Uniform Stealing Board

**************

Agnea, leader of the Songbird Troupe, looked at her partners and smiled. She had a good feeling about tomorrow’s performance. Not only were they going to sing in front of one of the high king’s daughters, but in front of two foreign princesses as well. And they just had been offered a drink at Plaisance’s most expensive café.

Yes, she could feel it. This was the beginning of their social advancement.

Agnea was a white-skinned brown-haired blue-eyed woman. Her hair were neck-long, save for one long thin braid reaching up to her waist. She was wearing a dress with a brown top, white sleeves, and a bright yellow skirt with an orange bottom edge. A blue sash was tied around her waist. She also had a matching headscarf.

Agnea lightly tapped her empty glass with a fork to get the other women’s attention. She wanted to make a little motivational speech before they left for the palace.

“Girls!” she announced. “The past year we spent touring the Islands is finally paying off. We can be proud of what we’ve accomplished. We’ve caught the attention of a member of the royal family. If we perform as well as the other days, we have our ticket for the Continent!”

The other women loudly voiced their enthusiasm.

“And for that, I think we can thank our lead singer!” Agnea added.

Dulcinea, the lead singer, was a busty tanned-skinned blue-eyed blonde with a beehive haircut. She was wearing a night blue dress with golden yellow trimmings. A yellow sash was tied around her waist. She smiled. “A lead singer is only as good as her choir. This was a team work.”

“Plaisance today. And with any luck, Beaufort tomorrow.” a woman named Veronica added. She was black-haired, with a tall statuesque figure, black eyes, a light skin, and a long ponytail. She was wearing a dress with a red top, white sleeves, and a purple skirt with a brown bottom edge. A green sash was tied around her waist. She also had a matching headscarf.

“Or the Sun Castle!” a woman named Marie bragged. She had long ashen brown hair, hazel eyes, and a tanned skin. She was wearing a black-and-white dress. A white sash was tied around her waist. She also had a black headscarf.

“If the high king’s daughter notices us, surely she’ll recommend us to her father!” a woman named Vanessa concluded. She had black hair with a purplish gleam, a light skin, and brown eyes. Her haircut was a long flowing high ponytail. She was wearing a dress with a green top, white sleeves, and a dark blue skirt. A red sash was tied around her waist. She also had a matching ribbon in her hair.

The last three members of the troupe simply raised their glasses. The first one was named Agnès. She had braided dark blond hair, a light skin, and blue eyes. She was wearing a dress with a golden yellow top, blue sleeves, and a red skirt. An orange sash was tied around her waist. Her headscarf was purple. The second one was named Trish. She had light brown hair tied into a high bun, hazel brown eyes, and a light skin. She was clad in a one-piece dress with a white long-sleeved top and a blue skirt. A brown sash was tied around her waist. The third one was named Edea. She had blond hair, blue eyes, and a light skin. She was clad in a sky blue one-piece dress with a white collar and white sleeves. A green sash was tied around her waist.

**************

Ivette entered the main room, followed by the three fake wenches. “And one last round of drinks before you leave, mesdames! These ones are the house’s special!”

“Thank you! You’re spoiling us.”

“No need to thank us. Madame hopes to please the vice-regent.”

Agnea accepted the drink. “I must say… Your madame looks pretty glum…”

“Oh, her daughter is sick today.” Ivette lied on the spot. “Nothing life-threatening, but she can barely move or talk right now.” She was satisfied with her double-meaning.

“Tell her we wish her a speedy recovery.” Agnea looked at her troupe, who were all holding their glasses. “As for us… Girls! Cheers! To our upcoming success!”

“To us!”

“We have to do out best! I want us to be the talk of the town for the upcoming months!” Agnea concluded.

Ivette watched as they were drinking. “Oh. I’m sure you’ll be the talk of the town…” she muttered to herself.

The sleeping potion needed a dozen of minutes to take effect. At first, the performers were chatting normally. Then, slowly, without even realizing it, their movements became more and more sluggish, their voices more and more slurry.

One by one, the women fell asleep, head resting on the table or slumped against the back of the chair.

Agnea was the last one to succumb to the effects of the drug. She was still lucid enough to mumble: “Wh- What? B- But why?” Then she slumped forward, forehead resting on the table.

Ivette stretched her arms. “Alright, girls. Let’s take our guests to their accommodations for the night…”

She grabbed Agnea under the shoulders, and started to drag her.

**************

Zaïde and Aisha were standing on a balcony of the palace, gazing at the sea and the city below.

The sun was slowly going down.

Zaïde was leaning against the railing with a forlorn expression. “I made quite a mess today…”

Aisha chuckled sheepishly, and attempted to joke. “Yeah… Usually, I’m the one who goofs like that…”

Zaïde didn’t answer.

“Thankfully, Dominique didn’t seem to mind… much. You didn’t hurt anyone.” Aisha insisted.

“That’s debatable. The women I mugged would beg to differ. We’re lucky Dominique is pragmatic.”

“I like her. I have a good feeling about her.”

“She seems fine. She reminds me a little of you. Except she’s a lot more experienced with court intrigues. At least, she doesn’t seem willing to use my blunder as leverage against me, thank God.”

“It’s not like you to lose your composure like that.” Aisha remarked. She glanced at her cousin. “You were worried for me… Right?”

“… Yes.”

Aisha gazed at the setting sun. “I wonder why… Why do you always stick up with me? We’re nothing alike.”

“That’s why.”

“I don’t get it.”

Zaïde looked her in the eyes. “The world would be a better place if there were more people like you, and less people like me.”

Aisha looked away, attempted to hide her embarrassment. “I- I think the world also needs women like you… Zaïde…”

Her cousin smiled, her mood lifted. “Schemers and spies?” she teased.

“Strong-willed and clever.”

“You have a way to always see the best in people… When you phrase it, I don’t even look like the shrewd plotter I am.”

“I mean… You’re doing it for a good cause!”

“That’s the best I can do, I suppose. I like the court game too much to give up on it. I like the battle of wits, the thrills of the infiltration…” Zaïde glared at the sea. The setting sun’s light was coloring it red. “At first, it was a means to an end. I needed a weapon, a way to escape my mother’s shadow, a way to become my own woman. But the more I navigated the court, the more addicted I became…” Zaïde shook her head. “In that regard, I am my mother’s daughter through and through. It’s my nature. I can’t escape it.”

Aisha didn’t know what to answer. She fell silent. The two cousins kept gazing at the landscape.

They were finally interrupted by Ezgi. “Aisha, Zaïde, they’re waiting for you. Diner is about to be served.”

**************

In the basement of the tavern, a line of women were lying on the floor.

Eloise’s crew were busy divesting the singers of their colorful dresses. Eloise herself was supervising them, while also keeping an eye on Marian who was standing in a corner with a glum expression.

Once the pirates were done, the singers were left in their most intimate undergarments.

Agnea was wearing an orange knee-long slip; Dulcinea, frilly blue bloomers adorned with white lace and a matching lace-adorned corset; Veronica, a black brassiere and white open drawers; Marie, a red short-sleeved long chemise; Vanessa, light purple bloomers and a light blue brassiere adorned with lace; Rita, a green corset adorned with blue ribbons and white bloomers adorned with blue ribbons; Agnès, a pink brassiere with white lace and pink bloomers with white lace; and Edea, a light blue knee-long slip with white shoulder straps and a small belt tied around the waist.

Eloise frowned. “Who stripped the eighth one and why?”

“Her clothes were worth a pretty dime!” Ivette retorted. “You said we couldn’t sell the girls, you didn’t say anything about the outfits!”

“Fair enough.”

The scantily-clad performers were then thoroughly trussed up with ropes and gagged with rags from the kitchen. Each woman’s upper-arms were ensnared with rope. Her wrists were cross-tied behind her back. Her knees and ankles were bound. A thick rag was cleave-gagging her.

In a corner of the room, watched by Jan and Jill, Marian was looking at the scene with a horrified face. “I can’t believe I helped that…” she muttered to herself.

Eloise glanced at her. “If it’s any solace, you’ll be joining them now.”

Marian’s eyes widened, but Jan and Jill didn’t give the widow the time to object. One grabbed her from behind, the other clamped a rag soaked with sleeping potion onto her face. Marian struggled reflexively, but she was no match against a trained fighter.

“The word your daughter’s ill and the café is closed today has spread.” Eloise softly explained. “We don’t need you anymore. Just take it easy.”

Overcome by the narcotic fumes, Marian’s body gave up and slumped into Jill’s arms.

“Truss her up, and leave her with the others.” Eloise instructed. “The good folks of the palace await us.”

The captain slipped into Agnea’s outfit.

A couple of minutes later, Marian was thoroughly bound with ropes and gagged with rags, and left with the unconscious theater troupe. As the only woman still wearing outer clothes, she was standing out.

Eloise blew the lights out, and closed the doors, leaving the prisoners sleeping in the dark.

**************

When she was invited to Dominique’s evening meal, Aisha discovered that in the United Lands even an informal diner needed to follow strict rules.

Dominique was sitting at the head of the table. Her herald and a maid were standing behind her, in case she needed anything.

Yasmin, Aisha, and Zaïde were sitting to her right, according to their social rank – Yasmin was the closest, Zaïde the farthest. A servant was waiting behind each of them as well.

“Where are Rasha and Beatrix?” Aisha whispered to her sister.

Yasmin glared at her disapprovingly. “They’re eating with the rest of our retinue.”

Aisha couldn’t help but glance at Ezgi. The plump woman was standing behind her. When they were in Ghazan, as the princess’ personal handmaiden, Ezgi was allowed to eat alongside Aisha. Things were apparently different in the United Lands… Aisha could see her lover was feeling frustrated. She shared her sentiment.

“That’s a bunch of-”

Yasmin discreetly kicked her sister’s leg under the table. She whispered through her teeth. “You claim you learned your lessons. Prove it to me then. Do not shame our parents.” Feeling guilty, Aisha bit her lower lip and went quiet.

The twins had been discreet. However, Dominique was insightful.

