Chapter Nineteen - Delegating Diplomacy

We quickly got Nebula moving. I swapped out my exhausted gems for freshly charged ones; all that I had. I covered our retreat while Dash and Ao covered me. Fortunately for them, no more staff-wielding jackals appeared, because I was completely over playing nice with the puppies, and really didn't want any more blood on my horn.

The yeti prisoner was still being worked over by Dr. Woundwort, so I gathered the girls and Clove Hitch together and explained what had happened.

Rarity surprised me by sighing dramatically and saying, "It's a shame Pinkie and I weren't the ones to contact them."

"Uh… What?"

"Oh please, darling! If the old map table still worked, our cutie marks would definitely have been hovering over the place, and if you think about it for a moment, you'll see why."

"Rarity, I don't…" But I did. I saw exactly why I'd mucked everything up.

"Even Winona’ll bite a pony if she’s cornered and scared," Applejack added, helpfully.

"Some Princess of Friendship I am," I grumbled.

"Well dear, that's the crux of the matter!" Rarity said. "You aren't the Princess of Friendship right now. You're Captain Blackmane on the hunt. That's exactly what we need to put an end to that dreadful Storm King, but not what was needed down there."

I rubbed my forehead just beneath my horn and sighed. "I could have just changed back. I should have—"

Rarity shook her head and reached up to tap the silver mask she wore. "These things always come with a price, and sometimes they are very hard to remove on the spur of the moment."

Captain Blackmane never screamed or cried in frustration, so I took a deep breath and said, "Well then, Silver Mask, what course of action do you suggest?"

"When we arrive in Seaward Shoals, give me command of one of the relief airships and transfer our trade cargo over to her. Pinkie and I will return to the High Song on a joint trade mission from Twilight Town and Marezambique. No connection to the dreaded pirate Blackmane at all! If we don't have treaties in hoof inside of two days, I'll eat an eyepatch!"

I grinned. "Marezambique?"

"Think of it as a consulting fee, if you like. Do I have to hold up a little double crocodile?"

"Hey, wait a minute!" Rainbow Dash said. "Two whole days? Aren't we going to chase down the Storm King? If we wait that long isn't he gonna, like, get away?"

Well, I was wearing the mask, I thought I might as well put it to use. I turned and gave Dash a cold stare. "There's no place he can run to that I won't find him."

= = =

It wasn't until we sighted the coastal juniper woodlands that I started to relax. I had crewponies take Bibliophile aboard, deflate her envelope, and stow her away.

I personally took the chest and the little sandalwood box below and put them in the hidden compartment beneath the deck of the guest cabin. I needed to reassure myself that something good had come out of my deadly screw-up, so I took another peek in the chest before I locked it away. Imagining the expressions on the Nebulas' faces when they were paid their shares of this voyage did make me smile a little bit.

The Equestrian airships hadn't arrived by the time we got to Seaward Shoals, so I sent Dash north to find them and let them know we were waiting. I hoped that she'd burn off at least a little of her nervous energy.

First, we took our crewmembers and the "sensitive" cargo back on board. Then we rigged a couple of stun'sl yards as cargo booms, and started off-loading the trade goods. The rest of the crew went to work on repair tasks, except for Ralf, who went ashore to look for materials suitable to fabricate a replacement engine cover. We had a good amount of sheet metal in the stores, but not a single piece big enough to make a large cover. I didn't want Nebula to look like a patchwork quilt if we could avoid it.

By then, the doctor was finished with the wounded yeti, so I grabbed Tempest and Grubber and went to talk with him. He was lashed to the big table in my cabin, encased in plaster from the hips downward. He sneered at me when I walked in, then gasped when he saw Tempest Shadow.

"Commander?" His voice was deep and gravelly, but perfectly understandable.

Tempest looked down at him coldly. "Did the King escape the bombardment?"

The yeti shrugged. "I got a look at the wrecks from up on the deck. Flagship wasn't one of them."

Tempest grinned and extended her hoof to me, frog upward, as if offering me an object.

