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Yes, your Highness! (Jane X QB)

It was more than just the luxury of having servants that pressed Georgiana to ask the question; the heaviness of the dress, and its multiple layers of fabric and craftsmanship demanded help from a skilled hand. After Miselotte led the princess to the dressing area, Georgiana did as she normally did with the help of servants; stood with her arms erect and allowed them to slowly strip her of her fine garments... her fine, ivory wedding dress that would never be used then that it was in tatters. While it pooled around her ankles and the corset and petticoat came undone, until Georgiana was completely bare, she folded her slender arms across her modest chest and shivered slightly. Though she was used to being naked around her servants at bathtime, she had never encountered a nude male, and one had never seen her- except for when she and Triton took baths as small children. However, once Donna found out, that habit halted abruptly and they were forced to bathe separately.

The princess humbly sank into the water, lowering herself so that the water came up to her neck and her hair swirled around her in the warm liquid. She was thankful to have Miselotte's aid; it was a familiar beckoning, feeling a servant's hands bathe her. It felt close to home, no matter how unfamiliar it was.

"Thank you- Miselotte, is it?" she inquired gently, with a small smile. She wanted to add something snarky directed at Maredith, but decided against it; she would be a lady, even amongst the barbarians on this ship with Triton. "Captain, if I may," Georgiana began formally, even as her shoulders were fondled by the young woman, "if Her Majesty has pronounced me kidnapped, while I am not entirely sure she has, it would be a poor decision to land so early; we are only just ahead of the naval fleet that has surely been sent to find me." The princess contemplated this for a moment. "Perhaps docking in a strong, but neutral nation- like the Ades Federation- would be wisest. No navy in the world is prepared to fight the Ades Federation's, and if we sail under the flag of a Gibaltaran merchant ship, we may not arouse suspicions." She bowed her head awkwardly in the bath, per etiquette, and added, "As my humblest opinion."
 
Maredith looked quite aghast when she saw the Princess sink into the trough. Even though it had enough space to fit her slender frame, there was silence as the two women looked at her. It was the same reaction as when Donna had realized the two bathed together: something that mirrored surprise and disgust. But Miselotte didn't really bother. "U...uhm...Y-you're not supposed to be in the water." she said, helping her up. Melchior only gazed their way for a brief moment, mostly in respect to the customs or never looking at the female body during bathing time. Triton smiled, calling out from the other side "You aren't supposed to bathe in the basin, Georgiana!" he said, prompting a short chortle from Saladin.

Miselotte grasped the soap and the oil and gave it to her, sustained within her cupped hands. "It's easy...you just lather with both hands, then you just smooth it on your body..." The steam made it hard to see the fluster on her cheek, as her hands went across her slender frame, soft white bubbles forming as it rinsed away the sweat and grime. "You're like a baby. Can't bathe alone." Maredith said, standing up as she soaped her lower areas, making sure to clean her loins and inner thighs with the soap.

In the bathing room, conversations were very open, so Melchior respected her in put. "Ahhh, a sound reasoning." chimed in Triton. Saladin didn't really protest either and from what it seemed like, Pippin agreed as well. But the captain really didn't. "We shall take our chances and land on Palmacosta. The city is a few miles askew from Krugis. Chances are, they saw just what Theo looked like, so they would have headed through there to 'investigate'." There was an edge of bitterness in his voice, one that made Saladin all too uneasy. "And given those...vile and warmongering hounds, they won't hesitate to use it as a pretense. We are going to be safer if we don't sail towards Ades." A deep silence fell among the crew. Triton did find his reasoning sound as well.

"I appreciate just what you think, but you seem to misunderstand: you are a prisoner and I am the captain. Be glad we even allow you to bathe." he spoke, spitting onto the floor as he stood from his stool and walked towards the changing room. Maredith spoke under her breath, but Miselotte simply walked close and whispered "Palmacosta is not aligned to anyone...we will be safe under it's harbor so as long as they do not discover you..." she said, her hands...softly lathering her inner thighs. Maredith looked warily towards Miselotte, quite aware of her preferences towards women...

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The merchant prince didn't like to be kept waiting. The Meister talked with his subordinate, discussing plans. A small fleet of five Frigates, two Galeons and the Regina, the flagship of Charlotte the Witch of the Channel was barely considered a 'strike force' , if anything. What were they doing near the outskirts of their territory at such a time? "Send for the envoy. Fransisco should resolve this matter while I meet with the dignitary. And no, tell him to come unarmed: I am sure that Britannians would not be so hasty into declaring war."

He said, dispatching the officer as he ran off down the halls of the palace. Walking back into the room, he smiled warmly towards the Merchant. "Ahh, do forgive me. I had issues to deal with." he said, looking over the deal again. "While we do accept the new levy that comes with the use of the Formosa pass, this one nuance bothers me." he said, prompting the pompous Merchant to look right at the agreement: it wrote that the Golden Fleet must ensure the integrity of the Weiber's Pass. "As you know, we seek only to maintain the status quo. To increase our presence near that disputed channel will only inflame tensions with the Empire."

From what Rovira knew, he must have come to them with this deal because the Empire themselves refused it. Even though the two were allied, war with the Ades Federation was most unwise: even with their Armadas combined, the Golden Fleet will easily send them to a watery grave. The Merchant looked most displeased, but Rovira assured him "But I am confident we shall give you all the assistance we could. After all...your business means much to us.
 
Georgiana was less distrubed by her faux pas, then by the Captain's unwavering tone. She had never been treated so informally, and this pompous man thought her a prisoner? Her temper was flaring again; red rushed to her cheeks, and her fiss tightened in her hands. How badly did she want to shriek, "I am no prisoner!" but instead, she resentfully quipped, "Your captain should learn to hold his tongue, if he presumes to make a habit of abducting noble Britannians. I suppose he isn't used to such fine people aboard his... ship." She snarled the word "ship" with ire.

She was oblivious to Misolette's actions, instead only thinking her as untrained in the arts of servitude. As she poured a bucket of water over her, rinsing the soaps and oils from her body and hair, Georgiana stood and squeezed the water from her long, golden tresses. Realizing she had insulted all the crew, and not just the Captain, she turned and placed her hand on Misolette's arm. "Excluding you, of course- and I suppose even Triton. Thank you, for your humility, Miselotte." With that, she gave a small courtsey, her hands still covering her breasts and between her thighs. It was a royal courtsey, one that she had practiced since she could walk, and it was of the grace of a princess. Georgiana handled herself with the poise of a ballerina, and a dance it was, being a princess- the dance of politics.

---

"Your Majesty," began Jaina quickly; when she was alone with the Queen, she often tread through the formalities speedily so that important news may be shared. "I have received word that the Ades Federation is expecting war. They have prepared a small fleet to guard their borders. No word yet as to the Queens' plans." She had bowed and straightened herself up, standing before the Queen in her private study; a magnificant and most royal sight, perhaps the most powerful woman in the world amongst the largest library in the country. Had Jaina not seen this frequently- perhaps a bit too frequently for her taste- she would have stepped back in awe and admired what lay before her.

The queen listed intently, having stopped filing through letters in order to listen closely. After a long few moments, she spoke, callously and dryly. "Have a warship flying the colors of the Schwarzivald Empire dock in the Ades Federation. If the ships begin moving, have it launch an attack on the town in which it is docked."

"Your Highness, if I may," began Lady Threepiece, "a single ship launching an attack with even a fraction of the Ades Federation's navy nearby would be suicide."

