At your service//Sarafina

[Aislin of Port Legann]

Aislin stood in the large entrance hall of the Royal Residence, looking rather out of place, indeed. Her boots had barely touched the dock after returning to Port Caynn when she received a summons from Princess Sarafina of Conte. Not wishing to keep Her Highness waiting, the young captain had ordered her crew to unload the cargo and see the Quartermaster for their pay when they were finished. She pretended not to know that a good deal of it would end up in the hands of madams and tavern-owners as she looked about.

The black wool of the young woman’s sea coat stood out starkly amidst the silk and velvet trappings of the manor, and her battered leather tricorn and salt-stained, wrinkled clothes were laughable at best when compared to the crisp uniforms of the guards. Nonetheless, she held herself proudly and seemed to have a dignified air to her, despite her travel-worn appearance.

Glancing about nonchalantly, Aislin found herself mentally calculating the cost of the wall-hangings and promptly stopped, scolding herself for her merchant mindset. However, she ended her mental chastising short when her attention was called to an approaching figure.

[Princess Sarafina of Conté]

'That will be all," Princess Sarafina said curtly, nodding her head towards the door, indicating that she could go. The servant woman, Anne, curtsied low before turning her back on the princess and leaving the parlor. Her feet made little noise on the cold stone floor as she walked swiftly through the many hallways and down the staircase to the entrance hall. Making sure to keep her head bowed, she walked up to the rumpled looking lady waiting in the hall.

"Lady Aislin of Port Legann," she addressed, "Princess Sarafina has been expecting you. Please, come this way," Anne finished, sweeping her arm out in the general direction of the staircase. Anne hesitated only a moment before starting on her way back up the stairs and hallways. She walked briskly back up the way she had come, glancing behind herself to make sure that Aislin was following. When they arrived Anne opened the door to the parlor, announcing loudly and clearly,” Lady Aislin of Port Legann!" Sarafina looked up from her seat at Aislin, smiling slightly at the lady entering the parlor.

[Aislin of Port Legann]

Aislin removed her worn tricorn and swept into a graceful bow that contrasted sharply with her wrinkled clothes. “At your service, your Highness,” she said respectfully as she straightened. “I usually go by Captain Aislin of Port Legann, though, if you don’t mind my saying so,” she added, a wry smile tugging at one corner of her lips.

Not putting her hat back on, the young captain ran her other hand through her hair, tucking a few stray pieces behind her ear and making her earring twinkle in the light coming through the parlor windows. “Might I inquire as to why her Highness has summoned me here?” she asked politely, clasping her hands behind her back. She looked entirely at ease with the situation, as if she was called upon by royalty on a regular basis.

[Princess Sarafina of Conté]

Anne blushed in embarrassment, horrified that she had gotten the name wrong. But she was smart enough to blurt out a stuttered apology. She curtsied again and left the room, shutting the door sharply behind her. Sarafina waved her hand, brushing the small matter aside. "No, no, of course we don't mind. Come, sit," she said, or rather commanded, gesturing to the seat across from her. "I take it your trip went well?" Sarafina asked conversationally, settling herself neatly in her seat.

A moment or so later, the door opened yet again, and another maidservant entered, bringing a metal tray of tea and cakes with her. "Ah, here is the tea," Sara remarked, pleased at the promptness of her servants. Silently, the maidservant set the tray down on the table in between Aislin's and Sarafina's seats. Carefully, she poured tea into two china cups and set them gently in front of the two women. "Thank you, Josie," Sara said with another gentle smile, excusing the young girl to go and attend to her other tasks.

She reached a dainty hand for the honey, scooping some up into her teacup. She gingerly stirred it in, careful not to spill the tea onto the tabletop and floor. "I assume you know why you have been called here by now, yes?" she asked.

[Aislin of Port Legann]

Aislin turned to look over her shoulder and assure the maid that it was no great offense, but all she saw was a hem of a skirt before the door closed. Giving a mental shrug, she obeyed the princess’s order and moved over to the table. She walked with a rolling swagger, the gait of a sailor who had yet to regain her land legs. “As well as can be expected, your Highness,” she replied as she sank into the indicated chair, setting her tricorn to the side of the table where it would be out of the way.

