Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Across the Sea [closed]

"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

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Time to head back to the palace then." Ryiah pulled back a bit finally letting her hand linger in Calico's until they neared the courtyard before slipping it free, and resuming her regal posture and bearing. The people looked up to her, and she felt she couldn't let them down.

As they walked, Ryiah looked to Calico and Morgan, biting her lower lip as shr did so, making sure to continue walking gracefully onward, her personal guard trailing a ways behind the group. "Do you think your men will behave themselves at the wedding?" She asked softly, hoping there would be no disturbances.

"Certainly not in the least, your majesty, but even drunk few would dare attack you at our wedding with them on watchful duties" smiled Calico with a grin

"Plenty of rum and a gambling space at the end of the room should keep them busy enough to disturb little" suggested Morgan keeping up the pace but respectful distance from the empress too

After returning to the castle, events moved on swiftly, the wedding looming, sliding closer and causing undeniable flutters of excitement in Ryiah's stomach, causing her to seem somewhat absentminded as her advisors and others vied for her attentions. She couldn't draw her mind away from the welcome idea of finally being married to Calico Jack.

As evening arrived and supper was near to being served, a beautiful glow on the horizon as the sun set on the empire, Ryiah was sitting, resting a moment in the throne room, eyes held lightly shut as she was alone with her thoughts, aside from her personal guard. Suddenly the doors burst open and a tall man in a dark grey suit and long black double breasted cloak with golden buttons strode in, with what seemed to be about eight men following after, dressed less fine, obviously a gaurd of some sort. They had sword hilts and pistol holsters at their wastes, empty - as Ryiah noted quickly while rising swiftly from her throne.

Eyes sharpening with both concern and intrigue, she focused on the men as they approached, her personal guard moving to intercept them before they drew too close. Finally, the men slowed to a stop and their leader stepped forward. He was most definitely a stranger here, Ryiah mused, eyes narrowing as she tried to discern his origins. Finally, just before the man opened his mouth to speak, Ryiah recognized the emblems marking the guards clothing. Falgaron... her eyes widened with the recognition, not ever having seen men which hailed from there before. Falgaron was a nation landlocked far to the east, over mountain and plains which separated them from the Tellirin Empire, yet they were ruled independently, their leader strong and canny, from what Ryiah had learned growing up. They were an ambitious people, yet had not made any overt advances on her fathers empire. Yet.. perhaps that was about to change?

Ryiah waited to be addressed, and was not disappointed. A somewhat cold glitter shone in the man's icy eyes as he gave a shallow bow, his hues never leaving her face. "At last... I have the pleasure of seeing the dragon empress in person." His voice had an odd accent to it, and he spoke in a different rythm as well, yet it all worked together to create a fluid and almost oily sound.

"Do not worry, your majesty." The man said as he rose. "We are not here to do harm, and we have left our arms at the door to your hall to prove this. My men and I are here on behalf of our most esteemed ruler. Long has he allowed your empire to flourish unchecked and uncontested. We wish to continue without war and bloodshed, yet you may perhaps take this visit as a warning.." his voice drifted off as he turned to glance at her personal guard which had moved in closer as his words turned ominous.

"There are resources your land posseses, your lands vast that you have not completey tamed yet, and peoples that live at your empires outskirts that are nearly rulerless. These things my own esteemed ruler wishes to change, and avail himself of. He has conquered much of the other lands available to us, and now, you are what is left between us and the sea."

Ryiah raised her hand to halt her men. She would hear the man through, though her heart had chilled some bot from his gaze and is words. War loomed, veiled behind his perfect composure.

"We wish to strike a bargain, to negotiate with you. You will meet our terms or our army will march out within one month's time. You will turn over the lands my ruler wants, as well as provide access and a port for his own use and pleasure, at a location of his choosing, and also acquiesce to providing the resources he requires. He will of course kindly leave your empire plenty for your own use. You will not become destitute due to these negotiations."