"Then hire slaves," retorted the Queen abruptly. "You are dismissed."

Jaina desperately wanted to wane the Queen from this decision; she reluctantly and obediently bowed, then walked away. What was in that bloodthirsty mind of the Queen? she wondered.
 
Melchior had the urge to stand up and teach the prissy woman a lesson, but Saladin's hand steadied him. "Don't waste your breath." he said, "Those rotten to the core won't change with pretty words." Melchior knew better, but the grudges and the ghosts of the past lingered heavily...Saladin knew this, yet he encouraged him to keep his temper. Triton looked towards Georgiana, worried about the confrontation that occurred then. Shrugging simply, he continued to lather his own body, knowing she would be alright.

Miselotte wanted to rise and look after her, but Meredith's hand prevented her. "Don't be a tool to that spoiled brat." Maredith said, "She's lucky she's not chained down at the brig...give her a moment of freedom and she wastes it. Those kind of people disgust me." she said, continuing to lather her copper-toned body, long dark blonde tresses soaked thoroughly.

Water cleaned the flesh and warmed the soul. Meredith felt clean when washed like this. And she never wanted to feel 'dirty' ever again...

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It was Triton's turn to keep the watch, climbing up to the top mast as he lay down, relaxing and counting the stars. He wondered how Georgiana was, given how very little people seemed to mind the fact she was wandering around. However, after his shift was soon done, he walked down where he saw Georgiana at the deck, presumably looking around.

"Interested in something?" he asked, walking out from the darkness. It was getting quite late...the moon shone brighter than before, reflected upon the calm waters. "This ship...I remembered when they picked me up." He smuggled a pair of apples from the pantry, surely enough he'll blame Saladin for it given his love for the fruit! "Want one?" he asked, handing her a plump red fruit.

"So...tell me. What...what was it like when I was gone?" he asked curiously, as he settled against the mast leaning down. She generally could take a seat anywhere at all, so as long as she didn't fall from the railing.

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Fransisco was a Meister that stood on even ground with Rovira. His devotion to the Augusta could be matched only by his aggressive naval tactics, favoring siege bombardments with heavy weaponry over tactical clashes involving lighter and maneuverable craft. His flagship, the Jagganath was docked just beside the Regina, where the burly man, draped in the cape of red, smiled warmly upon the sight of Charlotte. "I bet you welcome, Witch of the Strait. And to you too, Lady Threepiece." Fransisco said, bowing as his men saluted them, eye to eye with the Lumiere Knights.

"How peculiar. You didn't greet me with cannon fire and a declaration of war! In fact...where is your cannons?"
"Perhaps when we are in the Weiber strait we may once again exchange fire! But my mission is not to wage war with you."

Charlotte had a good laugh. Ahh yes, their clash at the Weibar strait. She had crippled his fleet, prompting a surrender and a subsequent Ransom of Fransisco. But all that time he was treated less as a prisoner and more as a guest, drinking away with a jolly look on his face. Charlotte honored a general like him, so the two would naturally connect. "I do, however, ask: why did you sail all the way here? I assume it's surely not to invade us, no?"

Fransisco was pretty simple-minded, yet he knew a battle when he could see one. There was an ulterior motive...the ships they took were too little a force to even use to intimidate them with. "We are simply here to speak with the Augusta, perhaps to write out a truce." she said, "Perhaps you would be so kind as to lead us there?" Charlotte looked at Threepiece and winked.

Given the...Admiral's more chivalric nature, the scope of her Majesty's plan had to be concealed, so that she would not interfere. "I shall gladly do so. But, please do stay! Our palace chefs make the finest foods in all of-"

FWOOSH!

Fransisco turned, the explosion widening his eyes. "W-what?!" Charlotte looked equally surprised, but Jaina pretended only to look the least bit surprised. A tall pillar of smoke rose from the docks at Castille, the capital. A single ship, docked upon the area opened fire, chimes of flames sending explosions into the area. "S-sir! An Empire ship has opened fire upon the docking area!" a sailor immediately ran from the other boat to meet with the shocked Meister.

"A-ah...pardon me. I have business to attend to." he apologized, leaving Charlotte rather shocked. "W-why would the Empire commit and attack like this?!" she said, turning to her own soldiers. "Raise the sails and full speed ahead! We are to help the injured on the land. You there, send the message to the queen!" she said, as the Lumiere Knight immediately saluted and dispatched the other Frigate.

Even though the offending ship sailed away and was subsequently sunk, not a single soul lived to tell the truth. And surely enough, even as Fransisco beheld the carnage, he fell to his knees, trembling. Then...an anger rose from well within the otherwise stalwart man. "...If I must stain the Augusta's hands with the blood of those Imperial bastards...then I shall." he said so solemnly. Charlotte looked shocked. "N-no..."

"If it's a war those bastards want, it's a war they'll be getting! Malkal, Franco, inform the fleet. We're going to head out and sink those fools to the bottom of the sea!"
 
Georgiana was no longer a vision of a royal bride; the clothes were relatively dated, and she lacked the diamonds and pearls that had adorned her earlier. Since her bath, she had pulled her hair taut and braided it in a halo on the back of her head. The clothes, which had once been appropriately fashionable, had thinned in the fabric and the vibrant indigo had faded to a dusty blue, giving the fashion icon a look of dismay. She felt humbled in the clothes, no longer like a princess but a simple noblewoman; and it had given rise to her epiphany that she truly was a captive aboard a pirate ship. The fleet had yet to find her- and she had stifled the pressing instinct that they weren't, in fact, looking for her at all.

The princess refused to allow herself to cry anymore; she held her head high as best she could and strolled out onto the deck to allow to cool breeze to kiss her cheeks and relieve her of her panic. As if on cue, Triton appeared, and she felt the tiniest bit of relief. She took the fruit and began to ask for a knife before witnessing him bite into it, rather barbarically. Still, she was a captive, and must adjust accordingly; pressing the apple to her lips, she sank her teeth into the forbidden fruit and took off a small bite. She hadn't realized how hungry she was, having skipped the morning's breakfast because of her nerves. Now, her stomach growled appreciatively for the food, so she hungrily took another bite.

Georgiana preferred standing. She swallowed and lowered her eyes. "I won't nurture your vanity, if that is your intention," she scolded lightly. "However, I will admit that it grew easier with time." She sighed, her eyes locked on the seemingly endless ocean as she stole another bite. "Why did you go?"
 
"Now now...I wasn't teasing you or anything~! If you ever have any questions about anything just ask anyone! We'll all be happy to entertain your curiosity..." Well, that was one way of looking at it. He was so oblivious to how everything seemed to be that he didn't seem to consider the fact that she wasn't well liked in the ship. Even though she wasn't treated like a prisoner, she strutted arrogantly all through the ship, earning the ire of most of the crew members. When he heard her stomach growl, he was instantly reminded of dinner. "Ahh. Well, when the crew is ready, we're going for a communal meal." he said, though he was more worried about her not getting a share than anything, biting into the plump red apple he held.

The stars were beautiful up above. Alundra had blessed them with calmer waters to sail upon, so they were lucky. When he heard her question, he couldn't help but feel down. Yes, he had left so suddenly, without even a warning and worse yet, he told her that he was going to stay with her just moments before vanishing. Had she gotten used to broken promises by that time? "...I was told by Donna that I would be killed if news would get out." he said, looking up solemnly as he leaned against the mast, "...She told me she did not want to see you anguished by my death, so she believed it was better for me to flee and live..." And though as bitter as it seemed, Triton had no doubts he would have died had he stayed back then.

