| Logs |
2001-01-22
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
"Alea Jacta Est."
Alex's birthday party continues late into the evening, and she dances her way through the male half of the guest list with cheerful abandon. Carroll chats with the guests and dances with a fair number of people himself, but Horatio stays with Jessie most of the evening. The party is quite a success, but eventually it ends and the St. Genevieve siblings wend their way home, with Lars carrying young Pablo (who has fallen asleep).
Carroll makes a few more contacts over the next few days, investigating the possibilities for expansion of trade, but soon decides that nothing will happen immediately. The siblings decide to return to Punta del Oro and the Saucy Mare, and soon are on the road again. The trip back to Cascada de las Aguilas is uneventful, and they quickly find space on a riverboat heading downstream, though they have to share space with sacks of cashews. The little village of Madera Occidental is in the midst of the harvest when they get there, but Valencia has several barrels of the tree sap waiting for them. Skeee and a few of the crew are present as well, having just finished delivery of several crates of steel tools in exchange for the sap and the small cargo of teakwood, mahogany, and cashews that Carroll had negotiated during their previous stopover. The next morning sees them all on the last leg of the trip back to Punta del Oro.
- Punta del Oro has changed quite a bit over the last few weeks,
with the cashew harvest in and ships from the League and other places
loading up. The crew of the Mare manages to finish loading without too
much trouble and gets a pilot out of the harbor two days later. Five days
after the Mare departs Punta del Oro, she stops briefly at Punta Arenas
to top off her water casks. Twelve days after that, the lookouts sight
Maidstone Harbor. The passage is tediously uneventful, the scouts sighting
nothing but other cargo vessels for the most part. A pod of whales races
the Mare for part of one morning before diving and vanishing from sight,
but they don't say anything in particular.
Alex grins and waves at the whales, admiring their sleek grace -- someday she wants to captain a ship that sleek herself! Carroll also waves to the whales, and takes their closeness to the ship as a sign of peaceful waters, which pleases him. Horatio is himself rather occupied by the charts and coursework, though he does take notice of the whales at one point.
At one point on the trip home Alex closets herself in her cabin with Juanita. She shows the young armadillo seamstress the customized dress Carroll gave her for her birthday, and the two of them spend some time figuring out how to get those same customizations into her other dresses as well. She thinks being able to carry hidden daggers are an excellent idea!
The Mare coasts into the harbor that afternoon, the crew happy to be, if not home, at least back in the League. A harbor pilot directs them back to a berth in the Navy Yard and a runner is sent up to the palace.
Carroll comments to Alex, "I wonder why we've been berthed with the Navy again? We should be solely traders at this point, shouldn't we?" After the runner for the palace is sent he adds, "I hope they'll know what's going on."
Horatio perks his ears slightly, glancing at the yard. "It could just be a precaution. Something may have happened in the past few days."
Alex grins up at Carroll from where she's leaning on the railing, out of the way of the scurrying sailors, and winks, "Maybe someone wants to see you, mm?"
Carroll smiles back to his sister, and says, "Of course. I merely hope the reason why is pleasant."
Alex chuckles, looking back out over the bustling port, and sighs happily. "It's nice to be back in the League, I must say." She looks around a bit, then smiles a bit gleefully, "Got some shopping to do!"
Carroll nods, and concurs, "Yes, there are likely a few things I could buy as well." He gets a brief and pleasantly wistful look as he considers for a few minutes what he can find.
Horatio considers. "I'd like to take a sample of that tree sap to the Alchemists' Guild. Or do you think taking it to the Academy in Starfall is better? The Academy probably has more ability to do a thorough study..."
Alex grins at Horatio, "Just don't let them know precisely where it came from, Horry... we'd like to keep our trade secret a secret for a bit longer, so we and that nice oil bird can make some money off it first, eh?"
Horatio nods quietly, tapping his chin. "True... I'll remember that."
Carroll suggests, "Take a small cask to them here and let them look at it while we're here. The Academy can see it when we get back." He adds, "Alex is right; don't tell them where we got it, even that it's a sap if you can help it."
Horatio nods, "I'll just drop it off, then."
Alex nods quietly at Carroll's suggestion, then glances at her eldest brother again, "So... once we're docked, can I go make a quick run into town? Got some..." she flicks her golden-ringed ear meaningfully, "-shopping to do?"
Carroll ahs! and says, "Yes, that's important. Don't forget to include yourself in that list so I can present you with yours, as well."
Alex blinks in startlement! -then brightens, "Really?! Is that okay? Whoa... thank you, Cara!" She exuberantly hugs her oldest brother in excitement -- then Horatio too, just for good measure since she's in such a good mood -- then dashes off! Horatio blinks in surprise at the sudden abrupt hug, then chuckles softly as she dashes off. Alex returns in about half an hour, grinning at how the curiously colored but excruciatingly polite penguin both remembered and welcomed her, and was glad to place five gold earrings on order for her!
Matthew arrives at the docks about an hour after the runner was sent, while the Mare is still taking on fresh water before sending the crew out on leave. "Welcome back!"
Carroll greets the mouse, and says, "We're pleased to return, Matthew. Has there been any more unpleasant events at the palace?" Alex grins and waves at Matthew as he comes up the gangplank, then stands politely by Carroll, listening to the conversation. Horatio remains nearby quietly, pausing in his work at putting a sample of the sap into a small cask.
Matthew smiles. "Nothing bad, no. We've made some progress, and I think Ludmilla is going to spring the trap soon. Her Majesty was hoping you would make it back in time to be there for it..."
Alex brightens, a slightly fierce glint in her eyes... she'd very much like to see the guilty parties apprehended! Horatio blinks. "We seem to be just in time, then..."
Carroll smiles a mischievous fox grin, and says, "We are at Her Majesty's disposal."
The mouse grins back. "I'm sure she'll be pleased. She asked me to invite you up to the palace tonight for dinner if you aren't too busy."
Carroll smiles happily and replies, "We are pleased to be able to accept her invitation, of course."
Matthew nods. "Excellent. We'll expect you around eight, then."
Carroll murrs, "That is very good."
The hired coach reaches the palace right at 8, and Matthew is there once again to greet the foxes. "Right this way, please..." He leads them to a small dining room that they haven't seen before, the fine furnishings in green suitable for an intimate dinner with a few friends or advisors rather than a massive party with hundreds of guests. The queen is waiting for them, also dressed much more informally than usual. "Welcome back!"
Alex beams cheerfully at the queen from her position flanking Carroll's right. Horatio blinks, looking around at the room briefly as they enter. We've never been in here before, he thinks. Then, with a start, Wait... we've never been at the palace outside of a party, function, or urgent crisis before, either... He smiles and bows politely to the queen, remaining to the side and a bit behind Carroll. Carroll bows, smiles, and says, "Good evening, Your Highness. It is a pleasure to see you again."
