6 Adrift on an Outpost

The Flight of the Armada

Book Six: Adrift on an Outpost

By

Jay Michael Jones

Smashwords edition

copyright 2012 by Jay Michael Jones

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Table of Contents

Chapter 51: A Brief Respite

Chapter 52: Halls of Ivy

Chapter 53: Musclebound

Chapter 54: The Pattern of Our Days

Chapter 55: Hollywood Man

Chapter 56: Quality of Life

Chapter 57: The Book

Chapter 58: The Commodore’s Lament

Chapter 59: The Recluse

Chapter 60: Labor Intensive

Chapter 61: Adrift on an Outpost

Chapter 62: The Vicar of Little Thuringa

Chapter 63: Yours to Keep

Glossary

Ships of the Armada

Characters

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

The story so far

The planet Thuringa has been ecologically destroyed by their enemy the Shargassi. The 35,000 survivors flee the dying planet in a hastily built Armada protected by the last of their warships. As they journey, they discover many of the worlds they formerly knew as allies are forced to deny aid or must appear to be forced to give them aid. Thuringi king Lycasis Phillipi must try to rule his armada kingdom despite continued enemy attacks, natural phenomenon and malcontents who want to dismantle the monarchy.

Crown Prince Stuart Phillipi, Warrior Prince Darien Phillipi and Princess Carroll Shanaugh de Phillipi travel to an unexplored planet on the way to the target world of Farcourt where the Thuringi hope to settle. On the unexplored planet they hope to set up an outpost so the fleet can rebuild, recharge and repair before going on to Farcourt. With them go royal guard Glendon Garin, Aquatic Sea Commander Brent Ardenne, and talented engineer Gareth Duncan who is also the princess’s romantic interest. The six scouts make friends with Earthian teacher Michael Sheldon, who loans them the use of his family’s old ranch in Oklahoma, America. They learn by trial and error what this new world accepts and what it does not, and they learn to speak and read English. They find an island in the South Pacific to set up an outpost.

When the outpost is settled, five of the scouts return to the Armada, leaving the lone Aquatic to man the island. Brent enjoys Earth and knows he will not be able to survive a return trip to the Armada, so he plunges into taking care of the island and its wild goats with zest. The scouts reach the Armada and describe the world, igniting hope and concern for such a strange, unruly world. Stuart returns to an unhappy marriage, his troublemaking teenaged son Erich, and unexpected toddler Yjarnnah, born during his absence. Stuart does not realize his wife Aura married him to spite Darien who spurned her years ago, and he is mystified why she is so cold to him.

The Armada is scandalized to learn Carrol and Gareth have fallen in love during the scouting expedition but Carrol will no longer allow outsiders influence her private life. Glendon returns to his wife and daughter, a pretty girl who has caught Darien’s eye. Lycasis keeps Darien and Gareth with the Armada and sends the other three back to Earth along with Vicar Spence Beace. Spence is to study the many religions of Earth and report back to the worried clergy of Thuringa if Earthian influence will be bad for them.

Back on Earth, Brent’s lonely existence tempts him but he resists personal hazards. Brent makes jewelry from shipwrecks he explores and sells it to wealthy Earthians. By the time the scouts return, Brent has a tidy sum built up. Darien assumes his Warrior Prince duties and helps his father guide the Armada while Gareth builds a new transportal using the original in the throne room of the flagship Quantid as a model. The Bishop of the Armada, who gained his post through underhanded moves, decides to make an example of Vicar Beace to keep the rest of the clergy in line. Stripped of his vicar’s stripes, Spence is ‘drafted’ into the Air Command by Lycasis and sent back to Earth in order to give the innocent vicar a task and to keep him away from the irrational bishop.

Lycasis sends Stuart and Carrol to Michael Sheldon’s private school in Texas so Thuringa can make friends with future leaders. Reluctant at first, Stuart quickly warms to the assignment but Carrol remains reticent. America is a different place in 1969 than it was in 1961 but valuable allies are made. Among them is Curtis Garrison, a boy who can speak to the dead. The spirit of Maranta Shanaugh has been the boy’s companion for years. Malcontents among the Thuringi take an interest in democratic rule and plot against the crown. Asa Mennar, the main malcontent, helps plant a com disrupter to help his cause, but unfortunately it malfunctions and has a wider range of problems than anticipated.

