Chapter 9: Politics and Morality
April 20th 2298: Boston State House
Congress had been in session for weeks over the situation in Eostia. The delegates were arguing over whether or not the Commonwealth should continue to intervene in Eostia or if they should recall the expedition and focus on fortifying their borders and continuing expansion into the rest of the former New England Commonwealth.
"Esteam members of congress the question before us is one that concerns the safety and security of our nation." The Speaker of the House spoke. "Should this government continue to participate in a war that does not concern us or with people that have done nothing to us and for people we do not know or have any allegiances to?"
The hall then broke out into discussions between the different delegates as they debated amongst themselves.
…
Foeh: April 20th 2298
Prim slowly opened her eyes as she awoke. Slowly and still quite sleepy she took in her surroundings. She was still in her room. It had been three days since the Minutemen liberated Foeh for two of them she had spent sleeping and yet it still felt like a dream. Here she was back in her own room in clean clothes as if nothing ever happened. But then a Vertibird flew past, reminding her that she was not in her old world.
Deciding it was time to get up she pulled a rope that rang a bell somewhere in the castle. A minute later a group of maids entered to attend to her and help her prepare for the day. After getting dressed she entered the dining room for breakfast. To her dismay it was empty except for her and the servants.
"Is the General not joining us for breakfast?" she asked one of her maids.
"I'm afraid not your majesty." one of the maids answered. "He had his meal delivered to his office. From what I understand he has a lot of work he needs to get done."
Prim was disappointed to hear that. In the few days she had known the General she had become quite attached to him. So much so that she found herself almost calling him father on multiple occasions.
After breakfast she decided to take a walk and go see the General. She was followed by two of her maids, the first was an older woman named Helga and the second was a younger woman with an eyepatch named Helena who was recommended by the General. Prim didn't know much about her, only that she was a former knight. Just then one of the doors in the hall was thrown open and out came now Captain of the guard Valorie Stongbow.
Upon seeing her she bolted up to Prim before falling to the ground and screamed "Princess please save me from this monster!" She then pointed back towards the door as a female Minutemen Officer by the name of Captain Jenny Hills entered the hall and quickly marched her way up to the Princess and the now head of the guard. Seeing her, Valorie quickly hid behind Prim for protection.
"Captain Strongbow you cannot just abandon your work just because you don't want to do it." Hills said as she peaked behind Prim.
Prim was confused as to how filling out paperwork could make such an experienced commander into a cowering child.
"NO! You people are Devils. All you have me do is fill out form after form after form. There's no end to your madness." She cried out.
Jenny could only rub her eyes in frustration. "As I have already told you, you only have 150 forms left. It will only take you about 20 minutes to do."
"You Lie." She hissed as she pointed an accusatory finger at her. "You're just saying that to trick me before you drop another 500 papers in front of me."
"It doesn't matter how much paper work there is, and how much you don't want to do it. You have a duty to your troops, who need arms, armor and food. All of which you are in very short supply of, due to the Black Dogs occupation." Hills shot back.
The back and forth went on like this for a while longer until Helena having, had enough of this interruption, proceeded to clock Valorie in the back of the head putting her in a daze. "Thank you." Was all Jenny said before she dragged Valorie back into the office.
Prim stood there dumbfounded for a second or two before she snapped back to reality and continued her way to the office that the General had commandeered for his use.
The door to the office was guarded by a single Minutemen guard. As she approached he offered a salute before asking her, her business. "Good morning your highness, how may I be of service?"
Prim smiled at the man before responding. "Thank you Private and yes you may. Is General Madison in his office? I wish to see him." She asked.
"Yes Ma'am he is. Just let me see if he's free to see you." The Private said.
With a nod from Prim the soldier knocked on the door and waited for an answer from the other side. It was soon answered with a firm "Enter." which was the signal for the guard to open the door.
…
General Madison's Office: 5 Minute Earlier.
