Chapter 10: Ahoy

Homecoming felt bittersweet, after a night plagued with dark dreams of blood and despair, Sha had woken to feelings long buried. Thankfully, his sadness was fleeting, wakefulness bringing the gift of anticipation, foot tapping further evidence of barely contained excitement. Countless entourages had graced the Citadel’s great halls, their colourful grandeur a feast for the eyes, yet to Sha they paled in comparison to the arrival of Morgan and his new friends. Leo had been at his side since he had stumbled out of his room. Tornbaer’s crown prince was not expected to wait upon anyone, especially if they weren’t nobility, but Leo was clearly curious about his new friends. Although Sha didn’t like to lie, he had thought it best considering his mother’s pretentious tendencies, to infer that Morgan was a rich self-made merchant who was helping him hunt down Black Cloaks, Leo however knew the truth. Nia had arrived before Morgan without fanfare; their mother had voiced her disdain at them waiting in such a manner, then she had whisked Nia away to their father’s sickbed.

Sha glanced upwards then realized that his thoughts had carried him to the anticipated moment. The Tempests retinue was spilling into the courtyard before him. His heart, which was already racing was claimed by the sight of her, wholly unaware of his feelings as she dismounted gracefully from a pure white stallion. His state however could not stop the anxiety that followed, the cause a complete inability to know her feelings, especially towards him. His foot tapping now timed to the beat of a strained heart. Denza had outdone himself Morgan’s stallion was a grand specimen, it pawed the ground majestically, more importantly it was clearly from Plains Herder stock. Plains Herders who hail from the east of the realm were notoriously hard to part from their horses. Morgan looked like she had stepped out of the Queen’s rose gardens, her fine boned dress in a Bastonian cut, was made of layered silk, the top layer so fine it sent a familiar turquoise hue through from the denser silk beneath. Morgan waited patiently for her friends to disembark from an ornate carriage, delicately liberating her hands from a pair of lamb leather riding gloves as she did so. Sha was suddenly reminded of the pirates’ funeral. Instead of accents of colourful leather, however, they wore brightly coloured dresses, even Marlo looked the part; his usual loose-fitting garb replaced with courtly attire.

Suddenly, his brother was leaning upon him, surprised at the odd behaviour, Sha followed Leo’s uncharacteristically wide-eyed stare to discover his reason for loss of limb control. Bella’s pale complexion was enhanced by the light blue silk of her dress; her warm brown hair was up but some cascaded loosely down her neck, the result decidedly regal. Even Piper had been given a fine dress, although judging by the sour look upon her face she wasn’t pleased about such.

Morgan did not wait for him to speak, as the head of the procession she made introductions, the main surprise was when Bella was presented as Ysabella Beaute Vanglassen, a cognomen if Sha’s royal lineage knowledge was correct, was remotely tied to the throne. Suddenly, uncomfortable about the fact there was still so much to learn about his new friends, Sha affirmed that he would ask some pointed questions at a more opportune moment. When Morgan had finished her introductions Leo spoke, his words coupled with a warm smile, “Welcome all, you are well met, although let me just say that after my brother’s stories, I expected less silk and more steel.” Bob and Gary chuckled at Leo’s awkwardness. Morgan froze seemingly unsure how to reply.

“Come now, Leo, they don’t understand your humour, even I don’t sometimes,” Sha offered.

Leo flashed a charming smile then brought out the charismatic version of himself that he thought made him irresistible to women, after offering his arm to Bella he proceeded to lead his new charge towards the visitor’s quarters, gracing her with tales about his favourite pastime. Sha smiled, Leo’s conversations about hunting had the tendency to get rather animated. Following his brother’s example, Sha offered an arm to Morgan, his spirits lifted when she reciprocated. As they made their way through the Citadel, he took great pains to explain their surroundings, even adding the odd anecdotal story, “This is called the long hall, it’s actually made up of two long halls crossing each other, it connects the four main parts of the Citadel, the Guest Quarters, the Royal Apartments, the Servants Quarters and lastly the Common Quarters where the throne room is.” As Sha spoke, he pointed in the general direction of his subject matter, Morgan nodding serenely with each piece of information, her impassive face causing him ever increasing levels of concern. The version of Morgan that he was experiencing was all too familiar, nothing seemed breach her façade, “Are you still angry at me?” He asked, surprising even himself with the sudden question.

“Of course not, Your Grace,” Morgan replied in a neutral manner.

Sha knew that his face was displaying hurt, yet he had no control over the depth of his feeling. Leo tried to cut through the tension, offering friendly words, “Please, we don’t stand on formality here, it is our duty to infuriate our father by letting our friends call us Leo and Sha.” His brother turned back to an animated conversation; he was of course doing most of the talking. They continued to walk the halls, the tension building until they reached their destination, Leo offering more disarmingly polite words, “Please meet us in the main parlour of the Royal Quarters when you are settled. I’m sure that we have much to talk about.”