“I apologize for the etiquette. I know intimate meals are less formal in Ghazan.” she intervened. “However, Sire Godfroy-” (she mentioned her herald) “-and I thought it was better to help you get used to our customs. My father and their court will expect you to follow our rules. Failing to do so will be seen as a grave insult. Needless to say, Louise will look for any faux-pas.”

Yasmin answered with a calculated smile. “We are very thankful. And glad to have a friend in the United Lands.”

“Friendship is built on convenience.” Dominique answered with a nod. “Working together, we can accomplish great things… which will benefit to both our kingdoms.”

She exchanged a quick glance with Aisha.

“Hopefully, tomorrow’s distraction will help you feel better.”

“What is it?”

“A troupe of singers will entertain us. I heard they were quite good. I was supposed to greet them myself, but they were delayed on their way. Mathilde will take care of it.”

“I hope she’s not too angry after today’s misadventure…” Zaïde intervened.

“Mathilde is a musketeer. Her service to the crown is more important than any personal vendetta she might have. Do not worry for her.”

**************

Eloise and her fake troupe of theater singers parked their stolen wagon in the backyard of the palace.

A musketeer was waiting for them. “Welcome. The princess is unfortunately not available to greet you. Her dinner has already started. So she sent me. My name is Mathilde. I hope nothing dire was the cause of your delay...”

“We apologize for that. It wasn’t anything severe. Just the time to wrap up a few things, deal with some… last-minute changes.” Eloise answered, making sure to sound and look contrite enough. “But I’m sure our host will be blown away by our performance.” She could tell her crew were hiding smiles.

“I hope so.”

Mathilde looked at the group.

“I must say… You’re a bit odd-looking, even for performers.” she remarked.

“We take it as a compliment.” Eloise playfully retorted. Discreetly, she grabbed the knife concealed under her clothes.

The musketeer shrugged, and suddenly smiled connivingly. She whispered in Eloise’s hear: “I don’t think Princess Louise will mind…”

Eloise smiled back. “No. She won’t mind at all.” At least she had easily discovered Louise’s mole among the palace’s staff. “We appreciate you were the one sent to greet us”

“You’re welcome. I insisted to receive that task. It was a tough call. Some… mishappenings almost prevented me to be here, but hopefully I’ll get some payback thanks to you. I’ll call servants to take care of your wagon.”

Eloise nodded. “Before you summon them, there’s one thing I have to give to you.” She handed a sealed letter to Mathilde. “There’s someone in Ghazan’s delegation. You’ll find her description inside. Give her this message. She’ll find it interesting.”

“Duly noted.” Mathilde did a mock-curtsy. “Now, please, follow me…”

She led the fake troupe inside. While they were walking, she started to brief Eloise.

“I trust you know the general layout of the building, but I’ve left a map in your room just in case. Most of the staff is female. You may want to take advantage of that.”

Eloise smiled. “How convenient.”

“It’s not even our employer’s doing. You can thank the high king himself for that.” Mathilde explained with a snicker. “Dominique may not be his favorite child, but she’s still his daughter. And the high king can be a bit… overprotective. Whenever Dominique resides in her palace, all the male staff is given days of leave or is assigned somewhere else – save for the indispensable ones.”

Eloise nodded, and took note of the information. Getting more innocuous-looking clothes was most likely going to be the first step of her plan.

“The building is still busy though. You’ll have to wait a few hours.” Mathilde warned.

“Not a problem. We intend to do things right. Besides, what could happen to hinder us?”

**************

After the dinner was over, the guests had all been led to their respective bedrooms in the west wing. However, Aisha was way too excited to rest in her bed.

She swiftly stripped of her formal dress with Ezgi’s help, and slipped into more comfortable clothes – plain sandals, trousers and tunic.

“Much better!” she beamed. “Now, time to take a stroll...”

“Maybe you should stay…” Ezgi warned.

“We weren’t forbidden to leave our rooms. Don’t worry. I won’t sneak in forbidden places…” she winked. “At least, not today.”

“I’m serious, Aisha.”

“This is the last time we’re in a friendly place, out of Louise’s reach! It’s my last chance to relax before we’re in the lion’s den!” the rebellious princess justified herself. “I bet Yasmin asked you to say that…”

Ezgi pouted. (A very adorable pout). “And even if she did?” The plump woman bent forward, giving her lover a good view of her cleavage. She was wearing a pink dress highlighting her chubby curves and shapely legs. “Look at me. I put on my best outfit right for you.” She patted her hair. “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...”

Aisha was tempted by the offer. But, ultimately, her thirst to explore the palace was stronger. “Why don’t you come with me?”

“There’s no convincing you, I see…” Ezgi sighed, and shook her head. “Meh. Pass. Go have fun. We’ll have time for ourselves later.”

Aisha beamed. “You bet!”

The young woman then exited the room, and discreetly closed the door.

She smiled to herself, feeling a bit proud of her discretion.

When she turned, she almost bumped into Yasmin.

“Oh.”

Her twin sister crossed her arms, and scowled. “I knew it.”

“Yasmin! It’s not what it looks like! I just wanted to have a little walk!”

An other voice intervened from behind them: “What a lovely idea!”

It was Dominique, still dressed in her gentleman outfit.

“Would you mind to keep me company?” she asked Aisha. “I know a part of the palace in which we won’t be bothered by heralds and other chaperons.”

Yasmin was glaring at her sister. Her disapproval was clear. However, she couldn’t directly oppose Dominique’s request. It would’ve been a breach of etiquette.

Aisha smiled. “I’d be glad!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she behaves properly.” Dominique said to Yasmin with a wink.

The latter had no choice but bow her head. “I trust you on this.”

**************

In the wing of the palace reserved for the Songbird Troupe, Eloise’s team was making their final preparations.

“Did you see all the fancy ornaments on our way?!” Rachel exclaimed. “We could just give up on the mission and sell them…”

Eloise rolled her eyes. “Go ahead. I’m sure our employer will be very understanding when you mess up the entire mission.”

The younger pirate sheepishly scratched the back of her head. “Sorry captain. It’s this wait. It’s killing me.”

“Why are we even waiting so long?” Jan intervened.

“Mathilde has most likely delivered the message to our ally. I want to see if she’ll show herself.” Eloise explained. “Besides, we have all the night. It’s best to wait until everyone’s asleep. So sit your ass on this chair and shut-”

She was interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

Then, a small piece of paper was slipped through under the door.

Eloise grabbed it.

She read: Wait an hour. Look out for red scarves.

Ivette glanced at the piece of paper over her captain’s shoulder. “You think it’s Mathilde?”

Eloise shook her head. “I’d wager it’s Esteban’s mole.”

Rachel glanced over Ivette’s shoulder. “Why doesn’t she contact us directly?”

“Because she’s smart. She doesn’t want to expose herself, in case we fail.” Eloise shrugged. “Good for her. I trust smart people to do things right. We do as she says.”

**************

Dominique led Aisha to a remote lounge room of the palace. On one side, there was a balcony with a view on the sea, and big columns.

“I apologize for my cavalier way of inviting you.”

Aisha smiled. “I don’t mind at all.”

“I suspected so. To tell the truth, I hoped so. Rigid etiquette can be… constraining.”

“I’m under the impression you don’t like it very much…”

Dominique shared a glance with Aisha. There was an understanding in between-them.

Then Dominique explained: “I’m the second heiress. My chances to become the high queen are almost as high as Louise’s… People expect a lot of me. It’s hard sometimes… I feel entrapped in a golden cage...”

Aisha looked forlornly at the sea in the distance. “I know the feeling.”

“I wish the responsibility wasn’t thrust upon me. But sometimes people don’t have a choice. Louise wouldn’t be a good ruler. Our kingdoms need reforms.” Dominique raised her head. She was now speaking with passion. “The nobility have too much, the commoners too little. Each passing year, peasants grow angrier at the taxes levied to fund the aristocracy’s lifestyle. Louise can’t see that. All she cares about is her personal legacy.” Dominique looked Aisha in the eyes. “I love my kingdom. Before my ancestors unified the realm, our nations were constantly waging war against each other. My people aren’t perfect, but we’ve managed to band together in an absolutely unprecedented era of peace. I refuse to let it fall apart.”

“Even if it means opposing your own family…”

“Yes.”

**************

The palace’s wine cellar was a small room in the basement.

Maeve discreetly opened the door, and sneaked a peak.

There was nobody. Perfect.

Hey, if she had to take the night shift, she might as well take advantage of it! Plus, all her male colleagues had been given days off, or were assigned to a cushy post outside the palace. She thought she needed some compensation.

Maeve was a guard of the palace. She was wearing a black three-cornered hat, white long trousers, a white tunic and a white uniform jacket with blue cuffs and a tight blue collar, and black shoes. The buttons of her tunic and jacket were black. A brown leather belt was tied around her waist.

The woman was of average size, with short braided black hair, a tanned skin, and brown eyes.

Maeve grabbed a cup on a shelf. She knew no matter what barrel she chose, the drink would be divine. Sire Godfroy’s taste in wine was excellent...

However, the soldier suddenly sensed a brief air stream – as if someone had just moved behind her.

“Who’s there?”

Sire Godfroy would have her head if he knew Maeve was stealing in the cellar.

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.

Ten minutes later, a half-naked Maeve was left concealed seated in an empty barrel. She had been stripped down to her plain grey brassiere and panties. Ropes had been used to bind her ankles and her wrists. She was gagged and blindfolded with rags.

In the palace, an impostor dressed in Maeve’s guard uniform was roaming.

She had some work to do now…

**************

While she was talking with Dominique, Aisha noticed there were several portraits on the wall which was the less exposed to the sun. One painting in particular drew her attention.

There were one young adult woman and one child – no older than 6 or 7. The little girl was wearing a miniature version of the adult’s dress.

The child looked familiar. Aisha recognized Dominique, roughly fifteen years younger.

The young adult woman had blond hair, icy blue eyes, and a flawless white skin. She was beautiful, for sure, but there was something unnerving in her steely gaze.

“Is it… her?”

“Louise, yes. She was twenty at the time.”

“And with her...”

“That’s me. When I was a kid, I used to follow Louise for hours, and mimic her every gesture. She taught me how to dance. How to wave the fan. How to manipulate boys.”

