We've lost it (Closed, Med Tech)

[The New British Shores]

Out at sea, about twelve miles of Dersons Eastern coast, a Derson-flagged merchent ship was stuck in a storm. And it wasn't alone, alongside was a Pirate-flagged ship that had boarded the merchent ship. There was something different though about this merchent ship. On the deck were the bodies of uniformed soldiers of Dersons Infantry corps. The Pirates also seemed to be extremly proficiant, although this could come from many years of piracy. The Pirates appeared to be carrying something, quite large that took four of them to carry it. They carried it across the gangplank onto their ship. THe pirates disengaged their ship from the merchent ship and fired a forward mounted ballista at the ships hull, which promptly began to sank. As the Pirate ships disappeared into the storm, one man was still alive on the ship. He looked around urgently, before he quickly stripped off his mail, leaving him in just the under shirt. He made sure his sword was still attached to him before jumping of the boat and swimming as closely as he could make it, to the shore.

A Beach, twenty miles south of the Port City of Pallenca

Two fourteen-year-old boys ran along the beach. Each had a short peice of wood in their hands, a rough approximation of a sword, both of them intending to join the Infantry corps in a few months when they came of age. As they ran they slashed at each other laughing and joking. One of the boys suddenly stopped and lowered his sword as he looked over his freinds shouldor, earning him a hit across the face from his freinds swords. His freind began to tease him before he was able to point at what he had seen. Lying in the sand, just above the waterline was a man. The two boys ran over and looked at him. One of the boys rolled the man over onto his back. They gasped as they saw the symbol on the shirt that the man was wearing. They both recognised it as the Symbol of the kingdom, making this man a soldier of the Military. Not knowing what else to do they tried to wake him up. After a few minutes of proding the man he began to stir. He woke to a suprised pair of boys who helped him to his feet. They told him that they were from a villige, not far away. He nodded and told them to take him there.

Lockley Village, Eighteen miles south of Pallenca

The three of them stumbled into the village. The villege folk all gathered round and they wanted the man to rest. However, after drinking a quantity of water the Soldier insisted on going to Minas Logos. And, as there wasn't a garrison in the villige, the boys insisted on going with him to make sure he didn't collapse. The soldier smiled at this enthusiasm and three horses were found. A few hours after he had arrivved, they soldier and the two boys rode out of the village. It would take the best part of a day and a half to ride to Logos. But it did give the boys time to get alot of stories off the Soldier as they rode.

Minas Logos, 'The best part of a Day and a half' later

The three of them rode into Minas Logos. The soldier converesed urgently with the gate guards who nodded and let them ride on. The soldier managed to get the boys permission to follow him up the city, until eventually they reached the citadel. The boys looked around, they had never been to the Capital before, and certainly hadn't been to the citadel. One of the boys was looking up at the tower, walking backwards to try to be able to see the summit of the mountain behind when he bumped into someone. Turning the boy paled, he had just bumped into King Ellesser. As he had been taught he bowed to the king, and began to stutter an apology but Ellesser stopped him. Ellesser was smileing.
"Don't worry Young one" he said "But what are you doing on the citadel?"
"My brother and i, we found this soldier on the beach" The boy said "He said that he had something important, and that he needed to speak to you, sir"
Ellesser smiled and nodded.
"What's your name young one?" He asked.
"Luke, and my brother is Tom" Luke replied.
"Thank you for finding the soldier" Ellesser replied "Captain Thorn will show you around the city if you'd like?"
Captain Thorn was stood nearby, smiling, it still amazed him sometimes how easily the king talked to the town folk, and children. It had been some time since he'd given a tour, and whilst he knew that some Captains, like Acia, would be insulted to be told to give a tour to a couple of teens, Thorn relished the task. He walked over as the boy nodded and led them away to begin the tour.

