Re: Ghazan: Part 5: First Strike
Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2024 10:12 am
by rufusluciusivan
Epilogue
**************
Eloise was catching her breath. Tears of rage were rolling down her cheeks.
Her crew… She had lost her entire crew…
The pirate captain clenched her fists.
She was hiding in the secret basement of a small hovel, in the middle of the poorest district of Plaisance – her crew had one of such hideouts in every major city of the Gabrielle Islands.
Eloise started to gather as many belongings as she could. She certainly wasn’t going to let things end like this! First step, she had to collect information. Maybe… Maybe she could still find a way to break the survivors out. She didn’t have many hopes. But she still had to-
“I didn’t expect such failure. At least, not from you. Eloise.”
The pirate captain froze.
She knew that voice…
“I thought you were better than that. You underestimated the little princess and her friends. Though I won’t blame you entirely for that. I underestimated them too.”
Next to her, walking out of the shadows. Louise’s bodyguards. Dozens of women.
Her personal sorcerer, the one opening the portals allowing her to travel from Beaufort to Plaisance in a blink of an eye.
And, one step behind them, Louise of Dechaine herself.
How did they know where to find her? Sorcerers could only open portals to places they knew intimately well...
Ultimately, the answer didn’t matter. Eloise stared at them. A feeling of deep calm came over her.
“So. You’ve come to silence the witnesses.”
“I haven’t made a decision yet.”
Louise used her fan to freshen herself. Her eyes and facial expression were neutral. Eloise knew the blond princess could order her death without batting an eye, without her heart even skipping a beat. To her, it would be like swatting a fly.
“I’m not one to needlessly throw away valuable assets.” Louise added.
‘Assets’. That was what Eloise and her crew were to her.
Oh, she wasn’t surprised. The terms of their partnership had always been clear – Louise had never pretended there was anything else. She paid them, paid them well even, but they were her tools. Nothing more.
Yet, Eloise couldn’t help but feel angry.
“My crew died for you!”
She immediately realized how stupid her reproach was. Their lives meant nothing to Louise. They were disposable pawns. Expendable.
Indeed, the blond princess barely reacted, only raising an eyebrow – as if she was wondering why Eloise was taking things so personally. Then she spoke again:
“Not all of them.”
Eloise raised her head.
“I can’t do anything for the men. Sire Godfroy has no mercy for pirates. They are beyond my reach. But the women… I have a plan to break them out of Plaisance’s prison.”
Instinctively, Eloise sensed the trap. “What’s the deal?”
“I’m giving you the opportunity to rescue what remains of your team, and to flee the island. I can also find the identity of the woman who killed most of your crew.”
“And what do you want in exchange?”
“Mathilde has proven to be a valuable asset too. You’ll break her out of prison with your girls.”
“Of course, since she might incriminate you…”
Louise closed her fan to silence Eloise. “And then, you will enter my personal service.”
Eloise noticed Louise’s numerous bodyguards had deployed around her.
She realized she would be killed if she refused. But if she agreed, then she would have no choice but serve Louise for the rest of her life. She would belong to the princess… forever...
Maybe death was preferable…
But Louise had said not all of her crew was dead. Her plan gave her a chance to break them out.
“You have a deal.”
There were worst devils to sell your soul to...
**************
Yasmin and Ezgi were sitting on chairs. Both looked worn down, but otherwise unharmed.
Aisha felt relieved. Of course, she had heard they were fine. But hearing and witnessing something were two different things.
She was tempted to hug her sister, but the last time had felt so awkward that she was hesitating. Ultimately she chose to take her twin’s hand and squeezed it.
“I feared you were… harmed… I couldn’t bare the thought of-” She stammered. “You- You know what I mean.”
Yasmin also grabbed her hand. “I’m fine. I’m also relieved to see you’re well...” She hesitated. “I heard you managed to prevent Dominique’s kidnapping…”
“Zaïde did most of the work.”
“But if it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t have been able to act on time.”
Yasmin was forcing herself to smile, but Aisha could see her twin was affected.
Aisha’s method, which Yasmin had always considered an annoyance at best and a threat to the Crown at worst, had saved the day. While Yasmin’s method… had failed.
For someone who had spent all her life as the ‘reliable child’, the shock was hard…
Aisha didn’t want to rub her success to her twin’s face. She didn’t want to hurt Yasmin.
Plus, she didn’t consider her victory a success. She only needed to remember the corpses and Beatrix’s scornful glare to remember it was a failure...
“Zaïde thinks Louise is behind everything.” Aisha said to distract her sister from her pain.
“Wouldn’t surprise me. She’s more dangerous than I anticipated. Her plan was well-crafted. She only made one miscalculation. She wasn't expecting Dominique and you would get along so well... We were lucky this time. We’ll have to be more careful in the future.”
She squeezed Aisha’s hand, tightly and affectionately. It was the biggest gesture of affection she had displayed for years.
For a brief moment, Aisha stopped thinking of the massacre.
She felt a long-forgotten warmth return – one that reminded her of her childhood. As if, after years of drifting apart, for the first time they were reconnecting. Aisha knew it was her moment. She had to say something.
“We’ll be careful. Together.”
She could have sworn Yasmin’s smile became lightly bigger and franker, even as she was letting go of the hand.
Aisha caught Ezgi’s glare.