Since there is no divorce among Thuringi, Stuart and Aura live under separate roofs. He also reignites his friendship with his former love Keleigh Shanaugh, but they realize their interest in each other can go nowhere. Darien and the crew of his ship the Solenil come to the aid of a survivor of an outpost raid and later take the survivor, a Chassiren woman, back to her world. Darien, Gareth and the crew of the Solenil are sent to find someone to repair the coms. The Sacret goes with them and is last seen heading for the Armada to report on new wormhole openings. While those ships are gone, Lycasis orders engineers to make a detailed study of the com system. Asa decides the time is ripe to stage a coup before the com disrupter is discovered. At that moment, the Shargassi strike. The Quantid is destroyed along with the Naradi ship, a battle cruiser and many single fighters. Erich, Triton and Echo reach Earth in jumper ships with the help of Sandan, who pilots the weaponless Shanaugh Special with the last of the Arda liquid. Stuart sends former vicar Spence Beace back to the Armada to find out what happened. Gareth and some of the Solenil crew are taken hostage at a Gharadee outpost when the Shargassi claim to have destroyed the Armada. Darien leaves the rest of his crew on the planet Hunda for safekeeping and pretends to be mad with grief along the wormhole traces in a desperate gamble to distract attention from what is left of the Thuringi race.

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Chapter 51: A Brief Respite

Spence Beace traveled using the grid search pattern Stuart gave him in search of the Armada. He wondered how anyone could stand the hazardous way of the warrior. He had been a vicar all his adult life so retraining in the task of a warrior had been necessary if awkward. It was not the work he minded; he did well in consue as a boy and the motions were easy enough to recall. It was simply not how he believed. Warriors sometimes had to kill; vicars ideally made peace. Warriors set a goal knowing they should be prepared to fight if necessary to complete the mission. The fighting everyone did during the escape from Old Thuringa was the only time Spence Beace had ever fired a weapon in anger.

His onboard liquid stores were dwindling. He had the co-ordinates for Earth so he was never truly ‘lost’ and he was frugal with his supplies. His larger concern was for the fulfillment of his mission. Spence did not want to return to his king with a failed assignment on his tote. They would not hold him to blame but he would feel twice a failure. Drummed out of the viceroy for doing his assignment, it would be ironic if somehow he were cut from the warrior lists for not completing his assignment.

Three months in, he sat with his feet propped up on the control panel, listening to music the scouts sent with him. Ginta after ginta of travel dulled his nervous excitement until boredom set in. A detection alarm abruptly blared in his ears, and he jerked upright to check the readings. A massive blur on the screen looked at first like the largest asteroid grouping he ever saw. Then he realized the blur was caused by which gradually became definite shapes. Had he found the Armada or the Shargassi war troop? He scrambled around for the com, frantically searching until he found it around his neck. He hurriedly positioned it and listened for com signals. He thought he heard Thuringi. Finally he hailed in American, hoping it was the fleet. "This is Little Hoss of the Ponderosa. Please acknowledge. There was silence. Little Hoss of the Ponderosa, calling Naughty Boy. I bring tidings from Good Lad. Please acknowledge." He took a firm grasp on his ship controls. If it was the Shargassi he was prepared to fight it out with what little firepower he had, but they would not take him without a struggle.

A Thuringi voice came over the com. "We do not recognize Little Hoss of the Ponderosa. Where is the planet Ponderosa?"

I am not from the planet Ponderosa, you great blond fool! This is Spence Beace, former vicar of Fellensk. The com was abruptly jammed with vocal traffic, as everyone wanted to contact him at once. Please, good people, Spence pleaded. I have spent months in search of you. Let me land somewhere, bite a roasted friak or two and tell you my tale.

Five warrior fighters swarmed around him, forcing him to bring his ship to a halt. What kind of ship is this? one asked.

This is a Gareth Duncan ship, Spence replied, "The Ponderosa by name."

Ah! Well come along, good vicar! Only a Thuringi would know the combination of Gareth Duncan and a ship named that.

You doubted me?

We doubt everything that surrounds us these days.

Seeing the Armada come into view brought tears to Spence’s eyes. It looked strangely empty without the flagship in the midst of the grand array of ships. The fighters led him to the Daven Bau medical ship where he docked in a bay. Curious people, particularly mechanics, approached the Ponderosa to look over the design. Hartin Medina emerged from a nearby doorway and strode to the ship. Spence bounded from the cockpit but remembered the uniform he should have on, still hung on its holder near the bathroom door. He groaned to himself. He was not cut out for anything if it meant wearing a uniform with a sword and saluting anyone. Hartin looked over Spence’s attire and raised an eyebrow. Spence stammered, I’ll change into my uniform, sir.

