The Search

[Triyun]

Episode 1:  The Escape

 

His Majesty's frigate the Warspite's mahogoney hull crashed through the waves as it s bronze head mast of the lion headed true towards the coast line of the great enemy, the Kingdom of Latoncia.  Captain Henry Smith stood on the back bridge of the sleek ship as he stared through his long telescope at the town coming into the view.  The port city of Cherian, with its white beaches, majestic stone steeples, and  stone buildings, was thought to be a center of culture, the source for great wines, clothes, and paintings for the Island nation of Northham.  When the two rivals were not at war, ladies of high society would travel there, coming back with what they termed as the latest trends in high culture and fashion.  

 

What Henry saw today though was something entirely different.  The city's university which stood at the center of town had black smoke rising from it.  It had been said tomes of the ancienne regime and the old religion were now being lit ablaze at the alter of the diety of the Great Revolution, as the movement had come to be called.

 

Ten years ago, when the captain was a mere young midshipman, the two rivals had fought a great war over holdings in the New World.  The Northham Grand Fleet had done battle with the Latoncia Armada decisively not far from here.  The trained cannoneers of the Grand Fleet had run the Latoncian Fleet Ashore, and turned its own sorcerors magics against them.  As they tried to cast spells of fire on the Northham sloops, they lit their own ships of he line afire.  Soon after the Latoncians were stripped of their colonies by Northham and its allies.

 

After the defeat the Latoncians were never the same.  For a century the Latoncian Court had been a party.  Ambassadors brought back tales of parties into the nights.  The Latoncians used their magic to help make the best wines, to create brilliant displays of lights moving to the sounds of their orchestras.  Silks from their colonies were turned into stunning dresses that adorned high borne women.

 

With the defeat this was seen as decadence by peasants and merchants who now faced dramatically reduced livelihood.  The sorcerors inadvertent role in the great defeat was blamed on the royal family's misuse of them.  Within two years there were riots in the streets of most cities.  One year ago, a great assembly of peasants, highborn, merchants, and the sorcerers was called by the King.  It was not long before tensions had mounted between the King and the peasants and merchants.  Earlier this month word arrived they had seized the Palace and declared the King and his family under arrest, a new Republic based on rationalism, science, and industry would be proclaimed.  The strength of Latconia would be restored.

 

Northham and Latconia's other neighbors warned against the mistreating of the Latconia royal family.  But it was widely believed this was being ignored.  That was where Captain Smith and his crew came in.

 

It had been discovered one of the King's daughter had escaped the grasp of the revolutionaries.  Northham's Ambassador had been asked to get her safe passage away from the masses.  The Warspite the fastest ship on the channel had been dispatched to meet her in Cherian and rescue her.  Henry suspected there was more to it than that.  Everyone knew the truth after all.  Deposed Kings were not long for this world.  And whomever had the best heir for when the inevitable war came, would have the greatest chance to exercise influence over the Latoncian Super Power, better Northham then the deposed Queen's brother the Dread Emperor.

 

Placing his scope down, Captain Smith shouted, "Steady lads.  Full ahead into the wind.  We're coming into their gun range soon.  All men to their posts!" he yelled.  "Ready our boats for deployment ashore."

 

"Aye aye capn." First Mate Donovan said, putting his whistle to his mouth.  The familiar high pitched noise went out signaling the men to their posts.   

 

The manuver would be tricky.  Soldiers would land on the dock to meet the Princess and her entourage.  Dispatch any of her pursuers and sail out, while the Warspite ran circles around the cities coastal forts, bombarding them.

Edited November 17, 2013 by Triyun

[Sarah Tintagyl]

A carriage pulled by ten horses thundered across the countryside, flanked by a contingent of cavaliers. They wore the crest of the Latoncian royal family, emblazoned on their flowing white capes. In the early hours of the morning the torches the riders carried gave the only light down the dark country roads of the kingdom. Behind them the flames of the capital burned into the sky as the torturous screams of aristocrats and royals echoed through the night.