Leaving his guests with an army of servants, Sha followed his brother in search of breakfast. Leo patted him upon the back as they strolled towards the Royal Apartments, Sha heard an edge of curiosity in his brothers casually delivered words, “So, I like your friends, but I’m not sure what’s happening with that Ysabella woman, she didn’t really offer much information about herself.”

Sha hid his mirth, his reply matter of fact, “Yes, her name’s Bella and she’s just shy until she gets to know you. I wouldn’t get on her wrong side, however. I’ve heard that she can put an arrow through your eye from further than 200 paces.” Sha walked onwards and after a few steps he heard the pleasing sound of his brother walking into a set of armour.

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It took Morgan a while before she could stop gaping, the chamber she was standing in was adorned with gold, even the rugs, drapes, and bed posts were accented by the stuff. “This is just stupidly pretentious,” she thought. The room was suffocating Morgan with brilliance, a fact that drove her need to find an excuse to exit, she sent out a message to her friends requesting they meet up in the main parlour. When all were lounging before her, she asked a pointed question, “Where is Piper?” Morgan was met with silence; she made a note to sternly reprimand the child when she finally showed up.

Marlo crossed his arms and got right to the point, “What’s the plan here? There is clearly a Black Cloak element in the citadel, how are we going to flush them out?”

Naturally, everyone looked to her for the answers, all she could offer was pragmatic words, “I’m not sure, someone sent the black cloaks to Crewtown, the Knight’s Guard to kill us, and there was an attack at the castle a few nights ago,” Morgan paused for a second, the act bringing an idea, “It’s obvious that we still need to gather information. Slight change in plans. Bella, you are my lady-in-waiting, Meena, my bodyguard, and Marlo will be my man servant.” Before Marlo could voice a healthy dose of dissent, she held up a hand, “I don’t think the crown prince craves your company, Marlo. Besides you will be able to search without raising suspicion, try those two castle guards, was it Bob and Gary?” Marlo stormed away, his grumble about the fact that he was going to stick out like a sore thumb falling on deaf ears.

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Their trip toward the royal apartments took them down the Long Hall, Morgan at the front, Bella at her side and Meena who was at the rear was eyeing anyone who stared for what she deemed to be too long, which in this case was everyone. The court gossips had done a fine job of announcing their arrival, the ladies, and gentlemen of the court overtly curious, newcomers were a rarity. As they passed one of the many groups of nobles a lady-in-waiting lost all composure, sobbing openly, “What’s is going on?” Bella asked concernedly.

Morgan inclined her head in Bella’s direction her response matter of fact, “It’s simple, they thought you were competition, but they have just discovered that it wasn’t even a contest.” She mused to herself about the fact that Bella had no idea of her own loveliness, not only was she beautiful, but she had long lithe lines from years of training with a bow. On top of it all, she was graceful, kind, and respectful in nature.

Sha, turned and bowed in their direction when they entered the room, nearly tripping over his feet in his eagerness. Leo, who was sitting by the fireplace, stood up to bow, his eyes not leaving Bella’s form. Feeling the edge of panic, Morgan covered it by returning the gesture before walking over to the nearest window. The view below her was of a private garden which overlooked cliffs, seemingly suspended in air. Meandering around the garden was Piper, the child so busy exploring that she didn’t notice the Queen walking up from behind. Morgan smiled when Piper jumped at something that the Queen must have said.

“I was beginning to worry that I would never see that smile again,” Sha said warmly, as he walked up to stand at her side.

Morgan stared into the distance, her words impassive, “I think you need to explain a few things.”

Sha’s defensive reply fired a warning into her brain, “Fair enough, answer a question for me first, how did you learn courtly manners, horse riding, and elocution to name a few?”

“One of my acquaintances taught me, a minor noble. Now it’s my turn to ask you a question, what happened when the castle was attacked, and why was Nia requested?”

If Sha was bothered by her response, he didn’t show it, “My father was attacked in his bed, the attacker used a very rare poison; we are hoping that Nia can save him.”

Morgan grasped Sha’s hand, “I’m so sorry,” she soothed, her brain reprimanding the impulse act.

“It’s fine, they will get what’s coming to them.”

“Vengeance will not get you anywhere, Sha. Trust me, I know,” She lectured.

Sha’s brisk reply was matched with a detached gaze, “The walls were coated in what must have been every ounce of my sister’s blood. The word vengeance doesn’t even describe what I will do.”

Surprised by Sha’s harsh tone, Morgan glanced up to find Meena, Leo and Bella staring at them, “Please don’t go down this path,” she beseeched, her words carrying the hope that he would not have to learn a harsh lesson.

Feeling a sudden need to get some space to process troubled thoughts, Morgan bowed and took a turn about the room; when she glanced back, Sha was staring absently into the distance. His motives much clearer and unfortunately all too familiar to her, his story one of darkness, loss, and a past that he could not escape from.

“Join us in a game of cards.”

