As a loud knock sounded at his door, Niall woke with a start and hastily disentangled himself from the officer sleeping lightly in his bed, and as he was struggling to put his pants on, his door was thrown open, his friend Keran waltzing in rather unceremoniously. Looking at the struggling Niall, the young lord grinned impishly, and contrary to what he saw, asked what Niall thought to be a stupid question.

"Are you decent?".

Dumbfounded, Niall replied quietly so as not to wake his companion.

"What the hell do you think? Now what in the world do you want at this time in the morning? If it’s just for idle talk, you can get the fuck out" Niall hissed angrily as he got his pants up one leg. Covering just his crotch he didn’t care about pulling on the other pant leg as he just glared at Keran.

Absolutely unaffected by Niall's obvious anger, Keran spoke again, enlightening Niall as to why he was in the room.

"The enemy fleet just appeared offshore and are organizing themselves. The winds were in their favor. Regardless, command is sure they are preparing for a dawn assault. So, I suggest you wake up her majesty's subordinate and join the rest of the commanders in the HQ as soon as you are both wearing appropriate clothes" the young lord said right before he gave Niall's companion an appreciative look and a wink to Niall himself before simply turning on his heel, and exiting the room without so much as another word, leaving Niall to get dressed and ready. Niall reached for his shirt before he gently nudged the young woman awake and told her the situation.

After a few minutes of dressing into their clothes in an awkward silence, the two went their separate ways, Niall heading towards HQ. As he approached the command center, Niall came upon another commander. Colonel Godeslas, a bald man in his late forties, and the commander of the infantry garrison positioned in the city of Pagua.

Nodding to each other, they both entered the room filled with the various commanding officers all dispersed in small groups and talking to each other in soft hushed tones. As the Colonel joined his own officers, Niall made his way to the center of the room and looked down at the command table and its map. He frowned as he saw a trio of tokens representing the enemy fleet and Clovis' own sky fleet, all positioned in a place some distance from Pagua.

Snorting, Niall reached out and pushed the pieces to the coast of Pagua. Hearing a sudden noise of door’s banging open followed by a complete silence, Niall looked up and turned around, seeing the Princess had arrived. Phidel walked into the room, her head held high with a perplexed look on her face.

She came to a stop not far from Niall and simply looked around the room, her gaze sweeping over all those gathered. Her expression turned stern and Niall felt a shiver run up his spine, remembering just who this woman's father was. She carried his blood and authority well.

"Well. I hope you haven't all been standing here twiddling your thumbs. What is the situation?" Phidel snapped irritably, her gaze sweeping around the room once more and settling on a figure behind Niall. As Niall turned around to look at the focus of his liege, he raised a brow in surprise as Harald stepped forward and answered his sister.

"As you know, the enemy arrived far before the estimated time. The wind picked up and was in their favor I assume, so they made good speed. Regardless, they are here now" Harald stated, his expression rather grim and serious. He seemed remarkably on edge and was quite tense. Niall surmised this was because this happened to be the Princes first actual military confrontation.

"The fleet is accompanied by numerous smaller vessels. It is certain that a landing operation will begin within only a matter of hours. As for the sky fleet commanded by Clovis, they are just hovering above the navy protecting it from any assault we may attempt" Harald continued, his report rather bland and lacking in any real information. It was all guess work at best. Phidel seemed to realize this also, and her expression showed it as her face darkened and she scowled, twisting her normally beautiful features.

"That’s it then? Nothing else?" Phidel asked, her gaze sweeping around the room and locking onto several key commanders. It was only then that a small weathered man stepped forward, his uniform adorned by many medals.

"My Lady. If I may spread some light on the situation. As you know, we have had reports in the last few months of the Federation developing new crystal tech for their war craft, capable of producing wind or propulsion. Perhaps this fleet has been outfitted with such creations" the old man stated with a small smile, a glint in his eye. Niall recognized the man and smiled himself. The man was called Xevec and was Phidels oldest serving officer and advisor. He was also the commanding officer of the intelligence forces stationed within Phidel's command.

"Also, Prince Harald may have forgotten to mention the orders he gave to the shore batteries and infantry divisions to prepare for battle. The ground forces have been mobilized and are standing ready, cannons and muskets loaded" Xevec stated in a soft smooth voice. His words though carried a hint of a lie and Niall looked over at Harald who was scowling deeply. Niall guessed Xevec had really been the one who issued those orders. That was Xevec's style though. He always seemed to be controlling things from behind the scenes somewhat.