"I left...because I promised that I would take you far, far away to adventure in the seas...I...I couldn't do that if I marched to the gallows at such a young age...all my life up to this point was becoming strong enough to whisk you away...but I did not realize just how you came to like your life now..." he said, "And that is why I promise to deliver you back to your home country..." He didn't want her to see the tear that fell from his eyes, as he said such words. Then, with a smile, he asked her "Say, do you remember that promise I gave you, about the Serrovana cove? It's not too far from Palma costa and it's pretty close to the Ades Federation, so I'll show you the rainbow fish there! I heard they taste good too!" Oh, speaking of food, his stomach rumbled, prompting a hearty laugh from him.

He did notice Miselotte take the helm once more. She sailed the ship steady. Though many would raise concerns that they were leaving the ship steady while they dined in their communal dinner, from the looks of things Triton didn't seem the least bit bothered by it.
 
The humbled princess shook her head. "I'm not hungry," she insisted. Though it was true her stomach was growling, the thought of dining with the crew that despised her so quenched her hunger. Before Triton could protest, she continued, "I think I'm rather weary in any case. Perhaps it's sea sickness, but I would very much enjoy retiring for the night." Georgiana's hands fell to her waist, folded. She closed her eyes for a long moment and inhaled deeply. She was not well-liked within the ship; if anything, she was tolerated by Miselotte, but other than Triton, she was friendless. Mere hours ago, her wedding had ushered in parades through the city; and what a vision she had been! She would have caused gasps of surprise as she floated slowly down the aisle, like a drifting feather. From the most adored icon in all of Alma Britannia, to a bratty captive on a ship- it was difficult not to feel resentment for her situation. After all, she had never asked to be abducted. How would this affect her taking the throne?

"Triton?" she whispered, holding her arms to protect herself from the cold. "Will you... lay beside me for a little while? I've never slept in a bed that wasn't my own before." She looked down to him with helpless, childlike eyes and the faintest trace of a smile.

---

Having finally been released from her prison, Donna had never quite felt the warmth of the sun on her face like she did that morning; her eyes drifted closed, and she faced the sunshine- but not for very long. There was work to be done.

The most unruly place Donna had ever had the misfortune to visit was the Stubborn Boar Bar, and it was there that she immediately rode to in a horsedrawn taxi. She paid the driver a poor tip, and went inside, to the loud, drunken howls of freed men, and the modest cries of slaves who had stopped to pick up a pint on their way back from running errands for their Mistresses. There was the occasional loose woman, but aside from Donna and the woman behind the bar, that day, there were none. She found it rather suspicious and unsettling to see a place where men ruled within Alma Britannia; the thought alone unnerved her. She pushed herself to the bar, where she leaned over and asked, "Are you... Miriam?"

The older woman nodded, not looking up from her dirty glass she had begun cleaning with a dirtier rag.

"My name- well, my name isn't important. What is important is that I need to find a ship- I need someone found."
 
At this point, Triton felt it to be moot to try and convince her otherwise. Given what she had been like...it would be best to leave her be and to become accustomed to her new home on her own pace. "If that's what you wish. I'll keep something on hand just in case you want a quick bite to eat." Triton said, turning back to perhaps join them before...he heard her...asking a favor of him.

The girl was afluster, a tad pink painting her cheeks. Triton tried to hide the fluster by nervously laughing. "Wahahaha...it feels like the old days. But sure." he said, softly teasing her by poking her stomach. The two walked towards the brig, where he used the privy just moments before he, anxiously, lay by her side still wearing his Corsair garb. Even though through the tunic and the leather padding he wore...

His warmth could still be felt. "Good night." he whispered, softly placing a kiss onto her forehead as he let her lean onto him. By the time she had fallen asleep, he wanted to get up but couldn't bear the idea of Georgiana tossing and turning in her sleep. "I'll be a pirate, a pirate! I'll sail the fifteen seas! Pillaging and stealing and sailing as we go, and cutting off people's knees!" he whispered, the sing-song meant only to guide her away from a nightmare and instead towards a dream where only two children played together, bathed together and played the piano side by side.

And in due time as well, despite his hunger Triton fell asleep.

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"You heard your orders; stand down!"

"How can you tell me to steady my hand when innocents perished in that unprovoked attack?! Those Krugian worms have to pay for this!"

The reports were conflicted, but many did note the presence of dark-skinned sailors on board the unregistered ship that opened fire upon the port side of Castille. While the portman did tell Meister Fransisco that the ship bore the Schwarzivaldian flag, the hot-headed Fransisco opted instead to sail with the Jagganath and a part of the fleet to demolish Krugis and whatever Barusian nation he so pleased. Thankfully, Meister Rovira was quick to act, instead ordering a halt as the supreme admiral of the fleet.

"I know. It is painful and the Augustas are in mourning. But we must not act rashly, or we will simply drag ourselves to war!" Rovira said. While the Ades Federation could easily weather any attack the two could make against them, starting a war now with those in Rome complaining about secession and the peace accord to be ordered by the Augusta herself, Rovira would take every move not to render the Augusta's attempts at peace in vain. Fransisco's fist clenched. He held the Augustas dear in his heart...often Katarina would ask to ride on his shoulder while he pretended to be a battleship.

Tears. It was unusual for a man so hardened by violence to shed them. Rovira comforted his comrade, as he vowed "I swear, to the name of the Augusta that I will find whoever did this, drag them out to the light of the truth before I bring the sword down on their neck. Summon the Schwarzivaldian ambassador. I am sure he has plenty of answers to provide to us..." It did make sense...why fly a Schwarzivaldian flag upon committing such a crime? Did the Empire want to provoke a continent-wide conflagration or was it merely the act of Terrorists trying to shake up the Ades Federation?

He turned away from the messenger who was dispatched, then turned towards Fransisco. "Go. Comfort the Augusta. When you are finished, assemble the Meisters. We are to meet with response to these current affairs."
 
Georgiana stood in front of the court, sorrounded by hundreds of ladies, all wearing black; she stood alone, in her untarnished wedding dress, her veil hiding her face as she stood with her head bowed, and hands folded. Nervously, she wiggled her toes in her shoes, but when she heard the beating of the gavel she stopped and looked up. The entire court rose in one, fluid procession as the Queen herself entered and floated to the throne; then the wave courtsied, the princess included, until the Queen had nestled in comfortably and raised her hand to indicate her approval.

"Georgiana Rebecca Winter, Princess of Alma Britannia," began the Queen coldly, her eyes falling with disdain upon her daughter. "You have been charged with plotting to commit treason, treason, abducting a member of the royal family, and plotting to overthrow the Queen. How do you plead?"

"Not guilty, your Highness," replied Georgiana strongly, her voice echoing through the throne room.

A voice cried out, "Hang her for her crimes!" and incited a rumbling of ladies to begin jeering at the princess. "Have her quartered!" sang one. "Burn her!" shouted another. All at once, however, the voices fell silent as the Queen raised her hand.

"Your plea has been denied. You have been found guilty, and you will be put in the stocks until sentencing." The cheers of hundreds of women nearly deafened Georgiana, whose face has paled to the color of milk. She had begun shaking in fear, her entire body quaking and trembling as she sniffled and swiftly wiped away a stubborn tear that had begun to sink down her cheek. She had barely noticed Lady Threepiece taking her by the arm- much more roughly than she had ever felt her be touched before- and leading her, weightlessly, to the public square.

