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Calico nodded and coughed lightly to clear his throat which seemed stuck with a knot at her chosen honest words.

"Whilst undeserving of the grace thy majesty generously bestows upon the most unworthy of thy vassals, I earnestly accept thy gift and shall forthwith call thee mine, to have and hold, from this hour forward, in sickness and health, freedom and captivity, richness and poverty, safety and danger alike till death do us part" nodded Calico extending his mildly trembling hand, for nerves are treacherous at such events, waiting for her to place the regal ring upon his finger.

Still beaming, eyes moist yet fighting to keep the tears from rolling free, Ryiah slipped the ring on Calico's finger, echoing his last words herself and ending with, "And so do we become husband and wife."

With that, she took a half step back to offer Calico room to rise if he had not, her gaze dropping almost expectantly then to his mouth, waiting for the kiss to seal their union, and all the while wondering what it would be like. She had not found reason to offer such a gift to anyone else, and her mind went back to Taff's words, telling her of the seriousness of a dragoness's kiss, and the seal it represented. A kiss that was an oath in and of itself.

When Calico would move in to take the kiss, Ryiah would be ready and willing, offering her own in response, and relishing the sensation of butterflies it sent moving through her.

Calico rose up, taking her into his arms and sharing a passionate kiss, one that caused the largest band of scallywags and brigands, pirates and marauders to burst out in a chuckle and laughter, clapping their hands together in celebration



"Go get her, boy" urged Smithy

"At last one can say the pirate has indeed stolen the crown jewels in the name of love and law" cheered another one wolf whistling and clapping too, taking out a gun to shot up in the air without aiming at anyone, soon followed by the royal canons that replicated the celebratory shots

Onboard the ship, the more notorious captains held their peace, respectfully waiting for the confirmation that the wedding was indeed done and sealed before shooting their own cannon balls out to sea.



"That's two less among the crew, first Morgan and now Calico... and both over the same lass at that!" muttered Blackbeard lowering his head to stare at his boots.

When the kiss was done, Ryiah lifted back, breathless, her orange amber eyes shining in wonder. Something had happened during the kiss, something had seemed to click into place within her, as if something missing had been restored, or something new added.

"You certainly know how a kiss should be done." She murmered with a wry smile as she turned to glance at the good natured cat callers, and listened to the cannons firing in the distance. It was a grand way to celebrate, she thought.

Then, dipping in a curtsy, Ryiah heard their dance song begin, and she moved forward to allow Calico to sweep her through the moves, their first dance as husband and wife, excellently executing the motions, graceful and elegant in each, all the while her gaze never left the face of her pirate.

Calico smiled as he danced, his eyes set on her

"When it comes to lovers I shall endeavour not to disappoint" nodded and smiled Calico an arm wrapped around her waist whilst he danced away.

"So... Will you expect a landlover out of me?" Quizzed Calico wondering how much change the wedding would bring about

Ryiah couldn't help the blush that rose to her cheeks as she heard Calico's words. Then she tilted her head a bit and laid it on his shoulder as they danced. "Of course not my pirate. I know you will always love the sea, and I do as well. Only take me away upon it as much as you can, or I fear being a ruler will consume me. There are so many responsibilities..."

She flushed again then. "I too shall endeavor not to disappoint." She murmered, then added ever so softly so no one else would hear, "I'm afraid that I am not skilled in that area."

The music lingered on its final notes, then slid into the next set, which was meant to be background music for others to dance to should they wish, while the two newlyweds were accosted by wellwishers for some time . Ryiah felt impatience flicker within her as she smiled graciously at each, her mind only on finally being wed to Calico. "In fact," she said to him in the brief moment between groups of people, "whisk me away right now. I long for the quiet of the sea."