"Right. Then that just leaves all the other sectors of the army and my own sky fleet. When the attack begins, I will launch all our airpower. We outnumber the enemy air units in every aspect. We have an advantage in the air, and I will use that advantage. The fleet will remain above land, positioned above the shore batteries and respond to enemy movements as needed" Phidel commanded, jumping into action. She turned towards another group of officers and lifted a hand to point at a figure.

"Colonel Godeslas. As usual, you will be left in charge here to command the ground forces. Your staff will look after the supply divisions as is normal also. Xevec, I want eyes on the enemy landing craft at all time. It would be madness for them to attempt a contested landing at the city shore batteries. I suspect they may attempt to land north and south of the city, and attempt to encircle us. I do not want to engage their army in the open field until their numbers are known. Prioritize defending the city" Phidel added, her expression firm. As both Xevec and Colonel Godeslas saluted and turned away to converse with their own staff, the rest of the officers in the room split up, each going their own ways. There was no real order to disperse, but these people had all worked with Phidel for years, so knew their tasks once orders were issued. They would just do as they always had unless told otherwise.

Niall made his way over to Phidel who just stood quietly, a frown on her face. Looking behind his liege, he noticed some of the woman's female bodyguards standing not far behind. He came to a stop before Phidel, feeling the bodyguard’s eyes all over him. He just smiled warmly at Phidel, ignoring those eyes on him.

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"I think you made a wise decision my lady, it is not like you to be on the back foot" Niall stated quietly, feeling she needed some reassurance so as not to second guess herself. Phidel seemed to get startled by Niall’s voice and looked at him, her blue eyes wide in surprise.

"Oh, Sir Belford. Thank you. I can only hope it doesn't prove costly. But I am agitated that this fleet got here so quickly. We knew they were preparing this attack, and even that they were en-route. I thought we had days at least. I feel as though I have been played somehow. It's expected for reinforcements to arrive from the occupation garrisons in several days. We will have to hold until then" Phidel murmured softly, a hand being raised to scratch the bottom of her jaw. She was tense and distracted. Niall started to say something but stopped as he noticed a messenger approach and wait a few feet away. Niall focused his gaze on the man and gestured for him to come closer even as Phidel noticed him also.

"My Lord, Your Highness. We received a message from the shore. Fleet Commander Clovis has sent a ship to parley and is asking to speak with you" the messenger stated, his voice rather level. He just stood silently then, waiting for a response from the Princess. Surprised, Princess Phidel blinked at the man and seemed to think on something. After a moment she waved a hand and spoke.

"Accept the request Send them to the western bastion. I will be there shortly. At least this will give us more time to prepare for an assault" Phidel ordered as she turned to face the doors, the messenger already heading out, near sprinting down the hall.

"Brother, Sir Belford, with me" Phidel stated and strode onwards, her Laegor guards stepping right in beside her. Even more of them appeared, Mark leading them, and the entire team of mages surrounded Phidel, Harald and Niall, acting almost like they did not need any communication at all. Phidel led the group out of the command center and then out of the complex, making a beeline for the western bastion, approximately two hundred meters from the command. It was a small star fortress, raised on an artificial hill, and overlooked the lower city and bay.

Looking up into the sky, Niall saw two sky sloops, one with an Imperial flag, and a white flag draped over its bow sprit. Looking to the other ship, he saw it to be showing its Federation Flag, as well as its national flag, belonging to one of the central federation nations which Niall could not remember. Regardless, along its bow sprit was also a white flag, and the sloop was being guided down to the western bastion. It arrived before Niall and the group did, lowering itself so the deck was level with one of the walls. Phidel made a beeline for that, entering through the bastions rear gate, and then springing up the steps to the wall.

As the group walked along the wall towards the sloop, Niall heard muttering from the Laegor guards surrounding them and saw a light shimmer of magic start to form around them. These guards were precautions it seemed. In short order though, the group came to a halt, at the wall flanking the sloop. Niall noticed the cannons on deck first, all unmanned, just like the cannons on the wall. The next thing he noticed were the two individuals standing on the deck. A man and a woman. The man leaned on the railing of the sloop, a look of boredom on his face, while the woman just stood there, hands cupped before her. She stood straight, clothed in a rather regal, pale blue dress, a coat with a fur collar draped about her shoulders, though her arms seemed to not be through the sleeves. She stared at Niall's group with worried blue eyes, pale golden hair cascading loosely around her thin, pretty face.

