bananafishtoday: No, it's not her in disguise, but keep that in mind.... And yeah, I think Angelique would have Tempest arrange an accident for anyone who did that to her!
morningSIDEr: Indeed! Or at least...you'd think so.
Chris Taylor: Skyrim reference! No, it's not possible for Republics to have female leaders. BUT, the localisation for them exists, and Lady Protector is my favourite title, so I simply had to do a little save editing. I'd not have got another Cromwell either without editing as well.
Sather: Indeed. Very interesting, yes?
Momento Mori: You raise some very, very perceptive points here. Namely about her writing the history to suit her own tastes, but also about how hypocritical she is. It's a point that will be elaborated on later, but in general terms she sees the world in two separate circles; her and then everyone else. When she says 'nobody' and 'everybody' she is not putting herself in those categories.
blsteen: I thought so! Portugal still had big armies at the end, but I occupied all European Portugal and North America. They still had 25,000 men dying of tropical attrition in east Africa which I didn't even need to attack!
Loki: We shall see...but remember that when Cromwell died no one could have imagined that there would be a King within just two years again. Similar with what happens here I guess in different ways.
Arakhor: I thought so! Best title in the game, bar none.
Chapter 32 – Sanctuary
30/1/1820
John jumped as the gunshot sounded. For a second he waited for the searing pain to engulf him, but when it didn’t happen he looked at his attacker.
The man, blinking furiously, and with a dribble of blood escaping from his mouth, slowly fell forward. As he hit the ground his gun went off and fire harmlessly into the rocks.
John’s saviour, Lady Mendenhall, stepped forward. “Come on, John, let’s get out of here.”
“Where’s Victoria and Tempest?”
“They’re fine, now come on!” she said urgently.
Along with some of the passengers, John and her Ladyship took cover in the rail cutting beyond. After a moment Tempest and Victoria joined them, the latter looking very scared.
“Tempest?” Lady Mendenhall asked expectantly.
“I killed one of them, Lady,” Tempest explained. “There were two others who escaped me.”
“So four all together,” the Lady said thoughtfully.
Meanwhile Victoria had been seeking some sanctuary with John. John, a little unsure what to do, held her close to calm her down. “Shh, it’s alright, they’re gone now.”
“One of them was going to kill me! He said that I deserved it because of who I worked for! And then…then he died, and Tempest dragged me away. It was horrible!”
Tempest looked completely nonplussed about the whole situation, and cleaned off her bloody blade as though it was a fruit knife.
John held Victoria close though. “It’s alright,” he repeated. “You’re safe.”
Lady Mendenhall came down to soothe her maid as well, leaving Tempest on watch. After a moment she called to them.
Looking out from cover John could see that another train was coming towards them on the rails, and slowed to a halt as it got close. From the train a collection of redcoat soldiers appeared and advanced in skirmish formation. There were a few shots, and then silence.
When they went to see who their rescuers were John was amazed to see his brother George decked out in a Lieutenant’s uniform. He seemed to be doing a fair bit of shouting and waving his hat in a manner that would have instantly got him killed on a battlefield.
“Well hello, Johnny!” he said. He took off his hat and awkwardly bowed to Lady Mendenhall. “Are you hurt or anything, Miss? Lady, I mean. Lady Mendenhall, yes?” he gabbled.
Her Ladyship laid a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you, Lieutenant. So, you are John’s brother, are you? You’re lucky to have a brother like him.”
“If you say so, Lady. I mean, thank you,” He said, bowing again, blushing.
“Who is in charge here?” the Lady asked, managing to stop herself smiling only with a great effort.
“I am, Lady,” a Major said, walking forward. “Major Richmond at your service, ma’am. Thank you, Lieutenant, you may go.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll see you later, John!” George said, marching off.
“Now, Major, your arrival is very welcome, but how did you know to come here?”
“I am not sure on the details, but we were mustered this morning after a message from the Foreign Office stating that an attack was possible. I regret we did not arrive here sooner.”
“No harm done, Major. Two of the attackers were killed, and I think the passengers are unharmed, if a bit shaken. It is imperative that I get to London quickly though.”
“You are welcome to come with us then. This train will need repairs before it goes anywhere. I’ll have some of my men fetch any of your luggage, my Lady.”
“Thank you, Major, much obliged. Come, John.”
While her Ladyship travelled with the Major and the more senior officers, John travelled to London with Victoria and his brother in one of the passenger carriages. It was designed to move soldiers, so it was not as comfortable, but once it had turned around it was fast.
“Thank you for being so kind to me,” Victoria said from beside John. “I am not used to all this danger.”
John smiled. “I’m happy to help, though I think that her Ladyship and Tempest did far more.” He smiled modestly. “But don’t worry, I’ll make sure they don’t hurt you.” Without looking around he dug his elbow into his brother who was sniggering.
And so, having survived the ambush, but not knowing who or why they were pursued they continued on, back to London. It would be most interesting to discover just what would happen once they arrived.