Arthur? Beethoven writes his first symphony and ballet goes to point this year. So culturally there is much to enjoy as well. I agree that George will probably be on land for 6 months or so. The question is will he be so problematic that he's sent to sea to get him out of the way? Away perhaps for his own safety? Away because he was getting to close to something? I suspect he will be sent off on a diplomatic venture that finds unexpected adventure. Mark is wonderful at creating adventure to fill in the gaps in history. And just because something is not great enough to make the history book does NOT mean that adventures are not happening. Remember that there is a privateer out there earning the first lord, Spencer and Granger some hazard table fodder. And lets not forget that there is a carriage accident to arrange for Freddie and Davina, eh? It's about time for Freddie and Davina to befriend a Wilcox or Mann or Fox in the guise of making peace and a unified hatred for George. I mean it's about the only thing they could possibly do that's worse than the rape he has already endured. There still be pirates ya knowz! Argh!

Well that's the basis for my question. Where on the timeline do you expert folk think it will take up in the next book and why? What's going on then?

I'll withhold comment until I hear from the experts regarding what was happening in history then. We've had a bit of that but as I understand it there is a period of insignificant naval history right ahead.

Ok Westie. You are one of the truly knowledgeable on the given subject. Suppose you speculate on where the next saga will start and what will be happening in London.

A great choice for the series theme song. I'd love to know where the video used in this video came from. It looks like a great sea faring saga. Thanks Sandy

BASTARD! But I mean that in the most affectionate way. I can't believe you would leave us hanging like that and then not start on the conclusion for MONTHS. Ok, I just finished it. So it's time, put DOWN your controller and step AWAY from the console. I expect to see a first chapter posted within a week. 0.o Got it? PS, if it wasn't a totally fantastic story I wouldn't care. And just remember that while you are being distracted the evil grows!

Welcome Chris!