His plan was a dismal failure and Elizabeth's hold was stronger than ever. Hoping to salvage relations with Elizabeth he defended her when the church decided to excommunicate her. In reparation for his gesture, converts to Protestantism rebelled in the Netherlands. The last of his forbearance had been exhausted when Elizabeth signed an alliance with the rebels and began stealing his treasure ships. Today was the day that Philip would place a catholic reagent on the British throne. What Philip didn't know was that his plans hadn't taken all the variables into account. There was more at play than he could ever have dreamed.
“Arthur! There is a boy here from the docks with a message for you.” Arthur could sense the specks of a huge fleet of ships on the horizon. Humans wouldn't be able to see them for days. He stirred himself and descended the stairs to meet his housekeeper. Arthur's stooped weathered frame gave a lie to the power that lay beneath his wrinkled leathery features. He had spent a lifetime building ships for this day. It had taken years but he had climbed the ranks until he was able to design every ship built in the British Empire. The English fleets were filled with his designs. He could have used the opportunity to build massive man o'war vessels or forty gun battleships but he had instead designed small agile durable ships. They may not be as many or have near the guns of the Spanish but in a fight they compensated with agility and precision. Without changing Britain's history he had changed its future. There were fewer disastrous timelines and no one had noticed his subtle changes.
“Manfred wants to know if you would to meet with the queen's man.” Arthur looked at the young boy standing in his kitchen. He couldn't have been older than seven or eight but he was as thin as a shadow. A blackened eye told of the difficulties he faced on the street. Arthur fingered the coins in his pocket before deciding the boy wouldn't waste it. He had a couple of siblings to feed.
“Here boy, spend it wisely. Miss Green, give the young master a bowl of soup if you will before sending him on his way.” Arthur's housekeeper knew better than to argue with him besides she had a soft spot for waifs as it was.
“Ye will not be leaving until you've had a bowl yourself.” The retort had a sense of authority to it. Arthur chuckled as he sat down across from the wide eyed boy.
“Give him a piece of that fresh bread I smell and a piece of cheese while you're at it woman. I'm sure he has a family to feed.” Arthur laughed at the fleeting look of despair on Miss Green's face. He looked old enough to be her father and in truth was many times older but she still took care of him like a mother hen. Arthur well knew that she had picked up the bread at the bakery this very morning.
“You best not be keeping the Queen's man waiting.” Miss Green was clearing off the table as Arthur finished the bowl with a gulp. “Mind your manners, you going to meet the Queen's man.”
“I'll not be having soup with him so I don't see that it matters.” Arthur teased as Miss Green helped him into his coat. It wasn't but a few more minutes and she had him bundled into a carriage on his way to the docks. Upon receiving the loaf of crusty soft bread the messenger boy had scurried off to find his sister and share the wealth. Arthur was left to his thoughts as the carriage wound through oblivious streets. Fog like a torn quilt still settled in places between the buildings. The carriage jolted to a stop at a long low building near one of Arthur's shipyards.
“Arthur Waters, a fine day we are having today.” Arthur sized Francis Drake up as he climbed from the carriage. Manfred, Arthur's second in command was standing nearby.
“Not as fine as it could be. There is an ill wind blowing towards us.” Arthur watched the squint form in Drake's eyes.
“Manfred my good man, would you be so kind as to give us a few minutes of privacy?” Manfred looked annoyed but knew better than to argue with the vice admiral.
“Come, I have an office where we can speak in confidence.” Arthur led the way.
“What have you heard old man?” Arthur turned and appraised the man in his fancy apparel and well-manicured hair. One would hardly mistake him for being a privateer captain with a ruthless reputation. Arthur sensed there was more to the man than met the eye.
“Merlin, you should respect your elders better.” Arthur settled into one of the chairs and motioned Merlin into another.
“My apologies, I was trying to maintain a cover.” Merlin seemed a little upset.