Once Sarafina was finished with the honey, the young captain added some to her own tea with a far less dainty hand. Indeed, the fine china looked rather ridiculous in her strong calloused hand as she took a sip from her cup. She had to restrain herself from looking surprised as the sweetness of the drink caught her off guard. After accidently consuming so much sea spray during her voyage, she had come to expect every liquid to be salty.

When she heard the princess’s question, Aislin gently set her tea down. “Will her Highness consider me terribly dense if I claim ignorance?” she asked lightly. “I have an idea as to the purpose of my presence, but I should not like to seem presumptive if I am wrong.”

[Princess Sarafina of Conté]

"Good, glad to hear it was bearable," she answered politely, very used to this answer. It was not as if someone could say that their trip/voyage had not been enjoyable, and for this reason Sarafina always heard similar if not the same answers. She brought the cup back to her colored lips and took a small sip, savoring the warmth and sweetness of the hot drink in her mouth before swallowing. Crossing her slender legs, she sat back in her chair and held her cup tightly in her long-fingered hands.

“Of course not, it isn’t your fault,” she replied with a reassuring smile, about to wave her hand about to dismiss Aislin's worries but then realized that she was holding her cup steady with it. She noted in the back of her mind that she should talk to her messengers to make sure that they would relay why they were being summoned as well as whatever else the added in their messages.

“I’ve heard about your encounter with the Eclipse, you see,” she started, not formally stating what she was going to discuss, but tried to bring up the subject in a slightly more casual way. She bobbed her foot up and down slightly, hands clasping her cup and resting on her thigh. “While I have heard many tales of it, I would appreciate your own accounting.”

[Aislin of Port Legann]

Aislin set her cup down and refrained from sighing. “I’m sure whatever tales you have heard have been greatly exaggerated, your Highness,” she replied lightly. “It’s strange how much more exciting stories become when they are urged on by rum and a pretty listening ear.”

Leaning slightly forward, the young captain rested her elbows on her knees. “We came upon the Eclipse by chance,” she began, looking at her folded hands. “I cannot say who threatened who first, but the pirate captain was flying her colors and I the Queen’s, so I’ve come to the conclusion that we decided to attack at about the same time. I believe the pirates were under the impression that the Lioness was a naval ship. In any case, we made a few passes and fired a few rounds at each other before the pirates boarded us. My men and I defeated them in hand to hand combat, slaying a few and capturing the rest. I had the survivors thrown in the brig, then returned to port, sold the Eclipse, and handed the prisoners over to the guard.”

Leaning back in her chair once again, Aislin retrieved her tea and took a sip. “However, I doubt her Highness summoned me here for a story,” she added, glancing up at the princess.

[Princess Sarafina of Conté]

“That is entirely possible,” she answered, her mouth curving up in an amused smile. She knew full well that the versions of the tale she had heard were presumably exaggerated, but that hadn’t stopped her from getting somewhat caught up the excitement they wove around its listeners. She, however, listened intently to Aislin’s tale, blowing slightly on her tea to cool it some before taking another small sip. Sarafina was only slightly disappointed, but not surprised, that her companion’s version of the encounter was no where near the thrilling tale other’s had believed it to be. There was also the probability that Aislin was just being modest and toning the tale down, instead of boasting about it. But perhaps it was a combination of the two. "It's a rare captain that would resist a chance to boast of their deeds, and that of their crew. Your modesty is commendable, Captain Aislin, even if it lessens the excitement and grander of a story."

Her hair bounced a little as she readjusted her sitting position. The smallest of frowns appeared on her face at Aislin’s assumption, which, granted, was true. Nevertheless, she danced ever so slightly around the topic, a little irriated and yet also pleased at Lady - no, Captain - Aislin's forthrightness. Arching a delicate brow, Sarafina said with a minute smile on the corners of her lips, "Is there a reason royalty cannot simply invite their fellow nobles for a friendly conversation? Does there always need to be reason?"

After letting that hang in the air for a moment, she went on and continued ruefully, "However, Captain, you are correct in your presumption. This time." Sarafina took a small sip of her tea, using it as an excuse not speak right away. Once her thoughts were composed, she looked Aislin in the eye. "Since you seem the type of woman who appreciates bluntness, I shall be quite straightforward. Pirating of late has increased; since trade between our lands and those of our neighbors has increased vastly, that means there are more heavily laden pickings for pirates. You yourself can attest to that. I would like to hear you views on this matter."