Take your time, Hartin told him. Spence hurriedly changed, and exited the Ponderosa again. Welcome back, Vicar - ah, Lieutenant Beace. Come; you must be weary.

Not as weary as I am relieved. Your coordinates are nowhere near where we estimated. I have been sent here to ascertain the condition of the Armada and to report back my findings so that plans can be made.

In that case, let’s go to a meeting room we have set up onboard, Hartin said as a group of men approached. One man in front of the others was Tomas Hellick. Behind him was Asa.

Are you a lone flier? Tomas asked.

Yes.

Why did His Highness – that is, His Majesty – not come?

We did not want the king of Thuringa to wander in space until we knew the state of affairs here. But don’t worry, I brought back energy carts. When Sandan and the others got to Earth –

Sandan! Hartin suddenly exclaimed, his boots literally screeching to a halt on the hard floor. He seized Spence firmly by the arms and stared intently into his eyes as if to search out a possible hoax. What about Sandan?

Well, he suffered a serious malady during the flight, but he’s much better now.

He’s alive? We thought he died in battle!

Oh my, no! He’s definitely alive; he was ill in a most strange way but the princess brought him back to health. He sends you and his mother and sister his fondest regards.

Hartin released Spence’s arms and turned away. God of All, in Your mercy You are truly majestic, Hartin said reverently, and regained his composure. He could not process this most unexpected and wonderful news for the now; it would have to be considered later in private. They came to a former medical area that now served as a meeting chamber.

Spence continued, "Sandan piloted the Shanaugh Special, and in it were the remaining globes of Arda liquid the king placed there for safekeeping. He and a few other weaponless ships managed to get to Earth, nearly dead but they made it. I thought I would never find you, you are farther away than we thought."

Tomas told Spence, "When we were able to muster our ships, we set off directly for Earth but occasionally we take a different tact now and then to circle a sun for the Insa, as well as to keep any trailing Shargassi from guessing our destination. They sat at a table with Hartin and people Spence did not recognize except for Asa. Prince Darien designated General Medina as acting Warrior General during his absence, Tomas went on when he saw Spence taking notes. It has been a strain on the general to both see to our safety and run the day to day arrangements for the Armada. We have therefore elected a council headed by a trio of governors to handle concerns of the citizenry."

Red flags unfurled and claxons sounded in every corner of Spence’s mind. He glanced at Hartin and saw that the seasoned general obviously did not like the idea, either.

Colonel Hellick has been appointed as one of the ruling governors, Hartin said in a neutral voice. It will have to serve until the king can return to lead us. They manage but it takes ten people to do the job of one king, it seems, he said pointedly, and Spence could almost feel the hostility between the two men. It is true that I have more than enough on my hands with our warriors and ships to keep them flying and guarding more than they should, without the additional worry about who is to peel the friaks. Hellick and his staff may as well work at their desks rather than a busy hanger. Tomas shot him a nasty look and Hartin coolly ignored him.

Have you had any further trouble from the Shargassi? Spence asked, afraid to burst the fragile bubble of civility.

Not since the Great Attack. Of course, we didn’t expect that either, so we are constantly on our guard.

What happened?

"The Quantid is said to have been opened up by an explosion from within. We deduced that an explosive device was brought into the interior and sent further into the ship, possibly through a duct. We do not know for certain but that is perhaps why all levels were ruptured; there were few survivors. The main Naradi support vessel was destroyed as was a battleship, two battle cruisers and scores of fighters. Two other cruisers are missing, the Solenil and the Sacret."

A shadow seemed to pass over Spence’s face. He asked, Was the prince on his ship? What about damage to the fleet?

"Yes, he was on it but it has not returned since flying out to guard the rear. We do not know whether it is still guarding our rear or has been lost. There has been significant damage to two more battle ships, a cruiser, one of the Gallina ships, a freighter, and the Freen. Some other ships are damaged but already repaired and back online."

Spence groaned. No surprise that the Giant Caged Friak was damaged, he observed.

"The damage to it was relatively minimal thanks to the thickness of the hull; it is still operational. But just as grievous as all else, some fighters were caught between the explosion of the Quantid and the Freen, Hartin said. One of those victims was Isador Ardenne."