“I take it there’s a complicated history...”

Dominique nodded.

“My father married for love the first time, but his first wife was frail. She died young. Of all his children with her, only Louise survived her first year. Father and she share a special bond. She’s a living keepsake of his first love. He treasures her. Way too much in fact. Because of that, Louise thinks both the throne and Father’s love are hers, and hers only.”

Dominique took a breath.

“That’s why Louise hated Father’s second wife the moment she entered their life. The uncompromising hatred only a child can feel – she was six when Father remarried. She could never let go of her resentment. The day she turned thirteen, she began her maneuvers to destroy the reputation of her step family.”

Dominique was looking tired, sad, and disgusted at the same time.

“My tutors say they had never seen such skillful court maneuvers before. In two years, the second queen’s name had been dragged through the mud so much, Father had no choice but divorce her. For good measure, Louise destroyed any chance for her two half-sisters to make their debut in court. Blanche and Marguerite were still children at the time. Louise didn’t give them any chance. She put them to death – socially of course; but for an aristocrat, social exile is a fate worst than death.”

Aisha bit her lower lip. She had a hard time picturing such cruelty – slandering the names of two kids who couldn’t even defend themselves, until they were social outcasts.

And this was the kind of person she’d have to face… Esteban’s employer… Her true opponent...

**************

Andrée sighed when she saw the dirty corridor waiting for her.

This was the doing of this so-called ‘theater troupe’. Weren’t these women supposed to have manners?

The maid shook her head. She had long learned that the people who prided themselves for their ‘proper etiquette’ didn’t take the staff in account.

She smoothened her dark grey long skirt and yellow tunic with white sleeves and a white collar, tightened her white apron and black mules, and adjusted her pink cloth bonnet adorned with white frills.

Andrée was part of the night shift – the servants supposed to clean the building during the night, so that everything would be pristine for the morning.

The young woman had coal black hair, tied into a neck bun, and hazel brown eyes. Her skin was tanned. She had plain curves and an oval-shaped face.

“Girl… Better roll up your sleeves and get to work… Deirdre’s waiting... The night’s going to be long…” Andrée muttered to herself.

She grabbed her mop.

Somebody grabbed her from behind.

“Wha-mfff?!”

A thick rag was clamped over her mouth and nose. It was soaked with a smelly potion.

The hapless maid struggled, but she lacked the physical strength and training to break off her mugger’s hold.

Her eyelids flickered. Her mind became foggy.

Wouldn’t it just be better to embrace the dark?

Andrée fell asleep.

Her limp body was dragged out of sight by under the shoulders.

**************

It took Dominique a couple of minutes to continue her story:

“After he repudiated his second family, Father married a third time, purely for political reasons. He visited my mother’s bedroom the time to produce a child, as a way to seal the alliance. Then he stopped coming. My parents see each other as political partners, nothing more. They don’t live in the same building. Sometimes they don’t see each other for weeks. And, to them, I… I’m only…”

Dominique’s voice wavered.

“It’s complicated.”

The young woman straightened her back to not shiver. Aisha wished she could have said something to make her feel better, but alas she couldn’t find anything. Her parents loved her, loved her siblings, and loved each other. She couldn’t imagine what it was to be in Dominique’s shoes.

What it was to be seen as a living alliance contract by your parents, and nothing else…

Any word of consolation from her would have ringed hollow. Therefore, she remained silent.

Dominique took a breath, regained her composure, and finished her story: “Louise never saw me, or my mother, as a threat. Father doesn’t love Mother. And Father doesn’t love me… Not the way he loves Louise. She took me under her wings. I think deep down inside, she’s always wanted a younger sibling. She was simply too bitter and too proud to accept her first two half-sisters. She didn’t want to share Father’s love. Father loved his second family. I’m-” Dominique interrupted and rectified herself. “Louise had plans for me, for us. She wanted me at her side, after she became high queen. Her loyal first minister.”

“But now, you’re opposing each other.”

“I said it to you. Louise wouldn’t be a good ruler. Our past history means nothing.”

Dominique looked Aisha in the eyes.

“Let me make something clear. I’m not saying all that to make you feel bad for Louise. I’m saying it to make sure you know who you’ll be facing. She’s ready to do ANYTHING to get what she wants. You’ve heard what she’s ready to do to her own family. Imagine how little you or your sister matter in her eyes. Don’t underestimate her.”

“I won’t.”

**************

“Come on Andrée… Where are you?” Deirdre muttered under her breath. “We’re supposed to end this night shift as quickly as possible…”

Deirdre was an other maid of the palace, also part of the night shift.

Deirdre came from the principality of Tara – her bright red hair and deep emerald green eyes were the testimony of her ancestry. Her white skin had many freckles, and a few sun burns as well – she had a hard time with Plaisance’s harsh sun. The maid was a slim young woman with a crooked nose, a tooth gap, and an oval-shaped face. Her haircut was a low bun.

“You better not be lazing around…” the redhead muttered to herself. “Or else-”

She stopped monologuing when she saw a figure approach her from a dark corridor.

“Andrée? Is that you?”

But it wasn’t Andrée. The newcomer was a woman dressed in the uniform of the palace’s guards.

In the dim light, Deirdre couldn’t get a proper look at the soldier’s face. Strange. She didn’t look familiar.

Deirdre shrugged. The woman was wearing the right uniform, so she wasn’t worried.

“Did you see Andrée?”

The guard raised her hand, and pointed behind the red-haired maid.

Deirdre reflexively turned.

The corridor was empty.

“Is this a bad joke? ‘Cause-”

Something hit the back of her head.

Deirdre was instantly knocked out.

The fake guard caught her under the shoulders, and started to drag the motionless maid.

The two servants were out of commission, only the other guards remained. But she had an idea of how to neutralize them…

On her belt, there was a vial of a strong sleeping potion.

Warning! This is the second part of the chapter!































**************

After an hour, Eloise instructed her crew to follow her. They exited the room, and carefully roamed the corridor.

The palace was surprisingly empty – not even a maid of the night shift.

Eloise suspected it was the work of her accomplice. She grinned to herself.

They left their wing of the palace.

“Look! A red scarf!” Ivette suddenly whispered.

It was tied around the knob of a cupboard.

“Message seems pretty obvious.”

Eloise opened the cupboard’s door to look inside.

On the right side, a half-naked black-haired woman was trussed up and cleave-gagged with strips of curtains. Her coal black hair were tied into a neck bun, her skin was tanned and she had plain curves and an oval-shaped face. Her hands were bound behind the back, her ankles were bound together. A strip of curtain was wrapped around her thighs and calves. The cleave-gag was thick, and smelled faintly of narcotic potion. This girl would sleep all night...

The woman had been stripped down to her faded pink knee-long sleeveless underdress. She was sitting in a corner, her head resting against the frame of the cupboard.

On the left side, the unconscious woman’s clothes were lying on a pile.

Eloise grabbed them. “A servant outfit.” She smiled. “Looks like our ally did the legwork for us. Rachel, put these on.”

“Is this necessary?”

“Nobody will question members of the staff carrying a sack of goods outside.” Eloise retorted. “First, we disguise ourselves. Then, we nab our princess.”

**************

A few corridors later, Eloise noticed an other red scarf. This one had been left onto a chest.

Inside, a slim unconscious young redhead, with a crooked nose and a low bun haircut, was seated in a corner, resting against the frame. Her white skin had many freckles, and a few sun burns as well.

There was a bump on the back of the girl’s head. She too had been stripped down to her underclothes (a light pink frilly brassiere and matching frilly bloomers), as well as bound hands and feet and gagged with strips of curtains. The cleave-gag also smelled of sleeping potion.

The redhead’s clothes were lying discarded next to her in the chest. She was an other maid.

“It feels like a treasure hunt…” Ivette joked.

Eloise smiled. “I like working with competent people. Jacquotte, these clothes are yours.”

“Hopefully, we won’t have to get all our disguises one set at a time…” Jill intervened.

Eloise noticed an other red scarf. This one was tied around the knob of a door, at the end of the corridor.

“Let’s find out.”

**************

The door was leading to a guard restroom. There were two long rectangular tables, and four long benches in the middle of the room.

Eloise sneaked a peak inside.

“Looks like your wish has been granted.” she told Jill.

Ten women were lying motionless on the floor, or with their head resting on the table.

Ivette whistled between her teeth. “Impressive.”

Jill sniffed one bottle of wine. “Sleeping drug.” she announced.

“Looks like we have the final sets of clothes we needed. And I’d also wager a good chunk of the night guards – if not all of them – are currently out of commission.”

Eloise, Ivette, Jan, Jill, and Ingela each selected one woman whose size was close enough to theirs, and started to strip them.

Eloise divested of her uniform a black-haired dark-skinned brown-eyed lieutenant. The guard was left clad in white bloomers and a matching brassiere.

Ivette stripped a blue-eyed light-skinned redhead down to her grey knickers and grey brassiere.

Jan stripped a dark-skinned brunette with golden brown eyes down to her red panties. (The guard was topless under her uniform, something which she would certainly regret after waking up.)

Jill stripped a blonde with blue eyes and a tanned skin down to her white knee-long underpants and blue sleeveless undertunic.

Ingela stripped a tall broad-shouldered light-skinned hazel-eyed brunette, leaving her clad in green knickers. Bandages were wrapped around her breasts.

The slumbering guards – both the fully clothed and the half-naked ones – were left seated lined up against a wall, resting against each others. Their hands and feet were bound with shreds of Eloise’s crew’s discarded dresses, and they were cloth-gagged.

“I prefer when we can just slit their throats, and be done with it.” Ivette commented. “Saves a lot of trouble.”

Eloise didn’t bother telling her off. Pirates and soldiers didn’t exactly go along.

“Our mole did her job, now it’s our turn.” the captain concluded.

**************

Yasmin had a hard time sleeping.

She had a bad feeling about this night. Was it because Aisha was alone with Dominique?

No. She wished Aisha was more responsible, but her twin sister had no reason to cause trouble. And Dominique seemed trustworthy enough.

