Chapter Six: Sewers and Siblings.
Prince Avery was pacing outside his mother's rooms. The doctor was still attending to the Queen, and only his father had been let inside. He was worried about his mother. She had been so weak and sick lately. He did not want to lose her. So he paced, waiting for any news, never straying far from the door.
"Avery, could you sit down and stop pacing?" Lady Hayley said, from her seat on the bench next to the door. "I think you've torn a hole in the carpet already."
Avery looked down, to discover that where he had been turning there was a small rip in the carpet. "Oh boy, another hole in carpet, and this time I can't blame it on my little sister."
"Little sister? How come I haven't seen Princess Brittany?" Lady Hayley asked. "She should have been at court, shouldn't she have?"
"Britt hasn't attend court in two years," Avery said. "She's off at Arm studying swordsmanship and tactics under Duke Nolan. Perhaps you saw Squire Brett when the Duke visited your mother's court a couple months ago?"
"That was her?" Hayley responded. "I never would have guessed."
"She's got Father wrapped around her little finger," Avery said, sitting down beside Hayley. "When I started sword lessons at eight, she started a week after me, even though she was only seven. Britt wants to do everything I do, and do it better if possible. And she's really pretty good, though not as good as I am. Father encouraged her, much to the court's dismay. Especially after she started to wear her sword to court. Then Father asked her what she wanted for her tenth birthday. When she replied to be a knight, they came up with a plan for her to pose as a boy, and she's been living at Arm since."
"Does Duke Nolan know?" Hayley asked.
"Yes," Avery replied. "Britt thinks the Duke is giving her too many favors. Especially after she was made his personal squire. I'll have to let you read her letter after she got that post. Father was quite amused by it. Especially since she complained about all the work just a paragraph later."
The door to the queen's rooms slid open, revealing the King. Prince Avery and Lady Hayley stood immediately, Lady Hayley offering a curtsy. "Hayley, you're almost family now, you can stop doing that outside of public functions," the King said.
"Can I see Mother, now, Father?" Avery asked.
"The Doctor has ordered her to rest, but you can talk to her after dinner, Avery," the King replied. "Walk with me." Hayley remained by the door, as Avery moved to follow his father. "You too, Hayley. So, Avery, how was court?"
"Lots of work," Avery replied. "I hope I wasn't overstepping my bounds when I made a few decisions, Father."
"Aside from perhaps the Avtra case, there wasn't too much you could do wrong, Avery," the King said. "I won't second guess your decisions. So, how did you solve that case?"
"I told the Baron that the move was temporary, and ordered the Earl to put the Baron on the top of the list for the guard post when the canal opens in about twenty years," Avery said. "I also had it designated as the mid point guard post, as it is about the mid point, if you only count the length inside Avtra."
"That canal could be trouble down the road," the King said. "Watch in carefully. Avtra and Castrome have nearly gone to war several times over lesser problems."
"I know Father," Avery said as they reached his father's office.
The King unlocked the door, and proceeded them in. Avery once had dreaded his father's office. It was painted black, even the ceiling, with a silver pattern on the wall, and irregular outline that Avery had tried to find a pattern in, when ever he was waiting for his father's punishment. In the center was his father's heavy dark wood desk. It was one of the few things that had made it's way to Odyssey when the Capital had moved from Verifor. His father took his place behind the desk, and Avery and Hayley sank into the comfortable chairs on the other side. You could tell how the conversation was going to go by which chairs were in the room. Avery was fairly sure that he wasn't going to be chewed out.
"Avery, the doctor has given your mother a month to live,"
"No!" Avery exclaimed, standing up. "You can't let this happen!"
"Sit down," the King ordered. "Despite what you may think, people don't have to go to me for permission to die, and I can't stop death. There is nothing I can do about your mother's health, save getting the best doctors Ellosia has, and insisting that she rest. You know how hard it is to get her to rest, and as for the best doctors, there is only one in Ellosia better than Doctor Anderson, and that's your Mother. She can't treat herself."
"If it weren't for you stupid Prime Directive, she would be well already," Avery said.
"Perhaps, perhaps not," the King said. "There is no sense second guessing decisions made before your were born. You just have to live with the consequences. Your mother wants to see you married, and I intend to do everything possible to make sure she does. Therefore, I'm moving up your wedding to nine days from now. I realize that's a short time to prepare for the rest of your life, Avery, Hayley, but it's the time you've been given. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm expecting the Ambassador from Dinath."
