The Longships~Enya

The Longships~Enya

 

Irish Gaelic Translation

"We are alive.

Forever and ever."

The Longships, the famed war ships of the Vikings. The Irish Annals tell us that the first Viking raid in Ireland was at a place called Rechru (Rathlin Island) in 795. By 841 Dublin (Duibh-Linn or black pool) was one of the first Viking settlements or Longphorts in Ireland.

Lilliana DeTao

Lilliana DeTao is a wealthy Italian merchant and the captain of the ship Polaris, which she inherited from her father who was a very savvy business ram.  Lillian and Argyle had a romantic past while he was still in the Royal Navy and haven’t seen each other since.  That is, until one day they cross paths in Port Portimao, Portugal.  The reunion is met with mixed emotions from both, which leads the two running after each other and then away from each other.  She is a very strong, vibrant, well-traveled and intelligent sheep who is a stunning beauty, which is probably why Argyle and Lilliana didn’t last; they both had to be the center of attention.  Even though their relationship didn’t work and often get annoyed with each one another’s company, they trust each other and make strong allies when they are in the thick of battle.

Zumbehl

Zumbehl is the hog you want to know in Port of Portimao.  Not only is he Chuck’s best mate, but he is the grandnephew of one of the oldest sea hogs around, Regan, who is from Barvaria, and who can get you all the information you need.  Though Zumbehl may be a slight slow witted, he has a huge heart and would do anything for his friends and family.  He is also the best ship carpenter around and can procure strange and exotic items that come in to the port.  If you have job to be done, this is the hog for you.

Chuck

Charles “Chuck” Cardigan is the port master at the Port of Portimao. Chuck is a mutt of a dachshund and a corgi…a dorgi and the most jovial animal you will ever meet.  He is madly in love with the sea and lives to hear about all the adventures that the sailors have.  The only thing that this little dorgi loves more than the sea is Magdalena Mendoza.   He is head over heels in love with her and whenever he gets the chance he showers her with gifts.  This attention drives Magdalena crazy, for she does not share the love that Chuck has for her.  To him Magdalena is the rising sun, but she avoids him like the plague. Argyle often uses the poor dorgi’s puppy love to his advantage and allows Chuck to consistently gift them their needed supplied and safe harbor.  Even though this pup is small in stature he has a big heart and is not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. 

Lampito, the Fair Isle Sage

 

Lampito Arbuckle is Argyles mother and resident sage on the Fair Isle. As the sage, Lampito has a vast knowledge of the history of the sea and that of antiquity as well as her own selections of home brew remedies past down for generations. The Grey Gulls takes a side trip to the Fair Isle to gain some insight on their journey and pick up a few supplies. However, unbeknownst to Argyle, his mother has other plans. She doesn’t want to sit by and wait for her son to come back with her other missing son, but join the adventure herself. Like any respectable pirate Argyle is very much against this idea, but finds that not really up to him to declare on where his mother can and cannot go. Even though it’s against his wishes Lampito joins the journey and proves herself useful. If you can’t find her in the galley invading the doctor’s space, she is either in the captain’s quarts going over ancient maps or knitting on the main deck, supervising the crew.

Commander Marcus

Commander Marcus, the Great Pyrenees, is in second of command of the S.S. Albatrosses.  Marcus is a strait laced kind of military man and plays everything by the book.  Though he is extremely loyal to his command, country and crown, he defiantly does what’s right and has a big heart.  Marcus is the one that everyone wants as a leader and some even believe has more nautical and military sense then Mittens and should be the chief leader of the S.S. Albatrosses.  The Commander and Argyle have a wonderful past of attending the academy together and lifelong best friends. Even though Argyle is a renegade pirate now, he knows that he can truly depend on Marcus to help him in his time of need, but that friendship also comes with the cost that Argyle must also help Marcus out when he needs it as well.

Admiral Mittens

Admiral Horatio Mittens, commander of S.S. Albatrosses in British Royal Navy, has a history with Argyle.  They both went to the naval academy together, though I wouldn’t use the word friend to describe their relationship, but more along the line of nemesis.  Where Argyle thrived in being a natural on the water, Mittens lacked nautical knowledge and was better suited for military protocol than going to sea.  Even though the Admiral may lack skills in leadership and in everything else that had to do with seafaring, his ego surpasses his size and has an attitude to match.  It is no wonder that the Admiral and Argyle do not get along when their paths cross.  In fact, Admiral Mittens relishes in the thought of gloating to Argyle every chance he gets about his title in the Royal Navy and the behemoth of a ship he commands.  It takes all of Argyle’s strength not to pummel Mittens when he brings up Argyle’s questionable past and the last choices he made as a commander in the Navy.