Garret Madison had spent his morning going over reports and letters from the people of Foeh. Unfortunately for him most of the letters were nothing more than complaints from the surviving Nobles demanding that the Minutemen help them reclaim their stolen property. Primarily their slaves. When he and the rest of the Minutemen found out that Slavery was being practiced here in Foeh and the rest of the Alliance's territories he nearly had a full blown riot of his own troops. This was due to the Commonwealths taking a strong stance against slavery in any form. Because of this he made a Military Decree dictating that ALL slaves in Foeh were now to be set free and any one attempting to defy this order would be subject to 90 days in prison.
When he brought the issue up to Prim and told her about what he intended to do about it. What he wasn't expecting was that she fully supported him on the issue. But it seemed that many of the Nobles were choosing to defy his edict and were now pestering him with demands that he obey their authority despite not being in a position to do so. Not to mention he was also having issues with the Church of the Goddess who were trying to pressure their religion on him and his troops as well as trying to get permission from him to collect church tithes from the locals to rebuild their temples as well as other expenses.
And on top of it all the Commonwealth Congress would be holding a special session today to decide whether or not to withdraw the troops back to the Commonwealth or continue with operation and seek diplomatic ties with the Alliance. Before he could continue his train of thought he heard a knock at his door. "Enter."
It was then that Privet Ian Darcy stuck his head into the room. "Excuse me sir but Princess Fiorire would like to see you," he said.
"Oh by all means let her in." Garret said.
A second later Prim and her maids quickly shuffled into Madison's office.
Putting the reports down he was greeted by Prim's warm smile which he returned in kind.
"Prim, it's good to see you! How are you feeling this morning?" He asked.
"I am well General, however I was disappointed that you didn't have breakfast with me this morning." She replied as she took a seat.
"Oh…. yeah sorry about that. I had a lot of paperwork brought to me this morning and I couldn't let it wait." He answered.
Looking at his desk Prim took notice of the large stack of papers on the right side of his desk. Without thinking she reached over and picked up the top and read it.
"Dear General
I, Lord Archibald Farquaad the 27th, hereby request your assistance in locating my missing household servants. They were last seen entering your armies camp you set up near the castle. If you would be so inclined as to allow me and my household guard to enter your base to retrieve them, I will see to it that you are handsomely rewarded for this service.
Signed Lord Farquaad the 27th"
She then picked up another letter and this one wasn't even trying to hide what they were saying and just said "Please return my slaves." She kept reading one after the other until she finally ran out of letters. She then looked up at Madison and she felt a sharp sting of fear stab down her back. The warm and inviting face of Garret Madison was gone and was replaced with the stern and aggressive look of General Madison.
….
Fort Vermont April 20th 2298
From the patio of the Military Hospital Alicia Arcturus watched as another boat loaded with some of her former comrades departed towards the new world. The poor women going there were the unfortunate patients who were unable to recover and were still sex crazed and required more treatment than what could be provided here. Also among them were those who recovered but had gotten pregnant and many of them were going because they couldn't bear the shame of what happened and couldn't face their families.
2 nights ago:
A woman with Red hair was packing a suitcase with clothing and baby items given to her by the hospital. In a cradle next to the bed a baby girl slept. Alicia, recognizing her former second, approached her.
"Scarlet?" She said, causing the women to spin around and see her former Princess.
Her face twisted into a scowl. "Huh.. What do you want Alicia?" She asked before turning back to her packing.
Alicia was taken back by her friend's reaction. "S…Scarlet what are you doing?" she asked.
Scarlet sighed before closing the suitcase. "I'm leaving Alicia."
Alicia was startled by her answer. "Leaving? Why on earth would you do that?" she asked.
Scarlet was now getting angry. "Why? You ask Why. Look at my daughter Alicia, she's the consequence of YOUR actions."
Alicia now looked at the child. She had the same red hair as her mother but the tan skin of her father, who ever he was.