Arianna smiles. "And to see you again. How was your trip? Successful?"
Alex glances around quietly, curious as to how many servingfolk there are about. It should be a good indicator as to how formal/informal the queen wishes to be tonight. The room's only occupants at the moment are the Queen, Matthew, and the three fox siblings. The table is set for six. Horatio is even more surprised by the table setting. Oh, dear... I do hope the Queen's social calendar is kept strictly confidential (preferably in Ludmilla's possession) otherwise Don Carlos is sure to find out what the Queen's dinner plans are tonight...
Carroll replies, "The trip was interesting indeed, and I will say successful." He produces a small silken bag of cashews and offers them to the Queen, saying, "These are for you to enjoy; cashews from the plantations in Hamasura. They are one of the things we found there, in addition to interesting hardwoods and other materials from their rich jungles. Aside from the trade, we also helped rout a group of bandits which had been a problem for them for some time; although mostly through being in the right place at the right time."
Arianna chuckles. "You have a habit of doing that, Captain. If it isn't just luck... or even if it is, I guess... it may be that you know how to be in the right place at the right time."
Carroll smiles humbly, and says, "I was pleased we were in a position to be able to help the miners and the locals rid themselves of this continuing blight."
Alex's eyebrow raises at the table setting... then she smiles, a little less formally and a little more naturally at Arianna. Wow... not only does this appear to be a huge honor for the siblings... but the queen seems genuinely pleased to see them! She wonders who the sixth is... Ludmilla, or Matthew's mom? She giggles softly as that thought is interrupted by the queen's latest comment, murmuring, "Isn't he though?"
The queen waves a hand. "But please, sit. Ludmilla and Morgana will be joining us shortly, and we'll have a nice intimate dinner instead of one of those parties where I have to talk to people who I don't like and who don't like me."
Alex covers a small smile -- poor lady, that must get really old getting stuck that way... then follows the others towards the table. Carroll walks to the table, and moves to the Queen's place, and pulls her chair out for her, and offers, "May I?"
Alex grins at Carroll's gesture -- she thinks it's sweet! She waits until the queen is seated, then grins and half-teasingly confides, "You know, that's what Horatio and I keep Carroll around for... to talk to all those boring people for us -- so we don't have to!" Horatio remains quietly standing, smiling, his tail twitching only a little bit as he awaits the Queen and his siblings to sit. There's not much that can go wrong tonight, of course, so he should relax...
Arianna smiles at Carroll and lets him seat her. "Thank you, Captain." She looks in the bag and takes a cashew out to taste. "Hmm.. these are quite good. From Hamasura?"
Carroll smiles as he assists the Queen with her chair; then he seats himself. He chuckles at Alex's words and says, "To talk to the people they'd rather not, and to do the accounting." He looks at the Queen, and says, "Yes, from Hamasura. They have just been harvested at this time of year."
Arianna grins. "Ah, so you were in the right place at the right time again, weren't you?"
Alex's eyes sparkle with mischief as she innocently replies to her eldest brother, "Oh... is that why we keep you around? Well! -that clears that up!"
Carroll chuckles and says, "So it seems, yes. Another thing we found may well be another case of being in the right place at the right time, should it prove fruitful. If not... it may prove to be an expensive folly. We shall see what becomes of it." Horatio perks his ears, glancing to Carroll as he sits. He must mean the tree sap. I certainly don't think it'll be folly, but... we shall see...
The queen's eyes sparkle with merriment at Alex's teasing. "I have my suspicions as to which way it will turn out, Captain. You do have that knack." The door opens again and the tiger and the mouse come in. "Ah, here we all are. Matthew, would you be a dear and go tell them to start serving?"
Matthew bows and murmurs, "Of course, your Majesty," before disappearing out the door on his errand.
Alex beams rather proudly at her brothers as the queen speaks to Matthew... she thinks they're both pretty darned impressive with the respective things that they have a knack at! Carroll replies with a smile, "We shall see, your Majesty." He smiles up to the other two guests, and greets them cheerfully, "Good evening, ladies. It is good to see you both again. I hope things have been well?" Horatio greets the two new arrivals as well, quietly and politely but genuinely. His nervousness is rapidly evaporating, fortunately.
The tigress rumbles. "Vell enough. It took lonk enough, but ve finally have proof. Viscount Vestmark vas behind thinks all alonk."
Alex says softly and fiercely, "Yyyyesss!" then blinks a bit sheepishly as she realizes that was spoken aloud, "Er... sorry..." She adds in embarrassed explanation, "I um... well, I really don't like assassins." She concludes a little grimly, "Really don't."
Morgana nods and grins at Alex. "Indeed. We've been trying to keep things quiet so as not to spook him, but I think we've got them nailed down solidly now."
Carroll murrs, "Why would he do that? I am glad you have found evidence, and expect the three duchies will be relieved to have that worry resolved as well." Horatio blinks in surprise. Westmark... interesting. I'd be interested in hearing why he'd want to assassinate the queen. Or is it really just nothing more than wanting to see the Empire come in?
Alex frowns thoughtfully, then glances at Ludmilla, guessing, "He wanted the duchies to tear themselves apart in internecine squabbles after the ruling family all died?"
Morgana shakes her head. "We're not sure of the reasons why yet, but we've traced the assassin to him. I suspect personally that it would have been an attempt to force another Regency, in the hopes that young Katrina would be a more pliable monarch."
Carroll ahhs, and considers. "More palatable or manipulateable." He adds, "I must say I'm glad he didn't succeed."
Arianna mutters, "Or to get her to marry that cretin Iago."
Carroll says, "Oh, I hadn't considered that. Unpleasant thing to think about."
Alex looks puzzledly at Morgana, then glances at the queen, "Did he try to be a better friend to you than the various dukes?"
The queen shrugs, "Westmark doesn't sit on the Regency council. That's why I didn't think about him at first."
Horatio mentions, "I do wonder if Westmark's fascination with imperial fashions had anything to do with his motivations..."
Carroll nods and says, "Really fairly devious of him. Let him seem unconnected and gently deflect worry and concern on to those who may have more direct motives." He looks to the Queen and asks, "What are you going to do about this?"
Ludmilla chuckles at Horatio. "Zey are out of date Imperial fashions, 'Oratio. Am thinkink he is just playink at beink harmlessly eccentric."
Alex still looks puzzled, thinking hard, "I... are we missing something here? Did he order the old king's death then? That's two people he's tried to assassinate... why? Was he just aiming for chaos, so he could ride out the storm, or did he have something up his sleeve? How did he intend to come out unscathed?" Horatio nods quietly to Ludmilla, then looks to Alex as she asks.