"Quiet of the sea? among pirates? That'll be the day lass... not whilst sailing under Calico Jack!" chuckled Calico

He whistled loudly at the crew that was nearby, taking Ryiah in arms and over his shoulder and using the well placed ropes to carry out a proper royal kidnap at his own wedding, leaving stranded behind the emperor, the noble guests and the guards without neither bride or groom.

"Come on Smithy, the tide waits for no man and neither does the rope at the gallows!" urged Calico passing those from his crew who had simply been cheering on at the far back of the room as he left them behind to rush to his horse and over to the port.

"Better be on deck before I am least you want the cat'o'nine... lateness won't do!" reminded Calico back to business and his rather busy sailings.

Ryiah gasped at the suddeness of being swept off her feet, but couldn't help the soft laugh that eacaped her even as she was trussed up like a proper wench and carried over Calico's shoulder, the man not seeming in the slightest worried about sullying her wedding gown.

Eyes shining at the prospect of another voyage, even an impromptu one such as this, Ryiah felt her excitement grow even higher, and she forgot some of her initial shyness over suddenly being a married woman.

After a quick ride to the port, Ryiah was carried aboard the ship which seemed to have been a bit prepared ahead of time. She eyed Calico from her vantage point over his shoulder and wondered how long he'd been planning this, lips curved in a wry smile.

"I must admit I am not one to endure royal protocol and its stiff lavishness for too long, my dearest... the open seas, the cool salty breeze, I always wondered what punishment might befit the crime of abducting the empress. I guess I shall soon find out the price for royal theft" smirked Calico bringing her onboard and waving his crew to get rowing.

"I am taking you to Rome... my beloved... the kingdom next to yours is no ordinary foe they are hardened warlords and seasoned warriors and I am not risking them killing you" explained Calico as to where they were setting sail to

"Once you are safe and sound under Caesar's custody... I am travelling south to the warm lands and a peculiar island. One thing our neighbouring foes adore and rely upon are good horses to travel with. Their terrain is small, coarse and mountainous and there is only one supplier that produces horses strong enough to last beyond our border..." mused Calico

"That is of course... unless you intend to be wreckless as I am and come and visit some exotic tents with me..." trailed off Calico raising an inquisitive eye brow.

"Our known friend is a merchant... he can smuggle us into our enemies lands without them being none the wiser so we can see the real weaponry and troop counts, the real treatment of citizens and so on. I have no doubt they will put a display for my brother which is far from the grim and dangerous truth... merchants... however... get to see it first hand without qualms or quibbles" muttered Calico already throwing himself into the line of danger by trespassing unarmed, unguarded, without enough men into enemy's territory

Set down upon Calico's ship, Ryiah tucked a stray lock of hair behind an ear and gazed at her husband, a shy smile on her face. "Somehow I feel that your punishment for kidnapping me will not be too great." She offered a smile, which then faltered at thought of Caesar and Rome. Their relationship had been an odd one, the Roman Emperor trying to force her to wed him rather than Calico.

"I do not wish to be left in Rome, husband, not when we have just been married! Caesar could very well try to take me away from you, not that I would let him. No, I would stay by your side. If our honeymoon must be frought with danger, I would have it no other way than to be with you. Where you go, I will go." She wouldn't easily be dissuaded from her decision, and leaned in to offer another kiss to Calico... perhaps to add more power to her words, a sly smile on her face.

"Well seeing how quickly you disarmed me last time we somewhat disagreed, pirate, I very well yield this time round and save myself an injury or two beloved of mine" smiled Calico

"Besides there is no denying our beduin friend has a keen eye on your beauty and that may very well be the only way I can convince him to assist us" mused Calico gazing at Taff who was busily peeling potatoes for lunch just like any other cabin boy

"Mmmm." Ryiah murmered non-commitally, not much caring for the bedouin leader either. "Can't we just sail the opposite direction for a while, to explore and enjoy the sea?" She smiled, knowing the answer but trying anyway. "I mean... we deserve a few days of bliss right?"

