A New Beginning

by Alexander W Meurant

  "Alright lads, I will get straight to the point. I am getting married, so I want to get a pile of cash for a grand ceremony, so what say you lot to looking into a merchant job?" Mehrbad asked and looked around at the crew. Mehrasa snorted softly as she watched the sailors look among themselves nervously and a few mutter something she couldn't quite hear. The look on Mehrbad's face told her everything though and she perked a brow as he scoffed.

  "It's not that dangerous. The merchants don't even have guards. Maybe one or two gun’s that they don't even know how to use. That’s about it" Mehrbad exclaimed and got a dirty look for his words from the two older sailors. To her dismay, one of them looked over at Mehrasa and waved.

  "Mehrasa, what do you think about this then? Your brother wants to go merchanting" the man asked and Mehrasa recognized the man as Dante, one of her father’s oldest friends.

  "Mehrbad is the head of the household. If he decides that’s what’s happening, I have no say. Can only make sure he doesn't get killed doing it. And why don't you call this what it really is? It is piracy, not merchanting" Mehrasa called back and to her triumph she saw a wave of nervousness wash over the sailors, and her brother. They hated their work being called for what it was.

  "Sister hush!" Mehrbad exclaimed, his voice betraying his alarm as he crossed the gangway towards Mehrasa and lifted a hand to place a finger on her lips as if to silence her. She just frowned at him and stayed silent, irritation starting to show on her face. Mehrbad looked back at Dante and smiled in an apologetic manner.

  "Dante, do you still have contact with Rehan's crew? If so, can you reach out and see if he has any big jobs going? If you guys don't want to get in on it, then i'll go by myself" Mehrbad stated, his face set. Mehrasa just sighed and knocked her brother’s hand away from her mouth.

  "Honestly brother, I can't even remember what I was on my way to do. You just threw a wrench in my thought’s" Mehrasa mumbled before hearing Dante answer her brother.

  "I'll reach out boss. Usually it takes a few days to get a reply back. I'll let you know when I do" Dante stated and promptly started getting back to work on the boat. Mehrasa simply sighed and started walking away, stopping when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking back over her shoulder she saw Mehrbad, his brown eyes bright.

  "Sister. I have been invited to share dinner with old man Shah and his family tomorrow night. I would like you there ok" Mehrbad stated before letting go of her shoulder. She sighed in what was quickly becoming a regular manner. Then she rolled her eyes.

  "Yeah ok. Don't expect me to be a great conversationalist though" she stated and turned away from him, her memory of what she had been on her way to do quickly returning to her. She had been on her way to see Aladeen and she smiled, feeling enthused now. She could use some of his humor to subdue the thoughts her brother gave her.

  Chapter 8

  * * *

  Niall sat upon the captain's chair on the bridge of the Liston as an organized chaos ran about him. He casually flicked through the list of personnel for the flight crew, memorizing each position and the name attached to it. They would be his own direct subordinates from here on out and he had a responsibility to them.

  As the chaos quietened, he realized that everyone had found their positions and were now waiting patiently. Niall looked up and saw the looks of expectation on each of the crew members faces. He flicked his wrist and looked at his watch for the time.

  "We still have thirty minutes until scheduled take off, feel free to talk amongst yourselves quietly until then" he said casually and he smiled slightly as he felt the rush of tension leave the crew and they began talking in hushed tones. Looking back at his list, he noticed a familiar name. Turning to face the rear, he saw Rella Sader standing not ten feet behind him. Beckoning, he bade Rella to come forward.

  As she approached, Niall noticed a welt on her right cheek but choosing not to ask anything about it, and he instead asked another question.

  "Lady Sader, I see you have been assigned to my crew. Is this only a temporary assignment? Her majesty had not notified me of it" Niall asked, a brow perked.

  "Yes, my Lord, this is only temporary, it is my understanding that you will be assigned a security detail upon your return to Pagua, and I am only here because I had a leave of absence and it is easier to return to her majesty with you then to take a private flight later" Rella replied. She spoke rather formally as no doubt she still held some disdain for Niall for being a commoner. Niall was used to such reactions but at least this woman talked to him now.

  "Fair enough, you are dismissed" he said, waving a hand and smiling slightly as Rella stepped a few paces backwards until she returned to her previous position.

  Looking back at the list, Niall continued his memorization of the names and positions, and upon reaching the end of the list another name jumped out at him. He recognized it, yet couldn't place where from. Looking up, he searched the radar team, finding who he thought it was. He looked the young woman up and down quietly.

  He checked the list again. The name was Jenna Yarrow, and finally he remembered her. He had only met her the once and briefly on one of his trips back to Rindai to visit his father. She was the daughter of his new stepmother.

  Looking at his watch, Niall saw there was only ten minutes left until take off. Sighing, he stood up and clapped his hands once, all chatter instantly died out and the faces of the crew looked up at him.

  Niall cleared his throat and looked at all the crew in turn.

  "Corporal Hestings, if you could please patch me into the speaker systems of all seven ships" he said nodding to the communications officer.

