Chapter 98: Dangerous Demonstration Part 3
"Understood. We are not so proud We must have people injure themselves on Our behalf." She looked at the kneeling guards. "When a squad of the royal guards rides at double time out of the palace grounds, We worry for the safety of our son."
"His Highness is safe and well, Your Majesty. I am told that he remained to coordinate rescue efforts."
"We are relieved." Her Majesty Wilhemeena, Queen of Anglia walked over to examine Cal. "You must be Commander Shillingsworth. Hubert insisted a commission and a new branch of the Navy was essential for your success." She reached out and touched the jacket. "James, ask Cianna to attend with more suitable clothes for the Commander. Something easy to dress in, we don't want to undo Dr. Grant's good work."
"Now, Commander. Report." The Queen met Cal's eyes, her gaze as sharp as a sword.
"Yes, Your Majesty. His Highness requested me to attend a demonstration of a new engine. I was first concerned to see that it looked like an early version of what the Royal Engineers were working on. I also noted several flaws which increased the odds of catastrophic failure. Unfortunately, my assessment was correct." Cal closed her eyes at the memory of the bloodied people scattered through the room.
"Your Majesty, Commander Shillingsworth placed herself between His Highness and the engine when he insisted on seeing the demonstration," the jacketless bodyguard said, looking down at the floor.
"Did you now?" The Queen looked at Cal. "That's normally the job of his guards."
"As an officer in the Royal Navy, His Highness' safety is my concern." Despite her weariness, Cal refused to break eye contact with the queen.
An older woman with a dress over her arm knocked at the door.
"Come in, Cianna." Queen Wilhemeena waved at the bodyguards and Doctor Grant. "Thank you, you may go. Doctor, if you wish, order transport to help Hubert."
The three men bowed and left the room. The Queen's guards stepped out the door and closed it behind them.
"Now Cianna, see what you can do for the Commander."
The woman helped Cal to stand as she pulled the pants away and replaced them with a skirt which wrapped around in a style Cal remembered from when she was a child. A soft tunic covered her torso, then an under-bodice, an overskirt, and finally a satin bodice. She gritted her teeth against the twinges from her ribs.
"Now you are properly modest if out of fashion." A faint smile touched the queen's lips. "Thank you, Cianna. Please have tea sent to us while we await His Highness' return. Ask the guard to direct him to this room."
The woman curtsied and left.
"Please sit, We need not stand on ceremony in private, and We would not keep someone prepared to give her life for our son standing while injured." The Queen sat gracefully in a chair and pointed to another across from her. "The dress suits you; Beatrice had very similar colouring."
Cal ran her hand along the skirt, a lump growing in her throat as she absorbed the queen's meaning.
"I don't know what to say, Your Majesty. I remember my mother wearing black for a week when I was very young. I vaguely recall her saying it was in mourning for the princess."
"I think she would have liked you. She had the same impatience with social conventions." The Queen nodded. "Now tell Us more about what it is that you're doing which has my son so excited."
Cal smiled. Where to begin?
"I am leading a team working on an airship."
"So We understand." Narrowing her eyes at Cal, not in an unfriendly fashion, she proceeded to interrogate her. "Explain why Ferandica's is not good enough for Us. We could purchase one easily enough."
"True, Your Majesty, but from what I have seen, there are issues with the Ferandican design which my team intends to address. Most of what their ships carry is fuel and water, with only a small space for passengers. I expect it wouldn't handle rough weather well. There is more along the same lines." Cal gestured dismissively. "What we are working on will be entirely different, with space for more crew and passengers, a longer range as well as more stability and maneuverability. I suspect the next conflict will be settled by air power. Anglia will have an Air Navy second to none."
"We see. So how close are you to this marvel of the air?"
"Honestly, we have a way to go to create the ship I have in mind, but we are close to a prototype to test our designs and theories."
"It's refreshing to not have someone promising the moon and the stars by Monday," the queen said, again, that faint smile on her face. A knock at the door signalled the arrival of the tea.
"Alfred tells Us you're a patron of the arts." The Queen tilted her head at Cal after the servants had poured the tea, then left them alone once more.
"I was an artist before I became an engineer. Nothing fancy," she added hastily. "Pencil and charcoal."
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