Summary: Alternate .Universe. - Rizzoli & Isles on the High Seas.

A/N: Vincenzo is Italian for Vincent or Vince, Giovanna is Italian for Jane, Zio
is Italian for Uncle, Tomas is Italian for Thomas, Francisco is Italian for Frank
and Angelina is the name of the Brigantine ship.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the words, a few original ideas, Characters belong to TNT, Tess G,and Janet T.

Written for enjoyment. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 5

Disclaimer: Previous Disclaimer Applies.

RIRI

Old Sheppard's Inn, Dover England

Barold Frost sat in a corner of the public house attached to the Old Sheppard's Inn. He appeared
self absorbed; detached from the music, laughter, and people around him. His hands caressed a
worn, shinny copper-colored pocket watch. The muscles in Frost's arms flexed and released. Flexed and released.

A whip thin olive-skinned young man called to him. "Saludos. Would you be Señor Navigator Frost?"

Barold Frost's coffee-colored pupils flash at his name. His eyes rose to gaze at the young Spaniard. "How many Free Negro sailors be in Dover Port?"

Smiling his reply, "Sí, you got me there mate. I count only one." The young sailor seated
himself directly in front of Frost, placing a canvas tote beside his chair. "I'm Moreno of the Angelina. Mind if I join you?"

"Why do you ask after me, Moreno? I've seen your brigantine. It is a bonnie ship. Does she sail
trim and true? Her rigging looks Spanish, but her hull looks more Sicilian."

"I asked after you to be friendly. As you can see, I am also a stranger in Dover. You are eagle-eyed. The ship-master and his family built her in Genoa; her timber came from there. My friend, Frankie, heard you are a man who has a knack for bartering, er, trade in kind." Moreno responded, eyeing the dark-skinned man's forearms.This must be him. Two tattoos: sun with moon on his left, turtle on his right.

"I muck about with trade in kind; a carved ivory trinket or a few long-eared rabbits for coin or
the like. I am not an apothecary. I do not trade in the poppy, er, opium. We understand each other?"

"Sí Señor Frost. I have a pet, a turtle. His name is Fernando de Magallanes. I want him to have a good home. I don't want him made into a rich man's dinner."

Stroking his trimmed goatee Frost requested. "Do you have your pet here?"

Nodding his head, Moreno reached in the canvas tote bag. He withdrew a hefty carved box with a peg-fitted lid. He pulled back a pin and the top slid out. The animal was two hand-spans in girth with large symmetrical markings on the top of the head. The shell was an oblong rectangular and he had spurs on each thigh.

"I can see why you are concerned. You see a pet and a cook sees the makings for turtle soup. What do you want in trade?"

"I'm thinking maybe a small thing. A flint and striker?"

RIRIRI

Derek Crowe lurched forward drunkenly, his brogue very pronounced. "Francisco Rizzoli, Frankie, you're just the Rizzoli I need. You're my good luck charm. Come be my partner in the next round of whist." Crowe wrapped one arm around the dark-haired youth and propelled them both towards the gaming tables. The smell of the unwashed man and alcohol enveloped Frankie.

"Master Crowe, Uncle has reserved a seat for you at a private game. Come with Tommy and me back to the Cooper's Arms Inn." Frankie waved frantically to his brother.

"Trim your sails, boyo, I must collect me winnings from th' house. Sober or bolloxed, an Irishman never leaves money with th' house." The inebriated man continued to use Frankie as a crutch. "You're a fine shillelagh, boyo, stout as oak you are."

Tommy maneuvered himself to the opposite side of the Irishman. "Fair met. Master Crowe, has my brother told you... "

"Brother, we are helping Master Crowe collect his winnings from the house. He is joining us at Cooper's Arms as Uncle wished."

"Fair met. Young Tomas Rizzoli, are you going to be my partner in the next round of whist?"

"Er, no, Master. Uncle has sent for you." Tommy said as the trio reached a caged cashier station.

"Aye now, dead right. Your Uncle knows he needs an Irishman to bring the luck. Drop anchor, boys. I need to trade these chits for hard coin." Crowe turned out his pockets and dumped a pile of round and square chips on the ledge of the cashier station. "Cash me out, sir. The night is young; there are still women and cards to be won." Crowe's tenor singing voice rang out.

Susie Chang nervously twisted the folds of her dress, looking up to Korsak. "Sir, er Korsak, if it would not be too bold for me to ask, would you take my hand? The climate of the room is capricious."

Korsak cautioned. "Take my hand girl, and speak plainly"

"Thank you kindly, Sir. In simple terms, I feel on display as if I am prized livestock at a fair." The young woman hissed back.

The former mercenary evaluated the crowd. A smattering of rough looking men and women returned his inquisitive scrutiny with open curiosity, others turned back to their own affairs.

Speaking softly, "Look sharp, Miss Susie. Do you see Frost?" The silver-hair man uttered.

The Asian woman bubbled. "I think that is him in the far corner, playing with his pocket watch."

Korsak replied. "Ah, your vision is keen. Molto buona, er very good. We are in luck tonight, Miss Susie, I see one of my Spanish sailors speaking with him. Yes, it is Moreno. He is a good lad.

"Moreno seems to be showing something to Frost, Master Korsak."