 

In the carriage a young girl, only sixteen years old tightly gripped a small pendant, a miniscule figurine of a man tied to a stake being burned alive, The God of Resurrection. Anna-Marguerite leaned down and kissed the pendant, in times of worry and stress the salvation of the Resurrection God brought her solace. "Are they pursuing us, Vadame?" the princess said quietly to the captain of her guard in the carriage.

 

"Not at the moment, milady, the Revolutionaries will know that we've escaped, but hopefully by that time we'll be on a Northhamish ship bound across the channel."

 

"And what happens then? War?"

 

"War is happening now. Once we get to Northham, then the real fight begins. The Dread Emperor, the people of Northham, if there is any of your family left then they will be restored to the throne."

 

"And if Mama and Papa are dead," she said almost in a trance, "They already killed Phillip."

 

Vadame swallowed hard and laid one of his gloved hands on the young girl's shoulder. Her blonde ringlets felt down to her shoulder and her scent of roses flooded the captain's nose. "Then they will want you to rule as Queen. But all that is in the future, Your Highness, don't think about such complex matters right now. All that we should worry about is getting you to safety." Then the carriage stopped and Vadame placed his hand on his rapier. "I believe we've either arrived or we may have a fight ahead. Stay in here, do you have the dagger I gave you."

 

"Yes." Said Anna-Marguerite.

 

"Don't be afraid to use it." Then Vadame jumped out of the carriage. The riders stopped before the closed gates of the port city where they were to rendezvous with the Northhamish Fleet, but the port showed the same signs of destruction as the capital. Burning houses, screams of terror, all of Latoncia had fallen into the chaos of Revolution.

 

"We can't go in there, Captain, everyone will be slaughtered." Said one of the riders.

 

"No, the Northamish are already deploying soldiers. You have grenades, blow down the gate."

 

"Yes sir," said the rider and jumped down off his horse. He laid the fuse for the grenade and the gate came crashing down after the explosion. "They'll know we're here, Captain."

 

"Let them," he said and opened the carriage door. "Highness. You'll ride with me the rest of the way." He took off his cloak and wrapped it around her slender shoulders, then seated her on one of the horses before mounting himself. "Don't look up, I'll get you to the ship safely."

 

With Vadame's signal the contingent of riders thundered into the town. A volley of musket fire tore down the first line of riders, but the cavaliers continued on. Marguerite kept her head firmed planted in Vadame's back, but in her heart she screamed in terror and worry. The thoughts of her family surged through her mind and the princess began to shake wildly as they neared the docks.

[Triyun]

The sea rocked violently as the boat came towards the city.  The crew was loaded with muskets readied in a fire line at the front, as the captain and a second fire line lay down in the rear of the long boat.  As they approached steadily, the captain checked his pocket watch, it was almost time.  Placing his hand on a pidgeon, he let the bird fly back to the ship.  

 

About five minutes later, the thundering sound of the guns were heard.  [i]Warspite[/i] raised her colors as she opened up with a broad side and rocket barrage onto the coastal fort and began executing maneuvers.  

 

That was the signal.  As the town would be alerted to the distraction of the frigate.  Three landing craft approached the shore, beaching themselves onto the shore under the dock.  Henry felt the cold chill of he sea as he debarked the first boat, drawing his cutlass.  

 

The smells of the city were fire and roasting flesh.  Human he judged, the God of Resurrection as he was called was burned in this manner, something previously considered sacred to the people of these parts, but now with the revolution, 'enemies of the people' were burned in the same manner.  Symbolic he guessed of he changing of the guard away from the old religion... the smell disgusted him.

 

The formerly pristine streets were dirty, filled with posters, musket marks, and a stench... of things he did not want to think about. 

 

"Steady lads." he said.  "Lets form a perimeter.  The Princess should be here soon, lets be ready to greet her and any pursuers properly." he said.

