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How To Deliver Justice (with KiraMusani

Everyone took their assigned seats, Sir Handler getting back into the mindset he had been in for the previous wars, and Mrs. Handler heading back to their shop to get things running again. Clair got into the carriage she was assigned and looked to Ruby as she joined her.
"You okay?" She asked wanting to both comfort Ruby and perhaps even receive some comfort as she was quite scared herself.

Meanwhile, Ethel hurried, knowing that though this would be a short war, some fighting would likely still commence unless Princeton's army was set to get into position and await further orders, which would now either come as a retreat or not come at all.
 
As soon as they arrived in Dunwyn, the king and Avenger quickly cleared the streets of people and Avenger telling everyone to stay indoors and not open the door to any strangers, regardless of being from town or no.

Gregor marvelled at the vigilante's tact and assertiveness. Dunwynians truly did love Calla as the Avenger and wondered if learning she was their beloved princess also would do more harm than good, and even posed the question to Diana, since Ethel wasn't there yet.

Seven hours later, well after sunset, and probably around midnight, Elizabeth led her troops right to the throne room of Gregor. "We haenae seen Princeton's men on th' path yet, Majesty, buh we arr here at yer biddin' t' stop him." She said as she bowed to Gregor.

Gregor nodded before looked around for Robert. "Where's my old friend, Elizabeth? Isn't he coming, too? I know how he hates war... Ethel, Olivia, welcome back to court. Ethel join me, and everyone fighting for Dunwyn, join Elizabeth's ranks. Are you in charge of your small army, Princess?"

"Aye 'n' nae. I hae las' word on how we station, buh ye hae th' where." Elizabeth informed him.

"We don't have long, but let's quickly strategize. Placement, plan of attack," glaring at Calla Avenger, but turning a gentle eye to Ethel and Diana, "and advice on whether or not Avenger gets knighted from her service to the crown up to this point. Only those who have seen her actions during court with prestige may weigh in." Glare to many of his knights against knighting the vigilante heroine before jail time, or at all. "That would be Princesses Diana, Sapphire, Ruby, Duchess Olivia, Duchess Grovershire, Baroness Baker, Dr. Aurora and Ethel. You all will carry the most weight with my other knights."

Ruby looked sadly at Clair and Avenger, before giving her vote. "No jail time, but after she proves herself in the battle." She then apologized to both for voting against Avenger being knighted early.

Sapphire nodded. "Seconded. I don't know Avenger that well, she seems like a good fighter, but I've also seen her indecision."

Olivia smirked. "Now. There's no time to worry about if when her actions before have spoken highly of her."

Grovershire shook her head. "She's never been truly battle tested. Just trained, with me, Diana and Sir Handler. After. No jail time."

Baker nodded. "She's not fought in an army yet, she's never had to rely on others. Never did teamwork. I'm sorry Avenger, you need the practice. After."

Aurora sadly shook her head, with two left to vote she said, "I'm surprised at all of you. You've been months with her. You know her character and capabilities. Although I don't like her going into this battle when she needs to heal from that appendectomy. Knight her now."

If both Ethel and Diana agree with Olivia and Aurora, there would have need of a deciding vote, which would fall to Clara who had just walked into the conversation with King Robert II. Amethyst, who also trained with Calla and Avenger both, was a knight. She wouldn't have a say, but everyone by now, should know she'd vote for Calla to be knighted now.
 
Diana placed a hand to her chin in thought.
"I am unsure, on one hand it would show how the royal family is truly putting their necks out there for their people, on the other it may also come across as a deception. The royal family lying to them, as well as acting as if she was acting outside the law structure when she is part of the source of their laws" she replied.
"I think like everything, there will be two sides to it"

Ethel spoke up.
"Princeton is dead, I made an attempt to send word through his people to retreat due to his death, but no sign so far if that has worked, we should prepare for the assault we initially prepared for."

Once the voting took place Diana would vote first.
"She has shown great determination and heart, as well as belief in her people and land, I think she should be knighted."