"I begged you not to surrender…" She started to tear up. "The Nuns begged you not to surrender. But no you let your stupid pride make the decision for you, and surrendered and they still violated the Nuns. So I hope it was worth it for the two years of hell me and every Princess Knight had to suffer through because of you." She shouted while pointing an accusatory finger at her. It was then that Scarlet's baby started to cry. Being drawn to her child's cry she changed her attention to the child and went to comfort her.
"Shhh it's okay. Mommy's sorry she woke you." She said while cueing the babe back to sleep.
Alicia looked down at the floor as her mind filled with what ifs and what she could have done differently. She knew Scarlet was right and that she was a fool for believing that monsters would keep their word and because of that she and both hers and Prim's kingdoms had suffered because of it. She then realized what she had to do.
"Scarlet I'm sorry. I know I can never regain your trust and that I may never be able to. But please accept my apology?" She said as she bowed her head.
Scarlet placed her daughter back into her crib before turning to face Alicia. She stared at her for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"I'll accept your apology. But I don't think I'll be able to forgive you. Not for a long time." She said as she turned back to her bed.
Alicia looked up at her former friend's back and decided she had to ask one last question. "Where are you two going?" she asked.
Scarlet couldn't bring herself to look at Alicia again so she just kept staring at the suitcase on her bed. "We're going to the Commonwealth. They're offering free citizenship to any victims of the Black Dogs as well as free transportation to Boston. Not to mention she'll be able to get an education and maybe make something of herself one day."
"What about your parents, wouldn't they be willing to take you and your child in?" Alicia asked.
Scarlet didn't reply and that was all the confirmation she needed to understand her friend's situation. A minute went by before Alicia took the hint and made her way back to her own bed.
Back in the present she continued to ponder the conversion she had with Scarlet that night and also began to wonder what would become of the rest of the children or those whose mothers would refuse to take care of them. More than likely they would end up in orphanages maybe be adopted by a noble or maybe a Commonwealth Family would take one in.
Before she could ponder more on this she heard her name being called by a nurse who came and told her that she needed to come back inside. As she got up to head in she took one last look back out to the ocean before heading inside. The scene then shifts back to the ocean as a large silhouette of a pre-war warship came over the horizon flanked by two smaller vessels.
….
Foeh Castle:
Prim swallowed hard as she awaited the General's response to her actions. Her mind raced with possible questions he would ask and how she would respond as well as how he would react. Finally he spoke.
"Prim, tell me something." He said "I just what should I do with these Nobles that keep pestering me about their 'Slaves'?" he asked.
Prim was silent for a moment as she pondered his question. 'Is this a test? Surely he doesn't need my permission to deal with them or is it possible he doesn't want to come off as a tyrant when he makes his move." She glanced down at one of the letters that requested him to return slaves and began to formulate a response. 'Okay I think I know what he's planning.' She thought to herself. 'If I give permission for him to not only refuse but also make a royal decree the Foeh would no longer tolerate slavery as well as the slave trade. It would lend credence to his Decree as well as allow him to fully make good on his threat of imprisonment.' She then smiled and looked at the General with confidence.
"General!" She said whilst holding up one of the letters. "I think you should take your troops and arrest every noble that sent you a letter demanding or requesting that you return their slaves and lock them up. And I will also make a Royal decree dictating that the Minutemen have the full support of the Royal family." She finished. Somehow she had managed to strike a triumphant pose while making her proposal to Garret.
Garret stared at her for a minute before he burst out laughing. Prim suddenly realizing the spectacle she had just made of herself quickly sat back down in her seat. Before she could try and come up with an apology she felt his hand pat her head.
"Don't be embarrassed Prim, you said exactly what I want to hear from you." He said, giving her a comforting smile.
Prim blushed from his affection and praise he was giving before thanking him. They then spent the next hour writing out a formal Declaration decreeing the end of Slavery in Foeh.
…..
White Citadel Capital City Ken:
In her office Celestine beamed with joy as she reread the letter sent to her from the Minutemen's General. The letter was marked with the seal of Princess Prim. Upon opening it she was met with the seal of a lightning bolt and a weapon she had never seen before surrounded by three stars. There were also texts both above and below them that read Commonwealth Minutemen and Protect the People.