 

The men chose three buildings around the perimeter of the dock.  There they would place three firing lines up on each roof.  along with the construction of a stockade from abandoned horse carts.  

 

Henry thought of the absurdity of what he was doing.  The men would be tasked risking their lives against a vast mob, for the safety of a woman who just months ago was the heir to Absolutism, and the destruction of freedom.  He guessed though that stranger things had happened.  And Absolutism seemed to pale in comparison to stories of the terror of the great mob... the sooner they could be at sea, the better off they would be he reckoned...

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Volleys of gunfire exploded in sporadic sounds throughout the city. Cavaliers fell dead to the ground, holding their arms or hearts when mists of blood burst from their clothes. Still they road on at a thundering speed, Vadame leading the charge, the young princess wrapped around him. "Hold the line men!" he shouted to the riders surrounding him and protecting the princess with their bodies. "I see the pier!"

 

Smith would hear the thunder of a cavalry charge tearing through the city as the cavaliers made their way towards the sea. They road not only to protect the princess, but this was their chance to continue the fight for King, God, and Latoncia across the sea. They desired their own survival out of this engagement as much of their royal leader. Anna-Marguerite's ringlets blew in the fast breeze and her black dress fluttered around the stallion's saddle. All the while she continued to clutch the pendent of God to her chest. Breathlessly whispering prayers to her survival and safe passage to Northam.

 

The Revolutionaries formed a line between the cavaliers and the Northamish marines and volleys of musket fire erupted again. Several marines dropped while the cavaliers unsheathed their sabers and entered the fray. "Protect the Princess!" hollered the horsemen as royal and republican blood sprayed into the air. Vadame felt a musket ball pierce his leg. He grimaced in pain but held Anna-Marguerite tightly as his horse broke through the Revolutionary lines. The fighting continued as Vadame trotted up to Smith, the only Northamishman with epaulets and a plume.

 

"Are you Smith?" he said, his Latoncian accent thick, and looked at the clean shaven sailor with some disdain. "I am Claude-Francois Vadame, Captain of the Princess's Guard. Then moving his heavy cloak away, he revealed the sheltered body of Anna-Marguerite. "And this is Latoncia's last hope."

 

The young girl looked up at Smith and her green eyes sparkled with tears. "I'm scared."

 

The two soldiers looked at each other for a moment before Vadame continued, "We need safe passage to your country. My men and myself are yours to command."

[Triyun]

Thunderous volleys went off one after the other as the marines held the mobs at bay.  “Stand your ground you scalliwags.” The Captain shouted, “The Royal Navy isn’t paying you to be lilly licking sodden lacies.” He said in a profane voice as he kept his sword up in the air.  A pistol was in the other hand.  Taking aim he felt a sharp jolt as the gun kicked back into the palm of his hand.   A lad no more than 14 fell to the ground. 

 

Still another wave came towards them as they readied their volley.  “AIM!” he said raising his sword.  Thrusting it downwards he screamed out, “Fire!”  A loud thunder came off as the three firing lines fired in pulses one after the other.  “Fix bayonets!” he ordered, as the crowd approached undeterred.

 

“We aren’t here to cower aboard pleasure yachts! “ he said as he placed his sword forward.  With that the sound of thunderous hooves were heard.  The cavaliers, dressed in their frumpy excess galloped towards Henry and his men, their swords drawn, waylaying the mob and dispersing it.

 

“Hold!” Smith ordered.  “Grenadiers make them way!” he said.  The hissing sounds of fuses could be heard as the largest men in the company threw sphere’s into the crowd.  Loud crackles could be heard as the bombs burst above the enemy’s ear. 

 

As the horses approached him, the biggest overly dressed frumpy of the cavaliers approached the captain.  His voice sneered with disdain, or more likely jealousy as Smith judged it.  He was rather portly to be so sure of himself, Smith judged. 

 

Then from his cloak emerged a young woman of delicate features.  Her skin appeared fair and soft as if it had not known a days hard work, and her eyes were frightened.  He could venture a guess towards who she was.