Lost in her thoughts Morgan had to check who Leo was referring to, when she realised it was her, she dutifully sat to indicate interest. “If you think he is angry now, you should have seen him after Jaiera died,” he said, offering an explanation. It amazed her that Leo was speaking openly about something which Sha could not. “He used to be worse, but you are a calming influence. Please forgive him, sometimes his hatred blinds him.” It was easy to see that the princes were brothers, yet they had very different personalities.

Morgan could only offer honesty, “I must admit I have not known Sha for long, but this is not a side of him that I like.” Leo glanced up from his cards and offered a sigh, a long-drawn-out sigh, his understanding implied.

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Deep in thought, Sha didn’t notice the looming presence until it was too late, in surprise of the fact that she was inches from his face, he let out a childish yelp. Meena’s eyes locked with his, her words delivered in an untoward manner, “First, I will immobilise you with swords, then I will leave you to the rats, they will be there for the cheese that I leave between your toes,” Meena left him to process her harsh words.

“At least there is finally some normalcy going on, but why did it have to be rats,” Sha thought, letting out a shiver of disgust. He walked over to where Leo was playing cards with Bella and Morgan; After noticing his brother Leo stood, and held out his arm, “Bella, if it’s okay, I would like to show you my mother’s gardens,” Bella gracefully accepting the offered arm.

Sha quickly took Leo’s spot, tired of formality, he claimed Morgan’s hands in his, “I’m sorry, I should have told you, there is no excuse for that, please don’t shut me out. I need your help to find those responsible, and I need you. Please take me with you when you go.” Sha knew that his words were baseless pleas, yet his only choice was to wait and be at the mercy of a response.

Morgan’s reply supplying peace, yet infuriating at the same time, “Of course I accept your apology, which is exactly why I can’t have you on my ship.”

Sha nodded, feigning agreeance, “So be it, let’s play some Captain’s Bastard then,” he said, coupling his words with a beam. He took her faint hint of a smile as acceptance and dealt out the cards, “Prepare to be soundly beaten. I’ve got the hang of this game,” he announced.

Morgan raised an eyebrow, her response served in a chillingly even tone, “Oh is that so, you know back in the early ages, if you made such a comment to your captain, you were either made to walk the plank or were stabbed.” Not used to Morgan’s competitive nature, Sha’s smile slipped, his heartbeat increased, the excited rhythm bringing with it an undeniable inner affirmation, “I will spend the rest of my days pursuing the woman before me.”

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Mira was taken aback, the sound of genuine laughter warming her heart, her warm feelings short lived however, when she entered the parlour and found a complete lack of decorum. At least Morgan had the good graces to compose herself, but her son who was clearly happy about winning, slammed down his cards and celebrated with glee.

“Asharn Robert Dallinger, please refrain from all the theatrics, you are not performing in a play,” She reprimanded, the stern sound of her voice causing her middle child to freeze momentarily.

The old Sha would have made a rude retort and stormed from the room, this imposter had the audacity to smile at her and say, “I love you too, Mother. How is Father? Can I speak with him?” His endearment brought shock, and to add insult to injury, he stood up and kissed her on the cheek. Before she was able to recover, Sha took his leave, his excuse none other than the need to work on his sword skills.

Mira turned towards Morgan, “Who is that, and where have you hidden my real son?” She asked, before waiting patiently for an answer.

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Morgan was lost in thought, her stroll down the long hall was supposed to be leisurely, that was how he snuck up on her, “Crown for your thoughts,” the owner of the comment was none other than the duke of Rollston, Sha’s uncle.

“Your Grace, I was just taking a turn,” she replied, her curtsy polite. When she moved to pass, the dukes hand whipped out, gripping her wrist, his grasp painful. After pulling her close, he spoke lowly, “Have you thought on my offer? The fact that you have slithered your way into my family’s good graces, only heightens my need to have you onside.”

Hiding in calms familiarity, she replied, “I think you have mistaken me for a snake in the grass, and I’m fairly certain, especially among your own family that YOU don’t need ME to fill that role.”

With a jerk of her arm Morgan freed herself, the sting of freshly broken skin fuelling her onwards. Uneasiness lurked, now that her hand was revealed, she could only hope that she was ready for any consequences.

When Morgan reached the guest quarters, she stepped into the main parlour to see if any of her friends had made it back and was beyond grateful for what she saw there. In front of her splayed upon a settee was Marlo, he was bloated from food intake, his top pant button undone, a painful groan escaping him. Beside him his partners in crime Gary and Bob, and surrounding them all manner of dishes and drinks, in varying degrees of consumption. The sight enough to provide release from the day’s stresses, yet it was the act of letting go that broke the floodgates, her laugh was so uncontrolled that she even surprised herself. When Meena arrived moments later, she was still laughing, clutching her sides in pain. Meena aimed a stern glance in Marlo’s direction, “What did you do to Morgan? I think you broke her,” She exclaimed.