What? Spence could not believe this unexpected fresh horror. Are you certain?

Unfortunately, yes, said a councilwoman. "Her fighter and several others were hit by flying debris from the Quantid and thrown against the webbing of the Freen. The webbing held the ship together and saved the Freen from certain doom, but the Pleonian wire cut through the fighter ships’ hulls like a sword through sand. They were killed instantly. It was a hideous task to attempt to give them proper final disposal."

Proper Final Disposal. It sounded harsh. It did not help that this particular councilwoman’s voice always lent a grating sound to everything she said, despite her accommodating nature. Even the ever-patient Bishop Saulin used to sigh when he saw her approach the Cathedral of Fellensk. There was no telling how much she grated on the nerves of a tempestuous soul like Darien. That thought brought a sudden notion to Spence. You said Darien designated General Medina as the Warrior General. Did he also approve of an elected council before he left? Spence asked. Hartin shook his head. May I ask how such a thing was achieved when it has long been the practice for the crown to refuse council intercessions in matters of royal duties?

It may be easy enough for you to assume the whys and wherefores when your days have been in an idyllic setting and not of witnessing your family dying in front of you, Tomas snapped savagely.

"You mentioned that the Sacret is missing," Spence pointed out.

So?

"A friend of mine served on the Sacret. One does not have to witness loss to feel loss."

The king will be able to set it all to rights again when he arrives, the councilwoman explained.

We will arrange lodging for you so that you can get some rest and comfort, Hartin suggested when Spence’s statement held Tomas’s mouth for the moment. For the now, perhaps you might like something to eat and drink.

Thank you; I appreciate that, Spence said wearily. One of Hartin’s squadron members motioned to Spence so the former vicar followed him out.

When the door closed, Tomas turned to Hartin. We should reconsider his return to Earth. He is a potential breach in security.

What? How can you possibly mean?

If he were to be captured by the enemy on the return trip, he will be able to confess our weaknesses. He must not be allowed to leave.

The harsh-voiced councilwoman, Nila Trennon, objected. But Tomas, that is the risk of any pilot on the periphery of the Armada.

Yes but they already knew we were in space. Beace was sent. Sending him back is taking a chance.

Chance dodges every flier’s wing these days, Hartin pointed out. You never had a problem with this matter before Beace arrived. I think it is because you do not want the crown to return at all.

It has nothing to do with what either of us think, Tomas said impatiently. It has to do with safety for the Armada and of the king. Would you have Stuart Phillipi fly back here to his people when only months ago the Shargassi attacked us and killed King Lycasis?

You expected him to; that was the first thing you said to Beace.

Tomas pursed his lips and tried another approach. Well, perhaps young Stuart actually has some sense in his royal brain. How do we know the Shargassi aren’t letting us drift into a false sense of security before they attack us again? Not only would we lose more or perhaps all of our people, but our new king as well? And pardon me for the statement but if that meant having the circlet crown fall to young Prince Erich then leave me on the nearest rock.

Hartin sighed. He loved his people; he loved his king. But he had to agree with Tomas on this point: being led by the arrogant, headstrong young Prince Erich sounded like no leadership at all. None of the rear defense patrols I sent out have detected so much as a whiff of Shargassi since the attack. Stuart needs to be brought up to date with the condition of the fleet.

To what end? It is that very concern for the fleet that we must proceed with caution! There is no need to wave your position as Warrior General in my face, or scold me as if I was a cadet! You’re not the bloody king, Hartin, Tomas snapped.

Perhaps the colonel desires to be slapped with the charge of insubordination, Regar Renaugh said from the doorway. I for one would champion it.

I do not have the luxury at this time of pressing charges over irritable speech, Hartin said, but I appreciate the idea.

Do be calm, Colonel Hellick, Asa said, finally speaking up.

Tomas realized his own impertinence would not have been tolerated by Maranta or Quentin Shanaugh, and he was walking on thin glass. He no longer had the luxury of insulting a Colonel Medina or even talking fresh to a Brigadier General Medina. Hartin was Warrior General Medina and Regar could easily bring charges even if Hartin didn’t. Tomas quickly returned to the main point. Even though His Majesty prepares a landing spot for us on Earth, the handicaps of our fleet gave Beace a difficult time locating us. Do we want the king to wander around also, perhaps get picked off by the Shargassi or run out of provisions and starve? Better that we wait until we are closer to our destination. It is safer for everyone involved.