With a soft sigh she gazed over the deck and the crew, her gaze sliding over Taff and offering him a warm smile.

In the deserts of the south, a Bedouin man named Nidar rode his stallion along a faint, sandy path to a port town. Ever since his leader, Harrishim, agreed to guard their neighbour's trade routes against bandits and the like, he'd been trekking up and down the territory - duty bound to a boredom filled task.

Nidar's jet black eyes caught sight of a brightly coloured caravan under attack by about three brigands in the distance. Grabbing the hilt of his scimitar and the reins of his horse, he kicked the stallion's sides and galloped at a breakneck pace to the caravan. Once within striking distance, Nidar leant to the side and unsheathed his scimitar, slicing a brigand's sword arm to the bone. Once that was done with, he turned to the remaining two.

"Anyone else feel lucky? I have been sat on a horse these last few days and could use a good stretch." Nidar said through his hood and bandana.

The brigands dropped to the ground with their hands behind their heads. "A pity," Nidar thought, "another set of fools that think cutting fruit gives them the experience of a swordsman." Nidar sheathed his sword and tied the men up to take to the nearest town, a port town no less. He always had a distrust of the ocean; no stable ground for miles and undrinkable water just didn't sit well with him. Though, his duty to his people and Harrishim was more important than a petty distrust. So, he grabbed the men's ropes and rode along with them in tow to the town - hoping nothing that would complicate the situation would happen.

Meanwhile, Zandyr Dencias, ambassador to his Lord and Majesty were long gone from Ryiah's palace, having left quickly after Morgan had approached him, gathering his men and gear as quickly and efficiently as they had arrived.



He now sat on his ebony hued stallion, his cloak closed over top his grey suit now to ward off the mornings chill. Dew had settled upon everyone and everything and the footfalls of the horses seemed slightly muted in the early morning. They had made good progress, having stopped little and ridden hard. Early that morning they had crossed from the domain of the Tellirin Empire into that of Zandyr's lands. His gaze was unwavering, his eyes, a light gold color ringed with darker hue, never leaving the road before them.

He didn't bother to make conversation with General Morgan during the trio thus far, nearly ignoring the man though his men made sure the General didn't want for food whenever they stopped for a meal, which was rare. More often they passed out and ate trail rations while in the saddle.

Enormous stony mountains now surrounded them, as they had left the open plains behind the day before. The towering faces of the mountain were both imposing and impressive as the group made their way through the small pass that would have been hard to find had one not already known of it.

When the day was reaching its end, and the group had passed to the far side of the mountain, finally, Zandyr would look at General Morgan. "Soon you will see the might of my Ruler. Soon you will be in awe of our city."

Falgaron, one of the mightiest nations in the known world. It's military - near unstoppable. It's technology - too advanced for most nations to fathom. These accolades were brought about by the word of the kingdom's newest ruler, Blaise. In only two years of ruling after his father's passing, he sent Falgaron into an industrial era.

Pipes of bronze and brass wrapped their way through the capital city (Ignis), spewing gases darker than the night into the morning sky. Gears the size of church bells were strewn about the metallic cityscape, turning unseen mechanisms instrumental to Ignis' functionality. It was truly a spectacle to behold, and Blaise had the best view of it all. Atop the mountains behind the city, a castle of steel and stone was perched. It was far more industrialised than the rest of Ignis; it contained the city's only elevator to the peak of the mountain, wholly powered by steam; a plethora of pipes and cogs entwined to the castle's infrastructure and a machine that Blaise doesn't even trust his closest confidants with.

Blaise had heard that one Henry Morgan would be gazing upon the city soon enough. He smirked at the thought of making his diplomatic debut with Tellirin, a bitter rival of his father's for many a decade. Though, Blaise was already quite unconventional. He rode out into the city in his steel carriage and mechanised stallions, watching the peasants awe at his presence. He was used to the reaction.

Soon enough the driver spotted Zandyr atop a hill and he parked at the bottom, awaiting their arrival.