Ethel shook her head.
"We don't know how long until Princeton army arrives, we made it here before them, they could be lying in wait to attack any moment now, they could have made it here by now and are just laying low, planning to attack when our men are tired and we are unsuspecting. We must wait, her worthiness being a moot point until we know this threat is dealt with a good knight would not want anything to distract from the protection of the people. Let her fight but don't waste any time on a ceremony at the least"
 
Gregor nodded to all the votes. Five to three if he understood the reasons and decisions. "Then Squire Calla, the upcoming battle is your final test to see if you're ready to be a knight. Listen to your commander. That's Princess Elizabeth."

He turned to Elizabeth, "Station your men and women along the walls facing north and east. Amethyst, take your knights to the south wall, Sunrise and Tuxford, west and tighten Elizabeth's ranks. Keep a sharp eye open as it appears that Princeton's men didn't want to listen. Any questions?"

Sapphire raised her hand, as she heard how the king addressed his own daughter. "Begging your pardon, Sire, but don't you mean Princess Calla?" She asked.

Gregor shook his head. "I said Squire and meant Squire. Until she's properly knighted, Calla has been stripped of her title; she's only a princess by blood. She wants to play hero, so she will be. She gets her title back upon her dubbing... After said battle. You, Sapphire, are guard with Amethyst and Ethel right outside the throne room. Can you do that?"

Sapphire nodded and saluted. "Of course, I'm a guard for the people in the Jewel Kingdom."

Gregor then arranged for Ruby and Clair, there in the throne room with him, to protect each other and stationed a palace guard nearby. Olivia reminded Clair of the Lythikan Steel sword she had fashioned with Olivia, before she left for her position with Elizabeth. Gregor nodded to Ethel, "Let's hope guarding and not engaging is all you have to do."

They wouldn't have long to wait as arrows hit a few knights including one of Elizabeth's men from out of the north. Shouts came next of "Slay the tyrant and all who follow him!"

Everyone on the north wall called for the others and even Elizabeth, back to back with her love David Lindsay, drew swords and engaged the battle.

If a rebel managed to get into the castle and to the throne room, he would face Amethyst, Ethel and Sapphire. Three on one. It wouldn't end well for him, either.
 
Ethel nodded upon hearing her position.
"That works for me, let's get this place on lockdown ladies, we need to assure that the only way into this room is through us"

Clair, quite worried looked back toward Olivia.
"Right, though it will be better in your hands, I don't know if I could ever harm someone"

Ethel looked back toward Gregor.
"agreed, let's hope they are stopped before a single arrow is shot."

As Combat started, Ethel tapped her foot.
"Damn, I sent word for them to recall their troops, how is his communication chain this bad?"
 
Sapphire gave Ethel a frustrated look as she and Amethyst also waited, only having swords ready as the shouts carried on outside. "It's been my experience even in the Jewel Kingdom, that once certain men believe or are told something, they take it at face value and their brains shut off. Especially when it comes to pretty girls and war. One track minds, the lot of them."

Amethyst smirked and shrugged, looking at Ethel. "Hate to say it, but when the Jewel Princess is right, she's right!"

Something down the hall, on the north end where most of the fighting was, sounded like it broke. Amethyst tensed. "Up prepared*, swords at the ready."

The sounds of the battle died away and Tuxford came in nodding to the ladies. "All enemies vanquished. We lost five from our side and two from our Scottish friends. Three injuries, one severe. Ethel, inform King Gregor we need Dr Aurora what's her surname (Service) Dr Arden and Dr Bristol. I know Benjamin Monroe, the village physician, should be in town and safe. We need the other three."

Amethyst sighed. "I'll check out what came through the window a few minutes ago while you do that Ethel. everyone capable, bring to the throne room, Tuxford. Except people to watch the injured for now until the medical assist can arrive. Sapphire hold steady and only let our fighters in the throne room. Sentry position." Sapphire adjusted her stance, at attention with sword over her right shoulder. She was the only one of the three now unable to leave her post.

Inside, Gregor sighed with relief as the roughly two hour fighting ceased. Ruby was, by this point, clinging to Clair like a lifeline.



*-up prepared is better known now as on your toes
 
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Ethel crossed her arms looking at the two girls.
"That usually doesn't have them ignoring fall back orders, there is having a one track mind and there is ignoring orders from a superior."