 

“Easy m'lady.” He said.  “Back the the boats you shit eating sons of sea wenches!” he yelled.  “Officers in the back.” He ordered, his voice bellowing and back straight, almost daring the enemy into the fire.

 

“You Latconians are too attached to the comforts of the land.  Once at sea we’ll be fine.” He said confidently as he motioned to the cavaliers and the Princess to take flight back to the boats.  Over the barricade came the first revolutionary.

 

“Go now!” he ordered.  His sword slashed across the man’s neck.  The sharpened farm scythe he held fell from his instantly as blood poured from his neck lapping upon both the princess and her protectors.

 

“GRENADIERS!” the captain ordered, as another round of bombs flew, exploding over the revolutionaries. 

 

As they reached the boats, Smith could not help but notice a substantially fewer number of marines.  “Poor buggers.” He said.  He wished them well, but he knew the truth.  Far better to fall by musket fire than be caught by this crowd and burned alive. 

 

“You Laccy.” He said to the cavaliers.  “Man your oars, and put some muscle into it.”  He said.  He looked out onto the sea.  He could see the Warspite, pounding away at the coastal fort, which subsequently returned fire in a tit for tat. 

 

“This’ll be a close one.” He said as their boats rocked violently between the waves and into he line of cannon fire between the ship and the fort.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

When the blood from the Revolutionary's neck splattered on Anna-Marguerite the princess screamed in terror, bringing her hands up to her face. She felt the blood then began to sway. Darkness enveloped her and she collapsed into Vadame's arms. The Captain picked her up and glared at Smith. "You may be comfortable on the sea, but you are nothing but a barbarian on the land. Slaying that man like that in front of the Princess? Could you have not taken him in the chest? Could you have not parried his scythe?"

 

The cavaliers dismounted. The parting hurt as they knew they could not take their horses, the symbol that made them knights, onto the boats. The horses would become food for the revolutionaries as the rabble did not know how to ride or fight. Soon the Latoncians were rowing with their might, carrying the Northamish and the Princess towards the ships on the choppy waters.

 

The princess lay in Vadame's arms and slowly opened her eyes. She saw the shore of her beloved country floating away, perhaps forever, and the sight brought tears to her eyes. She closed them tightly, not willing to show to the men around her, that she was crying. She hadn't meant to faint, but the blood was too much. In twenty-four hours, since the palace had been seized and her brother had been executed, Anna-Marguerite felt that she had grown up.

 

Indeed, she had. The past was drifting away in the fog of the sea and the future lay on the wooded ship, several hundred meters from the shore.

[Triyun]

"The Princess will have yet many men die for her cause in such a manner whether she sees it or not.  You cavalier, do no one any favors by trying to rear another royal locked in from what the world is."  Smith finally said as they were aboard the ship going away from the shore.  He knew of the great court, outside the Latcon capital.  It was said that the grandfather of the current king had moved there for he squallor and smells of the city had grown too much for him to bear and the ghettos were too crowded for him to ride a horse at a full gallup.  This swept away the last reminders of the city that was his duty to protect, unlike the good king of Northham.  "And I'll have you not challenge me or my authority again sir while you are on the sea, or I'll have you struck with a lashing just like any other man.  We're all freemen aboard his majesty's navy, and while the princess and you are our guest, no man is above the laws of Northham or the Sea, noble, royal or otherwise." he said.

 

With that a loud whistle was heard blowing from the ship as she waited outside the cannon range of the Fort.  The large hull bobbed to and fro in the water.  The smell of gunpowder still wafted off her hull fresh from the fight.  The sound of the surgeon treating the wounded could be heard even from this distance.  

 

"Cap'n n' guests comin' aboard." a gruff voice shouted as a net was extended downwards to climb up.   Smith turned to the Princess.  "Up you go m'lady." he put his hand on the shoulder of the cavalier.  "Remember what I said sir.  You said you are here to be at my command, you're under our protection, many of my friends have died at the hands of your countrymen's aggression including just now, so do not for one moment think yourself above us." he added.