"Huh. That was easy. Let me try. Where is the Eastern Fleet heading?" I asked the yeti.

The yeti frowned and spoke to Tempest. "What's going on? Who is this pony? What happened to the other ships?"

"A lot of things have changed," Tempest told him. "First we need to get some information from you, and then we will fill you in."

It turned out that the yeti assumed Tempest was still a fleet commander and willingly answered all of her questions. Unfortunately, he was low-ranking and almost all of his answers amounted to, "I don't know." He even assumed that it was the High Song that had blasted his fleet. He did know that the fleet's fallback point was Klugetown. He told us that the Eastern fleet's target was in the far north in the Yaket Range, but that was only scuttlebutt.[1]

[1] Shipboard rumors.

Tempest, as she had promised, explained the current situation to the prisoner. He was, understandably, not happy about it. Sometime during his shouted tirade, Ao arrived. She looked at me and cocked her head in his direction, drawing her forehoof across her throat. I shook my head. Ao shrugged and settled back with her forelegs crossed over her chest.

When the yeti finally ran out of threats, I told him he was a prisoner of war and had Ao chain him up in the cargo hold. Tempest, Grubber, and I went on deck.

Spike was on the quarterdeck, and he had his little scribal satchel with him. "Always prepared, eh, Mr. Lance?"

"Of course, Captain!"

"Take a message for Princess Celestia."

He quickly got out the necessary materials and wrote out the opening line.

"The Storm King has retreated to Klugetown with what is left of his fleet and I will pursue it soon." I dictated. "I don't know the objective of the Eastern Fleet, but Tempest said one of the King's possible targets is near Mount Everhoof. I have some corroboration of that, but I don't know exactly what he's looking for there. Luna should arrive here in Seaward Shoals shortly. I will fill her in, and send a copy of this information to Cadance."

"Got it!" Spike said. "Should I sign it Twilight Sparkle or Captain Blackmane?"

The question was unexpected and my brain sort of locked up when I heard it.

After a second or two of silence, Spike said, "Twi?"

I was briefly tempted to tell him to put down Captain Twilight Blacksparkle, Fearsome Yeti-Slayer, but that was probably incipient hysteria talking.

"Just Twilight should do." I think I sounded almost normal.

= = =

I was standing at the starboard rail, hoping to catch sight of Luna's ships when the speaking tube from the cupola gave three sharp whistles, the signal for urgent information.

"Blackmane here," I said into the tube, then put my ear to the tube's mouth.

"Ornithopter coming up fast on the Larboard quarter, Captain! 'Bout half a league out."

"Mount the net thrower at the top and load wire!" I replied. Then, to the main deck, "All hooves to battle stations! Mount net throwers and load wire![2] Fluttershy, stand by the wheel! We may need to cast off."

[2] The net throwers did exactly what it sounded like they did: they threw nets. It was a good, non-lethal way of taking flyers out of the air under most circumstances. The regular rope nets had parachutes attached, in order to safely lower captured flyers to the ground. The wire nets were for tougher, more dangerous targets.

I ran to the larboard quarter[3]and got out my best spyglass. It took me a moment to find the flying machine, but it glinted and gleamed in the lowering sun, making it an easy target. There was a single black jackal piloting it, and it was pulling a drogue of white silk. There didn't appear to be any other aircraft following.

[3] For non-aeronauts, that's the rear left corner of the ship.

I collapsed my spyglass and stowed it in my pocket. "Ao!"

Ao was at my side in seconds, wearing her long swords along with a belt of assorted deadly tools. "Captain?"

I pointed. "The jackal is flying a flag requesting parley, but I'd rather not let them get too close to Nebula. Fly out and tell them to land near the stern ground anchor. I'll join you as soon as the machine has landed and switched off."

"This one obeys, Captain." She flowed out over the rail and rippled toward the approaching flier.

"Net throwers, do not release unless the craft comes closer than our stern mooring line or attempts to circle us," I told the crew.

The ponies on the throwers called out "Aye-aye!" acknowledging my order.