Both Harald and Phidel made similar sounds of distress as they noticed the woman also, and Niall quickly realized this woman was almost a spitting image of Phidel, but perhaps a few years younger. The two royals seemed unable to speak, standing there shocked, Harald with his mouth hanging open and Phidel frozen with her gaze wide. Niall scowled and stepped forward, and took charge of the situation.

"I am Sir Belford, if you have something to say please say it or I will end this meeting here" Niall snapped, anger in his voice as he took on a hard stance.

"Of course, Sir Belford, I will not bandy words with you. I am currently here on the behalf of the U.F.N. namely to demand your unconditional surrender. The commanding officers of your forces will be taken as hostages whilst the troops under your command will be safely escorted out of these lands to Imperial territory" The woman said, a grim look on her face. She just stared defiantly at Niall, her features near exact to that of Phidel. Niall just felt a shiver run down his spine at the similarity.

"That is out of the question. Your forces cannot defeat us here. Attacking this city will be the end of you. So, this city will not surrender, and neither will its commanders. Now if that is all you have to say, this conversation is over" Niall exclaimed, straight to the point

The woman scowled, like she had expected a response such as that and her gaze hardened, taking on a demeanor similar to Phidel when she was irritated. The woman shook her head in what a person might mistake as a disdainful gesture. Then she let out a soft sigh before speaking again.

"Come Lord Belford, surely you do not wish to spill even more blood in this pointless war. It is in everyone's benefit to end this once and for all" the woman stated, her voice taking on more of a pleading tone than previously.

"It is not my place to answer that. Only one person can end this war. And that is Emperor Alden. So why don’t you go and ask him to surrender. See how well that goes" Niall snapped angrily as he turned and locked eyes with Mark, who had a brow raised. Niall just gestured towards the fort gate and Mark nodded, reaching out to place a hand on Haralds shoulder to guide him away, while one of the female guards did the same to Phidel. The woman on the sloop just let out sigh again and made a last comment, trying to get her words in.

"Wait Sir Belford, please, we can come to an arrangement. Just let me speak with my brother and sister" came her voice, the pleading tone much stronger this time. Niall just ignored her, his heart jumping into his throat as the woman basically admitted to being related. Then his heart just sank.

"I cannot allow that, and besides, it does not seem they want to. This conversation is over" he barked just as the man on the deck straightened up from leaning on the railing, where he had been observing the exchange

"You won't win this battle Imperials. You are outgunned, outmanned, and no help is near" came a comment from him, and Niall just turned, looking him over fully. The man was of average height but bulky, and wore a short black beard, and had pitch black hair somewhat messy and in a swept style, covering the left side of his head while the right appeared to be shaved. The man matched the description of Clovis and Niall just scowled.

"I disagree. Come try us. Leave here before we decide to shoot you down" Niall snapped simply before turning his attention back to the Laegor and the Royals, getting ushered into the bastion and out the gate. Soldiers raced back to their positions on the walls, manning the cannons, even as orders were shouted by Clovis, and the sloop started rising, pulling away from the bastion.

"Mark, take the princess to her airship. I will be there soon" he ordered the man as the group walked and turned to look at them, seeing Mark nod once more, but gesture to the side. Niall furrowed his brow as the other guards led Phidel and Harald away, Mark staying behind.

"Sir Belford. I assume you have an inkling of what just happened, but I will clarify it for you. Not many people know this, but that was Princess Sarah, who fled the Empire not long ago" Mark stated, and then took a moment to look up at the sky sloop moving back out to sea, to hover over the sailing ships. After a few moments he continued, Niall just grinding his teeth a little at that information.

"Most know Princess Sarah was promised as a bride to the Lyesian Emperor, who is currently nine years old. Such a political arrangement did not sit well with her it seems. Since the Princess fled, The Emperor has tried to have her brought back, but alas, Princess Sarah is as clever as they come. I will have to notify the Emperor that she is in fact here" Mark explained, his gaze now locked on Niall.

"Well Mark, that makes sense why the Prince and Princess were frozen. I will leave you to do what you must then. For now, though, we have a battle to win" Niall stated and scowled as he swiveled on the ball of his foot and stalked towards the airfields, and the ship he was to command.