“I was worried for you too… Zaïde told me they wouldn’t harm you, but-”
“I’m sorry, Aisha.” her lover interrupted her.
The princess frowned. “Sorry?”
“I-” Ezgi hesitated, as if she was unsure of what she had to say next. “I hid in a closet.” She was looking ashamed.
“You did the smart thing.” Aisha assured her. “I prefer to know you were safe, instead of taking inconsiderate risks to look for me. I had Zaïde to protect me. You were on your own.” She went to take Ezgi’s hands. “I couldn’t bare seeing you hurt...”
Yasmin got up from her chair. “I’m going to leave you two alone for a moment.” She was perfectly aware of what this ‘moment alone’ would entail for the lovebirds. “But don’t take too much time, Aisha. Dominique wants to meet us in twenty minutes.”
Aisha smiled. “Duly noted.”
The moment Yasmin closed the door, Ezgi got up, swiftly wrapped her arm around Aisha and snuggled up to her.
“Now, tell me everything…”
Aisha’s face fell. Her good mood soured. The image of the corpses... Beatrix’s outburst… The redhead’s words had cut deeper than any blade.
“I prefer not to talk about it.”
At least not now. She needed time to think of everything.
But she suspected she would never be the same now…
Ezgi understood her. She made Aisha sit on a chair, then sat on her lap.
“Then let me help you feel better...”
**************
“We’ll strike immediately, while they’re still euphoric they won. They won’t expect an escape attempt so soon. Not when they believe you’re the only one who escaped.” Louise had explained.
Eloise agreed it was the best course of action. Justice was quick and expeditious with pirates. The men of her crew were already being deported to the penal colony of Terre-Amère – the ones who hadn’t been shot during the battle or hanged. Eloise couldn’t do anything for them. But she still had a chance to save the surviving women. A law – influenced by the Church of the Great Goddess – stated that female criminals couldn’t be executed or sent to penal colonies before a midwife had certified they weren’t pregnant. They had a window of opportunity.
Eloise didn’t care she was basically selling her soul to Louise. She didn’t care her crew were a bunch of murderous cutthroats who deserved death. They were her crew. If she could save even one of them, she’d consider this a victory.
Eloise glanced at her main partner. Or leader. Or chaperon. Or watcher. She didn’t know what to call her.
Gabrielle, Louise’s personal bodyguard, was a very beautiful woman. With high-sculptured cheekbones, angular features, a subtly tanned light skin, and big blue eye. Her light brown hair were cut short – save for one small functional ponytail – something which most men would think was a shame, given how luscious her hair looked.
However, Eloise wasn’t fooled by the woman’s charms. She was seeing her vigilant stare, her stance perfectly balanced for hand-to-hand combat, and her well-toned limbs. Gabrielle was a war veteran. Gabrielle was a killer.
And if Eloise gave the bodyguard one reason to think she was betraying Louise, Gabrielle would end her life without any hesitation.
Five other women were accompanying them for the mission. Eloise didn’t know anything about them other than their names. Maybe they were former soldiers like Gabrielle. Or maybe they were criminals who had agreed to enter Louise’s ‘personal service’. Maybe some even weren’t from the United Lands – two clearly looked like they hailed from Felipe.
Either way, Eloise knew they were here to make sure the pirates wouldn’t outnumber Louise’s agents after the break-out. She suspected they were what the princess expected of her personal thugs – loyal interchangeable pawns.
The five women were wearing similar-looking plain dull-coloured clothes: boots, trousers, tunics, and hooded cloaks. Blandine was a light-skinned blue-eyed blonde, Inej was a dark-skinned brown-eyed brunette, Josyne was a green-eyed white-skinned redhead, Esperança was a dark-skinned black-haired brown-eyed woman, and Lianor was a light-skinned brunette with grey eyes.
They were quiet and stern. Eloise found their lack of passion chilling. Was it her future?
Their squad was currently positioned in various blind spots of a small street of Plaisance's poor district – not exactly an alleyway, but not a busy street either. Esperança was watching the streets from the top of a building.
“Here they come…” Gabrielle whispered.
**************
Gillian was Plaisance’s lead midwife. She was still very young for that role – she was only 33. In people’s mind, a midwife was supposed to be an old woman, whose wrinkles and greying hair were the proofs she had experience. Gillian had a smooth oval-shaped face and shiny midback-long light brown hair, which she was usually braiding in her back. Her eyes were blue-grey and her skin was tanned by the sun. Gillian used to be the previous lead midwife’s first apprentice. Her mentor had died of sickness two years ago, leading her to take on the mantle sooner than she should have had.
She considered her role both a blessing and a curse. Often, it meant helping a new soul to come to life. But sometimes, the birth went wrong. And the consequences could be lethal.
And there were the times she was called to the city jail, to verify if captured criminals were pregnant. Usually, they weren’t. And Gillian knew it meant they were most likely going to be executed.
The midwife knew these women were criminals, but it wasn’t preventing her from feeling guilty. In a way, she was the one condemning them to death. For someone like her, whose role was to help give life, the thought was hard to bear.
Her own apprentice was walking next to her. Prudence was a young woman in her late twenties – it felt strange, to have an apprentice almost as old as her. She was tall, had a dark skin, dark brown eyes, and coarse dark brown hair tied into five small braids. She was a descendant of the native inhabitants of the archipelago.
