Reality Fault - Starfall: Logs for 09July2000

Matthew arrives at the ship the afternoon after the sabotage attempt bearing an invitation to the Palace for the next morning. "Nothing formal... Her Majesty wants to give you your official instructions, and bring you up to date on the investigation." The siblings duly arrive at the palace and are conducted to the Queen almost without delay.

Carroll smiles, and leads the family in, at ease and comfortable. He bows to the Queen, and murrs, "Good morning, your Majesty." Alex bows quietly and gracefully at Carroll's side. Dimitri walks quietly in, standing at Carroll's right but a half step behind. He stands at a quiet, relaxed parade rest. He holds his long blade before him... one paw at the crossguards, the other halfway up its scabbarded length. He ducks his muzzle, sure and respectfully, to Her Majesty.

The queen greets all of them, smiling at Carroll as she does and nodding in respectful acknowledgement of Dimitri's salute. This is the first time any of the siblings have seen her without Ludmilla present, but the wolf and badger standing on each side of the door more or less make up for her absence. "Thank you for coming. Captain Winthrop should be joining us soon, but there are a few things she doesn't really need to hear."

Carroll smiles, and murrs, "It is our pleasure to come, Your Majesty. We are at your disposal." Alex nods quietly... then wonders silently if the queen ever feels... alone, or somehow... unfinished or something, when Ludmilla's not around... and for that matter, where is the big tigress? Interesting... what's so important that it pulls her away from the queen's side? Dimitri frowns quietly, his stance a bit more ferally balanced. His ears stand tall and his eyes glance from one corner of the room to the other.

Queen Arianna taps a claw idly on the desk in front of her. "Thanks to Lady Natasha's information, we have been able to make a start on a few things. Viscount Westmark is the only one of the Great Nobles who has trade connections to the west. He runs an annual trade mission to Mindapoor to obtain silk. Mindapoor is the primary port of Bharat." She twitches an ear. "This is... suggestive."

Alex straightens slightly, unwittingly drawing in her breath and dropping one hand lightly onto the pommel of her sword. Fascinating... she smiles faintly, internally wondering if Duke Redtail knows about this. Dimitri's fingers drum across the hard leather of his sable scabbard. Alex's ears perk alertly at the queen, waiting for her to continue. Carroll smiles a bit of a predatory smile before he says, "Indeed. I am pleased to hear that you have been able to make any progress in this issue after so long."

The queen looks a bit chagrined. "It helps a lot to look in the right place. It seems I owe you again... you smoked out the rats from the woodpile."

Alex remains discreetly silent... although there is the faintest quirk of a smile at the corner of her lips, as she studies her boot toes... "Fate, and perhaps the viewpoint of an outsider who dosen't know what questions not to ask." murrs the fox Captain. "Your gracious assistance with our own troubles easily makes up for any little assistance we may have been." Alex nods silently and absently to herself at Carroll's words. Well put, she thinks.

Dimitri softly whispers, "Methinks most rats would take exception to that... whoever this is... would be giving wood pile rats a bad name..."

Queen Arianna winks at the dark fox. "True, Sir Dimitri." With a small smile, Dimitri nods back to the Queen.

Alex murmurs quietly, "So... was there any word on the means of death of the Viscount's father?"

Queen Arianna shakes her head at Alex's question. "Too long ago. More to the point, however, we have ascertained that there have been extensive contacts between the Pravinchandra factor here, the Viscount, and your ambassador. Your official mission to Starfall, then, is to protest the latter contacts on the grounds that they are bypassing the proper channels. If you need something to shake them up you can add the accusation that the Viscount seems to be involved in the attempt on my life and that the ambassador will be expelled if we find any indication that he was involved."

Carroll raises his eyebrows and murrs, "Of course, your Majesty." Alex nods, her ears getting a determined tilt to them.

Dimitri tilts his head quietly. "And just who is the Ambassador?"

Queen Arianna says, "His Excellency, the ambassador from Starfall, Maximillian Bridgewater. That shifty-looking woodchuck who kept going 'But Your Majesty' all through the presentation ceremony?"

Alex nods thoughtfully. Dimitri nods quietly, turning to Carroll. "It might be interesting to learn how he was appointed, no?"

Carroll nods and murrs, "That it might. We'll see what we can find out."

Alex murmurs curiously, "Has the Viscount any Hamasuran trade connections, your majesty? And has ah..." She glances at the two guards in the far corners of the room, then lowers her already quiet tones even more, "-Jeremy Featherstone been found? -or his... contact... offered anything newsworthy?"

Queen Arianna shakes her head. "All the major trading houses here have connections to Hamasura. Haven't found any sign of Featherstone, though."

Alex nods and falls silent again, thinking. Dimitri lets his fingers rum across his scabbard. "He's a gambler... has anyone tried talking to someone he owed money to? The type of furr, perhaps, who doesn't like watching their debts... hop hop away?"

Alex murmurs, "Alternatively, has anyone new and/or foreign been seen frequently with the Viscount?" She doesn't expect either of those to have helpful answers... but it didn't hurt to ask, she reflects quietly.

Baroness Kerensky and Captain Winthrop arrive just in time to hear Dimitri's question. The tigress snorts. "He was a very clever gambler, Sir Dimitri. More likely he would be murdered by someone who owed him money. But we haven't found anything." She nods to the Queen. "Nothing new, I'm afraid."

Carroll smiles and nods to the pair of Baronesses who've entered. Alex nods politely to Captain Winthrop. Dimitri looks to the tigress and nods, "Though a truly clever gambler never takes so much to drive a mark to such final actions..."

Ludmilla smiles. "Unless he has an ulterior motive."

Dimitri nods quietly, "Then he makes sure folks only thinks he's dead..."

Alex says politely, "Is there some bit of evidence that might indicate this was the case? Or are we just speculating here? Also, while we're speaking of evidence, was there anything relating to the question I asked, Baroness?"

The tigress says just one word. "Tomasi." Alex nods patiently, waiting for the tigress to continue. Dimitri looks back to the Baroness, his ear twitching, his earring jangling. Ludmilla shrugs. "Nothing new." Alex sighs softly at the tigress' non-answer, but remains politely silent.

The queen breaks the lengthening silence. "Captain Winthrop, is everything ready aboard Twin Mountain?"

The coatimundi nods. "We can leave any time, your Majesty."

Arianna turns toward Carroll. "And the Saucy Mare?"

Carroll murrs, "We are ready to depart any time, your Majesty."

Queen Arianna nods. "Excellent. Captain Winthrop, your orders are to escort the Saucy Mare to Starfall, and back her up in case of difficulties. I'm hoping that this will be an unnecessary precaution, but I suspect it won't be. Stay alert and be careful." The coatimundi nods. "Of course, your Majesty."

Alex glances at Captain Winthrop, then murmurs quietly to Carroll, "I presume I'm not the only one that thinks a direct magical attack shows a greatly increased desire to stop us... and that therefore a potential ambush on the way home is a distinct possibility?" she glances at the Maidstone nobility as she continues, "-and that it might be interesting to see who, if anyone, wanted to send a magical message out after we left?"

Carroll nods, "Yes, I think those are reasonable things to consider."

Ludmilla rumbles. "It might be, but I suspect that the people we're interested in won't be using the public offices of the Mage's Guild to arrange things." Alex glances at Ludmilla curiously, but decides discretion is the better part of courtesy here, and doesn't mention obvious things like mages being able to tell when other mages are doing magical things. She can't imagine that the queen's own guardian wouldn't know that.

Dimitri looks to Alex, quietly shrugging. "Then we will just have to show them that ambushing us is a... mistake."

Carroll sighs, and murrs, "That is a problem. We do know too that the mage's guild has at least once already had their security compromised. Exactly how that was done, we don't know."

Queen Arianna says, "Anything else?"

Alex shakes her head politely at the queen's question. Carroll also shakes his head, and murrs, "No, your Majesty, I believe we are ready." He glances at Captain Winthrop for confirmation.

Captain Winthrop nods to Carroll and stands up. "I think everything is ready, your Majesty. With your permission?" The queen nods. "Good luck, everyone."

Carroll smiles and bows, murring, "Thank you, your Majesty. I hope your investigation is fruitful, and your mystery and worry can finally be resolved."

Queen Arianna smiles. "Thank you, Captain. It does seem to be progressing much faster now."

Dimitri ducks his muzzle, stepping away. "Thank you... and a pleasure it was seeing you again. Good luck and fair days, yourself... Your Majesty." A slow turn, and as he does he nods to the tall tigress. "Good day, Baroness..." And then he takes his leave. Carroll smiles a pleased and happy smile to the Queen, before he turns and ushers his family out. Alex bows politely at the right time, and paces out silently with her brothers. The two guards come to attention and salute as the siblings and Captain Winthrop take their leave.

Two ships leave port, the naval vessel turning to the northeast while the smaller privateer turns to the northwest. Once out of sight of the shore, the

turns back and soon rejoins

, her assigned partner for this trip... one last bit of subterfuge, just in case. The trade winds blow steadily from the east, and the ships move rapidly over the sea. Once they are out of sight of unfriendly eyes, Count Timothy and his people once again can stretch their legs on deck after two weeks of being cooped up.

Alex alerts them as soon as Carroll gives permission. She suspects they're quite glad to be out and about again, in the fresh air and sunshine. Carroll watches his father and his crew carefully as they come on deck. For a moment he seems pensive, perhaps worried, but with a shake of his head, flicking his ears and fur and a simultaneous twitch of his tail, he appears composed and in command. The Count has been restive in his confinement belowdecks, but he has spent most of the last month carefully observing his children. He only nods to Carroll and stretches his muscles before joining the morning weapons practice. The snow leopard joins him as a sparring partner. Alex nods politely to her father, then concentrates on her sparring. As she's been lately, she's quiet, reserved, and precise in her practicing. Carroll watches the sparring, as he often does, it being the most active thing on the deck at the moment.