Ethel readied herself as well, then relaxed again as the others joined them.
"Guess I am a messenger now, fine, though I'll also inform the King I really should be on the front line"

Clair held Ruby a little awkwardly as she too was scared that they might get stormed at any moment, Ethel's entrance making her jump as she delivered the message.

Amethyst would find Avenger injured on the ground beneath the now broken window, herself covered in cuts and glass. She rushed over to help, seeing that she had a head with her making Amethyst jump a little before returning to trying to help her.
"We should get you to the Doctors, can you walk?"
 
Avenger slowly got up. "Should be able to, my friend. I think I need help getting on my feet. Father's gonna skin me over the stained glass window, though."

Amethyst shook her head as she helped Avenger up. "Yeah, nah, that won't happen. Don't forget your head. Proof you CAN be in a war and do what you have to.... And before you ask, no, this was a battle for your life. It was you or him. Even Ethel would be able to see that, and Diana and Olivia would be proud. Both of them were trying to tell you that you were going to have to kill one day, long before Ethel came along."

Drs Service, Arden and Bristol all grabbed their bags and headed out, Aurora would see Avenger immediately and rush to Amethyst and help her get Avenger in a room. Bristol would handle Cassandra, having had dealt with Princess Calla before, and would meet the incoming Cordonian Royalty as a result. He also would help the nearby Scotsman who was a little addled from a blow to his head* but otherwise fine, gathering his wits for the walk in. Arden set Amanda Butcher's broken leg, where she had been slammed into a tree taking on two who charged her. They lay dead near her, both heads lopped off with a butcher's precision cut.

Queen Kenna scowled as she looked around at the carnage. "Reminds me of what Luther Nevrakis did, twenty plus years ago." As Dom nodded in sullen silence, and shook his head in disbelief, Kenna saw Diana and Cassandra and marched towards them. She made a warrior bow, that wasn't Amazonian, but obvious one knight to another. "Good morrow, fellow warrior. Queen Kenna from Cordonia. Where can I find my daughter Ruby and King Gregor?"

Cassandra raised an eyebrow at the tall, intimidating woman and her assumingly husband. "You're Ruby's mum?" Nice, Cassandra, open mouth... insert foot. She just said that. Dom chuckled instinctively, earning a glare from his queen.


*-14th century the majority of the world didn't know about concussions. Though if Diana talks to him, she would deduce it.
 
Diana would see the man and recognize what had happened.
"Okay lay down and get under a tent, try not to look at anything too bright for a while and just stay awake, I think you might have a head injury" She explained knowing using the name they had for it would not help someone unfamiliar with it.

Aa Queen Kenna asked to See Ruby Ethel was about to leave when she overheard the exchange.
"You want to see Ruby and King Gregor, with me, I am heading there anyway" She invited, seeing as she was going there anyway, as well as save Cassandra from this situation.
 
Kenna nodded curtly, but raised an eyebrow at the young woman, taking in her features. "That would be most splendid. She asked to see me for the holidays if it were at all expedient."

Bristol cleared Cassandra and nodded to Ethel. "We'd use a tent if we still needed fighters. A room has been set up in the castle with only scones and one window. Please, Diana, lead him with me and your sister as we help Lady Butcher to it." He said cordially, taking over for the knight helping carry the tarpaulin holding her and her broken leg, with Arden on the other side. "I need Cassandra to stay there for observation, but she seems fine. He'll be right in there, semi dark enough, very little natural light, or scones lit. It is to be a recovery room."

Bristol had no idea Avenger was in there, taken by Aurora, and having glass carefully removed from her arms, and legs. Her back was already clear with a sleeveless tunic covering her torso.

Meanwhile, Dom whispered something to Kenna, and she shook her head. "Dom. That woman who helped us fight Luther was slightly older than her, twenty plus years ago. No way is that the same woman." As they arrived at the throne room, she said, "Please set Ruby's father to ease, miss, and tell him you are not our friend Ethel who helped us save Stormholt and defeat Olivia's grandfather during our civil war." She groaned exasperated with Dom, who insisted he knew their guide, and Kenna did too.

Note: Dom is a dragon kind, much like a werewolf in today's lore. According to some lore, dragons don't forget a person who turned a good deed. Kenna is a regular human, she could have a faulty memory.
 
