Anne eyes Niji curiously when the unicorn comes at her so fast. "Aye, what be yer problem ya funny-lookin' equine?" She asks looking at Niji and up at her hat. She can't understand what Niji is really saying, but gets the impression she's upset at Fergus perching on the hat the way he is. Fergus she has no problem understanding even if not in words. Fergus replies to Niji with a threat to leave him be, or else. This vague threat is enough to send the young unicorn running away in startled fear. Fergus makes a twitter of triumph, and Anne laughs holding her sides.
"Oi Zuki!" Anne points at Fergus, then at Niji "Bird beats horse!" She reaches up and pets Fergus on the top of his little feathered head. "Thas righ Fergus, don let yer size scare ya from keepin' whas yers." She goes over to Benji then and sits next to him, enjoying his song with her eyes closed. "Ya know every crew needs a musician. Glad we already gots one. Maybe I'll teach ya a couple shanties when we ain't kickin' arse." She tells him without opening her eyes.
"And I, Genessa Eloise Orlock, welcome you at my side." Genessa smiles at Grimm and, noting his look and demeanor, tells him "We won't be here long, I think, but you have done very well tempering yourself my friend."
Dean has been keeping an eye on everything he can, and when the Queen and Princess had returned notes the look in the younger girl's eyes but can't think of why, having not been privy to the conversation which had led up to them bringing Genessa back. Speaking of whom, he hopes there will be a chance to properly apologize to her for his earlier remarks.
King Richard does see the look on his daughter's face, and holds his hands out for a hug while smiling apologetically. Queen Gweyr is not as apologetic but still smiles at Shalana. After sharing a light hug with his daughter, Richard turns to address the others.
"Now. With personnel in order, there is the matter of a base and equipment. For a base you will be using Fort Indulai to the West. It is near the border between us and Linia, one of the last forts still standing from the war times and currently maintained only as a historic site. We will send you all there in small caravans with persons and supplies disguised as common travelers, on alternate routes in hopes of deflecting any of Hitler's spies." King Richard looks to his wife. She takes the cue and walks to Houdini, looking over his attire as she speaks.
"And among those persons and supplies, there will be what is needed to better attire and equip you all for the tasks to come." Gweyr shakes her head at Houdini, specifically its state. "Function over fashion, much as I enjoy fashion myself. On that subject, I will have one tailor take notes on your attire sir. I like it's aesthetic and want to include it in my collection."
While Houdini is being talked to by Gweyr, King Richard goes to the two White Guards who have been here from the beginning and tells them "You will leave here to the barracks, tell nobody of what transpired here besides that James Dean gave no secrets, and the Strangers were dismissed."
"Understood, your Royal Highness." The White Guards say in unison and walk out of the gardens.
King Richard walks to James Dean and stands beside him, putting a hand on his right shoulder. "Mr. Houdini, we need you most of all to keep Hitler's power from overcoming James again, and so you must ride with him for this journey."
"That should be fun." James Dean looks over at Harry "We'll have plenty to talk about."
"I ordered these caravans to be prepared before arriving here, and they will be ready to go momentarily. You will be given a Seer Orb attuned to one in our possession." King Richard walks back to his wife and daughter. "We will be expecting regular briefings via this Seer Orb, once a day at the least, however beyond that consider Delfino and Burton your immediate superiors while fulfilling your mission. The military of Gatecia will come to aid your efforts, should you be able to contact me in time."
"And lastly, I wish to personally thank all Strangers for all your future deeds." King Richard holds his head high "This world is not your own, its people not your kin, and for that we will honor you all when the threat to world and people is vanquished. In that spirit, I shall call this gathering by the name given to that gathering of Strangers and natives who ended the terror of Vlad the Impaler twelve years ago; The Liberators. Go forth, and free this world from the threat known as Adolf Hitler."