Ludmilla grins very nastily as Arianna replies. "I'm going to invite him to the palace to consult on Morgana's replacement." She turns to the mouse. "Your health is just too precarious to continue your present duties; isn't it a shame?" Morgana just grins back.
Carroll ahhs and says, "I see. I wonder if he will think he may be a possible replacement." His grins turns nasty and he adds, "If so, he will be in for an unpleasant surprise."
Ludmilla shrugs. "Is vun of t'e questions ve ask 'im."
Alex nods slowly at the big tigress... then just as slowly adds, "What if he's had the potion that kills you when you drink the truth potion?"
Carroll comments, "Don't use that until last, then."
The tiger nods at Alex's question. "Iss problem. But it vould be definite proof of guilt, da?"
Alex nods even more slowly, staring into her cup thoughtfully... then glances up at the tigress and says softly and sincerely, "Good luck, baroness." She smiles, glancing at Arianna, and adds a bit more cheerfully, "And congratulations -- I bet it will be a bit of a relief to have this all cleared up finally!"
Carroll nods, and says, "Yes, it certainly is good news." Horatio gives a bit of a concealed start. Definite proof of guilt, certainly... but what proof! It's not been easy for him, getting used to the undercurrents of viciousness that even the 'heroes' and 'good folk' they've encountered have had to take up. Bit by bit though, he starts to understand its necessity. I've been in the Academy for way too long, it seems, he thinks with a sigh.
The servants enter at this point, bringing a seafood chowder for the first course. Ludmilla nods, but doesn't say anything until they've gone again. "Am hopink so." Alex brightens at the meal's arrival -- chowder! Much better than hardtack! Carroll thanks the servants and enjoys the meal as it is served, as well as the company.
The conversation stays more general during dinner, Arianna asking questions about Starfall in general and the St. Genevieve family in particular. The subsequent courses involve a light ham salad, a tender steak with a baked potato on the side and grilled mushrooms on top, and for dessert, cheese and fruit. Various wines are available, but the queen seems to be drinking only water this evening.
Carroll is quite pleased to talk about home and the family, and shares an anecdote or two about the family's past and about their feisty dark-phase great-grandmother, and asks his own questions about the Queen and her family. Alex is in heaven! Real food -- yum! She'll let Carroll do most of the talking, although she's polite enough to not eat like she does alone with the family -- she sticks to her own plate. She does occasionally grin and add a bit to Carroll's anecdotes... although on the whole she lets Carroll and the queen chat in peace. She does have to smother a giggle once, though, at the sudden thought that she is actually being a chaperone! -of sorts, to her big brother! Horatio enjoys the meal as well. It's been a very great while since he's had such good fare; certainly half a month of hard tack and warm water would make anything else taste good, but it hasn't been so long since his last good meal that he fails to recognize the quality. He remains relatively quiet, letting Carroll and the Queen renew their acquaintance. It's refreshing, actually, to not be at sea-routine or on some expedition somewhere, and just to sit and eat a fine dinner -- he is sure to mention at some appropriate point that it was indeed an excellent meal -- and listen to conversation between people who honestly like each other.
Arianna seems happy enough to let her hair down, figuratively speaking, and talks about her parents and tells stories about her little sister. Eventually the servants withdraw after leaving the dessert course and the conversation turns serious again. Carroll has enjoyed the meal and the conversation, and is relaxed and enjoying the evening a great deal by the time the meal is finished. As the conversation changes again he becomes more serious with it, but not enough to lose the pleasant glow of good company and good food. Arianna turns to Alex, then. "Could I persuade you to trade fur with me sometime, Sir Alex? I'd like to spend some time outside of the palace again."
Alex takes a moment, thinking... then the probable translation of 'trade fur' occurs to her and she laughs, "Oh, sure! No problem, as long as it's okay with everyone else!" Carroll smiles at the question and downright beams at the answer, but remains quiet lest he seem overeager.
Arianna smiles. "Thank you. I'd like to spend some time with your brother, and people are used to seeing him with you. You could chat with Morgana while we were gone."
Carroll smiles as he says, "I would certainly enjoy spending some more time with you as well, your Majesty." Horatio smiles quietly. He could certainly use the time to go to the Academy. Then he blinks. Unless Jessie would plan something, in half of a second after he mentioned to her he was free...
Alex grins mischievously at Morgana, "We could discuss... your health, yes?" She covers a giggle.
Morgana smiles. "Indeed we could, your substitute majesty." Ludmilla looks a bit sour about the whole idea, but says nothing.
Alex grins ruefully, "Whoa, didn't think of that -- people will think I'm the queen, won't they. Hm... can we maybe have that day be one where the queen's supposed to be... to be doing something a bit more um, private than usual? Um..." she glances at Arianna, "-what do you do alone, or just with the baroness Morgana?"
Carroll smiles mischievously and asks, "What, you don't want to have to take audience for the Queen?" Alex glares at Carroll amusedly. With a chuckle he adds, "I expect anyone who really knows Her Majesty would recognize the swap quickly."
Arianna chuckles. "Business, mostly. I'm the one who has to make all the tough decisions. It's not all parties and dances, believe me."
Alex nods to Arianna, "Okay then... some time where you're supposed to be doing business might be best?" She gets another amused look, "Actually it'd been my impression that there was very little in the way of parties and dances... I sure don't envy you that!"
Arianna nods. "Of course. Some random evening when nothing in particular is happening."
Alex thinks a bit... then nods, "That'd work for me then, if it's all right with everyone else." She adds a bit loftily to Carroll, "Foo! I can behave properly, and you know it, you fink!"
Carroll unflappably counters his sister's accusation of finkhood with, "I never doubted that for a moment, Alex. However, you don't move like the Queen, and if asked a question about something you had not been briefed upon, you would be unable to reply. It would be incredibly difficult to perform seamlessly in public."
Alex tsks, "Nonsense. With a bit of observation I bet I could get her public mannerisms down fine -- it's the private, relaxed ones that would be difficult. Also, I'd just be sure to always have Morgana near by, so there!"
Arianna chuckles. "Exactly. You can be seen briefly, but you couldn't imitate me for too long. I can't really imitate you either, but not many people here know you, Sir Alex."
The dinner winds down into small talk again, until it is time to go home for the evening. After the late night activity of Hamasura, the streets of Maidstone seem quiet and empty on the way back to the Mare. Alex glances around curiously... then smiles up at her brothers a tad ruefully as they head back towards the ship, "Odd... I find myself missing the night-time dancing in the streets of the Hamasuran cities."