Ethel started to lead them there upon confirmation they were following.
"Then let's get going"

Diana nodded, doing as asked.

"Huh? Well, I am referred to as Ethel, but you may have met my mother, we have a strong resemblance and this is her armour" She lied about everything but the armour, it was simply easier than answering all the questions that would follow the truth.
"Naming daughters Ethel has been in my family for as long as we have history, and our physical traits have kept consistent over the years" She added as a sort of automatic response having been told this many times before.
 
Dom narrowed his eyes until they took on a golden reptilian slit, even his pupils. Ethel would notice this seemingly 40ish human male with now dragon eyes, peering at her, but Queen Kenna was nodding to Ethel's story, as everything she said, confirmed Kenna's thinking.

Dom whispered over to Ethel, "I'd buy that if I didn't have my own secret. Everyone has a distinct smell. I'll not say anything farther about it, as per my people's code of honour." He said, cluing Ethel into him being dragonkin*.

As they reached the throne room, Ruby would be seen by all three, clinging to Clair still, head almost buried in Clair's shoulder, it would be up to Clair to get Ruby's attention to notice the royal visitors.

Kenna sighed, nodding to Ruby's behaviour. "Sadly, the apple fell far from the tree with our eldest. Perhaps we'll have a stronger breed with this one." She whispered to Dom as she touched her not-as-yet showing stomach, cluing Ethel into KENNA'S secret as well, and Ruby's other inheritance.

Gregor rose to greet his Cordonian guests with a smile, hand out for a handshake to Dom, after giving a knightly bow to his fellow warrior in Kenna.

*-Misspelled last post. Legend and all, the same. Corrected here.
 
"Keep mine and I'll keep yours" Ethel whispered in turn.

Clair also scared would be holding her as well, though would look up with fear as she heard people enter, though with relief as she saw at least Ethel who she recognized as an ally.
"Pst- Ruby, there are some people here" She whispered.

Ethel took note, she was good at keeping secrets at least.

"Huh? Ruby, I think your parents are here?" She whispered.
"Hello, I umm, I would greet you properly but, Kinda pinned down, Oh! I am Clair Handler"
 
Dom closed his eyes as he gave a curt nod and curt respectful short bow. Everyone outside of the allies that fought for Cordonia, and were there own countries, except for Olivia Nevrakis, didn't know, and he (and Kenna, too, actually) liked it that way. The only reason Olivia knew was her mother wouldn't shut up about it. Most of Lythikos knew, but just didn't care. Kenna was helping them, but still letting them be a separate kingdom. "Done." Dom's whisper came.

He then shook the King's hand as Kenna returned the King's knightly bow. "Pleasure Gregor of Dunwyn," they said in unison, almost as if rehearsed.

Kenna chuckled at Clair's response. "I can see that, Miss Clair." She said, nodding.

Ruby, finally pulled away from Clair, tears of fear still in her eyes. She brightened up and released Clair fully, "Mother! Father! We just had a battle for Dunwyn, and I'm sorry, I don't do war too well." She got up and hugged each parent in turn.

Dom nodded once to Ethel, before stating, "We have some things to discuss. I think you know what about, young lady." as he hugged his daughter.

Kenna also hugged Ruby. "Seems courtlife agreed with you, Ruby, and these things you needed to know as a Rhys and royalty."

"Clair's been a huge help and, well, so have some of the other ladies. Olivia isn't so bad after all, Mother, she not the big mean Lythikan bogeyman a lot of Cordonia calls her." Ruby pulled Clair to come a little closer. "There's a point system they go by here, but I think I've already made my choice, it's between Clair and Crimson Avenger. Oh. I got the painting done you wanted of the Dunwynian hero."

Dom cleared his throat. "The only reason I agreed to let you come here, was so you learned to act like a lady, and that fighting isn't all about war." He said sternly, "Not to fall in love with a woman." He turned to Clair, golden eyes shining, "Not that you wouldn't treat her well. And with Olivia here, I would have thought Ruby would have learned to fight by now."

