A Fanciful Sea Battle

*From below decks Sir Nicholas doth hear his Captain's orders to the crew. He wonders if events above hath deteriorated further. His instincts push him to action before rational thought, and he finds himself climbing the ladder to heed his Captain’s call. But as the first ray of sunlight filters down through the hatch and falls upon him, he recoils. His already wounded flesh doth hiss and begin to smolder.

With a curse upon his lips he retreats back into the shadows of the hold. His heavy cloak sticks to his skin where burns mar his pale skin. He knows the wounds will heal once he feeds but for now that is not an option.

His fists clinch at his sides as he curses Lord James and his treachery for bringing him out into the sunlight.

Then through the veil of his anger he senses something. A presence close by, though not on board, on shore perhaps. He wonders if it is but his imagination, his heart’s desire playing tricks upon him. He longs to know, but he is trapped in the shadows. He feels the confines of the hold press in on him further and his rage increases ten-fold.

He kicks a wooden barrel in frustration, his vampire strength, increased by his rage, splinters the wood and sends the container careening across the floor to smash against the side of the hull.

One word escapes from his lips in a soft whisper*

Marie

*Marie tightens her cloak. She wishes to speak to her cousin, and knows this is the best place and time to do it privately. She bribes the guards, who know her well, and slips aboard the Gloriana, keeping hidden the entire time.*

*Nicholas feels the presence grow stronger, aboard ship now. No longer does he think it is imagined. It must be real. It must be*

*He moves across the room and climbs the ladder as far as he dares, just short of the rays of sunlight filtering in through the hatch. He clings to the wrungs of the ladder in misery, his vampire ears poised to hear what is going on above*

*Elizabeth turns to see Marie boarding the ship and walks over to her as nonchalantly as she can manage under the present urgent circumstances. As she nears Marie she speaks in a whipser so no others can hear.*

Marie, we have trouble. James of York doth now wish us both dead and ist trying to gather rebels in both our realms. He wishes the throne of England and will remove all possible obstacles.

*Elizabeth takes Marie's arm gently to lead her across the deck toward the cabins.*

Nicholas ist below deck and hath been injured by the sun. I would have thee go to him immediately. Take whichever of my guards you please as protection, and if Nicholas wishes it send a guard to the Tower to have fresh blood delivered to us via some condemned soul.*

*Elizabeth stops to leave Marie at the ladder leading below deck.*

I have further arrangements to make for the safety of us all, take care of Nicholas and keep safe. I wilt join thee shortly.

Marie *he whispers again, this time with certainty. *

*Nicholas listens to the conversation above anxious to hear the sound of her voice. His beautiful, darling Marie. He can smell her sweet perfume though whether it be through his heightened senses or fond memory he doth not know. *

*Though consumed with worry for both of the Queens, a happiness he has not known for sometime doth over take his heart. *

*Nicholas backs away from the ladder and wraps his cloak more firmly about him, pulling the hood lower over his head, to ensure his marred skin doth not show. Anxiously he waits to be reunited with his true love, wondering how she shall receive him after their time absent one from the other. *

*as the rowers manuever the Real alongside the Gloriana, Juan clambers aboard.*

*Marie looks at Elizabeth, eyes wide, but facial expression steadied and says aloud in a loud voice* Oh cousin! You should not have made such lavish birthday plans! Of course I shall wait in the hull so I do not see the surprise! You really are to kind! *Under my breath* I wish for that guard *Pointing at the tallest, handsomest one*.

*Shielding my face and eyes from the sun, drops into the hull, unable to see in the dark, and misses the step totally, free-falling and crashing painfully and loudly to the bottom*.

*He is at kneeling at her side before she can even draw another breath. Heavily cloaked at hooded she can not see his face but knows the voice.*

Marie? *his voice is soft, choked with fear. He draws her into his arms despite the pain it brings to his injuries.

Are you hurt?

Well, although not the most graceful entrance to England, it is the best I could do. *My face is white(r) , and you can sense several broken bones*. Why are you hiding here in this filth?

Just try to be still, we need to get you out of here *he momentariloy ignores her question.


*He motions to the guard who followed her down.* Go and get help, but do it descretly, I shall keep her safe until you return. Have the physicans readied at the palace.


Marie I think thou has broken bones ... where doth it hurt beloved? *besides the broken bones he fears for thier unborn children but doth not voice his concern.

