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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Erland" data-source="post: 3192599" data-attributes="member: 27386">MorwynA long pause as I take a measuring look at Radoon..."Now I understand why you didn't take the captaincy.  You're a good sailor, better than I am, which we both know.  But you lack the edge to be a great captain.  I don't know if I have it, but at least I'm willing to take the necessary risks.The point was to take the fight to the enemy.  Up to now, we've been reacting, letting our foe pick the times and places for our battles.  In those fights, we could have just as easily lost a man as we did in this one, without exacting any noticable price from our foe.  I came within a hair's breadth of Davy Jones' Locker in the fight with the Shadows; it was just luck I survived, and just luck that Finn didn't survive this one.  At least here we took down an enemy lieutenant.  I, for one, will be glad we aren't fighting Pelgarth at the same time as the necromancer behind this.Do I feel responsible for Finn?  Of course, as much as I did for young Abelard - no less, but no more either, because ultimately I was responsible for both their deaths.  Do I feel responsible for bringing him back, since we can?  Yes - but my first responsibility to Captain Marin and our mission.When we brought back Abelard, we all accepted the fact that Allois has first claim to the other dose.  On the one hand, we all owe our loyalty to Captain Marin, which means we may need to reserve that dose for his son.  On the other hand, without Finn, we may not be able to complete the mission and rescue Allois, alive or otherwise.  Which choice is the right one?  I don't know.We're not on the ship.  We're not in front of the crew.  I don't need you to 'follow my lead'.  I need you and Rook to give me the benefit of your honest opinions.  As long as we aren't on ship or in front of the crew, if you disagree with me then say so.  If we are in front of the crew then say so under the guise of privacy.  But understand, given a choice between apparently equal options, I'll choose to sail into the wind every time.  Because, while the sea doesn't forgive mistakes, she deals even more harshly with the timid.You help me avoid mistakes, and I'll provide the audacity.  I'll accept the responsibility for the consequences.My plan from this point is to collect whatever may be of use here in this room, then proceed to the loading dock and back to the ship.  We'll recuperate for eight hours so Marienna and the rest of us will be as close to full strenght as possible, then attack the 'Fare and try to rescue Allois.  If possible, I want to recover the ship as well, but that's a secondary goal.So, what is your honest opinion, weighing the options - do we risk losing Allois and bring Finn back, or do we risk failure by waiting?  Do you have anything else to add?"This is all delivered in quiet, even, earnest tones.  I really do value, want, and even need, Radoon's honest opinion.  The gods only know if I'm making the right choices, or if I'm even ready for this responsibility.</blockquote>

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