Chapter 114: Turncoat Part 5

Cal slowed her mount and swung to the left and followed a smaller road to another which ran straight past the gate. Setting her mount into a gallop again Cal raced toward the gate.
As soon as she was close enough to see the Anglian guards who stood outside the gate to the embassy, Cal shouted to them to stop the coach.
They finally heard and formed up on the road pointing their weapons toward the coach. One of them fired a shot and the sound of the coach changed as the driver hauled on the reins. Cal slowed and stopped her horse and jumped off, blessing the rides she'd taken in the mornings going to climb the wall.
"Commander Shillingsworth." she introduced herself to the honour guard. "The man in the coach has secret plans he intends to sell to the Kershians."
"She's the real thing," one of the guards shouted. "I climbed with her."
On the other side of the gate to the embassy, Kershian soldiers stood at alert with their own weapons.
Lord Sifton stepped out of the coach.
"I am on a delicate diplomatic mission. Let me pass."
"No, my Lord," the honour guard stood firm.
"She's the traitor," Sifton accused her. "She's been running about with the Kershian Ambassador. If you let her stop me, you will be harming the country."
"Sorry, my Lord." The ensign leading the honour guard stepped forward. "We have sent a message to the prince. Until he gets here, no one is entering the embassy."
"You there." Lord Sifton shouted to the Kershians. "Let me in. Now."
Bri strolled out of the embassy building to stand behind the Kershian guard. He spoke to them in his own language. They formed up across the gate, their weapons very deliberately not pointing at anyone on the Anglian side.
"Sorry, I have no authority on your side of the gate," Bri said smoothly. "For us to take any action would be tantamount to a declaration of war. I assure you, my Emperor would not be pleased."
Lord Sifton ranted, but when he turned to leave the guard refused to let him.
The royal coach rumbled up, and HRH Hubert climbed out.
"What have we here?"
"My Lord claims to be on a diplomatic mission."
"Does he?" the Prince looked at the now pale Lord Sifton. "I don't recall any diplomatic missions for tonight assigned to Lord Sifton. Or anyone else for that matter."
Sifton bolted toward the gate. The guards leapt to intercept him, but Sifton spun and dropped one guard with a punch to the neck and another with a kick to the gut. He leaped, caught the top of the gate and flipped over to the Kershian side.
"HOLD!" the prince bellowed. "Do not fire, no matter the provocation. He's on Kershian territory. I don't want to start a war over this waste of skin."
Lord Sifton sneered through the gate. "I know enough to bring Anglia to its knees."
"I very much doubt it." The prince waved his hand dismissively. "Clear this coach out of the way. Return to your posts." He walked up close to the gate. "My apologies for disturbing the peace of your embassy."
"No apology necessary." Bri bowed. "These things happen." He looked over to one of his soldiers. "Take the man into custody for now."
The soldier stepped over to Lord Sifton and took his arm. Sifton punched him in the gut and snatched up the rifle he dropped. He levelled the weapon at Cal.
The prince took a step toward her but was too far away. Sifton's face distorted with rage as he took up the slack on the trigger. The sound of two shots being fired rolled together so closely that they sounded almost like one.
Sifton span about. Bri stood behind him a pistol in his hand the smoke still lazily curling up and away from the barrel. He aimed one more time and sent a bullet through Sifton's heart.
"Well, that takes care of that." Bri returned his gun to his belt. "Please report to Her Majesty my determination that no shots were fired into Anglia from the Kershian side of the gate."
"I will do so." The prince bowed, the expression on his face curiously like admiration.
A man rode up at a gallop.
"Your Highness." He jumped off the horse and fell to his knees. "The Ferandican airship has broken loose of its mooring. Two men fell trying to restrain the craft. The wind is blowing it over the Channel."
"That is unfortunate. Send a Navy vessel to recover it."
"The princess, your daughter, is on it, with her son."
The Crown Prince went pale and for a horrible moment, Cal thought he'd faint.
"Your Highness, I need a ride in your coach." Cal stepped up to him. "You." She pointed to the guard who'd recognized her. "Secure Lord Sifton's coach. No one is to enter it for any reason. Keep it under heavy guard." She ran and climbed on the Royal Coach followed by the prince. "We need to get to my house a fast as possible."
"Is there a way to rescue my daughter and grandson there?" The prince settled in beside her as they took off.
Call nodded absently, her mind hard at work. She looked up at the clouds. They were moving fast. From where the airship would have been moored, it could be over the water by now. She could make it to the princess if the envelope held. She willed the coach to go faster, but crashing would do no good either. When they pulled up to the house. Cal shouted for Hans and Bundo before remembering she didn't even know if he was still alive.
"I need your help, and your driver and guard too." Cal led them to the barn followed closely by Hans.