[Aislin of Port Legann]

Aislin gave a slight shrug in response to Sarafina’s remark on her blunt nature. “I beg your pardon if you find my nature too direct, your Highness,” she apologized. “Over the years I seem to have affected some of the mannerisms of my crew. They are all good, hard-working men, but they have no patience for elusive turns of phrase or flowery words.”

After setting down her teacup, the young captain folded her arms over her chest as she considered what the princess had said. It was nothing that she did not know, of course, but now she had a chance to effect what was done about the situation. “I am afraid, your Majesty, that I cannot give you an objective opinion of the matter,” she admitted after a moment. “As you know, my late husband, Nathaniel of Port Legann, was killed by pirates, so naturally the first thing that comes to mind is to tell you that you should have every last pirate threat hunted down and hung. However, I am not sure that that is in the best use of Tortall’s resources.”

After falling silent again for a few more minutes, Aislin leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. “I have an idea, your majesty, of how the threat could be handled,” she said slowly. “It would be dangerous, but it has the potential to be very effective. If the navy could obtain a small fleet of merchant vessels and find enough brave men, they could arm the ships more heavily and have their crews disguise themselves as ordinary sailors. Masquerading as ordinary merchants, these men could sail along some of the most commonly attacked trade routes and attract the attention of pirates. The cargo holds of the ships would have to filled with something that would weigh the ship down, but be easy to dispose of. Pirates will not attack a ship that is sitting high in the water. When the pirate vessel is close enough to engage in combat, the ‘cargo’ could be dumped and the hunters would soon find themselves the hunted.”

Leaning back in her chair, the noble frowned. “I will not deceive you, your Majesty. It would be a gamble for those who choose to be a part of such a dangerous mission. However, I believe after only a few such turnabouts the pirates will be much more wary about attacking seemingly innocent merchant vessels. They would not know who will fight back.”

[Princess Sarafina of Conté]

"Don't apologize, please," she assured her guest, leaning forward very slightly and shaking her head to emphasize her point. "It is quite a relief, actually. You've no idea how long people can beat around the bush before getting to their point. It's a pleasant change to have someone who gets straight to the point. Makes matters much more simple," Sarafina finished, leaning back into her original position.

As Aislin set down her teacup to speak, the princess took a sip from her own cup, pleased to find that it had cooled to nearly the perfect warmth. But the silly thought left her mind as her guest started to speak again, and she too set her cup down. As she listened, she clasped her hands around her knee, momentarily ceasing to bob her leg up and down. She nodded here and there to show that she agreed or understood what Aislin was saying, excited to finally hear something about the matter. She stayed silent, however, preferring to listen to the whole idea before inputting her own thoughts.

When Aislin had finished, Sara did not speak up immediately, but instead ran the idea through her head once more. “It has the potential to be very hazardous,” she said, pursing her lips, “however; I believe that it would be worth the risk. What other choice to we have?” She finished with a question, as that very thought had been running through her mind. “It’s not as if we have another plan to follow,” she went on softly, picking up her cup again and taking another drink. “It will take much planning as well, but if it solves the problem…” she added, letting her words fade out as she began to bounce her leg again.

[Aislin of Port Legann]

Aislin gave a slight shrug, toying with her teacup. “I would advise you speak with a few naval officers before you become too taken with my suggestion, your Highness,” she remarked lightly. “They will be the ones to put it into action, after all, and they may not find it as worthy of the risk as you do, or they might even have a plan of their own that is far better than mine. Hunting pirates is, after all, a task preformed much more frequently by the Navy than by simple merchant sailors than myself.”

Retrieving her teacup, the young captain took a sip. It occurred to her that while she was drinking tea and speaking with the princess, her men were probably drinking ale and rum and speaking to women of a far less respectable nature. The humorous thought was a pleasant, although brief respite from the weighty matters she had been discussing with Sarafina, and she allowed a small smile to curve her lips.

[Princess Sarafina of Conté]

Sarafina was slightly irritated that Aislin had hinted, a barely noticeable hint but a hint none the less, that she would not have talked to her naval officers before finally deciding on this plan of action. She, Sarafina, would of course speak to them and hear their opinions and ask for their advice before making this very important decision. She would also have to speak to Buckley, her husband, and perhaps even her sister, Amedessa. The idea that Aislin had present was new and very exciting, and she had merely been musing about it aloud when she had said it was a good plan. However, she did not let these feelings show through her onto her features, and instead let a pleasant, casual expression lay on her pale face. Her hands, however, did grip the small teacup’s handle tighter, a small way to release her feelings of anger, irritation, or anything of that sort, without informing her company.

