"This way, please." The man leads Marie and her guardsmen into an opulent sitting room ringed with thick drapes. "You may wait here," he says, and exits the way they came.
Kess does not sit, nor order his guardsmen to do so. The guardsmen stand crowded and nervous between fronds of delicate lace. Their heavy boots leave tracks on the plush carpet. When a pair of doors at the far end of the room are pulled open Kess nearly draws his lasrifle.
"At ease, Captain," whispers Marie.
The servant pulls in a breath and proclaims, "Presenting the Lady Magdalena Marburg." He steps to one side, and the lady of the house shows herself. She is very pale, and her eyelids hang sleepily open. Nevertheless, her hair has been immaculately coifed, and she presents herself with perfect poise.
"Princess Marie Naivetus Sigusmundus." Lady Magdalena draws out the sides of her gown as she speaks. "Welcome to Fossa."
"Lady Marburg. Thank you for accommodating us."
The lady of the house beckons with one upturned hand toward an overstuffed couch. "Please."
Granville has returned bearing a tray with hot tea and a fluted silver pipe. The Lady Marburg holds the pipe daintily. "Fresh kyxa?"
"No, thank you." Marie holds her cup close and looks at it for a moment while Lady Magdalena inhales.
"Thank you, Granville," she says with an exhalation as the bald man withdraws his microtorch. Lady Magdalena looks through the thin haze at Marie. "I couldn't risk having a transmission intercepted by Stanislaus Grenz."
Marie blows gently on the surface of her tea. "I'm not familiar."
"He calls himself the Lord of Multa, but he was once my brother's business partner." Marie takes a delicate sip. Lady Magdalena continues. "My brother was murdered for the knowledge I am about to give. There is a dead man's switch placed in each of the cruisers of Stanislaus's fleet. They can only be terminated from his palace on Multa. He would see his own fleet scuttled before falling into another's hands."
"You seem to know a great deal," offers Marie.
"I know there are two battleships being rebuilt in the shipyard above Beatrix." Lady Magdalena exhales another wisp and sees the princess's reaction. "Yes, battleships. They are not intended for your fleet, Princess Sigismundus."
Marie places her teacup and dish on the low table in front of them. "You have given me much, Lady Marburg."
The lady of the house draws on her silver pipe again. "I will help you in your crusade," she exhales, "if you will name me Shipmaster of Fossa, the title once held by my family."
"Such a thing is within my power, but my fleet is... elsewhere."
>Remain above Fossa and pray for the safe arrival of your fleet
>Leave word for your fleet and travel toward Feltrov
>Leave word for your fleet and travel back toward Multa
>Write-in