The man finally fell silent, his gaze peircing her. She kept her back straight, stiff, her chin held eye and her own orange amber hues glittering to match. Her voice, when she finally found it, was held admirably composed. "You declined to give your name... sir. Yet your words are bold, your claims and demands high indeed. I will need a few days at least to think on them and give proper answer. Will you accept rooms and amenities until such a time?"

Her words were curteous, but held no overtures of friendship, and she awaited his answer without breaking gaze. After a brief pause the man spoke again. "I will remain two days at your pleasure, and then I will depart with or without your answer. No answer will be treated the same as a negative one."

Ryiah pursed her lips, but flicked her gaze to the side and nodded at a porter who stood there. The man turned and disappeared. "Your rooms are being prepared even now. Please enjoy our hospitality."

As the men turned to leave, guided out by her servants, Ryiah held her composure, until the group had all gone and the doors shut behind. Then, she slumped only sligtly, and ran a hand over her face, all thoughts of the upcoming wedding pushed to the back of her mind. What would she do?

Calico frowned at the exchanged words, keeping silent until the man left and was given rooms

"Are you seriously going to give into the brigand's demands?" quizzed Calico most displeased "To do so, it would weaken our kingdom too much and leave it open to plunders and raids" noted Calico as if such were not obvious enough

To say that Calico was furious at the blaggards daring words but it was not his position to deliver a stern and firm answer, that was for Ryiah to decide upon.

He took a deep breath and released it slowly so as to steady himself, containing the displeasure for her sake if nothing else "Look... I have arranged a special little something for you" smiled Calico waving Taff over to give her a wrapped up present, an outfit that Ryiah had been wearing at Harrishim's tent that had certainly caught Calico's eyes and stares, no less than his men's, arranging the purchase with Taff's help

At Calico's voice, Ryiah quickly moved down from her throne and over to be embraced. Looking up at his face, her eyes worried and shadowed, where they had been only previously filled with excitement, she sighed softly. "So you think I should condemn our empire to war instead?" Her voice was tired. "I value your inpute above all others, Calico. I know it ia not a happy idea to give so much to their ruler... I would never wish to. But how can I throw us into war?"

It seemed a horrible choice to her, and so for the time being she turned her gaze and thoughts to what was in the box Calico held. Opening it to peek inside, a coy smile blossomed on her lips and she flicked her gaze back up to Calico. "I see... so you liked this one best, hmm? I will have to wear this for you after our wedding." She took another breath and tried to act unconcerned. "Thank you for the gift. It has come at an opportune time."

Brow furrowed, Ryiah stayed near Calico for a long moment, as if envisioning a war to come, or perhaps a destitute empire in place of a once proud one. Were these her only options?

"Better to die free than to live enslaved, not only he demanded a port and resources but he intends to enslave and claim rule upon the outskirts cities and villages. Those citizens deserve protection and freedom.

We have dragons, well trained assassins and a loyal army, if they venture across the border they must be pushed back" nodded Calico at the prospect of war

"Yes we have those things, but what does their leader have? Perhaps his army will be stronger. How can I choose for all my people, that it is better to die? Perhaps they wouldn't see it like that?" Ryiah's eyes were downcast and thoughtful, but not hopeless. She wanted to be a ruler her people could depend on, and not one that made hasty decisions.

Sighing she smiled softly at Calico. "I think you are probably right my love. But let us think on it for the remainder of the night before I give my reply. Perhaps there is some other angle here, something we can do or say that will not lead us to war."

"Why not let me go as your ambassador? I could follow them and see what their kingdom is truly made of? If they are or not ready for war and how many forces they actually count on.

The fact they are desperate for a port means trading is limited and without resources, nourishment could be a problem" mused Calico scrubbing his chin thoughtfully

Ryiah didn't respond immediately, her gaze on her betrothed as she considered his words. Biting her bottom lip she reached up to finger a strand of hair. Her first instinct was to deny his words immediately. She didn't want to send him to an unknown land with people who had just threatened all out war on her empire. Yet she knew the pirate captain was more than capable, and knew he was wily as well.