Kenna nodded. "Or learn how to investigate, even if the Scarlet Duchess does more espionage, even for Cordonia. Which reminds me, since she's here, she has a report she owes me."

Gregor sighed. "She helped us in the battle just had and won. I'm afraid, dear Queen Kenna, you'll have to get in line. After she debriefs with me, she owes Clair here, a debriefing."

Kenna raised an eyebrow and looked at Clair more in surprise, than anything else. This would be a chance for Clair to tell Kenna she was an inventor, without giving away Ruby's present to her parents.

By this point, everyone except the four injured fighters would have entered the throne room, including Drs Arden and Service, as well as Olivia.
 
Ethel kept quiet and crossed her arms, then discreetly handed Gregor a note with the info she was originally on her way here to deliver. She raised an eyebrow at Dom's statement but didn't say anything in return.

Clair stayed quiet, feeling a little bad that it seemed like Ruby may have gotten in some trouble due to her. And once those yellow eyes met hers she froze up a little, luckily Olivia had entered the room in time to overhear and understand what was happening.
"Clair here is an impressive inventor, truly gifted"

Clair nodded.
"Well I umm, I am an inventor at the least, I do my best but I don't know if I deserve that kind of praise, it's nothing really that impressive" Clair blushed always the modest one.

As Clair spoke Ethel nudged Olivia slightly, shaking her head at her, she didn't trust Dom, and understanding what Clair could do was her fear of someone like who he may be getting his hands on her.
 
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Olivia raised an eyebrow at Ethel and looked at Kenna and Dom. She nodded, and pointed with her head to an alcove where they could speak, and whispered calmly. "Kenna Rhys is cool, Ethel. She's helping Lythikos out of a tight spot because of our less than intelligent king. Anyone you need to watch out for it's Dominic Hunter, sad to say. He keeps trying to push Ruby into learning to fight. That girl is not the fighting sort, no matter how much she's trained, even if she sticks with training. Doubtful she'd make Knight here. She definitely doesn't have what it takes to be an Amazon. Besides, where's Dom get off telling Ruby she should fight. At least Kenna said she'd settle for her being a spy. I don't think Ruby wants either. She just wants to be loved unconditionally. I mean, Clair or Avenger? She's not hero material, then. She's lover of hero material."

She then patted Ethel's back and went to Gregor, who had read the message and sighed, met eyes with Ethel and nodded.

Dr. Aurora Service saw her in, and joined the conversation. "I can vouch for Clair's ingenuity," She presented Kenna with the compass, which Dom snatched, and gave the once over very meticulously, which spoke more of what the compass could do then the ingenuity behind it. "We also have, thanks to her, a stethoscope, a way to check the blood pressure, and a microscope. With these things, Cordonia and her allies could be on the cutting edge of medicine in all of Europe."

Dom frowned while Kenna seemed more impressed. "I'm more interested in these medical advances now, perhaps Ruby has chosen well for herself." Kenna replied, nodding.

Dom shook his head. "With the wars and threats of invasion, we should worry more about what could be made to keep from being conquered. We are a small, young country with not many allies to help us, especially with Gaul and Regnum Germaniae as bordering countries." This would earn more distrust from Ethel, but perhaps Kenna would earn more respect from her with her retaliation.

"Dom. We need more peacemakers. Aren't you yet tired of fighting our neighbors? Especially Gaul?! I am. Diplomacy, at this stage, BECAUSE we're a young country, will go much farther. Remember what my mother told us when we were children about gentle words? What do they calm?"

Dom just crossed his arms and huffed. "I love you to death, Kenna, but you can be so damned infuriating with this diplomacy schtick."

Ruby asided to Clair, "Well, at least Father kinda likes you? He's really gruff and hard, but he means well."

By Kenna's surprised look at her consort, the last part of that statement MIGHT be a stretch...

As Gregor wrapped up with the debrief, he said to Arden. "Doctor, I understand Amanda Butcher, Ian McInnis, Princess Cassandra and Crimson Avenger all were injured in the battle, but all of the enemy, according to Tuxford have fallen. I would like to see our brave fighters. Olivia, I believe you have a second debriefing. Ethel, keep an eye on our guests." He looked at Kenna. "Just a formality, Your Majesty." He explained, before glancing quickly at Dom, who he was starting to have a hard time trusting. Kenna, however, seemed relatively safe.
 