Both women were wearing similar clothes. Midwives weren’t exactly a guild, but they still were a very tight-knit corp, and used an outfit to show their profession. Each was wearing brown boots, white trousers, a white long-skinned tunic, and a green button-up sleeveless jacket. Each was carrying a brown leather herbalist bag. As the lead midwife of the city, Gillian’s jacket had golden yellow trimmings.
A soldier of the watch was leading them, a woman with blond hair, a light skin, and emerald green eyes, with hair tied up into a crown braid. An other was walking behind them. She was a brunette – though there were red shades in her hair – with green-brown eyes and a lightly tanned skin. Her haircut was a ponytail, tied up with a black ribbon.
The uniform of the watch consisted of black high boots, brown military trousers, a grey military tunic, a brown leather breastplate reinforced with metal studs, and a brown leather helmet.
“Please hurry. Sire Godfroy wants this done as soon as possible.” the first soldier commented.
Gillian refrained a grimace. Godfroy was a fair man, but his hatred of pirates was notorious. No matter their age or their reasons…
She really didn’t want to do this.
**************
From her hiding spot on top of the tallest nearby building, Esperança imitated the cry of the seagull two times. It was the signal the coast was clear.
Inej aimed a small crossbow at the watch soldier leading the group. Josyne did the same with the guard walking at the rear. The weapons were loaded with blunt bolts – instead of a broadhead, they had a blunt hunk of glued leather.
From their hiding spots (one behind some barrels, the other in an alleyway) the two spies fired. The soldiers were hit in the temple, and groaned in pain. Both were knocked out instantly.
The midwife and her apprentice watched with horror the armed women limply crumble onto the ground. Before Gillian or Prudence could think of screaming, Gabrielle and Eloise jumped into the fray, and grabbed them from behind. Each wrapped a viselike arm around her victim’s throat – Gabrielle with Gillian and Eloise with Prudence – blocked their sleeper-hold with the other arm, and squeezed. The two unlucky girls moaned and struggled briefly, but were no match. Soon, they passed out. Nobody had heard their muffled cries for help.
At the same time, Lianor and Blandine picked up the blunt crossbow bolts, grabbed the two unconscious soldiers by the legs, and dragged them out of sight in-between two buildings in the small alleyway. The auburn-haired soldier started to wake up. Maybe she had a strong constitution – or maybe the bolt didn’t hit the right spot. Either way, a punch to the temple made sure she’d stay unconscious.
Gabrielle and Eloise dragged Gillian and her apprentice into the same dark alleyway by the undershoulders.
In less than one minute, the small street was empty. Nobody could even suspect four women had just been taken out, and whisked away.
The two unconscious midwives were laid on the ground next to their escort, in a blind spot between two buildings.
Gabrielle cupped Gillian’s chin to look at her features, and checked which of her girls looked the closest to her.
“Blandine, Josyne, you do Lianor’s make-up. I want her to look like this girl by the time we’ve finished stripping her. Inej, you look the closest to the apprentice. Take off your clothes. Esperança will keep watching the street.”
Eloise glared at the two female guards of the city watch. She was clutching the hilt of her dagger. She was craving for blood.
Gabrielle most likely sensed her killing intent, because she grabbed her wrist.
“Why do we still have to abide to this dumb ‘no killing’ rule?” Eloise angrily whispered.
“Because Louise wills it.”
“Why does she care for the lives of commoners?”
“For the same reason she’s breaking your crew out. Because she’s not wasteful. These people will pay their taxes to her, give birth to her soldiers and workers, worship her as the future high queen… They are her assets. And she doesn’t break a tool when it can still be useful.”
The reasoning was beyond Eloise – to be honest, she found such mindset chilling. Louise considered that her subjects' lives were her possession, that they couldn't die without her permission. But to save what remained of her crew, the captain was ready to put up with anything.
“One guard’s hair color is close to yours. Take her clothes. I’ll deal with the second one.”
Eloise nodded. She swiftly removed the soldier’s helmet, weapon belt, boots, socks, trousers, breastplate and tunic – resisting the urge to snap her neck. The reddish-brown-haired woman was left clad in beige under-trousers and a matching sleeveless under-shirt.
Gabrielle was also done stripping the blond-haired soldier, who was left clad in grey oper under-drawers, and white bandages strapped around the breasts.
They then stripped Gillian and her apprentice. The former was left clad in a green brassiere and matching knickers, the latter was left wearing light blue bloomers and a frilly white bra.
By the time they were finished, so was Lianor’s make-up. The result was impressive, Eloise gave them that. The resemblance was bluffing.
Inej, Blandine, Lianor, and Josyne were carrying ropes concealed under their clothes. They used them to restrain the four women.
The two soldiers were tightly ball-tied. Each woman’s wrists was tied behind her back, the ankles and shoulders were restrained. Then, rope was tightly wrapped around the thighs and back to force them into a seated position with the breasts pressed against the knees.
Gillian’s and Prudence’s bonds were simpler. Each woman had her wrists bound behind her back and her ankles tied together. A few layers of rope were wrapped around the shoulders, below and above the breasts.
All four women were cleave-gagged and blindfolded with thick pieces of cloth.
