Cutlass Mission 11C (12/30/2020) A Report to His Imperial Majesty, Khan du Destin (Pt 1 of 4)

Message:

His Most Magnificent Majesty, Emperor of the Mughals and the Indus, Sunrise and Stars, His Excellency and Singularity, Lord of Lords Bestower of Bracelets, Khan Bahadur, Maharadjadhiraja Berge Lord du Destin your servant, Rai Sahib Gautam Mehta, is pleased to declare all that was desired has been accomplished. Plans of Raleigh stand thwarted, and road is paved to ease negotiations with Ottoman Turks.

This one did accompany your servants Nawab P. Cae, Gilbert Durand, and Ricardo of French House Wildemoon, along with trusted agent Odoardo Lord Farnesse to Napoli fortress of Palermo. Here we debated method of entry. We did fail at efforts to enter fortress from maze of forest, thus decided to boldly enter through barbican gate. French and Spanish did act as arriving soldiers, while this Noble of Indus accepted role as mere servant.

Within, we crossed courtyards where sentries did rain upon us flaming arrows and Persian Fire. Fortunately, said sentries were poorly trained. Use of smoke and beating drums did distract unworthy sentries long enough for us to cross moat into Fortress Palermo proper.

We moved into fortress siege stores. Priority was to prevent guards sounding alarm. This one is scholar and advisor, not warrior, and admits to fear in moment of action, yet this one caught first guard unawares and pushed him from bell platform, preventing alarm. Lors Farnesse did use torches to set fires in storerooms as Nawab Cae and Gilbert Durand dispatched remaining guards. Ricardo of Wildemoon smashed open a barrel and did grab several small earthen pots as we fled.

Next came anteroom of fortress and second alarm bell. Here, Ricardo of Wildemoon did rush in with taken pots. Pots were full of Persian Fire! Mighty explosion shook entire building and flung a burning Wildemoon into stone wall. Cracking of bones sounded like musket fire, but brave Wildemoon rose to feet, staggered back to doorway, reached into fire and drew forth a chest filled with gold! Ricardo of Wildemoon did laugh and urge us to fill our pockets with coin while he tightened belt over his ribs!

Fires burning in siege stores and anteroom proved sufficient distraction to move deeper into fortress and penetrate fortress Major’s chambers. Stalwart guards were grabbed by Lord Farnesse and pushed headlong down stairs. Major’s chambers contained nothing of import. Clearly, Major was but lackey.

While cries of guards fighting fires echoed, we explored deeper into fortress and did find the stateroom of miscreant Raleigh. Here did Gilbert Durand try to reason with Raleigh. For brief moments Raleigh seemed to listen, but he was but stalling. Raleigh dove across room, reaching for his sword. He crashed into Nawab Cae, and they did struggle together. Ricardo of Wildemoon did aim his pistol as Raleigh, but, when he pulled trigger, pistol did not fire. Raleigh pushed free of Nawab Cae and, again, leapt for his sword. This one had taken up Raleigh’s sword. He tried to take it back. After tugging Raleigh held scabbard, this one held blade. Here Raleigh proved to be coward, unworthy of fearsome reputation. Raleigh did turn and flee, crying for his guards. This one was amused to later hear comic tale told far and wide of how feared warrior did scamper like rat from mere scholar, holding his first sword!

Search of Raleigh’s chambers did reveals letters, lists, maps, and ledgers of interest, which we did take with us to Paris.

On voyage around coast of Europe, we did encounter ship of European colonists in route to far side of glorious Indus Empire. Gifts of gold were given, and this one took liberty of gifting colonists in name of and as representative of munificence of Your Imperial Majesty.

Once in France we made way to Paris. Along way we did meet Prince William, exiled in Spain. This one was unable to gain audience with Prince-in-Exile, and was unable to extend to him greetings and friendship in name of Mighty Khan. Only Gilbert Durand did meet with man. Prince-in-Exile is famed brawler, and Prince did teach Durand secrets of his martial art.

Thence, we did quickly arrive in Paris to meet with Lady Eloise, ally of Your Imperial Majesty. We did disclose to her all that had occurred, and members of other parties involved with You Imperial Majesty’s brilliant triple-pronged actions did arrive while we were still in residence with the Lady. This one is certain my Khan already knows of success of actions taken by agents in Serbia and Cyprus

With destruction of cargo stored in Serbia, theft of secret sailor’s charts from Cyprus, and humiliation and loss of honor and reputation to Raleigh in Naples, all obstacles are removed to negotiation. Nothing now impedes Your Imperial Majesty, Emperor of the Mughals and the Indus, Sunrise and Stars, His Excellency and Singularity, Lord of Lords Bestower of Bracelets, Khan Bahadur, Maharadjadhiraja Berge, Lord du Destin from forming lasting peace with Ottoman Turks, for glory of all Indus and Mughals.

Your Most Humble Servant, Rai Sahib Gautam Mehta

Yours,