Horatio smiles quietly. "I don't imagine you miss the night-time ambushes, though..."
Carroll replies, "It certainly is different, yes. I think I prefer a little quiet." Alex hmfs at both her brothers amusedly!
(space for the earring ceremony)
It's a few days later when the request comes down from the palace. The note reads, "I've got some time free tonight, if it isn't too much of an imposition." It's signed with a large A, floridly embellished. Alex laughs softly, then grins at Carroll, "Well... guess I better wear something comfortable, eh?"
Carroll smiles and says to Alex, "Yes." He seems to be looking forward to the evening a great deal as the day progresses.
Horatio chuckles softly at that. "I'm sure the queen would appreciate that, Alex.
Alex grins quietly at Carroll, patting his arm lightly, and murmurs quietly so only her brothers can hear, "Take good care of her, okay? -and have a nice time!"
Later that night, Carroll climbs out of the carriage and offers his hand to his sister. He is dressed formally, although not more so than he usually would be for a night at the Palace. He greets Matthew cheerfully, "Good evening, Matthew."
Alex grins amusedly at Carroll, since she's wearing her usual comfortable attire of breeches and a loose, flowing shirt, "Silly, I can help myself out," but doesn't object. She can understand why Carroll would want to establish early that he helps his sister in and out of carriages.
Matthew bows and leads the pair back into the palace. "Thank you for coming."
Alex swirls her cloak back over one shoulder and grins cheerfully up at her brother before answering (quite truthfully!), "Our pleasure!"
Carroll smiles and nods, "As always, it certainly is."
The route the mouse leads the siblings on seems a bit roundabout this evening. In fact, Alex would be willing to swear that they go through one particularly grand hallway twice. He does eventually find the queen though, who turns out to be wearing a duplicate of Alex's outfit. "What do you think?" She pirouettes, smiling.
Carroll doesn't ask how she knew what Alex would wear, but instead simply says, "That's very good indeed, Your Majesty."
Alex covers a grin, "Impressive! Um... careful you don't tangle the cloak on the scabbard th- whoa, hold on..." She reaches to free the cloak from the sword, then grins, "I wore the cloak so you could cover up easily if necessary. What do you think? Was this a good and comfortable clothing choice?" She adds helpfully, "Always twist to your right -- that means your sword isn't ever tangled up in anything."
Arianna smiles. "I think so, yes. I had duplicates of the clothing you wear most often made, and one of my air-scouts watched you leave the Mare. I didn't realize how much the earring would hurt, though. Why did you do that?"
Alex smiles slowly, straightening in unwitting, proud formality, "It is a symbol, your majesty. It shows all that I have successfully completed two campaigns... in my family's service." With only slightly more pride she adds, "We've not lost any of our people, either. I take great pride in that."
The queen nods. "That is impressive, yes. I hope you stay that lucky."
Carroll smiles quietly and says, "In Alex's case, her skill and planning have helped her at least as much as luck, your Majesty." Alex gives her brother a slightly startled glance... then flushes with pleased pride at her eldest brother's praise.
Arianna looks quite eager to get started -- as if she's terribly tired of the palace. "Shall we get started, Sir Alex?"
Carroll smiles and stays out of harm's way, while the two ladies change. Alex smiles at Arianna, "Certainly, your majesty." She grins at Carroll, "Be nice now... don't do anything I wouldn't do!" then, of course, has to cover a small giggle...
Carroll grins wryly at his sister and says jokingly, "Spoilsport."
The queen nods. "Ludmilla? May I have the necklace, now?" Ludmilla is definitely not in her usual skin, having apparently already traded with a lioness. She makes a skinny lioness, but is not obviously herself. She hands the magic artifact to Alex. "Put it on, 'old 'ands vit Arianna, and do not lettink go. It tickles."
Alex nods to Ludmilla seriously, taking the necklace carefully and putting it on. She glances up at Ludmilla, asking, "I keep it on until we swap fur back? Or can I take it off?"
Arianna shakes her head. "You take it off after we use it, or you could end up switching fur with anyone you touch. Once the transfer is complete, touching again will reverse it."
Alex eyes the large necklace curiously... darn but it's magically bright! She looks relieved that she can take it off later -- this would be a flaming beacon to anyone that recognized it, that the queen was off somewhere else in a swapped skin! She nods again, "Okay. Does Morgana have something I can change into after we've swapped, in case someone wanders by? Aside from that I think I'm ready?"
Ludmilla nods. "She'll be 'ere soon. Ready?"
Alex grins, "Sure!" She holds out her hand to Arianna.
The transition is odd to watch, and even odder to experience. The fur patterns of both foxes swirl and blur, then somehow flow past each other and settle on their new owners. Ludmilla is right; it is a ticklish sort of sensation, as if her fur were all static'ed up. Alex blinks curiously as she firmly holds Arianna's paw in her own, watching in avid fascination. She lets Arianna decide when to let go, since she's had more experience with this than Alex has... but that doesn't prevent Alex from holding her free paw up and staring at it interestedly, "Oooh... all black, cool!" Carroll also watches interestedly. He makes mental notes of differences between the two vixens so he can tell them apart regardless of color.
When the transition is complete the tickling sensation stops, so it is easy to tell when it is safe to let go. The two vixens are not completely interchanged; Arianna's slightly blunter muzzle and thinner brush the most obvious differences between Alex and herself in red-phase. Still, it is disconcertingly like watching herself from the outside for Alex. She stares curiously at Arianna, wondering if this is how she looks to others... interesting. Carroll smiles and says, "Amazing indeed." He looks at Arianna-now-Alex and says, "Ready to go then, Alex?" interested to see how she reacts.
Alex's ears flick in spite of herself, since her first instinct is to react to her name... then she laughs, watching Arianna-now-Alex. Arianna/Alex smiles at Carroll. "I certainly am. You won't mind if 'Milla tags along like that, will you?"
Carroll shakes his head, saying, "Of course not. Her strength and skill are welcome, of course."
Alex starts to head for Carroll to give him a hug -- then catches herself, carefully removing the necklace and putting it into a pocket. Then she'll grin and give Carroll the hug, "Have fun!" She glances around curiously, wondering when Morgana will turn up... she certainly can't wander about the palace like this -- it'd be a dead give-away!
Arianna/Alex grins. "Then let us be off." Morgana walks in just then, with a couple outfits and a bathrobe. "Have a nice time, dear."
Carroll smiles and returns his sister's hug, and says, "I expect we shall." He turns to the other two disguised females and says, "Are we ready?"
Alex gives Morgana a relieved grin, "Oh, good, change of clothes!" She giggles mischievously at Arianna, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
Arianna/Alex looks disappointed. "No? Oh, I suppose that you're right."