Eloise glanced at the midwife and her apprentice. “No ball-tie for them?”
“Waste of time. They aren’t strong or trained enough.”
Lianor and Inej were already getting dressed in Gillian’s and Prudence’s clothes. Gabrielle and Eloise followed their lead, and disguised themselves with the watch soldier uniforms.
Eloise noted Gabrielle was careful to hide her hair with her uniform and helmet. Nobody would make the connection between a common criminal and Louise’s personal bodyguard – especially since she was supposed to be on an other continent (thank you, forbidden magic of transportation!). However, she didn’t want to push her luck either.
The four bound-and-gagged half-naked women were dragged out of sight by Josyne and Blandine, and left concealed in a remote dark alcove of the alleyway.
Gabrielle checked if everything was good. Once she was satisfied, she announced:
“The four of us will enter the prison. Esperança, Blandine, Josyne, you watch the outskirts of the building.”
**************
Aisha exited the bedroom a little disheveled.
Rasha was sitting on a chair outside, busy cleaning her fingernails.
“You sure took your time.” she remarked with a knowing smile.
Flustered, Aisha avoided her amused glare. “Y- Yes...”
Rasha chuckled. “She has you wrapped around her finger… doesn’t she?”
“You- You think?”
“Relax Princess, I meant it as a joke! You can be as submissive as you want in the bedroom, I won’t hold it against you!”
“R- Rasha!”
“Dominique is waiting for you. That’s why I’m here.”
**************
Aisha admired Dominique’s composure. A few hours after her kidnapping, the princess was already conducting her affairs as if nothing had happened. Godfroy was sitting at her left; Yasmin, Aisha, and Zaïde at her right.
“The events of last night have proven there were blatant breaches of security.” Dominique announced. “Godfroy and I will take measures to make sure the palace will be safe.”
Yasmin nodded.
“My soldiers found Marian and the Songbird Troupe in the Rose Gem’s basement. They’re the talk of the town, and not in the way they expected, but at least they’re alive. It appears everyone was rescued.”
“The pirates didn’t kill anyone…” Aisha began to say. “Maybe the prisoners can-”
“We found two corpses in the sea.” Godfroy interrupted her. His voice was ice cold. “Two women, robbed of their clothes. The pirates didn’t act out of mercy. They were simply following orders to play nice.”
Aisha fell silent.
“If Louise is involved, it’s not surprising. She doesn’t like when things are messy. It’s too unrefined for her taste. Too wasteful.” Dominique commented.
“The main question thus is, what will be do against her?” Yasmin asked.
Dominique and Godfroy shared an embarrassed look.
“Nothing.” the princess finally said.
Aisha jumped on her feet. “What?!”
“We don’t have any proof she’s behind the kidnapping. Only deductions. Louise is the most powerful woman of the United Lands. If we bring the affair to the court and ask for a trial, we’ll lose. Worst, we’ll be humiliated.”
“But some pirates agreed to talk!”
“Only their captain and her second-in-command were privy to the important details. The former is missing, the latter is dead. And even if we had the captain’s testimony…” Dominique shook her head sadly. “The word of a common criminal doesn’t weight much against the word of the eldest crowned princess. Louise may even accuse us of having staged the whole affair, with a fake witness. Some would see through the ruse, but most wouldn’t be willing to risk their neck going against the first heiress prematurely… Louise is the head of the most powerful faction of the court. Her followers will take her stance by default. I’m not popular nor influential enough to go directly against her in a social war. At least, not without rock-solid proofs.”
“And Mathilde? Her social status is way higher than a pirate!” Aisha insisted.
“Mathilde refuses to talk. Disgraced or not, she was a musketeer and she’s a minor noble. We can’t exactly…” Dominique trailed off and glanced briefly at Godfroy. She was looking embarrassed and disapproving of him. “… treat her like a common criminal.”
“How could a musketeer betray you?” Aisha commented “Don’t they take an oath?”
“Betrayal often comes from the closest people… Servants… Guards…”
“So you’re telling me there’s nothing we can do?”
“Now. There’s nothing we can do NOW.” Dominique rectified. “But rest assured I won’t leave things at that. When you sail to the mainland, I’ll go with you.”
Yasmin and Aisha shared a glance.
“I’m indebted to you. You saved me.” Dominique said earnestly. “And I intend to pay my debt. I will come with you to Beaufort, and help you in whatever way I can.”
She looked Aisha in the eyes, and smiled. Her declaration gave the young princess hope. They were far from safe, but they weren’t alone...
**************
Entering the prison proved to be easier than Eloise expected.
Soldier of the watch was a role tailored for Gabrielle, who was walking at the front. Eloise herself also looked the part of the woman trained to fight. The guards barely looked at Inej – as an apprentice, she was beneath their notice. They only took a good glance at Lianor, but the make-up and disguise did their job. They mistook her for Gillian.
“Last floor. Hurry up. They’re waiting for you.” the sergeant told the ‘midwife’.
‘Hurry up.’
Eloise wished she could have gutted him like a fish.
Once the group had been allowed inside, nobody questioned their presence anymore. All the people they came across assumed that, if they had passed the door, then they had the right to be in the building.
They reached the cell after a lot of stair climbing. In the room, at the other side of the bars, there were already three women.
