by Sam Ryan
Jezebel had always encouraged the least violent of methods in their work. While Jezebel did not shy away from a fight, often times being the one to go looking for one, she only took lives when she felt she had no other option. Or when she was angry. Her crew respected that, if not agree with it entirely. Those that did not usually did not last very long.
“Incoming Imperial Airships,” someone on the bridge reported. “One ironclad dreadnought, three battleships, and seven destroyers. Approaching from Itona in a standard imperial defensive formation.” There was a short pause. “Looks like the dreadnought is the IMS Annabel.”
Sophia looked out at the massive ship that hovered off in the distance, surrounded by smaller but equally imposing airships. They all resembled the Iron Rose’s more aerial design of long iron hulls and not the large sea vessels with large balloons instead of sails, but all of them still touted the balloons none the less.
“They’re not messing around,” Jezebel mumbled, nodding her head, her arms crossed. “Commander Yates.” Jezebel turned to her first officer standing next to her. Jezebel let out a reluctant breath. “Raise the proper colors.” Her voice lacking any trace of enthusiasm.
Sophia laughed to herself at the sight, hiding her smile behind of a fist.
“Aye Captain.” Yates nodded, though he seemed about as pleased as his mother. “Raise the colors of the Eternal Empire,” he ordered, resting his fists on his hips in reluctance.
A few moments later the flag with the iron rose compass on it was lowered and replacing it was the naval flag of the Eternal Empire.
“Signal the Annabel,” Jezebel said. “Tell them we are coming in to dock and we have a hostile force in pursuit.”
“How long until we arrive?” Madilyn asked, still standing next to Sophia.
“We should reach the edge of the gulf in about fifteen minutes,” Jezebel stated, pulling out her pocket watch and checking the time. “If everything goes, well we should be docked within the hour.”
“And if things don’t go well?” Madilyn asked.
Sophia was both surprised and amused by the fact that there was no real worry in Madilyn’s tone. She was curious but it seemed that she was not concerned.
“Well, they can sink us if they want, but they’ll be the ones to regret it in the end,” Jezebel stated.
“Why’s that?” Madilyn frowned.
“I take by now you’ve figured out what powers this vessel,” Jezebel said, turning and looking over her shoulder at Madilyn.
“Max said it’s powered by a Legendary Relic,” Madilyn replied with a nod.
“And you saw firsthand what happens when a Relic goes out of control.” Jezebel gave her a wicked smile and a playful wink.
Now Madilyn did seem worried. She stiffened up slightly, raising her chin as she swallowed nervously.
“Then if they shoot us down, it could wipe out the entire city,” Madilyn stated.
“And who ever said that stupidity didn’t hurt?” Jezebel smirked. “Don’t worry,” Jezebel said, seeing the worried look in Madilyn’s eyes. “They might fire a few shots at us, but Allora will make sure nothing happens. But now you know the answer to the question that had been eating away at you since you first stepped aboard.”
“Why aren’t there any other ships that use the power of a Relic?” Madilyn nodded.
“It’s a gamble,” Jezebel shrugged. “Do the benefits outweigh the risks? For all its fighting capabilities, the Iron Rose is not a warship. This is the most combat we have seen in years. Most people surrender at the very sight of us. And those that don’t usually run, not put up a fight.”
The coast up ahead lit up as white signal lights started flashing at the incoming ships. The IMS Annabel began turning, exposing its starboard side to them along with several rows of cannons, a light flashing from the bridge.
“Orders from the Annabel,” one of the bridge crew called out. “Bearing 176 degrees. Ahead slow.”
Jezebel let out a sigh as she leaned over, shaking her head. “They are practically asking for us to get shot down,” she said. “If we slow down now then it is still possible for our pursuers to lob shots at us before we actually enter Itona.” Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders back. “Bearing 176 degrees. Ahead half. Once the Lear ships break off pursuit, slow us down to ahead slow.”
“How far do you think they will push it?” Sophia asked Madilyn, figuring if anyone would know it would be her.