Uff! You have the sand to claim to have the king’s best interests in mind when I know you despise the crown. You are correct in every point you make, but your motives are not as clean. I will have to agree with you that we are still in a very tender position, Hartin sighed. The armada is stumbling along with wounds and Beace’s com signals may have been picked up by Shargassi trackers. Very well; Spence Beace will remain here until we can be reasonably assured he can be sent back without complications.

I’m certain he will agree it is the most prudent action to take, Tomas said agreeably.

You are an unctuous little pup, Regar said, using his Elder status and position as major general like a whip. Of course it’s prudent but the sooner we have the king back, the better. The Phillipi are capable of handling twice the workload we are through their use of Arda liquid. Why do you suppose the Phillipi have held rule for thousands of years? Because they can do what ordinary men and women cannot! Now it is shift change; time for you and I and this council to go about our tasks. General Medina, since it is soon time for your rest shift, I will take the bridge next. Argo Garin is there so I could come check on this…meeting. Young Beace will be along soon. Come along, Colonel Hellick.

Hartin remained in the meeting room, gladly taking the opportunity to review reports in peace. Argo Garin was an inpatu Ground Command general, but Hartin knew Argo was perfectly capable of guiding the fleet. Lycasis considered asking him to transfer to the Air Command but wanted to make certain he was available to lead the Ground Command once they reached Farcourt. Hartin still intended to ask. They did not need ground troops in space and Argo’s cool under fire worked on a bridge as well as in a vehicle.

Spence did not take the news from Hartin with good grace when the vicar returned from his meal. But the king wanted an immediate report! How will he know best how to proceed? How will he know the status of the people? He’s the king, how can he rule with no voice and no ears? he asked.

I hate to agree with Hellick, vicar, but it would put the king directly in harm’s way at this point in time should he approach right now, and we also do not want to risk the enemy possibly following you back.

But if the Shargassi should attack again, we could lose everyone and everything, Spence pointed out. Whom would the king rule then?

Good question, Hartin mused, and then realized Spence waited for more. Oh, if you think I have the answer, I don’t. He cleared his throat. Now then; you said my son is alive. I… I did not expect such news. It is too good to be true.

"Rest assured, general, it is most certainly true. I was on hand when they arrived and I helped drag him out of the Shanaugh Special."

Hartin touched his com to contact his wife. Melina, I am bringing Vicar Beace to our apartment; see to it we are well turned out to receive him. He says that Sandan is alive and on Earth with the other scouts.

He what? Sandan is alive?

Yes, my dear, Hartin said with good cheer. Today is a good day.

Lady Melina met them at the door with open arms. Sandan’s sister Lyra set out a tray of snacks they hastily assembled for Vicar Beace. Oh, you shouldn’t have, Spence protested, although sure enough there on the table were roasted friaks that he loved so well. "I planned to impose myself on my brother’s family on the Appala."

We took the liberty of inviting them over, Melina told him. I hope you don’t mind.

No, Spence said, surprised. That is so very thoughtful of you.

Well, Mother and Father do have ulterior motives, Lyra told him. We want to know all about Sandan.

Spence told them all he could. "He flew the Shanaugh Special with its cargo out to catch up with the prince and his friends and discovered they were as weaponless as he. He rigged their ships somehow and managed to get them all to Earth. He incurred a malady in flight but he is much healthier by now. The princess is looking after him, and there is no better place for him to recuperate than Earth. It is a wonderful place, Spence assured them. The Isle of New Thuringa is a haven that must be seen to be believed."

I cannot believe he is alive! It is beyond anything I expected, Melina told him. "We grieved so when we could not find him or the Special. We mourned with the other families and their losses."

Well, now you and the Ardennes and the Orleans can all rejoice with the Garins and Neos too. Triton Ardenne and Echo Garin came in with Sandan as well as young Prince Erich.

Erich is alive! Melina gasped with excitement. Oh, I thought I misheard earlier!

Lyra clapped her hands and bounced up and down on her toes. You bring such good news to us, Vicar Beace! They were my friends and such good friends too! I am so happy for their families. It makes their other losses at least a little easier to bear.

I am surprised you did not include mention of them when you arrived, Hartin said.

There were so many things going on at once, I didn’t think of it. Then when I learned about the governors and who comprised them, I decided it might be best not to let someone like Asa know there are three Phillipi on the island instead of two.