I took out my spyglass again and watched Ao hail the ornithopter. It was close enough that I could see the beautiful design of the machine. The double dragonfly-like wings moved too fast to make out details, but they threw off colored sparkles of light as they buzzed.

Ao flew alongside the craft for a minute or two, presumably speaking with its pilot, and then fell back behind and above it as it began to descend.

By then, the ornithopter was close enough that I didn't need my spyglass. The pilot, who I was pretty sure was Wepaten Seti, set it down a few lengths from the big iron spike-and-ring that anchored Nebula's stern mooring line, shut down the engine, and stepped out of the tiny open cockpit. Ao landed behind him.

I completely blame my Pirate Captain mask for what I did next. It was stupid and unnecessary, but it felt so good.

I made sure that Wepaten had seen me leaning over the stern and then jumped over the rail and hooked my foreleg around the mooring line. I slid down the cable, mane, tail and coat flapping like banners until I got near enough to the ground, and then let go, falling into a trot that brought me to the nose of the jackal's flying machine.

Ao's barbels practically vibrated.

Wepaten stepped forward and fell on his pointy face. At first, I thought he had tripped over a wing strut or something, but then I realized he was prostrating himself.

"Stand up and face me," I told him somewhat irritably. "You're a warrior, not a servant!"

He looked up at me uncertainly, and I made an impatient gesture with my hoof. He rose but only to one knee, so that his head was level with mine. "I come to beg for forgiveness—"

"What? I'm the one who killed your… I mean, they did it to themselves, really. Firing blasts of magical energy in a hold full of spilled fuel? What were they thinking? Still, I'm sorry they died, and I would rather it hadn't happened."

Wepaten gaped at me.

"No, really! Please convey my sincere regrets for the incident to your Sidi."

Wepaten said nothing.

"I'm actually glad you came," I said, desperately trying to fill the awkward silence. "I have an ambassador on board representing Twilight Town and Marezambique. She would very much like to get formal relations worked out between those nations and the High Song, and I believe she has some gifts to present to Atenar Sidi. Oh yes, and Princess Luna of Equestria will be here soon. I'd like you to meet her and talk a little diplomacy as well."

Wepaten only stared.

"This one believes you may have damaged the commander's mind, honored captain," Ao stage-whispered to me.

"There have been a lot of sudden, drastic changes recently, Ms. Ao. It takes some time to adjust."

"Yes," Wepaten croaked. "Adjust."

"See? He's fine!"

= = =

I levitated Wepaten and myself back aboard Nebula. He was very stiff and correct in his speech and manners as I began making introductions, which I took for a defensive reaction.

Rarity was a wonder. She took charge of the tour and responded in kind to the jackal's formal comportment, slowly easing him into a more relaxed attitude. They ended up in the captain's cabin with drinks and snacks, chatting away like old friends.

I scrupulously kept clear of them, sitting at the little table in the chart room where I could eavesdrop a bit. When they began to discuss styles of High Song jewelry, my attention wandered and I picked up The Art of Travel to browse through.

Some time later, the door opened and Rarity stepped through. "I am certain you will get on well with Princess Luna, Commander Wepaten! She is a very traditional sort of monarch."

"I look forward to… Ah, Captain Blackmane!"

I looked up from my book. "Hello, you two. Negotiations went well?"

"Fabulously, dear! I think the High Song will be valuable allies as well as trading partners."

"Excellent! Wepaten Seti, Princess Luna hasn't arrived yet, and your meeting with her may run long. I assume you won't want to risk flying back to Conundrum in the dark, so I'd like to offer you Nebula's guest cabin for the night. I understand if you would feel more comfortable on the ground, so I will have arrangements made for that, if you prefer. In any case, I would be honored if you would dine aboard tonight with the princess, ambassador, and some of my officers."

"Wepaten would be delighted to…" He trailed off, staring at the bulkhead next to me.

I turned slightly so that I could see the woven wind chart hanging above the table. "Ah, the chart! Made by your people, I believe."