Ellesser then went over to the Soldier.
"What tidings?" He asked.
"The worst my lord" The Solder replied as one of the Tower guards gave him a drink "It's the Vantage, she was attacked by Pirates, the Package, has been stolen!"
Ellesser frowned and gestrued towards the tower.

[The New British Shores]

BUMP

[Terror Incognitia]

It wasn't technically pirates. Technicalities could be a life-saver in this business.
Werbergh Redeland held a letter of marque from the King, so he did, licencing him to "seek out and bring to justice pirates of all kinds on the Eastern Seas".
Men on shore spoke of the difference between a poacher and a gamekeeper. Werbergh well knew, that was a line which could be crossed in either direction. The most realistic distinction was that a gamekeeper kept poachers from his master's game. What he did to other mens' game was another question entirely.
In plain, Werbergh Redeland, his ship the Cleanser, and his crew of hardened sailors and warriors, would attack and loot any ship but an Incognitian trader. They had a preference for pirate ships, which tended to have more valuables, but they really weren't that picky.
They only left the Incognitian ships alone because that preserved the fiction that Werbergh was a charitable man, destroying pirate ships at his own expense...and that kept his head on his shoulders.

He wasn't sure what it was that they'd taken off their latest victim in the storm last night. It was large, and heavy, and the enemy had defended it with vigour.
That had been a shock. It was an average merchant scow as they hunted it down. It had frankly looked so uninteresting that when the storm had begun to rise Werbergh had been tempted to call off the chase. Then they'd spotted two men in mail - guards for something valuable, surely.
Then they had boarded, and been attacked by an unexpectedly large number of armed soldiers.
His men had won out - they were more numerous, and more used to fighting at sea. They had taken higher losses than was usual however...
He would need to replace his dead, and put the wounded ashore.
He would also need to have a look in this chest, and possibly sell it.
That meant making for port, and so he had set course for Alnwick, his usual port, a large one near the Southeastern corner of Incognitia.

OOC: What is in the box, and how do you want to play this? We can fight about it at sea, though it seems unlikely that you'd catch the ship it's now in, or you can get word that it's in Alnwick and roll from there.

[The New British Shores]

OOC: Second one sounds better, so shall I just post that a Messenger has picked up a lead ect. Also in the box is the First Crown of Derson. So it's both Very vaulable (As it's made of gold, and has several diamonds in it) but it's also very important Artifact.

[Terror Incognitia]

OOC: Ok, sounds good.

IC: Having opened the box, Werbergh was stunned. This explained the soldiers...a crown. This raised valid questions as to why you would be transporting a crown on a single, unescorted ship, but such issues didn't bother him personally.
He was a man of the moment, and in this moment his primary concern was how he could sell a crown and what he'd get for it.

The remainder of the journey back to Alnwick had been mostly uneventful. They'd had a very emotional funeral when one of the best-loved crewmen died of his wounds. His share of this voyage would have to go to his widow, for all that - as a pretty young lass in Alnwick - she'd likely be remarried within months.

Alnwick was a fairly major port for the south coast. It was also a border town, defended by a sizeable castle. This made it ideal for Werbergh's purposes - as he was accepted by the authorities the fortifications protected him from enemies and jealous rivals, and the bustling trade gave him a sizeable market for his usual hauls.
This one was a little different. He'd been sorely tempted to melt it down for scrap, but they'd lose 9/10s the value. Problem was, the King wouldn't look kindly on anyone else having a crown in his kingdom. Anyone with enough money to buy the damn thing would be at risk of being seen as challenging for the REAL crown, the Ship Crown, which sat on King Neil's head in Nescia.
So, this crown would have to go to the King.
But you didn't just walk up to the King and sell him a crown. When he wanted one he would order it made. No, it would have to be a gift. After all a King must be seen to be generous, so to a man who out of loyalty gave the King something incredibly valuable, great gifts must be given.
That man could then share his good fortune with his loyal crew-members and return to normal business.

