Ryiah sank onto the couch, tugging at Calico to sit with her a while as she let her mind calm and sleep to draw nearer. "Yes, so much to do in preparation for the wedding still. Who knew it would be such a challenging task..." her voice drifted into quietness, her orange amber hues blinking a bit as she held Calico's hand. Then she roused a bit and looked up at him, a soft smile on her lips. "But I look forward to wedding you, and finally being yours, truly. Also, thank you for relieving Taff of the barracks duty. I will try to remember to order a more suitable man to the task."
"No worries, dear, nothing a ruthless captain wouldn't do to see his crew well fed" assured Calico making little work of the arduous task so as to not worry her unduly.
"Go on, close your eyes a little..." encouraged Calico taking her in arms and bringing her over to the bed to rest. "I will be around, here in the couch for a while" soothed Calico.
"Go on, close your eyes a little..." encouraged Calico taking her in arms and bringing her over to the bed to rest. "I will be around, here in the couch for a while" soothed Calico.
Feeling herself falling asleep, Ryiah tried to rouse once more, sitting up on the bed to look at Calico a bit suspiciously. "You aren't planning on breaking your men out of jail are you? Not right before our wedding?" She raised an eyebrow, knowing her betrothed still had his pirate streak. "A night there won't hurt them, I'll have th released tomorrow..." her voice, sleepy, was a mere whispered murmer.
"Very well, dear, we will keep them locked up till tomorrow then" sighed Calico agreeing to her demands and leaning back on the couch to get some sleep too.
Ryiah, satisfied by the answer, fell promptly to sleep, glad of the company for however long Calico stayed, her face falling into the serene peace of deep sleep.
The next morning, as she sat up, having awoken sometime in the night to put her nightgown on and sleep more comfortably, would bow glance to make sure Calico was no longer on the couch, before rising to allow the maids who'd entered to help her dress and do her hair. Feeling much better with the restful sleep, Ryiah would then exit in search of food, before turning her mind both to planning the wedding, and to ruling her empire.
The next morning, as she sat up, having awoken sometime in the night to put her nightgown on and sleep more comfortably, would bow glance to make sure Calico was no longer on the couch, before rising to allow the maids who'd entered to help her dress and do her hair. Feeling much better with the restful sleep, Ryiah would then exit in search of food, before turning her mind both to planning the wedding, and to ruling her empire.
Taff smiled as he was bringing food to Ryiah, just like Calico had asked
"You favourite... upon request of your betrothed" assured Taff bringing the tray inside her quarters, head ducked so as to not stare neither at her nor at the maids, a blush quickly drawing upon his cheeks
"You favourite... upon request of your betrothed" assured Taff bringing the tray inside her quarters, head ducked so as to not stare neither at her nor at the maids, a blush quickly drawing upon his cheeks
"Thank you Taff," Ryiah offered lightly as the tray was set before her. She smiled at the Warlock's shyness. "Don't worry Taff, I'm decent. The maids have done quick work. Do I look presentable?" She asked, standing to twirl once, her gown one of a light cream color trimmed in a gold shimmery edging. The bodice dipped slightly low, hugging her figure flatteringly, but not overly. She had beem growing more used to dressing as an Empress, rather than the wayward sea loving daughter of an Emporer. Still, it took patience to wear dresses every day. But her advisors insisted she look the part, to inspire her people.
A small coronet encircled her brow, and her hair was done in ringlets, pinned to perfection. Her orange amber eyes were clear and rested, filled with excitement at the prospect of seeing Calico soon. "I hope all went well at the barracks yesterday, that Calico fed the men?" She inqired as she began to eat. "Please help yourself as well Taff, if you wish, it is very good. I'll have to thank Calico for thinking of it."
A small coronet encircled her brow, and her hair was done in ringlets, pinned to perfection. Her orange amber eyes were clear and rested, filled with excitement at the prospect of seeing Calico soon. "I hope all went well at the barracks yesterday, that Calico fed the men?" She inqired as she began to eat. "Please help yourself as well Taff, if you wish, it is very good. I'll have to thank Calico for thinking of it."