"To Her Esteemed Royal Majesty and High Priestess Celestine Lacross. I General Garret Madison write to inform you of the successful liberation of the Kingdom of Foeh by forces of the Commonwealth Military and Allied Foeh Resistance groups from the heinous clutches of the Black Dog Mercenaries. I also write to inform you that both Princesses Alicia Actururus and Prim Fiorire have been rescued and are now under my protection for the time being. I also would like to inform you that we plan on retaking UR sometime in the near future. Therefore I write to inform you that Upon receiving permission from the Commonwealth Congress I will depart with Princess Prim and Princess Alicia for the Capital of Ken to discuss formation of an official Treaty of Alliance between our two countries.
Signed, G, Madison. Commanding General of the Commonwealth Minutemen."
Celestine collected her thoughts and knew what she had to do. 'I must write a reply to this General at once.' she said to herself. She then began to write the reply.
….
Black Citadel Garan:
Vult crumpled the letter in his hand as he sheathed with rage. Not only did he lose a city and two of his prized Princesses he had also lost a large number of troops and monsters. And now this General Madison was demanding his surrender as well as a declaration of war.
"Damn it," he shouted. "I'll show that upstart! I'll amass the largest army this continent has ever seen and crush these Minutemen and retake what's mine." he said. But before he could give the order his head Mage Kin entered the room.
"Sire forgive me but I must object to your plan of action." Kin said as he approached Vults throne.
"Grrr… Why shouldn't I Kin or have you not noticed that we have lost a city and who knows how long it will be before we lose another. We need to show them that we are the rulers of this land and snuff out any flames of hope. These Minutemen have begun to spread. " Vult now approached Kin and grabbed him by his shirt collar. "So unless you have a better idea then I suggest you say it." He finished before shoving him away.
Kin adjusted his glasses before smirking. "It's quite simple my friend. We simply need to cut off their supply lines."
Vult was now intrigued by his magician's plan. "And what do you propose I do then Kin?" He asked as his curiosity grew.
"According to my spies it seems the Minutemen are being supplied by sea. So all we have to do is cut them off from their supply lines and then they'll be at your mercy." Kin finished with a push of his glasses.
Vult gave it some thought before he smiled at his subordinates' idea. "Hmm very well. Send a message to the Pirate clans of Austria. Tell them they'll be rewarded handsomely for each Minutemen ship they sink." He ordered.
"As you command my King." Kin as he bowed before taking his leave.
…
Boston State House:
The time had finally come. The debates and deliberations had come to an end, it was now time for Congress to vote.
"Esteem delegates. The time has come for us to vote. We shall begin with the delegate from Sanctuary Hill."
In the end the vote was close but it was decided that the Commonwealth fully commit to the War in Eostia. Now they just had to send it over to President Hancock for ratification and then to send a message to General Madison that he has Congresses blessing to make formal contact with the Seven Shields leadership and begin talks for the formation of a formal alliance. As the delegates moved on to other matters, no one noticed a lone figure sneak their way out of the chambers before slipping into the janitorial closet.
He then pulled out a hidden ham radio set once he was sure the coast was clear.
"This is Brother Jacobs contacting the Citadel. I repeat this is Brother Jacobs contacting the Citadel. Citadel, do you copy?" Brother Jacob spoke over the microphone.
A second went by before he heard a response. "This is the Citadel. We read you." the voice replied. "What do you have to report, Knight?"
Jacobs took one last look at the door making sure no one was listening in on his conversation before saying. "Notify Elder Maxson that the Commonwealth are up to something involving the new continent as well as know what caused the Great Blinding."
"Copy that Knight, keep us informed over." The voice on the other end said before the transmission ended.
Jacob quickly switched off the radio before stowing it away back in its hiding place.
…
A/N: So not really any action this time but hey at least the Commonwealths fully committing to the war against the Black Dogs. So yeah I hope you all enjoyed the read and I'll see you all next time.