One was a warden – a plain woman with greasy medium brown hair tied into a ponytail, a dark skin, dark brown eyes, a tooth gap, and a square jaw, clad in a dull thick brown long-sleeved tunic, beige trousers, and brown leather shoes, with a leather belt tied around her waist. She was lazily sitting on a chair, bored out of her mind. On her belt, there were the keys of the cell.
The second woman was standing straight, and watching the room. She was a Sister of Battle – member of the Church’s military order. Eloise recognized the stylized blue, green, red and purple spirals adorning her white hooded tabard. The knight was also wearing a belt with a sheathed sword, a light chainmail, a white tunic, black trousers, and black boots. She had black hair, a tanned skin, and hazel brown eyes. She was tall, with shallow cheekbones and angular features. Her haircut was a crown braid.
The final woman was sitting on an other chair. In the room, she stood out the most – though with her violet-dyed hair, it wasn’t surprising. Said violet hair were pinned into an elaborate lofty bun with masses of shaped curls and braids. The woman also had a lightly-tanned skin and grey eyes. Her figure was slim, with shapely curves and firm breasts, and an oval-shaped face. She was clad in a white religious hooded long-sleeved mantle, adorned with violet threads and embroideries forming a spiral pattern. Underneath, she was wearing a slim-fitted white short-sleeved tunic reaching up to her knees with a deep purple straight collar and deep purple embroideries with a spiral pattern. A light violet cloth was tied around the woman’s waist. She was wearing white trousers under her long tunic, and brown sandals. A light violet headband, adorned with a deep purple gemstone, was tied around her forehead. She was also wearing jewels: earrings adorned with purple gemstones, bracelets made of a purple metal, and a necklace adorned with a purple gemstone.
Eloise bit her lower lip. Of course there would be a Sister of Prayer for the prisoners’ last sacraments… Godfroy didn’t intend to show any mercy. The moment the midwife declared the prisoners weren’t pregnant, they’d be led to the gallows.
Through the bars, she saw Mathilde, Jan and Jill.
Only them... Eloise thought bitterly.
However, she controlled her face to not show any emotion. In fact, she was careful to keep her head low and obscured by her helmet. She didn’t want to be recognized by them yet. Jan or Jill weren’t exactly subtle. They may not be able to refrain from shouting her name.
The warden noticed the group’s arrival. “Sister Alizée. They’re here.”
All eyes turned on Lianor.
The violet-haired priestess smiled sadly. “Good day, Gillian.”
Gabrielle whispered to Eloise: “Lianor will distract them. Leave the Sister of Battle to me. Inej will take care of the warden. Deal with Alizée.”
The pirate captain nodded.
Lianor stepped forward. “I’m here. Would you mind opening the cell, so that I can check on these poor souls?”
With a groan, the warden complied and got out of her chair.
Inej walked next to her, pretending to help watch the prisoners.
Alizée and her Sister of Battle turned their attention to the cell.
Inej struck.
One hit of the edge of the hand, aimed at the neck, knocked out the warden. The woman fell face first onto the floor with a groan.
Alizée and her bodyguard were distracted by the noise, giving Gabrielle an opening.
She rushed the Sister of Battle. The black-haired knight reacted fast, and drew her sword. Gabrielle grabbed a handful of a silver grey powder in a hidden purse, and threw it at the knight’s face before she could swing her weapon. The Sister of Battle coughed and wheezed, dropping her sword and staggering backwards.
Eloise lunged forward, pulling out a knife, and positioned it near the violet-haired priestess’ throat. “I advise you to keep quiet, Sister. Or you’ll meet your Goddess today.” she stated matter-of-factually.
The clergywoman sweated a little, but nodded.
Her bodyguard fell on her knees. Still coughing, her eyes crying. Eloise didn’t exactly know what that power was – but it was efficient. Most likely some sort of knock-out powder, because the Sister of Battle ultimately let out a long moan, fell on the side, and stopped moving.
Eloise caught Lianor’s attention. “Would you mind watching her? I have to meet up with my crew.”
The latter complied.
The pirate walked towards the bars. Jan and Jill glared incredulously at her.
“Captain? Is that you?”
“You thought I’d leave you to rot?” Eloise watched the inside of the cell. “There’s only you two…?”
“Rachel and Ingela betrayed us.” Jan muttered bitterly. “Damn squealers...”
Eloise clenched her fists. She felt a mixture of anger and disappointment. She expected better of her girls... “We focus on getting you out of here. Revenge will come later.”
“Indeed.” Gabrielle intervened. “They’ll get their just desserts.” Her voice was cold. A promise of death.
Jan and Jill – thank Goddess – were pragmatic and hard to faze. They didn’t waste time asking superfluous questions – such as how Eloise had managed to gather a team to break them out. The sisters knew their captain’s boss had a hand in it, and there would be a price to pay later, but for now the priority was to escape.
Gabrielle looked around her. Her glance went from Alizée (still held hostage) to the unconscious Sister of Battle then to the defeated warden. “We take their clothes.”
The violet-haired Sister of Prayer blushed. “You can’t-”
She felt the cold steel of Lianor’s blade against her neck. “We’d appreciate if you cooperate, Sister.”
Alizée gulped, then dropped her hooded mantle onto the floor.
“Smart. Keep stripping.”
