Range: Thanks!
I'm pretty sure I could, but I'm not sure the effort vs reward would make it worth it. We'll see. Thanks for your kind words.
Loki: Yes, she does seem very unimpressed with Bretons, doesn't she? I wonder why? (Rhetorical)
morningSIDEr: I dislike small allies, but Castille can do one very important thing - use the AI omnipresent radar and hunt down small enemy fleets I can't see! I like large vassals, so yeah, I keep them around.
Dewirix: Very true on both counts. However, Mary is no one's pawn, as will become very clear.
Edgewise: I should! But since it wouldn't pay that much and I already have a good job, probably not. Besides, writing's only fun if it doesn't become a chore.
Southern King: At the moment Aragon is pushing into there along with the French remnants.
C0d5579: Hehe, yes, the Bretons paid for their foolishness. On an OOC level their rather bizarre attack on me was totally ill timed. I blamed it on their 3/3/4 queen.
Sather: She sure does...funny that.
Chapter 8 – The Persephone
13/1/1820
Perhaps a little rattled by the events of the night before, John had wedged a chair against the door and taken the time to load his pistol. However, no night-time incursions disturbed him, and he woke as the first cold light of dawn filtered through his window. Clouds has come over, though there was no snow yet, but a cold wind blew from the north.
John dressed and packed his belongings. The gun he kept close at hand and loaded, just in case. He needn’t have worried though. Tempest was waiting for him in the entrance hall of the Ryefield Inn, and she wore her revolver openly at her side.
“Good morning, Mr Adams,” she said with a nod.
“Good morning. To the docks?”
“Indeed. I have a carriage.”
A small hired vehicle was indeed waiting. While John packed his luggage on the backboard and climbed in Tempest took the driving seat.
By carriage the journey to the docks took little time, and soon they were driving along the many quays. Portsmouth had been extensively redesigned over the years into a naval and civilian harbour. Strangely they headed to the naval side, as though her Ladyship’s vessel was no mere civilian ship.
The mighty warships of the Grand Fleet were in port, their slab sides dotted with cannon, each enough to supply a small army. Also present were some of new fangled steam powered frigates, capable of moving quickly to intercept enemy ships.
It was in just such a berth that the Persephone waited. It was a new ship, powered by a side driving wheel, though also equipped with sails to make use of the wind as well. John couldn’t help but notice that it carried several cannon as well. It was an unusual ship for even a noble lady to use.
There was one further surprise as well. As they came down to pull along side the ship they passed a half dozen gibbets. Such public displays of criminals was thought to deter crime, though the reality was often different. Three of them were occupied, and as they drove past John could have sworn that they were the very same men who had attempted to rob him the night before.
As the carriage pulled Christian came forward and removed John’s luggage and carried it on board. John also saw that a half dozen redcoats were present, apparently Lady Mendenhall’s guards, though why she would have regular troops in such a role John could not guess.
At the head of the ramp her Ladyship appeared.
“Ah, John, I’m glad to see you are still with us,” she said with a smile. “Please, come aboard.”
“Thank you for sending Tempest to help me,” John said, walking up the gangplank.
“It is no problem. I think justice has been served,” she said, indicating the gibbet with the head of her cane.
“They were caught last night?”
“Indeed. They were criminals wanted for similar thefts. Once the local constabulary was rousted into action they were soon discovered.” Lady Mendenhall smiled. “Now, did you sleep well?”
John nodded, turning away from the hanging bodies. It was justice of course, though the swiftness with which it had been achieved surprised him.
“Yes, thank you, Lady. And you?”
“I had a very good night.”
As John’s luggage was taken to his cabin he was led by Lady Mendenhall to a table set on the deck.
“This is a lovely ship, my Lady,” John commented. “I was surprised to see it was a naval vessel though.”
Her Ladyship made a delicate gesture that might have meant anything. “The ship and the soldiers are part of my personal guard. As Countess of Orkney I am permitted to have a personal force since it is so isolated. A battery of artillery, a squadron of dragoons and two battalions of infantry, and of course three of these ships.” She shrugged. “It is an ancient law, but I am one of only three peers in the British Empire to possess such a force. The others are the Governor of Hawaii and the Governor of the ironically named Freetown in Madagascar.”
“Ironically?”
“Ironically because that is where most of the Empire’s slaves were harvested from. Tempest’s family were originally enslaved there and moved to the Americas.”
Tempest, standing behind her Mistress, bowed her head slightly.
“I did not know any of that, thank you. How long does it take to reach the Orkneys?”
“Around a week I believe, depending on the weather. I hope you brought warm clothing. Though certainly not as cold as Hudson or Arcadia the wind can be quite piercing at times.”
“I did, yes.”
“Excellent. Then I believe we will make to depart.” Lady Mendenhall turned. “Captain, when you are ready.”
“Yes, my Lady.”
As the crew started to get the ship underway John felt a first flake of snow brush against his cheek.
“I believe this is a good time to head inside, John. Come, we will speak more later.”
John took a last look at Portsmouth and followed her, then headed to his cabin. His great journey was about to begin.