First, to Nescia. He left some of his crewmen to look after the ship, make sure she refitted properly while he was gone. The rest came as protection on the journey; the roads were pretty safe these days, but even honest men would get tempted if they sniffed what he was carrying.

It took a few days to gain audience in Nescia. He could have gone faster if he'd handed it off to some Earl or other, but then the bugger would want a cut.
The Groom of the Stool was suitably convinced that Werbergh had a gift fit for a King, or in other words bribed, and then an audience was granted for the following morning.

___
Next morning, even Werbergh felt a little intimidated. The Audience Chamber was not especially large - it had an aisle down the centre, along which five men could march abreast, and with space to either side permitting perhaps one hundred men to mingle while all having sight of the Throne on the dais.
The architecture was in light coloured marble, a simple arched vault with large windows. The most interesting detail was that, thanks to the under-floor heating and cunning placement of lamps, the ceiling was not blackened with soot. Subtle gold-leafing stood out here and there.
The very FLOOR was clean tiles - no rushes here, nor dirt. And the people. One heard tales that Earls at court washed every week, some even every day, and looking at them surreptitiously as he passed Werbergh could believe it.
At the far end, on a low dais, flanked by two very efficient looking halberdiers, was the throne itself. A beautiful construction of solid dark oak, it was carved such that the occupant's hands rested on the heads of two sitting dragons, with the wings of another framing his head.
Werbergh knelt before his King, keeping his head raised, as was customary.
"Werbergh Redeland approaches your Grace with a gift won by force of arms from pirates on the Eastern Sea."
"Rise, Werbergh. How did you come upon this gift?"
"Your Grace, we came upon a ship which seemed suspicious. We announced ourselves and asked them what their business was, and they refused to answer. We then sighted mailed men on board. In accordance with the Letter of Marque I hold from you, I ordered them to heave to and submit to inspection. They again refused, so we overhauled and took them in bitter fighting. The ship sank, and we came off with this item which they must have stolen from a previous victim."

Neil took a moment to consider this story. It sounded a little implausible, but the entire system of Letters of Marque was a legal fiction covering piracy in any case.
"I congratulate you on your successful prosecution of your Royal Commission, Captain. Now, what is this item you bring me?"
Werbergh gestured to the men folloming him, who manhandled the box forwards before removing the lid.
Werbergh lifted out the crown, turned back to his King and knelt before him.
"Your Grace, this is what we seized from the pirates."

A ripple ran through the chamber, as bored Earls seeing some minor figure attempt to curry favour caught sight of an item worth a King's ransom.
It lacked the strong and simple beauty of the Ship Crown itself, perhaps. But it contained a deal more gold, and much more value in gems, than that crown.
"Werbergh Redeland, it seems the pirates of the Eastern Sea are a deal richer than had been thought."
A loyal laugh echoed this royal sally. It gave Neil a moment to think.
"I accept your noble gift, Werbergh Redeland, on behalf of my eldest son Oscar. My lords, ladies, you see before you the crown of the Prince of the Sea."

OOC: So, you want it back, right?

[The New British Shores]

OOC: Yea, and if it can't be gotten back by force, a 'amount' of money will be considered.

Minas Logos

Ellesser looked out from the spur. He knew the damage that the loss of the First Crown would cause. He had wanted the ship to be escorted, but the majority of the Navy were on assignment at the time, and non could be spared. Now however they had all been recalled and were sitting in port ready to sail to where ever the crown should surface. As it was Ellesser was about to find out. He had dispatched agents to all the various nations both on land and over the seas to find out.

One agent had heard that the captain of a ship that had recently arrived it the port of the country was in, had mysterously gotten a audiance with the nations leader. It also happened that The Groom of the Stool would be extremly rich as after a bit of persuasion, and gold had changed hands, the Agent had found out the crowns location. Of course he could do nothing but he charted a merchent ship back to the mainland and now stood before Ellesser.