With a soft breath she turned away, gazing at her throne. It was a heavy burden to bear, and one she often wished belonged to someone else. Yet she wouldn't shirk her duty. Finally she turned back and stepped closer to Calico. "Very well. That may be the best idea... to take stock of these people for ourselves and see what they are made of. I will tell the ambassador here that you will accompany them back to negotiate directly with their leader. If he does not accept those terms, then I will refuse his requests and we will prepare for war."

Her voice held obvious regret, yet it was strong and held no uncertainty. Finally she smiled again, glancing down at the present still in her hands. "And thank you again for the gift." She murmered.

Morgan frowned not at all pleased to hear any of it and spoke up.

"Your majesty, it should be I who ventures into such perilous journey. If that good-for-nothing brother-of-mine were to die, it would also endanger your health and your life and the stability of the kingdom as a whole" complained Morgan

"I think it is best that you nominate me as your ambassador and I will take the chance and opportunity to learn more of these newly found foes" muttered Morgan

Ryiah turned to include Morgan in the conversation as the General spoke up. Her face was set in a grim line, her eyes serious as she considered the brother's thoughts on the matter. With a sigh she glanced to Calico, then nodded, a lightening in her features almost imperceptible. "The wedding will be able to go on as well, if you are willing to be my ambassador General Morgan. Thank you for the offer, it is a dangerous task indeed, considering the threat of war - but you are right in saying that my own fate is tied to Calico's. I do not fear for my life, yet I do not want to throw my Empire into turmoil."

Her thoughts moved to the wedding, set to take place the next day, evening time. Her excitement had been drained by the looming threat, yet as she thought once more of the union she felt small flutters, and a very small smile rose once more on her lips. Turning back to Morgan she lifted her chin and spoke once more. "I assume the ambassador will not want to tarry once he has our answer, so you must prepare to leave at once. Select any men you want to accompany you, but keep the force fairly small. We don't want to upset our rivals more than we can help for now. " Ryiah paused, then put a soft hand on the General's arm. "I am sorry to think you will not be there to celebrate the wedding with us." She added with a glance to Calico.

"I shall go myself, without any furhter escort, your majesty. If their intentions are honest, I shall safely return as your ambassador. If their intentions are dishonest, it is better they retain or execute one captive than three or more.

Whilst I have dedicated much to the realm, to see the one I love marry another would be the greater torture than falling into enemies hands. I thus wish to depart at once and not delay a minute further, with your blessings, your majesty, duty calls" explained Morgan calmly bowing before Ryiah before walking away to locate the room of the stranger and knock the door sharply.

The man opened the door after a long wait, obviously hoping to show he answered to no one at the palace. He had taken off his overcoat, but still looked put together, his hues centering immediately upon General Morgan. He leaned a bit nonchalantly against the doorway and raised an eyebrow. "Yes?" He asked, voice pitched a bit low but holding a small bit of curiosity. "Has her Highness come to her senses so soon? I trust you have her answer for me?" He asked, pausing for Morgan to give answer.

"Her majesty distrusts the messenger and his intentions... as such... given I am the commander of her armies and her ambassador, I seek to return to your lands and kingdom alongside you. I shall hear what your ruler seeks exactly and negotiate on her majesty's behalf.

If you truly are a representative from the neighbouring kingdom I have no doubt your king will be delighted that you are indeed facilitating both kingdom's dealings, if you turn out to be a fraud, I'll run you through with a sword" explained Morgan calmly

"Given the veiled hostility in your words... I am willing to surrender as your prisoner until such time as I am taken to your ruler's presence, you can expect no harm from me until such time as we reach your lands" noted Morgan

"Refusing my request, of course, is clear proof of your deceit, and it would be my duty to have you arrested and executed for threatening the crown, for impersonating the neighbouring royalty and sparking unrest and possible war..." mused Morgan not at all mincing his words despite the politeness