We returned back to our ships with our guests, the princess and the stupid dwarf along with a couple of their soldiers. A warmth enveloped me as I saw the beautiful ships stationed at the bay and outside of it, planes flying around. A sense of pride took over me as I saw their faces contort in fear upon the sight of our magnificent beasts. As we approached the harbor, ready to board the Howe, sat beside her is Nelson, two marvels side by side display a power untold to the world. They were hesitant on stepping on board the Howe, the princess constantly talking with her mother, the magic acting like a window through which the other can see even when they aren't even close. But no face, no reaction could be compared once we entered our ships and got onto the Queen Anne's Tower where a table had been set up and many seats for all of us with warm tea on the side and of course, Fontala. This caused a shock amongst our crews, the elf soldiers pointing their blades at her and the princess preparing some kind of spell. There were faces of disgust and fear and Fontala seemed to revel in their reactions as she let out a childish giggle. She starts speaking in their language something which only angers the elves more, she must be taunting them. 

Sebastian: Now, now. Why don't we lower our weapons and sit down for a chat? What do you say?

The princess yells something out and the dwarf seems to relay the message in his way.

Dhufurim: Why in the name of the gods do you have a Siren on board? That, creature, has no reason to stay on board this vessel.

Ernest: Because we made friends with them. And I would much appreciate if you would not insult them moving forward.

Dhufurim: Made friends? You were seduced! A creature like her can not make friends with humans. They are called man eaters for a reason.

Ernest: Believe it or not, we do not care, the situation is at I have described it. Now, can we sit down and talk or should we simply let you go back to your castle. 

The dwarfs talks to the elves who look at us for a moment before taking a seat at the table. Me and Sebastian quickly join them, sitting on the opposite side of the table. Tea is set before us and some biscuits for us to consume during out talks. 

Sebastian: Good, now that we can talk, who will start first? I assume you have many questions so please, you first.

The princess talks and the dwarf translates.

Dhufurim: What is you reason to come here?

Ernest: Our country has launched a series of expeditions to gather information about the world outside our continent. 

Dhufurim: What is you country called?

Ernest: Terra republic. Consists of many different cultures and sub countries, each has a level of autonomy. 

Dhufurim: Can you tell us more about your country? What magic do you posses, what people do you have?

Ernest: Certainly. We are a country of purely humans, well, were until we accepted the Sirens into our populace. We do not posses any magic, be it a curse or a gift, we do not know.

The princess seems disgusted by this information. Why? 

Ernest: Why did she react in that way? 

Dhufurim: It is not of grave importance. 

Sebastian: Of but it is. Your people seem disgusted by us, we are not dirty, we are well groomed. There is another reason and we would like to know why do you act so rude towards us. 

The dwarfs eye twitches, he is annoyed but Sebastian was always a calm man and had the will hard as stone, no person could easily intimidate him. 

Dhufurim: Fine. You are humans and if that wasn't enough of a reason you can't posses magic and are immediately branded filth. Plus you have Sirens, those filthy beasts amongst your ranks. 

Sebastian: I see, well, call us whatever you wish. But I can assure you, that you feeble swords and bows can not stand against our might. If we were even warlike in the slightest you people would bow down before us. Just because we can't use magic doesn't mean we are weak. We have slain beasts you would not imagine. So you better act accordingly and not like some moronic children. 

Dhufurim: How dare you insult us?! Do you know that most of the empire fear us? Do you know that we have dragons under our command? So I suggest that you better watch you tongue. 

As Sebastian was about to speak, Fontala burst out laughing. This did catch all of us by surprise, it took her a moment to stop laughing.

Dhufurim: What are you laughing at wench? 

Fontala: You are so arrogant and so in over you head. Your dragons would last as quickly as you would with me. I have witnessed their power, their might firsthand. Your thorn in the side, Frostwalkers, they were mere insects to them. Wiped out by the hundred. If you were to enter a war with them, you better have allies by your side. 

The dwarf seems to have been insulted, I could see the wrath in him, he wanted to kill her. I stood up and took a stand at the edge. 

Ernest: ALL HANDS TO DECK!

Every soul looked confused but my men quickly got into their designated positions, climbing into the ship, going towards the turrets and soon, the once full deck now is baron, clear. I walk past everybody but not before seeing the smug on Sebastian's face. He knew what I was doing and so did Fontala. I walk into my command post and issue a command. A simple one, a single volley into the hills that lay in the distance. The guns slowly rise up, high explosive shells are in the barrel, ready to be unleashed. With a single command, the quiet air around us is shattered by the thundering crash that is our cannon fire. Large clouds of smoke fly out from the end of the barrels, water beneath us ripples from the shockwave and moments later, the stone mountainside shatters, rock flying up into the sky. An avalanche is caused all around us, the disturbance strong enough to trigger them. Only the frontal 6 guns fired but that was more than enough. I issue a command for standby as I return back where our rather rude 'guests' await. Their pale faces are more than I needed. Their wide eyes, they hold their heads, mumbling something. 