Still, she couldn’t shake off the feeling something wrong was about to happen. Over the years, she had learned to trust her hunch. Usually, when she was having such gut feeling, Aisha was about to do something reckless and stupid.

I should check if she’s alright...

Yasmin didn’t bother to put something on her nightgown, and exited her bedroom. However, she froze after taking a few steps.

There were some faint noises in the corridor.

She saw figures silently roam the corridors. The women were all dressed as members of the palace’s staff, yet she couldn’t help but think there was something odd about their group.

“Who are you?”

The woman leading the small crew immediately threw something at her.

Yasmin yelped when she felt something sting her near the throat. It was a small dart.

The princess realized her mistake too late. How could she have forgotten her mother’s tales of infiltration? She started to feel dizzy.

Before she could scream for help, the auburn-haired woman leading the group grabbed her. She twisted Yasmin’s arm behind her back, and gagged her with her free hand.

The young woman tried to struggle, but she was having a hard time breathing. Her screams were muffled by the hand-gag. She could feel some drug flowing in her veins.

Her vision became blurry.

Her body gave up first, and soon after her mind shut down as well. She lost consciousness.

**************

The dark-brown-haired woman’s body became limp in Eloise’s arms. The pirate captain laid her face up onto the floor, and briefly searched her.

She noticed the young woman’s golden-and-night-blue nightgown was fancy – the kind of garments worn by aristocrats… and princesses.

“Is she the one?” Ivette asked.

Eloise inspected the girl’s facial features. She shook her head. “That’s not her. She’s one of the foreigners.”

Ivette nodded, and took a coil of rope to bind the unconscious princess.

Eloise grabbed her arm. “Don’t. Louise wants to make her and her sister look like the culprits. People will ask questions if she’s found tied up. We put her back in her bed. These darts only last a couple of hours. By the time somebody notices our kidnapping, she’ll have woken up. And she won’t have any proof she was manhandled.”

“Got it.” Ivette looked at the unconscious princess’ face. “You think this is the one who fancies herself a great adventurer?”

Eloise shrugged. “One chance out of two. Hard to tell. They’re twins. Let’s hope we’re lucky. Boss said it’s the rebellious one who could be a problem. Her sister is too by-the-book to hinder us.”

**************

“Thank you, Aisha…” Dominique concluded her story. “It feels nice to be able to talk to someone… who can listen and understand…”

The latter felt a bit flustered. “You- You’re welcome! I didn’t do much!”

“You did more than you think.” Dominique suddenly smiled with a playful mischievous look. “How about you tell me more about you?”

Aisha scratched the back of her head. “I- There’s nothing much to say…”

She straightened her back. Dominique had been upfront and told her about herself. It was only fair she reciprocated.

“I mean, I’m not exactly the reliable child of the family. My sister is the heiress – and frankly she’ll do a much better job than me. I’m a- bit of a troublemaker. That’s why I’m here. I wouldn’t mind much, if I had been the only one paying for my mistakes… But my sister and many other people has been sent here with me… because of me…”

“Yasmin acts a lot more like a chaperon…” Dominique remarked.

“We were a lot closer once. But we’ve drifted apart… I wish we could get along... like back when we were children... but we can’t...”

“She still loves you very much.”

Aisha raised her head. “You think so?”

Dominique nodded. “She has this protective way of looking at you-”

The two young women stopped talking when they heard footsteps coming closer.

Dominique sighed. “Sire Godfroy must have sent them to fetch me…” She smiled at Aisha, a bit craftily. “Maybe you should stay hidden. We’re not exactly supposed to talk to each other so… informally. It’s improper. I’d prefer Sire Godfroy to not hear about it.”

Aisha chuckled. “Got it.”

While she hid behind some pillars, Dominique waited for the newcomers.

It was group of guards and maids.

“I am here, ladies. Does Sire Godfroy require me?”

The woman leading the group walked forward. She had auburn hair and freckles on her white skin.

Then, suddenly, the woman grabbed Dominique and jabbed something into the young princess’s neck.

“Not Sire Godfroy.” she retorted.

**************

Aisha gasped but, thankfully, had the reflex to clamp her hands onto her mouth and bite her inner-jaws to not scream.

Wh- What’s going on?!

Dominique struggled reflexively, but the auburn-haired woman immobilized and gagged her with her hand. Her victim’s spasms soon stopped. Dominique’s body became limp.

The fake sergeant laid the motionless princess onto the floor, and checked her face. Her moves were gentle, which eased some of Aisha’s worries. Apparently, Dominique was still alive – rendered unconscious by some drug, but alive.

Her suspicions were proven correct when the auburn-haired woman told her accomplices: “That’s her. Tie her up. We must be on the boat before dawn.”

Two of the kidnappers – sisters most likely – started to truss up and gag Dominique with ropes and rags they had hidden under their uniforms.

“Remember boss wants her unharmed.” their leader warned them.

A tall lanky black-haired woman grabbed her boss’ shoulder. She was most likely the second-in-command. “Was she with someone?”

“According to Mathilde, she likes to come here alone.” the leader explained. “Still, won’t hurt to check.”

Aisha’s heart skipped a beat. Until now, she had been too fascinated and too shocked to do anything other than watch. That last sentence had broken her off her trance. I can’t let them find me And I can’t let them leave the palace with Dominique. I have to get help! The guards-

Most of the kidnappers were dressed as guards.

- the guards!

Aisha realized she couldn’t ask the guards for help. She could safely assume most of the night sentries – perhaps even all of them – had already been put out of commission. One kidnapper had just mentioned Mathilde was their accomplice – she couldn’t ask the musketeer for help either. Perhaps there were even other traitors among the staff!

I have to find Zaïde. And Yasmin and Ezgi. And Rasha and Beatrix.

The door was on the other side of the room. They were still distracted, but in a few seconds they’d be done with Dominique. It was now or never.

Aisha sprinted, using the cover of the night to conceal her presence.

However, just as she was grabbing the doorknob, she heard behind her:

“There’s someone!”

Aisha cursed, and opened the door.

The auburn-haired woman threw a dart at her. She ducked at the last moment, letting the projectile bounce against the door.

“I bet it’s the princess brat! Grab her!”

Sounds of footsteps. Someone was about to catch her.

Aisha slammed the door on her pursuer with all her strength.

**************

Jill was hit in the face by the door. She cursed while holding her nose. “Little slut! When I get my hands on her…”

Ivette roughly pushed her out of the way. “Move out! You’re blocking the door!”

“No violence! Use the darts!” Eloise hissed. “We can’t leave marks of beating on her!”

Jan, Jill, Ingela and Ivette rushed outside the room.

Eloise grabbed Rachel and Jacquotte. “Wait! We can’t take any risk! Throw Dominique in the sack, and bring her to the ship.”

**************

No matter what her parents and sister thought, Aisha’s rebellious adventurous lifestyle truly saved her this night. Thanks to all her escapades, the princess was in prime physical condition – a long extended sprint was a cakewalk for her.

Slamming the door on the women’s faces gave her a few precious seconds – they probably wasted time to move their comrade out of the way. The young woman used her head start to take a few unexpected turns through secondary corridors, to confuse her pursuers. She opened and slammed a few doors, to make them think she was hiding in one of the nearby rooms. Maybe she could buy some time. Hopefully, they wouldn’t realize her real goal was to reach her retinue’s bedrooms as quickly as possible.

She could hear the footsteps of her pursuers in the distance. They weren’t trying to be particularly discreet – they were confident every honest servant or guard of this part of the palace had been neutralized.

Her plan seemed to work. At least, the intruders didn’t catch up with her before she could reach the wing of the palace reserved for her sister, her cousin, and she.

Yasmin… I must see Yasmin… Or Zaïde...

Aisha was suddenly grabbed, and pulled into a dark corridor. A hand was clamped over her mouth. She immediately tried to struggle.

“Calm down! It’s me!”

Aisha’s eyes widened.

Zaïde?

The busty young woman was only wearing her night blue nightgown and light sands, as if she had discreetly left her bedroom without having the time to get dressed.

Aisha hugged her cousin. “I’m so relieved to see you! We have a problem! A huge problem!”

“I know. Most of the night staff seems to have disappeared. I went in your sister’s room. She’s not waking up. Somebody drugged her.”

“They’ve kidnapped Dominique! And they know I know! They’re after me!”

Zaïde was an insightful woman. It took her one second to process the information.

“This is Louise’s doing! It can’t be someone else!”

Aisha didn’t understand. “Why would she kidnap her half-sister? We’re her targets!”

“Don’t you understand?! She’s trying to frame us! Picture the scandal if we’re accused of kidnapping the high king’s daughter!”

“We’re not-”

“That’s how she’ll spin the story. That’s why they didn’t harm Yasmin. We must-”

“Who’s there? What’s going on here?” a female voice interrupted her.

The woman was dressed in the bright blue tabard adorned with a white Seahorse, shiny black high boots, white trousers, white button up uniform shirt with puffy sleeves, brown gloves, and brown wide-brimmed hat with a black feather of the musketeers. She had a white skin with a slight tan, green-brown eyes, and dark auburn hair tied into a neck bun, with one strand of hair resting on each of her cheeks.

Aisha recognized the musketeer Zaïde had told her about.

Mathilde.

She felt a shiver down her spine.

“Zaïde.” Aisha hurriedly whispered. “She’s-” She couldn’t finish her sentence – not with the traitor within earsight.

One second.

It was the time needed for Zaïde and Mathilde to understand the situation.

The musketeer was a trained fighter. She knew her rapier would be of little use at such close range. She drew a small dagger on her belt, and lunged at them.

Zaïde pushed Aisha out of the way, and grabbed Mathilde’s wrist to try and disarm her.

The two women struggled for the weapon.

“I’ll relish gutting you like a fish...” Mathilde groaned. “… for what you did to me...”

Zaïde clenched her teeth, but didn’t retort anything. She was trained in hand-to-hand combat, but she usually relied on ambush tactics. In a fair fight, against a trained soldier like the musketeer, Zaïde was at a disadvantage. Her arms were already shaking.

Aisha took a few steps back, trying to find a way to help her cousin. She noticed a precious vase on a nearby shelf. She grabbed it, and smashed it on the back of Mathilde’s head.