“I understand, now about the fleet approaching our shores. What do you have planned for their welcome?” Arthur wanted to know if he needed to adjust his plans any.
“Officially a fishing schooner came in this morning and reported a mass of ships approaching. Unofficially I knew the Spanish armada was coming for years. I couldn't avoid it no matter what I tried.” Merlin held his head in his hands as he finished.
“Yes, yes I knew about is sixty years ago when I started working at the shipyard.” Arthur watched the look on Merlin's face. “I control all the shipyards now and have been preparing for years. I was ready a couple years ago but then you managed to sack thirty some odd Spanish ships setting the armada back a couple years.”
“I had hope the English could have some bigger warships by now.” Merlin looked frustrated. “They have more than a hundred and thirty battleships and I have thirty-four warships a fraction of a galleon's size.”
“My warships are not to be trifled with as you well know. Call the merchants, offer them any plunder they can find. I'm sure you can scare up a hundred or so.” Arthur wasn't worried, he had been in battles spanning star systems and galaxies. A few ships subject to the whims of gravity and water didn't concern him much. “Have you any plans?”
“If they try for the channel, I have several hulks prepared with oil. I can sail then into their fleet and explode them.” Merlin was still unhappy.
“I could easily have worked on many of those hulks in their day but they will have an honorable end.” Arthur stood up and moved towards the door. “Chase them down the coast, I will have a surprise waiting for them.”
“Oh by the way, John Hawkins says he designed these warships. He preaches their merits same as you. How is that?” Drake turned a laughing eye on Arthur as he followed him through the warehouse.
“If history were to know that the fleet that withstood the Spanish Armada was built by someone like me they would never accept it. John Hawkins on the other hand is a name that will be known with the Spanish Armada someday. It is only his due, after all it is his job as treasurer and controller of the Royal Navy.” Arthur leaned on his cane as he rounded the corner to see Manfred waiting. “Hawkins should think he designed them, I've been planting the ideas in his head for years now.”
“Good day to you, I have many arrangements to take care of today.” Francis Drake climbed on his charger and was soon lost to sight in the waking city.
“My good Manfred, the Spanish Armada is approaching and will soon be here. I need you to tell every merchantman you can that our shipyards are offering free retrofits to anyone who can fit a cannon and is willing to fight for honor, glory and riches. Stress the last one will you good chap. Oh and ready my schooner. I must needs go down the coast on the morrow.” Manfred nearly collapsed at Arthur's words but he soon recovered.
“Very well but I must protest. You can't mean to go out and engage them with your ship alone.” Manfred was processing the new information remarkably well. Over the years he had gotten used to the eccentricities of his employer.
“Oh have no fear. An old salt in a schooner would have not the faintest hope against a galleon. Never the less I do need to go down the coast to attend to something.” I will have my crew with me so not a thing to worry about. Arthur left the perplexed Manfred rushing off to carry out his orders.
Arthur's housekeeper insisted on accompanying him on the trip until he managed to convince her he would be fine. “It will only be a few days and I will be back before you know it. Besides if any of my orphans show up someone needs to take care of them.”
“Fine but I don't have to be happy about it
. You get back safe and sound or so help me I'll put a tomato in your supper.” Arthur withheld a laugh as Miss Green walked away.
Someday, someday because of what we will do, people will eat tomatoes without fear of poison. Arthur mused to himself as he packed a bag. He spent the rest of the day and most of the evening visiting several captains and merchant men convincing many of them to arm their ship and join Drake on the morrow. Morning found him at the pier as the Silver Fish slid into her berth. Manfred and a couple deckhands clambered down the gangplank that was lowered.
“Those your boys?” Manfred motioned to the telepathic projections Arthur had standing behind him.
“Indeed, some of the finest sailors in the whole of Britain.” Arthur let Manfred steady him as he climbed aboard his ship.