Carroll mock-pouts at his sister, and then says, "Let us go, then, and find something irresponsible to do."
Alex laughs, waving Carroll and Arianna cheerfully off. "Shoo!"
Arianna/Alex grins over her shoulder as she and Carroll leave. "At least in public!" Carroll tries not to smirk, and mostly succeeds. Alex laughs again, already in the process of changing, so there's no possibility at all that anyone will see her and realize the queen is 'missing.'
The evening goes quite nicely at first. Carroll and Arianna/Alex have a nice meal and then go to see a rather raucous play, one that wouldn't be 'suitable' for royalty. Carroll takes pleasure in spending the evening with his 'sister,' enjoying being much less formal around Arianna and hoping she likes the time away from the Palace and the formal straightjacket of Court. Arianna/Alex suggests a nice tavern afterwards, where they can have a few mugs of ale and just chat for a while. Carroll is all too pleased to accept that suggestion, and makes sure to find a reputable place, using Ludmilla's local knowledge if need be.
All in all, it's a lovely evening up to the moment that they leave the tavern. Fog has rolled in by then, thicker than normal for Maidstone -- and Ludmilla and the other guards are nowhere to be seen. Only MacKenzie and Lars, who had been inside the tavern with them, are present when they step outside. The wolverine looks around very nervously. "I don't like this at all, sir."
Carroll nods, and says, "Let's go back inside and see what's happened to the rest of the staff." He takes Arianna/Alex by the hand and says, "Stay with Mac and I."
Mackenzie nods and turns back towards the inn, leaving Lars to cover the rear for the moment. Arianna/Alex is also turning, just as Carroll notices the fog swirl in odd patterns... very odd patterns... Carroll keeps his grip close on Arianna's hand, and says, "Mac, did you see that? I think it's significant that we didn't."
MacKenzie turns back as Carroll asks the question, and frowns into the fog, which has now stopped swirling. Lars is moving cautiously toward the last place he saw a swirl, his sword out, probing cautiously into the mist. Carroll says, "Inside, where there are other people," and then, "Keep together." The mist swirls again, and Lars suddenly gasps and collapses.
Carroll curses fluently, his time spent amongst sailors showing. He then yells to Mac, "Help him, and stay close." Pulling Arianna along with him and moving her in closer to him, he yanks the tavern door back open and calls, "Fire! Run! The roof is on fire!" He then steps out of the way, standing with Arianna between him and the wall.
The shout of fire panics the tavern's other customers and they charge out of the door into the mist. MacKenzie grins. "That should throw 'em off. Did you smell the sleeping gas?"
Carroll shakes his head, "No, I didn't. Get Lars, and let's get someplace safe. The palace, or the ship, or the Merc's Guild, or White Haven... maybe the Academy. What's closest?"
MacKenzie thinks for a moment. "The Guild, I think. If we're going to go out the front, we'd better do it quick. He moves then, bulling his way into the middle of the fleeing crowd. "Stay close."
Carroll nods, "The Guild will work well. Let's hurry." He slides his arm around Alex/Arianna and says, "Let me keep a good grip on you in case they manage to gas you. If you see anything funny, say something," as he hastily follows MacKenzie.
The crowd is milling around outside, some of them having noticed that there's no fire to be seen on the tavern and others still trying to escape. A couple of furrs are down, having collapsed for some reason, or perhaps having tripped over something they couldn't see. The mist is as thick as ever. MacKenzie stoops to pick up the unconscious boar and staggers to his feet under the load. Carroll says, "Try not to breathe if things get swirly around here. Let's go."
MacKenzie grunts, and points down the street. "That way." Arianna/Alex just looks nervous and loosens the rapier in its scabbard as she runs with Carroll. Carroll nods and follows, preparing his own sword and making sure he's got a dagger handy.
MacKenzie leads the way for a half-block when he staggers and nearly drops the boar. He swears and reaches down to pull a dart out of his midsection. "Numb already. Three blocks, then..." He slowly sags to the pavement.
Carroll curses, then says grimly, "Run." He proceeds to do so, pulling Arianna with him, hoping he'll know the Merc's Guild in the fog and the darkness when he sees it.
Ludmilla and the other guards are stacked a block away around the corner of an alley. The lion-colored tigress is stirring groggily as Carroll and Arianna/Alex charge past, but she is in no condition to help. Carroll tells the Queen, panting, "Loosen your cloak, so if a dart hits you it might be deflected. Put your hood up, and stay in front of me. Keep moving. The Guild will help... that's what we pay them for..." Carroll loosens his own cloak, following.
There's a *pop* nearby and Carroll holds his breath for a moment. There is a brief scent of something almost medicinal, but then they are past and still moving. Another moment, and something *thwacks* against a nearby wall. Apparently the dead run is making them hard to target. Carroll wonders where the guild is already... and keeps moving.
This time Carroll sees the swirl in the mist ahead of him. He grabs Arianna, pulling her away to the other side, still moving forwards and taking a deep breath. Arianna/Alex yelps as a dart stings the back of her hand, faltering even as Carroll dodges another one himself. Carroll curses and tries to get his arm around Arianna, to carry her while he's still running. The weight slows him down greatly, but he continues, dodging hopefully randomly.
The dart doesn't hurt much when it strikes, but the numbness spreads from the point of contact until it becomes harder and harder to keep moving... Carroll feels the dart hit, and fights it as long as he can, seeming to move through molasses for an eternity, but in reality it is only fifteen seconds or so until he collapses. As he collapses to his knees he murmurs, "I'm sorry," -although it's not clear who he's saying it to.
The fox awakens with the altered face of Ludmilla nose to nose with him, and being gently shaken. "Captain? Are you all right?"
Carroll says, "I think so. We didn't make it." He sounds bitterly unhappy about that as he asks, "They took Alex, didn't they?" He doesn't say the Queen's name even at this point. He does ask, "Are there scents left?"
Ludmilla nods curtly, "And they left this." She hands him an envelope, which she has already opened. The parchment inside reads, "We will be in touch. Tell the queen that her friend's safety depends on her actions." There is no signature per se, just an ideograph of two inverted V's with a spiderweb pattern between them.
Carroll sits up slowly and asks, "Is everyone else all right?" before he even reads the note. Sitting there in the street, he reads the letter. After a moment he asks, "Do you know whose this signature is?" He takes a moment to stand up and straighten his clothing, almost automatically.
Ludmilla shakes her head. "They vere usink someting to mask scent. Have never seen t'is mark before."
Carroll nods, and asks again, "Is everyone all right? Let's go home and think about this. Also, I need to write an apology and send some recompense to the tavern."