The latter grunted. She staggered and stared vacantly during one second, then her eyes rolled back and she crumbled onto the floor. Lying on the side. Out cold.

Zaïde panted to catch her breath. “Th- Thanks...”

“You did good on your own.”

“I learned self-defense.”

Zaïde grabbed Mathilde, and advised a nearby door. “Help me drag her inside this room.”

“We should go in our bedrooms.”

“That’s literally the first place they’ll search.”

Zaïde kicked the door open, and with Aisha’s help dragged the motionless Mathilde inside. She closed the door behind them.

They were in some sort of small lounge, used for informal meetings. There were several sofas, a small table, and a precious carpet.

“We take cover behind the big sofa.” The busty young woman decided.

They dragged their burden, and crouched behind the piece of furniture.

“Yasmin… and Ezgi… Will they be okay?” Aisha asked.

“They drugged Yasmin, but left her unharmed in her bed. I deduce they won’t harm her. They can’t if they want us to take the fall. And as for Ezgi, she wasn’t in your room. I thought she was with you.”

Aisha’s heart skipped a beat. “No!” She attempted to stand up and leave.

Zaïde caught her shoulder, and forced her to remain crouched.

“Ezgi is a smart woman. She must be hiding somewhere. Maybe she’s searching for you as we speak. One thing we WON’T do is go looking for her at random. Besides, just like with Yasmin, they can’t afford to harm her for their plan to work.”

Her reasoning was logical. Aisha was forced to abide to her instructions. She could only try to suppress her worries. Panicking wouldn’t do her any good.

Ezgi… Please be safe...

They heard faint footsteps in the corridor. The door of their room was opened. The two cousins crouched down further behind their hiding spot.

“Where are you hiding, little cunt…” a woman whispered through gritted teeth.

She took a step inside, and scanned the room.

Zaïde changed her stance. While still remaining crouched, she moved her body in a way that’d allow her to easily jump her foe.

Mathilde was stirring slightly. Aisha feared the musketeer would wake up soon.

An other voice called the woman from the corridor: “Ivette. Over there! I think I heard something!”

‘Ivette’ muttered a curse, and slammed the door shut.

Aisha breathed in relief.

Zaïde glared at the unsconscious musketeer at their feet, then started to strip her.

“Give me a hand.”

“Do we have time?”

“I can’t run around in my nightgown. Plus, if she’s their accomplice, we may be able to trick them… at least the time to get close enough to strike.”

Mathilde started to moan and stir. She was regaining consciousness.

Zaïde sent her back to slumberland with a punch to the temple. The musketeer groaned, and laid still.

The two of them stripped Mathilde down to her white underdrawers and brassiere.

Zaïde didn’t hesitate to cut her own nightgown into strips with Mathilde’s dagger. The fabric was precious, but also sturdy. Aisha tightly bound Mathilde’s wrists and ankles with the makeshift ropes. A thick piece of torn garment was shoved into the musketeer’s mouth. A strip of nightgown was used as a cleave-gag, an other as a blindfold.

At the same time, Zaïde slipped into the musketeer uniform. Since it was her second time, it was easy.

Aisha dragged Mathilde under the sofa to conceal her, but froze when she heard the doorknob move.

Zaïde drew her stolen dagger.

The door was opened.

“Quick. Take cover. They’ve already searched this area, it should be safe for a while.”

They recognized the voice – and fondness for army vocabulary. The newcomers weren’t part of the intruders.

Beatrix and Rasha.

Maybe they were the reason the intruders had heard a noise earlier.

Aisha felt relieved, but her cousin reacted with anger.

“Where have you two been?!” Zaïde whispered angrily.

The two accomplices were startled to see her literally jump in front of them. However, both were cool-headed and hard to faze, so they recovered quickly.

“Somebody drugged our retinue’s drinks. The guards… The maids… They’re all asleep.” Rasha quickly explained.

“And why aren’t you two sleeping with the rest of them?”

Rasha shared an awkward look with Beatrix. “I- I wanted to try the fancy food you had with the princess. So I sneaked into the kitchen to steal some...”

Zaïde cursed. “You just can’t help yourself!”

“It’s a stroke of luck.” Aisha intervened to defuse the argument. “It means we’re not on our own.” She walked in the middle of the room. “I counted seven intruders. We’re at a disadvantage, but they won’t expect we can put up a fight...” She eyed Beatrix’s jezail. Of course the bounty huntress didn’t part away with her precious firearm. Aisha suspected she slept with it. “… and that we have weapons.”

“Ironic… For once, we’re trying to stop infiltrators…” the redhead commented.

“If we want to have a chance, we must anticipate their next move.” Zaïde intervened.

“They want to load Dominique on their boat before dawn.” Aisha said.

Her cousin nodded. “Okay. It’s a start. Get ready to fight back.”

**************

“Shit! Shit! SHIT!” Ivette cursed. “The little cunt managed to elude us.”

“Where is Mathilde? And the other mole?” Jan added.

“Who cares?” Eloise interrupted them. “Change of plan. Jan, Jill take the left corridor. Ivette, Ingela, you’re with me. We’ll search the corridors leading to Sire Godfroy’s wing. She doesn’t seem smart enough to think of alerting him, but let’s not take any chance. If we don’t find her in ten minutes, we cut our losses and leave. Even if there’s an eye witness, Louise may still be able to spin the story.”

The other women nodded, and they split up.

**************

Zaïde locked the door of the room in which Mathilde was stashed. Until they could warn someone of the musketeer’s treachery, it was best to make sure nobody would find her.

Beatrix and Rasha approached her. “What’s the plan then?” the former whispered.

“They’ll most likely try to reach the harbor at some point. We exit the palace while they’re still wasting time searching for Aisha here, and warn the city watch to raid their ship before they can set sail.”

“Why don’t we try to fight them here?” Rasha intervened.

“Because even if we have the element of surprise, they still outnumber us. And outside of Beatrix, none of us is good enough to match trained killers in a fair fight.”

“Beatrix is worth four women in a fight and you know it. Plus, we’d simply have to ambush them.”

As they were talking, Aisha was watching the corridor, wary of any danger.

Suddenly, she noticed a piece of cloth on the floor. A little red scarf. The kind that was tied into someone’s hair. She recognized the garment. It belonged to Ezgi!

She went to pick it up. Zaïde and Rasha were still debating.

“Ezgi? You’re here?” Aisha whispered.

She heard a faint noise in the nearby corridor, and sneaked a look.

A hand sprang out of the darkness to grab her.

“Found you, little slut!”

Aisha screamed, and jumped back, barely avoiding being pulled into the corridor.

The two women were tall and slim, and had similar-looking long braids, tanned skins, and brown eyes. One had black hair; the other, orange brown hair. Given their resemblance, they were most likely sisters.

The black-haired one grinned, and threw a dart at the young princess. Aisha lunged on her left, and rolled on the floor. The dart whizzed above her.

However, before Aisha could get up, the black-haired woman slammed her foot onto the young woman’s back to immobilize her.

“Got you, you slippery bitc-”

“Jill, on your left!” her accomplice suddenly warned her.

Beatrix struck with the brutality and vicious precision of a trained soldier. Since her jezail would be of no use in close combat, she dropped it and punched the black-haired woman right in the solar plexus – cutting her breathing and causing her great pain. Jill coughed and staggered backwards.

The other intruder – Jill’s sister – lunged at the redhead with a hate-filled snarl, and a dart in her hand.

Beatrix blocked her assault, and violently headbutted her. Then the redhead pinned her against the wall, and hit the woman’s head against the wall two times, knocking her out.

Jill recovered from her blow, and drew a knife. “I’ll bleed you, bitc-”

Zaïde wrapped her arms around her throat and squeezed.

“- gark?!”

Beatrix let go of the orange-brown-haired intruder, whose limp body slid against the wall, and punched Jill in the stomach. The woman dropped her knife. Out of breath, in pain, the black-haired woman didn’t resist much longer, and lost consciousness.

“Was that necessary?” Aisha commented, as Rasha was helping her stand up. “She was already beaten.”

“Oh yeah? You do realize she could’ve stabbed your cousin in the side?”

“How do you know?”

Beatrix rolled her eyes. “‘Cause I used this technique back during the war! Several times actually!”

Zaïde walked in-between them. “Enough!” She looked at the defeated women. “Rasha, Aisha, deal with these two. Take their uniforms. They may come in handy. Beatrix and I will secure the area. The moment you’re ready, we try to intercept the kidnappers.”

“What about warning the watch?” Rasha asked.

“Change of plan. With two down, we have a chance to end this here and now.”

**************

Stripping the fake guards would take some valuable time, but wearing their uniforms had enough advantages to justify the delay. They could trick the other disguised criminals. And, if they encountered other soldiers, it would be easier to get their trust in the heat of the moment if they were dressed as palace guards.

“I’m worried about Ezgi.” Aisha confessed.

“I’m sure she’s fine.” Rasha said to reassure her. “She doesn’t look like it, but she’s crafty. Had she been a street kid, she would’ve made a great thief.”

Aisha and Rasha finished stripping the fake guards.

The two sisters were wearing practical undergarments. They hadn’t bothered with bras – they were using plain white bandages wrapped around the breasts. Jill was also wearing grey knee-long undertrousers, and Jan was wearing white underdrawers.

Aisha and Rasha grabbed some tapestries on the walls, and cut them into makeshift ropes. They bound the sisters back-to-back in a seated position, tying each woman’s wrists in front of the other’s stomach. They also tied up each sister’s ankles. Finally, they cleave-gagged the women with strips of tapestries.

**************

More than ten minutes had passed. Eloise decided the best course of action was now to cut their losses and leave the palace… Even if the princess thought of warning Sire Godfroy – not a certitude given how dumb she was – Louise could probably still pin the blame on Ghazan…

“We should meet up with Jan and Jill any moment now. This is their area.”

Eloise noticed a figure in the distance, clad in a musketeer uniform. She approached her.

“Mathilde. You saw something?”

The musketeer didn’t answer.

