"Yes, what is it Captain?"
The captain looked hesitant to speak, "Sir, as you well know the Tasa'Anna is larger than any other ship in the fleet. We cannot even hope to possibly fit between the narrow confines of the rocks guarding the bay!"
"Be that as it may Captain the Tasa'Anna sails with the fleet tomorrow. I never ask more from my sailors than I am personally willing to do myself."
"Yes Sir!" The Captain said quickly opening the door to leave.
"And Captain I want her to look her finest tomorrow understood?"
"It will be done Sir!"
The door closed softly and the old Admiral rose stiffly and walked over to Captain Jansa.
His arms came up and he hugged Captain Jansa to him tightly, "I could never have asked the Creator for a finer son than you! Never was there a prouder father than I!"
Captain Jansa returned his father's embrace, but asked with emotion in his voice, "How can you say that father, when I have surely killed you and all those aboard the Tasa'Anna on the morrow?"
The Admiral leaned back from his son still holding onto his son's shoulders, "Who can tell what will happen tomorrow? You must have faith my son!"
Captain Jansa was startled out of his remembrances of the night before as a sailor addressed him, "What is it?"
"The Admiral has signaled the fleet Captain!"
"And the message?"
"Godspeed Sir!"
Captain Jansa nodded and thanked the sailor as he turned back to the prow railing. They would need plenty of divine intervention, if they were to make it through the roiling juggernaut that lay just ahead of them. He started to pray as he had all night long since the captain's meeting, when the same sailor tugged on his sleeve again. He turned to see what else the man wanted.
The sailor stood with his sea cap in his hands his stance respectful, "Beggin your pardon Captain, but the men and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind praying out loud."
Captain Jansa looked beyond the sailor to see that sailors and soldiers alike were intently staring at him. Stepping past the sailor to make his way to the main mast of the ship he knelt down on one knee and placed one hand on the mast beam while he held his hat in his other and bowed his head.
"Lord your servants have need of Your grace in this hour. Give us the courage that our circumstances demand and open up the sea lanes ahead of us and grant the wooden beams of our ships the strength of iron so that we can reach the far shore and help our friends claim the victory that I pray that You would give us this day. Thy will be done in all things, Amen."