Chapter Five Hundred and Thirty — Well, If It Isn't the Consequences of Caprica's Own Actions
Chapter Five Hundred and Thirty — Well, If It Isn't the Consequences of Caprica's Own Actions We thought about leaving at night, but then that seemed like a lot of trouble. Plus it was snowing pretty heavily, and Caprica said that she really ought to tell the local Sylphfree embassy that she was heading out, otherwise they might freak out a little.Also, we were all a little lazy by the time the sun set, so... the plan was changed to accommodate. We went to bed with full tummies and woke up early the next morning to find the topdeck of the Beaver covered in a fine sheen of water. The snow from the night before had melted, and it was raining a little.Rain, even if it was above-freezing range, wasn't an auspicious start. Clive mentioned off-hand (off-wing?) that it could be dangerous. Wet ropes became frozen ropes as a ship rose up into the atmosphere and the temperature dropped. There were a few spells and skills to counter that, but it would require vigilance!There were fifteen days left on the countdown timer Rainnewt had sent. I didn't know what that would lead to, but it did give me a bit of a kick in the skirts to move a little faster.Amaryllis logged our flight plan with the local traffic controller. Our destination was deeper into Deepmarsh, the capital. No one in our group had been there before, so we didn't quite know what to expect, but we were sure the Beaver was up to the task. The capital was a half-day's flight, maybe a little more or less depending on how the winds were.In any case, Clive and the scallywags and the rest of the crew ran about, making sure everything was in tip-top shape, and I donned my captain's hat, pulled on a heavy oilcloth overcoat, and stepped out onto the rearmost deck behind the ship's wheel.After Caprica returned in a bit of a hurry, we untied ourselves from the docks and Awen started the engine with a bang. Props spinning gently, we slowly pulled out and started to gain a bit of altitude.The airspace around us was quite busy, with ships departing in huge batches and more hovering on the outskirts. For a while the docks had been overcrowded since a lot of people had come over for Booksie's wedding. It was a bit of a tourist attraction. Now things were calming down, but there were still people that hadn't yet left Port Royal after the wedding.Amaryllis joined me on the rear deck, and we stood next to Clive who was at the helm. There was surprisingly little to do, actually. "The crew have come together rather well," Amaryllis said, loud enough to be heard over the purr of the engine and the whistle of the wind. "I think all three of the Scallywags have picked up some general skills for ship handling, and it shows.""That's good," I said. "I think the Beaver only needs maybe three, four people to handle well, and we have way more than that. So it's lighter work.""I suppose so," Amaryllis said. "But light work isn't so light when you're stumbling over the fool next to you. The crew is well-trained, despite a lack of formal training.""Uh-huh!" I said."We'll be able to tack on some more sail soon," Clive noted. "There's a nice easterly wind.""Good! It'll give us a boost in the right direction," I said before I leaned over the rails. "Gordon, Sally, sails to three-quarters! Let's catch some wind! Oda, shout out if the thermometer dips below freezing.""Aye!" came the response from the crew.Sails unfurled and caught the wind with a whip-like snap and the Beaver lurched slightly as we started to gain some speed.I grinned and pulled my hat down against the wind and rain squall. This was the life!And then something heavy thumped onto the deck below me, the strike hard enough that I felt it as a vibration through my soles. Something had just landed on my ship, without permission or warning.A helmeted head popped up, just visible over the railing. Short compared to me, but tall for a sylph, his translucent dragonfly wings snapped out like swords. Densely engraved armor plates — that I knew just had to be magical — shifted fluidly over his form, and a long rapier hung from his side.He raised a hand and flipped his helmet open, giving me a good look at his very familiar face."I'm going to have to ask that you turn this ship around and return to the docks, Captain Bunch," Bastion said.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it."Bastion!" I cheered. A moment later I launched myself down, landed, then crashed into the paladin with a giggling oomph! "You're back!""This is a serious matter, Broccoli," he said."Uh-huh!" I said. "We need to have a party! Drinks! Are you cold? Flying out in this weather can't be warm, you're all wet! Want some Cleaning magic?"Bastion shook his head. "No, Broccoli. This is a serious matter."I paused. Even I could look past the happiness at seeing a friend again when they were this serious. So I took a small, reluctant step back, then tugged my clothes on straighter. "Okay," I said."Can you turn the Beaver around and return to the docks?" he asked."Sure," I said. "But why?"Bastion sighed. "Because you're harbouring the Princess of Sylhpfree, and she must be returned to her home. I was tasked with retrieving her.""Oh," I said. Caprica... kinda did run away from home. "Hey, Sally," I called out. "Go and get Caprica, please?""There's no need for that," Bastion said.I narrowed my eyes. "Why not?""This would be easier done back in port.""As opposed to here?" I asked.Bastion's expression barely changed, but he was a friend, even if he was a friend that I hadn't seen in a little while. I knew how to read that slight twitch of his lips and the pinch in the corner of his eyes. He wanted us to go back because staying in the air would be trouble for him.Which