MacKenzie is sitting up groggily now, and Ludmilla nods. "All present and accounted for, da. Mostly not hurt." The tigress shakes her head moodily. "Takink us by surprise. Scent-masked and invisible and very quiet. T'ese are not beink ordinary kidnappinks."
Carroll nods, "That's good." He shakes his head and looks up at the not-tigress, "Very special indeed. Let's go back to the palace and see what we can see."
It is a somber group that meets a little while later in the palace. Horatio and Jessie have been summoned from the ship, and Ludmilla (back in her normal colors) paces around the room with her tail lashing. Morgana sits beside Alex/Arianna, and Duchess White Haven lounges by the dangerously quiet MacKenzie. The tigress is almost snarling as she bites off her words. "Iss obviously some kind of politskaya blackmail. Figurink that qveen vould vant to keep Alex safe, and is lookink bad vhen Qveen's Companion kidnapped in capital. Qvestion is, vhat t'ey vantink?"
Carroll says, "I have to agree. An organized attack like that took planning and was expensive. This is not something that was not well thought out -- and it was expensive."
Alex looks up from the note, which she's just read. She looks astonished, "It's... Don Carlos. He has to be involved... somehow..." She lays the note gently down, as if she's afraid it might break, and adds slowly, "The first time... the first attack, they just wanted to kill me and Mikhail, originally, and then Jessie and Horatio too... and Don Carlos turned up in what should have been just in time. And I was so careful about our people, and relieved that they were all still alive -- he saw that. It was so different this time, from the sound of it -- most arrogant folks consider guards to be um... like ablative armor, you know? Disposable... but they were so careful not to kill anyone! Why?!" She thinks for a while, then muses, "Technically you only need one person to bring a ransom note... but they didn't kill anyone."
Morgana hmms. "Perhaps because they saw that? That you actually care about your people, and by implication the queen, who approves of you, would do likewise?" There is a knock at the door and Matthew enters after a snarled "Vhat?!" from Ludmilla. "This was just delivered to the guard."
Alex shakes her head to Morgana, "Shouldn't that be something they already knew though, about the queen? -not just a randomly picked up bit of data from a potential kidnap victim?" She frowns thoughtfully again, "It would seem... that for some reason they want the good will of the folks whose umm... whose 'standards' they're using... which would mean St. Genevieve -- which... which makes NO sense to me at all!"
Carroll nods, "Also, with deaths, it's easier to react more strongly and violently. St. Genevieve would have had to react differently to my death and your kidnapping than just your kidnapping."
Horatio, mindful of White Haven's presence, studiously avoids mentioning Westmark. "I don't know, Alex, Carroll. Erm..." He blinks at Matthew's entrance.
Alex says quietly to Ludmilla, "Baroness... please, calm yourself. You shouldn't be this upset about just Alex being kidnapped." She falls silent for a moment, still thinking furiously, then adds quietly, "Do you suppose the signature symbol means Iago's associated himself with the Society of the Mountain?"
Carroll adds, dismayed, "I'll have to send to Father and tell him his daughter's been taken. He'll react badly." He looks at Ludmilla, then says, "But it would look more than odd if I didn't. I must presume we're being watched."
Alex smiles ruefully at Carroll, continuing on the previous thought, "Well, ordinarily if one assumes guards are disposable, you'd have been the only one alive... with the note."
Carroll nods, "That would still color the response." He sighs, and says, "Father will be furious with me."
Horatio shakes his head quietly, "Father will say the same thing any of us would say, Carroll: you did your best."
Carroll says to his brother, "After he hears the details, and after he says, 'How could you let this happen to your sister?'" He adds, "I'll write a message to send later, but it will get sent today." Horatio sighs, and shakes his head quietly, not wanting to argue with Carroll right now. He looks to Matthew curiously.
Alex glances at Matthew and adds gently, "What was delivered, please, Matthew?"
Matthew starts to hand the envelope to Alex/Arianna and then stops... and then does hand it to her. "This."
Alex takes the letter after Matthew finishes hesitating, opens it, glances to be sure the door is shut... then reads it aloud for everyone.
The envelope is addressed in proper format to 'Her Majesty, Queen Arianna of Maidstone, Protectress of Sanaray and the Channel Islands.' The letter inside is short and to the point. 'Your Majesty. We have long had the suspicion that you have been led astray by those who advise you, and to save the realm from these persons who have guilefully abused your trust, we have taken matters into our own hands. We do not wish to cause harm to your defenders, but these are our requirements. 1) Baroness Kerensky shall be dismissed by you as your chief of security. It is not fitting that a foreigner should guard our queen. 2) Baroness Morgana shall be replaced as Prime Minister by Viscount Westmark. 3) The betrothal to Prince Iago of Costa Yermo shall be confirmed. We will release Alexandra St. Genevieve to you on your wedding day.' The signature is the same as before, the inverted V's with the spiderweb.
Alex nods quietly, "So... our speculations were correct. It appears it is indeed a coalition... of Iago's people, Westmark's, and... possibly the Society of the Mountain. They were extraordinarily well provided with poisonous items, after all." Horatio grimaces and mutters something he heard one of the miners at Hamasura growl. Alex sighs, handing the letter to Morgana, "Well... at least they've not figured out who they actually hold yet."
Ludmilla is past swearing now, simply growling with her tail switching back and forth. Morgana looks pensively at the pacing tigress. "Might be that either the second or the third item is a red herring, for that matter. A way to distract from the people really behind this."
Carroll looks bleaker and bleaker as the letter is read. When it is finished he asks, "Who are these people? They must feel they're doing the best thing for the realm... but..." He trails off, unable to finish.
Alex looks grimly at Carroll and shakes her head, "Remember Pravinchandra's excuse for the vile things he did? It was supposedly for the good of the city... and yet it was entirely self-serving. If they say they're doing the best for the realm, they're either deceiving themselves... or they're lying, to coax the queen into doing what they want." Then she nods to Morgana, "True. That is always a possibility."
Carroll says, "Any of them are reprehensible things to do." He looks at his sister and adds, "Either that, or they will work with truly unstoppable zeal because they are certain that what they do has the power of right behind it."
The mouse shrugs. "Or they may honestly believe what they say. Few folks are evil in their own eyes."
Horatio says, "It does matter; what they feel, whether they feel they are right. Mere sell-swords would not lay down their lives. If, however, these are fanatics... they'll fight to the death. Theirs, or ours."
Alex says, "Precisely, which is why I said they were possibly deceiving themselves." She frowns thoughtfully, "All right then... so, what can we do to fix this? At bare minimum, we can't let them know who they have... we have to get their hostage back... anything else we need to do? Ah." She frowns, "We can't let them know Alex is out and about either."
