Crimson Judgments' rise to power had happened in the shadows to most. The walled cities, the free pirate market and a handful of the strongest captains knew of their Ascension. The blood pact had been made between Crimson Judgment and the Red Eye Pirates. Everyone aside from Veronica had made it back to the main hall. Even though they had just finished a meal, preparations were already in order for a grand feast to celebrate all of their accomplishments. Alexandria was still in her room, and she had just finished catching up on her journal entries. The only thing left to do was to join everyone downstairs. She closed her journal, put her quill back in its case and put both the journal and the quill case inside her coat. She never went anywhere without them and there was no way she was going to start doing that now.
Eve Valentina and Isa entered the main hall. Everything had already been cleaned up and they were getting ready for a bigger celebration feast. Fina was sitting at one of the tables talking with Lorelei. Eve's anger boiled as she moved forward with purpose pulling out the dagger that she had gotten from the ship. Valentina reached out a hand to try and stop her and even though she had rested there was no way she could use her power right now.
Fina sensed the danger even though nobody looked up as the door opened a devious smile crossed her lips as she pulled her pistol aiming it in Eve's direction and cocking the hammer back. “It is good to see you again, Eve. It was a shame you couldn't be here earlier. You missed all the fun. Put your weapon away there's no need for this as you can see, I'm sitting here with Lorelei having a conversation and you were about to stab me, weren't you?”
Even though everything happened in a Flash it had made a lot of noise between Eve basically stomping across the room and the sound of Fina's trigger. All of that had echoed around the room. Lorelei was still just sitting there as if nothing had happened. She wasn't going to get involved even though she was a commander within Crimson Judgment; this was a matter for the captain to settle.
Alexandria let out an exasperated sigh as she opened the door to their room and marched down the stairs. The top of her boots echoed throughout the hall as everyone in the room winced a bit as she came down the stairs. “What the hell is all this racket?!”
She noticed Eve Isa and Valentina in the room. Everything inside her wanted to run to Eve and welcome her back however the fact that a pistol was being pointed at her by Fina and Eve had her favorite dagger out raised to stab made all of that evaporate from her being. “So instead of coming into the Hall and finding out what's going on you just decide to pull your weapon? I told all of you that this is not a place for fighting. So why after taking the time to journal and compose myself for everything that is coming next, I have to come out of my solitude to this nonsense?”
The air in the room was heavy and you could hear everybody's labored breathing. Even Fina and Lorelei were struggling against the tension that Alexandria was admitting from her body. Nobody moved as Alexandria clenched her fist cracking her knuckles. The sound pierced the silence bouncing around the room as if she was punching everyone with her presence.
Alexandria let out another exasperated sigh taking in a deep breath and exhaling and everyone could feel the tension lift from the room. She walked over to the table placing her left hand on Fina's pistol well at the same time placing her right hand on Eve's dagger. “That is enough. Both of you put your weapons away. We are not going to start this off with the two of you trying to kill each other.” Alexandria took her hands off both of their weapons, folded her arms and leaned back against the wall near the table waiting.
Fina let out a playful giggle and she returned the hammer of her pistol back to its original position holstering her weapon. “I would never kill an ally on purpose. However, she did come at me first without explanation and I am within my rights to defend myself am I not?”
Eve's eyes widened and she looked from Fina to Lorelei and then finally to Alexandria her mouth gaped open as she retracted her weapon back into its sheath. “Can somebody please tell me what the hell is going on?! I rushed back here because I had a bad feeling, and I came in to see Fina sitting at a table inside our main hall with Lorelei like they're old friends.”
Alexandria cleared her throat not moving from her position and fixing her gaze onto Eve. “Crimson Judgment and the Red Eye Pirates have entered into a blood pact. We are now and forever will be sworn allies. If you had bothered to speak first to anyone in this room, you would have known that. My mother is part of the arrangement. Fina wanted to know more about her and to perhaps become friends that is part of the agreement.”
Alexandria turned her attention to Fina for a moment to allow Eve to process this information. “I told you no weapons even for defense. So, no, you can't defend yourself. Even though Eve had her weapon out there was no way she was actually going to kill you with it; it was more likely a scare tactic. Isn't that right Eve?” She turned her attention back to Eve; her gaze bore through Eve's soul; it was stern but not malicious.
She could feel Alexandria's annoyance. Eve wasn't one to cower under someone's gaze however Alexandria was her captain and the person she decided to follow. Regardless of what she thought when walking into the room it was true that she should have never drawn her weapon inside the hall. Eve bowed her head to Alexandria and then turned and offered Fina a small bow. “I apologize for my inexcusable and inappropriate action upon seeing your presence in our hall. Alexandria is right I would have never stabbed you however I would have made a hole in the wood next to your head.”
Alexandria an exasperated sigh throwing your hands in the air for a moment. At least Eve apologized and that was about as much as they were going to get out of her. “We will move on from this unpleasantness. Everyone aside from Hugo and Veronica is present in the hall so how about we move to the dining area and sit around the table we can eat and discuss everyone's progress and hopefully the other two will show up and be able to and what they have accomplished so far.”
Everyone agreed by simply nodding their heads. There was no need for further discussion and the mood quickly changed since the entire crew was just about back together. Alexandria also knew that this would probably be one of the final times they would actually be able to sit and eat together since it was only a matter of time before more fighting erupted.
They all moved into the dining room, and everyone took their seats with two places left open one for Veronica and one for Hugo. Isa and Valentina started eating right away since out of everybody they were the only ones who went without eating anything substantial for about a day or so.
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“So, who would like to address their progress first?” Alexandria asked the question knowing full well it might cause everyone to clam up. Aside from the chewing of food and the slight tapping of cups and plates nobody said a word. She let out an exasperated sigh as the door to the main hall creaked open.