After the coarse descend down the mountain which was no less treacherous or perillious than the ascend, Morgan looked with a quizzically raised eyebrow at the carriage the royal of Falgaron made use of.

Still, being as diplomatic as an ambassador was meant to be, Morgan climbed down from the horse and came to stand by the king's presence.

"Your majesty... our condolences on your father's passing .... and a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sire" saluted Morgan leaning forward a little in a respectful bow



"King Blais... I am Sir Henry Morgan, commander of the royal armies of Tellirin and the empress ambassador" introduced Morgan straightening up to admire the unusual decor throughout the city.

"I regret to inform you that her majesty has just recently married and is unable to tend to royal duties of state. However, if you have no inconvenience... I came to discuss the ultimatum, demands and threat that you issued against our kingdom and find workabable solutions that will benefit and strengthen both realms, preferrably without need for bloodshed" explained Morgan quite to the point

"I'm well aware of your ruler's marriage; I had a few informants attend on my behalf along with Zandyr." Blaise gestured his hand to Zandyr and continued, "I have to say, the groom certainly surprised me. A pirate wedding a woman of nobility; it's quite the scandal - even here. No doubt the other nobles of the land will have far worse reactions than I about the whole affair, I advise caution to Empress Ryiah." He said this with a slight grin and climbed into the carriage, ushering Morgan to follow.

Zandyr , upon being greeted by His Most Excellent Sovereign, dismounted from his stallion and bowed low at the waist with quick efficiency, his golden eyes burning with sudden fervor. Zandyr had risen to the high position of ambassador not without hard work and passion, and had been appointed by the Blaise's father just before the old ruler's death. He hoped to continue in his position, to earn even more distinction now, under the son's rule, and as such he wouldn't allow any slip in his decorum nor duty.

Face somewhat impassive he rose from his bow murmering a soft obeisance, but said nothing else, not wishing to interrupt as the Ruler turned to greet General Morgan. When the two returned to the mechanized carriage, Zandyr re-mounted his own horse, which was true flesh and blood, to follow close behind in escort of the carriage. He chose to keep his own mounts from being mechanized despite the growing infatuation with the mechanical movement which was sweeping across the grand city.

It wasn't that he disliked the new, nay he embraced it, yet when it came to his mount, he would trust nothing other than flesh and blood. Riding beside the carriage, near the window of his Ruler, Zandyr would be readybti give an account of his dealings with the dragon empress should he be called upon to do so.

"Despite appearances and reputation, your majesty, my brother Calico is a lord of noble birth... one of the most impeccable of our realm... the House of Jackworth Pont-de-Ter has always taken pride in being at the empire's service. It is regrettable his ill gotten actions speak louder than birth rights." sighed Morgan mortified.

"Allow me to offer assurances that there shall be no rebellion upon our lands concerning the inconventional carrer her majesty's husband took in the past. I shall strive to talk him out of pillaging and plundering to the best of my ability, it is shameful of course, though... old habits die hard..." murmured Morgan following Zandyr and Blaise.

Morgan eyed the horse, his eyes wider at the realization. This was most definitely one of the bedouine horses for sure.

Whether these bedouins were just trading or were they allies of this hostile realm that remained to be seen as of yet.

Blaise noticed Morgan eyeing Zandyr's horse and smirked, "Quite a beautiful creature, isn't it? Its former owners were quite generous; it was the strongest and fastest of its herd. Of course, we have our own mechanical steeds but the process of making one is... difficult, shall we say? These creatures are inferior but affordable and quite good at their job."

Morgan was no doubt intrigued by a simple horse due to the rumours of Falgaron's dealings with the bedouin people of the south. Business as unusual as that was not going to remain unnoticed by the masses, much to Blaise's dismay. For now, Blaise would keep his cards close to his chest and only give away the bare minimum. Empires didn't win by sharing their secrets after all.