Ingela and Ivette stepped forward. “Didn’t you hear-”

Eloise grabbed Ivette with one hand, and drew a throwing knife with the other. “Wait! Something’s off!”

An other woman stepped out of her hiding spot, behind a suit of armor. She had red hair and a tanned skin, was dressed in some sort of hooded cloak, and was armed with an odd-looking arquebus.

Eloise’s eyes widened.

The redhead opened fire without any hesitation or warning.

“Ingela!” Ivette exclaimed. The latter had been hit in the shoulder.

Eloise immediately threw her knife.

The redhead parried the blade with the butt of her firearm.

“Forget the orders! Kill the bitches!”

Ivette and Eloise threw more knives at the fake Mathilde and her soldier.

The two women weren’t stupid however – they ducked behind the suit of armor. The knives ricocheted on the metal plates.

Eloise glanced at Ingela’s wound, and quickly assessed the situation. “Retreat! Immediately!”

**************

Zaïde took a peak from her hiding spot.

“Coast is safe.”

“You should have let me shoot her in the head.” Beatrix retorted. “Then there would’ve been one less to worry about.”

“Only as a last resort. We-”

Zaïde was interrupted by Aisha’s and Rasha’s arrival.

“Splendid timing. We may still have a chance...”

Warning! This is the third part of the chapter!





























**************

To hell with the plan!

Eloise and her team fled the palace. Ivette was helping Ingela. Thankfully, the blonde’s shoulder wound wasn’t hindering her.

“Why are we running away?” Ivette growled.

“That bitch hit Ingela right in the joint! Her entire arm is screwed for weeks!”

Ivette understood. “It wasn’t by chance…”

“No. She aimed for that spot. She can just as easily shoot us in the head. Plus, didn’t you notice something odd with her arquebus?”

Ivette shook her head.

“It barely made any noise. It’s a Ghazanite jezail. These shits can fire dozens of shots in a row before they need to be reloaded! We need the cover of buildings to escape her.”

Ivette fell silent.

During her time as a pirate and mercenary, Eloise had quickly learned there were two types of guards. The vast majority, the barely competent buffoons who were easily bested by any really talented woman.

And then there were the ones like that tanned-skinned redhead. The ones you never EVER wanted to encounter…

“We regroup with the rest of the crew. We need numerical advantage.”

“What about Jan and Jill?”

“We can’t do anything for them.”

And the thought was making her furious. But she had to prioritize the safety of the rest of the crew. Maybe they’d have a chance to help them later...

**************

Aisha’s group was on the fugitives’ trail. However, even though one was wounded, the chase proved to be a lot harder than they expected.

Their opponents knew the layout of Plaisance a lot better. While they were slower, they knew all the shortcuts through the alleyways.

Plus, it was apparent they weren’t carrying Dominique with them. They probably had sent a pair of their group in advance with the sack. Maybe Dominique was even already on the pirate ship…

Their expertise in mugging and taking the place of other women wouldn’t be of any use in the current situation.

Zaïde was leading the small group in the dark streets of Plaisance. From afar, they saw the sun was slowly rising.

They could see the docks were almost empty – save for one ship around which an entire crew was preparing to sail away.

“We can’t make it in time…” Rasha intervened. “They’ll have regrouped with the entire crew by the time we catch up to them…”

“We can alert the city watch!” Aisha intervened. She was starting to panic. Her sister was incapacitated, Ezgi was nowhere to be found, and her new friend was about to be kidnapped and taken who knows where.

Rasha grimaced. She was a thief. Watchmen were her natural enemies. “By the time we do that, they’ll already have sailed!”

“Unless somebody stalls them…” Zaïde commented.

“And how? We can’t reach them before they embark!” the thief retorted.

Zaïde rolled her eyes, and didn’t attempt to hide her sarcasm. “True. If only we had an elite markswoman who can shoot them from a long distance… Oh wait!”

Beatrix frowned. “I won’t be able to use blue crystals reliably from such a distance.” she warned her.

Aisha grimaced. She was feeling uncomfortable.

“I know. I’m taking the responsibility.” Zaïde intervened. Her face had never been as grim. “Do your thing, we alert the watch.”

“How? They won’t trust us!” Rasha intervened.

“I’m dressed as a musketeer! You’re dressed as soldiers of the palace! Of course they’ll listen!”

**************

“We’ve done it.” Ivette exclaimed with a smile.

The boat’s footbridge was being deployed. Jacquotte and Rachel were carrying Dominique’s sack to load her onto the ship.

However, Eloise wasn’t sharing everyone’s relief. “We set sail immediately.”

“And about Wynnefreed and the wenches? They’re still on the ship.”

“We don’t have time. We’re taking them with us. We’ll sell them. Or throw them into the sea. I don’t care.”

“You said-”

“- that I’d try to avoid UNNECESSARY casualties. Between the success of the mission and the lives of these four sluts, what do you think is more important? Louise doesn’t have to know. We leave NOW! I have a bad feeling...”

Ivette shrugged. “Fine by me. I’d be glad to have a little private fun with Wynnefreed anyway...” She looked at the streets nearby. She and several crewmates were armed with crossbows. If the princess brat, or anyone else, tried to approach, they’d be shot on sight. “You’re afraid of the redhead? What could she possibly do on her own?”

Next to her, Jacquotte suddenly cried in pain, and fell face first onto the ground.

There was one second of utter incomprehension.

“Wh- What?”

****************

Perched atop of a building, Beatrix shot one of the figures near the ship. She hit a woman carrying the sack in the back of her head.

A clean kill. As usual with her.

You have the keenest eyes of my squad Beatrix. Sergeant Aasiya was always saying. I’ll make you the best shooter of the army! I’ll make you someone!

Suddenly, Beatrix wasn’t there anymore. She was on Pakal’s eastern province. Five years ago.

Next to her, Mira and Nawfa were shaking.

The Pakal army was standing at the other side of the pass, blocking the road to Millhaco.

“There’s so many of them…” Mira muttered.

“Don’t break formation and hold the line!” Sergeant Aasiya barked. Her voice was so deep, she could have passed herself for a man. When she shouted, the ground seemed to shake. “Show them the power of your jezails! They’re easy pickings!”

And indeed they were…

“Hold to. Hold to, I said! Beatrix! Steady your gun! You’re not hunting geese! Hold it… Hold it… FIRE!”

It was the first ranged battle in which jezails were used. Pakal soldiers weren’t used to them. Power crystals were durable. They only broke after a dozen shots. A jezailer carried dozens of them. Compared to a bowman, they could shoot a lot more times before they were out of ammunition.

The victory had been easy. Perhaps too easy… It had made them confident. Too confident… They weren’t prepared for the horror of the siege of Millhaco.

Beatrix shook her head. “Stay focused…” the redhead muttered to herself.

**************

They all stared at Jacquotte’s corpse.

Then, chaos broke loose. Rachel immediately dropped the sack holding Dominique, and ran away.

“Everybody! Take cover!” Eloise shouted.

Ivette kept a cool head, and analyzed the situation.

“No arrows? But it can’t be an arquebus… There’s no noise!”

The two men maneuvering the footbridge were shot next, within seconds of each other.

This time, Ivette had noticed trails of red lights.

“It’s not an arquebus! It’s a jezail!”

She quickly ran in the direction opposite of where the trail of light came from. She had to position herself out of the shooter’s reach!

Ivette jumped behind a bunch of crates, and tried to aim her crossbow. She frowned.

The sun was rising.

Was there a metallic glow on this faraway building? Was there a human figure? Clad in a desert cloak?

Her eyes widened.

Was it a ray of sun hitting the barrel of a jezail?

Were they the shooter who was picking off her crewmates? But they were so faraway! Even out of crossbow’s range!

Ivette realized the figure was aiming at her.

The last thing she saw was a ray of scarlet red light. Then, she felt an intense pain in the forehead. The pirate mercenary fell backwards.

Impossible… Nobody can hit a target from that far… Nobod-

**************

Zaïde, Aisha, and Rasha rallied the first patrol of watchmen they could find.

Zaïde’s prediction proved to be correct. Their uniforms were giving them enough authority to requisition the soldiers. Especially hers. Musketeers were a pretty big deal in the United Lands.

With their newfound reinforcements, they reached the harbor as the sun was dawning, and were greeted by a scene of chaos.

The pirates were in disarray. All were trying to take cover. Beatrix had done her part. They hadn’t had to time to embark.

One woman, a ponytailed brunette with many freckles on her face, noticed the group. The pirate ran towards them.

Zaïde stepped in front of her cousin. “Careful, Aisha!”

But the woman wasn’t attacking them. Quite the contrary, actually. She threw her weapons at their feet, and fell on her knees, her arms raised.

“Please, I surrender! I surrender! I’ll tell you where the princess is! I’ll tell you everything! Just call off your shooter!”

Aisha was surprised.

“What’s going on here?”

She then saw the corpses.

**************

The pirates were running right and left, but Beatrix gave them no respite. Until the power crystal broke, a Ghazanite jezail didn’t need to be reloaded.

She saw the men on the ship try to sail away. The ones deploying the sails were easy pickings. Beatrix shot them one after the other. Once she was done, the ship was immobilized. The smart ones jumped into the water to escape her.

Unfortunately for them, the watchmen were now swarming the dock. The pirates trying to swim away were shot with crossbows.

“They’re retreating! Victory! Victory is ours!” Sergeant Aasiya bellowed.

She gave Beatrix a pat on the back.

“Good job! I think of our squad, you shot the most of these bastards!”

Beatrix watched the dock afar. She had done it. They had won the battle.

The redhead got up, shouldered her jezail, and climbed down the building. She was staggering.

Nawfa lying in a ditch – her throat cut from ear to ear. Mira’s body – horribly burnt.

And then there was her...

How many people had she lost?

How many people had she killed?

How many just today?

You have the keenest eyes of my squad Beatrix. I’ll make you the best shooter of the army! I’ll make you someone!

And, indeed, war had made Beatrix someone…

How many people had she killed?

How many just today?

… but at what cost?

Nawfa lying in a ditch – her throat cut from ear to ear. Mira’s body – horribly burnt.