"It looks like he has brought his pet turtle with him. Moreno fashioned a locking wooden box for it from driftwood. Our ship's cook has been teasing him about his pet."

"What, does the turtle dip into the ships food stores?"

The older man grinned sheepishly. "No, as an addition to our menu. The cook proclaims turtles make a splendid soup."

Susie lifted an eyebrow. "Why don't we join your crewman and Frost?"

Korsak gave a curt nod, gently took the young woman's wrist and plowed through the milling bodies in the ale room making a beeline for the far corner.

RIRIRIRIRI

Frost looked over the shoulder of the young Spanish man at a couple determinedly walking towards him. The woman was familiar to him. Frost locked his eyes upon her as he pushed back his chair to meet her. "Miss Chang, is that you?

Susie Chang nervously bit her bottom lip. "Er, yes, I thought you might recognize me. Please call me Susie."

Smiling, the dark-skinned man rejoined. "Susie it is then. You may call me Barold or Frost, whichever puts you at ease. This fine sailor is Moreno of the Angelina."

Laughing in relief, Susie responded. "This fine fellow is Master Korsak of the Angelina. He wishes to make your acquaintance."

Korsak extended his right hand in greeting and clasped the younger man's forearm. "Indeed I do. Please call me Vincenzo or Vince. I wish to hire you for a commission to New Spain. One of my nephews heard you have sailed there before. Is that true?"

"Aye, I've sailed past the Carolinas, I've sailed the waters of the Caribbean and returned by way of Madagascar, as well as directly back to England."

Moreno injected. "Master Korsak, Gia told us the Angelina had secured a commission, but she did not tell us it was to New Spain. May I tell the others?"

"Yes, lad. There are arrangements to be made. Supplies need to be located. We will be making a few runs back to France and Holland for provisions before we make sail to New Spain." Korsak divulged.

"Pardon me, who is Gia and why would she know of your companies plans?" Frost puzzled.

Korsak offered. "Gia is Giovanna; it is Italian for Jane. She is my niece."

Moreno gleefully supplied. "She is our Quarter Deck Master. She can rig a cannon or a sail as good or better than any."

Korsak beamed. "Aye that she can, lad, and don't forget she is very capable with a pistol or a throwing knife. Taught her those myself."

Frost theorized. "She is your master of arms if need arises then?"

"Yes. She and her brothers, take on many roles for the ship." Korsak affirmed.

Frost rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet. "…..Vincenzo, I will consider your offer. I have never been the sole Navigator for such a long voyage."

"Put your mind at rest, Frost. Our ship arrived here with an able navigator. If luck and the stars align, we shall have two able navigators for this commission."

The young Spanish sailor addressed the group."Buenas noches. I'm off to the Black Anchor. Master Frost, I hope you join our ship's company."

"Good night, Moreno." The three responded as the young man hefted his tote sack and departed.

Frost shuffled over to the table, and sat down. "I'd like to sail with the ships full company on a supply run before I put me hand to it. Why did you seek me out?"

Korsak pulled out a chair for Susie then seated himself. He looked squarely at the younger man. "Tomas and Francisco, my nephews, were playing bocce with your last ship's bosun, Mathews. He recommend you to Francisco, er, here in Dover Francisco likes to be called Frankie."

"Mathews spoke highly of me?"

"Yes, Frankie asked others and most agreed you are able. Come back with me to Cooper's Arms
and you can meet Giovanna, Tomas, and Francisco."

"That sounds inviting, Vincenzo. By the way how do you happen to know Susie?"

"Miss Susie is lady's maid to Lady Fairfield. The commission is from Dr. Isles, Lady Fairfield's father."

"Are the Fairfields on this voyage?" Frost asked

"I have not gotten the full passenger manifest from Dr. Isles." Korsak replied.

"Barold, the Fairfields have not openly discussed any travel plans." Susie advised.

The Asian woman rose. "Master Korsak would you accompany me back to the Coffeehouse? Lady Fairfield and your niece are expecting us. Barold, Lady Fairfield will be most happy to see you again. Please come with us."

The three exited the ale house and nearly (collided) with Tommy, Crowe, and Frankie.

Tommy gushed out. "Zio, we found Crowe. We are taking him back to our rooms."

"Good. Frankie, Tommy, this is Master Frost." The older man chuckled. "Master Frost, these are my nephews and our navigator. Crowe, how was your luck at the tables?"

"Korsak, you know I'm Irish, the cards fell in line for me t'night. Avast, boys, are we not joining your uncle and his fair lady friends. Hello there darlings. Korsak, how'd the like of you land twins?"

Susie giggled. "Master Korsak, Hobbes, the coffeehouse steward, will get you a carriage for hire. Hobbes, ah Hobbes, we need a a carriage for the gentlemen."

"Yes, Miss Susie, but Lady Fairfield instructed me that you and three gentlemen will be joining them."

"Hobbes, the gentlemen have made other plans now, unless you wish us to bring an Irishman, a very much into his cups Irishman, along. No, I thought not. Master Korsak, I will join m'lady and your niece. The Fairfields do have guest quarters she could occupy tonight."

"Er, that is very kind of you, but Jane is shy. Please tell Jane she may wish to use her room on the Angelina.