The company came near Miryam after nearly a week and half of a march, splitting up their numbers between the different roads and between them. They met one of the patrols that Bregorn sent from Viapacis on the way. Sibylla, too, believes that Conrad was taking this road. There were several places where Conrad’s scent was very present to her. It was in the mid-morning that it became noticeable that the air was becoming cooler and the smell of the sea was growing. As the elevation of the road climbed, the ocean eventually became visible to them. They could see ships and boats sailing in the Gulf of Miryam fishing and transporting goods to other cities and villages. They passed by farmhouses near the roads and were often followed by the inhabitants.
“What is happening? Is this a drill? Are we being invaded?” They would ask. The answers they gave were quick and vague. Kunigunde believed that telling the whole truth would slow them down. The good people of her kingdom would want to help. This would be a tactical error.
The lord of Miryam was there to meet them at the gates. Kunigunde was at the front of the line as always; her acting honor guard was there as well, presenting the Viapacian Flag high. The Miryam peninsula was primarily a mountain chain that rose through the ocean. Earthquakes were rare but powerful and tsunamis often echoed. Miryam was partly built into the mountain on the edge of the peninsula. Some of the docks could be drawn up into the high seawalls that surrounded the city.
“Princess Kunigunde?” Lord Miryam asked. The man was of taller height, taller than Kunigunde. His mutton-chops beard was quite white and his robes were black. His hair was quite long for a man of his age. Usually, the laymen had shorter hair in their older age.
“Indeed. You must be Lord Miryam, correct?” Kunigunde asked in response.
“At your service, milady.” He said as Kunigunde offered her hand.
“I presume you have received my letter and clearly understand the situation?” Kunigunde asked.
“Yes, milady. My police have been on high alert. I have not ordered an active search as you instructed. However, everything is in place for one. Only say the word and my entire law enforcement and guard will search in all places conceivable or hiding. I am also prepared to close the port. It will hurt the economy, so preferably the sooner the better we find him if we should execute that plan.”
“Do you have an inn or other place that we can stay? We also require a space to set up an operations post.” Kunigunde said, with clearer exhaustion in her voice.
“I prepared our axillary barracks for your men and the guest rooms in the castle citadel have been prepared for you, milady. My hall would be a fine place for an operations post as well. I can take you there when you are ready. My captain will take your men to the barracks if you would like to go directly to your room when we reach the castle.” Lord Miryam said.
“That will do well. Please take us there.” Kunigunde said.
“It would be my pleasure! Please follow me.” Lord Miryam said with enthusiasm.
Lord Miryam lead them through the city streets as her company followed her in loose columns. He shared anecdotes and descriptions about the places, shops, and other businesses that they passed. Kunigunde found it quite a lovely and peaceful place. It reminded her of Viapacis: there was a father roughhousing with his son, a woman advertising the baskets that she weaved, young men pushing a cart filled with fish. She wondered whether she could ever look at her home the same. Would the memories of killing those men who once served her haunt her? Would her mother’s blood forever stain the barracks floor? Her thoughts made her glaze over Lord Miryam’s anecdotes until they reached the castle gates. The archway opened into a large courtyard about 100 square yards wide. There was a chapel on one side, facing east. The barracks were on the west, and presumably, the axillary barracks were behind it. Targets were placed on the far end against the mountain. There was a hole in the mountain from the extent of the practice. The citadel was on the side opposite the primary gate that they entered. Its tower was under the overhang of the mountain.
Lord Miryam’s captain approached Kunigunde from behind her in the line. “The axillary barracks is there, Milady.” He said pointing his finger towards the building behind the barracks.
“My men are exhausted, they have been on a nearly a continuous march for the past month and a half. Be sure they are served well. I will pay very well when I return to Viapacis.” Kunigunde responded.
“We will spare no expense on your men, milady. Lord Miryam will take you into the citadel.” The captain said. He separated from the column and headed toward the barracks.
“Sybilla, Eric, and Michael come with me. The rest of you, follow the captain.” Kunigunde said.
The door of the citadel was thinner than the doors at the Viapacis citadel. They opened briskly, slamming against the lumber that was pegged into the walls on both sides. There was not as much reverb from the slam as Kunigunde expected. Sibylla was relieved that the floors were stone and not wood or carpet.