Avery and Hayley took that dismissal, and exited the room, passing by a servant bringing in one of the hard straight backed chairs. Avery nearly ran into the servant, his fists balled in frustration and anger
* * * *
Later in the week, Marrissa and Calgary left the Golden Rinnebeast through the back exit. By that door was a sewer access, a rough wooden board in a square metal frame. Calgary lifted it, revealing a ten foot drop to a shallow stream of sewage. A ladder ran down one side, so they'd be able to come back up this way.
"Now let me get this straight, we're going to follow the sewer to it's source to try to find how they're handling it," Marrissa said.
"Yes, if they're using the Odyssey's waste extraction systems, we've got a Prime Directive violation. So far," Calgary said. "I haven't found any major ones, and the minor differences are well within the expected variations in technical development."
"Okay, I've got the lights, so as soon as I take off my pants, we'll get going," Marrissa said, pulling off her pants, leaving her only clad in her tunic, which went down just far enough to be decent, barely. "I'm not going get sewage stains on my pants, if I can help it."
"I'd be more worried about what comes from above," Calgary said, putting his tunic beside her pants. "I'll go first, and then you can hand the lamps down to me."
* * * *
Captain Lord Trevor had Castrome Point in his sight. Once he was beyond that, Castromepor would be just an hour away, and in clear view. His vessel was traveling at full sail, a good knot above the speed most of the other vessels in the Ellosian Navy were capable of. Below the Ellosian Ensign he flew his family's standard, modified with his Captain's knots. He was proud of his new rank, and the trust he had been shown by being given this important assignment. If at all possible, he was going to bring his friend Avery's future sister-in-laws back to Odyssey in record time.
* * * *
Avery had just come from seeing his mother again. The Queen seemed to sink into her bed, looking so thin and frail, not at all like the vibrant and active mother of his childhood. It disturbed him, so he was planning to try to put it out of his mind. He'd stopped briefly at his rooms to put on some older clothes, before heading to the stables. As usual, he used one of the security poles to descend down the one floor to the stables. As he strode away from the pole, he heard a cry of pain behind him.
He turned around to see his intended sprawled at the base of the pole, grimacing. "Are you okay?" he asked, moving to her side.
"I think so," Hayley replied, accepting Avery's assistance to stand. "I've never done that before."
"It takes practice," Avery said. "I'm really not supposed to use the poles. They're for the guards, but it's a lot faster to use this one to get to the stables. So where are you heading?"
Hayley blushed, and said, "I was just following you in hopes that you'd get back to a part of the Palace that I know."
"Well, I can have the stable manager take you to any place you need to go," Avery said. "Or you can join me in my mid-morning ride."
"I can?" Hayley said. "We don't have round up some major guard detachment first?"
"I think they gave up on that a couple years ago," Avery said. "I just have to have my sword, and my fast rinnebeast."
* * * *
In the dungeon of Odyssey Palace, Jean-Luc Picard and his wife were finally getting a visitor. Lord Harlan had just arrived and dismissed the guard.
"Lieutenant Harlan Foster, I hope you've come to release us," Jean-Luc said.
"It's Lord Harlan now," he said. "And what makes you think I'd release one of the biggest threats to my King."
"My threat to your King, who I believe is Captain Richard York, the last known Captain of the starship Odyssey, depends on his actions in the last twenty years," Jean-Luc said. "Your actions indicate that the likelihood of a court-martial is quite high."
"And the likelihood of you being executed for treason is even higher," Harlan said.
"I find that quite unlikely, Lieutenant," Jean-Luc said.
"As long as you're in my jail, it's my odds that count," Harlan said. "Now how many people do you have in Ellosia?"
"Just the usual for the situation," Jean-Luc replied, laying back on his bunk.
"Let's see if I remember regulations... ah yes," Harlan began. "A Prime Directive investigation team must include of the Chief of Security, the Chief Engineer, and the First Officer, and be lead by the Captain. So, I've got at least 3 more people to track down, since I doubt that Jack Crusher's wife would be anything other than Chief Medical Officer."
"Jack died almost seventeen years ago," Beverly said. "Jean-Luc and I married last year."