Before she knew it, she was in the stocks, and rotten fruit was being given to the bystanders who booed her and called her names, like "traitor". Tears roamed down her face freely as the fruit smashed against the wooden board, occasionally hitting her forehead. Dripping with sweat and tears and juices, the princess sobbed, "Triton! Help me!"

---

Startled, the princess bolted upright. Panting heavily, she slowly removed Triton's arm which had looped over her, and rose to her feet, hypnotized by sleep. She floated out of the brig like a ghost, undetected, and onto the deck, where the wind whipped her hair around her face. Along the way, somehow, she had shed her clothes, and she looked even moreso like a ghost as she walked to the helm of the ship where the captain had taken a hold of the steering. Georgiana appeared behind him phantasmically, a pale vision against the black waters and dark ship. She leaned in to his ear before he could see her, and with wide, unblinking eyes whispered, "A storm is coming. We're all in danger."

---

Georgiana was halfways awake, and shivering from the cold. At what point had she stripped herself of her clothes during the night? And why were her feet muddy with salt water, like she had traped across the deck of the ship at night? She scooted over from where Triton was, still sleeping like a baby, and got dressed, embarrassed of herself. Once decent, she leaned over, watching Triton as he slept, tenderly brushing her hand across his hair. "Triton?" she twittered, snatching her hand away. "Wake up!"
 
The meal was light and his turn had come. A moment of rest before he was roused to wakefulness by Pippin. Drawing his sabre, he continued to the same bearing as he sailed steadily, glad that the waters were calm and the skies were clear. Moments like these were rare, where one could rest reasonably well. Relieving the boy of his duty, he continued to set sail as the moon stood high above the clear, starless sky. He couldn't lie; sleep tried to wrap around his form, yet he resisted it, steering the ship ever closer...

Then...a presence. He turned around only to stumble backwards. A man as brave as he would not falter before the blade but would cower at the sight of something so...ghostly. The fact that she was naked didn't bother him at all, yet he was so speechless taring into wide unblinking eyes as she uttered out a warning: "A storm is coming. We're all in danger." This fear...the inability to even speak left him speechless even as the figure walked away. For a moment the ship swayed but he held it steady so. His heart beat faster, not because of arousal but because of the ghostly warning...

That girl wasn't capable of saying anything without reinforcing her authority above others...was she truly possessed by something else? Truly, this thought did trouble his mind...

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Given how he had done his round of navigating, Triton slept heavily unaware that there was...a lightness to his right. He mumbled things about being a pirate or how awesome it was to pillage and swordfight just about Georgiana roused him to wakefulness. "And then, I'm gonna uwaghh...H-huh?" Triton asked, yawning as he rubbed away his weariness. After a good stretch, he stood up, rubbing his eyes and putting on his scarf. "Good morning, Georgiana." he said, handing her a piece of somewhat stale bread. He had been saving that morsel for awhile now.

He tilted his head and that's when he noticed it. "You don't look so good. Is everything alright?" he asked, a bit concerned with her well being before something called him up from above. "Oh...my god..." he heard, the commotion from above prompting him to go up. He didn't need a spyglass to see just what took place.

"...No."

The entire crew was petrified: the once lively coastal town of Palmacosta burned, tongues of flame spiraling up as tall pillars of smoke rose from burning houses and ships that slowly sunk. Corpses littered the streets, a tint of red onto the waters as bodies and debris floated onto the harbor. The small citadel where the elders met was set ablaze, a flag of the Empire fluttering onto a buoyed checkpoint. Everyone was utterly stunned, save for Melchior whose hands clenched in anger. This brutality...just who was so capable of wanton destruction?!

Triton felt so very uneasy that he tightened his grip onto her wrists. He too was appalled and afraid.
 
The orange glow of the fire permeated the morning sky, and smoke wandered as far out as the ship. Georgiana had begun coughing because of the tough air, but she never once took her eyes off the sight of the burning city. Voices cried out in agony, and the princess's eyes fell upon streams of water that tried desperately to quench the flames. She put her hand on Triton's arm, gripping him as well, as she murmured, "What happened to this place?" her eyes looking to him for answers she knew he did not have.

---

War had never known such beauty; Jaina stood among most of the highest ranking officers in the Kingdom, all women of royal blood and fabulous upbringings, who had studied the art of war since childhood and had flourished into beautiful soldiers. The redhead among them, Lady Threepiece, had invited one rather peculiar guest to sit in- a certain Judith Wentworth. She had not said what her reasons for inviting her were, but the elderly woman sat comfortably in a seat with her slave standing by her side, watching over her.

"Ladies," began Threepiece, her voice triumphant and commanding- the room fell silent. "A rogue ship from the Schwarzivald Empire has attacked the Ades Federation's capitol city, as you have all, no doubt, heard. As you are also aware, before the Princess's tragic murder, she was to be wed to Duke Edwin Perrins, thus solidifying the title of the two nations as allies." Jaina lowered her head for a moment, as a tribute to the dead, then continued. "We have not yet heard if the Ades Federation will declare war on the Schwarzivald Empire. However, if the Empire does, we must be prepared to support our friends." She paused for a moment to allow this to sink in; indeed, some generals seemed a bit anxious about the thought of going to war so soon after the tragedies in recent history. Jaina noted this look of concern and decided now was the time to introduce her guest. "Judith Wentworth, Baroness of Sudbury, the Grandmother of Steam and a great citizen of Alma Britannia, has graciously accepted my invitation to appear here today. She has also agreed to a most burdening request that the Queen herself inquired of her; to begin work on building war machines."

There was a murmur in the crowd. What machines could possibly outmatch what they had? Ships with cannons, soldiers with guns... Before their minds could be settled, Jaina pressed on. "If we are to win this war with as few casulaties as possible, we will do so by advancing our technology- one of Britannia's greatest strengths. The Baroness has accepted this responsibility and will begin work immediately." Jaina looked to the Baroness, who sat solemnly with no reaction to this fantastic honor. "If we are to defeat the Ades Federation, we shall do so with preparation, strategy, and the power of steam!" she declared finally, raising her hands. "Ladies," spoke Jaina a little bit more softly, "the sun can never set on the glory of Alma Britannia. By the gods, as long as I live, it never will!"
 
Oh how Triton wished he had words to spare. But no. An act this cruel was most unspeakable. There was just no words for it. Melchior was stunned, but tore himself from the horrifying image and yelled "All hands to deck! We are going!" he said, commanding his crew to brace and prepare. Pippin continued to look, but Maredith did pull him away from the railing as they turned the rudder and set forth to Palmacosta...or the remains of it. Triton looked towards Georgiana as he escorted her to the brig. "Georgiana...you should stay in here." he said, "I...I don't want you to see the horrors in there..."

Yes, he didn't want to poison her mind with the ravages of bloody slaughter. "Hey Theo! Get your ass over here!" cried out Melchior as they began to sail. Triton did his best to smile. "Later~" he said, as he immediately unfurled the sails, setting towards the coast.

After the anchor was dropped, the crew descended into a place that was, in short, hell. Bodies scattered around the area, burning buildings collapsing in on themselves. Palmacosta was but a simple city...it would have taken a fleet to have razed this place down. "T-those bastards..." Melchior said, grasped the hand of a dead girl, tears flowing down. Maredith too found no survivors. Up close, Triton found...that the girl was not killed by shrapnel, rather by bullet wounds. Whoever killed them took the effort to disembark and shoot everyone dead.

"Let's gather supplies. There's no point in staying here further." It was a bitter decision, but ultimately, it was either the living or the dead. And Melchior would no sooner choose the former than anything else.

