From the least likely member of the crew, a Castilian scholar they'd plucked off a Montaignese prize not long before returning to port who had barely taken any of the offered shore leave (apparently on grounds that he was technically a hostage and thus oath-bound or something to remain on board), came a soft, lisping, accented suggestion.<br/><br/><strong>"As Helm suggests, Captiana, some idea of their route would be helpful."</strong>The slender Castilian man coughed politely.<strong>"Not here on deck, of course, but a conference is in order, the better to make a few calculations. Yet what comes to mind is a dogleg course, to come at them from an unanticipated angle."</strong><br/><br/>He shrugged.<br/><br/><strong>"So we would not only be ahead of them, but at an unexpected angle. They, of course, will expect pursuit unless their captains are fools."</strong>