“Do not worry about bringing in the dirt.” Lord Miryam announced. “Our facilities are yours to use as you wish. I will have someone on duty in the kitchen, the baths, at your call at all times. If you wish, I will take you to your rooms now, and we can discuss our efforts in the morning.”
“That is acceptable,” Kunigunde responded.
“Very well, follow me.” Lord Miryam said.
There were ten rooms or so for guests. The biggest one was given to Kunigunde. It had a bath within it as well as a window facing the sea. The others were placed in nearby rooms of slightly smaller size. The good hosts of Fox Run, they took Kunigunde’s clothes for cleaning and gave prepared for her a bath, which she accepted gratefully. Sibylla, Michael, and Eric were given the same treatment. As the evening twilight came, Kunigunde was given a white robe with gold embroidery in the shape of ships upon the waves. She puffed her pipe as she looked out over the city and into the sea from the window. The harbor was calming and people started to leave the docks. Lanterns over the last hours started to be extinguished. Twinkling lights danced from the harbormasters making their rounds. The chilly breeze from the sea fluttered her hair every so often.
“Bring my brother to me, and I will bring him to you.” She prayed.
The bed was quite comfortable with the cool breeze entering the room from the window. Kunigunde and her company’s sore legs being rested upon the beds sent them into a deep and sound night of sleep. Even the sound of their name being shouted in their ears could barely wake them.
The morning light that reflected from the sea was bright in the guest bedrooms. Eric and Michael were first to awaken, followed by Sibylla and then Kunigunde. She woke up later than she had hoped. It was near 10 o’clock. Upon exiting her door, she noticed that her armor and clothes were sitting outside the door. She brought them into her room and walked back down to the main hall. There were tables that were not there before. Breakfast was prepared for them: a hearty meal of potatoes, bread, wine, beer, grapes, butter, fish, and eggs. Eric, Michael, Sibylla had already had their fill. They were given high-quality replacement clothes, as theirs were not yet finished being serviced. Unfortunately for Sibylla, the close that they gave her was not well fitted for someone of her form. Kunigunde sat at one of the tables and grabbed one of the slices of bread that was in a basket. She heard rapid footsteps approach her. Maids wearing white robes and blue aprons came and poured her their best wine that had been aged for sixty years.
Lord Miryam entered the main hall from the left side. “I hope that you slept well. Is the breakfast to your liking, milady.” He said.
“This food is quite a blessing after the weeks on the road. The bread is quite lovely.” Kunigunde responded.
“Where is this beer from, milord Miryam? It tastes like something my people would brew.” Sibylla asked.
“Quite right, Mistress Sibylla. I believe the beer you drink is imported from a smaller brewery south of Túrœkânst. Whitel methinks, quite lovely people.” Lord Miryam said.
“Whitel? They are my second cousin’s family!” Sibylla said with some excitement. This was a bit of a taste of home for her. A very hefty beer, this was. Its dark color reached near black.
“Is that so? Well, next time you meet them, give them my thanks and compliments. Their brew is quite delightful.” Lord Miryam said.
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“Lord Miryam, where shall we meet to plan our operations? I would like to get started shortly.” Kunigunde interjected.
“The captains are on their way. I sent for them as soon as I heard that you had awoken.” Lord Miryam said.
Kunigunde ate quickly, consuming the rest of the glass of wine, after a lovely helping of bread and eggs. Lord Miryam escorted her to the back of the citadel. There was a darker room in which the light was unusually absorbed by the walls. The heat was more intense there as well. They had already hung a map of the city on the side farthest from the heavy door. The captains were already again looking over the maps. Circles, lines, and notes covered the map, almost making it unreadable to someone who has never seen the city might not have been able to understand it.
“I have already briefed my captains on the plan several days ago. Here is what we have come up with. The ports will close and will be followed by a temporary blockade. The city gates as well will be closed letting people who have only been identified through. Abner will take charge of the market district. Ethan will take charge of the Oregon district and Judah will search the ports. I would suggest that you take walk the perimeter with some of your men, milady. I am afraid I am too old for such a task. Is this plan satisfactory?” Lord Miryam asked.
Kunigunde approached the map and inspected it very closely. The notes surrounding the map suggested places that would be easy places to hide.
“Have someone make a copy of these notes and locations for me,” Kunigunde said with her eyes still fixed on the map.
“Of course, milady!” Lord Miryam said with enthusiasm as he waved to one of his captains he quickly left.