<><><>​

Jaina Threepiece's swift return bore the news of the tragic attack in Castille. It was a humiliation they would no sooner forget: they prided themselves in their invincible fleet and waters that they yielded to no one. To even consider attacking the Federation, they had to send the Golden Aramada to the sea floor. Otherwise, conquering that place would forever remain a dream. And that was where the woman came in. Dressed in brown and a hat, her blonde hair obscured her left eye, topaz yellow eyes staring impassively. Beside her, following the Baroness' every stride was a slave by the name of Saleh, dressed as a soldier and holding his luggage.

Many of the women dressed in fabulous clothes or even flamboyant dresses, but the woman was so casually dressed it was hard to tell if she was but a commoner who had accidentally wandered in. Dark and brown...it looked like Judith had just come from a funeral, taking her seat as her Slave stood steady. "Do sit." she commanded. Saleh, without hesitation, took his seat even as those beside their table commented on the 'smell' he reeked with. "I am honored that you should see me as an equal, Baroness, but I cannot comply." For a man like him to be treated equally as her...he found no other disgrace to be greater. Judith made no response, only to be beckoned upon by Lady Threepiece as she made her speech.

"How readily they embrace war." she said subtly, "Fools dance on gallows with nooses on their necks...when will they wake up." Of course, to continue her work, she had to comply. In exchange, she had granted herself full rights to a merchanting line. This was all she needed for Molderach's thunder. Soon enough her very cause would further their gains. She did not react one bit as they applauded, only to look up towards the red-haired woman.

Obviously she looked with disgust towards Saleh, so she waved him. "Leave us, Saleh. Lady Threepiece wishes to speak to me in private." she said. The man bowed and walked away, leaving the two to walk outside, to speak together. They had been friends at a time long gone...she, a woman, given an opportunity to become something more than a housewife to rear children...a chance to prove herself and become the pride of her mother. Threepiece knew this was a delicate situation, yet even she was unconvinced that her heart lay with loyalty to Britannia.

"Unfortunately, we cannot complete your second request." Figures. Judith didn't respond one bit. To honor a man's burial was to put him to the same level as a man. Jaina was surprised that no retribution had come down upon Judith for asking. Perhaps it was meant as an insult to the queen, to make her acknowledge that men were equal to women. "It was by the Queen's order." she said.

Judith simply turned to face her. "How quaint. The Queen asks of my help, having killed my husband and turning a blind eye from my daughter's disappearance." Judith stated coldly. The truth was...she hasn't even agreed. It was of her to assume her loyalty to Britannia but Judith was so important that killing her now may as well end Britannia's ambition. Her railroad system has proven to be very efficient and fast, just who knows how much more she could give back to Britannia?
 
Georgiana had been sheltered her entire life; once, when she had seen a dismembered crab wash ashore the beach as Donna took her for a stroll, she had been scooped up and taken directly back to the castle, and not a word was uttered about the death of the poor creature. Death was something so distant- something only the peasants who were so unreachable had yet to conquer because of their inferiorities. It was not an experience Georgiana had ever been cursed with, yet there was a primal instinct inside of her that smelled death as they approached the harbor. Triton did not need to tell her to stay below deck; she enthusiastically obeyed, despite the curiosity nudging at her, forcing her gentle hand onto the wall as she propelled herself upwards, one, cautious step at a time.

She reached the deck after the crew disembarked and closed her eyes. Death was a unique smell, one of otherworldly senses of which the princess had some deja vu. Her mismatched eyes watched the smoldering buildings, the reddish tent of the bay, the black smoke that cast a shadow over the dark place. And the stench- the stench of blood and burning wood and cannonfire! The princess leaned over the deck as she felt herself sicken; once finished, she dragged her hand across her mouth and climbed down, an apparition of life against the slaughter. Her heart felt like a stone in her stomach, and the sight of death was unreal- untouchable...

Bending down, Georgiana gazed into the lifeless eyes of an old woman, wrinkles crackling against her tanned, leathery skin- a small, dark hole between her eyes. Her small, nimble fingers curiously lingered over the woman's eyes, before touching the lids, pulling them down, and with a small prayer to the gods, the sudden realization washed over her that this was her doing. A war had begun because of her abduction- she needed to hurry home.

Then, her eyes fell to that of a boy, washed ashore, and she remembered how so many years ago, her best friend had arrived the same way, like a gift from the sea goddess. She rushed over to him, a foolish glimmer of hope sparking that he may be alive, but alas, his body was lifeless, pale in the face but the bottoms of his arms and bare legs were purple. She stroked his slick, black hair back from his eyes, and closed them as well, then cradled his head in her arms for a long moment.

"Triton?" she called, wandering through the streets a few minutes later. "Triton! Please, for the love of the gods, answer me!" she called, her throat tightening as she held back the tears.

---

Lady Threepiece had expected such an answer. Still, it moved her to disgust that the Baroness would deny the call of patriotism, but she nodded sympathetically, perhaps a bit more understandingly than she would have liked to admit.

"Baroness," she began, her voice heavy, "war is never ideal, and I assure you, the Queen did not take this decision lightly. If the gods are willing, we will refrain from war and the Ades Federation will issue a treaty with the Empire. However, it is not our duty to question Her Royal Highness's decision; she is more than just a monarch of this great country, she is the country." Jaina paused for a moment to contemplate. How could she sway the mind of this woman, who was so indifferent to her duties as a citizen of the most powerful country on the planet? With a twang of regret in her voice, she continued. "Baroness, allow me to be frank. If we enter into the war with the outdated technology that we have, we will slaughter thousands of the Federation's soldiers, and be slaughtered in turn. It will take decades of battles and numerous generations of war. However, if we could conquer them outright, defeat them in one, fell swoop- think of the lives we would save!" Jaina's eyes shined brightly, and her hands opened themselves up to the Grandmother of Steam, like two, old friends. "The Queen will wage war with your aid, or with you in the stocks- but with your help, with your machinery, our daughters will never know the devastation of war, nor will the daughters of the Ades Federation. Please, Baroness," pleaded Jaina. "Judith... Without your aid, the country will be famished for population as we send out our women to fight... I do not wish for my successor, and more importantly, my country, to inherit a war that could have ended so swiftly."
 
Triton was speechless, as Melchior coldly reminded them that they were here only to procure supplies, not to save the lives of those long gone. Bodies littered some streets, some stacked high that it prevented him from passing. Saladin didn't even hesitate, running off into the distant look at the bodies collapsed on the floor. Maredith spat on the ground, simmering in the hatred knowing that one of the Super powers had done this atrocity. Miselotte had a rather weak heart, so she easily threw up what she had eaten, trying to recover her sense of balance.

Triton was used to the smell and sight of corpses: a corsair like he had killed men before, all for the sake of survival upon the harsh seas. But to see murder of this scale...it was something else entirely. Triton ran off into the distant, ignoring Maredith's barking. No way he would just turn his back on this! Even if there was but one person alive...that was all the proof he needed!

"UUrrrrrghhhh...aahhh!" Saladin panted, trying to lift a burning piece of wood that collapsed in on a building. The man smirked when he saw Triton walk close. "Hey Theo, wanna give me a hand?" he asked, pulling off the headband he wore and wrapping it onto his hands. The pillar was still warm from the flames, so he used the cloth to prevent his hand from being burned, but Triton simply bore through the pair as they managed to pull aside the pillar.