Ethel whispered back to her.
"I agree, Dom should be our focus, he definitely seems like a bigger threat, however, I still don't trust either, which to be fair, I don't really trust anyone with power."

Ethel returned the nod to Gregor without a word, arms still crossed, and her gaze returning to Dom and Kenna.

Clair couldn't help but blush and sink into herself a little as she was talked up, she didn't like so much attention, but as her inventions were mentioned she perked up. She did love to talk about her inventions and any future projects she could work on.
"The Stethoscope helps Doctors by allowing them to hear better what is going on in a patient's body, things like heartbeat and stomach noises, and the Microscope, helps Doctors see the really really small things that are in things like blood or on the skin, we have a theory that when we get sick lots of the time it's due to tiny creatures that invade our bodies, and perhaps our bodies heat up to try and kill them off." She explained knowing giving the names didn't really explain a lot about what they did.

Clair nodded back to Ruby.
"That is nice to hear, so when do you want to unveil, umm, our you know" She held her hand up to her own ear with her thumb and pinky extended to try and mimic the shape of the talking and listening pieces of the communication device.

Ethel nodded to Gregor.
"Understood, I'll make sure our guests are safe" She replied, though knew it was more about making sure Dom didn't try anything funny.
 
Olivia nodded, before getting Millicent and both headed towards Clair with squawkers in tow.

Meanwhile, Ruby frowned and put a hand to her chin. "I guess, depending on what Olivia and Millie found out, this evening?" She asked with a shrug, finally, "Won't they need to be charged back up first? It'll depend on how long it takes them to charge back up once they're in the dock. The dock IS simple enough to carry, and I DID build it to your requested dimensions. We weren't supposed to be back here until tomorrow afternoon. They were gonna charge overnight, there at Berkshire."

Olivia and Millie stood in front of Clair with both handing the devices over discreetly, although Dom was watching both of them with arms folded. He was far enough away he couldn't actually SEE the devices, but he and Kenna could hear parts of the report.

Millicent: Roaming wise we got a lot of distance, but we had to stay close to each other.

Princess Ruby Rhys: Uh-oh, that's not promising. How close?

Olivia let out a scoff before answering: Relax princess, Monterisso is a relatively small island, Millie would call being on the other side of the island, eight kilometres away from the castle, close. I don't think you can get it to go farther than they do, Clair, no matter how much more you tinker. You're probably at the limit between one person and the other, as is. Agents, married partners, friends aren't going to be eight kilometres away from each other. That would probably be a whole different animal to get farther distance. Roaming wise, it's probably a good twenty to twenty-five square kilometres distance travelled. Definitely all day for most runners.

Millicent: People using these can be up to eight kilometres away from each other and still hear the other person. And why would they need even twenty kilometres roaming? If your parents like these Ruby, I wouldn't mind having a set of three to take home to show Queen Amalas. I'm almost always paired up with Ian Fleming¹, one of Amalas' top agents.

Millie did not add that SHE was Amalas' other top agent.

Dom overheard enough, and scoffed towards Kenna. "Medicine, spy equipment, what ever THAT is supposed to help," he motioned towards the compass that Kenna had taken back. "Mere trinkets and toys. What a waste of intelligence."

Kenna glared at him. "As you remind Ruby, it's not all about war. I'm beginning to wonder if your temper isn't part of the problem." She squeezed his shoulders in a sort of massage. "You need to relax. What ever those spy devices are, it almost sounds like two people needed to be working on them since it's for at least two people. How would you feel if the other inventor of those was our daughter?"

Kenna nailed it. Dom quieted.

1-A 14th century ancestor and shout out to James Bond creator of the same name.
 
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Clair listened to Ruby as she spoke.
"That is a good point, perhaps I should work on a power storage device that can be removed, so maybe you could have one in the doc gaining energy while the other one is being used and then swap them." She purposed.

Once Mille and Olivia returned she was at first a little concerned like Ruby about the close-together comment, but let out a sigh of relief at the range she had heard.
"few, that is a good distance now at least. Though I think it's possible to get further, perhaps we need to expand outside of the device itself" She started to think, and pulled out her notebook to jot down some ideas.