He returned shortly with a section of parchment and a pen and ink. He copied down the notes slowly to write as legibly as he could. Kunigunde continued to carefully examine the map. The captain set the parchment on the table to let the ink dry.
Kunigunde then picked up the parchment, taking quick note of it. She turned to Lord Miryam. “You may begin, milord,” Kunigunde said.
Lord Miryam made no response as he left the room followed by his captains. Kunigunde carefully folded the parchment and exited as well. She returned to her room, where fortunately her armor and clothes had been returned. One of the maids helped her apply her armor and gird her scabbard.
Sibylla, Eric, and Michael still waited in the main hall. Kunigunde told them to prepare the equipment that they needed for the task. Promptly, they returned with their supplies. Kunigunde lit her pipe before they left.
The light that sprung out from the opening doors was brighter than they had expected. The sunlight reflected off the water to the east, making it painful to even squint in that direction. Kunigunde, as well as the others, again were painfully reminded of the fatigue and soreness in their muscles and the blisters on their feet. After exiting the citadel walls, they turned right down the city roads and out the exit that they came in from the previous day.
There were no clouds in the sky. There was a slight red tinge of color in the sky that stood as a pillar that held up the dome. It kept catching the eyes of Kunigunde and her company as they marched along the city walls. They lowered lanterns into wells to illuminate the bottom. They did this until the early afternoon when the sound of a discharging rifle made them duck, save for Sibylla, who did not duck until she saw that the others were trying to get low. A moment of screams from inside the city.
“It came from the city, milady!” Eric said.
“Is there another gate closer to us or would it be faster to turn back to the south?” Kunigunde asked with urgency.
“I know not, milady,” Eric responded.
“Scheiß!” She exclaimed. “Alright, back to the south gate. Run!”
Another shot and screams echoed through the area. They flew as fast as they could. Around the corner of the gate, Kunigunde and Michael slipped in the mud. Michael recovered quickly and continued into the town. Kunigunde had hit her skull on the paved road. The sound that it had made was rather alarming. The audible crack panicked her company.
“Are you alright, milady?” Eric asked as they slowed to a stop and returned to her. He gently grasped her arm to try to help her up.
Kunigunde arose, shaking her hand away from Eric. They resumed running. Soon they were met with people running the opposite way as they looked back in fear.
“Coming through!” Kunigunde shouted!
As they continued the shouts got louder and the number of people they had to traverse increased in number. Another two shots followed. There was a little boy crying for his mother on the side of the road
“Eric take this child back!” Kunigunde shouted.
“Yes, Milady!” he shouted back, as he separated from them. He grabbed the child with both of his arms. The little boy wrapped his arms and legs around Eric like a sloth. Kunigunde and the others continued toward the chaos. Near the ports, the crowd of people opened up into nearly vacant streets. There came a sharp corner where they stopped near the wall. Kunigunde looked around the corner. There was a woman lying in the street with their face directly on the stone pavement. Another man was sitting up against the wall with a trail of blood, half of his bicep had been blown off. Several others were putting pressure on their wounds, and tying tourniquets.
“Damn! Michael, help them. Get the wounded out of the way.” Kunigunde said. Michael went forward.
“Get the wounded up!” he shouted to them, “We have to move them back.” The people picked up the woman in the center of the streets. Michael picked slung the man over his back in the fireman’s carry and they fled down the street where they came.
Sibylla stayed put behind the wall as Kunigunde slowly left the safety of the wall with her weapon ready. Sybilla watched from the corner, biting her pointer claw nervously. The street formed a ‘T’ with the meeting road went out to the docks. Out of the corner of her eye, Kunigunde spotted movement near the docks. She pointed her rifle in that direction. “Viapacis Royalty, who goes there?!” She called out. Her finger still off of the trigger, she continued out the gate and onto the docks. Sibylla followed closely behind.
“Milady, I can smell him!” Sybilla shouted. As she said this, Conrad came out around a corner and kicked the rifle out of Kunigunde’s hands followed with a punch to her nose. Kunigunde fell onto her back, hitting her head again on the wood of the docks. Conrad grabbed the rifle that fell nearly in the water. Kunigunde was dazed from the blow. Conrad took aim at his sister’s chest. Sibylla’s paws were quieter than boots but her equipment made a great deal of sound. She sprinted up with a sword in hand and pushed the rifle away, leaving a deep put in Conrad’s hand from her claws and a cut in his shoulder from the sword. as he fired wide. He grabbed the sword off of Sibylla's belt and swung up near her face, shaving off her whiskers on the left side of her face making her lose her balance and fall back as well.