And the sigh they beheld was gruesome that it made Triton vomit. A little girl, curled up in a fetal position, holding a bundle that was an infant...the sky blue cloth dyed red. An adult lay on the floor, reaching out with the corpse's head smashed from a pillar that fell. Triton's eyes were wide, throwing up as he tried to dispel from his memory the very scene he was forced to witness. "Fuck! Damnit it all!" Saladin cursed, leaving Triton panting until he heard a voice calling out. . "Triton! Please, for the love of the gods, answer me!"

Triton, invigorated yet again, stood firm and ran towards the direction of her voice, meeting up with a visibly devastated Georgiana. Death was everywhere...ruin and the smell of war. Yes, this was indeed a rude awakening...to the reality of her world outside the borders of Alma Britannia. Was this the price to be paid for her to live in peace?!

"It's going to be alright...they're going to be fine...they're going to be fine..." Even Triton wanted to believe in that lie. No one was left alive. They were too late to stop this atrocity. The living among the city of the dead...as Triton shed his tears as well, weeping as he cursed this unjust world...

<><><>

She is the country While she showed absolutely no change in her expression, Judith loathed that phrase. The Queen was this country? This very place could do well without that hag. The people made the country...not the arrogant and oppressive rule of a tyrannical misandrist. "While I am no soldier, weapons do not prevent casualty. It will only further the scope of casualties to be caused. One man can be felled with a blade, a dozen can be slain with a cannon. If I went beyond that...just how many lives will you claim with that weapon?" she asked, turning to face the harbor, where the balcony overlooked the splendid city of London...it was a beautiful place, the lights and the tranquil sea...yet under no light nor splendor could Judith ever find happiness yet again...

"Then I ask, why is our Highness so eager to declare war? Why ally this country with a belligerent, aggressive nation that had orchestrated bloody conquests for no adequate reason?" The Empire was indeed a very aggressive belligerent, bullying nations to their rule and subjugating any that defy them with overwhelming force. "If the Queen desired peace, she would have never brokered the marriage between Lord Perrins and Her Highness Georgiana." Judith did seem like an entirely different person all together: gone was that girl who flustered at the mention of romance or at the touch of Jaina's hand...all that was left was the cold and calculating shell that once resembled the Judith Jaina may have been well acquainted with.

"...I will never, ever forgive that woman for taking him away. And my precious Julia." she said, turning to face Jaina, eye to eye. Yes, she had lost her husband and daughter during the Night of Long Nails. She had shed her tears for her loved ones and shed no more since that day. "Not one day passes when I curse the queen, but I am do to as I am told." she said. "Regardless of my feelings towards that tyrant, I am obliged only to follow, as a citizen of Alma Britannia." Judith did not flinch once, even as Jaina drew her blade, pointing the tip of her rapier at her heart. Insulting the Queen could easily garner one the guillotine. But Judith did not flinch even once.

"War makes thieves and peace hangs them. When will our world learn this painfully simple concept." she stated, awaiting her response. Even if she was to be put to death, nothing would come of it. After all...what chance did Alma Britannia have to avoiding a protracted, bloody war without the aid of the Grandmother of Steam?
 
Georgiana's lovely, weeping, mismatched eyes had fallen upon Triton with tenderness that she had not exuded since her childhood. Barely had seen him that she swiftly flung her white arms around his neck, cradling her head in his neck as she sobbed. "This is my fault," she whispered with unfamiliar hoarseness. "You must return me home quickly, no matter what consequences await me." Sniffling, she wiped her eyes with her sleeve and pulled back, staring helplessly into his eyes. Her moment of weakness was gone- she must remain strong! Her young figure straightened, relying on her strength as a monarch to guide her through this trial, though not callously; her heart felt like it weighed a ton and her voice choked every word.

---

“I am to be betrothed,” said the young princess, admiring herself in her vanity; Donna was behind her, brushing through her silky, golden tresses tenderly.

“My princess, I was afraid of how you would take the news,” remarked Donna, pausing for a moment to glance into the mirror so that she could see Georgiana’s unchanging reaction. “You have... grown so much, since you were a child,” she added solemnly. “Just a few years ago, you would have thrown a tantrum and stormed out, and talked of being a pirate again.” Donna chuckled, but the princess remained statue-like, except for the flowing of her locks of hair. “Alas, you accepted the news with the dignity and grace of a future Queen.” Beaming, the older woman placed the brush on the vanity and lowered her hands to the princess’ shoulders, so that they could gaze into the mirror side-by-side. “How proud I am of you!” she whispered sentimentally.

Georgiana made no movements as Donna praised her, but instead quipped, “If I were to ever again have the inclination of becoming a pirate, I would happily hang myself from the gallows.” Her eyes glanced up to Donna’s, who chuckled lightly.

“Let us not discuss such trifle things as that on the day of your engagement. You are soon to meet your suitor, as his bride-to-be!”

---

Miriam dragged her wrist under her nose and sniffled. “What makes you think a dingy place like this has something to offer like that?” she countered gruffly.

Donna unleashed a leather bag that jingled from her waistcoat. “I have money... And I’d be willing to pay handsomely in order to keep our intentions from the prying eyes of Her Majesty’s Navy.” She touched the thick-skinned hand of the woman opposite tenderly, causing Miriam’s eyes to finally meet hers. “Please. I have suffered a fantastic injustice that I must correct... I... I have lost my daughter from the Queen,” she finally whispered, her voice barely audible. “And I must find her.”

Miriam narrowed her eyes calculatingly, pausing for a long moment until she spoke grimly. “A group of lonely souls meets downstairs tonight. Bring your money and your tears, because you’ll need both to get what you want.”

Donna’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest. “Thank you,” she breathed. “Thank you.”
 
Triton had to be strong. He had to be there to show strength at a moment of Georgiana's weakness. He had to be the intrepid adventurer, showing resilience and courage even at the face of crushing despair! "It's not your fault, Gia...it isn't..." he whispered, patting her back. He didn't want to lie: a part of him wanted to blame her, to blame all of Alma Britannia. When he felt her back straighten, he leaned into her shoulder. "I...It's okay to cry...Gia...I'll be here for you. I'll be strong and steady...just for you..." all the while, warm tears left his eyes and dripped onto her shoulder. Even Triton had his own limits.

Truth was, he was weak. He was nothing without his impetus in life, Georgiana. He loved her above all of the world, but he couldn't bear to see her weep in sadness. Yet, amidst all of this despair, Triton broke down and softly embraced Georgiana: no longer did he fluster with her chest pressed against his...all that mattered was that she was alive in a world of ruin and death all around them.

Triton soon hurried, holding Georgiana's hand as they set forth, walking back to the ship. Just as they made the turn Saladin brushed against his shoulder without apology as he headed off in the opposite direction. Melchior had his hands folded at his chest, sighing exasperatedly. "Did something happen?" he asked, just as Pippin and Maredith, with downcast eyes, continued to lift the black-burned barrel of pickles up the gangplank.

"That fool wants to bury the dead. We set sail. The longer we idle, the closer they will get to us." he said. It was cold...to simply leave the dead here and to set a feast for crows...yet even as Triton lowered his resolve to object, he knew: he was a mercenary, a pirate, a lowly bandit of the seas. Survival came before honor and Melchior knew this. Without a second thought, he released Georgiana's hand, walking his way. Melchior raised no qualms, instead softly taking Georgiana's hand.

"I'm going with him." said Triton, wanting instead to help bury the dead. Melchior looked at Georgiana: his calloused hands didn't tighten, as if, without words, he gave her a choice: follow Triton to the path of the dead or seek solace from the gruesome scene.