The old fox is still in good shape. While it's obvious that Haakon is not going all out against him, he could still hold his own in a fight. After he works out for a bit, he sits and watches Alexandra practice with a somewhat pensive look on his face. Horatio stands on the deck himself, looking out over the passing waters. He takes in a deep breath of the fresh sea-air and turns as their Father comes out on deck. He smiles quietly, then his eyes catch a bit of movement across the deck, a flash of familiar eyes, and his smile widens and warms slightly as he sees Jessie. For the moment at least, life is good. It'll remain good so long as things go smoothly, but -- and at this his smile fades a little -- that might not be, considering the conversation they had with Ludmilla prior to their departure. Jessie waves to Horatio as he comes on deck, since she's not actually sparring at that point. She grins and turns her attention back to the others, watching as they practice. Horatio raises his hand in a wave back, banishing the glum thoughts from his mind, and turns to his own work, the maintenance of the ballistae.

In the fighter practice Alex is very attentive to Mac's teachings, her sharply perked ears showing her alertness. Her footwork and attention to detail in her swordwork is as close to perfect as she can get it -- she's trying very hard. However, there's a no-nonsense, all-business air to her -- almost a grimness... almost... -- that's at strong odds with her usual gleeful enjoyment of the morning workouts. The Count waits until the morning session is breaking up, watching the squad of warriors his children have put together and shaking his head now and then at the unexpected skill of his only daughter. When things seem to be dying down he asks, "Can you spare a minute or two, Alexandra?"

Alex looks up from where she stands by the water barrel, wiping down with a wet rag, water droplets rolling off the fur framing her serious face. She nods quietly, "Certainly, Father. Let me just clean up a bit and I'll be right with you."

The count blinks at that, but nods. "Take your time, dear." Carroll notes his father wants to talk to Alex, and unobtrusively tries to be in a place he can listen, and interrupt if things should get heavy between them.

Alex nods and finishes cooling down, wiping the worst of the dampness off her fur as she heads for her cabin. She comes out very quietly a moment later, closing the door carefully so as to not wake Dimitri, and looks around for her father, tucking her clean shirt into her sword belt as she heads towards him. The count smiles and opens his arms to give Alex a hug. "So. Just how long have you been practicing at this? You didn't pick it up since I left."

Alex quietly hugs her father... then steps back after hugging him and tilts her head, gazing up at him thoughtfully, "Would you like some coffee, Father, before we talk? Or some breakfast? I'm afraid I've been up all night so far... I usually have breakfast about now."

The older fox nods. "Certainly, certainly. Coffee is fine, maybe a bit of jerky."

Alex nods and heads for the galley, walking quietly, her head tilted in thought. The count follows her, waiting for her to respond to his question. Carroll tries to catch Alex's eye as she walks by him, and hopes she knows he'll step in and interrupt or answer if she asks, even remotely. Alex glances up curiously at noticing her father following... then smiles faintly, "I've been practicing since Dimitri left, father. I promised him I would." She pauses, thinking, then adds quietly, "I keep my promises." She politely asks the cook for 4 mugs of coffee, some jerky, and a bowl of whatever breakfast is for her, please.

Her father sighs. "I'm not upset, Alexandra. Not now. I was wrong to forbid you."

Alex gives her father a slightly perplexed look... this isn't what she expected. She accepts the food and drinks, handing 2 of the mugs and the jerky to her father and carrying the rest. She thanks the cook, then nods, "This way, please..." and heads for where Horatio is working. As she walks she murmurs quietly, "Why do you say that, father?" then adds, "Here's your coffee, Horatio. I'm going to put it here, all right? Don't elbow it over by accident now, okay?"

Horatio blinks in surprise, looking up from the bulky torsion ballista. "Oh! Thanks, Alex! I'll try not to!" He dives back into work with one of the bolt crew. "All right, see that spike over there? Nono, that one, the one split at the end..."

Alex pats Horatio's shoulder gently to get his attention, "Did you have breakfast, Horry?"

Horatio sighs, stretching a little from the ballista. "A bit, yes, thanks. I know I should have had something more than a roll, but..." He shakes his head, smiling. "Old habits are hard to break. I can't remember a day at the Academy where I actually ate breakfast."

Alex nods amusedly, "Thought so. You should get some breakfast, Horatio." She doesn't push it further though, just gently squeezes his shoulder and leaves him to his work. Horatio smiles, and nods to Alex as she and -- he blinks, realizing who's walking with her -- Father leave. He checks the bolt crew with him, seeing which of them have had breakfast yet and which have been on watch since the small hours of the evening. The members of Horatio's crew smile and shake their heads... they've all eaten before coming on duty...

Count St. Genevieve waits as Alex makes sure that Horatio is taken care of, then walks with her back to the deck. "I say it because it's true, dear. I wanted to keep you safe, by not letting you learn something you very much wanted to learn. I do try to admit when I've been wrong."

Alex glances at her father, her head tilted slightly, and nods, "It's all right, Father. I suspect I was ah... a bit of a handful, at least as far as temper and exuberance." She pauses long enough to casually mention to Jessie that Horatio's not had any breakfast yet, and unfortunately Alex's hands were full... could Jessie see that he got something to eat, please? Alex adds to her father, as they move away from Jessie, "Thank you for caring though, father." She walks silently for a bit, thinking as she heads for Carroll. She hands Carroll a coffee mug, then accepts hers from her father. After a sip she adds thoughtfully, "Why did you want to protect me, but not the rest of the guys? Were you worried because I was a girl?"

Carroll hears them coming, and takes the mug from Alex, smiling, "Thank you, Alex." He looks at his father and raises his eyebrows at the question. Sipping from his coffee, he lets it stand.

The count and his daughter find a spot out of the way, and perhaps out of earshot. The old fox shakes his head, reaching gently out to touch his daughter's chin and lift her head to look straight into her eyes. "Not that, Alexandra. It was... selfish of me, I suppose, but you were growing up to remind me so much of your mother. I wanted to keep you safe, because you were so much like her, and I found it comforting." He smiles again, shamefacedly. "I should have known better... she never listened to me when I gave her orders, either."

Carroll manages not to laugh, but only by hiding his smile behind his cup in a well-timed sip. He asks then, "Would you have had her be any other way, Father?"

Alex watches her father silently when he raises her chin to look at him... but can't help smiling at that last comment. She sips her coffee again, then looks up, "What was she like, Father? I..." she frowns, her ears tilting back a little unhappily, "I'm embarrassed to say that all I can remember is a beautiful red furred lady that I thought was an angel for the longest time... and my memory of her is all mixed up, I think, with the painting of you and her in the great hall."

The count gives Carroll a sharp look, as if to say, 'listening at the keyholes still?' but nods. "No, Carroll, I wouldn't have, not really. But I missed her so much." He smiles sadly at Alex. "You're not mixed up at all. My Katrina was a beautiful angel. And I always remember her like the painting, too."

Carroll grins wryly at his father's look, and murrs, "Actually, Father, no. I'm beginning to understand some things."

Alex smiles faintly into her coffee mug at the conversation Carroll and their father have... then looks up at her father again and says wistfully, "I wish... I could have known her..." She stares silently out to sea for a bit, sipping her coffee... then looks back at her father and says gently, "I'm sorry, father. That you missed her so..." She pauses a moment... then slowly, carefully, leans a little against her father.

The old fox puts an arm around his daughter's shoulder and hugs her. "I still do, dear. But it's past time I learned who you are... even if you do look so much like her it hurts sometimes." Carroll nods quietly, although at what exactly isn't clear.

Alex gives her father a long look... then nods quietly. "So... was she quick too? Did she enjoy riding and... and dancing and sailing and fencing too? Where was she from?" She pauses, then adds slowly, "Um... if you don't mind talking about her?"

The count smiles. "Oh, I don't mind that much. She was a free spirit, always. She enjoyed the horses as much as you always did, and hunting, and dancing. She preferred a bow to a foil. And she didn't like sailing, I'm afraid... she always got terribly seasick." He leans back, reminiscing. "I met her up in St. Avery, back while I was letting the Navy teach me about sailing." Alex covers a small grin at that last comment... both in what it says about her mother... and her father! Carroll also listens, interested too. The count continues. "But she didn't come from there. Some place across the sea, far to the west. Novaya Kirensk. She had a terribly thick accent at first... between her native speech, and then learning our language in St. Avery... it's a wonder I could understand her at all. The first time I saw her was across a deck full of pirates."

Alex blinks, glancing startledly up at her father, then gets an interested look, "Go on?" Carroll perks, his ears and whiskers twitching as he nods, fascinated. Alex wonders softly, "Was that near where Natasha was from?" Horatio wanders up from the f'o'c'sle in search of breakfast, but instead spots Father, Alex, and Carroll. He hesitates for only a moment, then comes over discretely, not trying to interrupt the conversation but not barging in. Alex nods to Horatio, although she's got a rather absorbed look as she watches her father talk.

The count grins. "If you recall your geography lessons St. Avery doesn't have a proper navy; they just hire privateers. She was a marine officer on one of them, and we were hunting down some pirates up that way. They boarded from one side, we boarded from the other. We got together after we got back to St. Avery, and we got married before we put out to sea again. Your grandfather was furious... until he'd known her a few weeks. I don't really know if she was of their nobility -- she always just laughed when I asked -- but she was always a lady..."

Alex blinks... then chuckles softly, glancing at Horatio as she murmurs, "Well, their duke is a wolf, not a fox... and we've met a very nice baroness in Maidstone who wasn't nobility there at all... so I'll guess it didn't matter much to mother." Alex smiles faintly, wondering if their mother also was a former mercenary avoiding a forced marriage to a tradesman. Horatio blinks a bit in surprise. He must be talking about Mother, he thinks, a woman Horatio himself knew just barely better than Alex did. He hasn't heard this story, though, of how they had met, and as Alex looks at him he can't help but feel a faint blush rising to his ears. He starts to feel some hope that Father won't object nearly as much as he thought he would.