Oh, only here. *Turns out here includes just about all of my legs. My ankles are now beginning to swell and turn an ugly shade of red*. How ironic would it be if with both Edward and Elizabeth present, I were to die of something as simple as a fall? *Manages a weak laugh*.

I have missed you so much. *Squeezes you as hard as I can manage*. I have a whole host of balls prepared!

*winces slightly at the pain of his burns but holds her closer none the less *

I have missed you too, each day I prayed wuldst be the day I wuldst finally be reunited with thee.

*Nicholas smiles at her fondly, though his face is still creased with worry. He offers his own weak chuckle* Of course as I imagined the day in my mind it twas not quite like this. We art quite the pathetic pair at present.

But thou art not going to die, I shall carry thee to the palace mineself if I hath too, sunlight be damned.

I thought the palace was out of limits...? I AM THERE AFTER ALL! Well, techinically I'm in the tower, but i Have brilliant eye sight and can see the castle

Oh, we may be a little bruised and battered, but we are far from pathetic. Ouch, do not touch that. *Moves my leg slightly, which causes a loud snapping sound. Simultaneously my face turns about the shade of salt*. Oh, dear. Now that is quite a doozy. Is there any alcohol down here?

*Nicholas winces at the sound* Damn where is that guard.

*He gently releases her and searches around the hold for a moment before return with a bottle of rum*


*he kneels beside her once more and puts an arm around her for support. * Wilst this do? Tis rum, and its all I can find.

*Rips off the top with my teeth and begins sipping it as fast as I possibly can without seeming un-ladylike*. Yes, I think it shall. And are you well? You sound ... crispy.

(OOC: Crispy *snorts*)

*watches while his Queenly wife slams down rum better than most pirates*

I shall be fine dearest, mine wounds wilst heal once I feed, tis thine injuries that concern me

Wounds? How on Earth could you get wounded?

*Elizabeth bounds across deck to greet Juan. Pausing momentarily afore she doth behave un an unqueenly manner, she takes his hand gently.*

My lord, I am most afeared for thine safety, as well as that of us all.

My half brother, James of York, has chosen this moment to reveal his true colours and ist mounting a rebellion against all who stand in his path to my throne. I hath the Queen of Scots below deck so know she ist safe, though I worry greatly for her son as he too is in line to the throne.

And as I am ithe first in James's path he seeks to distress me to weaken my powers of control. He ist slowly removing all of my closest protectors and friends. He hath threatened Sir Nicholas and caused Robyn Dudley grave injury. I fear thou wudst be his next victim.

*Elizabeth withdraws her hand and looks away so as not to see any reaction in his expression*

I would understand if thou see fit to retreat to Spain under such circumsances. I am full able to stand against him as I have done against all other enemy with the good people of England on my side. I would not have thee in danger.

Sunlight and I doth not get along. If heavily cloaked I can with stand it for a short time but not long.

James of York didst cause much treachery which forced me out into the day light and aboard ship. I am strong enough and the exposure was not enought to kill me as twud some of my kind. My skin is but burnt in patches. I am sure it looks worse than it tis.

*Hears Elizabeth speaking*. I cannot hide out like a bilge rat in this hold! I have led my own soldiers into battle, I cannot let a little crazed boy scare me! *Moves to stand up, and promptly falls down with an ear-piercing shriek of agony that echoes throughout the entire ship*.

Marie thou must stay still.


*Nicholas collects her back into his arms, holding her tighter this time.*

There is naught thou can do, thou art hurt. Right now thou art safe here, someone shuld be here to take thee to the palace.

But If thou wishes I shall try to carry the to the palace mineself. But thou can not try to stand up

*afore Juan has chance to respond, Marie's cry doth reach Elizabeth's ears. She turns and runs across deck to the hold, hurrying down the ladder and turning with her dagger unsheathed. Afore her she sees Marie, pale and injured. Glancing about the hold she canst see none but Sir Nicholas who doth hold Marie in his arms.*

What goes on?! How ist my cousin injured and who didst cause her harm?!

Could I please direct you here;

http://royals-reborn.heavenforum.org/site-suggestions-f12/undead-royals-20-t139.htm#5817

*charges after Elizabeth, hand on sword*
My dear, are you all right?
*sees Marie*
Your grace! You are unwell!