His eyes flicked back and forth between me and the chart. "Yes… We…"

"Is there something concerning you, Commander?" Rarity asked quietly.

He shook his head. "After the last two days, Wepaten should not be surprised that Captain Blackmane has a chart of the Katabatic Reef. It is a treasure that many—" He hesitated for a fraction of a second. "—privateers have fought and died over."

I instantly thought of a dozen different ploys to get more information about the chart out of the jackal, but… Well, I suppose you could say that my mask slipped a bit and I went for honesty.

"Oh? That's fascinating. I have to admit to you that I had no clue what it was until recently, and no idea how to read it. Perhaps we can speak of it more after dinner?"

He still looked a little stunned when he replied, "Of course." He cleared his throat and continued. "Wepaten will gratefully accept your hospitality, Captain Blackmane. May Wepaten be shown to the cabin now and be given a short while to… To rest?"

"Certainly!" I called for Midshippony Lance and had him escort the jackal down to the guest cabin. Spike was all brisk efficiency and earnest politeness. He wore his mask well.

When they had gone, Rarity turned to me and gestured to the woven chart. "That little bit of craftwork seemed to surprise him. Do you know what it is?"

"Other than it's an odd sort of chart for aerial navigation? No. But the name is a type of temperature driven wind. Remember the winter currents in the southern Mareghreb, along the edge of the Chimera Massif?

"Oh, Celestia! Clear air that felt like a thunderstorm? I couldn't possibly forget!"

"Well—those were katabatic winds."

"Oh. Oh dear."

The arrival of Rainbow Dash put a stop to any possible fruitless speculation. "Heya, Skipper! Luna's ships are coming in. They're about two leagues north, now. Should be here in, like, half an hour or less."

I couldn't wait that long. "Rarity, organize a meal worthy of our guest, would you? Dash, let Ao know I've left the ship and will be back in time for dinner," I said as I shucked off my greatcoat and disguise amulet. I heard their acknowledgments as I trotted through the captain's cabin and threw myself out of an open port light.[4]

[4] A port light is a square window, usually only found at the stern of sailing or flying ships, sometimes called stern lights.

I flew flat-out, heading northward.

= = =

It was an odd little fleet, made up of a wide variety of types of airships. All I cared about was the big, beautiful mare standing in the bow of the Aeronautical Service revenue cutter leading the others. It took all my willpower to maintain a politely neutral attitude in front of the ship's officers after I had been welcomed aboard.

"The situation is—complex," I said to the gathered officers. "But Seaward Shoals is as safe as can be at the moment. There is a good mooring ground prepared and marked out for your ships and teams of ponies on the rocks to help with your anchors and cables."

"Thank you, Princess Twilight," the captain of the airship said. "May I invite you to dine aboard Javelin tonight?"

"I'm honored, Captain, but I have obligations for tonight. Perhaps tomorrow?"

He gave me a little bow. "Of course Your Highness. Tomorrow it is."

"I… I apologize for my presumption, but I have also saddled Princess Luna with my obligations for this evening as well."

The captain looked to Luna, who smiled (Oh, that smile…) and said, "We understand that, in times of war, plans for dining must sometimes undergo unexpected changes. We are not terribly perturbed."

I was running out of patience. "Captain, I will send Nebula's Third Mate over to you when you're safely moored to help with organizing the off-loading of your cargo tomorrow. We have all the wagons and teamsters in the town ready to remove the goods at a reasonable clip to keep things running along smoothly."

"Thank you, Princess."

"Good! Well! Now, if I may escort you, Princess Luna?"

"We would welcome it, Prin—"

My abrupt teleport ripped us off Javelin's deck and tumbled us into my cabin aboard Nebula.

Luna made no protest whatsoever. In fact, she grabbed me around the barrel, hauled me upright, pinned me against the cabin bulkhead, and began thoroughly and almost violently kissing me. It was exactly what I needed right then.

= = =

=

Author's Note

Another big vote of thanks to Jordanis for pointing out that, no matter how clever I think I am by subtly implying certain things, there is a time when I need to say those things clearly, directly, and loudly!