His command was just now finishing the loading of men and supplies as the sun finally peeked above the horizon. Just in time for the dawn launch. Protocol dictated that the Leave Taking occur with the sun’s first full light. It had been a tight call, getting fully mobilized on such short notice. Wylan’s messages had reached Keeper’s City in good time and made their way up the bureaucratic layers until the Council of Justice saw them, and called on Heron to interpret and respond. It had actually taken Heron more than a few passes over Wylan’s missive to fully understand all the ramifications and legal import of the message. Unfortunately, in Heron’s opinion, both Wylan and his assistant Fiernon seemed caught up in the recent court trend of hyper-verbalization. Heron just shook his head, the younger generation, he sometimes feared that their dedication to legalistic flowery language might sometime override or cloud their vision of the Justice. Heron preferred the short and direct. Lately, however, his style seemed to be falling out of fashion. As it was it had taken him a couple of hours to come up with a legally binding set of charges from Wylan’s report. Perhaps if he’d been there first hand it would have been easier.
Seeing that the ready flags were now raised on all vessels, Heron adjusted the Amulet of Amplification upon his breast and raised his Warrant of Commission and Letter of Command. Formally, he held it before him with both hands, the right above, the left below to hold the scroll in the prescribed manner of execution. He received the nod of readiness from his second.
“Hear all, here-to-fore present and accounted for! For the High Crimes of Piracy, Destruction of Governmental Property, Murder of Constabulary Officers, Flight of the Due Process of Law into Extraterritorial Lands; for the Cardinal Crimes of Illicit Demonic Association, Alliance with Enemy Powers and Conspiracy to Escape Justice by Demonic Methods; for the Treasonous Crimes of Conspiracy with Foreign Powers to Threaten Oorstemothian Sovereignty, for Subversion of Foreign Nations in Manners Inconsistent with Oorstemothian Sovereignty, for Conspiracy for World Domination by Powers Not Oorstemothian and for Crimes of High Import Yet To Be Determined and Specified, is this Warrant of Forcible Extradition and Necessary Eradication issued upon one Edwyrd the Animage, lately of Gizzor Del, Maelen the Seer, known to be of the Free City of Seren, the Wizard Gastropé late of the Command of the Mage Exador, Jenn Rean, Journeyman of the Lenamare’s Academy of Wizardry, Rupert, Novitiate, also of the Lenamare’s Academy of Wizardry; and upon all personages seeking to aid or abet these individuals in criminalistic actions counterproductive to the cause of Justice. This Warrant is further comprehensive over previously issued, longstanding Warrant 31234556 regarding the Judicial Prosecution of one Asmeth the Pirate and the villainous crew of Asmeth’s vessel, as well as Inquisitorial Warrant I1432179 regarding the theft of Oorstemothian Artifacts by Individuals Suspected of Collusion with the Wizard Lenamare.
“In pursuit of this Warrant and observant of the Due Process of Law, do I Heron of Treage, Wing Arms Master of the Oorstemothian Fleet, Lord Protectator of Oorstemoth and the Council of Justice, Duly Recognized Agent of High Justice, hereby assume from this date forth, the High and Sole Command of the One-Thousand Four-Hundred and Thirteenth Sky Fleet of Oorstemoth. Said Command and Commission is to last until such time as the Warrant of Forcible Extradition and Necessary Eradication is considered fulfilled and duly executed by the Council of Justice. This do I swear and affirm on this the 25th day of Asim, in the One Thousand-Six Hundred and Thirty-First year of Oorstemothian Sovereignty, before the duly recognized witnesses of said Command, the One Thousand-Four Hundred and Thirteenth Sky Fleet. So let the Law be Enacted, so let Justice be Done before the Honorable High Lord of Oorstemoth and Justice.” Heron bowed his head for a moment of respect and observation of import, as did the members of his Command. He drew his sword, raising it above his head, staring into the newly risen sun.
“Fleet Ho!” Called his second. “All stations ready! Prepare for lift off. Unfurl the sails.” As word was given to the fleet via his second’s amulet, the glorious golden sails of Oorstemoth began to unfurl from the masts of each vessel in the fleet. All in perfectly timed unison, on each ship, three sails per mast, three masts per ship. The banners of Oorstemoth riding proudly atop the center mast of each ship. Heron balanced himself on his experienced legs as the ship rocked in its berth.