<><><>

Miriam held her hand up from behind the slit on the door that she approached: Patrick stood with a knife held at ready: if it was those 'Lumiere Knights' he was sure to get the first strike in! Despite the obvious risk, Miriam lowered her hand, knocking on the door three times. She has heard of the maid, especially after from her Ladyship: a woman who cared most about her Highness, whose strength impressed the blonde noblewoman. Not many had the guts to stand up to that tyrant. With a hand, she opened up the heavy bar that closed the door, letting her inside the storage area. There, a man named Patrick looked at her warily, hiding something behind his hand.

This was most strange: while the bar was operating in full swing, but why was she leading her to the storage area, surrounded by unused keg of cheap watered down ale? Before he could go off to scoff, Miriam took a small candle and it's holder, leading her down before opening the cellar. "Right this way." she said, before, with a smile, two hands emerged from the darkness and manhandled her, blinding her entirely and restraining her arms. Roughly, she was led downstairs where she was forced to take a seat. The bag remained in her head, but Judith looked towards the barmaid. Why would she let visitors here in the dead of night just as they were to relocate?

"You certainly have alot of guts to come all the way here into the hornet's nest, Donna." she said. Her tone should be more than enough to give it all away: she, the Grandmother of Steam, a disciple of Molderach's thunder? With a snap of her fingers the bag was lifted. There she sat, elegant under the funeral-like cloths of her dress, wearing a hat. Her left eye concealed by golden blonde hair. Men around her walked about, helping ferry up supplies ranging from gunpowder, blades and even halberds. Behind her was draped a small red flag with the picture of a snake coiling over an upside down blade: the symbol of Molderach's thunder.

Judith, however, was not like these men: she was sophisticated. No wonder that they escaped the grasp of the Lumiere Knights: Alma Britannia's finest mind seemed to be commanding them! "What brings you here? You know well you can no longer leave with your life now that you know the secret." she said, holding out an ornate dagger which she laid onto the table. She made no secret of it: she WAS going to kill Donna if she expected to leave empty handed. The dagger of the Wentworth family...it was a proof that whosoever holds it was favored by the prominent family house...

No doubt this woman was going to plunge Alma Britannia into revolution.
 
The princess met Melchior's eyes with a look of confusion. Why would Triton wish to bury the dead? Why would the Captain not forbid him to do so? They had to leave! They must return to Alma Britannia to cease the bloodshed, and quickly! Yet here they were, dwadling in their own misery. It baffled Georgiana, the death around her; she had yet to fully register every life that had been extinguished... She did not think of the quiet infant's once joyous laughter, or that his feet were the most ticklish. She did not think to imagine the infant's mother bent over, tickling her son's feet, feeling his tender hand reach out to her nose, touching it and learning the word that she precariously repeated over and over again; "Nose!" she would say with a wide grin, opening her mouth wide for every word so that he would mentally absorb it. "Nose!"

The word would no longer be heard coming from the woman's mouth, as she lay curled into a ball with her child's head tucked under her chin, just inches away from Georgiana's shoes, the once-stark white heels that had cost a shoemaker a month to fashion; every diamond and pearl sewn in with the finest silk. Georgiana's eyes lowered, having wiped her shoe from what she thought was mud- but instead was the long, tousseled hair of the woman carrying the baby, her eyes wide open and a look of terror painted on her face.

Georgiana's heart raced as she looked down, and, horrified, she instantly clung to Melchior. "We mustn't leave Triton in this... this place," she whispered, her eyes not once tearing away from the corpse of the mother and child.

It took her a few moments to collect herself and peel away from the Captain. The sense of overwhelming misery was creating a burden on her shoulders, and combined with her heart-pounding decision to return to Alma Britannia, she felt herself become sick again. Rushing to the port, she collapsed on the deck, falling on her hands and knees and coughing, black flecks blurring her vision. "Please let this be a dream..." Though her lips were moving, no sound emitted from them. She squeezed her eyes and prayed to the gods, "Please... please let this be a dream."

---

It had come to this. Her Triton or her country. A queen would know, without hesitation, that her country came first, but never had Georgiana's heart wept for Britannia like it had wept for Triton when he left. Not once had she ever felt the body heat of her country like she had Triton- and yet, the coldness of the bodies littered around her reminded her that a country was a littany of warmth from the living souls of those who built her castle, who brought her food, who played with her- and Donna! How she missed Donna! The only servant she loved more than herself, though she had never so much as whispered a "Thank you" to her. Georgiana, the young princess, had been taught to dehumanize those she ruled, but never had an awakening been quite so violent as smelling the stench of cadavers and blood and mud on innocent victims of her own mistake; for as much as she wanted to blame Triton, it was she who begged him to take her away as a child. It was she who did not resist like she could when he threw her over his shoulder; it was she who did not scream for help when gently, tenderly laid in the barrel.

Somehow, Georgiana picked herself up and slowly hobbled to where the Captain stood. She meekly lowered her lovely eyes and whispered, "Please do not make me choose... I... I would rather die than choose."

---

Donna's eyes opened with fear. Judith Wentworth, a member of Moderach's Thunder? Suddenly, it made sense; the queen's disdain for Judith had always been whispered amongst the women of the court, but no one had suspected it to be double-sided. After all, how could one ruler hate another? Before she could contemplate much more, Donna leaned forward and said briskly, "Listen, Lady Wentworth! I have not come to sabotage any plans you have; if not for my own, lowly desperation, I would not have sought guidance outside of the castle. I have no reason to harm you, so please, allow me to explain."

She took a deep breath and continued, eyes closed for a moment. "I have never been fortunate enough to bear children," Donna began. "Yet, with no blood relationship, the little princess has been my daughter; I have raised her since she was an infant, barely weened from her mother's breasts. When she cried at night, it was my responsibility to soothe her; and when she laughed, it was I who bounced her up and down on my knee. I taught her to be a monarch, yes! But more than that, I taught her good, gods-favored virtues that she embraces. Yes, embraces!" Donna looked up to Judith. "While the country has been told that Georgiana is dead, I know better! I was there when she was kidnapped by that- that rat! And I know that he would never harm her, for she once loved him, and he once loved her- and though their adoration has remained dormant for nearly a decade, I would trust only myself more than I trust him with her life!" Donna's fists tightened. "But this country cannot will the Queen to rule, unabated, long enough for another princess to be born... I am no ally of yours, but I am no friend of the queen; I have waited patiently for decades so that my little Georgiana, my sweet, sweet Georgiana, may overthrow the Queen without bloodshed!" The woman's eyes had begun to water, and her throat clenched as she struggled with her tale. She had never admitted her disdain for the queen before, but she was in the company of like-minded people; though perhaps they were radical, she felt assured that her trechery was hardly the worst crime ever committed by Molderach's Thunder.

Drawing a long, deep breath to collect herself, Donna finally pleaded, "I must find Georgiana. I must find my daughter."
 
Melchior had quickly prevented Pippin from coming close to Georgiana, even though he knew all too well that she wasn't 'feeling' well. Those eyes...those departed eyes. She had finally woken up to the truth: what life outside the castle walls was really like! "Leave her alone." he said, "There'll be plenty of time to ogle at the girl once we set sail." Of course this comment made the little Barusian boy blush, but there was little time for that as he understood the gravity of the situation. An entire city, once lively, desolate and crawling with corpses. They were barely able to even ward away the crows that fed on rotting flesh. However...