The count nods. "I think she was, though. She knew how to conduct herself, and she knew how to run our household without having to learn. I've always wondered why she left... but I'm very glad she did."

Carroll makes a mental note to ask Natasha if she knows the family name. Alex smiles quietly at her father, "So're we. So... if she got so seasick, why was she a marine officer?" She tries to remember if her grandfather was deceased before she was born or not... either way, she thinks, she doesn't remember him at all well... if at all, in fact.

Count St. Genevieve grins. "Not too much choice. There weren't that many billets for the Army, after all. She would get over it after she'd been at sea for a week or two, but she never really enjoyed it. She never went on a ship again after she got to Starfall. Maybe it was just destiny... I wouldn't have met her if she'd been in the Army, after all."

Alex smiles, leaning against her father, and murmurs quietly, "She sounds... nice..." She nods silently to herself, remembering... grandfather died when Carroll was about 5. She'd never met him. She grins quietly again, and gently teases her father, "Quite the whirlwind romance, Father?"

The old fox smiles. "Didn't feel like it. We got married after a month, and it felt like we'd known each other for years. We were true soulmates..." He sighs then, staring out to sea, lost in his own thoughts.

Alex tilts her head, watching her father... then just stands companionably silent next to him. She wonders what soulmates feels like... then amusedly suspects it'd be quite annoying if you didn't like the person that was er... 'soulmating,' or whatever, with you! Carroll interrupts his father's reverie, asking, "We've heard that you'd planned a trip westwards. Was it because of Mother?" Alex glances around her father curiously to see if Natasha's on deck. If she is, Alex will beckon her over. Horatio listens quietly, holding his thoughts close. He had never really seen this side of Father before. Then again, he'd been at the Academy mostly when Father wasn't home. He wonders if what Father felt for Mother was what Dimitri feels for Natasha... or what he feels for Jessie... then considers the sobering thought that he would not have to ask that if he truly knew. He gratefully perks his ears at Carroll's question.

"Hmmm?" The count looks up. "No, not really. Trade possibilities. Karaganda isn't where she was from, though it's nearby."

Alex says, "Where is Novaya Kirensk, if not Karaganda?"

Horatio coughs slightly. "It's somewhat inland of that actually, in Pripyatna."

Alex nods thoughtfully at Horatio, "I wonder if Natasha knows it. Of course... Natasha used a fake surname... it's a good bet mother did too, if she was fleeing an arranged marriage?"

Natasha isn't watching the officers closely, but eventually notices that Alex is waving her over. She nods and joins the group. "Da?"

Alex says, "If she was, of course..." She curiously asks the marine, "Natasha, are you familiar with a place in Pripyatna called Novaya Kirensk? Or a family there named Romanov?"

The wolf shrugs. "Novaya Kirensk, da. Is provincial capital. Not knowink of a Romanov."

Alex nods quietly, "I see. Thank you, Natasha." She pauses, then asks diffidently, "What... species were the nobility of there, do you happen to know? Were they also wolves?"

Natasha frowns, trying to remember. "The Dugashvili's are. The Lettivara's are caribou. Why?"

Alex nods and smiles, "We were wondering if the nobility of the areas around Karaganda were all different species also." She smiles again, "Thank you, Natasha. I'm sorry to disturb you."

The wolf smiles. "Nichyevo." She wanders back to her post.

Alex suspects quietly to herself that it's a good bet their mother was a pretty young woman, possibly a servant in some noble household, possibly an impoverished cousin or somesuch... which would account for the things she knew how to do. She doesn't mention her suspicions, however... she suspects her father, like Dimitri, likes to think of his sweetheart as his princess. She smiles quietly up at her father, gently hugging him with one arm around his waist... softly she murmurs, "I think... if you don't mind, Father... that I will enjoy getting to know who you are also."

Horatio clears his throat a little. "Erm... so, ah, you and Mother... met under, ah, unusual circumstances, Father...?" Alex grins quietly to herself.

The old fox smiles. "You could say that." Alex chuckles softly, then has a few more sips of coffee.

Horatio nods, unconsciously adjusting his collar. "Ah, true... er... Father... there's something I, ah, should say..." Count St. Genevieve twitches an ear at his youngest son attentively. Alex smiles quietly, enjoying leaning against her father, and the sunshine on her fur... good for Horry! she thinks quietly. Horatio coughs slightly. "Er... well, Father..." He takes a deep breath. "Uhm, I... wasn't sure how you would react to this, Father, which is why I've not mentioned it before..." He shies away a bit, then thinks better of it; unusually for him he looks to his father directly, and even though he's nervous about doing so he steels himself. "Father, there... is someone that... I've been... that I've become attracted to..." Alex nods quietly, smiling approvingly at Horatio.

The count smiles. "Well, that's good to hear. I'm glad at least one of my boys is thinking in that direction, since I'd like to see some grandchildren before I'm gone. Anyone I know?"

Carroll's drink of his coffee is too slow to hide his smile this time. Alex coughs amusedly! -then mumbles something under her breath... it sounds vaguely like, "...more than one is..." She grins quietly... then looks up and sees Dimitri. Her ears perk up a touch worriedly, "Dimitri! How're you feeling?"

Dimitri just stands by the quarterdeck stairs, in its shadow. "I feel fine, actually. Am I disturbing?"

Alex gives Dimitri an amused glance, "No, Dimitri, as usual you are not intruding. Come sit with us."

Carroll looks over and murrs, "Not at all, Dimitri. Come over, sit down and have some sun." Dimitri quietly walks over, looking for a place to sit.

Horatio coughs slightly, glancing around. "Erm... not... probably directly, Father. I'd erm... well... to be honest..." He shakes his head, catching himself, and looks at his father directly. "To be honest," he says, with some strength (again unusual for him; this voyage has not been a typical sailing jaunt, after all), "-we are both worried. She isn't nobility, she has no title or lands or... well, anything of that sort. But what she does have is my heart. She is one of the people of Ettore, and... and one of the marines... one of the archers on this ship." He glances over and looks relieved as Dimitri comes up on deck. "Dimitri! Good morning, how are you feeling?"

Dimitri softly growls, "What are we talking about?"

Carroll murrs to Dimitri, "A little family history, a little romance." Horatio's smile seems a bit fixed and half-hopeful that the subject can be changed. He glances, a bit sharply at first but then resignedly, at Carroll's succinct summation.

Alex says, "We're actually not talking... Horatio is. He's telling father he's sweet on Jessie." She grins at Horatio, "Which I think is... good for you, Horry!"

The count's ears twitch while he thinks about that. "The mink?"

Alex says, "Yes."

Horatio blinks to Alex, agape, and closes it with a snap. "Erm... yes... Yes, Jessie, the, ah, mink..."

Dimitri looks to Carroll, curious. "Pray tell? Care to share it with me?"

Alex sighs softly at her dark brother, "Dimitri... just listen a moment, all right? Let poor Horatio talk." Dimitri nods quietly and then walks back to the shadow of the gunwales, to sit down there. He draws his knees up and wraps his arms around them. He then rests his muzzle upon his arms, eyes closing, his ears flat.

The old fox nods. "She seems nice enough, and certainly she's tough enough to be dependable. Have you thought it through, though? You won't have any children by her, you realize."

Horatio gulps slightly, but also in relief. "Erm... well, to be honest, father... we... ah... only have started seeing where this will go... if we do find we are meant for one another, we... I imagine we'll... erm, accept that... if we came to that..." His old familiar nervousness ironically reasserts itself over his newfound assertiveness.

Alex tactfully adds, "And if they really want kits, they could always adopt." She smiles, pleased that her father's not doing anything to scare Horatio... and quite pleased also that Horatio's telling their father what he wants!

Carroll murrs, "I don't know if we're ready for juvenile minks of our own," and chuckles. Alex laughs softly!

The count smiles. "You can always adopt, you know. And you're not likely to be the next Count, either... assuming we get this sorted out and there even is a next Count." He pauses. "The important thing is for you to be happy with the one you choose, and to choose someone who is right for you."

Alex unwittingly gives her father a rather stern look, "There will be a next count, father. Don't talk like that." She blinks, then pauses... did she just lecture her father?! She hopes no one noticed...

Carroll looks resigned to the fate, himself. He murrs, "I'm very glad you feel that way, Father." Smiling, he adds, "My other brother might mention something too."

Horatio blinks in surprise. His nervousness seems also to have been shocked into speechlessness, because he says perfectly normally. "Somehow... that's not what I had expected to hear from you, Father." He erps and adds hastily, "I mean, not that I'm complaining, honest...!" He glances quickly to Alex, at her expression. "And, ah... Alex is right, Father. There will be a next count, and just as importantly, there will be a present count. Once we figure out just what's going on with Pravinchandra..."

The old fox smiles, looking at his kits. "You know, Alexandra... for the first time in a year, I'm not really worried about it either. I'm proud of you all." He gives Alex another shoulder-squeeze and settles back down. "Now. You two have still not gotten around to telling me how you got knighted by the Queen of Maidstone."

Alex smiles at her father. At Carroll's comments she smiles again, looking over her shoulder at Dimitri, then nods at their father. Her voice is lightly amused, "They've all been quite... busy, actually, as far as the ladies!" At her father's comment she says, "Oh, that..." she smiles faintly, "We stopped an assassination attempt." Dimitri is still silent, ears flat, tail dead, out of the circle against the gunwales. Alex gives Dimitri a tired look, "Dimitri... why don't you stop sulking and come over here and be social."

Dimitri shakes his head. "I apologize. I am sorry I shame you, Alex."

Alex says calmly, "Dimitri, if you'd rather stay over there just say so and we won't bother you."

Dimitri looks to Alex and shakes his head. "I wish I could be one of the family. But with every sigh and shake of your head when I speak it is obvious I am not quite good enough for the rest of you. I try. But it's just not good enough."

