Master Mages Marriage 29 Stella Maris

"It's amazing that we can make out so much detail with these." Alexis admired the looking gla.s.s Nikolai had provided them. He'd taken it from his personal collection, a simple device that relied on Vezani craftmans.h.i.+p for its lenses and fittings.

Simple for them at least.

The Vezani maintained detailed records of all their looking gla.s.ses and only with their recent va.s.salisation were they willing to offer a few pieces for the Ministry of War. Each of those was marked with a serial number and engraving of the Emperor's seal, which this one lacked. Despite the best efforts of the various craftsman outside the Princedoms no one reproduced the quality and distance that a Vezani looking gla.s.s was capable of. Nikolai avoided her questions of its origin and claimed he'd retrieved it from an enemy during the war. She doubted him but couldn't ask when he was being so stubborn.

"Don't lose focus. Keep an eye out for the customs official."

"I know what I'm doing Captain." Alexis replied in a huff, returning to her observation and providing a running commentary as the s.h.i.+p docked.

"It's the man we marked earlier." she growled, almost spitting the words.

"As expected Vice-Captain Barsi." Petrov coughed lightly from his place against the wall. With the threat of violence looming, he'd donned himself in as much chain-mail as he could. "It's a testament to your skills that we were able to discover him before the threat could increase. We still have time to nip this in the bud."

Alexis blushed a little and returned to her surveillance. Elya knew she wasn't embarra.s.sed at being praised but the information had come from Madame Rose and the Black Hand coven, not her. Even before they'd come along and the a.s.sa.s.sination attempt took place, the Baroness dug deep into the seedy underworld of Konstanz preparing files on every crime boss and their links to the n.o.ble Houses. While the discovery of the Silver Serpents dark leanings had forced them to respond earlier, Elya was sure the guard would have received discreet tips on the various organisations as the Baroness deemed them a threat. Her future mother-in-law cast a fearsome character in Elya's mind. A well-deserved reputation by all the things she'd seen so far.

"Are the guards in place?" Elya turned away from the traders disembarking the Stella Maris.

"Yes Milady, all arrangements per your orders. The Count has given you operational command for this task."

"It doesn't bother you that your authority has been usurped?"

"I'm aware of my own skills Milady, I'm not a military man." Petrov hacked a few times and gestured at himself with a weak smile as if to say 'see this is what I mean'. "It's a relief to leave the decisions to someone else for a change."

A s.h.i.+ver pa.s.sed through the guard Commander and he reached into his pocket to consume a medicinal powder he always kept nearby. The tremors pa.s.sed, and he pointed to the pier where two Knights were making their way to the galleon a squad of mixed women-at-arms and guards trailing behind.

The customs official and merchants who were happily chatting were caught off guard by the newcomers and even from this distance Elya could make out the suspicion that pa.s.sed through everyone on the pier. Alexis chuckled in delight at the exchange occurring on the docks.

"It's Linea! Old sour face is perfect for this. She's already got those Vezani worked up." She pa.s.sed the looking gla.s.s to Elya. "Have a look for yourself, I can almost see steam coming from that young frilly merchant."

Two merchants, one old and one young, were arguing with the Knight while a dozen Fanti da Mar stood behind them in an arc. Without a doubt Linea knew how to rile someone up, the young merchant was almost frothing at the mouth, his slightly tanned skin flushed a deep red in a rage. Even the disciplined Vezani marines, the great Fanti da Mar, had hands twitching towards their weapons.

"I think they've suffered enough Milady." Petrov squinted at the galleon, studying something only he could see. "While I may not be an expert but I would recommend that you should take extra care Milady. I have a feeling there are more soldiers on that vessel than we a.s.sumed."

Elya didn't dismiss the Commander's instincts. There was no harm in taking precautions.

Fixing the clasp on her cloak Elya led Alexis to the brewing argument.

"What seems to be the problem here sergeant?" Alexis had donned her war helmet and the booming voice she cultivated coupled with the impression she cast made the young merchant stutter and trail off for a moment.

"This woman claims we have done something wrong and wants to search our s.h.i.+p." He declared arrogantly, stomping his foot against the pier in fury.

"Is this true sergeant?" Alexis hissed out, fixing the Knight with a glare.

"Reporting to the Vice-Captain." Linea saluted by banging her breastplate before explaining. "As per standard procedure we wished to conduct an inspection of the vessel but were interrupted by the merchant."

"Who searches a Condotti vessel?" the young man sported a dumbstruck expression. It seemed he really believed that his s.h.i.+p would be above the law just because of his pedigree.

"It's a requirement in these troubled times." Alexis stared him down, pus.h.i.+ng him further with a quick comment. "Now that you're Imperial va.s.sals, it is your responsibility to comply with Imperial forces."

The young man sputtered in anger. No one wanted to hear how they lost their freedom after all.

"Fine. Here." The man waved one of the Fanti da Mar over and displayed a tattered old doc.u.ment. "In the name of the Son of Heaven, this writ exempts me from any and all inspections at Imperial ports." He looked disgruntled that he'd displayed the writ but had lost interest in them knowing they couldn't respond to the Court's writ. Elya smiled in appreciation, trying hard to make it look realistic. She'd never been able to smile on cue, much to the dismay of her mother but all the practice she'd done seemed to be working as the young merchant's arrogant smirk slipped from his face.

"It is wonderful that you are such dutiful va.s.sals." That got a frown from the older merchant. "However there have been many attempts on the Count's life and we are improving security. I'm sure such exemplary citizens such as yourselves would be willing to a.s.sist in our endeavours."

The young man was about to lash out but the other merchant placed a hand on his shoulder, silently shaking his head. If they declined, it would be an insult to Nikolai Morales, and while an Imperial writ carried weight, it couldn't compare to a man who directly served the Son of Heaven. The young man looked like the type to cause trouble at every turn with his arrogance and so the older merchant stepped forward to take over the conversation.

"While I understand the tensions you must face Milady. We Condotti pride ourselves on our honesty and integrity so there's no need to inspect us."

"I dislike subterfuge Master…?"

"Antonio Condotti, third Elder of the Condotti Family."

"Well Master Condotti, if you choose to hide your cargo I will be forced to resort to tougher measures." Gently retrieving a small scroll from her armour Elya unrolled it, letting light flash off the golden letters which represented the Emperors direct words. This was an Imperial decree Nikolai foisted off on her, giving her broad powers to act as she saw fit. Antonio's face fell at the sight of the scroll. He knew what this meant. In the face of the Emperor's words all he was able to do was bow. "So please lead the way Master." Elya waved at the gangplank.

"I can't allow you to enter this vessel Milady." The marines unsheathed their weapons and faced her. Her Knights followed suit, prepared for combat.

Elya slowly drew her own blade, letting it slide across the sheath and release a shrieking sound as it was pulled free. This would be bad for the sword but it served to create a strong impression. Her enemies winced at the sound and trembled in the face of a Dragonslayer. She pointed up towards the deck once more and squinted at the merchants, letting the full force of her aura burst out and overwhelm her enemies.

"I'm afraid I'll have to insist." She whispered.