"I'm sorry to hear about that," Harlan said. "Jack was a good officer. I remember him from the Fleet meetings during the Cardassian War. I assume that's over with?"
"We had a cease fire about a year after the Odyssey disappeared," Jean-Luc said. "The formal treaty was signed five years ago."
"It sure took them a long time," Harlan said.
"You know how long some diplomatic negotiations can take," Picard said. "Ambassador Sarek's work with the Legerans took 93 years to complete. In the case of the Cardassians, I think we were quite lucky."
"You may say you're lucky with the Cardassians, but I don't think I am," Harlan said. "After all, because of them we've spent 20 years trying not to break the rules on this planet. I don't even know what happened to my little sister who was just joining Star Fleet."
"She's the new Captain of the Venture," Jean-Luc said. "Do you have any family here in Ellosia?"
"No," Harlan said. "My job as Chief of Intelligence doesn't let me have the time to have a family. Not that the Queen hasn't tried to match me up with a promising young girl."
* * * *
Marrissa put another crystal in the waters of the lamp before replacing the stopper. The sewers seemed to go on forever. She hoped she had enough crystals for the glowing water lamps. Up ahead, she thought she heard someone talking.
* * * *
Captain Lord Trevor passed Castrome Point, his sails full, as he caught the coming tide on the mouth of the Castrome. Two ships were moored next to the point, with their guns run out. The town of Castromepor was now in view. The majestic spires of Saint Ignatius stood visible above the town's red walled battlements. Most of the fleet that regularly anchored at her docks were gone, but the jewel of Ellosia's ports still sported several merchants and ships under construction, including the Victorious, a ship of the line in the final stage of construction.
"Mister Bracegirdle, weigh anchor and ready the ship's boat," Captain Treavor ordered. "I intend to make this a quick stop, so no shore leaves."
"Aye sir," Bracegirdle said. "Furl the sails! Prepare to weigh anchor!"
* * * *
Marrissa and Calgary pressed themselves up against the side of the sewer tunnel as the voices got closer, covering their lamps.
"This is really an undignified way to enter the city, Sargent," one voice said.
"It is the only real way that someone of your stature can enter the city without being spotted, your grace," the Sargent replied. "Let alone sneak in the large numbers of troops your require."
"Personal guards, Sargent," the first voice replied.
"Yes my lord," the Sargent said as the light of their lamps began to show around the turn.
* * * *
Captain Lord Trevor paused at the entry to Castrome Villa to show his orders to the guard. Despite the fact that the Royal Family was rarely in residence there, a rather large compliment of guards were posted at the fortified compound. The black and scarlet guards had probably never seen the King, Prince Avery was a more frequent visitor. It took only a couple minutes for the guards to verify the Captain's orders and escort him to the quarters of Lady Lea and Lady Whitney. Trevor was surprised to find the young girls being visited by their father, Lord Elden, the Ducal Consort of Castrome.
"Lord Trevor, what brings you to Castromepor," Elden said. "I thought the Godspeed was posted off the coast of Armedge."
"I have orders from the King to transport your daughters to Odyssey," Trevor said. "If you'd like to see them?"
"No need," Elden said. "Desiree told me to expect them before she set off for Odyssey. I assume you wish to travel light?"
"I'd wish to, but I expect that young ladies of your daughters' eminence require a considerable accompaniment," Trevor replied.
"I know the Godspeed, Captain," Elden said. "So I'll just send along Whitney's nanny. Lea can do without a tutor for a while. And we'll keep the luggage down to a chest of clothes."
"Goodie!" Lea said.
"Lea just started her schooling," Elden said. "We can't afford ignorance in the person second in line for Castrome. I'm afraid she hasn't taken to her studies."
"There is still time," Trevor said. "I wasn't very taken with my studies at first."
"I heard," Elden said. "Your father has been trading stories with me. Tell me, what ever possessed you to replace your tutor's water with yellowberry wine?
"I heard he was more entertaining drunk," Trevor said. "How soon can your daughters be aboard the Godspeed?"
"The chest is already packed, so as soon as you're ready, we'll head down to the docks," Elden said. "However, if you can spare a minute, I'd like to show off my latest design. The Victorious is finally ready for launch. As soon as the stores all arrive, I'll be taking her out for her maiden voyage."