Alex says firmly, "That's quite enough of that nonsense, Dimitri. I'm not going to beg you to come over, nor will I cater to this temper tantrum of yours. You are, as always, a beloved member of the family, despite your apparent desire not to be so. When you feel like joining us in the conversation we will gladly welcome, as always, your presence." She turns back to the group, giving Dimitri some privacy to decide what he wants to do, and explains, "It was a grand ball. One of the instrument players was a fake... he had a Hamasuran blowgun. Dimitri was dancing with the queen -- she's a dark phase fox like him, and had a crush on him -- and he saw the attack and got between her and the dart. All I saw was that something was flying at Dimitri -- so I threw a dagger at it."

Dimitri looks to Alex. "It's obvious, Alex. I might be an incompetent boor, but I'm not stupid... and I'm not having a temper tantrum. I'm just stating an obvious truth."

The count's ears twitch back. "Poisoned?" He had been about to say something, but when Alex spoke up he stopped and just listened.

Carroll adds dryly, "She threw a dagger around Dimitri and the Queen."

Alex smiles ruefully, "I... didn't know I had any magical capabilities at the time... but it was a good thing I did, because the dagger I swiped was horribly not-balanced at all... and yes, the dart was poisoned. Apparently quite a virulent one, I was later told."

Both of the count's ears twitch up at that. "Around? You've got the mage ability?"

Alex nods slowly, "Apparently so, father." She gives him a curious glance, "Did mother have it also?"

He nods. "Very weak, but she did."

Alex says, "Interesting. Do we have it in the St. Genevieve side of the family also?" Alex pauses a moment, staring at Carroll... then sighs, closes her eyes and rubs her forehead a little tiredly. She opens them and concentrates again... she'd like to show her ability off for her father... Dimitri listens quietly to Alex telling the story.

The count shakes his head. "Not that I know of. Although it may be that my grandmother had it, but was never trained. There were some odd stories about her."

Alex chuckles quietly, watching as Carroll's dagger slides slowly out of the sheath, then moves to float just in front of her. She reaches out to take it carefully out of the air, then offers it to her father, with a 'thank you' smile at Carroll. Carroll is only a bit startled, and covers it well. Alex says, "What sorts of stories?" then notes, "The queen was quite impressed with Dimitri's courage, I might add. Also Cleo, our healer mage, says I do the lifting relatively well, apparently."

The count smiles and accepts the dagger, rather formally. "I see. Most interesting. Your mother had just a touch of precognition. A few times I saw her dive for cover just before someone fired at her."

Alex says, "Hm! Now that would be useful."

Carroll agrees, "Yes, indeed it would." He adds, "Dimitri and Alex were both knighted. The four of us were made 'Royal Companions,' which gives us the unusual ability to carry weapons in the presence of the Queen, among other things. She has been a great help to us, too." He idly gestures at the Twin Mountain, sailing nearby.

Alex smiles quietly across the deck, where Horatio's working concentratedly on something, and adds, "Well... Horatio prefers carrying his satchel to a weapon... but that's his choice."

Carroll counters with, "Horatio's weapon is in that satchel, Alex. My sword isn't quite merely decorative, but I'd rather try and talk my way out of a conflict than cut my way out." He gestures, "It's you and Dimitri who have those skills."

Dimitri finds a place to sit. Alex smiles as Dimitri approaches, moving over so there's room for him next to her where she's seated next to their father, if Dimitri wants. Dimitri blinks and settles in next to Alex, ears still flat. "It's Alex with all the skills, Carroll."

Carroll looks at his brother and murrs simply, "Poppycock."

The count shakes his head. "Dimitri, you made a very good name for yourself in the Marines before this all blew up. There's no need for you to feel you're not good enough for us. You're a very capable young fox."

Alex looks up at Carroll and nods, "Right, that's what I meant -- that's his weapon of choice." She grins, "Your sword's not... um... that bad..." she pauses, eyeing it, then adds a bit dubiously, "-is it?"

Carroll smiles and murrs, "One of these mornings, Alex, I'll stand against you at practice and you can decide."

Alex gives Dimitri a faintly amused glance... then looks back at Carroll and smiles faintly, "Um... well, actually, I'd rather not use live steel, Carroll?"

Dimitri shrugs quietly. "It's all I really ever wanted to be. Part of this family. But like my fur, it never seems like I fit in. Recently, it's even felt like I've lost..." he turns and shrugs, "-you, Alex." Alex sighs, reaching up with the arm that's not around her father to gently grab Dimitri's ear, like she used to do as a cub... if Dimitri lets her. Dimitri closes his eyes and manages a smile. He lets out a long breath, and just leans close to Alex, turning his head to her touch. "I want to learn, Alex... but I can't learn by being closed out... I've been away three years and estranged for more than that. I'm willing to stick through all the hard parts, like I promised you. But I need you to stick by me... all through it, too."

Alex tugs very lightly for emphasis as she says firmly, "Dimitri, I will repeat this again and again and again, until you believe it. You ARE part of this family. You always have been. I am very sorry you feel the need to sit away from us and act like you're not... but I've discovered the hard way that trying to force you to join us is invariably disastrous. So... I don't. I wait for you to decide to rejoin us... and we will continue going on being a family while we wait for you." She leans forward to gently touch her nose tip to tip with Dimitri's as she adds, "But Mitya... we cannot all stand still, waiting interminably for you to decide. The St. Genevieve family has too many things we MUST do, to simply survive, for that. We need you here with us, by our sides... not off on the sidelines, worrying that you're a shut out." She leans back enough that she can see his eyes again, adding firmly, "Do you understand, dear?" She smiles faintly as she corrects, "Six. Not three."

Dimitri nods quietly... "I'll be there. It's where I want to be... truth, Alex." He swallows, "Then perhaps I should do something properly."

Alex rolls her eyes amusedly, "Six looong years, badgering poor captain Whitepaws and stalking Bryn... for just one more lesson!" She grins quietly, "Poor captain... the first time he caught me practicing with live steel because I didn't know any better... I thought all his fur would fall out!" Alex giggles softly, murmuring, "Talk about blowing your coat from shock!" Dimitri waits, quiet.

The count starts. "Bryn was in on it, too? I should have known... she always was a troublemaker."

Carroll chuckles. He murrs to Dimitri, "We've been talking about family and history and happiness and romance and things. Would you like to introduce your new friend?"

Dimitri looks over to Carroll and shakes his head. "Something else..."

Alex blinks, then grins, "Er... no! No, it wasn't she that um..." she pauses, then laughs, "Oh, never mind! She's been wonderful, father... she's been our Starfall contact to Ettore." She smiles proudly at her brother next to her, "Dimitri found her."

Carroll looks at his father and laughs, murring, "I think we all knew Bryn better than you expected." He adds, "She may have done things you might not have approved of, but never did anything that didn't benefit us."

Alex chuckles quietly at her father, "Furthermore, she says you were the troublemaker in the navy?"

Dimitri rises, crossing over to the lady wolf. He slowly, carefully kneels before her, one knee upon the ground, his head bowed. Reaching up, he takes one of Natasha's paws and turns it over, placing an exquisite treasure of stained glass in her palm. "Lady Natasha... may I have your permission to court you?"

Alex watches Dimitri cross the deck to Natasha, raising an eyebrow at his words... then smiles faintly, turning back to murmur very quietly to Carroll and their father, "Well... so, father, now you know who Dimitri's sweet on." She tilts an amused ear at Carroll, "Would you care to speak up also, brother dear?"

Carroll smiles, and murrs, "Moment, Alex." and watches cheerfully. Alex nods quietly, leaning her chin against her father's shoulder and watching. It's a nice day for romancing and talking, she supposes... sunshine, and a nice breeze to ruffle their fur.

Natasha looks completely surprised as Dimitri kneels at her feet, then somehow looks even more surprised at the glass holly leaves and berries. She gently pulls Dimitri back to his feet -- she doesn't hug him, since she doesn't want to aggravate the cracked ribs -- but she holds him close and nuzzles along his cheek. "Konechnyo. Da, Dimitri. Ye'spasebo."

Carroll's smile spreads a little, and he murrs quietly, "That looks like a yes to me. That's nice." Alex chuckles quietly.

The count watches all this, his ears fully up and his whiskers twitching. "Well... well, well, well..."

Alex smiles, glancing at their father, and very quietly inquires, "You do know she's a Karagandan duke's daughter, yes?"

The old fox nods. "Not that any of you told me. But I still know how to listen at keyholes, too." He winks at Carroll. Alex smiles quietly again.

Dimitri's eyes brighten, his muzzle turning to stroke Natasha's for a long, long moment. Slowly then he turns, and as he turns he slips his paw into Natasha's other paw, squeezing her fingers tightly. He nods to the lovely wolf beside him and can't help but smile. "Natasha, this is Count Timothy St. Genevieve... my father. Father, this is Natasha Zhukov. My Lady."

The count stands and bows, suddenly formal. "Vash luchesya. Vu pochetatya nash semya." Carroll raises his eyebrows and cocks his head, watching Natasha. Alex raises an eyebrow also... then makes a mental note -- need to ask not only about that, and the stories Bryn refers to so enticingly... but also for how Father came to be friends with one of the Seafolk!

Dimitri looks to Natasha, his ears rising quietly. "May I ask what he said, Tasha?"

Alex frowns, "Part of it was 'your radiance'..." She shakes her head, "I don't know the rest though." She hazards a guess, "Probably something like best wishes?"

The wolf's ears prick up and she returns the formality. "Chest' byit menya."

Alex thinks about that one... then shakes her head, having no idea. She murmurs ruefully to Dimitri, "You need to learn a new language, I think..."

Carroll murrs, "I wonder if we all should."

Alex smiles at Carroll and shrugs slightly, "If we want to do business there... probably." She grins, "Er... da."