Good call. Of course the rest of the fleet will enjoy the news and certainly their families will, but that will come in time.

The Beace family arrived and Spence’s niece Kiren punched him on the arm playfully. You old thing! You turn up at the most opportune moments.

How is the king handling these times? Hartin asked when they settled down in the Medina parlor.

It has been difficult for everyone. He is very anxious to come to the Armada, but Colonel Garin was as concerned for his safety as you are and for the same reasons. I suppose I cannot fault Colonel Hellick for his caution. We were all afraid the Shargassi would find and capture King Stuart, Spence told them.

That is the main concern, Hartin agreed. "We are doing all right, I suppose; I worry about the loss of Prince Darien. Like the Sacret, the Solenil never returned to the Armada but we haven’t had another attack by the Shargassi so far."

So far, Spence’s brother Rees emphasized. We will probably never know the answer to the riddle of the attack.

"How was the Quantid destroyed? Spence asked suddenly. Lord Mennar said something about an explosion within."

It was running a systems check on the coms at the time, Rees told him. The damage was such that it had to be from the inside out but we don’t know what. We’ll probably never know since we had to get away and leave it.

Hartin added, "I was with the Morgan at point. The com system deteriorated so badly that we could only use personal coms system-wide. The Quantid’s guard ship was supposed to be the Ellis along with the Naradi vessel Fen, but somehow it was ahead of the Freen and therefore with the rest of us behind the line the Sharagassi ships held. They were unaware how vulnerable the flagship was until it was already under fire."

"We on the Sendenar Solo didn’t know, either, Rees told him. The com disturbance crossed up several ship sensors. Our aft sensors picked up some activity to the rear just as our fighters all called in at once with their visuals about the attack."

Vicar Beace, how is it that you on Earth heard of the Great Attack?

"We got a hastily scribbled note on a disc shortly before the Quantid was destroyed, Spence replied. We had been getting intermittent communications on the com every now and then. I don’t know how, it was very faint but we caught snatches of voices if we stood next to the transporter with an open com. But once the flagship was gone, there was nothing."

If you heard com traffic all the way on Earth, then – Melina stopped in mid-sentence as they all looked at each other when realization set it.

No doubt the Shargassi heard something too, Kiren finished. For a moment no one spoke.

I must be allowed to return to Earth if only to assure His Majesty that you are still aloft and intact, Spence insisted.

Hartin shook his head. "I hate to agree with Hellick about anything, but it is just too risky. For all we know the Solenil and the Sacret have been destroyed and the Shargassi are massing for the kill, or perhaps they took the Shargassi out with them before they were overcome from injury; we just don’t know. Damn it all, there is much I would like to discuss with the king. We are concerned for the outpost. You haven’t much weaponry there."

Why were you sent out? Lyra suddenly asked Spence. I can understand that no one wants His Majesty to fly into danger, but you were just as in danger. Why you?

I am not a king nor a prince, nor a real warrior. I am not even a vicar. I am simply a Nowhere Man without task or purpose, yet somehow still useful, Spence replied.

You are a warrior, King Lycasis designated you thus, Kiren objected. Spence sat back in his chair and let out a sudden derisive laugh that made them all jump at the unexpected sound.

I am no warrior! I fall all over my own large feet and I couldn’t hit a gakki with a pistol if it were standing in front of me. I get airsick if I crawl into a top bunk! he jeered. I was put in charge of supply procurement simply to keep the others safe from my ineptitude; now I can’t even do that. One cannot fill an empty hand with offering from an empty pantry. He lost his smile. A vicar with no parish and no vestments. Why not volunteer to go out into space? Perhaps it would serve the Shargassi right to take such an inept man prisoner.

Lady Melinda Medina stamped her foot. I don’t see your deeds as being inept, Vicar Beace! It sounds to me as if you are able to at least try a number of things in order to further serve the crown, and that is more effort than some men give! Goodness, we need all the supporters of the crown we can muster!

Is the crown in danger, as Stuart feared? Spence asked, stirring himself out of his self-imposed damnation.

Not as long as there is a Medina drawing a breath, Hartin grimly promised.

Rees echoed, or a Beace.

Hartin lifted his glass in acknowledgement. But this democracy thing Stuart described to us is as an edict from the God of All to men like Tomas Hellick.

Hartin, Melina rebuked mildly, don’t be disrespectful to God.

I’m not, Hartin told