The Chase of the Saltire: An Adventure in Multiple Parts

[Rob Wright]

John McBride stared out at the Dumfries skyline as he sipped at his tea. The late fall rains had been falling for over two weeks now swelling the River Nith as the rain swept clean the city streets. John turned and walked over to Rebecca who was reading the Dumfries Daily. Without looking up she held out a silver flask which he tipped into his cup pouring a medicinal dram of single malt into his tea.

“Thank you dear,” John said as he give his tea a quick stir as the door to the drawing room opened and William Earl of Argyll entered.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, business of the crown and all that.” The Earl set a file down on the table and went over to the tea pot and poured himself a cup. “Good job on that last bit of business,’ he said as he took a chair.

“Thank you. We’re looking forward to spending some time on the continent catching some sun,” John answered as he drained the dregs of his cup.

“I imagine you are but I’m afraid that will have to wait.”

Maureen and Stefania set down the cards in their hands and gazed upon the Earl. Rebecca stood and went to John’s side.

The Earl continued,” We have received information that may be of the utmost importance to Alba.”

“Go on,” John said neutrally.

“Britannia’s colonial troubles may soon wash upon our shores. We’ve received intelligence stating that a rebel airship known as The Saltire is heading towards our western borders, possibly the Isle of Skye.”

“The colonies want to draw us into the conflict on their side,” Rebecca said.

“That is a possibility,” acknowledged the Earl. “We don’t know, there has been no official communication between them and his majesties government.”

“Then why are we being involved?” John asked as he poured himself a port after offering one to the Earl who accepted.

“We have an informant aboard. A crewman by the name of Grant. He says the Captain is a rogue who will wreck havoc upon any who get in his path.”

“Sounds rather fanciful to me, like some penny adventure story,” John smiled.

“We thought so a first, but this grant chap provide information that has since then been proven accurate.” The Earl handed rebecca the file. “We are not going to take any chances. His majesty wants to send Princess Mary to the continent in a few weeks. The timing is bit too much of a coincidence for our liking.”

“Oh my! This Grant has a high opinion of himself,” Rebecca said as she looked through the file. Maureen and Stefania both looked at her questioning. “Golden flowing locks, pert firm buttocks.” Rebecca let out a laugh as Maureen joined her and Stefania turned away blushing.

“Yes, his dispatches have been a mixture of grandiose bragging and terror ridden pleading,” the earl noted as he sipped his tea and reached for a lemon biscuit.

“Mender of Weasels, Big Mikey, Captain...Panache? This all sounds like the fancy of some day dreamer,” Rebecca said as she closed the file.

“It is rather unusual I agree,” the Earl said, “But with the increased tensions within Britannia and her colonies, his Majesty feels we must be treat this situation with the utmost seriousness.”

Maureen and Stefania had put away their cards and were gathering up their purses. Rebecca slipped the file into a folio she carried with her.

“We’ll look into it,“ John said with a slight bow to the Earl. “Ladies?” he held open the door for them.

“It may come to nothing John, but his majesty is duly concerned.” The Earl rose from his chair.

Maureen, Stefania, and rebecca murmured their farewells and exited.

“John? We are not sure this Grant chap can be trusted, be careful, King Robert would like you to accompany Princess Mary in a few weeks.”

“It would not do to disappoint his majesty,” John answered. “Good day and he tucked his hat under his arm, gave a nod and was out the door.

To Be Continued……...


Rob

[RB51]

Ooohh, more adventures...but isn't Grant a little out of his aqueous element?

[Standard]

So, this aledged Grant fellow is stirring up trouble across the pond now as well. Hmm.....

[BroosterB1]

Yuck. a multiverse where Grant's the good guy and Capt'n P is the bad...hummm on second thought this might be promising.....

[KD Burke]

According to Grant, I am Panache's nom de plume. Any chance or murdering me off creatively?

KD :ootd:

[ccga3359]

I'd better get a bloody kilt check in this story, Jamie's been a tich stringent in this matter, the basta...!

[Rob Wright]

II

The rain had cleared and the sun had appeared as the local steamer pulled into Oban Station. Maureen descended from the carriage her skirts gathered in her hand as Stefania held out a hand to her. John stuck his head out of an open window, meet me round the front of the station, arrangements for transportation have been made,” he said and pulled his head back into the carriage.

“He is getting cocky again,” Stefania said her Italian accent drifting warmly across the platform.

“He is,” agreed Maureen as she hefted her luggage. “It was bad enough when he tried to get us to order those new fashions from Paris to wear swimming.”

Stefania giggled despite herself blushing at the memory of the “artistic” catalog that had arrived from the continent. “He really is a simple man,” she chuckled.

“Gossiping again?” Rebecca asked as she approached parasol in hand.

“Not us ‘Becca,” Maureen grinned as they walked by throngs of passengers coming and going about the station. Outside the station horseless steamers sat thick black belches of smoke pouring from their stacks as the drivers milled about drumming up passengers.

Maureen ignored a cheeky drivers attempts to chat her up swatting at him with one of her gloves and glaring down at him as she stepped in front of Stefania. “I swear, they are as bad as the drivers in London!”

Rebecca stood on tiptoe and peered around. “There he is!” she exclaimed and grabbed Maureen and Stefania by the hand leading them across the street and down towards the port.

“Where are we going?” Stefania asked as she looked around at the building about them.

“We are heading north a bit, seems John knows a few folks and we are going to pay them a visit,” Rebecca replied as they boarded the Coastal Ferry.

“Speaking of John? Where did he vanish off too?” growled Maureen looking around her as other passengers continued to board.

“I’m right here,” John grinned making his way through the crowds. “I had to make suitable arrangements for our quarters.” he took Maureen and Stefania by the arm and guided them along the crowded deck and to the first class cabins. ‘Compliments of his majesty Robert VI,” he announced as the door was opened for them. “After you m’dears.”

Rebecca followed and John came last shutting the door firmly behind him. ‘I think a gin and tonic is called for,” John said as he set his hat and cane on the side table. “I took the liberty of ordering a little something to tide us over until dinner,” he said as he smoothed his tweed pleats with his hands as he sat down.

“This feels more like a vacation than a mission,” Stefania said as she mixed herself a gin and tonic.

“Don’t get to comfy, we have company,” John answered as he sipped his own drink.

Rebecca looked at him. “You know something.”

“Our friends to the south have sent along some old acquaintances.”

“Oh bother, they didn’t!”

“Yes, Steede and Peele are both here,” John replied as he refreshed his gin and tonic.

To Be Continued….

Rob

[ccga3359]

Yup, still not kilt check...

[Smayniac]

Yup, still not kilt check...

In point of fact Grant, you actually haven't appeared yet. You need to exercise a tiny bit of patience.

[Ancienne Alliance]

I really love this one !


Best,

Robert