Inheritance: Scales of Change

Chapter Twenty One - The Blockade

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    You stood at the helm, anxiety and rage seething as you approached the Calormen blockade. Lailin and the Lust sailed in pace with you. You hoped that bringing your largest ship out would not only offer protection in case of an attack, but would also serve as a deterrent. If Calormen saw what they could be up against they might turn away.
    A smaller ship broke away from their formation, and approached you. Clearly they were not concerned with their ship being attacked, as you could see from the spyglass they barely had fifty men aboard this vessel. You signaled to Lailin to allow their ship to approach, and it came to a stop right in between the Shade and the Lust.
    Your father took the helm so you and Caspian could go down to the bottom deck. As you stood against the portside railing, you saw Lailin opposite of you against his starboard railing, archers lined up on either side of him at the ready.
    "You have no business in our waters. This show of hostility will not be tolerated. We demand you return to your country at once or we will be forced to retaliate." Caspian's voice boomed threateningly over the water, sending a shiver up your spine at the palpable anger. The few times you witnessed him demonstrating his authority you were reminded of the power he held, and how easily he could wield it.
    A man in the traditional white robes of their soldiers stepped out from the crowd of men on the ship. He wore a defiant expression, and a hint of malice in his eye. "The General sends his regards, Sire." The man spoke as he unrolled a parchment out in front of him and began to read:
    "King Caspian of Narnia. You have taken advantage of my and my country's hospitality which was offered to you even under your unjustified infiltration. The theft of my and Lord Ishsta's property, the destruction of my men, damage to my fortress, and invasion of our capital city, and my kidnapping are each offenses punishable by death. Even so, our honorable Tisroc, may he live forever, has offered his mercy.
    "He requests the return of the stolen property, and that you relinquish control of the Lone Islands in exchange for a treaty of peace between our lands. I will agree to not pursue any further reparations for the damage, and to allow you and your men a fortnight to evacuate from the islands. I sincerely hope you agree to these terms peacefully. General Vorsud of the Calormen Empire." He rolled the parchment back up with an unwarranted air of entitlement, seemingly completely unphased by the line of archers at his back.
"Bullshit!" You yelled out over the railing, but Caspian placed his hand calmly on your shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
    "You may inform your General that we will not be surrendering anything to him or your Emperor. The property he claims we have stolen was wrongfully taken from lands that were under Narnian control, and furthermore, your hostile presence on my islands is an act of war. If your General does not wish to incite a battle he will recall his ships immediately."
    The man's eyes glowered, he clearly expected Caspian to bow to their will. "So be it." He threatened, and signaled his ship to reverse.
Caspian signaled Lailin to hold his fire, and allowed their ship to retreat back to their line.
    "The fucking audacity..." you turned back to Caspian. "Return their property?" Just when you thought you forgot your hatred for the General, he did something to blatantly remind you of how evil he was. "He goes around stealing human beings from other countries, and then has the balls to threaten us into returning them?"
"I didn't expect surrender but I admit that boldness surprised me a bit." Caspian's eyes didn't leave the Calormene ship until it was way out of range.
You scanned the blockade. "None of the ships are identifiable as higher ranking. How do we know which is their flagship?"
    "I expect it's going to be on the inside circle, closest to the island." Caspian pulled out his spyglass and looked through it. "But they're not about to make it easy for us to pick it out."
"I want Lailin to stay in front, archers at the ready." You took the spyglass as Caspian handed it to you. "We need a barrier between us and them."
"I agree." Caspian signaled Lailin and the Lust turned, its broadside now facing the blockade.
"Let's get back to the fleet." You suggested before returning to the helm.

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"Absolutely not." Caspian leaned against the table in your quarters on both hands.
"Yea I'm not liking that plan either." Raxe shook his head.
"It's the most obvious way to get him to agree to meet with us." You insisted. "I ran away. Technically, he does still own me."
"No one owns you." Caspian scowled. "Especially him."
"I traded myself to him for your freedom, that makes me his property in their country. If you act like you're willing to return me, maybe he'll leave."
"Your father won't go for this either." Raxe sighed. "After what he did to your mother."
"It's not his call." You folded your arms. "I'm the Commodore."
"I regret ever giving you that position." Caspian stared at you, defiance turning to fear. "I can't risk losing you to him again."
"I have no intention of actually becoming a prisoner again." You spoke softly to him. "It's just to get him alone."
Caspian looked down at the table. "Fine, but I'm not leaving your side."
You shook your head. "You need to be kept in a safe place, away from the negotiations. You're the King."
    "And you're my future Queen." He responded flatly, catching you off guard. His future Queen. The words sounded unreal. You were going to be the future queen of Narnia...if you survived this...
Raxe turned to you, then to him. "He asked you?"
You showed him the ring. "Just before we came upon the blockade. It's beautiful by the way, thanks."
"The design was all him." Raxe motioned to Caspian, "I just did the work. Congrats you guys."
    "We can celebrate after." You turned your attention back to the plan. "Once he agrees to take me, and I'm aboard his ship, I'll do whatever I need to convince him to leave the Lone Islands.
    "You will offer him nothing. Do you understand?" Caspian stood straight and took a step towards you, his body inches from yours. "This is strictly for show. You are not to use your body for negotiation ever again."
    You looked up into his pleading yet demanding eyes, and took his hands. "I meant more like threats or sabotage, but I appreciate the command nonetheless." You smiled.
"I will be by your side during the negotiations" He said firmly. "That's my final word. I'm never leaving you alone with that man ever again."