Alexandria was the only one that turned and looked towards the entrance to the dining hall since you couldn't see the main hall door from where they were. She waited to see who was going to come around the corner.
Veronica walked around the corner looking a bit weary with what looked like a makeshift bag thrown over her shoulder. Her eyes widened when she saw everybody inside the dining hall. Her breathing was a bit unsteady but other than that she looked okay. “What's going on right now?” She adjusted the bag on her shoulder which made her knee buckle a bit as she dropped to the floor keeping a tight hold on her bag at least.
Nobody moved, everyone just sat there and stared at Veronica for a moment. Alexandria let out a playful giggle getting up from the table and walking over to Veronica extending her hand down to her. “It looks to me like you've been training hard. How about you come sit down, get something to eat and tell me what happened." She looked at the bag for a moment and decided not to ask about it since it could be part of the story, and she wanted Veronica to tell the tale.
Veronica looked up, giving Alexandria a soft smile as she gripped the bag which was filled with mushrooms and took Alexandria's hand with her free one pulling herself up. “Sure, I can do that. These mushrooms could be used for the feast or for something else to eat later?”
Alexandria nodded as a member of the kitchen staff walked up and took the bag from Veronica as both her and Alexandria walked to the table and took their seats. Veronica started to eat as everyone else continued waiting for her to tell them what she had been up to.
After she had eaten a little bit, she took a drink of water placing the cup down clearing her throat she looked out at everyone at the table keeping her attention on Alexandria as she spoke, “I found a cave off the coast of the island you would be a perfect place for training. I think I have a few ideas for our vanguard setup. I wanted to discuss them with you Isa and Valentina later on. I also wanted to request the area as my own personal space.”
Alexandria was impressed out of everyone Veronica was the only one that went off by herself. She first talked about working with Lyric but that didn't happen since Lyric returned well before Veronica did. Her request was simple and if she is able to enhance the vanguard along with Isa and Valentina that would make their strategy of taking down the walled city government even stronger. “Your request is approved as long as I can see this cave for myself before you change it to your needs.”
Veronica nodded in agreement, glad to see things were going her way. “Thank you very much captain, I can't wait to get started.” She continued to eat and was wondering when someone would come out with the mushroom she had picked. That was what she was really hungry for.
“Now that Veronica has given her progress report Eve since you decided to come into the hall and cause such a ruckus you should be the next one to report on how your mission went even though you are back exceedingly earlier than I expected.” Alexandria wasn't about to pull her punches Eve did apologize and things were smooth over for the most part however she was going to a tone for pulling her weapon out against an ally inside the main hall.
Eve finished the bit of food she was eating and took a drink of rum to wash it down. Even though she looked like a child she was much older. “Both the free pirate market and the nearest walled city were infiltrated by my students. I returned early because I had a bad feeling. However, both Luna and Vail are capable, and Veil has one of my weapons imbued with a bit of my ability. I gave them both time limits and they will send any and all information to me at the end of those time limits. I was able to get Luna into the larger island chain of the free pirate market.”
Fina started to choke, grabbing a glass and downing it. She took a few deep breaths trying to regain her composure as she looked at Eve. “How the hell did you get someone onto that side of the market? I've been trying for years, and the price is always so high, and you say you managed to get one of your students on to that side.”
Alexandria let out a playful giggle and she put her hand up to stop the conversation. “That is rather impressive Eve. I've only heard rumors of the market and that the separation between the larger and smaller Islands was a very big deal. From what I can remember you have ties to a few of the captains who oversee the market. Is that correct?”
Fina's eyes widened at that realization. She didn't say anything but just looked over at Eve trying to figure out what was so special about her aside from her chameleon ability that is.
“I helped out a few of the captains in the past with odd jobs as a reward. I am allowed access to the market whenever I like. However, when I do visit the market, I have to dine with the captains and enjoy their company. If you have heard stories about any of them, you know most of them are insufferable when it comes to gossip and their insatiable appetite for rare items. I still have to go back there since visiting I was supposed to have dinner with them but because of the walled city infiltration I had to leave immediately so once I have a spare moment, I have to leave again to fulfill my obligations. That is the tribute I paid in order to gain access to the entirety of the market.” She looked over at Fina giving her a slight wink. Of course, she didn't like the price she had to pay and would gladly send anyone else in her place however she might not have gotten as far as she did on her own without the market's help.
“Well, that is an extraordinary feat. Thank you for your report and I hope that we hear from your students within the designated time. If we don't, I will give you leave to go retrieve them and anyone who would like to accompany her may do so.” Alexandria was happy with how things were going. She really wanted to hear from Hugo, but he had yet to show up.
Tyra, Isa, Valentina and Lyric all gave their reports. The completion of the tower was a big deal and now they would be able to see a great distance around them. Isa and volunteers combined strategies along with the kaleidoscope flame technique that they wanted to do more research on that would completely change the tide of their fights in the future. Lyrics work with the new recruits was going slow but steady and as long as they're standing defense force was able to protect their settlement while they were gone any improvement was acceptable.
Everyone continued to eat after giving their progress reports. Even though most of the conversation centered around Eve and Veronica, everyone else's achievements were very exceptional. “The only person we need to hear from is Hugo. I'm guessing he had some last-minute alterations to the ship. He told me when he first started that all of the additional workers could help them finish before the time he had projected. I think for the moment we can continue to enjoy the food and each other's company. After everything is said and done, if he still has not joined us, I will go and find him and get his report personally.”
Everyone agreed, raising their glasses and toasting to everyone's achievements. This was going to be one of the final times they would all be together in such a happy festive moment. Everything else moving forward would be filled with fighting blood and possibly despair.