Beatrix rested her back against the wall, fell seated, and sobbed.

**************

Aisha looked around her.

The dock had been turned into a scene of desolation.

The watchmen had rescued Dominique – who was shaken but otherwise unharmed.

Now that the princess was out of danger, they had had the time to send a messenger to Sire Godfroy. He and the soldiers were currently gathering the corpses together, and trying to find clues on their identities and masters. The few prisoners were escorted to the city’s jail.

In the palace, the situation was also being sorted out. According to what Aisha had heard from Godfroy, the trussed up and mugged maids and guards of the night shift had been discovered. Mathilde and the two captured pirates had been arrested. Yasmin and the drugged servants and guards of her escort had woken up. Ezgi had been found unharmed – she was hiding in a cupboard.

At least, they were all okay… Aisha couldn’t wait to be reunited with them...

Dominique was sitting in a corner of the dock, surrounded by guards. She was waiting for the armored coach meant to bring her back to the palace. Aisha smiled at her from afar to encourage her, and she answered with a nod. Later… They would talk later...

Four other women were with the rescued princess, covered with blankets. They had been found on the ship, wearing only their undergarments. Apparently, they were all working at a prestigious café near the palace – one was even the daughter of the owner. According to them, they had been mugged and replaced by the pirates, as part of some ambush. Guards had been sent to the building, but Aisha already suspected what they would find. The Songbird Troupe had been missing ever since the raid on the palace began. The princess bet the real singers were going to be found locked somewhere in the café, alongside with the owner...

Zaïde was talking with Rasha. Aisha couldn’t hear what they were whispering.

Beatrix was standing on her own. Her face was grim. She was clenching her fists on her jezail, holding the firearm close to her as if it was her firstborn child. Everyone was a bit wary of her, even Rasha who for once wasn’t trying to joke at her partner in crime’s expense.

Aisha was feeling uncomfortable. The sight of the dead bodies was making her nauseous. “Did you have to kill so many of them?” she finally asked the redhead.

“Why do you even care? They were the enemy! They’re pirates and murderers! Scums like them are the ones bleeding dry your father’s fleet!”

Beatrix was gritting her teeth. Aisha knew the bounty huntress was already sour because she had to leave El Idriss, and she was now becoming angrier and angrier.

“When you’re in war, you don’t get to play nice!” Beatrix added.

“Except we’re not on a battlefield.”

“Shows what you know.”

“I know a lot more things than you think! You can’t-”

“Don’t ever try to tell me what I can and can’t do!” Beatrix snapped. She glared at Aisha with contempt. “You’re just a pampered rich brat, looking for some quick thrills! I bet you’re having a lot of fun, mingling with us riffraff!”

“I serve my kingdom!” Aisha retorted.

“You serve the kingdom?!” The redhead scoffed, and spat on the ground – right in front of Aisha’s foot. She rolled back her sleeve, and showed the deep burn scars on her left arm. “*I* served the kingdom! I served in your father’s army, during the last war!”

She took a step forward. Aisha took a step back.

“I fought during the siege of Millhaco! I was there when they threw liquid fire at us! I was there when they cut our supply lines, and we had to drink horse piss! I was there when they sent their ocēlōmehs to infiltrate our camp! Each night I was standing guard, I knew one could slit my throat and steal my clothes!”

She took a step forward. Aisha took a step back.

“I was there when your father chose to withdraw because he couldn’t stand seeing his soldiers die all around him! He knew the other aristocrats, in their pampered houses, would call him a coward! But he still did it! For us! You’re not half the person he is! You think you’re some dashing heroine? Nobody would even follow you if you weren’t the princess! You were just lucky to be born in the right couch!”

Her outburst left Aisha speechless.

“Time to wake up, princess.” Beatrix pointed at the corpses. “This is the real world. It’s a violent merciless place where people like ME get their hands dirty so that people like YOU can frolic in blissful ignorance.”

The readhead stopped looking at Aisha, and turned towards Zaïde.

“We have a contract. You pay well-enough for me to stomach many things. However, from now on, I want to receive my instructions from you and you only. I won’t be lectured anymore by a brat who’s never seen what real life looks like.”

“You can’t-” Aisha attempted to say.

“You’re gonna use your royal status to make me comply?”

“O- Of course not!”

“Then yes, I can.”

Beatrix started to walk away. However, she paused and added without turning back to look at Aisha:

“And by the way. I know you were spying on me. A nurse, found bound, gagged and robbed of her clothes near Halil’s hospice? Who else could it be? I’ll have you know that woman helped more people than you ever will. Brat.”

Then she left.

Aisha could feel the gazes on her – Zaïde, Rasha, and all the people who had been close enough to hear the redhead.

She was feeling sick in the stomach.

Then, she heard a soldier announce: “One pirate is missing. We can’t find the ship’s captain.”

She shuddered.

And we have (as the title indicates) the first real action-heavy chapter of the series. Heroines and villainesses have been set up, and now we get to see them facing one another.

I like the way the chapter is structured, with the main characters' dialogues in the castle juxtaposed against the pirates' slow but steady infiltration of that castle. Underscores how unsuspecting Aisha and her team are of what's about to happen, and adds to the suspense.

Things start so innocently, with the Songbird Troupe as a group of bright-eyed performers excited for their big break. Poor girls. So full of hope, only to have those hopes quickly dashed. But Ivette is right, they'll probably be the talk of the town.

My favorite part of this chapter was the use of "red scarves," which not only reminds us of the mystery of Esteban's mole but provides a clever device for the pirates to acquire disguises without getting their own hands dirty. Ivette's little joke ("It feels like a treasure hunt") feels especially apropos considering that as pirates, they probably have their own experience searching for treasure.

Poor Mathilde - she may be evil, but it's gotta be humiliating to have your uniform stolen by Zaïde two chapters in a row. I wonder if this will be a running gag - of course we've had recurring characters who get their clothes stolen multiple times, but not often does one character get her uniform repeatedly stolen by the same person (and for somewhat different reasons).

I will admit I don't find the pirates to be that appealing, as characters or as villains - they're a bit too dark for my tastes. It was also a little hard to get a sense of any differing personalities between them when there are seven in all. But there was enough amusingly mean-spirited banter to make their scenes interesting.

“I trust you know the general layout of the building, but I’ve left a map in your room just in case. Most of the staff is female. You may want to take advantage of that.”

Eloise smiled. “How convenient.”

I love dialogue like this - grounding the uniform stealing potential in the story in a way that increases suspense for what's to come.

My one big problem with this chapter was the climax, which was kind of shocking in its level of violence and body count. It makes sense in context of the story, but it felt darker than I was expecting, especially considering that this doesn't yet seem to be the major climax (from what I can tell). And I generally dislike seeing so many characters die, even ones I wasn't invested in. Oh well... can't say the pirates didn't entirely deserve it.

In any case, a good addition to the story, and quite entertaining, despite my issues with the ending. And I'm curious to see what happens with the surviving villains next.

tirepanted3 wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 6:55 pm I like the way the chapter is structured, with the main characters' dialogues in the castle juxtaposed against the pirates' slow but steady infiltration of that castle. Underscores how unsuspecting Aisha and her team are of what's about to happen, and adds to the suspense.

I needed a way to feature a lengthy exposition - Dominique and Louise will be key players of the rest of the story, their backstory and personalities are important lore-wise - but without upstaging the Uniform Stealings, and this sounded like a good compromise - plus a way to build up the tension. Glad to see it worked.

Things start so innocently, with the Songbird Troupe as a group of bright-eyed performers excited for their big break. Poor girls. So full of hope, only to have those hopes quickly dashed. But Ivette is right, they'll probably be the talk of the town.

They'll be the talk of the town, just like what they wanted, but not the way they expected. I always like when I can sneak some sweet delicious irony.

My favorite part of this chapter was the use of "red scarves," which not only reminds us of the mystery of Esteban's mole but provides a clever device for the pirates to acquire disguises without getting their own hands dirty. Ivette's little joke ("It feels like a treasure hunt") feels especially apropos considering that as pirates, they probably have their own experience searching for treasure.

The clues on the identity of Esteban's mole are adding up... or maybe not...

Poor Mathilde - she may be evil, but it's gotta be humiliating to have your uniform stolen by Zaïde two chapters in a row. I wonder if this will be a running gag - of course we've had recurring characters who get their clothes stolen multiple times, but not often does one character get her uniform repeatedly stolen by the same person (and for somewhat different reasons).

Poor Mathilde indeed! Let's hope there won't be a third time... I shudder at the prospect of her becoming the butt of a cheap joke...

I will admit I don't find the pirates to be that appealing, as characters or as villains - they're a bit too dark for my tastes. It was also a little hard to get a sense of any differing personalities between them when there are seven in all. But there was enough amusingly mean-spirited banter to make their scenes interesting.

It probably has to do with the fact they're meant to be second fiddles - save for Eloise. Louise is the main villain even in this part. The pirates are extensions of her will. Interchangeable and disposable pawns. Their purpose is to remind that Louise's reach is almost inescapable, that she can strike anywhere at any time. Her agents are numerous, and she can afford to sacrifice them without risking her life or her social position.

I'm trying something different with the antagonist this time. I don't want a villainous team like Reka's or Lizéa's, an underdog like Safiye, an overpowered wild card like Tsuki, or a distant entity like the Government in the Utopia saga or the Mages of Pakal. In some aspects, Louise is closer to a mastermind "à la Richelieu" (or a James Bond villain). She's in a position of power, and employs numerous hench(wo)men to do her bidding - even when she's not physically there. But these agents are always mere enforcers of her will - their role in the story is a satellite of Louise's will. She's the villainess whose characterization matters the most, and I can't wait to have her appear more prominently.

My one big problem with this chapter was the climax, which was kind of shocking in its level of violence and body count. It makes sense in context of the story, but it felt darker than I was expecting, especially considering that this doesn't yet seem to be the major climax (from what I can tell). And I generally dislike seeing so many characters die, even ones I wasn't invested in. Oh well... can't say the pirates didn't entirely deserve it.