  The corporal nodded and after a few moments, turned and gave Niall a thumbs up. Niall smiled and then spoke.

  "This is your Commander speaking. I am Niall Belford, Royal Knight of her Majesty Princess Phidel, and second in command of the eighteenth battle fleet of the empire. For many of you, this is your first deployment, and it is my hope, that should you need any advice, that you should ask those of us that have served previously. It is in our best interests to get along well with each other in both working and private environments. Now, in less than ten minutes we will take flight and set out for Pagua, your home for the next eight months. There, you will all experience a variety of situations, first and foremost that of Airship combat. But no matter what happens, I want you all to remember your training. Do that and everything will be well" he spoke loudly and firmly making sure to cast his gaze around the bridge, acknowledging all his subordinates. Smiling, he continued.

  "Know that I once sat where you all are. I was once a young and inexperienced officer, but through diligence and hard work, I arrived where I am today, and it is possible for any of you to do the same" Niall stated and gracing them all with one last smile, he sat down in his chair and looked at his watch once more, noting that only a few minutes remained.

  "Prepare for take-off" he spoke out, flicking his eyes down to his stepsister, who appeared to be the flight officer and looked as if she was quite nervous. Smiling grimly, he looked out of the bridge windows and watched the factory roller doors open to let the airships exit. He always couldn't help being in awe of the place. It was truly massive. As a dedicated facility and the largest of its kind in the empire, the factory churned out the most high-tech airships in the empire. As the roller doors shuddered to a halt and the sunlight of the outside world filtered in, Niall raised a hand and spoke out.

  "First run of the Liston fleet, begin!"

  The Liston shuddered as the engines kicked over and began to steadily rise. Niall watched as Jenna Yarrow pressed gently on the main steering controls, causing the ship to start moving forward. As the nose of the ship passed the roller doors, the bridge was bathed in a wash of sunlight and Niall felt his body instantly begin to warm. As they exited the facility, he gave the order to raise their altitude and asked for the factory camera feed to be put on screen. After a few moments, Corporal Hestings had it up and Niall couldn’t help but offer a
smile as he watched the other six ships of his fleet exit the factory pushing their engines a slightly bit harder to catch up to the massive Liston. Its sheer size was unbelievable. He really could believe that it was the first of its kind, as Phidel had dubbed it a first-generation dreadnought class ship.

  As the rest of the ships caught up, he grinned widely.

  "Let us go, let us sail for Pagua, all hail Gestonia!" he spoke loudly, grinning still as his words were repeated all around him.

  * * *

  As she brushed her hair out, Celeste stared at her reflection in the mirror, seeing hints of dark circles under her eyes. Usually such things were hidden by the makeup her servants applied every day, but sitting in the comfort of her room of an evening meant she didn't need makeup. Well, unless Bradley was in one of his moods anyway.

  Hearing the main bedroom door open and then close, Celeste turned her head slightly to the left and saw her husband enter the room. She could see the tiredness in his face as he took off a suit jacket and hung it on a coat rack by the door. He flicked his gaze to her and she smiled at him, gaining a smile in return.

  "Hello dear. Would you like me to ask the servants to bring you something to eat?" Celeste asked and watched as Bradley started to unbutton his shirt, the thing already pulled up out of his trousers.

  "No need. I stopped in the kitchen on my way here for something quick" Bradley stated and took off his shirt. He casually just threw that on the ground, knowing the servants would pick it up tomorrow. Celeste frowned slightly at Bradley's words though. It was quickly becoming regular for her to eat alone of an evening, what with Bradley tied up in meetings or military matters often late into the night.

  "I see. Well, no matter" Celeste stated and turned back to the mirror, her hands deftly guiding her brush through her hair as she let it hang over one shoulder. She sensed movement behind her and saw Bradley's face appear in her mirror as he stood behind her. He reached out and gently plucked the brush from her hands and gathered up her hair, starting to brush it for her. Celeste relaxed a little, leaning back into her chair as she felt Bradley's deft, gentle hands separating knots in her long black hair. She closed her eyes then, relishing the moment, not quite knowing how long it would last.

  "I apologize if I have upset you recently Celeste. It was not my intention" Bradley stated rather suddenly, bringing Celeste’s moment to an end. She opened her eyes and looked into Bradley's face in the mirror. He had his mouth set in a slight frown, his gaze locked on the back of her neck as he slid the brush through her hair. Celeste swallowed slightly and stayed silent a short while as she thought on what she should say. After a while she spoke out, her voice low and subdued.

  "No, you haven't upset me. I understand you want a child, if not to increase your own claim to the throne, then for us. But as I said, these things can't be rushed. We could always go to see a specialist on the matter if you like though" Celeste stated and she felt Bradley's hands falter slightly in her hair.

  "I don’t think that will be necessary" Bradley replied and withdrew the brush from Celeste's hair. He gave it back to her and placed her hair back over her shoulder.

  "We will just have to try that bit harder won't we" Bradley stated and Celeste watched a smirk break out over his face in the mirror's reflection. Feeling her heart jolt a little, Celeste offered a shaky smile to her husband, a slight feeling of dread starting to seep through her. The soreness from a few days past had only just left her, and she was all too familiar with the look Bradley wore now.