Carroll asks, "How can we get their hostage back except to meet their demands?" He adds, to his sister, "Nor can we let anyone think the Queen is missing. You'll have to keep being Arianna."
Horatio shakes his head quietly. "I am not skilled in this, I'm afraid. I do feel we need to get her back without giving in to their demands... unless..." He taps his chin thoughtfully.
Alex grins amusedly at Carroll, "I'm afraid they'd not be precisely excited if Queen Arianna became a widow on her wedding day... and I'll knife Iago in public before I'll let that verminous little slime touch me!"
Carroll grins evilly at his sister and says, "Well, it might solve a problem or two."
Morgana chews pensively on the end of her tail. "The question is, how much can we appear to do without really doing what they want? Arianna... would you consider being nice to Iago for a bit?"
Alex blinks in startlement at the little mouse... then almost chokes in an effort to not burst out laughing! She grins, gently tugging Morgana's tail out of her mouth, and repeats what she'd been told incessantly by her Nanna when she chewed on herself, "Careful, or you'll get stuck that way!" A moment later she blinks again, thinking about Morgana's suggestion, then sighs, "In order to be nice to him I'd have to go there, yes? Um... I really don't think that's wise?" She gives Carroll no more than an amused roll of the eyes.
Carroll asks, "Why don't they like Morgana as adviser? And what was the evidence against Westmark?"
The mouse grins. "I think they might just want to get Westmark in. The evidence is... hmm. Circumstantial, mainly. But conclusive, unless it was elaborately faked."
Alex thinks a bit more, "Well... we can't give in to at least two of the demands, simply because doing so will probably unveil our um... small deception. If I'm supposed to..." She pauses, then looks around the room carefully, searching for magical items... like eavesdropping needles. Horatio remains quiet, lost in thought, his tail twitching slightly.
Morgana continues. "We traced Tomasi to Featherstone, and Featherstone to Dashell, and Dashell to Westmark's major-domo. Granted, we're only assuming at this point that it was on Westmark's orders, but..."
Carroll nods and says, "A reasonable assumption." He looks over and asks the oddly-quiet mink, "What do you think of all this, Your Grace?"
White Haven has been absorbing all the information, and not saying much. "I think we have a serious problem. I don't see a way out of it yet." The duchess nibbles a cold chicken leg from the food that Arianna ordered from the kitchens before the conference started. "I don't think that there'd be a serious problem with Westmark, though. He doesn't know the real Arianna well enough to spot personality lapses."
Alex is sitting up, looking around with a faintly worried glance... then she sighs softly and looks relieved, "Sorry, it just hit me we'd not checked for any magical listening devices. Um... where was I... oh, right. If I'm supposed to fake being the queen I need the baronesses nearby -- not Westmark." She sighs again, adding, "I sure hope Arianna plays it close to the chest. It would be just TOO perfect for them if they realized what they had -- they could accuse the baronesses and St. Genevieve of attempting to seize power by slipping me in as the queen -- and then they'd claim they'd 'heroically' rescued her! -and let's face it, they've already shown they have a truly frightening mastery of drugging potions -- they well could force the queen to publicly announce firing both baronesses, and her wanting to marry Iago." A moment later she blinks, then says ruefully, "Where do I get these repulsive ideas from?!" Unwittingly she gives Carroll a faintly accusing glance.
Ludmilla winces. "Bozhemoi. Had not t'ought of t'is..."
Carroll nods to the Duchess, then listens to his sister. He says only, "True," to her summation, then adds, "Don't blame me; I hadn't thought that far ahead."
Alex looks a little sheepishly at Carroll, "Sorry, Cara..."
Horatio nods slowly, distractedly, "They've... uhm, shown little reticence in using potions before... hmmm..."
MacKenzie responds this time. "But these were a serious group of spells and potions. At least four of them, scent-masked, invisible, and with a large number of sleeping-gas potions. This was an extremely expensive operation, and I doubt they could easily repeat it too soon. These things cost time, not just money."
Carroll stands and says, "Excuse me." He steps out in to the hall, closing the door behind him, and appears a little later with ink and paper, to write a note for their soon-to-be-upset father.
Alex rubs her forehead, "Argh... there's too much going on right now! We need to focus... okay. What's the first thing we need to do..." She glances up at the tigress, "I assume an attempted trace or tracking or whatever was done on whomever delivered the note to the guard, yes?" To Carroll she adds, "Cara, put it in family code that I'm okay, please? He won't understand precisely what's up, but at least he'll know not to take the note at face value?"
Ludmilla looks at Matthew, who shrugs. "We did, but the delivery was made by a street urchin. No way to track the person who gave it to him."
Alex adds to the wolverine, with only the barest of pauses as she switches gaze, "Tracking on that entire area too, then... and the usual ruffling through the unsavory elements of town to see if any thugs were hired, or if there was any whispering of this going down?"
Carroll nods to Alex's request for family code in his note, "If his changed reaction won't tip someone off that we're doing something."
Alex switches gaze to Carroll, adding, "He's good, Cara, you know that... he taught you."
Carroll nods and says, "He taught me some, yes, and, yes I hope you're right. I'm not thinking entirely clearly right now."
Horatio coughs slightly, blinking. "First thing...? For a start, act as if nothing happened. In alchemy it's at least as important to not start a reaction as to start one, oftimes. The last thing the people of Maidstone need is to learn that the Queen's Companion has been abducted, least of all the Queen herself..." He fidgets a little, loosing himself in thought again.
Alex thinks a moment, then looks to Horatio, "How hard is it to make sleeping potions? Enough of them that they could afford to be profligate with them? Stuff that can be breathed or used on a dart? And who could make it?" She nods slowly to herself at Horatio's words, then sighs softly, "So... I may have to play at being queen then... unless..." she looks hopefully at the two baronesses, "-unless you think that would be a bad idea?" At Carroll's unhappy admission that he's not thinking entirely clearly, she hops up and quietly patters over to her oldest brother, giving him a gentle hug, "Cara... we'll get her back. Don't worry... that's what family's all about."
Carroll nods and says, "Thank you, Alex. For someone who's been abducted, you're thinking very clearly."
Alex grins at her brother, patting his shoulder gently, "I learn from the best, big brother. Now... let's think on how to fix this, yes?"
Carroll nods and says, "Yes. What can be done?"
Horatio blinks again. "Ah... for sleeping, well... the darts would be simple enough -- not even magical, in some examples -- they can be herbal. The gas is another matter. Not to mention the invisibility and scent masking. If they used nothing but alchemy, well... I'd say the Academy would be able to pull it off, but there won't be a great deal of time or money left for students to study there for some time after." He blinks. "Ah... it would take the resources of a full Guild if it was completely alchemical, but I can't say that they would have used nothing but alchemy..." He glances to Carroll and Alex. "Er... I've been thinking, about what to do..."