Dimitri nods quietly... "I think so..." he pauses then, "Sit with me, Tasha?" And then he looks back to Alex... not just his sister, but his dearest sister, best friend, and holder of an important part of his heart. "Alex, is it fine if Natasha sits with us, with me, as I sit back down next to you?"

Alex chuckles softly, then smiles fondly at her brother, "Yes, Dimitri, of course it is." Her smile gets a bit amused as she turns her attention expectantly to Carroll.

Carroll smiles and murrs, "Just old family gossip and some new family gossip. Of course it is." He completely misses Alex's hint.

Alex clears her throat firmly, then says sweetly, "Carroll... didn't you want to mention something to father also?"

Dimitri smiles silently and then settles back down very quietly. His arm, however is looped over Natasha's shoulder, every now and then tracing a circle atop her arm... The count raises an eyebrow at both Dimitri and Alex over that question, then relaxes at her reply. Natasha looks a little shy for a moment... an odd thing for the hard-bitten warrior... but her childhood training takes over and she smiles as she joins the family circle. The count smiles at Carroll. "It seems everyone else is meeting people. How about you?"

Carroll looks over at his sister and smiles, murring, "Apparently there's something you want me to mention to him." Looking at his father he murrs, "That's the question Alex was getting to, yes." Alex's small smile is, of course, completely unrepentant... Carroll murrs, "I'm certainly not as successfully courting anyone as either of my brothers, but I have been trying to get to know Arianna Dunbarton better. I can't say if anything will come of it. We shall see." Alex smiles affectionately at Carroll... then at her father.

Dimitri leans his head against Alex. "Actually, Carroll, if she does become taken with you, I shall owe you a favor." Alex absently reaches up and lightly rubs the bridge of Dimitri's nose while she waits to see her father's reaction. Dimitri closes his eyes and smiles, the simple touch actually helping the big black fox quite a bit. His ears quirk at his father's takenabackedness...

The old fox misses it for about five seconds. "Do I know h- Queen Arianna??"

Alex grins at Carroll a shade triumphantly, "I knew he'd know!"

Carroll shrugs, and murrs, "I try not to hold it against her." Alex laughs!

The count starts to chuckle, then starts laughing. When he finally calms down, he just shakes his head. "Well, my boy... All I can say is, if you miss your dreams, it won't be because you didn't think big enough."

Carroll murrs, "She seems to have been in a terrible position for a long time. I hope to make her happy, regardless of what else may come of it, or how I or we do it."

Alex grins quietly, then taps her father lightly on the arm, smiling, "Don't sound so dubious, you. Even if they're ultimately just friends, she thinks my brothers are rather fine... so don't forget that!" Alex grins with a hint of mischief, casually adding, "Oh, almost forgot... the duchess sent over some nice new clothes for you, father!"

Dimitri closes his eyes quietly, "Yes, but one of them is headed for an awful hard conversation for with her.

Carroll smiles, and murrs, "Oh, yes, it will be nice to have you out from under wraps. We'll be able to introduce you to the Queen and see Duchess White Haven again." He grins, with foxy mischief glinting in his eyes.

Alex shakes her head at Dimitri and says gently, "Dimitri... she knows already... or will soon. Her business is knowing people."

Dimitri looks back to Carroll, "Now will anyone mind telling me what family history I missed?" Carroll relates to Dimitri some of the items, prompting his father for the details of their mother's past. Dimitri nods quietly as he listens, his head eventually resting upon a pretty wolf's shoulder.

Alex nods firmly once, then smiles at all her rather awake family members -- and family members-to-be, she hopes -- and murmurs, "Well. This has been lovely, catching you up on family news, father... but I've been up all night and I really should get some sleep." She hugs Dimitri, smiles over his shoulder at Natasha, then turns the other way and hugs her father as well, "I'll be back out in a bit!" She stands and gives Carroll a quick hug too.

The old fox smiles. "I know where the clothing came from, Alexandra. I hope you're not trying to hide a boyfriend from me. You're still a bit young for that."

Dimitri looks back quietly, "There's a lad on board that she's concerned about... but that's as far as it goes, I think, Father..."

Carroll chuckles, and murrs, "No, Alex's predilection for shiny, sharp objects seems to have kept her relatively free of such entanglements."

Alex turns on the stairs and laughs softly. She waves a small paw out at the open sea, and says, "There's my lover, Father. I'm going to be a captain." She smiles at him, her head tilted and the sunlight sparking fire off her fur and her silver earring... then turns and paced down the stairs.

Alex has gone to bed, Carroll has the con, and Natasha drifts back to her chores, leaving Dimitri and Horatio still sitting with their father. Dimitri watches quietly as the others leave the conversation behind. He is silent for a long, long set of heartbeats, especially after a certain lady wolf returns to her duties. He sits for a moment, able to take deep breaths again, before looking up and rubbing his muzzle. His gaze falls upon his Father and he swallows once. "Father... you and Mother. Gods, I don't know how she put up with you... but now... now I realize... there might be a Lady I would want to put up with me." He looks down for a moment, brushing some dust off his boot. "I always did ask things backwards, didn't I?" Then he looks back up. "Father... when you met Mother. How did you know?" Horatio blinks a little at the question, pondering. It's... an important question, for Dimitri certainly but also... in some small way... for him. He glances over at Father when he answers.

The count smiles, reliving happy memories. "How did I know? I didn't at first... I was attracted, certainly, but I didn't know... I spent an entire day talking to her when we got back to St. Avery. By the next morning, it just seemed... necessary. Everything about her was just perfect." He pauses, considering the question some more. "I suppose... it was that she understood the way I thought, and I understood her, but also -- her weaknesses were my strengths and my weaknesses were hers. We... we fit together."

Dimitri nods quietly, looking out to the sea. "I... no. She... Natasha... Tasha... you know, she asked me to dance at festival. First time I ever... no. I mean, we'd dance with the local girls on leave, in the Marines. It was fun, but it was empty. And her... I knew I wanted to know more about Natasha, even before I found out she was a Duke's daughter. That's nice. But it doesn't matter to me, actually. She lets me hold her hand. I mean... had you ever thought there might have been someone before you met Mother and how'd you know it wasn't right? It's... well... I'd like a marriage as strong as my Mother and Father's. That's why I'm asking." He looks up quietly. "Is it wrong for it not to matter? That she's a duke's daughter?"

The count sighs. "There are no guarantees, son. But having it not matter is a good sign, not a bad one. You care for her, not for her title or heritage or wealth."

Dimitri leans back against the gunwales and looks up to his Father. "I don't even know what to do next. You know, once Carroll came to me for advice on how to buy a gift for a Lady. Carroll... I was just as lost as you. It's strange... I want to be able to stand beside her, steel and steel... and yet when someone attacked her, I growled. Before I knew I was. But when it comes to dinners and invitations and places to... I asked her if I could court her, father... and I don't know how! How..." There is a long, long pause. "How do I, father... in case she is for me as Mother was to you?"

The old fox smiles again. "If she's the same for you as Katrina was for me, it won't matter. Ask her to go with you where you like to go, or to stand with you in places you'd rather not be -- and do the same for her. Buy her gifts, or walk with her in the moonlight and talk. Be yourself. If she's the one for you, she'll need to know what you are, not what you think she'd like you to be. That's the most important of all..." He drifts into a silent reverie again, watching the waves run from horizon to horizon. Horatio's expression fades slightly. Mother, for him, has been a memory for far, far longer than they had to consider the possibility that Father had become one as well. Wispy splinters of memory from years and years ago don't seem to nearly do justice to the woman Father speaks of so glowingly, so enchantedly.

Dimitri follows his Father's gaze. "I... I miss her too." Count St. Genevieve nods slowly. He continues to stare at the sea. Dimitri quietly stands, "I think... I think there are two suits of leather to soap and clean and polish. Three, if Alex will let me at hers too." He takes a step away quietly. "We remember her, Father. And if I live long enough to have kits, I'll tell them of Grandmother Katrina... so she'll live forever." He takes a few more quiet steps. "She'd want you to be happy, Father. And no matter what you do... if there's an afterlife, she's there waiting at the door for you, just like she did at home, sitting on the porch swing, with a book and a lamp and a pillow fluffed for you."

The old fox nods. "I'm sure she is, Dimitri. And I suspect that wherever she is, she's as proud of the four of you as I am."

Captain Winthrop's ship is new, and in fact is one of the first of its class in the Maidstone navy. Twice the length and thrice the beam of the

is designed to provide a fighting platform for ballistae, four on each side. Her three masts support a forest of sail, but her size makes her significantly slower than the smaller vessel. The two ships depart from the harbor without incident and proceed on course for three days.

Alex has been quiet and thoughtful for the trip, much as she was in port, and during nightwatch she tends to keep a cautious eye out for Skeee, and listens carefully to her reports. Carroll stands on the deck, watching the horizons and the now smooth and practiced working of his own crew. He also keeps an eye on the larger ship who escorts them, making sure they don't outdistance it. He tries not to let its presence lull him in to overconfidence.

Alex quietly suggests to Carroll at one point when they're alone that he keep Kammy airborne as much as possible... both to be a look out, and because she's been watching him during takeoffs and landings... and while she's not sure, she thinks it's easier for him if he doesn't have to land if there's nothing to report as he flies by? Carroll concurs, "If that's easier for him to do, I see no reason for him to be landing to tell us nothing happens. Good thing to have noticed, Alex. Would you like to handle that?"

Alex nods quietly, "Certainly, if you wish, captain." She'll go find the bosun, then speak with Kammy while Jared's there to interpret, asking Kammy if it's easier for him to just, say, wingwaggle if there's nothing to report, instead of having to land, report, and take off again?

Kamehameha nods happily at Alex's question. "Good think, bosslady. No stop make talktalk no see ships, yesyes?"

Alex takes a moment to translate that... then nods, "That works for us too, Kammy." She will later, when talking to the bosun, ask him if he knew about Kammy's problems with takeoff and landing?

