[Portshire's Harbor] Memoriana Brightening [Arrival from Aelyria Prime]

[Milo L'Evienne]

The Fifteenth Brightening of Imperos, Autumn of Era XIV

Early on Memoriana Brightening, the sizeable Imperial Yacht, this was indeed no mere dinghy, slipped into Portshire’s Harbor accompanied by its armed flotilla of escort ships. All flew the expected Naval and Imperial standards high atop their masts, and then amidst pre-arranged security measures on land and the unavoidable fanfare, docked themselves accordingly.

While Milo ordinarily would have preferred a much more understated approach, the historic nature of the brightening demanded otherwise, and in truth on any given brightening it was quite the insurmountable task to create an air of subtlety around the arrival of what amounted to a small armada and the disembarking of dozens of uniformed men and women, who made up an inescapable security detail both of the Regent and lady Vicegerent, and this brightening, added the security details of varied other, and notable officials on board both the Imperial yacht and its escort vessels.

Nonetheless, under the watchful eye of Sir James, senior Knight of the OBR and in cooperation with his security counterparts, the assembly from Aelyria Prime was finally ready to disembark.

The Regent was on board along with both spouse and official, the lady Vicegerent Nell du’Galle and as for their own escort, they’d brought with them for ceremony eight Knights of the Black Rose resplendent in their black armor and livery of black, scarlet and gold, a detail of ten well turned out men and women of the Empress’ Own, two journeyman, staff toting sorcerers in their black robes…one of them stubbornly sporting a raspberry beret under threat of removal by Imperial sword point, two personal guards and one of the Regent's personal aides.

Secrets : …there’ll be more hopping in to announce their arrival, permission previously granted by Nell du’Galle to NPC her involvement when such situations arise and will do until she returns to hop in on her own behalf. =o)

[Alexis Sapientia]

Though it may have seemed impertinent, Alexis Sapientia was of the decided opinion that it was a good thing that the Imperial Yacht didn't sink. There was good reason for this, of course...first was that it would not bode well were the premier vessel of the Empire to founder while docked across the single-largest naval installation in Historia (if the bard's writings were to be believed), save that of Solace Isle and the Imperial Shipyards located therein; and second, because it carried quite the lot of dignitaries this brightening.

The Imperial Regent and Imperial Vicegerent, of course. Himself, the Imperial Minister of War, and his wife, the Governor of the Principality of Prime and concurrent Thane of the Imperial City of Aelyria Prime, plus the usual gaggle of soldiers, sailors, and marines.

So many, in fact, that a good portion of the uniformed senior staff had to embark aboard Sovereign of the Seas and the other gathered frigates. Portshire was close to the Imperial City, this was true, but the current political situation and the significance of this particular brightening made them a ripe target, much to the worry of many a Roseman and bearer of the Imperial Swords and Shields.

"It's a great brightening to take to sea, indeed."

At the moment, Alexis was in his dress whites, a welcome change from his usual somber all-black attire, the wind blowing in his face, and messing up his blonde-brown locks. This was a Navy event, after all, and while his subordinates in the Legions did have quite the wonderfully-colored uniforms, the sea and her sailors would be paramount in place, today.

Clutching his ivory rod of office in his left hand, and gazing over the assembled party on shore, it was all he could to look around for Liselle, mainly in the hopes that he could pull her close and hold her tight and make her feel safe...at least for a little while.

[Liselle Vampyler Sapientia]

Liselle's voice could be heard quite easily from where Milo and Alexis stood…and unfortunately, they noted that it had taken on an all-to-familiar tone.

“ No Brennan. That’s just silly. I’m not wearing my elven chain mail -over- my dress. I‘m not going to have these people‘s first impression of their governor be one that looks like a war lord.”

Ah…that cleared up a few things. Liselle was arguing with her personal guard, Brennan Lorista….just about the most stubborn elf alive…about her protection….again. The problem with arguing with Brennan is that he was an elf…and a rather impassive one at that. He was good as his job because he didn’t allow Liselle to faze him in the least. He simply stood his ground until he got what he wanted.

In -this- case, however, he was going to have to negotiate.

“ Fine…ring mail under your bodice…that’s my last offer Liselle. I’m not going to have a repeat of the -last- time you went to an official function. You were lucky.”

That seemed to bring Liselle down a few notches…as she didn’t immediately fire back a response. Even though they couldn’t see her…her presence was well felt.

After a few moments, the Governor emerged from the stateroom she shared with her husband wearing a deep sapphire-hued dress and looking most uncomfortable. One couldn’t notice that she was wearing ring mail beneath the bodice but the look on her face spoke volumes. Normally pleasant, she had been in a testy mood lately. Too much work…not enough sleep….etc, etc. Truth be told, everything was just getting to her. The trip from Prime had been nice and relaxing, but now it was back to all the pomp and circumstance she hated.

