//------------------------------// // VII: The Spanish Armada // Story: The Lioness and the Unicorn // by CrackedInkWell //------------------------------// Weeks later, the very fears that every Englishman has dreaded came true as warning beacons were lit all the way to London. The call to arms was ringed out to Elizabeth’s subjects, but even with the grim air that choked the country, the Queen knew that the unicorns were prepared. It was agreed by the court that the most powerful unicorn should be sent to the cliffs of Dover while his student to be with the Queen for the sake of security. Both unicorns left the British capital with each carrying three polished glass orbs, or as Clover dubbed it as “Spy Glasses.” The old wizard wasn’t sent over to the shores of Dover alone. Along with the carriage with the swiftest horses in the kingdom, he was sent with an entourage of soldiers and one of the Queen’s advisers. Sir Walsingham, as Star Swirl had noticed, seemed rather nervous as days went by, and getting nearer to the shoreline. On the night before they arrived, the party made camp for the night. The old unicorn could practically smell the salty air of the sea, but at the same time, he also smelled something that he didn’t recognize. It was a smoky, burned smell that polluted the evening sky of their camp that overpowered that of the fires being burned for light and cooking that was irritating to Star Swirl’s head that was giving him a headache. “Are you alright?” the old stallion looked up from the bonfire in the center of camp. He found Walsingham standing next to him. He waved his hoof, “Never mind me. This air is irritating to the senses that is aching my head. If only that disgusting smell would go away.” The black-bearded adviser cocked his head to the side. “You never smelled gunpowder before?” “Is that what it is?” Star Swirl clenched his eyes shut. “It’s awful. Where is it coming from?” Walsingham looked over towards the direction of the sea. “Must be the battle, if it indicates anything, they have been fighting ever since we left London. I hope that our ships have slowed them down until we get to shore.” He then returned his attention to the unicorn. “What did the Queen told you to do once we get there?” “First of all, I’m on this mission to break up the armada to get away from England. Hopefully, if it goes right, I shouldn’t be able to harm anypony.” “And how are you planning on accomplishing that?” Star Swirl coughed, “First by scaring them, and then try to push them away as gently as possible.” The adviser inquired what he meant by “scaring” the Spanish. “I have been pondering ever since I volunteer to go on this mission. A way to uphold the oath to do no harm when there’s a battle going on. Well, I thought that the best way to do so safely is to scare them. Though, I do have a rather important question to ask.” “What is that?” After whipping his eyes from the smoke, he looked up and ask, “What does the Spanish God look like?”                   Before the bearded wizard was the sea. And on the waters were more ships then he had ever seen in his life. A forest of masts, sails, wood, and burning smoke reached across the ocean. The air was peppered with thunder that came from the ships like a ferocious thunderstorm. Using the three orbs, he magnified not only the battle that was going on before him but noticed that there was land on the other side of the sea. As far as he could see, there were two kinds of ships: the tall sailed boats that looked like floating fortresses; the others were shorter, quicker ships that repeatedly spit out fire at the other. The taller ships were at the moment disorganized and were trying to regroup while the smaller ones circled about them in lines. “Those smaller ships are English,” Walsingham informed him. By the looks of it, victory could be at hand but the Spanish still needs to be driven out.” He looked down at him, “What are your requirements at this point?” “Concentration,” Star Swirl replied. “Now I must gather my magic to use it with precision. Which means, I need distance from distraction from any of you, so please, go far enough so I won’t be able to hear you while I work.” “We do have to keep an eye on you.” He nodded, “Of course, now please, let me be.” The escort walked away out of earshot, leaving the unicorn on the edge of the white cliff, sitting there looking out to sea. Star Swirl stared through the orbs that he held up with his magic. Glancing at the sky, he closed his eyes and his horn glow bright like a beacon at night. Walsingham could feel all around that the air itself felt different as the winds blew skyward. Strange clouds of white and dark formed over the sea, growing larger, covering miles upon miles forming a threatening storm. Then, out of the clouds, like a painter brushing the sky, the escort saw lines being formed