Melchior sighed heavily, picking up a spade amongst the objects that Saladin had gathered. He found a few spades and shovels for use expecting the other crew members to aid them, but when the confrontation turned sour, only one among the others was taken by Saladin, though another had been taken by Triton. Noticing this, Maredith herself took a shovel while Miselotte and Pippin, the less able of the bunch next to Georgiana, resolved to take their own.

When Georgiana walked back, Melchior cast a cold gaze upon her. "Then follow. Even if we were to run our blade straight into the Queen and set her country ablaze...then do nothing but follow. This is the truth of the world: the weak are consistently held under the heel of the mighty, crushed as lives are so insignificantly blotted out without consequence." he said, clenching his fist. "There is no justice in this world. There is only strength. One that you must need if you are ever to be of use to us in this journey." he spat out.

And so, he got to work, digging a clean row of graves on the sand, while Miselotte was there for her if she ever wept. Saladin soon walked back, spade on shoulder as he was surprised to see the crew working. Their captain stood up. Sadly, a mass grave was all they could give for the unfortunate. But it was better than to be devoured, picked away by carrion. Melchior wordlessly scolded him, scoffing as he threw another corpse to the grave.

Meanwhile, Triton stood, resting on a stump. Behind him was a burned down house and he had made three graves: one for both a mother and her infant child, a daughter and a father. He looked into the sunset, just as Miselotte led Princess Georgiana to where Triton was. Knowing that it was a scene most intimate, she left the two alone. "...I'm sorry, Georgiana." he admitted, "...I didn't want to bring you out to see horrible things like this...I wanted to show you Serrovana cove...the jagged teeth of Marlos...but not this..." he whispered, turning around as he wept. Tears fell from his cheeks, but he cared not. He stood up, embracing her softly.

"...Can you ever forgive this filthy pirate for showing you a sight most gruesome?"

<><><>

Judith had always thought highly of Donna: she was a true mother that cared for the Princess, a mother who was always there for the frail little girl who was to succeed her vain and arrogant mother. Granted little Georgiana was no different, but Judith instinctively knew that she would not become a bloody tyrant bent only on reinforcing her authority over the oppressed peoples. As if met with her own challenge, it was evident that Donna challenged Judith, showing the same determination as a lioness was when seeking her cub.

It was a bravery that made Judith fear for her life.

"I intend not to aid the royal family in ruling this country. I feel only a constitution can bring right to this upside-down system: a country with equals. To do that, I must bury the Monarchy and Molderach's thunder shall surely do that." she responded coolly, "But...as a Mother who had lost her own daughter, I sympathize with your every dilemma. I shall provide for you a ship chartered to Einbroch. News of ill tidings rise from Krugis. It's monarch is desperately trying to reach a tentative peace with the Empire, but no news of success has come. I will have my servant accompany you there." she said. Saleh should know the routes there better than any map.

Judith stood up, taking her knife as she cut away the bonds that held Donna still. "May the Gods find favor in you and return your daughter." she said, smiling softly before sinking into that emotionless frown she seemed to be always wearing. But before that, she asked the maid "Do you know who Georgiana's wet nurse is?" she asked curiously. That was one thing that Judith was baffled at: was the little Georgiana weaned by a nameless servant?

Judith had suspected that Georgiana was not from the womb of the Queen, yet she knew very little and vouched not to learn much lest she compromise her position. "...Get some rest. We depart on the first light tomorrow here." she said, nodding with the voiceless objection of Miriam. Yes, she was letting the woman go. There was no way someone like her sided with Alma Britannia. So, without delay, she continued the planning, as she always had.
 
Georgiana's ears were ringing. It was as if the entire world had stopped; the roar of the ocean had calmed, and what was left was the quiet sobbing of her Triton. The little princess did not hesitate to throw her slender, milky arms around his neck and she nodded. "You couldn't have known," she whispered with the utmost tenderness. And as she cradled his head with her hands, she pulled back, pure instinct flooding her nerves with electricity. The gaze she presented was the most delicate and innocent look, similar to when she found the boy stranded on the beach, barely alive.

And she kissed him.

For a long moment, the princess's soft, pink lips resided on Triton's, her tear-stained cheek brushing against his and her hands gently holding his head. When she pulled back, she looked up at him wide-eyed, unsure of what had provoked her to do such a thing- she presumed it maybe have been sympathy, but that wasn't quite it; perhaps it was her nerves, and though she was indeed on edge, that wasn't her reasoning either. No, there was a faint warmth in her bosom that pulsed rhythmically with her blinking eyes as she fought kissing him again; but she knew, the moment was perfect, and so she kissed him again, more forcefully this time, with her entire body leaning into his and her mouth lingering below his, even after she had pulled away for a second time.

"I love you," she breathed, but a smile was miles away. "But... I love my country, too."

Her mind boggled at how she could explain to Triton that she never wished to hurt him again; to do so would require her returning to Alma Britannia. To her, this gruesome scene could only lead to one conclusion, and that was that she was being sought after by her mother's fleet. If that were true, she reasoned, there would be no mercy for whomever kidnapped her, and not a stone would be unturned in the search for justice.

"Triton, we must leave here quickly, and I must be returned to Alma Britannia, if we are to cease this bloodshed." Georgiana used her finger to wipe the tears from his cheeks with such sweetness that she felt silly doing so. "But you mustn't come with me, nor anyone you love, or-" she stopped, shuddering. "I believe perhaps the Schwarzivald Empire would be my most profitable option." It was true, that landing in Al-Barus would lead to suspicions of Barusians kidnapping the princess; likewise, the Ades Federation. The Empire would provide a safe haven for her, and for the Salty Hag to have a few days to flee into obscurity. Yes, thought Georgiana, nodding her head. That was what she must do.
 
Her words were reassuring, but it couldn't stop him from crying. Long had he steeled himself for this, but this...brutality of this measure was just beyond his understanding. It almost made him loathe the very flesh he was composed of: could humanity be so capable of mass slaughter and demise? Feeling her hands against his cheeks, his body almost fell towards the kiss, locking lips with fair Georgiana, the warmth of their bodies close together. He was barely able to string together a few words as she kissed him yet again, breath taken away as he felt her dainty pink lips press against his, their prolonged moment of contact forming a loving embrace.

"I love you too, Georgiana." he spoke as if he had swam from one island to another, breath and heartbeat pacing. The kiss was but a respite from their cruel reality, taking him back to a time when the world was so small consisting only of the sea and the castle. A time when only Georgiana, Donna and himself inhabited the world. Now...all that was gone and from this, he derived a strong urge to protect.

Triton nodded, knowing well of the wisdom behind her words. While he did mistrust the two countries for what could have been their hand in this wanton destruction, he had to stomach this atrocity in order to move on. "I agree. Let's go!" he said, leading her back towards the ship. There were so many bodies, but it seems as if Saladin himself had run out of energy, falling to his knees just as he half-buried the corpse. Melchior was there to aid him up, as the two ventured back.

There wasn't a whole lot to take: a barrel of pickled clams, two jars of briny fish and a sack of potatoes. Food is food, after all! Melchior looked towards Georgiana, with a questioning look in his eyes. "Are you sure that is a sound reason to return?" he asked, "Those men won't talk to dirty pirates like us. We'll take you as close as you can, but you have to venture there on your own." he said, "I trust Theodore can lead you." he said. Triton saluted and they went inside, setting sail far from the ruined city...

Triton sat beside her, despite the heckling he got for skipping his duties. "D...did you want to eat dinner with us?" he asked, curious as he wondered if she would join them again for a bath...
 
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