“They have been chasing us for over two weeks,” Madilyn said. “They will either be ready to give up and go home, or they will get so angry that they are about to lose their prey, that they will press their luck.”
Sophia was sure that she knew which option Madilyn wanted. She had been impressed with how well Madilyn had been handling the whole situation thus far. Sophia had been impressed by how Madilyn had been handling everything for that matter. The fire in her eyes had been reignited once more. While she still seemed to lack the purpose she once had, she no longer lacked determination and that made all the difference.
Looking out the window of the bridge, Sophia looked under the hovering fleet at the large polished metal structures that surrounded dozens of advance artillery emplacements located on small islands. The barrels of the cannons were long and would collapse with every shot, absorbing the recoil without having to put them on wheels. The Iron Rose use similar cannons, only much smaller in scale.
Itona was built around the crest of a gulf with the two ends being connected by a series of small islands that had various fortifications built on them to defend the city from aerial or naval attacks. Defenses they would soon be in range of. If the Lear warships did not back off soon, they would be fired upon.
“Message,” the crewman said. “They are ordering us to slow down.”
“Are the Lear ships still in pursuit?” Jezebel asked.
“Yes ma’am,” came the reply.
“Then steady as she goes,” Jezebel said. “This will be interesting,” she added over to Yates.
Sophia could see the bridge of the Annabel light up once more as they continued to signal the Iron Rose to slow down.
“They are raising cannons,” someone reported.
“At us or the Lear warships?” Jezebel asked.
“Both,” came the reply.
“Oh this is going to be very interesting,” Jezebel chuckled. Her arms crossed confidently across her chest.
Sophia heard Madilyn take a breath and hold it as she clinched her fist. Sophia gave her an assuring smile before looking back out the window.
“The Lear vessels are altering course. They’re breaking pursuit.”
There was a communal sigh of relief.
“Ahead slow,” Jezebel ordered, dropping her hands and resting them on her hips. “Follow instructions to dock.” She let out a long breath as she relaxed her shoulders. “Once we get docked and secured, I think you have all earned some shore leave.”
There was a resounding cheer from the crew at her words.
“Just try to keep the damages down,” Jezebel mumbled under her breath
***
There was a rhythmic tapping sound from Sophia’s cane as she and Madilyn followed Jezebel and Yates to the passenger exit ramp of the Iron Rose. Clementine and Max were already there waiting for them. Clementine was hunched over, looking out the view port with a worried look on her face, while Max seemed rather fidgety for some reason. She paced back and forth, muttering some kind of mantra under her breath. Occasionally she would brush at her short hair with her hand.
Sophia gave her a concerned look but Max either did not notice or she did not bother with a response. She did not seem scared as Sophia would have maybe assumed, instead she seemed more nervous. Like she was worried about making a good first impression on a date. Who she was so worried about trying to impress, Sophia could only guess.
“Hey Grandma,” Clementine said, peering out the viewport. She tapped her finger to the window, signaling what she was looking
it.
Sophia glanced out the viewport next to her and saw the large unit of soldiers lined up outside the Iron Rose. Sophia even noticed what looked like armored carriages behind them, all of them with large cannons mounted in the front.
“They don’t look to happy to see us,” Clementine said.
Jezebel let out an annoyed sigh as she leaned in and looked over Clementine’s shoulder at the waiting soldiers. “They never are,” she said, resting a hand on Clementine’s back. She gave her back a few pats of encouragement, then straightened back up. Her hand falling to the hilt of her cutlass. “Whelp, no use standing around. Let’s go greet our guests.” She moved past Clementine and headed for the loading ramp. Yates gave Clementine a reassuring nod of his own as he walked by her, following after Jezebel.
“So then this is normal?” Sophia asked, pointing out the viewport as she too began to walk forward.
“It varies,” Jezebel shrugged. She reached out and pulled on the locking mechanism. The exit ramp slowly lowered and began extending towards the stone ground of the airdock’s landing area.