from the sky. Dark over light, gray circles over white curves drew out for several minutes until they and both fleets saw above the image of a face. One that had a flowing beard that tumbled and twisted like a waterfall. Then from the beard, a mouth, cheeks, nose, closed eyes, forehead, and long flowing hair emerged. There was almost a collective gasp as the clouds and Star Swirl’s eyes opened, revealing the bright blue sky behind them. It was as if God himself showed his face, and the expression wasn’t a pleased one. For a moment, neither side knows how to react. Star Swirl looked through his spy glasses in hopes that it would work. However, when both sides resumed fighting, spitting fire more than ever before, the wizard thought that this time, he must push both of them back by force. He raised his forelegs, holding them straight forward before bringing them to his withers as he inhaled. Above, the cloud puppet’s cheeks puffed out before, at the same time as the master, blew out. Almost instantly, the ships immediately began to turn as Star Swirl commanded the waves to nudge both armies away from one another. On land, the entourage could feel the hurricane winds that nearly knocked them over, but watched as both the English fleet and the Spanish Armada were separated in surprise with the enemy being dragged further away from the island coast. Meanwhile, the bearded stallion looked on through his spy glasses, keeping an eye on the Spanish ships to make sure they don’t capsize or sink them as he pushed them towards France. Only this did when Walsingham rushes up to object, “Sir! Don’t maroon them over there?” The wizard snapped his head around, although he was sweating heavily, his horn did not fade. “What for?” “There are Spanish soldiers on the other side! If those ships reach there, they are certainly guaranteed to come back!” Glancing through the floating orbs, he told them, “It looks like they’re getting closer, where do you want them to go to?” “Northward! Drive the armada towards the North East! That way, they’ll have to head back to Spain as they are driven completely off course!” After carefully studying the forest of masts that were driven further and further away, Star Swirl’s horn glowed brighter than ever before, as he reached out his front hooves towards the fleet and brought them towards his left. His magic reached across miles of the sea as if desperately trying to grab the Spanish before they get marooned upon the shallow waters. Then, to his relief, the sea gave in and the armada was redirected away. His horn dimmed as he let go of the clouds, wind, and sea, leaving only the three glass balls in his aura. The old wizard was breathing heavily as he made one last glance at the British navy, seeing no signs of distress. Turning towards his armed entourage, he told them, “I think… that should do it…” before he collapsed on the ground. “Sir!” Walsingham and the armed guards rushed over. “Sir? Are you alright?” Star Swirl wheezed, “I’ve used too much of my magic… I need to sleep.” The adviser summoned for a cushion for the unicorn to lay on, once that was brought, the guards lifted the pony onto the pillow, in which he thanked them before sleep overtook him. “Let us return to London,” Walsingham advised. “Her Majesty should be notified that England is safe.”             Miles away, in the mouth of the River Thames, in a place called Tilbury, Elizabeth was being put into armor. War was still on her and her soldier’s minds as news were yet to reach them. She knew very well of the tension outside of her tent as they waited for the chance that the English fleet to fail. From the fortress to the coastline, the army was sharpening their swords, pikes, and arrows while the expensive cannons aimed towards the sea. Her servants helped her into the armor breastplate over her white velvet gown. By the time she exited the tent, the stone fortress was in full motion with soldiers going about this way and that. Clover the Clever, who spotted her, went up to her with the spy glasses in her aura. “Any sighting of the Spanish?” Elizabeth inquired. The mare shook her head. “Nothing as far as I could see, although I can speak on behalf of everyone that we’re all nervous about what’s to come. I too am worried over many things, including what became of my master.” “This is only a precaution little one,” the Queen told her as she walked forward towards her generals. “I do have faith that our navy shall outwit the enemy before they could attempt to come ashore.” “And if they couldn’t?” questioned Clover, “Even with the efforts of my Master?” “Then we shall fight,” by now, she reached her generals. “My Lords, is the army prepared?” They bowed. “All waiting to be given the word to attack milady,” said one of the generals in which he added, “Although, at the same time, we are concerned.” “No need