Mirie Agustria of the Grand Bank,
Duchess of Caelin
Grand Bank, Agustria House\\@Estylwen,
@Donut Look NowGlass of Caelin whiskey in hand, Duchess Agustria sighed as she examined the grand fleet of ships in her harbor from the panoramic view of her study window. The hulking form of the Queen’s three-decked behemoth stood out among the ships in the Grand Banks. The warships of the mainland had always been larger than those from Caelin, nominally trading maneuverability and stability for greater firepower. Despite that, there had been a reason the isle had been independent for so long before, free of kings or queens. Now, she was personally host to one in an increasingly unstable realm.
Things had begun to move very fast after Duke Willowsteel’s escape. Personally, Mirie had been glad of her peer’s survival, despite what the provocation might portend for future events. Now, with the Queen in port, it looked like some of the consequences of her subsequent paranoia were coming to roost. Below, she could see the carriage of the Skybounds, bearing their coat of arms, making its way up the road to her estate. Setting her glass down after a deep sip, the duchess pulled away from the window, examining the two notes that concerned the two children coming up her road.
With a sigh, she folded one safely back onto its spot on her desk. The other was cast into her fireplace, the crackling flames making quick work of the scrap of parchment. In a few days, the fleet would be departing for an event that was impossible to plan for. But now, the unforeseen matter of the Skybounds was the latest mess that she had to deal with. Taking her glass back up, she finished the rest of her drink.
For the Skybounds, it was immediately obvious that the estate was well-guarded. Guards in Caelin livery patrolled the perimeter of the house, and merely at the gates there were a half-dozen men. Perhaps disconcertingly, moments after the Skybounds’ carriage stopped outside her estate, the gate opened were opened by the guardsmen, as if they had been expected guests. Allowed to enter, the carriage was ushered forwards, the gates closing shut behind them. Although the guards did not move from their posts, they were clearly being tracked.
What met them at the front door were not additional guards, however, but members of the household staff—although as typical of Augustria’s household, and indeed the trend of Caelin gentry, nearly all of her household staff was armed.
They were greeted by Mirie’s steward, Collin Vauxhall, an older tall man with graying hair in a sharp suit and vest, with a dress sword by his side. With him were four household maids in their customary attire, and the five of them bowed to the two children as they alighted from the carriage. They were after all still Viscount and Viscountess. With a smooth voice, he welcomed the duchess’s guests.
“Greetings, Viscount and Viscountess Skybound. Milady Agustria welcomes you to her house. She expects to see you in her study.” One of the maids stepped forward.
“Please allow us to escort you to her grace. It wouldn’t do if her esteemed guests were to get lost. It is, after all, a very large house.” The girl had a peppy manner of speaking and a pleasant smile, but between the arming sword at her waist and the undertone of a threat in her words, it was clear this was more of a demand than a request and would brook no argument.
Perhaps this would not be so simple for Mene, after all. For ‘Asteria’, it was just as clear that something was certainly afoot.
Swiftsure, At Sea, Several Days Later, Afternoon\\@Estylwen,
@Irradiant,
@The OtterAgustria had promised the Queen an escort of three ships and her personal presence. Ultimately, the escort was twice that number, and a small flotilla of eight Caelin vessels sailed forth from the Grand Bank to join the Queen’s expedition. The fleet was commanded by Admiral Hamilton Shrewsberry, who had raised his flag aboard the
Swiftsure and was joined by the duchess there. Unlike the
Battle-Blood Minstrel, the flagship and pride of Caelin was a sleek, race-built thing, in lively colors. Fully fitted out given the escort, she had two full decks of cannon in contrast to the three of the queen’s flagship. Despite the smaller size and weight of cannon, though, she could be a near match, with thick timbers and a streamlined design and copper bottom hull that made her fast and supremely maneuverable.
In a line behind her, five ships of a similar size followed. They in order were the
Venture,
Endeavour,
Superb,
Resolution, and
Sanguine. Providing scouting ahead was the frigate
Shepherd, and trailing far behind them all near the horizon was the fast dispatch ship
Brilliant.
The Queen had not been the only one to expect interference, after all.
The crew was well-drilled, and it only took moments after the attack on the Battle-Blood Minstrel for the men aboard the Swiftsure to react. The ship’s bell rang out continuously as the crew beat to quarters and began to clear the ship for action. The guns ran out from the gun ports, aiming in the direction of the flagship, but the crews held their fire. They could hardly fire directly on the ship’s boarders without causing indiscriminate damage.
The Duchess emerged from her quarters, cane and sword at her side together with Minuette as she made her way to the quarterdeck. There the white-wigged Admiral Hamilton was observing the chaos with a spyglass.
“Audacious. Who is bold enough to attack the Queen’s ships like this?” she asked as soon as she was in earshot of the man.
“I’m not so sure, your grace. Ghosts, it appears,” he answered with a frown, before passing the spyglass to her.
It took only a moment for her to confirm who it was. It should have been predictable. For a moment, two conflicting plans warred in her head. The Queen still could not be allowed to gain an advantage here, but the same could be said of their enemies in Ravenfell.
“Have your orders changed?” Hamilton prompted, without sounding urgent.
“I’ve already commanded the ship to come alongside the Minstrel to provide assistance.” As the ship drew closer, the ship’s mages and sharpshooters began to form ranks and take potshots at Faith, who provided a very obvious target floating in the air.
Mirie shook her head.
“No, proceed. See to it that Arrowfell’s enemies are beat off. Otherwise, this is your command. As for myself…” her eyes flicked towards Minuette, who nodded as she summoned a shield of air around her. The duchess did the same.
“We have other business to attend to.”A moment later, the two leapt into the ocean to the battle raging below the seas.
Xaltwind,
TokyoPewPew,
High Moon,
mickilennial,
Estylwen,
Sky Blue,
Izurich,
ppppppppp,
Irradiant,
DecentlyOkay