"Yes... that's who I am trying to talk about... see... drunken captives never make for an easy feed. I hope they release Calico soon" muttered Taff in a wince.
"They already got Morgan earlier, and I barely managed to scurry away... because I promised them more rum" murmured Taff a little embarrassed at that.
"They already got Morgan earlier, and I barely managed to scurry away... because I promised them more rum" murmured Taff a little embarrassed at that.
Ryiah blinked, turning to regard Taff more closely, her food forgotten. "You mean they took my fiancé captive, along with my General? How in the world does that happen, weren't they locked up?" She raised an eyebrow and calmly stood. "It seems I have things to attend to. Breakfast will have to wait."
"Better wait till noon, your majesty, food is nicer whilst hot, your grace is hungry and are tired, bad combination to hear judgements in, humans make mistakes when tired and cranky" suggested Taff
"I am sure your general and your fiance can endure being captives to their own known crew for one morning" shrugged Taff with a small smile unable to deny he found the idea most amusing.
"If you do choose to go that chaotic realm down at the dungeons, I suggest pirate attire and most definitely a sword" recommended Taff
"I am sure your general and your fiance can endure being captives to their own known crew for one morning" shrugged Taff with a small smile unable to deny he found the idea most amusing.
"If you do choose to go that chaotic realm down at the dungeons, I suggest pirate attire and most definitely a sword" recommended Taff
Ryiah cocked her head as she listened to Taff's words. Finally she gave a smile and shook her head. "I feel very well rested after a nights sleep. My duties are calling and so I must attend to them as an Empress should. I thank you for your concern Taff. Please, make sure you eat as well."
Finishing her breakfast, Ryiah rose and made her way down to the throne room, where she held a short meeting to speak with her advisors, delgate tasks, and make sure wedding preparations were going smoothly. Finally, with everything else mostly in order, Ryiah settled her circlet on her head, dusted off her dress, lifted her chin and stood with regal proud posture as she left the castle, her guards in her wake, and headed towards the barracks to speak with the prisoners, though she made sure to keep a dagger hidden in her bodice.
Upon reaching the Barracks, she gave no signs of discomfort nor fear. Rather she looked around for the ringleaders, and assessed the problem.
Finishing her breakfast, Ryiah rose and made her way down to the throne room, where she held a short meeting to speak with her advisors, delgate tasks, and make sure wedding preparations were going smoothly. Finally, with everything else mostly in order, Ryiah settled her circlet on her head, dusted off her dress, lifted her chin and stood with regal proud posture as she left the castle, her guards in her wake, and headed towards the barracks to speak with the prisoners, though she made sure to keep a dagger hidden in her bodice.
Upon reaching the Barracks, she gave no signs of discomfort nor fear. Rather she looked around for the ringleaders, and assessed the problem.
"Ahh good morning your majesty..." muttered Calico "Sorry I missed your breakfast entirely, my dearest, Sir Henry Morgan and I were having some brotherly time together" explained Calico in a light cough of discomfort
"We're a bit tied up as you can see..." trailed off Calico red faced, Morgan and Calico chained to the wall, hands and feet whilst the crooked band of pirates were playing dagger throwing games at the pair of them tossing daggers around the shape of their bodies without injuring neither captain given their good aim.
"Come now lass, join in and let's see if you're any better" urged Prodius with a smirk
"If we have to remain locked up, we have to find ways to keep skills sharp and men entertained even if it is at the captain's expense" shrugged Rufus seeing this as no different to harmless play as long as they did not miss the targets and caused major injury
"You bloody scallywags I will have you flogged for this!" hissed Morgan pursing his lips unhappy and growing still at the next throw, least him moving caused the missed and injury.
"We're a bit tied up as you can see..." trailed off Calico red faced, Morgan and Calico chained to the wall, hands and feet whilst the crooked band of pirates were playing dagger throwing games at the pair of them tossing daggers around the shape of their bodies without injuring neither captain given their good aim.
"Come now lass, join in and let's see if you're any better" urged Prodius with a smirk
"If we have to remain locked up, we have to find ways to keep skills sharp and men entertained even if it is at the captain's expense" shrugged Rufus seeing this as no different to harmless play as long as they did not miss the targets and caused major injury
"You bloody scallywags I will have you flogged for this!" hissed Morgan pursing his lips unhappy and growing still at the next throw, least him moving caused the missed and injury.