The violet-haired priestess hesitantly untied and removed her cloth sash, pulled off her tunic, took off her sandals, and slid down her trousers. She also removed all her jewelries, including the headband.
Alizée stopped once she was down to her violet brassiere, adorned with some light violet lace, and matching lace-adorned knickers. Standing in only her undergarments, she shivered slightly.
At the same time, Jan and Jill removed the Sister of Battle’s hooded tabard, chainmail, belt, tunic, boots, socks, and trousers. They left her clad in her plain grey brassiere and white undershorts.
Mathilde did the same with the warden’s clothes, until the woman was down to her dirty brown short-sleeved undertunic and underdrawers. “Disgusting…” the musketeer commented. “I think I’d even prefer walking in my undergarments...”
Gabrielle didn’t want to waste time. Alizée, her Sister of Battle, and the prison warden were stuff-gagged and cleave-gagged with strips of Jan’s and Jill’s prison clothes. Lianor, Inej, and Eloise used the chains embedded onto the cell’s wall to restrain the three stripped women’s wrists. They were careful to shackle them in a way that would prevent them from grabbing and pulling out their gags. Since the women were chained to the wall, they didn’t bother with binding their ankles.
Alizée whimpered faintly in her gag, but didn’t attempt to resist or call for help. The other two women were still out cold.
Mathilde slipped into the prison warden uniform – with a grimace of disgust. Jan put on the Sister of Prayer’s religious garb, while Jan got dressed in the Sister of Battle’s chainmail and knightly outfit. The two sisters would use their outfits’ hoods to conceal their hair and faces.
Gabrielle nodded. “You two, walk in-between us.” she instructed Jan and Jill. “I lead the group. Inej and Lianor bring up the rear.”
The two sisters reflexively looked at their captain.
Eloise sighed. This was a reflex they sadly would have to drop…
“Do as she says. She’s the captain.”
**************
Once the meeting with Dominique was over, Aisha regrouped with her cousin.
“Zaïde? You feel okay? You haven’t said anything during the entire reunion...”
“I’m fine… Just tired…” Her cousin smiled faintly, but Aisha could easily see it was forced.
“You’re lying.”
The busty woman sighed. “Stop getting good at court intrigues.”
“It’s more like you’re being bad at it right now.”
Zaïde looked in front of her. “I’m just… questioning if I did the right thing… back at the docks… These people were criminals… Most of them were probably murderers… But I fear allowing Beatrix to go all-out… was too much… Plus, I think I hurt her a lot…”
“Hurt her?”
“You know about war ghosts? That’s the name scholars give to what she has. Reliving memories of the war. Having a hard time distinguishing past and present. When Beatrix shot all these pirates, she wasn’t here with us. She was reliving old battles. Why do you think, of all moments, she chose that one to throw all her reproaches at your face? She’s hurt. And like any person in pain, she lashes out at the first opportunity.”
Aisha took the time to absorb the information. She had never suspected that of Beatrix. Then again, she had never taken the time to know Beatrix. She had always seen the redhead as this dour unreliable brute who couldn’t stand her, and whom she couldn’t stand.
“But she really thinks what she said… It wasn’t just pain talking…” Aisha said while closing her eyes. The words had hurt, a lot. “And... maybe she’s right…” And that was why they had hurt so much...
“She doesn’t know you!” Zaïde retorted. “She doesn’t see you’re sincere!”
“But is there that much of a difference between who I want to be… who I am… and who I look like to others?”
“There is.”
“But wanting to be good is not enough.” Aisha concluded somberly.
For once, Zaïde didn’t have an answer.
Aisha took a small breath. “Zaïde. I want you to teach me. Teach me for real. Court intrigues. Self-defense. Everything you know.”
Her cousin hesitated. “It may change you in ways you won’t like...”
“I have to try. I have to improve myself. I never want to repeat yesterday’s failure.” Aisha retorted. “I… I’ll try to take the best parts of your world… and to keep the best parts of mine…”
“I see you made up your mind.” Zaïde smiled faintly. This time, it didn’t look forced. “Very well. We’ll give it a try.”
**************
“Where are you taking us? This wasn’t part of the deal!” Ingela was complaining. She grimaced at the end of her outburst. Her shoulder wound was still painful, especially when she fussed.
The sergeant leading their armed escort groaned. “Calm down. Sire Godfroy is a man of his word. We’re moving you for your own safety.”
Rachel nervously looked at the street around her. “What do you mean?”
“Somebody broke your former crewmates out of prison. Sire Godfroy fears they may come after you. He’s transferring you to a more secure location.”
“Jan and Jill are out?”
The sergeant nodded. “Looks like a some of your comrades survived and escaped arrest.”
Rachel became ghostly pale. “It’s the captain! She’s here to punish us!”
Ingela slapped the back of her head. “Calm down. She doesn’t have time to waste with us. She’s probably sailing away as we speak. Besides, we’re escorted by twelve soldiers. What could she possibly do?”
The armed escort was walking the streets of Plaisance.
It was a busy afternoon, but the people were all wisely taking a detour to not block the armed soldiers’ way.
That was, until the patrol came across a trio of women clad in fancy outfits.
Aristocrats.