meant that I had to weigh things. Would trouble for one friend be good for another? That... wasn't a really nice thing to be thinking, but it was kind of the situation I found myself in, wasn't it?"Broccoli? What's going o-" Caprica began as she stepped out of the cabin at the back. She froze mid-step on seeing who I was talking with. "Bastion," she said.And then she turned around and disappeared back into the cabin."One moment, please," Bastion said as he started to go around me.I reached out and touched his shoulder. "Wait," I said. "I'm sure she's going to come back.""Yeah," Sally said as she stepped out as well. "She said something about getting changed?"I blinked, but... yeah, that made sense. Caprica had taken to wearing somewhat more casual clothes lately. They were still very nice, quality things, but they weren't the military-like uniform she had always worn when we started adventuring."Change?" Bastion asked. "Why would she bother with something like that at a time like this?"Oh, poor Bastion.He really didn't know how Caprica felt about him, did he? For someone who was so observant, he was kind of blind about some things. "How about we all sit down for tea and discuss this like friends who haven't seen each other in a while?" I asked."Certainly. We can do so at the Sylph embassy," he said.I puffed my cheeks out. "But that would mean turning around. We'll be late!""Late to your next adventure?" he asked.I blinked, then nodded. "Yeah, pretty much. I think we're aiming to save the world this time? Maybe? Rainnewt's hints are pretty cryptic. There's myths and legend, and like, some ancient band of super strong people that's all secretive, and a doomsday countdown clock."Bastion stared at me for a moment, then let out a very familiar sigh. "None of that was an exaggeration, was it?""Nope!" I said. "You should join us! It'll be fun! Plus, we might be able to use some help from someone nice and strong.""Broccoli is right," Caprica said as she stepped back on deck. She was changed into her uniform. Her hair was a little wild, and her uniform wasn't quite straight, but she looked a little more imposing. "The entire world might be at stake! Your presence would be a great boon, Paladin Bastion.""Be that as it may," Bastion said. "I have orders to return you home.""I will override them," she said."From your mother," Bastion continued, and the wince on Caprica's face was rather telling."T-technically," Caprica said. "My mother is a retired Paladin, and her non-inherited title of queen doesn't actually give her the legal right to give orders to any branch of the nation's military, including the Paladins."Bastion quirked one eyebrow. "Yes, I'm certain you could make that argument in court. And in front of your parents."
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Chapter Five Hundred and Thirty-One — The Third Stage of Grief
Chapter Five Hundred and Thirty-One — The Third Stage of Grief "I refuse.""You don't have the authority to refuse.""Yes I do.""Whose?""My... womanly authority to not go because I don't want to."I watched the argument ping-pong between Caprica and Bastion, both of them failing to convince the other. Bastion was tall, calm, and placid. Caprica had stomped her foot on the ground three times already.If things kept going like this, I might have to start worrying about the poor Beaver's deck.The rest of the crew and I had gathered up to kind of just... watch? We were still flying away from Port Royal through a light rain, though the engine was idling and we'd tucked our sails in, so we were just drifting forward on the wind. Going slower meant that we didn't need to keep as much of an eye on the environment around us, which meant more eyes on... this."Womanly authority isn't recognized by the state," Bastion said.Caprica snorted. "You didn't need to tell me that," she replied. "But it doesn't matter. We're not in Sylphfree. Even your authority isn't worth anything here.""I have a writ," Bastion said."It's a piece of paper," Caprica said. "We could use it as kindling. Hmpf! I bet you were waiting to ambush me at the Sylphfree embassy, weren't you?""I wouldn't use the term ambush," Bastion said."I'm not going back," Caprica said. "Not unless certain concessions are met." she crossed her arms and raised her head up tall and proud, displaying her noble attack nostrils for all to see.I chewed on a thumbnail. Conditions? What sort of conditions would Caprica need to leave the crew?It hadn't really hit me yet, but this whole thing, Bastion coming onboard unannounced, was about a member of the Beaver Cleaver's crew leaving. It... wasn't something I really wanted to think about if I could avoid it, but... well, it was happening? It had happened before, when Bastion left, but Bastion had always only been a temporary member of the crew. Like a cool older brother hanging out for a bit."In that case I'd like to point out that there are no authorities at the moment that could prevent me from tossing you over my shoulder and flying you all the way back to the throne room myself," Bastion said."Y-you think I'd like that?" Caprica challenged. I think she might maybe have been flushing from more than just anger.Which was a good time for me to step in, I think. "Guys," I said. "Caprica, Bastion, can we just talk this through?"Bastion turned his attention towards me. "Broccoli, I consider you a friend and an ally." Aww! That warmed my heart up a little. "But even as an ally of the nation of Sylphfree, I feel that you should know not to interfere with this matter any more than you have.""He's right," Caprica said. "This is between me and Bastion.""I get that," I said as placatingly as I could. "But... ah, let's lay things out on the table... the metaphorical table. Bastion, why are you trying to, ah, bring