Prince Avery was pacing outside his mother's rooms. The doctor was still attending to the Queen, and only his father had been let inside. He was worried about his mother. She had been so weak and sick lately. He did not want to lose her. So he paced, waiting for any news, never straying far from the door.
"Avery, could you sit down and stop pacing?" Lady Hayley said, from her seat on the bench next to the door. "I think you've torn a hole in the carpet already."
Avery looked down, to discover that where he had been turning there was a small rip in the carpet. "Oh boy, another hole in carpet, and this time I can't blame it on my little sister."
"Little sister? How come I haven't seen Princess Brittany?" Lady Hayley asked. "She should have been at court, shouldn't she have?"
"Britt hasn't attend court in two years," Avery said. "She's off at Arm studying swordsmanship and tactics under Duke Nolan. Perhaps you saw Squire Brett when the Duke visited your mother's court a couple months ago?"
"That was her?" Hayley responded. "I never would have guessed."
"She's got Father wrapped around her little finger," Avery said, sitting down beside Hayley. "When I started sword lessons at eight, she started a week after me, even though she was only seven. Britt wants to do everything I do, and do it better if possible. And she's really pretty good, though not as good as I am. Father encouraged her, much to the court's dismay. Especially after she started to wear her sword to court. Then Father asked her what she wanted for her tenth birthday. When she replied to be a knight, they came up with a plan for her to pose as a boy, and she's been living at Arm since."
"Does Duke Nolan know?" Hayley asked.
"Yes," Avery replied. "Britt thinks the Duke is giving her too many favors. Especially after she was made his personal squire. I'll have to let you read her letter after she got that post. Father was quite amused by it. Especially since she complained about all the work just a paragraph later."
The door to the queen's rooms slid open, revealing the King. Prince Avery and Lady Hayley stood immediately, Lady Hayley offering a curtsy. "Hayley, you're almost family now, you can stop doing that outside of public functions," the King said.
"Can I see Mother, now, Father?" Avery asked.
"The Doctor has ordered her to rest, but you can talk to her after dinner, Avery," the King replied. "Walk with me." Hayley remained by the door, as Avery moved to follow his father. "You too, Hayley. So, Avery, how was court?"
"Lots of work," Avery replied. "I hope I wasn't overstepping my bounds when I made a few decisions, Father."
"Aside from perhaps the Avtra case, there wasn't too much you could do wrong, Avery," the King said. "I won't second guess your decisions. So, how did you solve that case?"
"I told the Baron that the move was temporary, and ordered the Earl to put the Baron on the top of the list for the guard post when the canal opens in about twenty years," Avery said. "I also had it designated as the mid point guard post, as it is about the mid point, if you only count the length inside Avtra."
"That canal could be trouble down the road," the King said. "Watch in carefully. Avtra and Castrome have nearly gone to war several times over lesser problems."
"I know Father," Avery said as they reached his father's office.
The King unlocked the door, and proceeded them in. Avery once had dreaded his father's office. It was painted black, even the ceiling, with a silver pattern on the wall, and irregular outline that Avery had tried to find a pattern in, when ever he was waiting for his father's punishment. In the center was his father's heavy dark wood desk. It was one of the few things that had made it's way to Odyssey when the Capital had moved from Verifor. His father took his place behind the desk, and Avery and Hayley sank into the comfortable chairs on the other side. You could tell how the conversation was going to go by which chairs were in the room. Avery was fairly sure that he wasn't going to be chewed out.
"Avery, the doctor has given your mother a month to live,"
"No!" Avery exclaimed, standing up. "You can't let this happen!"
"Sit down," the King ordered. "Despite what you may think, people don't have to go to me for permission to die, and I can't stop death. There is nothing I can do about your mother's health, save getting the best doctors Ellosia has, and insisting that she rest. You know how hard it is to get her to rest, and as for the best doctors, there is only one in Ellosia better than Doctor Anderson, and that's your Mother. She can't treat herself."
"If it weren't for you stupid Prime Directive, she would be well already," Avery said.
"Perhaps, perhaps not," the King said. "There is no sense second guessing decisions made before your were born. You just have to live with the consequences. Your mother wants to see you married, and I intend to do everything possible to make sure she does. Therefore, I'm moving up your wedding to nine days from now. I realize that's a short time to prepare for the rest of your life, Avery, Hayley, but it's the time you've been given. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm expecting the Ambassador from Dinath."
