Chapter 119: New Command Part 1

A month after the rescue, the royal coach came to collect Cal. She wore a gown Beth helped her put on. None of her uniform clothing was in a fit state to visit royalty. Cal touched the Zithayan's scroll in her sleeve. She'd ask the prince for advice.
An honour guard met her at the entry to the palace and marched with her to a large room with the Queen seated on a dais at the end. The Crown Prince sat beside her.
The guards walked Cal close to Her Majesty. When they stopped, Cal went to her knee.
"How may I serve, Your Majesty?"
"Our son has told me of your adventures. A flying ship, a mid-air rescue, fire and treachery. If it weren't him, We would wonder if it was the plot of a penny dreadful."
"It has been a busy time." Cal studiously kept her eyes on the floor in front of her.
Her Majesty laughed and a murmur went through the room making Cal aware a crowd surrounded her.
"Is there something you wish of Us in return for your service?"
"Your Majesty, I am your subject. I need no reward for fulfilling my duty," Cal took a breath. "However, friends came to my aid and I owe them a debt. They asked I deliver this message and ask you to consider its contents." Cal held the scroll in her hand. A page came and took the scroll from her hand and passed it to Her Majesty. The queen opened it, glanced at it and passed it to the Crown Prince.
"We will speak of this later. Please rise." The Queen gazed at Cal. "Our son granted you the equivalent of a knighthood, Lady Shillingsworth. We are told he neglected to make any ceremony to mark the occasion. It is a habit which We are trying to break. In this case, We do not agree with his assessment. Your actions have shown you to be deserving of much greater honour than a knighthood conferred in a field with no one to witness." She put out her hand and the Crown Prince drew his sword and handed it over. "Calliope Shillingsworth, Commander of the Royal Engineers, come forward and kneel in front of Us."
Cal walked up the two steps to the dais, where the prince helped her to kneel in the gown.
The steel flashed in the corner of Cal's eyes, on one side then the other, striking her shoulders with a feather touch.
"Lady Calliope, We confer on you the knighthood of the realm. Further, We name you Marquise Shillingsworth. Lord Sifton's estates and holding are forfeit to the Crown. Not wishing to burden you with the care of his dependents, We confer the equivalent land and holdings from the Crown to be an income for you and your descendants."
Cal gasped in shock.
"There is one last issue We must address. You are commissioned as the Commander of the Royal Engineers, a rank equivalent to Admiral in our Navy. It is Our desire for you to find and train a replacement for your commission. It is Our decision that you will serve this land better as the Admiral of the Anglian Royal Air Navy. Land has been set aside for you to construct what you need to build the fleet We intend you to command. Rise, Marquise Shillingsworth, Admiral of the First Fleet of the Royal Air Navy."
Cal stood with the Prince's aid. He handed her a scroll.
"This is a list of your holdings. I will have a man you the extent of your estate and confer with you on how you may wish to run it." Next, he showed her a pin made of gold and diamond. It showed a gear with a crown above it, and on either side of the gear exquisitely carved gold wings lifted. "The sign of your rank. The palace will instruct your tailor on what we wish you to wear as your uniform." He pinned it on her gown. "My son-in-law, the Prince of Ferandica, has asked to honour you on his country's behalf."
Prince Stanagia stepped forward and bowed to Cal.
"Marquis Shillingsworth, Ferandica owes you deep thanks for your courage and determination. My heart has been mended by your actions. I grant you exclusive use of my royal villa. Treat it as your own. I also name you as a friend of Ferandica. You will always be welcome in our country, and you may call on any of our embassies for aid in any matter. Though you have no title or rank in Ferandica, you are granted access to the ear of the King." The Prince took a soft bag from his pocket and dropped a ring into the palm of his hand. "Wear this ring as a sign of our friendship." He passed it to Cal, who slid it onto the ring finger of her right hand. It was a simple gold band holding a ruby carved with a crest.
"Your Highness, it will be my pleasure to visit your country when duty permits." She curtsied.
The prince kissed her hand. Then the Crown Prince turned her to face the room.
"Welcome the newest peer of the realm."
***
"Our late husband had a fondness for brandy We could never understand." The Queen passed Cal a snifter from a tray held by a servant. Cal took her time to appreciate the drink. Her Majesty sipped at her tea and waited patiently.
"As expected, your late husband had very good taste." Cal let the drink slide like silk down her throat. She'd never imagined anything like it.
"Are you aware of the contents of the scroll you delivered?" The Crown Prince sipped at his own glass of brandy.