Ryiah watched in a moment of stunned surprise, listening first to Calico and then to Prodius. She couldn't imagine the scenario which left Calico and Morgan tied inside the cell. She resolved to as Calico about it.... later
Her eyebrows went up at Prodius' suggestion and she gave a soft bark of laughter. "If you think I am going to join you in throwing knives at my betrothed and his brother, you have a smaller capability of rationale than I thought, sir."
Crossing her arms over her chest, Ryiah began pacing in front of the bars slowly and easily, keeping any tension from her frame. She exhaled a somewhat weary sigh as she contemplated what to do with the situation. Finally she stopped pacing. "Prodius, if you recall, I was ready and willing to offer all of you men a full pardon as we returned from our first adventure with the dragon seeds. I will still honor such, if you will give your words of honor to behave yourselves." With a glance at Morgan Ryiah preempted his disagreeement, as she spoke again, "I am well aware that my doing so will not shine the best light. But, as I know you men do, I keep my word." Turning back to the pirates she raised an eyebrow, "so what say you?"
Her eyebrows went up at Prodius' suggestion and she gave a soft bark of laughter. "If you think I am going to join you in throwing knives at my betrothed and his brother, you have a smaller capability of rationale than I thought, sir."
Crossing her arms over her chest, Ryiah began pacing in front of the bars slowly and easily, keeping any tension from her frame. She exhaled a somewhat weary sigh as she contemplated what to do with the situation. Finally she stopped pacing. "Prodius, if you recall, I was ready and willing to offer all of you men a full pardon as we returned from our first adventure with the dragon seeds. I will still honor such, if you will give your words of honor to behave yourselves." With a glance at Morgan Ryiah preempted his disagreeement, as she spoke again, "I am well aware that my doing so will not shine the best light. But, as I know you men do, I keep my word." Turning back to the pirates she raised an eyebrow, "so what say you?"
"Oh come now lass, there's no fun in being behaved" protested Rufus "We like lady Luck and lady Rum too much and those two scurry ladies surely never lead to behaved" mused the marauder
"Hush now, we just got carte blanche... better accept and let's leave this rotten jail" accepted Prodius frowning and the group who nodded in agreement bored and partly sober.
"Right, missy, you're on... royal pardons and we're out of here and back to the port" prompted Blackbeard
"Hush now, we just got carte blanche... better accept and let's leave this rotten jail" accepted Prodius frowning and the group who nodded in agreement bored and partly sober.
"Right, missy, you're on... royal pardons and we're out of here and back to the port" prompted Blackbeard
"Oh come now lass, there's no fun in being behaved" protested Rufus "We like lady Luck and lady Rum too much and those two scurry ladies surely never lead to behaved" mused the marauder
"Hush now, we just got carte blanche... better accept and let's leave this rotten jail" accepted Prodius frowning and the group who nodded in agreement bored and partly sober.
"Right, missy, you're on... royal pardons and we're out of here and back to the port" prompted Blackbeard
"Hush now, we just got carte blanche... better accept and let's leave this rotten jail" accepted Prodius frowning and the group who nodded in agreement bored and partly sober.
"Right, missy, you're on... royal pardons and we're out of here and back to the port" prompted Blackbeard
"Your word of honor first, as pirates and as gentlemen." Ryiah said sternly, holding her ground, she knew pirates could be tricky. "I will give you positions here with my navy, or as merchants, should you wish it. Otherwise you are free to seek your fortunes elsewhere - in a legal manner of course. The pardons will be conditioned by this. If you go back on your word and return to crime, the pardons are worthless." She paused, "and you must untie and release Morgan and Calico first." She added.
Offering a sly smile, she then sent a man for the parchments she'd drawn up before coming, waiting until she'd secured each an every man's word before handing them through the bars to be signed. Lastly, once they were handed back, Ryiah would add her own signature.
Giving the men one last long look, she signaled the guard to unlock the barrack doors so the newly pardoned men could leave.