  "Perhaps so. Maybe we should try something new for a change" Celeste suggested, trying to keep her voice even as she placed her brush down on the small table in front of her before standing up and turning to face her husband. As she looked into his face she saw a different look come over his features. A thoughtful expression.

  "You have just reminded me of something Celeste. I received a new report earlier today that my old experiment has surfaced in the Union. As a soldier. And I was thinking about new options or methods I could look at to get him back into my control" Bradley stated and stepped away from Celeste. He pulled his undershirt up over his head, revealing his well-built torso and Celeste swallowed once more. She could not deny her husband was handsome, and that she was attracted to him, but she certainly did not love him. Not that it mattered. Royal marriages were rarely matches made of the heart.

  "Well. If the young man is in the military now, then that complicates things" Celeste stated, wondering if Bradley was actually wanting her to contribute to this conversation in a way more than just listening. She watched as he started to pace, her eyes following his every movement.

  "It does. But also presents us with an opportunity. My informant told me the youth was drafted into the Unions force equivalent to that of our special forces. So, I just need to set up a scenario where they get involved" Bradley stated and turned around fast to stare hard at Celeste causing her to shiver slightly under his gaze.

  "Have you heard from the mercenaries? It has been months since the last contact hasn't it?" Bradley asked, his expression expectant as he looked at Celeste. She blinked a little at his query, having a moment of confusion. Bradley had basically just answered his own question.

  "Correct. I haven’t heard from them for a few months. They said they were watching the young man, and building a more in depth file on him" Celeste stated, feeling she had to add more than just a confirmation to his question.

  "That’s what I thought. Well, I have an idea. Do you remember that Kratsch warlord that approached my people in the Kratsch territories for financial backing?" Bradley asked and Celeste gulped. Of course she remembered the man. He was a cruel, calculating man and many dark rumors swirled around his rise to power. Celeste nodded to Bradley, unwilling to speak, and perhaps betray how shaken she suddenly felt. Why did Bradley always seem to gravitate towards people of the underworld? Taking her nod as a cue, Bradley continued talking, even as he started pacing once more.

  "Then reach out to them. See if they can set up a scenario that will deliver Sain to us. And give them explicit instructions not to have this able to be traced back to me. After all, I do not want his brother getting wind of it. That peasant is already rising through the Empire far too fast for my liking because of Phidel's interest in him" Bradley stated and Celeste stared at him, a shocked expression on her face as her mind raced. She suddenly connected all the dots on all the paperwork she had seen. Sain and Niall both shared the same last name, and came from the same city. Though Sain was technically deceased. She stayed standing there, her shocked expression still on her face, seemingly going unnoticed by Bradley.

  "And let them know that if they can do this, they will have my backing. In more than just finances" Bradley stated and finally settled his gaze on Celeste once more. His typical dark smirk appearing on his face once more as he stepped up to Celeste and laid his hands on her hips, drawing her forward into his own body. She lifted hands to splay them out on his chest, heart starting to hammer in her chest almost painfully. Her mind was a whirl right now as she thought over the revelation about the brothers.

  "But all that can wait until the morning. For now, come to bed, and let us see if we can rectify what we spoke of earlier" Bradley stated and Celeste gulped, a nervous smile appearing on her face as Bradley drew her back towards the bed, his smell suddenly thick in her nostrils. It was the smell of sweat mixed with rich cologne and it tingled in her nostrils. She wondered what the cologne was, having not smelled it before. The thought disappeared from her mind however as she was spun around and she felt the backs of her knees touch the bed. And then she was on her back, lying face up on the bed, looking into Bradley's smirk ridden face as his hands fumbled at the belt around his waist.

  Chapter 9

  * * *

  "You can't be serious" Sain stated with wide eyes, almost shouting just to be heard over the noise of the gunship as he looked Travos in the face.

  "I am dead serious boy" the major shouted, steel in his voice.
Grabbing the youth, Travos pulled him to the back of the of the gunship and held him there as the bay opened up. Sain couldn't help but gulp as he saw the land so far below them, scattered buildings and vehicles looking like tiny little toys from all the way up here.

  The rest of the unit gathered behind him as they all got ready to jump, Sain felt a rush of fear and tried to focus on breathing even as he pulled his goggles down over his eyes. Tensing his shoulders, he felt Travos grip them.

  "Don't worry kiddo, we are here to help, if you are in danger either Luto I will get you" Travos shouted behind him.

  "Just remember what I told you, control your fall and don’t waste your crystals" the major shouted again, his mouth practically touching Sain’s ear.

  Waiting, Sain tried to stay calm, but as the gunship started to tilt upwards, the red light above them changed from red to orange, then finally to green. Not wasting any time, Travos pushed Sain hard in the back and launched the youth from the back of the gunship. Panicking, Sain tumbled out, rolling and flipping through the air. As he did, he caught glimpses of the others of his unit jumping out of the gunship and following Sain, although they had far more control than he did.