Ellesser turned, his eyes aflame, not only had the crown been stolen but it was in the hands of a foreign king. This would not stand. He summonded before him Admiral Peeit. He ordered him to visit the nation and recover the crown. He would be given the entire 1st Fleet for this assignment, a sizeable portion of the Kingdoms Navy.

So it was that the next day RNS Scimiter left the sheltered bay at the head of a fleet. The Fleet would remain over the horizon from the land, and appear to be doing something else but there would be a ship in between that would send messages should the troops be needed.

Traveling Time

With the Fleet out of sight, the Scimiter sailed into harbour. The Derson flag at the mainmast. Admira Peeit waited for the ship to dock and for someone to come and find out why a armed warship was sat in their port.

[Terror Incognitia]

Of course word had spread of the foreign ships of war. In time of peace the Navy didn't patrol so much as show the flag occasionally, but in waters as well travelled as those around Nescia a sizeable number of warships doesn't go un-noticed.
There were three military forces in the capital. The Militia of the Port controlled the harbour forts and were commanded by the Harbourmaster. The Militia of the City controlled the city walls, and were commanded by the Mayor. The Royal Guard controlled the castle, and clearly answered only to the King.
The Harbourmaster called out his militia as soon as he was informed of strange warships approaching; he had a messenger sent to the Mayor, who also began raising the City Militia, and a second messenger went to the castle.

So it was that, by the time the Scimitar had been guided to a mooring by the lightermen, there was a guard formed up, led by the Harbourmaster himself, observed by an Alderman and a Privy Councillor.
He called to the ship;
"What is the meaning of this? If you have brought a fleet of invasion I promise you will have a hot reception!"

OOC: Oh, I assumed your fleet came straight to my capital, to shortcut the travelling time one way and the other.

[The New British Shores]

"Relax my friend" Peeit called as his ship anchored "The fleet you speak of is searching for Pirates, my ship is here to enquire about supplies, I also bring a message on behalf of King Ellesser of Derson, I need to speak to someone in authority"
This was partially true, the Fleet's cover story was in fact that they were loooking for pirates, and they had indeed found some and destroyed a few ships. It was felt that they may as well do some good whilst a large collection of warships was assembled.

[Terror Incognitia]

For all that he was an experienced politician, you could see the relief on the Harbourmaster's face. Men lied, of course, but few men lied when their own life was at risk if they were found out.

"Of course. If you want supplies then you are in the right place - few indeed are the goods not to be found in abundance in Nescia, available to all who come with good coin. If you are looking to sell, I am afraid I will have to require an excise inspection to go over your manifest, but if you're only buying that requirement can be waived.
Just send your purser or someone similar down to me."

He stepped back because, with royal messages, the rest of the man's request was for someone else to deal with.
Earl Sutton, the Privy Councillor detailed to go down to the docks, stepped forward.
"I am Earl Sutton, Privy Councillor to His Grace King Neil. If you have business of state you can speak with me. If your message is specifically for His Grace the King, I can take you and an appropriately small escort to the palace, where an audience might be arranged."
The Earl called over a messenger boy, spoke to him, handed over a coin and then sent him on his way. The boy darted off towards the palace.
Meanwhile, the crowd began dispersing. The militia commander dismissed his men as it appeared they would not be needed, and only the handful of Royal Guardsmen who had accompanied Earl Sutton from the Palace stood fast, waiting to march back.

[The New British Shores]

Peeit nodded.
"At this time we are only hear to purchase, but in the future you can expect for Dercon Merchents to come this way" He said "As for my matter, I will tell you the message, and you can decide how best to take the information"
Peeit paused as his crew finished up the procedure.
"May I come down to the dockside?" He asked.

[Terror Incognitia]

OOC: I assumed you would have done already, heh. Basically you get a fair bit of leeway to move around and do stuff...we're not in a battle, so anything an armed guard wouldn't stop you doing before you tried just assume you did it and describe it happening. In this case most of the soldiers have been dismissed, and the guy in charge of the rest just said "Either talk to me or I can escort you to the palace"...so anything that gets you either talking to him or ready to go to the palace will be okay.
Anyway, moving on...