The first woman was a light-skinned blue-eyed blonde. She was clad in a pink ruffle gown fitted at the waist, adorned with white lace on the wrists and collar. The second aristocrat was a green-eyed white-skinned redhead. She was wearing a white dress with a pattern of lace roses, fitted at the waist with a sash and with a puffy bottom. The third aristocrat was a dark-skinned black-haired brown-eyed woman. She was clad in a blue ruffle dress fitted at the waist, with green lace on the wrists and collar, and golden threads forming curvy patterns on the garment. Each woman was wearing a light brown veiled hat adorned with a ribbon – pink for the blonde, blue for the black-haired one, and white for the redhead.
The sergeant halted the patrol. The trio of aristocrats were chatting idly, as if they hadn’t noticed they were in the way of the soldiers.
The officer cleared out his throat respectfully. “Mesdames?”
The leading blonde raised an eyebrow. “What is it, soldier?”
“Mesdames. Would you mind to step out of the way?”
The blonde took offense. “Why should we? The way I see things, you can step out of our way!”
Ingela felt a little itch on the side of her neck, and scratched it. Next to her, Rachel did the same.
“We are on a mission for Sire Godfroy.”
“And I am the marquess of De Morne! I demand to be treated with proper respect!”
The sergeant didn’t let the woman impress him with her rank. “Princess Dominique will be informed of this.”
The marquess huffed, but ultimately gave up. “Come with me, ladies. There’s no arguing with these military-types.”
The three aristocrats made a detour and walked around the group.
The sergeant gave the order to keep walking.
**************
Gabrielle was concealing herself in an alleyway. She watched the patrol resume their walk with a grim smile of satisfaction.
Some people were so… predictable sometimes.
The bodyguard had anticipated Godfroy would transfer the prisoners-turned-witnesses as soon as he’d hear the news of Jan’s, Jill’s, and Mathilde’s escape. She had even predicted the so-called ‘safe’ itinerary he’d choose.
Then, all that was left had been to find a group of aristocrats taking a stroll, and ‘borrow’ their clothes. Said women – two brunettes and one blonde who had been enjoying a walk in a park – didn’t cause any fuss. They weren’t fighters. Currently, they were taking a nap under some bushes, cleave-gagged, bound hands and feet with ropes, and stripped down to their lace-adorned bloomers (pink, blue or white depending on the woman), and matching ribbons-and-lace-adorned corsets.
Unbeknownst to the soldiers, the ‘aristocrats’ quickly turned left, and entered an alleyway. They would soon get rid of their disguises, and disappear in the labyrinth of small streets of the town’s poor districts.
Ingela and Rachel began to cough. At first, the guards didn’t pay much attention. But when the two criminals fell on their knees, they realized something was wrong.
“Good job.” Gabrielle said to Inej and Lianor.
The two women were holding small blowpipes. While the patrol was stopped, they had shot darts at Ingela and Rachel.
The poison was fast-acting.
Louise would be satisfied.
The loose ends had been dealt with...
**************
As Aisha was returning to her room, she paused when she heard a conversation.
Rasha was talking with Beatrix, right in front of her. Thankfully, the redhead had her back turned on Aisha, so she hadn’t noticed her yet.
The princess bit her lower lip. She didn’t have the courage to face the redhead’s scornful glare. Not today… Not before she started to work on herself...
Rasha noticed her, and kept on talking to divert Beatrix’s attention. “By the way, did you hear the rumor? They say the pirates had inside help. Red scarves and ribbons were found near all the places where the real servants and guards were stashed. Godfroy thinks the mole used them to signal their presence to the infiltrators.”
Thankful of her help, Aisha walked away.
However, a few corridors later, she froze.
Red scarves.
Red ribbons.
Red…
Look at me. I put on my best outfit right for you. And those red ribbons and scarves you love so much. Why don’t we spend some time together… We have the entire night for us...
She doesn’t look like it, but she’s crafty. Had she been a street kid, she would’ve made a great thief.
There had been a red ribbon on the floor, right before she was attacked by Jan and Jill.
She has you wrapped around her finger!
Betrayal often comes from the closest people… Servants… Guards...
They say the pirates had inside help. Red scarves and ribbons were found near all the places where the real servants and guards were stashed. Godfroy thinks the mole used them to signal their presence to the infiltrators.
Something clicked in Aisha’s mind.
In her search of Esteban’s mole, there was one more suspect. One she had never considered until now.
If I was Esteban, I wouldn’t bribe someone who’s part of the team’s core… she thought to herself. I’d bribe someone who’s always on the sidelines… Someone who knows every details of the plan, but doesn’t directly take part in the operations… Someone whom everyone overlooks… like a servant...
Ezgi indeed had a lot of influence on her. And Ezgi was aware of everything Aisha did, since she helped her sneak out of the palace every time. And Ezgi was often out of Aisha’s sight.
Ezgi whom she loved.
Aisha suddenly felt deathly cold.
Her entire world was being shattered.
**************
END OF THE SECOND ARC
**************
So an other arc ends. I hope you enjoyed it!
Re: Ghazan: Part 5: First Strike
Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2024 2:50 pm
by rufusluciusivan
meditions142 wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 12:43 pm
Wonderful new chapter!
First off, I always like when you incorporate sleeping potion into your stories and that was plenty here.
The scene with the Songbird Troupe is wonderful. Love the imagine the women all slowly falling asleep as the potion slowly puts them out. And then we can imagine the same scene with the guards later.