The soldiers all aimed their weapons as Jezebel stepped outside into the bright sea filled air. Not even slowing her pace she began walking down the ramp, the rest following behind her in a single file line. Yates and Clementine lead the way, with Max and Madilyn taking up the rear. And Sophia was right in the middle.
“Halt,” someone demanded.
“Put those toys down before you hurt yourselves,” Jezebel said. She never slowed her pace as she continued to descend the ramp. “I’m a licensed privateer of her Majesty, Queen Allora.” Jezebel held up the worn documents next to her face as she continued to walk. “That right there,” she pointed at the wax seal at the bottom of the paper. “Is her Majesty’s official seal.”
The soldiers gave each other conflicted looks.
“Everyone lower your weapons,” a man in an officer’s uniform barked as he pushed his way through the soldiers to the front. He was older, looking to be in his late thirties, early forties. He was clean shaven, with the exception of his bushy sideburns. “She speaks the truth.” The man turned around, flashing a smile at Jezebel. “I was present the last time the Iron Maid docked here. Though I doubt she would remember me. I was, after all, only a young lad back then.”
Jezebel frowned as she leaned forward, examining the officer's face. “Billy?” she gasped in recognition. “Billy Boy!” Jezebel squealed, rushing forward and hugging the officer. “Look at you,” she said, pulling away. Letting her hands rest atop his shoulders. “So sharp and handsome with all that gold trimming on your shoulders.”
“Thank you.” The officer blushed.
“Hey Sophia,” Madilyn whispered out the side of her mouth, leaning in. “What are they saying?”
“Oh, sorry.” Sophia let out a breath. She barely even noticed the change in language as the language they were speaking now was the more native language for her. “Apparently the,” Sophia leaned over, looking at the officer’s rank. “Colonel is an old acquaintance of Jezebel.”
“Now, when you say ‘acquaintance’?” Max asked, a cringe on her face as she watched Jezebel chatting with the older looking man.
“Beats me,” Sophia shrugged.
There was a loud trumpet sound off in the distance and the soldiers instantly brought their rifles back and their heels all clicked together.
“Jezebel!” a woman’s voice rang out.
The soldiers in the middle of the formation all parted, making a path for the overly dressed woman that came charging down the center. She held up the bell of her dress as she ran but she still seemed to be fighting the fabric with every step she took, wanting to run faster than her outfit would allow. The soldiers all lowered their heads deeply as the woman passed, touching their hands to their hearts.
Max sucked in a deep breath as she saw the woman clad in a blue and deep purple patterned dress with silver trimmings. Her long orange, red hair was tied into a perfect bun with a few shorter strands falling down her neck. Her heeled shoes clicking against the stone pavement as she ran.
“It is so good to see you,” the woman exclaimed, plowing into Jezebel and giving her the warmest of hugs. Before Jezebel even had a chance to return the hug, much less respond, the woman had already pulled away. “And Yates.” She grinned, moving over to the old man. She cupped his face in her hands as she looked deep into his eyes. “You are looking as handsome as ever.”
“You lie, your Majesty,” Yates said, though he was poorly hiding his blushing face.
“Never,” she assured.
Madilyn leaned in whispering to Sophia. “Is that?”
“Queen Allora.” Sophia nodded, a smile plastered across her face. Seeing the bubbly woman fawn all over Jezebel and her family brought so much happiness to her heart. It was good to see that Allora had not changed a single iota in all this time.
“She is not what I expected,” Madilyn said.
“You were perhaps expecting someone more cold and distant?” Sophia asked.
“Kind of, yeah.” Madilyn nodded.
While Max and Madilyn could not understand a word that Allora and the others were actually saying, it was apparent by their tone and mannerisms that they were not having any kind of formal discussion. If anything, Allora acted like a grandmother seeing her grandchildren for the first time in years.
“I’m with you there,” Max said. Her attention stuck on the scene before her. “First time I think I have ever seen a noble, much less a queen, hug a pirate. And out in the open of all places.”