IC: The Earl didn't want a message important enough to bring a warship to harbour spread everywhere, so he waited until Peeit had approached to ask him what the message he carried was.

[The New British Shores]

Peeit jumped down onto the dockside. Meanwhile the Gangplank was being lowered. Peeit was attired in the Standard Navy dress. A Standard mail uniform, a sword on his belt. He walked towards the earl until he could be heard if he spoke softly.
"The Matter is of some delicacy" Peeit said "Several weeks ago, a Derson ship carrying a item of some value was high jacked, by one means or another the Kingdom has learnt that in some way, the Item has arrived on your shores, My lord instructed me to search for it seeing as my task group was in the area already"

[Terror Incognitia]

"How interesting. While I can assure you that loyal Incognitians would not engage in piracy, it is always hard to tell the provenance of items which land up on our shores...
In any case, I am sure we will be willing to assist you in tracking down your loss. What is this Item - after all I cannot assist you if I know not for what I am searching?"

"Meanwhile, can I suggest that you accompany me to the Palace? We can offer you a little hospitality and comfort while we attempt to assist you. In addition I can much more easily gain aid from others once I am there, and everything can be done both more swiftly and in more comfort."

[The New British Shores]

"I would not begin to blame your people of this crime, not without proof" Peeit said "As for the Item, as I said it's delicate, it is a important artifact for Derson it represents our entire Kingdom, it's the crown of the First King"
Peeit paused
"Of course, how many of my people can I take a security detail?" He asked

[Terror Incognitia]

"Ah. That is, indeed, quite a sensitive matter."
He couldn't help but be a little concerned. Earl Sutton was experienced at court, so none of this concern showed on his face, but he was worried about the diplomatic consequences of this one.
"Could you - ah - describe the Crown in question? I may have heard tell of it, if it has turned up in htese parts."
"And I don't know, something reasonable. We of course guarantee your safety, but you might feel better with some of your own men nearby...say six, or eight?"

[The New British Shores]

Peeit nodded and briefly described the crown as Two Citadel guards and four Infantry corps soldiers joined him on the dockside. Peeit knew that this might prove to be a very difficult assignment, and that he would need to be delicate about how he handled it, lest the crown be lost for ever.

[Terror Incognitia]

The Derconian party under Peeit had been shown through Nescia to the Palace. If they'd been impressed with the solid stone buildings and cobbled streets, they hadn't shown it.
They might have noticed a somewhat lesser smell than they were used to - Nescia had a functional sewer system - though if anything the streets were busier than in other cities, and the Royal Guardsmen had struggled to clear a path for them.
On reaching the Palace itself, the main entrance visibly guarded by only two Royal Guards and two City Militia, the Earl had shown Peeit to one of the better guest apartments. It was comfortably furnished, had underfloor heating in winter, and had an annex just by the entrance where the guards could be unobtrusive yet still close to their charge.
He then left Peeit there, and went to 'begin making some inquiries'. By which he meant meet with the King himself to discuss the problem.