“You are sure you don't want any of my boys going with you? The Scots don't take none too kindly to an Englishman.” Manfred was disappointed at Arthur's refusal but there was nothing more to be said about it. “There are more than a hundred merchant men that took up your offer of a free refit.”
“Good, good, more than I had hoped. Drake will be pleased.” Arthur began lifting the gang plank with a couple of his projections and telekinesis. It wasn't but a couple minutes before they were on their way. A gentle breeze filled the sails and he glided out of the harbor into the morning swells. Arthur dropped the charade when he had sailed beyond the harbor and prying eyes. It felt good to ease the bounds of a mortal and exercise his power.
Bending a wind into the sails and controlling the ship with his mind he flew down the coast. The fleet should be coming around the islands now. The anchor was dropped and the wait began He watched the stars move around Polaris, the north star, as the night wore on. He could dimly sense a battle raging up the coast. The dusk melted into dawn as Arthur prepared himself. Hours passed as the armada attempted to regroup. They were being harried by Drake's fleet as they retreated down the coast. Arthur began levitating above the deck of the Silver Fish. Lightning stretched from his fingers as the energy built up. Dark clouds formed as a chilled wind began to whip the waves into foam. There was a blinding flash as lightning splintered the mast of the Silver Fish. Flashes lit the darkened sky as electricity discharged between the clouds. The ship dwindled as Arthur lifted into the sky.
The wind tore at him as he dissipated into pure energy. The swirling mists and fog embodied Arthur's will as he lashed the ocean into waves. In this form there was little control over his power, primordial instincts with a vague sense of direction was all he had. What was left of the Armada was pushed into the lowering storm by Drake's fleet. The massive hulls weakened by the English cannon fire crumbled before Arthur's wrath. Dozens of ships smashed against the rocky coast hidden by the thick water vapors. Arthur finally let the ravaged fleet slip past his storm as he felt their despair and broken wills.
Britain was safe but Arthur wouldn't be able to take caporal form for another fifty years or so. By then he would have to assume a new role on the protection of history. Miss Green would be heartbroken when she learned of the wreckage of the Silver Fish but it had to be. Arthur had left instruction in the event of his death. She could be the mother she had never been able to. His will left her well cared for as long as she would live. He had seen glimpses of his house filled with waifs being cared for by Miss Green. Merlin, well he was an ascended, he never showed up in the glimpses of the future. He was bound to have many roles in the next half century
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“No! Its too dangerous.” Kiyan was losing the battle.
“I will decide that myself.” Terra's eyes were flashing alarmingly.
“We are going to invade several drakken planets. Who knows what might happen.” Kiyan stepped back as the strands of light began extending from her fingers. Freya circled them overhead as Ray shifted into a winged black lizard and crawled up Kiyan's leg.
“I said I am going with you.” Terra stomped off with Freya following her leaving Kiyan with a hopeless expression on his face.
“You age well.” Kiyan jumped when he heard Jeremy's voice. A quick look through Alec's cameras showed the white streaks in his hair.
“She won't stay on the planet during the invasion.” Kiyan's hair returned to it's natural shade as the air around them warmed.
“Girls do that.” Fred joined the conversation. “You've met my sister.”
“Do what?” Kiyan was still fuming over his defeat in the argument.
“Make irrational decisions.” Fred laughed at Kiyan's disgruntled expression. Kiyan was distracted as his HUD notified him of the arrival of a couple more protectorate ships warping into the system and joined the fleet. They numbered seventeen now. There were many more but they were scattered through time and the known universe fighting a war. They couldn't all drop everything and leave the whole of space unprotected.
“Draxos and the draconic vessel have arrived.” Alec sent the message to Kiyan just before Kronos teleported to their location.
“Come on you must have gotten distracted. You were supposed to be in the simulator training twenty minutes ago.” Kronos had a protectorate holographic uniform but he didn't act like he was under Kiyan's command. Kiyan would have preferred it that way anyhow.