“Allora is a very kind hearted person,” Sophia stated, a proud smile on her face. “She’d have to be in order to rule an entire Empire for this long.”
“And this?” Allora gasped, turning away from Yates and looking over at Clementine. “Is this little Clem?” She clasped her hands together in front of her face as she gasped in disbelief. “Look how much you’ve grown. Who gave you permission to grow up so fast?”
“Not me,” Jezebel muttered under her breath.
“And you grew up to be such a beautiful woman.” Allora continued to gush. “You must have to beat the boys away with a stick.”
“It’s good to see you Aunty Allora,” Clementine smiled. Her accent was thick and it was obvious that this was not her native tongue or if it was she had not used it in quite some time. Clementine’s smile quickly turned into a gasp of horror as she covered her mouth in fear of having offended the queen. “I’m sorry. Can I still call you that?”
Allora’s lip quivered and her eyes started to water. “Of course you can,” Allora said, wrapping her arms around Clementine and embracing her in a tight hug. “You can call me that forever and ever. In fact, I order you to never call me anything else.”
Clementine smiled and rested her cheek on Allora’s shoulder, returning her hug. Jezebel stepped forward and tapped Allora on the back, getting her attention. Allora turned around instantly to see what Jezebel had wanted. Jezebel only pointed her finger towards Sophia who was still waiting back by the Iron Rose with Max and Madilyn.
Allora became speechless as she saw Sophia, like she did not believe what she was seeing. She took one weak step forward then another. Her steps gaining balance and becoming faster with each one she took. Finally she began running again as she darted towards Sophia. “Sophia!” she cried out in excitement, throwing her arms around Sophia’s neck.
“Hello.” Sophia smiled, returning the hug with all the same warmth and excitement.
Then Allora pulled back and began slapping down at the top of Sophia’s head. “It has been over four hundred years since your last visit,” Allora scolded. “The last word I ever got from you was your wedding invitation three hundred years ago. Do you know how worried I have been for you?”
Sophia laughed as she took the smacks, raising her arm to shield herself from the onslaught. “Sorry,” Sophia chuckled, shying away from another slap. “Time just gets away from me sometimes.”
Allo
ra let out a breath, lowering her hand down to her side. “I understand that,” she said, rather somberly. “Recently we have been dis-cussing plans for the Empire’s eight hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebration.” She smiled and shook her head, looking down at the ground. “In so many ways it feels like it has been three times as long as that, but in other ways-”
“It feels like yesterday,” Sophia finished.
“I was going to say a few years.” Allora looked back up at Sophia, her face warming up again. “It has been over eight hundred years and all. There is no way that much time can pass and we not feel a little bit of it at least.”
Sophia then realized that there was someone missing. “Where’s Elena?” She frowned as she searched the group of people, trying to spot the stoic woman she would have thought to be close by.
Allora rolled her eyes as she looked back at Jezebel. “Elena is back at the Palace, running practice drills with some soldiers.”
Jezebel held up her hand dismissively as she turned away.
“Are those two still fighting?” Sophia said.
“Fighting implies active confrontation,” Allora stated. “This is far too passive aggressive to be called that. Otherwise they might actually have talk to each other.”
“It was six hundred years ago,” Sophia said, looking over Allora’s shoulder at Jezebel. “Let it go.”
“Hey.” Jezebel jabbed a finger towards Sophia. “I’m past it already. I was over it the day after it happened. It’s Elena who’s holding a grudge.”
“You know how Elena is,” Allora said. “When she takes things personally, she holds onto that.”
“I don’t even remember what I did,” Jezebel said. “Hell, I don’t think I even understood what I did at the time.”
“Anyway.” Sophia rolled her eyes. She placed a hand on the small of Allora’s back and guided her towards Madilyn and Max. “These are my friends from Lear, Knight Captain Madilyn and 2nd Lieutenant Maxine.”
“You must be the fugitives that caused my officers so much fuss,” Allora said, curtsying in greeting.