 

Aboard the deck, the officers of the ship stood in attention in their navy blue uniforms, standing a salute.  Behind them were the sailors, many of them their striped uniforms full of dirt, sawdust, gunpowder, and now blood.  Though the ship appeared in order, it was dirty like a ship that had seen many actions.  It was no yacht.  

 

"Welcome aboard His Majesty's Frigate [i]Warspite[/i]." Henry Smith said.  "Lads, treat our guests with respect, the good old hospitality and the good old humor.  Now, we've had a jolly good fight... break out the ale and roast us some mutton!" he declared.

 

A loud cheer went up into the air from the men, as several deck hands went to fetch the large casks of ale below.  Within ten minutes the men were celebrating the good fight.  Fiddlers played sea shantys as men helped themselves to generous portions of ale and danced around the deck.  The most boisterous of crew members would lean towards the shore exposing themselves to the Latconians, "Fuck off ya buggery revolutionaries!  Ye can't hit the broad side of Ensign York's Wife's fat tits." one cried.   "I piss on ye!" he said before promptly doing so.

 

Henry laughed before turning to the Princess.  "Now Princess you're safe aboard here for now.  Enjoy the festivities.  Can I get you a drink?  We have ale, grog, whisky, port, and perhaps brandy" he didn't bother asking the Cavalier as if to point out the man would not expect to be treated as anything above the normal men on the ship.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"No, Monsieur la Capitaine," said the Princess, "I would like to retire. It has been a long day and I would like to contemplate my thoughts alone and without disruption. If you could please show me to where I will be kept."

 

Vadame went to follow the Princess and Smith as he showed her to her rooms, but one of the cavaliers, Guibert, grabbed the captain by the shoulder with a grin. "No, Vadame, let her go, you are not her father. She can take care of herself." He led the captain over to a side of the ship where the Northamish sailors were giving the Latoncians tall tankards of warm ale. Most of the cavaliers looked like they were having a horrible time, but Guibert took his tankard and smiled as he sat down next to Vadame.

 

"That smells terrible," said Vadame.

 

"It's strong too," said Guibert, taking a drink. "But it's not bad for cheap beer on a ship." Then he punched the Captain lightly on the shoulder. "Come now Vadame, this is no way to act right now."

 

"This is no way to act?" Vadame glared at the cavalier. "Guibert, the Prince is dead, the King and Queen will die soon. The entire future of Latoncia in the hands on one small child? All our lives have been completely destroyed and you expect me to be happy and party with these, arrogant bastards? Did you see how that pig of a captain treated me, they think all of us scum." He crossed his hands and sat back with a sneer, "We should have died defending the King."

 

"And if we lost? What then? What future does Latoncia have? You cannot think negative in a situation like this Vadame. We're all on the same side. You, me, and that captain."

 

"What of the Princess? She isn't old enough to have these kind of pressures."

 

"She will learn," said Guibert, taking another drink, "She has to learn. None of us have any real choices right now, we can only think one day at a time and unlike you, I tend to enjoy myself." He grinned and stretched his arm over the captain's shoulder. "And you will too. Think, we're going to Albon! We can go see a play, enjoy good beer, and then we'll find you one of those pretty Northamish whores. We'll pay her so much you'll think she's in love with you."

 

"You're a bastard, Guibert, you know that?"

 

"Yes, yes Monsieur, I am."

 

They sailed away as night fell over the Channel to the sounds of fiddles and shouting, while the soft prayers of the Princess, eerily echoed over the ship at night.