<A little later, in the Privy Chambers>
"So I have, through one means or another, been presented with a priceless heirloom of the Derconian royal house, and given it to my son?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"I wonder if it was actually stolen by that Werbergh fellow. His story did seem dubious."
The King was seated in his favourite comfortable chair, sipping gently from a goblet of wine. Around him, also seated, were Earl Sutton, and two other Privy Councillors, Earls Ubegone and Wray. Having considered Werbergh Redeland's dubious tale for a moment, Wray was next to speak.
"The question which occurs to me, Your Grace, is whether the Derconians will be able to believe the theft was not planned and commissioned here, since the crown ended up here."
"That does cause a difficulty" Neil mused. "There is also the matter of my own prestige to consider. I have very publicly gifted the crown to my son. I cannot strip it from him now!"
"Perhaps, Your Grace, your son should be consulted then." Ubegone spoke for the first time.
"Ubegone, he's a hothead of thirteen summers. He manages well enough at court, but in delicate diplomacy with a foreign power?"
"Your Grace, I meant perhaps he could be useful at court. Have him sitting at your side, wearing the crown, when you grant audience to this Peeit." Ubegone smiled slyly. He was known as a master of court manouevering, and not without reason. As the others followed his line of reasoning, they slowly nodded.
"Very well, Ubegone. They will be invited into my presence this afternoon. Sutton can handle that, I feel. You will track down my son and make sure he is suitably attired, and that the Audience Chamber is set up. Wray, stay here. I want to talk to you about the fleet our dear Peeit brought with him."

...

And so Peeit followed in the footsteps of many men before him, into the Audience Chamber. The vaulted ceiling was aglow with light, and the courtiers made a bold show with their finery. At the far end Neil was enthroned, the simple Ship Crown on his head. To his right, in a smaller throne, sat his eldest son Oscar; a fit-looking boy of thirteen, Oscar's brow bore the First Crown of Dercon, though he himself knew it not.
The Herald announced "Admiral Peeit, emissary of King Ellesser of Dercon."
King Neil waited, to see how Peeit would react.

OOC: The Ship Crown looks kinda like this - Naval Crown

[The New British Shores]

Peeit saw the crown th moment he entered the hall. If this were any other person than an apparent relative of a foreign king, Peeit would hae been required, by His Kings orders to take it by forc. Now however it was much more complicated. Peeit resptfully bowed to th King.
"Your Majisty, I bring Greetings from King Ellesser" Peeit said "I also bring a delicate subject to your attention, especailly delicate with what i have just beheld"
Peeit paused.
"Recntly a Derson ship was transporting an important artifact along our Coast, halfway throught he journy it was attacked by pirates" Peeit continued "The Pirates stole the Artifact, Derson Agetns have traced the artifact to your shores, and King Ellesser sent me to get the item back"
Peeit paused again, considering his next words.
"It is a great surprise to me to see that the item, The First Crown Of Derson know sits upon your princes head" Peeit continued "I am suprised that you would permit pirates to make port in your kingdom, much less receive stolen property from a pirate
Peeit paused for th last time, as he took a breath before saying the last part, which if he wasn't a messenger would likely have proven his last.
"Is it your intention to Insult Derson and it's King or are you merely ignorant to the items identity?"

[Terror Incognitia]

"Admiral Peeit, is it the custom in your country to insult your hosts? I have welcomed you into my home, and you accuse me of being either stupid or a thief."
King Neil was not angry, and there was little heat in his words. Nonetheless, he was clearly not impressed.
"My kingdom includes many busy seaports. Every one of them harbours pirates occasionally, I am certain. Any port that actually lives will see pirates now and then, and they can be very similar to legitimate traders.
The crown on my son's head was a gift from a reputable gentleman, commissioned to protect our Eastern shore from piracy. He informed me that he won the crown from pirates.
I have no reason to doubt the word of a gentleman in my service. If your people have lost something valuable to pirates, and a man in my service has then taken it, why should I give it to you?
If I sent a pay-chest to my army under inadequate guard, bandits robbed it, and then your soldiers killed the bandits, I would not demand my gold from you. The failing would be mine.
If you really feel this crown is essential to you, perhaps you should adopt a less high-handed tone. It is securely seated on my son's head, I bear no guilt regarding how it was acquired, and I owe your king nothing."

[The New British Shores]

Peeit paused as he considered his options.
"May I speak to this 'Reputable man'?" HE requested "Surely if you beleive his story there would be no harm in me questioning him"
Peeit paused again.
"Of course it would be unfortunate if he were lying" Peeit continued "WHich would mean that you have taken a stolen artifact of a Pirate, one of great Value to Derson"