Ethel as she watched over Dom and Kenna also overheard their conversation, getting a little relieved that at least Dom didn't see the combat potential in things outside direct harm, it spoke to his character more poorly, but at least he wouldn't be able to become a warlord in some sneaky way. Even Ethel could see combat potential in the communication devices, having multiple groups be able to coordinate an attack on the go like that, could be devastating toward an enemy that could be surrounded. Give updates on needing backup, supplies, scouts simply calling out enemy positions, just to name a few. The fact he simply saw them as toys, helped to ease her worry about the level of threat he may pose.
 
Since Dom seemed to want to brood as well as downplay Clair's inventions, Kenna walked over to Ethel, "Did you know about this? I think Dr. Service said it was a compass. Although it seems nothing more than a direction finder to me, would you see it as benefiting anyone particular? Like beginning hikers or some sort, at least until they become familiar with their surroundings. It seems more intricate than a mere trinket. It seems more like a search tool, or even rescue tool. What's your opinion?" She handed the compass over so Ethel could take a better look at it.

Ruby made a face. "Like an extra battery cell? Look, I know I kinda didn't follow your design on that too close, but I had experimented with ways to collect sunlight and store it for later use. May I?" She asked as she pointed to Clair's notebook and quill. "I think keeping a battery pack connected to the dock and being as big as it is to handle two squawkers can't be shrunk down any farther and still be effective. That's the only problem with my addition to this I could see."

If allowed access, Ruby would fill nearly one whole side of the page with a description to her solar battery, what parts she used, including reflective materials like glass, bronze, silver and brass. She couldn't draw how to assemble things, just people, and would make a decent portraitist, as her rendition of Avenger showed. Clair would have to use Ruby's detailed written description of how to assemble it, and the items, to make a drawing of how to assemble it.

Cassandra came in, the only one released, and walked over to Diana. "King Gregor will be back in shortly to give us all our rooms. Amanda, Ian and Calla will be staying overnight at least, in the recovery room. Ian looks fine, what did you say to the doctor? Bristol is absolutely refusing to release him until at least dawn!" She was being treated by Bristol when Diana had checked on Ian about his knocks to the head and where, so wasn't aware he had, in fact, been concussed, and needed low light and quiet.
 
Ethel looked at it, and after wracking her brain for any potential harm it could do answered.
"Yeah, it can mostly be used for navigation to both places we have yet to explore and places we have. Basically think about it like this, if you head towards the N when you leave your camp to explore, and get turned around in a forest or something, you can use this to know to head toward the S to find your way back to camp. Many have lost their loves from getting lost and this could help that. Not to mention helping ships on the sea navigate their ships when the weather prevents vision of the sun and stars" She answered.

"Battery Cell? you come up with some crazy names" Clair giggled.
"Sure yeah, like a secondary power source. Hmm" Clair waited and watched as Ruby wrote out her plans for the Solar Batteries.
"Huh, I didn't know there was a mechanical mind in there, this is very impressive, the only hiccup I can see is the conversion of the sun heat into our power source, we are using an already pretty complicated system, but if we test lots of different methods maybe we can find something that works for this" She nodded.

"Yes I had I had checked on him, I believe he requires a quite dark place to rest for some time, at least several hours if not a day" Diana explained.
 
Kenna nodded before stating, "How well I know. I've lost a loved one who went hiking and got lost. One of my best friends and fighting men. We never found him. I've also heard of married couples being separated, and one not coming home again. You are correct. If this can stop loves from being lost, and thereby lives... This could be wonderful for the general populous. Sounds like it might even help sailors and the Navy get around." Kenna made a face. "Let's keep from Dom how this can help the Navy, but push the benefits for the campers, explorers and regular sailors. Until Dom gets over his issues with everyone being against us (Dom has a veteran ailment well known now. PTSD), the less he knows about it's combat abilities, the better. Navy can wait. General populous, for the exact reason you just mentioned, can't. Looks like I need to speak with the inventor about more of these compass contraptions. For our outdoor lovers. Thank you."