Alex walks back to sit in the chair next to Morgana, muttering reminders under her breath, "Okay... head high, shorter strides than I use, and slower..." She seats herself again, then nods to Horatio, "Go on, please."
Carroll asks Horatio, "What have you thought of, Horatio?"
Alex murmurs softly, in astonishment to herself, "A full guild...!"
Ludmilla stops pacing and looks up. "First t'ing. I go back to lion skin, and Cherry goes to visit my estates. Da?"
Alex blinks at Ludmilla, "Who?!"
Horatio sighs. "Well... this may take some work, and I doubt very much anything will come of this suggestion, however... acquiesce. Or appear to acquiesce. Announce sweeping changes to be made, the first of which will be the 'far-too-long-delayed' marriage between Prince Iago and Queen Arianna. Suggest that Baroness Kerensky will be replaced soon, as well as Baroness Morgana. This is only to try and flush them out, even if it means bringing the charade to the night of the wedding, which we'd have no intention of pulling off as it is. However, it does give us a strict time limit. If we do not rescue the hostage before the wedding night, well... if they are fanatics they will very much carry out their threat, then possibly bring a horrific retribution against the monarch -- Alex in this case. It would be imperative that we arrange for any ceremonies to be held here, at Maidstone, of course, but that shouldn't be too hard to arrange for."
He adds, "The harder part will be to quietly scour the city and the surrounding land. They cannot reasonably expect that we would not look for her; even so there would have to be two search efforts -- one that is not as covert as the other. The more covert one is the one we would rely upon the most; the other would still be entirely serious but it would give them something to watch, and distract from the real effort."
He concludes, "As for finding Alex... I do not know -- our best chance might be..." He blinks. "Cleo! She's worked with Alex, maybe she can at least get a general idea of what direction Alex is in. Unless... unless they masked her, er, magical trail, as well... they would have thought of that..." He almost visibly starts to run out of mental steam. "Erm... They wouldn't be taking major roads, but we'd need to have them watched all the same... ah... hmm..."
Carroll says, "Is it a good idea to concede to them, Ludmilla?" He listens to Horatio, and finishes, "Very risky, and very messy. Getting everybody out of it could be rather bloody."
Ludmilla grins. "Vhat concede? T'is is safe, I am still here but disguised. Cherry takes my stripes and goes elsevhere. Cherry is lioness I svitch vit."
Alex blinks at Horatio, a look of horror crossing her face, "What?! ACK!! Wait... I can't be the queen for that long!!" A second later she blinks slowly at Horatio, then grins ruefully, "Um... Horry... Cleo would find... me." A fraction of a second later she straightens suddenly, "No, wait, that's a perfect idea! What's the ambassador's name again, please? The caribou? She's a mage that worked with Arianna!"
Horatio winces at Alex's shout, and sighs, rubbing his forehead. "Sorry, for both the suggestion about Cleo and for suggesting that you be queen that long. But maybe a mage trusted by the crown, would be able to find... ah, there."
Alex gives poor Horatio a sympathetic glance, "I'm sorry, Horry, I didn't mean to yell at you... it's just... well, I want to be a ship's captain! -not a queen, you know?"
Carroll asks, "To look like a concession... is that the only way?" To Alex he says, "What's the difference, except a lack of ocean? It'll be good practice."
Alex glares at her older brother, snapping, "It matters to ME!!" then catches herself and sighs, rubbing her face, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, I'm just... I didn't expect this." She straightens again, pulling herself together visibly, "I suppose I should have planned for it ahead of time. Okay... enough whining." She frowns a bit grimly, thinking furiously.
Morgana looks up. "Ambassador Rishali? Yes, she might be able to help. If nothing else, she might be able to track her invisible magic..."
Alex nods slowly, "Okay... so. Get Rishali here at once, please. If she can't do something immediately, get Cherry out of town on some pretext. Morgana's health should continue um... 'failing.' Announce the..." she grimaces faintly, "-wedding." She sighs, then says a little tiredly, "Did I miss anything?" She adds quietly to Horatio, "Damn good plan... icky, but damn good."
Horatio sighs softly, "I know, Alex. But Carroll has, at the very least, a point. Besides, it's the only way if we're to avoid panicking the people of Maidstone. This is what we kept getting drilled into us, about the burden of noble birth. I know you don't want to be queen... but, and I'm sorry to say this, but imagine how the people of Maidstone would be if they knew they had no monarch." He hesitates. "Worse, if they learned that there was no queen, that she was suddenly missing... certain parties would then have the leverage they would need to push for another regency... however, if it were possible to minimize public appearances, give excuses of 'illness' and 'planning for the wedding' (if we go that route) while the search begins...?" He nods to Morgana. "I hadn't thought of that. Even masking scents and magical trails takes magic, and that area, and the area around the kidnappers, must have a rather large imprint of so much magic being used, even if they were potions and gases and elixirs exclusively."
Carroll sighs, and says, "You'll do fine, Alex." He adds, "Look, you already are."
Alex has been getting increasingly glum looking at Horatio's words. To Carroll she says, "Um... am what?"
Carroll smiles and says, "As Queen. Or, in less-specific terms, as the Leader. It's the same role the ship's Captain plays, really." Before she can be horrified, he adds, "We'll do what we can to make this as short as possible."
Ludmilla and Morgana pass a glance and a grin between them. The mouse transfers the grin to Alex. "You're already acting like a queen, your majesty. And so far we don't need to concede anything."
Alex stares levelly at Carroll for several seconds, her face utterly calm, trying to not let her true feelings show at the prospect of being stuck as queen for a lengthy period of time... then she can't hold it in any longer -- she wrinkles up her nose and sticks her tongue out at him! "Yuuuuck!" She mutters as an aside to the mouse, "Sorry... couldn't resist."
Carroll suddenly thinks of something, and asks, "Does anybody know where Don Carlos or his staff were this evening?"
Ludmilla frowns. "Not yet. Ve find out, soonest."
Alex takes a deep breath, then straightens and nods firmly, "Okay. Then let's go with the immediate plan we have... and we'll start hunting in earnest tomorrow." She sighs softly, "And until we find her... I'll play a queen."
Horatio sighs quietly, settling back in his seat, falling quiet once again. The wheels are in motion, now, he thinks to himself. I'm frankly shocked they followed my suggestion, But at least Alex and Cara and the Baronesses all have what's needed to refine it and make it into something usable. Now it begins. The wheels are in motion; their wheels against our wheels. The Elements grant that we succeed and... do what necessity demands.