The Princess and The Pirate

“So, Kingdom of Elin, will you supply any troops to Rocqueburne’s plight?” the golden dressed Emperor asked, looking at the prominent members of his court around the table.

The celebration that was previously being held had now been postponed for this impromptu meeting. War was brewing and the eradication of pirates wasn’t a hard cause to unite behind.

“Aye. Archers, ships, serfs, and supplies! Whatever they need is theirs,” said the Earl of Elin, pretty satisfied with himself, wanting his Emperor to notice his selfless generosity.

So far, no one at the table had shunned Rocqueburne. Some donated out of legitimate concern, others for fear of looking like pirate sympathizers.

“They have gone too far,” replied a slender queen dressed in cool blues. She too had a coastal town, often victim of the pirate scourge. “Murdering our children in the dead of night, senselessly!”

“Is there ever any sense in it, Rebecca?” replied the golden dressed Empress.

This struck the upset queen silent.

“Excuse me, but I had a thought,” interrupted an older gentleman at the opposite side of the table. He gave the least to Rocqueburne, only offer unwavering trade agreements and limitless credit, rather than any manpower.

But certainly, an open line of credit had its uses.

This lost-in-thought, silver-haired man was the Regent of the borderlands of Masse Manor. He had more problems with uncivilized raiders within his borders than he did with pirates. But really, raiders, pirates, what was the difference? Only an ocean?

“…Doesn’t the idea of a crew of unprovoked pirates murdering, dismembering, raping, maybe influenced by a satanic ritual, out nowhere, seem odd to anyone?”

“If you are trying to make a joke, it is in very, very poor taste, Eustace!” gasped the Empress, appalled. The jewelry on her wrist clattered.

“My lady, I’m not trying to,” the Regent said, straightening his posture. He cleared his throat, knowing such an idea was quite unpopular at the moment. “I just find it precarious, is all.”

“Rocqueburne has a legacy with the pirates. One cannot have their history without including pirate lore and vice versa. If it were any other town, maybe your horrid idea would hold water,” snapped the blue queen. She held her hand up, done speaking to him.

“They killed many of the lords and ladies of the high seas, making many orphans. I do think that, just about now, those orphans have grown into wrathful enemies,” a venerable old king replied, while stroking his beard thoughtfully. He was the oldest amongst them.

“But, to wage an act of war? They aren’t mighty lion-hearted warriors of legend! They’re mavericks and self-serving scoundrels! They’re not the most zealous lot. So to commit an act that could easily lead to their utter destruction seems uncharacteristic of natural cowards. Besides, the way of the pirate is passing as it is,” the Regent rolled the rim of his goblet in his hand, speaking casually, while staring at the fine grain of the exquisite table at which he sat.

“Vengeance knows no wisdom. It rages like a fire until there is nothing left to burn,” the oldest king replied with a raise of his brows towards the Regent.

“Exactly!” the Emperor bellowed, slamming a balled fist on the conference table. “In the name of justice, we need to attack. Piracy represents the dark ages, anarchy, and godlessness. We as an empire cannot allow its vengeful generation to plant its poisonous roots in our present. We need to be both the sword and shield, to act both swiftly and righteously! May Jacqueline’s murder be the last!”

Everyone at the table cheered the Emperor’s words. Everyone, that is, except the Regent. He stayed quiet, thinking. This wouldn’t be war – it would be a slaughter of rebellious youths. Something didn’t feel quite right about Rocqueburne and its sudden vendetta.