Kiyan rolled his eyes and activated the transporter. The familiar village terrain appeared around him as he materialized on an island in the middle of the river just before it plummets over the cliff into the lake. Kronos materialized a moment later. “So what are we training on today?” Kiyan asked Kronos as he surveyed the training ground.
“Transforming.” Kronos didn't elaborate much until he had prepared. “Its time you learned the most powerful form a shape shifter can take.”
“I can already ice form without trouble. In fact it comes with too little trouble sometimes.” Kiyan ran his fingers through his hair.
“Dragons lords usually focus on the draconic transformation before they develop elemental affinities. In your case I think I know what your draconic element type is but there is only one way to be sure.” Kronos closed his eyes and tilted his head as bluish white scales formed on his skin. When he opened his eyes again the scales disappeared. “We can control the transformation and by changing we can control our bending. Try focusing your energy into a dragon form.”
Kiyan tried to focus but only felt himself shifting to his ice form. No matter how hard he tried he only managed to reach the full ice form. “I can't even sense a dragon form like I can feel the ice form. The ice form feels like its just under the surface. I can access it anytime I want.” Kiyan was getting frustrated after the tenth try. “I just don’t feel anything else.”
Kronos furrowed his brow as he thought for a few seconds. “Perhaps we are coming at this all wrong. There is such a thing as an elemental dragon. It rare but not unheard of. Try ice forming then focusing on a dragon form.”
Kiyan slipped into his ice form and began to focus. At first he didn't notice any difference but before long everything began to feel strange. The first thing he noticed was that he was seeing things from a taller perspective. He felt stronger somehow. It wasn't until he felt something on his back that he realize that he had changed. Looking at his hands revealed icy talons where fingers had been. His arms were longer and bulked with icy muscles. Wings were folded tightly against his back. Kiyan extended them and looked at the semi clear feather like ice scales that stretched in the air. Craning his head around he discovered he had a long flexible neck and a tail. Kiyan activated his HUD and saw an image of himself covered in armored scales that glistened a blinding white. Sharp horns and spikes sprouted from his head and extended down his neck for a distance. Kiyan blinked back to his vision and saw Kronos shift into his dragon form. Kiyan realized that Kronos was larger than him but wasn't an elemental.
“Ready to feel the wind beneath your wings?” Kiyan sensed Kronos just before he launched into the air. Kiyan's attempt to answer released a thundering roar. Kiyan tested the power of his voice again and watched as the wate
r in the river exploded around him into a spray of frozen fog. The deep reverberations echoed from the surrounding mountains shook the trees. Kiyan decided to try flying and stretched his wings and shoved off with his powerful legs. He discovered his mistake as his wings caught the air and shoved him back to the ground. Unfortunately he missed the island on his landing and crashed into the river with a tremendous splash. When Kiyan returned to the surface he didn't struggle as water bending was like second nature in his ice form. For a moment he bent the water solid as he launched into the air again. This time he unfurled his wings at the apex of his jump. He gently settled into a gliding flight over the lake with the invigorating breeze in his face. The sound of deep booming laughter sounded on his right as Kronos glided up to Kiyan. Kiyan tried opening his mouth to respond but blasted Kronos with a wave of ice fire. Kronos was caught off guard and crumpled in front of the blast wave and tumbled out of the sky but recovered himself before hitting the ground.
“Sorry about that, I didn't mean to hurt you.” Kiyan spoke telepathically this time to avoid another accident.
“I should be the one apologizing, you are a much stronger dragon than I had anticipated.” Kronos flapped back to Kiyan and circled overhead. “I'm an ice type myself so cold fire won't hurt me. It did catch me by surprise.”
Kiyan began experimenting with flying as he began losing elevation. His first few attempts made him lose his balance but he finally got the hang of counter balancing with his tail and head. With more practice he managed to gain altitude and even make some aerobatic moves. After practicing for a while longer Kiyan returned to land and shifted back to his human form. Kronos gently flapped to the ground near Kiyan and shifted himself.