for that, I have confidence that we shall succeed a victory.” After glancing at one another, the same general spoke up, “That is not what I meant, Your Majesty. Our concern isn’t the impending battle itself, rather, the very fact that you are here and that you are surrounded by armed men that, if the Spanish gain the upper hand that they may turn against you.” Elizabeth frowned, “What are you implying?” “That it ought to be wise for you to either remain in the fortress or to be taken to some place of safety for the chance that you need to flee, so perhaps you may have your bodyguards-” “No!” she objected in a way that was so sudden that Clover was forced to step back from the sudden burst of anger. “We did not come all this way so that our people to watch us flee before the nightmare of the Armada! I for one find your lack of confidence in this army’s loyalty unnerving.” “This is for your own safety ma’am,” another general told her. “As much as you are the Queen of England, you are still by all accounts a woman.” Elizabeth’s hand clenched as she suddenly turned towards the entrance of the fortress. “Dugley! Sir John Norreys! Robert Devereux! Thomas Butler with your Page! And Clover the Clever with me! Bring my steed at once!” “Excuse me, Your Highness,” the unicorn mare asked as she followed her behind. “But what are you doing?” “I’m going to face my troops, whether my generals like it or not,” Clover questioned what that meant but she ignored her. Elizabeth climbed on a white horse and was given a gold and silver spear with the other men she called gathered around her. Together they headed out of the fortress to the military camp flanking the shoreline. Soldiers that were facing the sea with unease soon turned away when word came that the Queen was in their midst. Many gathered around them, forming a tight right where Clover saw Elizabeth rode into the middle of the space, turning the horse around all the while. “My loving people,” she began. “We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects. And therefore, I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honor and my blood, even in the dust.” She raised her spear in the air and said with conviction: “I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king! And of a king of England too! And think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonor shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms! I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. “I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you, in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid. In the meantime, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom no prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valor in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people!” “God save the Queen!” a soldier shouted, and the army shouted the same prayer as they raise their weapons in unity. “GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!”             Later that same day, a lone horseman was galloping furiously across the land towards Tilbury with a message. He rode straight for the fortress, demanding for the Queen to read the report from Dover. The same messenger was let in and was presented to Elizabeth with a sealed letter from Walsingham. When she had dismissed the messenger and read the letter, she summoned Clover into her tent. The mare bowed when she entered. “Is there something you need Your Highness?” “I have news for you,” she began with a smile. “Wonderful news indeed, for the Spanish have been defeated at sea thanks to your teacher’s efforts.” Clover sighed in relief, “Oh good… Do you know what has happened to him?” “As this report tells, he managed to drive away the enemy not only away from England, but from France in which Spanish Troops were waiting. In doing so, what remains of the Armada has been swept northwards, forcing them to head back to Spain. With that being said, it also spoke of when this heroic task was done; he collapsed and immediately fell asleep.” “He must have used up a good deal of his magic.” Clover looked concerned, putting a hoof underneath her muzzle. “I should have gone with him, using that much of his strength must have weakened him.” “Clover, we have talked this over,” the Queen reminded. “My bodyguards agreed that having one of you to protect me would be necessary in case the efforts to slow the Spanish failed. While I do pray for your Master’s recovery, he is now, at this moment, a hero to our Kingdom. I dare say that as soon as we return to London, he shall be rewarded as such for his efforts and valor.” “I see…” the unicorn mare nodded. “One last thing: are you going to uphold your end of the agreement? To let us see your Kingdom freely to study its inhabitants?” “As part of the reward, it shall be. Now go sleep, tonight England shall rest with peace on its mind.”