Astra is Briefed

Astra's eyes opened wide. Could this be the same mage who had caused her so much trouble?

The Captain went on: "These reforms were in materiel (in particular, they had armour that was almost impervious to our weapons), logistics (somehow they did not seem to need to worry about their supply lines and so could cover long distances quickly), and doctrine and discipline (something which they called 'the New Way').

"Then the real disaster occurred, which proved to seal our fate. Their cavalry allowed itself to become 'trapped' at Hercania. Our military commanders should perhaps have smelt a rat, but they did not. The trap turned out to be the enemy's rather than ours. When they sprang it, they destroyed most of our army, and with it most of our leaders.

"Before winter set in, most of the Ryngaerd had fallen before the invincible Silver Horsemen, as their cavalry were known. There was a terrible famine that winter, as most of the crops had been destroyed. Many died, whilst others became refugees. Queen Maia, seeing that resistance was useless, surrendered, and tried to preserve as much of our way of life as she could.

"The Hespanians directly absorbed the coast, which we expected, and certain other spots that did not appear to us to be especially valuable. The rest of the Ryngaerd was divided into vassal states. The vassal state of Aqualaria only retained the Principality of Themyscira, the Duchy of Stygria, and the Republic of Ferra. Our surviving military units were disarmed and put to use as labour squads.

"In the four years since then, there has been much movement of populations. Some of our former allies had lost their territory, and many of their people sought refuge in the remaining 'free' sections of their old protector, where they thought that life might be better. Well, that's about it."

Astra shook her head in bewilderment, trying to come to terms with the scale of the disaster that had befallen her country. "I think I may have encountered this Master - or rather the manifestation of his power. For I have not met the man - if that is what he is - himself. He is clearly a mage of tremendous power. Now I would really like to talk to Mother, to see if we can come up with some plan to retaliate."

"Such a meeting would be difficult to arrange if we are to keep you safe. There are informers everywhere. I'm afraid that I have to tell you that all of your sisters and brothers are dead. Many died in the miltary campaign, but the rest perished after the war was over, either in a mysterious 'accident' or by supposedly committing suicide. The Hespanians clearly intend that your mother should be the last Queen of Aqualaria, so that when she dies we will no longer be even a vassal state. If they should learn your true identity, then you would swiftly join your siblings in the afterlife. I haven't been calling you 'Your Royal Highness' in case I should get into the habit, and do so when it was not safe. I think that we must start by finding somewhere where you can lie low in reasonable safety until we can get a message to the Queen.

"I am going to go and find Paula, and ask her to dig out some less conspicuous clothing for you. And I'm afraid that your hair is much too obvious. Too many of our people might recognise you from it, and not all of them are to be trusted, sadly. Even a few of the Hespanians may have seen your portrait at the Palace. So we are going to have to cut and dye it.

"I shan't be gone long. I'm afraid that I'm going to have to lock you in my office, just in case anyone should come to see me and - getting no answer to their knock - try to enter."

Whilst Astra was waiting, she had the chance to reflect on a number of things. Could the Master be responsible for what had happened to Allaria, in order to make sure that the country would not intervene when Hespan attacked Aqualaria? How had she been delayed by five years on her journey home, as well as apparently having been moved across a considerable distance (from the Shreken almost to Themyscira)? If the Master had been responsible, why hadn't he just killed her, in case she interfered with his plans for Aqualaria? Could it be that others had tried to cross from Allaria into Aqualaria, but had been delayed by even longer than she had been? In which case might some of them turn up, sooner or later?

1. The Captain comes back in ten minutes, and says that Paula will be joining them shortly with a change of clothes, scissors and some hair dye.
2. Astra waits patiently, but the Captain does not return and eventually she becomes anxious.

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