“But of course, Captain," she answered back, forcing herself to loosen the grip on her cup. “I have found that they have very good ideas and their input is most helpful to me and my husband. I do believe that they might be disinclined to go with this idea at first, for fear of loosing too many valuable men and resources, but I also believe that after they have been spoken to and instructed thoroughly on the matter, their minds will change and they will readily take upon this difficult challenge. It is their duty to protect their country and its occupants, and they, hopefully, will be interested and enthused to take on this challenge.” Sarafina’s voice had been firm and slightly commanding, but casual and pleasant as well, a combination that made the listener take her seriously but not fear or dislike her.

She finished off her tea with a last sip, then, against her desires, set her cup down carefully on its small plate to rest a while before it was refilled. Instead of instantly pouring herself another drink, she took a finely woven linen napkin from the silver platter and laid it out carefully upon her lap. She then reached forward a dainty hand and gently took up a cake from the platter. As she took a small bite, a few stray crumbs of the sweet cake fell, but were caught on their way down by the napkin in her lap. She chewed slowly, but quickly enough to allow herself to speak again soon, and in a few moments her bite of cake was swallowed and in her stomach.

A sharp, brisk knock was heard at the door, and Sarafina nodded her head to the maid at the door, a sign that she should open it. The maid opened it dutifully, and a messenger-clad young man stepped in respectfully. He strode to her side and bowed, his shock of black hair swaying with the movement. “Your Highness,” he said, his voice quivering slightly with nerves, “The execution of Tobias Scylding will be delayed for a short time, due to some, well, unexpected difficulties,” he finished with another nervous bow, and nearly lost his footing while he straightened up. The young manservant was most obviously not comfortable delivering this news, almost as if he was afraid that Sarafina would lash out and punish him. Sarafina, albeit rather surprised, was not angry, but more irked, at this tidbit of information. Things never seemed to go smoothly or as planned.

“And what might these ‘unexpected difficulties’ be?” the young princess asked coolly, setting her cake in her napkin. The young manservant flushed, quite a contrast against his dark hair. Clearly he had hoped that Sarafina would not require an explanation. Somewhat flustered, he attempted to dodge the question.

“Commodore said that he had everything under control, and that the only issue would be this small delay…” Sarafina’s eyes narrowed slightly, miffed that the manservant had intentionally avoided answering her query. It was quite an effort of self-control on her part not to roll her eyes. It was difficult for her to work and do her duties if the people she was trying to serve and help would not tell her everything clearly and without hesitation.

"I believe I asked you a direct and rather simple question. It is somewhat perturbing to the Crown that reasonable and straightforward inquires are not being answered. Once again, please elaborate," she said curtly, setting her napkin and cake back down on the platter. His face became hotter and he lost all sense of composure, which he had possessed little of in the first place.

“I…he…the Commodore, he…didn’t say…he didn’t quite explain…” the manservant stumbled out, his ears reddening ears visible through his now slightly rumpled hair. Sarafina now arched an eyebrow, now partially amused at the obvious lack of experience this messenger had.

Interrupting him, she said more gently than before, "Am I right in assuming that the most esteemed Commodore X has not seen fit to bestow upon one such as yourself the nature of the present troubles?” He nodded, eyes wide with appreciation, relieved that Sarafina understood his predicament.

In a regal manner, Sara lifted her head and pronounced, "Very well then; such problems should not be left unattended. It seems that this situation warrants an early arrival, rather than a delayed one." She turned and said imperiously to the maid at the door, "Send for my husband. Tell him his presence is required at the gallows." The maid gave a respectful curtsy, and then departed to fulfill her mistress's wishes. Turning back the harassed looking messenger, she commanded, "Return to the Commodore. Inform him that I am pleased that things will soon be under control. But I also desire to see the progress of the rectification myself. You may go now.” The messenger bowed and left hurriedly, glad to get finally get away.

Sarafina then turned to Aislin. “Please excuse my hasty departure, Captain. "If you wish to accompany me, you may do so." It was not exactly a command; nor a suggestion, but something in-between. "If you have other pressing matters, you may not, of course. I leave the decision up to you."