Milo got the ‘privilege’ of being noticed first. Her anger with him was mostly diffused but she couldn’t help but send a few witty barbs his direction. The problem with Milo was…he actually just grinned when Liselle was her sarcastic self, leaving her to believe he was a very strange man.

“ Yes…let’s hope this trip doesn’t end up like that last little boat ride we went on together. Can’t we just sail off and go someplace that doesn’t have people to govern?”

Taking that moment to itch her side a bit, she noticed Alexis and beckoned him over, pointing at a spot in between her shoulder blades.

“ Scratch…right there. I hate this…I hate that I have to wear this because some idiot thought to take a shot at me.”

Brennan took that moment to intervene, arching his eyebrow at Liselle.

“ Wearing your sword I see? Do I even want to know how many daggers?“

Problem was….there was no sword or daggers in sight. There were some things that the boys just didn't need to know about.

OOC: Brennan and 20 of the Amethyst Guard of the Black Lions with Miss Liselle!

[Alexis Sapientia]

Port Constantine (as it was called then) had started out as nothing more but a coastal extension of Aelyria Prime, servicing it's shipborne traffic, and taking a good portion of the Imperial Capital's seaborne needs. It had been nothing more but a fairly small town, so small that it didn't even have walls, or a need to have any, at all.

It had survived the war for the Imperial Succession, a curious bloating disease, and a serious lack of government. Well, this was not entirely true, for it had been ruled by strong men since the beginning, starting with Lord Vance Hall, the eccentric retired Vice-Admiral, and then Commodore Lassiter, and his successors, almost entirely while the settlement was under some form of declared martial law.

Citizens, out of habit, had then started calling the place Portshire, and while it was still technically ruled by the Imperial Government (later delegated completely to the Imperial Navy), its residents had begun living there as if they had been living in any of the chartered cities as established in accordance with the Articles of Imperium.

A Tax Code had been promulgated, interestingly levying a land tax of 2 percent of assessed value of every citizen’s and merchant’s owned real property, as well as a sales tax of two crowns per item or service on all sales greater than ten crowns. Six percent of all profit was likewise taxed. While this had the wonderful result of bringing in money to the local coffers, this did not help change the fact that Portshire was essentially a Navy town, wholly dependent on the Imperial Navy for a good portion of its employment, trade, transport, and profit. It had been a symbiotic relationship, mutually beneficial to both. It seemed destined to continue in this particular way...

...until now.

As the old adage said, the only permanent concept was change.

Alexis Sapientia stood on the deck, tap-tapping his ivory rod of office behind his back as he regarded his wife, approaching her slowly and doing as was bidden. Caressing her cheek with his right cloth-gloved hand, so did he do his best to elicit a characteristic Liselle smile.

Before he could continue, so did he notice a few trumpeters from the Imperial Navy forming up, the wind picking up slightly, but not so much. At a command given by their ranking officer, they drew forth a melody that while strange, was decidedly familiar.

It was the Call of the Sovereign Monarch, given with six repetitions, announcing the presence of Their Most Imperial Excellencies, the Imperial Regent and Imperial Vicegerent.

That along with the accompanying cannon shot from the AFS Sovereign of the Seas would be sufficient notice to the people of Portshire that momentous events were about to take place.

"I wonder if the Thane of Portshire's around," wondered the Imperial Admiral to himself, taking in the sight and reveling in it, taking his wife by the waist, as he did so.

It wasn't every brightening that one made history, after all.

[Riconus Xind'ell]

When the mass formation of ships arrived in the docks of Portshire from Aelyria Prime, it was indeed Riconus Xind'ell that was there to meet them... well, it was Riconus, and a whole lot of friends.

Lining the Sovereign of the Seas were the ships of the Imperial Navy, whom had long been the very symbol of the city when it was called Port Constantine. The sailors of each ship wore their rarely used white suits, with blue bandanas hanging around their necks, while marines stood close by them in a red parade uniform similar to those in the Imperial Legions.

While the Imperial Navy claimed their territory on the water, the situation was quite different on land. Every wooden plank on the docks was covered by the boots of soldiers, standing vigil behind their thane and commander. By all accounts, from the light blue & dark blue bicolor tabard they all wore, it was indeed the Sapphire Guard that stood in wait for them, all standing at firm attention and prepared for inspection. They wore not a fancy parade uniform or dress attire, but rather, the armarments they wore on a regular basis. Their skull caps shined brightly from the suns, and their chainmail tunics were freshly washed of dirt and blood. While indeed, they perhaps did not look as clean as the sailors and marines, the contigent from Aelyria Prime would be hard-pressed to find a group of men more proud to be in their battle kit.

When the flagship had finally docked, Riconus was there to great their landing. He wore simple, loose trousers of brown leather, with the collar and sleeves of a green tunic seen underneath a decorative leather cuirass. "Greetings, my lords and ladies. Welcome to Portshire."