Jared shrugs. "Didn't think about it, to be honest. Scouts usually perch on one of the yards when they report; it's not that hard for them to drop off and get airborne again. I've never heard one of them complain."

Alex nods quietly, "Nor did I, until the night of the magical attack." She thanks Jared for his time, and heads back to work.

The next time Carroll sees Alex he mentions to her, "That was very well thought. You may want to make the same offer to Skeee, although I don't know if it's one she needs." Alex nods.

Dimitri quietly walks the decks, often leaning upon his sword, the big scabbarded blade his staff as his cracked rib slowly mends. These times his gaze is out across the glittering surface, seeking sign of stranger sail... either upon the clear horizon or a darker shadow against the night sky. His practice is slower, like a fine and formal pavane instead of a fierce sparring, and he does more to encourage and lead the other recruits. And yes, every now and then he does just sit on the quarterdeck steps, fresh air and sunlight as important to his healing as his bandages. But he doesn't watch the sea then. No. Off duty, his sword set aside, he watches the workings of the Saucy Mare's crew. And if that includes a pretty wolf... then it is a good day at sea.

Alex's sword practice has changed also, to those that watch. She's much quieter and deliberate now. Her skill is the same, but she seems to have dispensed with that gleeful exuberance she used to display. Dimitri watches his sister, frowning quietly. His ears flicker, but for now he just watches. He is there, however, when she finishes, handing her a towel cloth and a ladle of water.

Kamehameha and the scouts from Twin Mountain between them can cover a long patrol range during the day. The only night scouts available are Skeee and one owl from the Maidstone ship though, so the first patrol of the morning has to re-establish the distant perimeter. On the fourth morning, the dawn patrol makes violent contact with a flotilla of ships coming down from the northeast.

Kamehameha comes back in a tearing hurry an hour after dawn. "Is one-two, one-two ship! Shoot at Maggie, she hurt, go down, ships east by nor'east!" Jared quickly deciphers that and holds a hurried discussion with the frigate bird. "Four ships, maybe the size of the Mare. Hostile, he didn't say any flags."

Alex snaps worriedly, "What species is Maggie, and is she still afloat?" She glances over at the Twin Mountain, then at Carroll, "Captain, permission to message flag our companion ship the news."

Carroll murrs, "Message flags at least." Alex nods, and barks out the orders. Carroll adds, "We need their feedback as to tactics; do we avoid, can we stand against four ships, should we split up, that kind of thing." Alex nods absently, waiting for Kammy's reply.

Jared nods and breaks open the flag locker. "Maggie's a gull, she'll be able to float even if she's hurt."

Alex says, "Good." She takes a long, deep breath, straightening, then watches the Twin Mountain, waiting for their reply to the news. As she waits she murmurs to Carroll, "Captain... shall I have Horatio start prepping now?"

Carroll ahs, and then murrs, "I wonder if we can get to her and get away before we're caught. I'd rather not leave her to them." He nods to Alex, "Yes, get ready for action. Exactly what I don't yet know."

Alex sets the crew in motion... crossbows and weapons out, Horatio to the ballistae, MaKenzie & Dimitri alerting the marines. Dimitri quietly walks up, at the back edge of the little gathering. He glances to Carroll, ears flattening. "Four ships. They want us bad, Carroll." Turning, he snares one of the deckhands. "Roust up Misters Mackenzie and Zhukov. Tell them we have four guests coming to dinner. Uninvited, yes..." Dimitri looks back over his shoulder to Alex, his words crisp and sharp. "Already on it, Sir!" as he heads down to his cabin, his armor to claim and ready.

Carroll tells his brother, "If it's us they want, and they're not random pirates." He adds, "If we close with them we'll have to find that out."

Alex turns to Carroll again, her ears tilted back in concentration, "Let me think... easiest would be to put our strongest flier on the end of a rope and let Maggie hang onto the other end and be towed... while we're doing our best to distract the other ships." After a few minutes, signal flags spill out in the breeze with Winthrop's reply. "Clear for action." Twin Mountain is already starting to change course to close with the enemy. Alex frowns at the Twin Mountain, then glances at Carroll, "But for now... how can we best use our better speed to aid in this conflict?"

Carroll asks, "Sail off, and come back from another direction, where they may not be expecting us to be, perhaps?"

Alex nods, "My thought too, sir. We'll want to have them broadside to us, with us bow-on. May I give the orders, sir?"

Carroll nods, "Yes. And it'll keep them from surrounding both us and Twin Mountain, if we're coming up from a widely different angle."

Dimitri looks to Carroll and nods. "Timing though... or we'll come in when they are finishing up the Mountain and we'll just be the next target. We might also have to..." Dimitri frowns, "...land a boarding party and then let you break off and leave us to take one of the ships."

Alex nods, then first makes sure the signal flags tell the Maidstone ship of the plan, then barks out the orders. She watches grimly as flags ask the Twin Mountain if they could send their remaining fliers over for a moment. Carroll shakes his head and murrs, "It's too risky to separate. If they are Mare-sized ships they might also be as fast as we are." He murrs, "If we get trapped by three or four ships without any help we'll be easy targets. We need to stay with Twin Mountain." He directs Alex, and through her the crew, to stay with the Twin Mountain, to try and find and maintain the best position possible. Alex has Horatio figure out the best angle to take so that the Mare will be close to the Mountain, but also hitting top speed when they make contact with the enemy, and not crossing the Mountain's line of fire.

Horatio nods, and when he's done he turns and bounds for the fo'c'sle, to the Mare's ballistae, calling for the bolt crews. As he goes to the compartment he looks around, hoping to see Jessie before the battle begins. The Mare falls in alongside the Twin Mountain as Captain Winthrop turns toward the distant enemies. Furrs scurry around both decks as the crews ready their weapons -- and spells. Jessie is standing in the bows of the Mare, readying her bow, but she has time for a smile as Horatio looks around.

Dimitri returns from below decks, snapping the last heavy buckles on his leather hauberk. His ears are up, his tail snapping back stern and sharp. He reaches the deck and calls out. "Mister Hunter! On deck... get your bow, lassy. I want their scouts taken out of the sky. Mister Keeler, you look over her. Anyone tries shooting at Jessy, well, you better make sure she doesn't get hit, yes?"

Alex sends furrs to the cabins to retrieve hers and Carroll's leather armor, and they shrug into it while orders are being barked out. She notes Jared's preparations for possible fire attacks and nods, and makes sure Cleo's been alerted and Skeee's awakened also. Carroll collects his own crossbow and takes a position with the steersman on the quarterdeck, looking quietly grim. He realizes something, and pauses in donning his armor to go below and warn his father what's going on. The Count nods, a bit grimly. "Do what you have to do, and don't worry about me."

Taking up his sword, Dimitri looks out across the water. "Sam, get the archers ready... and the counterboarders. Natasha..." Dimitri doesn't even pause, his gaze falling sure and even upon the wolf. "...get our boarding party gathered... we might be fighting anything from fire to mongoose... and we have to be able to move... fast."

Carroll returns to the deck, and finishes with his armor, and stands by the helm, waiting. Alex nods quietly to Carroll, then turns her attention back to their targets. Her fur is ruffled up, but her demeanor is still steady. Kamehameha takes off again, heading off to try to re-establish contact with the enemy, and if possible to find Maggie. Skeee grumbles but comes up on deck, though she promptly wraps her wings around herself and goes back to sleep hanging from the mainyard. Dimitri quietly walks up behind his sister, resting a paw on her shoulder. He speaks softly, noting the disturbance in her crimson fur. "Take three deep breaths, bratling... when it happens it will happen. You'll do good. You're more than my sister... You're Alex St. Genevieve."

Alex glances up at Dimitri and nods once, closing her eyes, "True. I should be gathering energy also." She goes still for a moment, pulling in energy from the area around her until she's the correct shade of light green Cleo's taught her. As she does so... her fur settles.

Dimitri watches Alex and nods slowly. "If you ever need strength from me, bratling... you don't even have to ask."

Alex glances at Carroll, "With your permission I'm heading for the fo'c'sle, sir." She looks up at Dimitri and shakes her head seriously, "No. I'm your backup, Dimitri... not a leech. Believe me... I'll be watching." She nods to Carroll... then swiftly trots off to the fo'c'sle.

Horatio smiles quickly to Jessie before he disappears into the fo'c'sle with the bolt crews, overseeing the preparation. When those are well underway he quickly steps out on deck towards his siblings. "Will you be wanting fire for the ballistae shots, Captain?" he asks quietly.

Carroll tells Horatio, "If you can and if you'll hit them, yes." He dismisses Alex quietly, murring, "Be careful, family," as they disperse.

Dimitri finds a spot on deck and settles down below the gunwales. He draws up his knees, leans on his sword, and for now just closes his eyes. He does pause to look up every now and then, making sure Sam has the archers in order, and Natasha the marines. And if done he nods to the lady wolf, indicating that they too should relax and rest and ready themselves... Alex leans over the side to see one of the shutters for Horatio's ballistae... then nods. When it happens it happens. She settles herself quietly to wait.

Horatio nods crisply. "Aye, aye. We'll be as careful as we can be, and won't take bad risks." With that, he goes again belowdecks, and has some of the bolt crews gather buckets of water in the f'o'c'sle, along with buckets with pitch-soaked cloth. Several bolts have their heads wrapped in the incendiary linen, and are set off to the side carefully. Just outside the compartment with the ballistae Horatio stations one crew member with a bucket of water and a lit lantern, with strict orders to keep that flame under control, even if it means extinguishing it. Nodding at those preparations, he has the crew ready the weapons but keep the shutters closed for the moment. There'll be plenty of time to open them up... when the time comes... the crews and he wait...

An hour and a half creep slowly past while the two ships head toward the spot where the enemy ships were seen. Kamehameha returns, circling the ships and yelling with excitement. He leads in a slightly different direction, and the two vessels alter course to follow him. The dawn patrol scouts are now returning, and one is sent to act as the frigate bird's backup. Dimitri nods to Natasha and then pokes his head over the gunwales to watch...