Caprica back home?"Bastion sighed. "If it were entirely up to me, I would merely suggest that the princess bring with her an appropriate escort. But it isn't merely up to me. The King and Queen suggested that Caprica's wanderings reflect poorly upon Sylphfree, though some of your group's more... heroic actions have reached the capital's rumour mill and they do seem to be taken in a positive light.""We're doing just fine," Caprica said."Certainly," Bastion replied. "But the royal family is still worried. You never even wrote."Caprica flushed and looked away. Ah, Bastion had scored his first real point in this argument."In any case, it's my duty to ensure the safe return of the princess," Bastion continued. "Unharmed and in a condition wherein she can continue her royal duties.""The only reason you're not kidnapping me outright then, is because we've been successful so far," Caprica said, her arms crossing again. "I know how my father thinks. He'd have had a whole patrol fleet after us far earlier, but we've been nothing if not successful in our ventures.""Most of those ventures involve altercations with pirates and dealings with dragons," Bastion said."Yes. And we've handled those well. We also ventured into multiple dungeons and even pushed back the influence of the Evil Roots that threaten Dirt itself," Caprica said. "I bet the gossips don't mention that nearly as often."Stolen story; please report."The existence of these Evil Roots has been disseminated amongst the people that need to know, but the knowledge has been kept from the broader public," Bastion said.Caprica sniffed. "So our heroic deeds are being masked. And it's coincidentally making it all the easier for you to come here and take me away?"I frowned. That... almost made sense, but ... I think Caprica was grasping at straws. "Do you need to leave with Caprica now?" I asked Bastion. "We're mid-flight, after all. It would be kind of dangerous. And we're just going to Deepmarsh, the capital, to try and solve a mystery.""The royal family wishes their wayward princess back," Bastion said."I'll go back," Caprica said. Then, when Bastion had a hint of hope, she crushed it. "When I please. I do not please at the moment, so you can either leave yourself without me, or join us on this venture which you will no doubt realize is of utmost importance.""Is it?" Bastion asked."Yes," Caprica said."And what exactly is this venture?" Bastion prompted."Classified," Caprica replied smugly.Bastion's wings twitched and his fingers flexed at his sides. It had been a minute since I'd last seen him, but he was a friend, and I could tell from his body language alone that he was a little conflicted. Maybe he wouldn't mind giving Caprica some amount of freedom?"Bastion, you're a Paladin, right?" I asked."Yes," he said."So, your job is to keep Caprica safe?"He nodded again. "Yes, that's correct. And I already see where you're going with this."Caprica caught on too. "We're sailing to Deepmarsh to speak with an expert on a subject linked to Rainnewt. That man must be taken down, for the good of all of Dirt, and the next hint as to his location is in Deepmarsh itself. If something threatens my kingdom, and I have the ability to stop it, then I have a responsibility to do so. To leave now would be dereliction of duty."I had to bite my lip. She really was good at this.Bastion inhaled deeply, his shoulders rising as if gathering his thoughts. "And if this mission is more dangerous than you anticipate?"Caprica's lips curled into a small, triumphant smile. "Then as my loyal protector, you will be right there to make sure I return home safely."The silence stretched for a moment before Bastion exhaled, slow and measured. "I suppose," he said, "that if the royal family wishes their princess returned unharmed, it would be prudent to ensure she remains so in the first place."Caprica tilted her head. "Are you saying you'll join us?"Bastion sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I will remain onboard for the time being. If I find your actions unacceptably reckless, I will override your wishes and return you to Sylphfree personally."Caprica beamed. "Then it's settled!""And your royal majesty will be writing letters to her father and mother, apologising for the lack of communication and the failure in her filial duty."Caprica stiffened for a moment. "I... suppose I can do that.""Good. because I have several letters from them addressed to you," he said before reaching between his breastplate and gambeson. He pulled out a small pouch, then opened it to reveal a small stack of letters.I remember that on Earth, companies sometimes use colour-coded envelopes. Paper and brown meant nothing, but yellow and red was a bad sign.Caprica's stack of letters had a nice hue-shift going, from beige all the way to a very dangerous red."These were sent to you via your banking ring, which you seem to have misplaced. The royal family requested the letters back and asked that I deliver them to you personally. I have a banking ring that could allow discrete communication to Sylphfree," Bastion said. "I'm certain your family will be excited to hear from you.""Ah," Caprica said as she eyed the letters. She took them as if Bastion was handing over a live bomb. "From mother?""Yes," Bastion said, and I think I detected some pleasure in that 'yes.' "How did you guess?""Well... I shall take care of these immediately... in my room. Seeing as how you are going to travel with us as my bodyguard, I suppose I ought to make room for you in my cabin as well.""No no," Amaryllis slipped in smoothly. "Bastion can stay with Calamity and the other boys. I'm sure there's a hammock to spare.""Thank you," Bastion said. "That would be more than acceptable."
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