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And so it transpired that The Liberators were taken from York to Fort Indulai set upon a hilltop facing the border of Linia further West, the journey taking two days for most as its most direct path of one day was avoided. On arrival it was occupied only by a small staff of groundskeepers, cooks, and a small contingent of twenty Gatecian soldiers. Each member was afforded their own quarters in the main building meant for officers but nothing lavish; space enough for a bed and a table with a chair and floor to pace contemplatively. Even James Dean was given quarters, though his door was fitted with large locks and had guards posted at all times. He was told to spend all his time piecing together his fragmented memory to locate key points of Hitler's operations.
Anne Bonny, traveling with Yuzuki and Niji, had picked up her crate of ale from the tavern she'd met Harry in, and drank most of it over the boring two day wagon ride, the monotony of which was broken mostly by Fergus singing his little bird songs for all present either in Anne's hat, or on top of Niji's head.
Genessa had traveled with Grimm, Burton, and Leonidas on a route that took them back to Doren to retrieve some of her things such as a small crate of her medicine kept in her quarters, and all that Grimm would need to preserve his trophy before going to Fort Indulai. On their travels, Genessa regaled her companions with a bit of her family history: The Orlocks were a noble family who made their fortune by cultivating grapes for fine wine, and fermentali or Booze Fruit as Anne knew them. "In a matter of fact, our lands are the only ones which bear blue fermentali. Stronger and sweeter than the common kind served at the gardens." And further on that her father had befriended Kings Richard and Edward before they ascended their thrones, when they were travelling merchants.
James Dean, Harry Houdini, and Benji shared a third wagon, the two more modern Strangers educating Harry on the history of the world as best they could recall. The magic which had imprisoned James never resurfaced even in the time Harry was not observing him, although in that time the wound inflicted by Yuzuki also healed completely by the time they arrived at the fort, but he still made no attempt to run.
It was a full day after everyone had arrived that news came from within, and without.
Firstly, James Dean told the guards at his door to escort him to the War Room, and call for the others to meet there.
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"Whas new Mr. Dean?" Anne asks stepping into the War Room. Of the supplies brought with them from York were many items of clothing and weaponry taken from Strangers long-since gone. Anne had been happy to find a long red coat among it all, the type worn by the British naval officers of her time. She sips one of her remaining bottles of ale and leans against the wall beside the door and adjusts her hat. Fergus flies off from her hat to sit and look out one of the large windows.
"Had a bad dream last night." James Dean says looking over the large map nailed to one wall of the War Room at the head of the long table.He had acquired a simple white tunic to replace the one Anne had ripped open, and wore his jacket over that with his jeans and a new pair of hard leather shoes.He still remains shackled at the ankles. "But this one gave me back a location from my time as a puppet."
"Ah-ha! Good!" Anne unsheathes her cutlass, her shiny new cutlass which gleams bright from the tip to its gold-inlaid handle "Been anxious to use my new sword on some real flesh." She sheathes the sword and draws the pistol given to her by Yuzuki "And try this out proper too."
"Careful with that woman." Leonidas says coming into the War Room. He had taken on a simple brown and green tunic and pants since arriving, and would have been mistaken for a native for anyone who did not know of him. "Burton says those things are devastating."
"Don worry yer former highness. I'm saving it for a special occasion or two." Anne holsters the pistol and takes a seat near the head of the table, kicking her booted feet up on the table and reclining back.
"Hah. You would have made for a good Spartan wife." Leonidas takes a seat on the opposite side of the table from her.
"Been a wife, not fer me." Anne retorts with a chuckle. "Me other offer's still open." She tells him with a wink.
"I respectfully decline. Again." Leonidas answers with a chuckle as well.
"Eh. Yer loss~" Anne teases before having another swig of her ale.
"Crass, as usual." Genessa says on her entrance, having heard the last exchange from down the hall. Her Red Shield Guild uniform has been left in Doren, so she now wears a simple
gown and cloak to appear a commoner should she need to venture out from the fort. She sits next to Leonidas and looks up at the map. Anne only puts her thumb between her two front teeth while looking at Genessa, who looks back very confused as this has happened once before when Genessa said something to Anne, but doesn't know it's significance enough to know it's an insult.