Avery and Hayley took that dismissal, and exited the room, passing by a servant bringing in one of the hard straight backed chairs. Avery nearly ran into the servant, his fists balled in frustration and anger
* * * *
Later in the week, Marrissa and Calgary left the Golden Rinnebeast through the back exit. By that door was a sewer access, a rough wooden board in a square metal frame. Calgary lifted it, revealing a ten foot drop to a shallow stream of sewage. A ladder ran down one side, so they'd be able to come back up this way.
"Now let me get this straight, we're going to follow the sewer to it's source to try to find how they're handling it," Marrissa said.
"Yes, if they're using the Odyssey's waste extraction systems, we've got a Prime Directive violation. So far," Calgary said. "I haven't found any major ones, and the minor differences are well within the expected variations in technical development."
"Okay, I've got the lights, so as soon as I take off my pants, we'll get going," Marrissa said, pulling off her pants, leaving her only clad in her tunic, which went down just far enough to be decent, barely. "I'm not going get sewage stains on my pants, if I can help it."
"I'd be more worried about what comes from above," Calgary said, putting his tunic beside her pants. "I'll go first, and then you can hand the lamps down to me."
* * * *
Captain Lord Trevor had Castrome Point in his sight. Once he was beyond that, Castromepor would be just an hour away, and in clear view. His vessel was traveling at full sail, a good knot above the speed most of the other vessels in the Ellosian Navy were capable of. Below the Ellosian Ensign he flew his family's standard, modified with his Captain's knots. He was proud of his new rank, and the trust he had been shown by being given this important assignment. If at all possible, he was going to bring his friend Avery's future sister-in-laws back to Odyssey in record time.
* * * *
Avery had just come from seeing his mother again. The Queen seemed to sink into her bed, looking so thin and frail, not at all like the vibrant and active mother of his childhood. It disturbed him, so he was planning to try to put it out of his mind. He'd stopped briefly at his rooms to put on some older clothes, before heading to the stables. As usual, he used one of the security poles to descend down the one floor to the stables. As he strode away from the pole, he heard a cry of pain behind him.
He turned around to see his intended sprawled at the base of the pole, grimacing. "Are you okay?" he asked, moving to her side.
"I think so," Hayley replied, accepting Avery's assistance to stand. "I've never done that before."
"It takes practice," Avery said. "I'm really not supposed to use the poles. They're for the guards, but it's a lot faster to use this one to get to the stables. So where are you heading?"
Hayley blushed, and said, "I was just following you in hopes that you'd get back to a part of the Palace that I know."
"Well, I can have the stable manager take you to any place you need to go," Avery said. "Or you can join me in my mid-morning ride."
"I can?" Hayley said. "We don't have round up some major guard detachment first?"
"I think they gave up on that a couple years ago," Avery said. "I just have to have my sword, and my fast rinnebeast."
* * * *
In the dungeon of Odyssey Palace, Jean-Luc Picard and his wife were finally getting a visitor. Lord Harlan had just arrived and dismissed the guard.
"Lieutenant Harlan Foster, I hope you've come to release us," Jean-Luc said.
"It's Lord Harlan now," he said. "And what makes you think I'd release one of the biggest threats to my King."
"My threat to your King, who I believe is Captain Richard York, the last known Captain of the starship Odyssey, depends on his actions in the last twenty years," Jean-Luc said. "Your actions indicate that the likelihood of a court-martial is quite high."
"And the likelihood of you being executed for treason is even higher," Harlan said.
"I find that quite unlikely, Lieutenant," Jean-Luc said.
"As long as you're in my jail, it's my odds that count," Harlan said. "Now how many people do you have in Ellosia?"
"Just the usual for the situation," Jean-Luc replied, laying back on his bunk.
"Let's see if I remember regulations... ah yes," Harlan began. "A Prime Directive investigation team must include of the Chief of Security, the Chief Engineer, and the First Officer, and be lead by the Captain. So, I've got at least 3 more people to track down, since I doubt that Jack Crusher's wife would be anything other than Chief Medical Officer."
"Jack died almost seventeen years ago," Beverly said. "Jean-Luc and I married last year."