Their arrival was met with relative silence, as the docks had been cleared for the Imperial Court's arrival. The only individuals around aside Riconus were the mass of assembled armed forces, whom obviously did make a sound while at attention. Riconus politely assisted anyone as they attempted to plant their feet on the docks for the first time, and as Milo, Alexis, Nell & Liselle were finally in front of him, he offered a bow to them all.

"Thank you all for your visit, it honors the city. Liselle, it is especially warming to see your face; I said many a prayer for your safety during this troubling past while." He knew that Liselle did not need to be reminded of the ordeal any further, so he quickly redirected the conversation. "The Imperial Navy and Sapphire Guard are here, ready for your inspection should you prefer. As well, The Guard has set a path straight through the heart of the city, towards the thanal palace.

Thousands of citizens anticipate you along our route, and when we arrive at the thanal palace, my entire City Council looks forward to receiving you."

Riconus waited for the group of Imperials to decide on their course of action. They could inspect the Guard, many of whom still carried marks and scars of the battle previously mentioned, or they could continue forward to meet the people lining their route to the thane's manor.

[Liselle Vampyler Sapientia]

OOC: I’m going to jump in and hopefully kick-start the thread again. =-)

Liselle took Riconus’ hand and stepped onto the shore, giving him a tight smile…only because to be reminded of what happened that horrible brightening was something that she preferred not to dwell on.

“ I appreciate the concern. Many things went wrong that brightening. I would hope that we’ve all learned to be more vigilant in light of the events. Should I find out who was responsible…”

She allowed the sentence to drop because they all knew what she was capable of. Well, perhaps Riconus didn’t understand the extent of her training with the long sword, but the other three men did…and knew full well what would happen should Liselle get her hands on those that had very nearly taken her life.

Someday.

Having been presented with options, she glanced over at the waiting troops and nodded softly.

“ I would like to inspect the troops, if Milo and Alexis would indulge me. It’s not often I get the chance to mingle and speak to those in other cities. While this isn’t, per say, ‘my party, I wanted to very much use it as the chance to get to know my cities a bit better.”

Giving Alexis an affectionate grin, she returned her attention to the Thane to see what he had to say.

[Milo L'Evienne]

”Your Grace,” Milo greeted Riconus when he arrived and so naturally did Nell extend the same greeting. The gang was all here then, spit and polished as should be for what was to be a historic event, and given varied security details had all arranged themselves accordingly, they’d been then met by the city’s Thane, best get this show on the road. With Nell beside him and him dressed in black trousers and three quarter length frockcoat, crimson and gold waistcoat in an understated weave, polished boots and a falchion strapped to his hip, he gave a nod to Riconus’ arrival and those in his company, then looked over all those gathered.

Liselle’s request brought with it an agreeable smile and a nod, given it was his intent as Commander in Chief to inspect the troops on this brightening besides, he then turned to Alexis so he in fact might lead the way. ”We inspect the troops then your Excellency,” he said with a smile.

ooc: apologies for both the delay and the short post…Crazy busy week RL resulting in hit and miss posting at best, but don’t want to hold up progress meantime.

[Riconus Xind'ell]

OOC: If you guys don't mind, I'll assume Alexis wants to inspect the troops as well? Just for the sake of forwarding the thread
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Riconus tried to remain diplomatic about Liselle's recent misfortune, not knowing enough of the true happenings of the incident to form an opinion. He at least concurred with her resentment to whatever foul creatures had wronged her. "I'm sure those responsible will soon wish they hadn't. Though I may not direct the Imperial Intelligence Agency anymore, I am still fully confidant in their ability to bring enemies of the state to justice."

Following the requests of those recently gathered, he quickly made his way back to the foot of the docks, where upon his approachment, a howling roar came from the officers of the Sapphire Guard, as indicated by the blue plumes adorning their simple helms. "AT ATTENTION!" screamed the officers. "The Earl General and Their Imperial Excellencies, on the deck!"

As the contigent began their slow walk past the soldiers, the Sapphire Guardsmen stood rigid, with their spears and shields at either side of their body. Quite obviously, they had been given proper military instruction, despite the fact that many members of the unit were simple workers from around the city. Riconus explained. "Most members of the Sapphire Guard in Portshire act as the City Constabulary. However, unlike other regiments of the SG, such as in Nexus Prime or Trysvale, Portshire employs many of the soldiery as full-time watchmen, since there was no actual security force at the time of my arrival.

True, while Portshire was engulfed in martial law, the marines did patrol the area, their abilities were extremely limited, as I've been informed by Lieutenant Gastinof, Commander of the Imperial Marines of Portshire. It's these men that are slowly recovering law & order to the streets of Portshire, as well as shrinking the city's once prosperous ghetto in the Southwest Docks." They continued their walk until the archway leading out of the harbour could be spotted, where the last of the Guardsmen could be seen. "Well then, if there's nothing else, the Sapphire Guard will begin lining the streets towards my city manor, where a few key individuals from around the city await your arrival."

Before we go, do you have any questions before we leave the harbourfront?"