“Drop your weapon, Conrad!” someone shouted. It was the Miryam guards.
With the rifle and sword still in hand, Conrad started to flee. Kunigunde started to come back to reality as Sybilla held her face with her hand out of fear that she had lost an eye despite experiencing no pain.
“CONRAD!” Kunigunde screamed as she got up as fast as she could and pursued him. As she ran, she drew her sword and continued the chase with it at her shoulder.
Conrad fled down the docks and onto a boat. Cutting the ties, he pushed the boat away with his legs and then loosing the sails.
“Do not be foolish, Conrad!” Kunigunde shouted.
“If you know what is good for you, you will not follow me!” Conrad shouted back.
“Where are you going to go, Conrad? There is no wind!” Kunigunde shouted back.
As she said this, there was a thundering like a distant cannon, and a blast of air came across shortly after, enough to undo Kunigunde’s halo-braid. A steady wind followed, pushing Conrad’s boat away. The Miryam guards, including Sybilla and Michael, arrived behind her as she sheathed her sword.
Kunigunde turned around, “Which boats may we use?” she asked.
“The boat over here is mine, milady! I can have it ready in a few seconds!” One of the guards said.
They all rushed over to a nearby dock and boarded a similar boat. The captain of the boat launched and loosed his sails. Kunigunde’s boat was slightly faster and as they floated into the bay the distance between them shortened.
“Where is the blockade, Master city-guard?” Kunigunde asked.
“We have had barely enough time to close the ports. The naval ships likely have yet to even launch on such short notice, Milady.” The guard said.
“Damn! Can we not go any faster?” Kunigunde asked.
“I am afraid that there is little I can do. We can use the oars, but I am afraid that they will only slow us down.” The guard said.
Still pursuing Conrad, Kunigunde thought silently. A loud crack and whiz then came near her ear, making everybody duck down into the boat. Kunigunde looked up again and saw a puff of smoke come from behind Conrad’s boat.
“Pray mercy!” Sibylla screamed.
“Did that hit anyone?” Michael asked.
“Where did he get ammunition?” Kunigunde said as she started to load her rifle. “That had better be his only shot.”
Michael, see Kunigunde load her rifle, began to load his as well. After loading her rifle, she knelt down and took aim at Conrad’s boat and waited.
“Please do not make me do this, brother,” she whispered to herself.
Conrad again made himself visible and fired another shot, hitting Michael in the shoulder through the hull of the boat. He let out a sharp grunt as blood started to spill out. Kunigunde flinched at Conrad’s shot and hit his sail.
“Miss! Sibylla, put pressure on his shoulder! Guard, reload this!” Kunigunde said as she handed him her rifle.
The guard reached into the pouch on Kunigunde’s belt and retrieved a cartridge and began loading.
“Milady!” Michael said in pain as he handed his rifle to Kunigunde. “Locked and loaded, milady.”
Bringing the rifle to full cock, she again took aim at Conrad’s boat and waited again. A few moments past and Conrad again made himself visible. Kunigunde and Conrad fired at almost the exact same time. Conrad’s shot hit the mast on Kunigunde’s boat, throwing splintered wood into her face. She closed her eyes and ducked. In the wake of the sound of the rifles, there was a sound of a splash. Conrad could no longer be seen. Conrad’s boat started to drift into the current and wind as nobody was holding the rudder.
Throughout the next few hours, other ships and boats searched the bay. Kunigunde would not call of blockade nor the search over the next few days. She sent riders to the other side of the bay to comb the beaches. Kunigunde wept over her brother's death when she finally accepted it several weeks left after being begged by Lord Miryam to reopen the docks. It greatly guilted her that her own brother’s blood is on her hands, although she knew it had to be done. There was no body to bring back to her family tomb.
After all of this, she returned to Viapacis after another month of travel going by the main roads. They had a funeral for her mother and all were greatly saddened and would miss the time of her reign. Each family in Viapacis had their own tomb under the Blue Pillar. They also had a funeral for Conrad, although his sarcophagus was empty.