Ruby looked at Clair and then the boxed in section that held the battery charger in the dock, and back at Clair. "Crazy? I'm just calling it what it looks like, see?" She pointed to the battery's housing. "You told me to build the place for the battery with very small openings on each side so the squawkers could charge. I fashioned it as a room in the dungeon. Mother calls them cells, and I've also heard King Gregor call them cells. That looks like one for the battery. So .." A shrug. "Battery. Cell. Simple, no?"

Cassandra seemed satisfied and nodded. "You know a lot more about our medicine and advances we've made than I do, but that makes sense."

Before Kenna could make her way to Ruby and Clair, Gregor stepped back in. "May I have your attention please? Until we get the two ladies in court back, we will not be having our yearly winter parade, We can't delay the Welcome Winter ball, however, so the painting whom you love will have to be the next activity, along with designing your own gowns. Amanda and Avenger will paint in the recovery room. The rest of you will find everything set up for you, with your names on the easels, in the ballroom in the morning. I have your bedchambers all lined up for you on these papers, with directions to them. Everyone, except our Cordonia royal guests, have separate rooms. They are the only ones in the same room. Please come forward for your room assignments."

Ruby and Clair would be on opposite sides of Calla's royal bedchambers, which would be empty tonight, since she was in the recovery room as Avenger, on one side of the hall and right across the hall from Diana and Ethel.
 
Ethel nodded.
"I am glad you see things that way, and that you are aware of the dangers your husband could bring. Given that, I presume I need not warn you about letting Dom try and talk the young inventor into making something dangerous, I fear she gets too excited about new ideas and doesn't think how they may be used." She explained.

"Heh, Sorry I meant more so the word battery, and Cell as in prison cell? a little morbid but I like it. I shouldn't talk though I am terrible at naming things." Clair admitted.

Clair whispered to Ruby once Gregor had finished talking.
"Paintings already? do you know if there is any rules for them?"
 
Kenna smirked. "Dom is my consort, dear. It was the ONLY way to keep my last name of Rhys. Something we agreed upon way back when we were kids ourselves and grew up in Stormholt. No, you need not, but even I would appreciate it if I have meetings with the Amazons, the Jewel Kingdom princess, Olivia or other one on one meetings, if you would just show up if he tries to get her alone, and be present with me when I talk one on one with her in the morning, before the painting begins. She's most likely the most popular one here for her inventive qualities." She gave a wink as she quoted Gregor. "Just a formality, you understand."

Ruby nodded and whispered back, "We're postponing the parade. Painting would have been next. There's no particular style, just has to be like a portrait of the one of us you care about the most. If you like Avenger best, though, it'll have to be from memory. She won't be in the ballroom painting with the rest of us. The portrait is your gift to your most treasured of us." Ruby hadn't listened fully to the instructions last year. It was basically a proposal as well. Some of the current ladies would have to also paint from memory since they're beloved weren't in court because it was to find Princess Calla, who didn't like or trust males anymore, a suitable companion.

The next morning, Dom was noticably absent, but everyone could see him brooding amongst the gardens, with knights around him for protection, as Kenna would step into the ballroom to speak to Clair. Unfortunately, Aurora was also headed her way, stethoscope around her neck, and medical bag in her hand. Who would Clair choose to speak with first?
 
"Right, Of course, and be sure to inform your daughter to do the same, as she will more than likely be the one around her the most" Ethel added, she at least seemed to have the rest of Dom's family thinking clearly, that was a good start, though she was still far from trusting the situation, she knew far too many people who acted proper in public then behind closed doors showed another face.

"Right, but like, is there a list of specific rules I can find and write down?" She whispered back, she was nervous about this, not only would she need to pick one person, but she didn't know what the decision meant, she didn't think she was ready for all of this stuff, she just wanted to tinker!

Ethel kept her distance from Dom the next morning, though she always stayed somewhere where she could watch him, right now he seemed like the biggest threat, and she did not need to watch Clair if she kept an eye on him. Besides she knew that the others would be with Clair that day.

Clair being more familiar with Aurora would smile and wave to her as she saw her, though would do the same with Kenna when she saw her as well. She would not go out of her way to target one specifically but would let them come to her as she went between looking around and looking in her notes.
 
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