And of course the idea of sending an advance infiltrator is another great part of the story. Great idea of sending someone in first to not only neutralize the guards and servants but to have uniforms ready for the main team.
Love the scene with Maeve. I like the idea of a guard sneaking some wine and then making herself an easy target. And the description is so perfect: "Something hard hit her in a specific spot between the shoulder and the neck. Maeve was knocked out instantly. The guard barely let out a grunt, and fell onto the floor, lying on her stomach. Her motionless body was grabbed by the legs, and dragged out of sight." Perfect scene and a great example of that "specific spot" that when hit or pinched knocks a woman right out.
The scenes with the two maids are also wonderful.
First we get the scene with Andrée. The perfect scene of attack the totally outmatched maid from behind. I like the way you described what was going on in her mind while it was happening. And then great description of her being dragged off: "Her limp body was dragged out of sight by under the shoulders."
We then get the wonderful scene with Deirdre. I love the old trick of putting somewhere to make the woman turn around and then hit her on the head to knock her out. And another great description; "The fake guard caught her under the shoulders, and started to drag the motionless maid."
And the discover scenes are so fun. Like the red scarves being used as a sign of where to look. I also very much like the idea that both maids had sleeping potion on their gags to keep them asleep. And you note that the potion must be powerful given the comment "This girl would sleep all night"
Again, there is something I really like about sleeping potion. I do have a question. Is the potion that is put in the women's drinks the same potion used on the rags to put women asleep or are they different ones?
Anyway, thanks so much for another wonderful story!
How could I miss your comment yesterday? A thousand apologies for that.
I think I spent too much time on the computer Tuesday and Wednesday, and was tired... It had been such a long time since I had that much free time to write...
Sadly the guards didn't get the detailed "falling asleep" scene (for pace-related reasons). But the one with the Songbird Troupe gives a good idea of how it took place.
I liked how Maeve's, Andrée's, and Deirdre's scenes played out, with various members of the palace being knocked out and dragged away by a mysterious attacker. I used their POV because, obviously, their mugger was the mole in Aisha's group, and I don't want to reveal her identity yet. I wanted to build up the suspense. Aisha's group didn't have much to do in terms of Uniform Stealing in this part, so I had to be creative to incorporate scenes of interest...
The "red scarves" scenes were a nice change of pace. It was fun writing a situation in which somebody else does most of the uniform stealing in advance, and Eloise's team just has to pick up the "treasures" left almost gift-wrapped for them.
Glad you liked the idea of sleeping potions.
To answer your question the potions are different - the one in the drinks had to be odourless and tasteless, or else the victim might notice something is wrong. On the contrary, the one on the rags had to release a lot of fumes (and is smelly). To be honest, I wish I could use the word "chloroform", but alas it's a word that wouldn't make sens in a Middle-Ages / Renaissance-inspired realm.
Sorry again I'm writing this only after posting the epilogue. I completely failed to notice there was one more comment before I was done with the upload...
tirepanted3 wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2024 2:15 pm
"My soldiers found Marian and the Songbird Troupe in the Rose Gem’s basement. They’re the talk of the town, and not in the way they expected, but at least they’re alive.
And so that fun little joke gets paid off, amusingly.
To be honest, this was added at the last minute because of your previous comments.
So in a way, this joke owes its existence to you.
To keep on with the theme Louise is a dangerous villainess because she has powerful means and numerous agents, a new team of henchwomen is introduced literally right after the previous one was almost wiped out. In fact, she even gained new recruits - obviously Mathilde, Eloise, Jan, and Jill won't vanish in the next part. In fact, they (and Gabrielle) will fill an important niche, because they'll be the henchwomen with personality. The rest of the team, as Eloise puts it, is chilling because they are exactly what Louise wants them to be: quiet loyal little soldiers, extensions of her will. We met five of them, but she employs even more.
Indeed, I wanted to display their ruthless efficacity, showing them dispatching easily the midwives and their escort, as well as Alizée and her bodyguard. They are quick, straight-to-the-point, and efficient.
Not many stolen uniforms - and only with the antagonists. Had I not needed to make extra tweaks, I would have uploaded the epilogue alongside the previous part, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise. This epilogue is a turning point, and features key moments for some character developments, so maybe uploading it separately to highlight them was for the best... Still, I tried to make the uniform stealings detailed.
It's a bit of useless in-universe trivia, but Gabrielle is a popular name in the United Lands. The Gabrielle Islands were claimed by an officer named, you guessed it, Gabrielle, and a lot of girls are named after her. And it's also meant to be a reference...
Save for the aristocrats. These poor women were indeed unlucky. In-universe and out, they were a mere afterthought in a bigger scheme.
It's interesting - as soon as Ezgi made her comment at the start of the epilogue ("I hid in a closet"), I pieced it all together and realized who she was. Perfect timing for the conclusion, where it's indeed confirmed (barring another reveal down the line) that she is the mole. Very nicely done.
Now the question is... What will happen next? What will she do? That plot point hasn't reached its end yet...
Yeah, Aisha is put through a lot - that's her character arc in a nutshell. But people show their true character in the face of adversity, and the epilogue shows she's not alone. Her cousin will stick with her through and through, she gained a friend in Dominique, and she's starting to reconnect with her sister...
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