Sebastian: Marvelous. I must say, Ernest, despite having a smaller caliber than me, she is still powerful. Hahaha. 

Ernest: I would like to ask of you to slowly head back. As I see it, we are not welcome and there is no point in negotiations. I would like to give you a warning though. We will be coming back to colonize some land, establish bases and I hope we won't have to fight, I do not wish to see you people die of. 

They didn't answer, either they were too scared to answer, or they simply didn't have anything to answer with. 

Ernest: Soldiers, if you may, lead our guests off of my ship. 

The soldiers nod, taking away the princess and her guards away. I get a tap on my shoulder and Sebastian smiling at me.

Sebastian: Well done Ernest, I was thinking of doing the same. No better way to show someone who they are dealing with than displaying the might they might face. 

Ernest: I had to. They were incredibly rude and arrogant. If they wanted to talk with us they would have, I am ready to deal with tough people to some extent but I don't have time to talk to people who you can't reason with. 

Sebastian: Well said. Now, shall we head back home. I think we did our job well enough, nothing can be done differently. 

Ernest: Yes, I do want to see the nice weather of our country. This snow bores me and is getting on my nerves. 

Sebastian: There have been talks among the higher ranks that there will be another, much more ambitious voyage. This one should be longer and ground forces will be involved. 

Ernest: For the ground forces to be involved you need a lot of resources put in, a lot of transports. Do you think a full on colonization? 

Sebastian: From what I see, pretty much. But I know not of where they will be heading to. Just some continent. 

Ernest: That shall be interesting and a big undertaking. 

Sebastian: But of course. But I trust them that it is well calculated and not a waste of resources and men. 

Ernest: We can only hope. 

Sebastian: All we can do is hope. Now, I must return back to my station and we can head out. All the men have been called back and we are ready to head out. 

I nod and watch him leave and hear a giggle coming from Foltana. 

Ernest: You seem happy today. 

Fontala: But of course I am, captain of mine. I still can't get over their stupid faces when you fired away. They looked like they saw the demon lord himself.

Ernest: With fools you can't speak to normally, we had no option. 

Fontala: I know. But the way you acted, your bravery and simpleness, you aroused me.

Ernest: Let me take you to you room so we can talk about that, please. 

She climbs up out of her tub and into my arms. I carry her to her room, and set her down into her tank. She rest her head in her arms on the edge, awaiting me to speak.

Ernest: Listen, what happened, it happened and there is no going back. But we can't let it happen again. 

Fontala: Why? You and I enjoyed it.

Ernest: That doesn't mater, what happened should have never happened. 

Fontala: Oh come on, I think it was destined to happen. Plus, what is the mater, nobody got hurt, we aren't in any kind of trouble. 

Ernest: Like I s...

A soldier enters the room.

Soldier: Sir, we are ready to set off. 

Ernest: Give out the order in my name, I must deal with this first.

The soldier nods and leaves as quickly as he came. Leaving me alone once more with the troublemaker. 

Fontala: Listen, I wouldn't have done it if I didn't fancy you a little. Plus, I learned you don't have a partner.

Ernest: Do you hear what you are saying? Listen, Fontala, you are in no doubt a young and fine lady, I am an older man, I have a duty to uphold and you are better off with someone else. 

Fontala: Ernest, I am over a couple centuries old, you are younger than me and I do not care. Plus, our passionate night did have, how should I say, a fruit. 

Ernest: I am sorry but I do not understand. 

Fontala: Well, you will have to take responsibility for me and the young one growing in me.

I sit there, shocked, I know what she is talking about, I am not stupid. I simply lower my face into my hands and all I can hear is a giggle from Fontala. What have I gotten myself into? There is no going back from here, soon the entire country will find out about this. The ships set off and I have a prolonged conversation with Fontala on our future. She doesn't really care much about it, she doesn't have anything to loose, meanwhile I do. But at the same time, Sebastian, who was a man of duty didn't scold me or anything. He was rather relaxed and made a joke of it and if anyone were to get mad at me it would have been him. He always watched my back, made sure I didn't screw up, so his reaction doesn't exactly tell me that I am in much trouble. But we will have to see, a long voyage is in front of us as we head back home. In that time I will spend more time with Fontala, if I am to become a father I must at least get to know the mother as best as I can. If I am going in, I am going in all out, I don't want to be like my father who left my mother after he got her pregnant, if I am to become a father, then I will be a better father than mine has ever been.