Three Must Decide.

Part 5, The Way Back.

Chapter note. the first 3 chapters have introduced you to the Three. Each faction is controlled, to a degree, by a real life person so decisions have to be made.

Hidden Consequences of past Decisions. nothing significant as yet!

New Decisions.

The Grand Duchess needed to decide if:- 1, They would take a short voyage and be seen coming but avoid all risks of the sea. 2, take a longer route,  sailing the coastal waters, risking being discovered but avoiding the deep Ocean and its dangers. 3, Take the fleet out in to the Ocean and risk it all for surprise.

Read on to see what they have decided.

The Grand Duchess came out of her cabin, positioned at the Stern of Marquess Diegou's flag ship, one of the 6 ships of war in their fleet. Her cabin was sumptuous compared to the spaces slung with hammocks side by side below decks, that was all most of the crew and soldiers had to call their own. Even then, that small space, was only theirs when they were off duty. When they were at work all their belongings had to be wrapped up in the hammock and stowed along the side walls.

Even with the largest room on board to herself Caroline still felt the freedom of opening the door and walking out on to Deck where the partial upper Deck above her room provided shade and shelter for those on the ships wheel. She moved to the starboard rail by the stair leading up to the upper Deck were Marquess Diegou's, smaller but just as lavish cabin opened on to. The voyage had become laborious and even with the never ending planning, reviewing objectives again and again, it was becoming monotonous. For yet another day they had been becalmed and as the afternoon wore on there was still no sign of the wind. Caroline ascended the stair to the upper deck to await the others who would assemble before dinner so she ,as the High Duchess, could decide on the most pressing predicament.

From the upper deck she looked forward to the bow of the ship. The view still captured her attention, the ship was alive with people continually performing their daily tasks to care for their ship and themselves. The Saxifrage had been crafted for war, then upper decks had been added fore and aft and a poop deck making her the tallest ship known. Finally she was adorned with carvings and vivid paint work making her an image of brutal beauty and magnificence. Being on board could make you believe that The Saxifrage was a living being.

"Your Grace" Diegou greated The Grand Duchess.

Caroline turned to face The Marquess who continued to wear the smart but practical attire favored by the crew. It had not been flattering at the beginning of the journey but now seemed to suite him, helped by the loss of some of weight. Diegou had joined, at a more sedate pace, the daily training Lord Godbolts had put in place to help keep the crew and soldiers busy through the long days and was now fitter and stronger than ever before.

"Lord" Caroline smiled in returning the greeting.

"Lord Godbolts and, at your instruction, Lady Jane are waiting for us in the Ward room if you are ready?" Diegou said.

"Yes please lead on" she replied with an easy air.

The Ward room was located below Caroline's cabin and served as the meeting room and place for the officers to dine. Moving inside the ship you could see how efficient the designer had to be with space which was at a premium throughout. low ceilings to every deck, rooms and corridors were needed. The spaces were narrow and of a size to match their purpose only and at all times the might of the structure was present. The crew moved back or held themselves flat to the walls as they passed, the guard at the Ward room door opened it on their approach.

As they entered their eyes adjusted to the light again, the room furnished with a large table, matching chairs had been moved to the side so you could move easily around the papers and plan now laid out on the table. Lord William Godbolts stood formally at its far end, dressed in a similar fashion to Diegou but of the True Order Uniform. Lady Jane had taken a seat to the right and stood as soon as Caroline entered. Jane was dressed pristinely; she had maintained her standards at all times throughout the journeys and trials she had accompanied the Grand Duchess on.