"I'm sorry to hear about that," Harlan said. "Jack was a good officer. I remember him from the Fleet meetings during the Cardassian War. I assume that's over with?"
"We had a cease fire about a year after the Odyssey disappeared," Jean-Luc said. "The formal treaty was signed five years ago."
"It sure took them a long time," Harlan said.
"You know how long some diplomatic negotiations can take," Picard said. "Ambassador Sarek's work with the Legerans took 93 years to complete. In the case of the Cardassians, I think we were quite lucky."
"You may say you're lucky with the Cardassians, but I don't think I am," Harlan said. "After all, because of them we've spent 20 years trying not to break the rules on this planet. I don't even know what happened to my little sister who was just joining Star Fleet."
"She's the new Captain of the Venture," Jean-Luc said. "Do you have any family here in Ellosia?"
"No," Harlan said. "My job as Chief of Intelligence doesn't let me have the time to have a family. Not that the Queen hasn't tried to match me up with a promising young girl."
* * * *
Marrissa put another crystal in the waters of the lamp before replacing the stopper. The sewers seemed to go on forever. She hoped she had enough crystals for the glowing water lamps. Up ahead, she thought she heard someone talking.
* * * *
Captain Lord Trevor passed Castrome Point, his sails full, as he caught the coming tide on the mouth of the Castrome. Two ships were moored next to the point, with their guns run out. The town of Castromepor was now in view. The majestic spires of Saint Ignatius stood visible above the town's red walled battlements. Most of the fleet that regularly anchored at her docks were gone, but the jewel of Ellosia's ports still sported several merchants and ships under construction, including the Victorious, a ship of the line in the final stage of construction.
"Mister Bracegirdle, weigh anchor and ready the ship's boat," Captain Treavor ordered. "I intend to make this a quick stop, so no shore leaves."
"Aye sir," Bracegirdle said. "Furl the sails! Prepare to weigh anchor!"
* * * *
Marrissa and Calgary pressed themselves up against the side of the sewer tunnel as the voices got closer, covering their lamps.
"This is really an undignified way to enter the city, Sargent," one voice said.
"It is the only real way that someone of your stature can enter the city without being spotted, your grace," the Sargent replied. "Let alone sneak in the large numbers of troops your require."
"Personal guards, Sargent," the first voice replied.
"Yes my lord," the Sargent said as the light of their lamps began to show around the turn.
* * * *
Captain Lord Trevor paused at the entry to Castrome Villa to show his orders to the guard. Despite the fact that the Royal Family was rarely in residence there, a rather large compliment of guards were posted at the fortified compound. The black and scarlet guards had probably never seen the King, Prince Avery was a more frequent visitor. It took only a couple minutes for the guards to verify the Captain's orders and escort him to the quarters of Lady Lea and Lady Whitney. Trevor was surprised to find the young girls being visited by their father, Lord Elden, the Ducal Consort of Castrome.
"Lord Trevor, what brings you to Castromepor," Elden said. "I thought the Godspeed was posted off the coast of Armedge."
"I have orders from the King to transport your daughters to Odyssey," Trevor said. "If you'd like to see them?"
"No need," Elden said. "Desiree told me to expect them before she set off for Odyssey. I assume you wish to travel light?"
"I'd wish to, but I expect that young ladies of your daughters' eminence require a considerable accompaniment," Trevor replied.
"I know the Godspeed, Captain," Elden said. "So I'll just send along Whitney's nanny. Lea can do without a tutor for a while. And we'll keep the luggage down to a chest of clothes."
"Goodie!" Lea said.
"Lea just started her schooling," Elden said. "We can't afford ignorance in the person second in line for Castrome. I'm afraid she hasn't taken to her studies."
"There is still time," Trevor said. "I wasn't very taken with my studies at first."
"I heard," Elden said. "Your father has been trading stories with me. Tell me, what ever possessed you to replace your tutor's water with yellowberry wine?
"I heard he was more entertaining drunk," Trevor said. "How soon can your daughters be aboard the Godspeed?"
"The chest is already packed, so as soon as you're ready, we'll head down to the docks," Elden said. "However, if you can spare a minute, I'd like to show off my latest design. The Victorious is finally ready for launch. As soon as the stores all arrive, I'll be taking her out for her maiden voyage."