[Aislin of Port Legann]

Aislin started slightly when she heard Scylding’s execution had been delayed. She quickly regained her composure and leaned back in her seat as the princess conversed with the messenger, appearing almost bored, but her mind was racing. Why would the Scanran’s death be postponed? In fact, why hadn’t he faced the gallows already? The messenger provided no answers to the former question, which Sarafina asked, and it would be unseemly for the captain to ask the latter. The message was not for her, after all, and she didn’t want to seem too bloodthirsty in front of royalty.

Listening with half an ear as the royal conversed with the nervous young messenger, the young woman considered possibilities as to the reason Scylding continued to breathe. Could he have escaped? No, the fort was guarded well enough and the pirate had a bad leg. She had seen to that personally. Could he have some sort of information he could exchange for his life? That was a reasonable possibility, as he had seemed a relatively skilled bargainer during her short conversation with the man. However, she didn’t know of any knowledge that would outweigh the naval officers’ hatred for pirates.

Aislin was interrupted from her musings, however, when Sarafina addressed her. “I think I should like to come along, if it is no trouble to her Highness,” she replied, standing slowly and retrieving her hat. “After all, I was the one who brought Scylding in to face justice. I should like to know why it has not been dealt yet.”

[Buckley of Queenscove]

Buckley had been roused from his work, closeted away in his study working through piles of legal documents relating to shipping requests and docking, when the maid had disturbed him to relay his wife's message.

Ordinarily he would have been glad of any excuse to leave the pile of dry paper work behind, but the note of urgency in the maid's voice and the mention of the gallows had raised a spark of alarm in his mind and he now made his way quickly through the marbled hallways, hoping to catch Sara before she left for the fortress. It would allow them to take the carriage together and talk candidly about whatever needed their attention.

As he walked he caught sight of himself in one of the many mirrors that lined the halls to catch and amplify the light. He tutted at the sight that greeted him and halted briefly to smooth down the hair on the left of his head which stuck out at an angle from where he'd absently tousseled it as he'd worked. He straighened his stock and untucked his lace cuffs and then gave up any further attempt to make himself look presentable. He didn't have time to spare primping.

He entered the parlor where his wife had taken her guest, pausing at the door to bow to her and her guest as etiquette dictated.

"Excuse the intrusion. I hoped to catch you before you left for the fortress. The maid mentioned that there was trouble at the gallows?"

[Princess Sarafina of Conté]

Sarafina was neither disappointed nor glad that Aislin had decided to accompany her to the gallows to deal with the, hopefully, small situation. “Very well then,” she replied, swiftly rising to her feet. “We’d best be on our way, then,” she continued, smoothing out her skirts and straightening small wrinkles with her delicate fingers. Tucking loose strands of hair back into their elegant bun, she walked forward towards the door, her skirts making soft swishing sounds as the many petticoats grazed lightly against one another.

As Sarafina and Aislin left their small seating area, a maid walked forward with practiced, evenly spaced steps and retrieved the hardly touched cakes and tea. She stacked the two teacups carefully on top of one another as well as their saucers, and then placed them on the tray. The maid then put the napkin covered, barely eaten cake next to the others, gently picked of the tray, and backed away from the table, waiting off to the side of the room until after her mistress and the guest left.

Sarafina was heading towards the door when it opened to reveal her only slightly rumpled looking husband, and she half sighed, half smiled inwardly at his unseemly appearance. She supposed that he had been working, as usual, and was glad to see that he had been so prompt and had not dawdled. Sarafina was just as glad to see him as he was her before she reached the fortress, for the same reasons as him. If she had arrived before him, she would not have had much time, if any, to speak to Buckley without having the Commodore wait longer than need be.

“Captain Aislin, this is my husband, Buckley of Queenscove. You, no doubt, have heard of him. Buckley, this is Captain Aislin of Port Legann, and she is to accompany us to the gallows.” She made the quick, but proper, introductions as was proper, and then stepped away from Aislin to stand by her husband.

“Yes, that is what I have heard. The messenger that informed me was most ignorant and knows no more about it than we do, therefore he could not give me any valuable information concerning the matter,” she replied haughtily in answer to Buckley's question, still quite disgruntled that she knew hardly anything about the matter.