If you like the 'plot' to move faster, just say so, out of character.
Options for the game.
1) play and explore every detail of discussion (no DM assistance)
2) play most of the details
3) Mixture of explore and getting led through a plot.
4) Mostly led through a plot, but plaryers can throw in details and plot twists.
5) get led by the nose in a book like plot where you add the details (all DM)
I think level 2 is what we usually do at the table. Good for face to face contact, but plays long by post.
The section about "getting together," where each of you came to Antioch, played longer than I expected, but everyone kept improvising, so I did too. Part of this was getting used to Play by Post, and part was getting a feel for your characters. This section was probably at level 4 speed.
The section in "the Mitre Inn" seemed forced - in that I directed and led you all too much at a level 4. My only goals were to give introductions, give a goal of find the staff, give a little history on the Staff, and send you to Malta. I hoped we would have more character interaction with the introductions.
In the section we are in now, "travel to Malta," I am trying to get a feel for how much the group wants to have detail. I could have a caravan waiting, or go to the dock and I'll give you a boat. In the equivilent February time-frame, both would realistically be rare. You could just walk. In our other game, that happened a lot and it really did not matter to us what happened on the road.
Right now, I am at about a "level 2" and the pace seems slow to me. I am throwing out what you see, and you add to it and I play along.
"I know that for myself I don't want to over step my bounds. I like coming up with stuff but am not sure if that was what you or others had in mind."
A solution to this situation. I can tell you the goal, we all play how to do it.
For instance it should seem obvious the next step is to get to Malta. You can add anything to the details of the situation.
The only problem I have had is, I am giving options that could pan out, and sometimes y'all close them a bit soon. The pale man might have had a caravan ready to go. Still might, if you had not closed the option so quickly. Oh wait, that gives me an idea... (OFF TO THE GAME THREAD...)