Offering a sly smile, she then sent a man for the parchments she'd drawn up before coming, waiting until she'd secured each an every man's word before handing them through the bars to be signed. Lastly, once they were handed back, Ryiah would add her own signature.
Giving the men one last long look, she signaled the guard to unlock the barrack doors so the newly pardoned men could leave.
"I can't believe we got outwitted by a lass!" complained Rufus shaking his head but signing the parchment all the same, coming over and picking the locks to release Morgan and Calico
Calico carefully lowered his arms so as to not cut himself with the daggers embedded around his torso and arms, rubbing his sore wrists and arms
"About time too" muttered Calico opening and closing his fingers and tightening and loosening his fists to get the blood flowing.
"If you had missed by one inch... I'd be skinning you Prodius" muttered Calico causing the man to chuckle "We know that is where the thrill came from for the most part" grinned the man patting Calico and wrapping an arm around Rufus
"Come on men, I'm sure the port tavern sounds the best place to be. Uhmm maybe we'll just hang for the wedding, always good to get free food at the feast" mused Rufus getting immediate agreements and ayes.
Calico carefully lowered his arms so as to not cut himself with the daggers embedded around his torso and arms, rubbing his sore wrists and arms
"About time too" muttered Calico opening and closing his fingers and tightening and loosening his fists to get the blood flowing.
"If you had missed by one inch... I'd be skinning you Prodius" muttered Calico causing the man to chuckle "We know that is where the thrill came from for the most part" grinned the man patting Calico and wrapping an arm around Rufus
"Come on men, I'm sure the port tavern sounds the best place to be. Uhmm maybe we'll just hang for the wedding, always good to get free food at the feast" mused Rufus getting immediate agreements and ayes.
"Thank you, your majesty, I... must apologize for this relapse in security" excused Morgan red faced and highly embarrassed that the general of the army had to be rescued from his own dungeons by the empress whom he was supposed to be guarding
Humiliation did not possibly qualify the embarrassment clearly drawn upon Morgan's face and Calico's grin did certainly not ease the matter.
Humiliation did not possibly qualify the embarrassment clearly drawn upon Morgan's face and Calico's grin did certainly not ease the matter.
"Get used to it Rufus, I am only just getting started. It took me some time to grow into my position, but now you can expect that I'll be keeping an eye on you all." She said sweetly in response to the man.
Turning, Ryiah couldn't help rubbing it in just a bit with a lingering smirk toward Morgan, a smile toying on her lips before she shrugged and lightly touched his shoulder, "I don't mind rescuing my friend, and my fiancé." She murmered as she moved to delicately wrap her arms around Calico in a soft and quick hug. "I did miss you at breakfast my love." She added. "There is still much to be done for the wedding."
Turning she nodded with a raised eyebrow to Rufus and Prodius. "Indeed I would expect no less from you men. You have served Calico long, I should thing you'd want to be there for his wedding..." she knew that despite all the rough men's jibes and joking, they respected, and perhaps feared, Calico too much to ever to him harm. They were loyal forever.
Turning, Ryiah couldn't help rubbing it in just a bit with a lingering smirk toward Morgan, a smile toying on her lips before she shrugged and lightly touched his shoulder, "I don't mind rescuing my friend, and my fiancé." She murmered as she moved to delicately wrap her arms around Calico in a soft and quick hug. "I did miss you at breakfast my love." She added. "There is still much to be done for the wedding."
Turning she nodded with a raised eyebrow to Rufus and Prodius. "Indeed I would expect no less from you men. You have served Calico long, I should thing you'd want to be there for his wedding..." she knew that despite all the rough men's jibes and joking, they respected, and perhaps feared, Calico too much to ever to him harm. They were loyal forever.
"I can't believe Calico would disarm and surrender for the sake of Sir Henry Morgan... they've always appeared to be neck to neck" mused Rufus suspiciously.
"Ahhh I owe him a favour or two..." dismissed Calico not about to give further details on the relationship at all, both siblings equally interested in denying any ties to one another.
"Ahhh I owe him a favour or two..." dismissed Calico not about to give further details on the relationship at all, both siblings equally interested in denying any ties to one another.
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