[Triyun]

[i]Episode 2:[/i]  Tis to Glory We Steer

 

[i]Warspite[/i] anchored at the docks on the River Churchery.  The moorings of the Grand Fleet were a thing of legend.  The hulls spanning as far as the eye can see.  The capital was not as grand as the Latconian one, but it was impressive in its own right.  In the place of grand monuments were manufactories, burning with the firest of industry.  The sounds of smiths banging on hammers, merchants shucking their wares, and wavers stiching garments echoed through like a well oiled machine.  The smells of perfumes and pastries were replaced with coal fired furnaces.  Albon was not a paradise but it was an arsenal… an arsenal of Freedom as Captain Henry Smith was so keen to put it.  

 

With its arrival in port, [i]Warspite[/i] was given a prominent place, not by accident certainly next to [i]Victoria[/i] the largest ship ever built.  Her guns were a thing of legend, able to run alongside any first rate man of war and compel its surrender merely by a showing of the flag.  

 

As they disembarked, Smith took in the smell.  “A glorious city.” he boldly declared.  “Proper and showing what one should expect from such a place.” he said.  He cast gaze first on the princess and then her cavalier guard. 

 

Meeting them as he dock was a man dressed in a bright orange frock coat, wearing a tricorn hate, and having a long brown wig draping down from his shoulders.  His features were aged but striking, appearing the very essence of the great national hero.  The Duke of Fennington was the Commander of His Majesty’s Royal Army and the Minister of War.

 

Captain Smith for the first time on their voyage immediately bowed to the presence of such eminent gravitas.  “My liege.” he said, clearly impressed by the man before them.  

 

“Henry my lad,” the man said happily, “how jolly good.  You know I haven’t seen your father in ages.” he laughed, “How grand they send you on such a task.  You always were the serious sort.” he said.  He looked at the Princess, “And you lass, you’ve grown into quite the young woman, I have to say when last I saw your father, you couldn’t have been more than what?  Two.  And all the well, smashed him up good I did. Haha.  Water under the bridge and all that.” the Duke continued.  “… and cavaliers too… my my.  Now its a party, or not.  Never can tell with you chaps.” he said smiling.

 

“His Majesty the King’s expecting all of you.  And you Henry, I’ve impressed upon him the need for loyal subjects to be rewarded.” the duke said, “Especially one whose fathers pay other men’s gambling debts.” he added with a wink.  

[Sarah Tintagyl]

On the deck of the Warspite, the Princess stood with Vadame and Smith, gazing out at the city on both sides of the river. Anna smiled, having come to Albon once in her life, but too young to remember the visit, she enjoyed the sounds of a busy city and the sight of steam and smoke rising from behind the buildings. Vadame was none too pleased. Even the Latoncian capital bothered him, cities made him feel claustrophobic and the rising smoke and the sludge in the river from mills and sewage bothered his nose.

 

"A glorious industrial wasteland. The river, she smells as bad as this ship."

 

Anna looked up at the cavalier and patted his arm. "The palace gardens are nice, but we'll have the chance to get used to the King of Northam's residence. When we tire of that you will learn to love the thrill of the city much more, methinks."

 

"Perhaps."

 

They disembarked and then came up to another one of the Northamish military leaders. This one, seemingly more smug than Smith could ever hope to be. His comments annoyed both the Princess and the cavaliers. For even in exile, the idea that somehow they were a defeated nation, clawed at their hearts. But no one spoke a work, only looking downtrodden and distraught at the Duke's comments. Then the Princess spoke.

 

"Your Grace, it is of course the greatest pleasure to be here in your country. The fact that the Northamish people and their King have been kind of me and my guard, to allow us safe passage here, I cannot count my blessings." She bowed her head and kissed the Duke's hand as a show of humility. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

[Triyun]

The sound of string instruments echoed through the candle lit hall on the western wing of the Palace grounds  The ceilings were high and two fires burned ferociously on either end as the smell of meat wafted through from the roasts outside.  In great heads of stags and lions were mounted on the walls of beige, in sharp contrast to the brightly painted halls of the Latcons.  Large wooden tables were filled with roasted meet, a few vegetables, and wine.  