I see your point. The level of violence and death is deliberate - though I know the choice will be divisive. Eloise's previous lethal scenes are here as a warning this saga will be darker. A major theme of the story is that Aisha's naive idealized view of "adventuring" is confronted with her world's harsher reality. In her medieval-inspired world, pirates are murderers who are shown no mercy by the law; and when they're arrested, they're hanged. In her world, when you ask a PTSD-ridden war veteran to shoot people, she has flashbacks and goes overboard. And when you have a habit of mugging people for their clothes, people notice and react accordingly.

This scene was one of the first I wrote. It's meant to be a key moment of the story, as it leads to Beatrix's outburst against Aisha - which is here to highlight the heroine's flaws and how some people perceive her. We, as readers, know Aisha is well-intentioned if naive. To someone like Beatrix, who was born in poverty and suffered through the horrors of war, she looks like a privileged brat looking for quick thrills and who has the audacity to think she knows better than the "riffraff". Aisha's character development is still far from over...

about the Songbirds Troupe, please tell me where you got the inspiration from


PS wonderful map!

rufusluciusivan wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 8:32 pmThey'll be the talk of the town, just like what they wanted, but not the way they expected. I always like when I can sneak some sweet delicious irony.

I love some good irony thrown into a classic USB scene. It's also always nice when a new chapter begins from the point of view of an innocent victim, priming us for what's about to come when it's revealed how they've been tricked and lured into a trap.

Poor Mathilde indeed! Let's hope there won't be a third time... I shudder at the prospect of her becoming the butt of a cheap joke...

Oh, of course... Perish the thought.

I'm trying something different with the antagonist this time. I don't want a villainous team like Reka's or Lizéa's, an underdog like Safiye, an overpowered wild card like Tsuki, or a distant entity like the Government in the Utopia saga or the Mages of Pakal. In some aspects, Louise is closer to a mastermind "à la Richelieu" (or a James Bond villain). She's in a position of power, and employs numerous hench(wo)men to do her bidding - even when she's not physically there. But these agents are always mere enforcers of her will - their role in the story is a satellite of Louise's will. She's the villainess whose characterization matters the most, and I can't wait to have her appear more prominently.

That's totally understandable, and I'm intrigued by the prospect of a villainess who works behind the scenes and can control many henchwomen to do her will. But even if the henchwomen themselves are not a main focus, it's cool when they have well-draw personalities of their own. Helps add to the fun and suspense.

I see your point. The level of violence and death is deliberate - though I know the choice will be divisive. Eloise's previous lethal scenes are here as a warning this saga will be darker. A major theme of the story is that Aisha's naive idealized view of "adventuring" is confronted with her world's harsher reality. In her medieval-inspired world, pirates are murderers who are shown no mercy by the law; and when they're arrested, they're hanged. In her world, when you ask a PTSD-ridden war veteran to shoot people, she has flashbacks and goes overboard. And when you have a habit of mugging people for their clothes, people notice and react accordingly.

Yes, it was clear that this story is meant to be darker and more realistic than prior sagas. Perhaps I'm just so used to the lighter side of adventuring (both in the Utopia series and in my own stories) that I assumed it was just par for the course. It just can be a little jarring and disarming to see so much death in a story that, in its early chapters, features quite a lot of humorous hijinks related to women being mugged for their clothes.

esercito sconfitto wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 2:28 am about the Songbirds Troupe, please tell me where you got the inspiration from


PS wonderful map!

Thanks! I made the map for the pilot, and then stupidly forgot to feature it at the beginning of the main episodes... Mistake's been fixed.

The name of the Troupe was literally found thanks to a name generator...

As for the descriptions, some of them are inspired by characters of a videogame:

Agnea:



Dulcinea:



Veronica:



Vanessa:



And I think that's it. The others are just me coming up with original designs.

tirepanted3 wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 2:57 am That's totally understandable, and I'm intrigued by the prospect of a villainess who works behind the scenes and can control many henchwomen to do her will. But even if the henchwomen themselves are not a main focus, it's cool when they have well-draw personalities of their own. Helps add to the fun and suspense.

Well, let's just say Louise's regular team is not quite assembled yet - might wanna wait for the epilogue of this part.

Yes, it was clear that this story is meant to be darker and more realistic than prior sagas. Perhaps I'm just so used to the lighter side of adventuring (both in the Utopia series and in my own stories) that I assumed it was just par for the course. It just can be a little jarring and disarming to see so much death in a story that, in its early chapters, features quite a lot of humorous hijinks related to women being mugged for their clothes.

The mood whiplash is deliberate. In a way, this climax was meant to be a brutal slap in the face for both Aisha and readers (metaphorically of course ). Early chapters are building up to this, in the sense that while Aisha faces reality checks (her muggings put her family into a difficult situation politically-wise), her adventures still seem to conform to her naive romantic view. Women are locked up and left behind for a while, but ultimately released at the end. No lasting injury, just embarassment. Only grumpy Beatrix is here to spoil the fun. However, in the ourskirts of the story, low-key clues are building up the narrative outcome... Eloise is shown several times killing women. We get glimpses of the horrors Beatrix lived through during the war. We meet Mira. We hear of Nawfa whose throat was slit, of the ocelomehs Beatrix killed. And then, BAM, the violence from which Aisha had been sheltered all her life - and of which she had witnessed clues but without accepting to look at it in the face - goes off without warning. There will be a before and an after as far as Aisha is concerned...

Trivia. Beatrix is actually an infiltrator killer. I don't know if that element has been mentioned yet, but during the war she foiled several attempts of women trying to kill her and mug her for disguise. That's why Eloise was so much afraid of her. Subconsciously, she sensed just how dangerous the redhead was to her...

And as far as the pirates were concerned, their massacre was meant to be a fitting end. Eloise, Ivette, and their crew killed, harmed or maimed many people during their criminal carreer. Then, somebody stronger subjects them to the same fate.

rufusluciusivan wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 7:11 amWell, let's just say Louise's regular team is not quite assembled yet - might wanna wait for the epilogue of this part.

All right, I'll hold off on any broad conclusions just yet.

The mood whiplash is deliberate. In a way, this climax was meant to be a brutal slap in the face for both Aisha and readers (metaphorically of course ). Early chapters are building up to this, in the sense that while Aisha faces reality checks (her muggings put her family into a difficult situation politically-wise), her adventures still seem to conform to her naive romantic view. Women are locked up and left behind for a while, but ultimately released at the end. No lasting injury, just embarassment. Only grumpy Beatrix is here to spoil the fun. However, in the ourskirts of the story, low-key clues are building up the narrative outcome... Eloise is shown several times killing women. We get glimpses of the horrors Beatrix lived through during the war. We meet Mira. We hear of Nawfa whose throat was slit, of the ocelomehs Beatrix killed. And then, BAM, the violence from which Aisha had been sheltered all her life - and of which she had witnessed clues but without accepting to look at it in the face - goes off without warning. There will be a before and an after as far as Aisha is concerned...

Yes, I figured it was deliberate. Perhaps it just feels a bit too soon for this level of darkness? Though of course I don't know where it's headed at the moment, so I won't pass judgment yet. After all, there is interesting potential to explore. I just hope that now that the dark undertones of the series have been established, there isn't quite this level of tonal whiplash in future chapters.

Trivia. Beatrix is actually an infiltrator killer. I don't know if that element has been mentioned yet, but during the war she foiled several attempts of women trying to kill her and mug her for disguise. That's why Eloise was so much afraid of her. Subconsciously, she sensed just how dangerous the redhead was to her...

I confess that - perhaps unsurprisingly - I find Beatrix to be the least compelling of the main characters, as I don't usually enjoy characters who are this level of dark and violent (see my thoughts on Emery from a while back). I like the idea of someone combating infiltrators, but I think it's understandable that an infiltrator killer is the type of character who would be polarizing. Guess we'll see where her development is headed.

And as far as the pirates were concerned, their massacre was meant to be a fitting end. Eloise, Ivette, and their crew killed, harmed or maimed many people during their criminal carreer. Then, somebody stronger subjects them to the same fate.

True, I won't deny they were evil. Their deaths were still jarring, though, perhaps since it happened within the story, unlike several of the pirates' own killings, which either occurred out of scene or were simply discussed offhand.

tirepanted3 wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2024 10:49 am Yes, I figured it was deliberate. Perhaps it just feels a bit too soon for this level of darkness? Though of course I don't know where it's headed at the moment, so I won't pass judgment yet. After all, there is interesting potential to explore. I just hope that now that the dark undertones of the series have been established, there isn't quite this level of tonal whiplash in future chapters.

On the contrary. It was necessary such even happened early because the massacre - and more importantly the argument that followed between Aisha and Beatrix is a crux of Aisha's development.

Well, the story will never venture into darker territories, that I can assure you. Future chapters will see Louise confront the team more directly. And, when she's playing at home, Louise likes refined subtle plots. Ones that can rarely be resolved through open street warfare. I like the idea that Louise's no-kill policy is meant to make her look more chilling. Her policy is not born out of moral concern, it's a reflection of how much of a control freak she is. Louise thinks her subjects belong to her, body and soul. They are her assets, tools she doesn't want to break for no reason, and they aren't allowed to die without her permission. But from a narrative standpoint, it allows to display a threatening villain without needing to become too dark.

True, I won't deny they were evil. Their deaths were still jarring, though, perhaps since it happened within the story, unlike several of the pirates' own killings, which either occurred out of scene or were simply discussed offhand.

Indeed, as always the problem of offscreen villainy...

Personally, Beatrix is my favorite main heroine. I think she clearly has the most sympathetic backstory. She's not meant to be a inhumanely intimidating menace like Emery. On the contrary, she's the most human of the cast. She lived through the hell of war, lost her two friends, and didn't receive much reward for her sacrifices. (A bit like some veterans of World War 1.)

Though her being an infiltrator killer was born of necessity. The infiltrators killed the sentries during the war, Beatrix simply learned how to turn the tables when they attempt to slit her throat... Beatrix's parts with Sireen in Part 1 were there to show she can - and will - use an appropriate level of violence depending on her quarry. Also, in this specific instance, you'll notice she waited until she had the permission of her superior - Zaïde - before she used lethal force.