Another quarter hour passes and Kamehameha starts circling. A little closer, and the missing scout can be seen sitting on the water. The frigate bird then starts climbing, regaining altitude, but leading consistently to the north now. Alex sees her, turns and yells for Cleo, then turns back and stares intently at the scout. Okay... she's going to be wet, water-logged... about so heavy... she pauses, then using her hands and her mind, she reaches out to scoop up Maggie.

Alex stumbles, then swears under her breath... okay, heavier than she expected. She takes a moment, takes deep breaths, calms herself... and tries again. This time she looks pleased as Maggie (with a startled squawk!) rises into the air, water streaming from her feathers... then flattens her ears in concentration and brings her slowly and carefully in to the Mare's deck. She'll settles her down near Cleo... then whews! and sits down to pant for a moment... and to re-gather her energy. Carroll smiles as he watches from the quarterdeck, calling out, "Good work, everyone. Let's hope the rest of the day goes as well!" Alex grins and waves at Carroll... then settles down to relax, re-energize, and calm herself again.

Cleo moves up, helping the injured gull to her feet and down to the sickbay. The wound doesn't look too bad, but it's right through her wing. "Should be... just a few more leagues. They'd started to change course before I went to low to see 'em."

Dimitri looks up his ears perking. "Which way were they turning?

The gull mumbles, "Towards us..." as the healer leads her away. Alex nods quietly to herself.

Jessie calls back from the bowsprit. "Enemy scouts in sight, Captain!" Alex's ears perk at Jessie's call, but she simply sits and relaxes for now.

Horatio's ears also perk, and he looks up at the overhead reflexively. Jessie... "You heard her, boys, stand ready..."

Carroll murrs quietly, "Here we go then," and watches to see what the bigger ship who escorts them is doing. Alex's ears perk again at a sudden thought... the scouts... she rises, turning to look out for them, wondering if a scout can be knocked from the sky by thought. Hm... probably not. It takes far more energy to do things at a distance, and the scouts are very far away... at least for her reacn.

Dimitri softly growls, "Take them down, Jessy..." Alex watches quietly for Jessie's shooting.

A few miles ahead, Kamehameha and his associates from the Twin Mountain are dueling, an aerial ballet. After a short while they start to drop back into bow range of the Maidstone ships. Jessie's first shot, at extreme range, takes one by surprise, and they scatter back to their own vessels.

Carroll smiles, and calls, "Good shot, Jessie. That one's for Maggie." Alex leans on the railing, watching quietly as the enemy ships approach.

The enemy ships are hull-up by now, small sloops. The four of them would have been more than a match for the Mare alone, but the Twin Mountain seems to have been unexpected. At 5 kilometers out they suddenly seem to realize what they're up against and their flotilla makes a rather ragged course change, beating upwind again. Alex grins over her shoulder at Carroll from where she leans on the railing, "So... do we get to pick at them as they flee, captain?"

Carroll shakes his head, and murrs, "That'd be foolish. They'd eat us alive the moment we left the protection of the big ship." He points at Twin Mountain. He sighs, "Let 'em go, this time." Alex nods, then paces quietly back to her usual position on the quarterdeck.

Dimitri lets out a slow breath, looking up to Carroll and nodding. "The best victories, Carroll... are those you don't have to raise a sword to win. Good call, Brother."

Captain Winthrop holds to this course for another hour, long enough for the pirates -- if that's what they are -- to pull ahead by some distance before she orders a return to the original course. Alex helps Carroll out of his armor, then goes to put it, and her own, away... and to let their father know the emergency is over. Horatio perks his ears at the call, and lets out a breath. "Okay. Stand down... but be ready, they might be going to get help." He pokes his head out of the f'o'c'sle to the furr with the lantern, instructing them to stow it properly.

Another two days pass without incident. The two ships begin to encounter more and more commercial traffic, and Winthrop makes a point of warning all the southbound ships about the pirates. Several of them alter course, one or two going so far as to reverse course and follow along behind. The first Starfall naval vessel is contacted off the Andalin coast near Jarrow.

Alex watches with great interest how the Starfall Naval vessel reacts. Carroll sees that it's a Starfall vessel, and smiles, murring, "This could be fun, yes."

Horatio narrows his eyes at the Starfall vessel. Once upon a time it would have been second nature to call such a ship "friend." Now he doesn't know. He glances up to Carroll on the quarterdeck. "Shall I prep the ballistae, sir? Just in case?"

Carroll shakes his head and murrs, "No, Horatio. That would send entirely the wrong message." He adds, "If they're fool enough to fire on us, our escort will have words for them."

Horatio blinks, and nods, "Aye, aye." He glances back to the naval vessel. "Should we run the Maidstone colors, then, since we're a 'diplomatic courier'?"

Dimitri nods to Horatio, "Probably... and we should lay in close to the Twin Mountain... and Carroll, since we are an official envoy, do we raise Maidstone colors?"

Horatio glances to Dimitri, grinning. "'Great minds...'" he quips. Alex smiles quietly, watching and listening.

Carroll nods, answering both of them, "Yes, the Maidstone colors, of course. Our registry is Maidstone at the moment, remember. And, yes... stay close to the Twin Mountain. No need to tempt fate." He adds, "They should be expecting us. The Starfall ambassador was notified a week ago. Everything is in order."

Horatio lets out a breath as the Maidstone colors are hoisted. "I hope," he says wryly, "they haven't used this time to prepare for us in other ways than might be considered 'friendly'."

The Mako is a sloop designed for anti-piracy operations, small and fast -- and barely a match for the Mare on her own. Her captain sails her close aboard though, and the three crews line the rails for a passing salute. Alex blinks, her ears perking abruptly right up as she stares at the passing ship... then she laughs suddenly, and waves in a genial, friendly fashion to the crew passing by. She murmurs over her shoulder to her brothers, "See the junior officer woodchuck? Looks like he's the only unhappy one... wonder if he's related to the Starfall ambassador in Maidstone, mmm?"

Dimitri laughs quietly, and at Alex's words makes a grand show of waving in a very friendly manner! Horatio blinks, looking over to Alex, then grins softly. "I guess that bodes well for us, then!"

Carroll smiles and waves too. When he's done he turns aside and murrs, "That's a very good question. If he's unhappy about us it means others are -- and the ambassador shouldn't care unless he's a pawn of someone else."

Horatio frowns slightly. "We'll need a large guard around us when we go to the hall..."

Carroll nods. He murrs, "And we'll have to get our guest out quietly, so he can meet with Farwing first."

Horatio nods. "And our 'legitimate' Maidstone business?"

Alex nods, "And, as in Alburtis, we should not go anywhere unaccompanied..." she glances at Dimitri, "-including when looking for folks in bars!"

Dimitri raises his eyebrows, nodding quietly, considering mischievously. "Yes sir..." he laughs. Alex smiles faintly, the worry creases fading from her face, and goes back to watching the shipping passing by.

Carroll watches this interplay, but doesn't comment on it. Instead he murrs, "Yes. I hope we will be able to have some of the Queen's marines from the Mountain accompany us. Their colors should deter most."

The ships arrive at the West Passage late the next day. One of the Starfall ships that patrol the entrance hails the Mountain and asks both ships to heave to. Messages are sent back and forth for a few tense minutes, then Winthrop signals and requests the siblings come aboard. A small boat from one of the larger ships in the harbor guard is already heading for the Maidstone ship.

Dimitri frowns at the orders, quiet and sure. "I don't like this, Carroll. We should not give up the Mare... I hope the mongoose hasn't done anything... like put a claim on the ship."

Carroll murrs, "We've got the right credentials. They won't fire on us; that could start a war. They'd rather not, don't you think?"

Horatio frowns slightly. "He couldn't have... could he?"

Dimitri shrugs quietly, "I would have."

Carroll goes below, murring, "I'm going to collect the paperwork in question." He is gone for longer than this might actually require, quietly informing the Count, before he returns with a leather folio of papers, and a look of determination.

Alex tilts her ears curiously at the signal flags, then looks up at her brothers, "Formal, right? I'll be right back." She trots off to do a hasty change of clothes.

Carroll nods, "Formal." He directs the launch to be lowered and manned, and a signal sent back to the Mountain, "Acknowledged."

Horatio blinks, and dashes to his cabin to get changed hurriedly. Dimitri lets out a deep, deep breath, gathering himself up, making sure his favor is showing, proud and sure. Alex trots back with an amusedly exasperated look, Dimitri's Maidstone knighting medal in one small paw, and hastily puts it on him while they're waiting for the launch. She glances at her brothers, straightens Horatio's collar a bit, then nods and stands attentively with them. Dimitri blinks quietly, ducking his head to accept the medal. Then he stands to march to the launch. Horatio blinks and grins at the old habit, standing straighter and moving with his siblings to the launch.

The launch carries them across to the Twin Mountain quickly, and they arrive a few minutes ahead of the Starfall officer even with the delay of changing. Captain Winthrop ushers them all into her day-cabin, sitting Dimitri and Alex along one side of her conference table, Carroll and Horatio along the other side, and herself at one end, leaving the other end free for the Starfall officer.

Dimitri doesn't take a chair. Instead he stands, at a marine's attention, behind his Captain. His Brother. To watch over him. Carroll nods at the arrangements and grins cheerfully at the Captain-Baroness. Apparently this sort of intrigue amuses him. He murrs quietly and gently to Dimitri, "Dimitri, please sit. At the moment, you as much as I are an envoy from Maidstone. There's an entire ship full of people to protect us here." Alex nods quietly to Dimitri, and pats the chair next to her lightly.

Dimitri flickers one ear, his campaign rings jingle jangling. "Yes, Carroll... " And he slowly takes his place next to Alex.