 

Captain Smith sat at the end of one of the tables, away from the one reserved for the Duke, the King, and their guest the Princess.  Surrounding him were officers of the Army and Navy, both of whom were in clear seniority to him.  But for whatever reason his task was not yet done.  He raised a glass of dry red wine to his mouth taking a swig as he tried to hear the discussion at the main table.

 

King Charles was a middle aged slightly short man with sharp features, he wore a short white wig, and his face was clean shaven.  He wore a navy jacket with white and red stripes underneath.  His thrown was small by royal standards, slightly larger than others at the table.  He spoke with a laziness to his rs.  "Princess." he said as he turned to her.  "I hear of your wevolution that things have become quite bloody.  I'm sowwy to hear that.  I've always had the gweatest affection for your people whatever our differences.

 

It was with gweat pleasure that I heawd we did rescue you.  And I want to assuwe you that I have no intention of letting this wevolt stand.  Fow it was not so long ago that my gweat uncle fled to your countwy when we had our own usurpers.  Such disorder and chaos cannot be allowed to stand.

 

Never the less I hope that you will be as eager to stand with us as we are with you." he finished.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

In the private quarters of the King, the Cavaliers were asked to wait in the barracks along with the royal guards. Only Anna accompanied Smith into the dimly lit room where the Northamish aristocracy gathered. The Princess was seated next to the king and separated from the only person she knew. She felt more alone here than she did during the fleeing of Latoncia.

 

She listened to the King, but didn't know how to respond. She would nod as she was supposed to, humor the Northamish rulers about the future of the Continent and that she respected their authority and was happy they had supported her in this time of need.

 

"I, of course, thank you, Your Majesty," said Anna with a smile. "I don't know how Latoncia can ever repay the debt of the Northamish sailors who rescued me a few days ago. Surely, in a few weeks this war will be behind us and the rightful rulers of the Continent and the Isles will toast to the future of our society."

 

However, another person of the Northamish Court took a great interest in the seated princess. Howard Dae, the court alchemist, the closest position the Northamish came to the Latoncian sorcerers, watched the princess' every move. The moment she walked through the door he could sense a presence that made the spiritual energy in the room rattle. As dinner continued, he eventually approached Charles and the King's other high advisers.

 

"Gentlemen, I must speak to you about the Princess, this is truly urgent."

[Triyun]

"Its said that the Dread Emperor has gathered a great host on the border, and will invade within the week." the duke mentioned as he tore a piece of break and chewed it loudly.  "Personally I think though that we underestimate these vagabond revolutionaries.  Their hearts are no doubt wrong headed, but they seem true to the cause." 

 

The King looked towards the man with surprise, "Are you saying the Webels could triumph against the Armies of the Empire?" he said seemingly never hearing this before.

 

"I'm saying your Majesty that not only could they triumph, but in all probability, the Empire will be suing for piece within a year.  Never underestimate revolutionaries, you're own family did learn that did they not?" he said taking a swig of wine.  No doubt the Princess would be shocked to hear such frank talk to a monarch.  But this was a different land. 

 

"Your gwace, that's shocking!" he said.

 

"But true.  Mark my words, the risk taker and the desperate are the most dangerous opponent.  Beyond that, they'll give arms to anyone, their armies will turn the green fields red and blue with their revolutionary banners.  Its chaos savagery, don't misunderstand me, but deadly effective." he said.  "Which is why, I am eternally grateful to his Majesty's Royal Navy, and that Latconians are not the best of swimmers."

 

He turned to the alchemist approaching, "But I did not come here to despair.  I came here to plan and prepare our counter.  Let the Dread Emperor smash the Latconians Dry, forgive me my bluntness your highness," he said directing his attention to the Princess, "But Northham is better for it.  We are but a small Island.  We do not have the manpower to fight on the shore yet.  We shall blockade these scoundrels, we shall drill our soldiers till they are the best in the world.  But we also need an edge." he said.

 

"To that end I present Mr. Dae, our court Alchemist.  He and I have discussed this matter in great detail."