Commodore Lord Greenbriar is soon brought in, a short and tubby figure in a resplendent black-and-silver dress uniform. The muskrat's eyes show a keen intelligence, though, and he nods to the St. Genevieves as he takes his seat. Alex nods politely to the Commodore.

You see a clear-eyed young vixen with proud carriage and a quietly thoughtful demeanor. She wears with calm assurance high leather boots and dagged rust-colored breeches gathered at the knee. There are hints of soft yellow hosen showing through the multiple decorative dags and slashes, and an antique gold undertunic glows similarly from within the wide, full sleeves of her gold-buttoned and -embroidered, dashingly scarlet, rich velvet vest. About her neck depends the gold crescent and tree medallion, on a green-and-green ribbon, which signifies she is a Knight and Royal Companion of the Queen of Maidstone. She wears her full feathered, rust velvet, rolled hat at an angle to free one silver-ringed ear, and her obviously-worn, practical heavy rapier depends from the same sturdy leather belt she's tucked her gloves into.

Horatio nods to the Commodore politely as well.

A bit shy of five and a half feet tall, Horatio is the shortest of the St. Genevieve sons, and the youngest. He has some noble fox features to him, though they certainly appear muted and subdued. He wears the uniform of his family, a pair of russet breeches tucked into a pair of high leather boots, folded down at his knees. Close across his chest is an elegant scarlet vest, finely embroidered and buttoned in gold but not expensively so. Beneath the vest he wears a pale yellow undertunic, also modestly embroidered but still fitting for a noble's son. Perched snugly and evenly atop his head is a rolled russet velvet hat, and across his chest is the dull leathern strap to his ever-present satchel, though interestingly his sword is not present.

Carroll returns the Commodore's polite nod.

The fox you're looking at, Carroll Waynewright St. Genevive, seems completely at ease in the uniform that denotes him Captain of a ship. His vest, a rich scarlet velvet, trimmed in gold, and embroidered with the family crest, covers a yellow undertunic. He wears a pair of rust-colored breeches, who reveal through thier dags and slashes, soft yellow hose. Completing the outfit is a featherd, rust velvet rolled hat, which he wears with style and casual elegance. His russet fur seeem to glow with life, the white under his muzzle, and the flash at the end of his full tail standing out against the red-brown of his jacket and breeches, which blend well with his own fur. He wears a brooch at his breast, of sparkling gold and a few tiny diamonds, the pentacle and sword both the family's crest and note of his station. Gold cufflinks and watch-chain gleam subtly from his sleeves and vest, while his rapier hangs at his side.

Dimitri nods to the Commodore, his eyes meeting the elder officer's. "Good day, Sir. It's good to see you again."

Midnight. Coal black he is, with fur as rich as a starless nighttime sky. Brown eyes flash above his sharply chiseled muzzle, quiet and sure, like a sea whose currents run deep. From one tall ear sparkle three rings of gold, as plain as any crest; campaign rings of Blackpool's Marines. The color of dusk wraps about the darkling fox, all the shades of gray falling in severe loose folds, as if carven from weather stained quarry rock. Midnight black is his accent, the color of his tall polished boots into which his stone tinted breeches are precisely tucked. A black belt, tight, with silver fittings bright, complements his dashing tunic, that too the color of a fell evening fog. Beneath the tunic hides the only splash of color, where a pristine shirt of white hides, and mayhaps the hint of fine ruffles. Each movement is simple and professional, betraying a trained discipline. There is a splash of color though, a slash so bright and contrary it cannot be avoided. From his belt hangs a long favor, rich hues, its bold embroidery proclaiming a sword topped by a pentacle.

Alex is looking attentive and gravely alert... although the faintest hint of a smile might be curling the edges of her lips on one side. She quietly and discreetly puts a small paw on Dimitri's thigh as he speaks before the Captain. Horatio blinks, his gaze snapping over to Dimitri in surprise. The muskrat nods absently, his beady eyes looking closely at the ribbons that Dimitri and Alex are wearing. He nods to Dimitri. "Major St. Genevieve. I see you've gotten another medal since we last met."

Dimitri nods quietly, "Yes, sir. It's Sir now... and this is my sister, Sir Alexandra St. Genevieve." Alex nods politely to the commodore again... and quietly puts her small paw on Dimitri's... so the captain of the ship they're on can run the meeting. Dimitri nods to Alex and politely shuts his muzzle. Alex smiles faintly at Dimitri, removes her paw, and goes back to looking attentive.

A smile crinkles the muskrat's chubby face. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Sir Alexandra. I'll have to hear this story sometime." He turns back to Winthrop. "This is a rather... unusual ship to send on a courier mission, Captain. I assume there's a reason for it?"

Captain Winthrop nods. "Thank you for coming, Commodore. I realize that the situation is a bit unusual, but I have my orders, and both the Twin Mountain and the Saucy Mare are currently assigned as courier ships to the Maidstone Foreign Office." Carroll's grin is also quietly in evidence. He nods with what the coatimundi is saying, trying to remain neutral, although a trace of quiet pride for his family probably slips through.

The coatimundi nods. "There is. While the Saucy Mare is the actual courier, her recent status as a privateer made her Majesty feel that an escort was in order. To prevent misunderstandings, as it were, and to ensure that no one was tempted to violate diplomatic immunity." Which, Alex thinks dryly, someone did try, actually... even if they were 'just' pirates...

The commodore nods again. "I see... and there have been rumors about, shall we say, people associated with pirates and all manner of other unpleasant individuals. Did you have any trouble on your journey here?"

Alex smiles faintly again at that question, looking at Captain Winthrop. Horatio also glances sidelong slowly at Captain Winthrop, who looks a bit smug. "Nothing serious, milord. A few folks came to visit, but as it turned out they didn't want to play." Alex covers a small grin with one paw.

Carroll speaks up for the first time, murring, "It is a good thing the Twin Mountain was with us, however, or we would have likely been easy pickings for them."

Greenbriar sighs. "So I've got the choice now of letting you accompany the Mare into the bay in violation of my orders, or stopping an accredited diplomatic courier and starting an international incident..." He turns to Carroll. "Oh? The... playmates Captain Winthrop was talking about?"

Horatio blinks. "Your orders?" he blurts. Alex coughs pointedly at Horatio! Horatio glances quickly to Alex, and coughs. "Erm, sorry," he mumbles. Alex smiles faintly again, then goes back to that same attentive look.

Carroll nods and murrs, "Yes, sir. Four small ships, which could have overcome us had we been alone. As it was they chose not to press the issue." He adds calmly, "I cannot blame them."

The muskrat smiles. "Nor can I." He shrugs at Horatio's outburst. "The Council's got a bug up its collective butt about foreign military ships in the Bay. As if all the foreign traders couldn't spy the place out just as effectively. Brand new orders, too... issued just last week..." He trails off, looking at the four foxes speculatively. "When exactly did you leave Maidstone?"

Alex murmurs quietly, "It was about a week ago, was it not, Captain Winthrop?" Carroll matter-of-factly nods. Horatio blinks in surprise. Just last week...? How (in)utterably convenient...!

Winthrop nods. "One week ago this morning, in fact."

The commodore shifts in his chair and looks at Carroll again. "What is your mission, milord?"

Dimitri leans back and crosses his arms considering. His ears flatten. Carroll murrs, "I certainly understand that you find yourself in a difficult position, sir. Your dilemma would resolve itself nicely if the limitation on foreign warships were lifted, or an exception made for this one, as it is assigned to the diplomatic courier's duties. I might suggest that you ask your superiors which they would prefer, having their orders broken or the international incident. I am fully willing to believe that this was an unforeseen difficulty in what is, I am sure, a rational desire to maintain local security and safety." He pauses, adding, "When presented with this new information, and having been told that the envoys are patiently waiting their reply, I expect one would be forthcoming." Carroll smiles and adds, "We are here to lodge complaints with the Council about possibly improper activities of Ambassador Bridgewater in Maidstone. Apparently there has been direct traffic between that worthy and one of the local Maidstone nobles." He explains, "The Queen has not been involved in this set of discussions and is quite concerned at the breech of protocol." Dimitri softly blinks, and then whispers to Carroll... Carroll nods to Dimitri.

The muskrat's whiskers twitch at this. "Old Bilgewater up to no good again, eh? Fair enough. We'll wait here until dark -- I've got to send word ahead to the Admiral anyway -- but we can be there by morning. I think this is a serious enough diplomatic mission to go with the standing orders on diplomatic missions. League rules supersede local regulations."

Alex's ears flick up at the derogatory nickname, and she has to cough once into one paw before she recovers! Dimitri looks to Alex and just shrugs, as if he already was familiar with it. Horatio blinks in surprise at the commodore's comments. He hadn't expected this! This is starting to worry him. They seem to be finding allies of some sort at every turn. How could Pravinchandra have gotten to be such a threat, then? Alex grins quietly at Dimitri, then goes back to looking calmly alert. Carroll smiles and murrs, "Of course, Commodore." Alex looks pleased at the commodore's words, flashing a quick smile at Captain Winthrop.

The commodore stands. "In that case, I'll get back to my flagship and get things moving. We'll set sail at first moonrise and we'll be at the city by the middle of the forenoon watch. By your leave, Captain?" Winthrop stands as well. "Thank you, Commodore."

Carroll stands and murrs, "Yes, thank you Commodore. You've been very understanding." Alex stands as well when the ranking officers stand. Horatio also stands as the meeting ends, silently breathing a sigh of relief.

Dimitri stands quietly, looking over to the Commodore... "If it's not too much to ask, please send the Admiral my regards, Sir."

The muskrat nods to the dark fox. "I'll pass that on, Sir Dimitri."

"Thank you sir." Dimitri nods and bows as he steps aside.

The commodore turns and departs, and a few minutes later you can hear the bo'suns' pipes as he leaves the ship. Winthrop breathes a sigh of relief. "That went much better than I'd feared. You four do have some friends, I see."

Last modified: 2001-Jun-28 22:15:48

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