She's here for Cassandra

Removing her eyepatch, she revealed an eye that was the same as her other eye. Cassandra looked confused, then gasped in recognition. "It's just an affectation, tools of the trade," the woman said, as she dropped it. "I trust you know what I'm doing here." Cassandra's eyes narrowed, but she nodded. "Why don't you tell the good people of the realm who I am?" Cassandra stared at her angrily, but remained silent. "No matter, I tell stories better than you, anyway."

"Your lovely queen is my older sister. When I was a teenager, I loved a much older man. I kept it secret from my family because of the scandal. I hoped to reveal our love one day. But, when I confided in my sister, she waited for the first opportune moment to knock me over the head, then she and some friends loaded me into a carriage and took me to the harbor, where they sold me to Wickley the Red, a pirate of incredible cruelty."

The crowd gasped. People compared the appearance of the two women, which seemed to confirm the idea that they did indeed look related.

"I did no such--" "Hush, you had your chance to tell your twisted version of the story. My next three years were hell. Wickley kept me as a ****, and everything that entailed was unbelievably disgusting. But then, I saw my opportunity. I was serving him dinner alone in his cabin, when I took his steak knife, and, let's say what I did impressed the crew so much, they had me join them. I am just as naturally gifted as you are, my sister, so I rose through the ranks quickly. It wasn't long until I was captain myself. I gradually built a crew of the formidable women you see in this room, and sailed the seas for years, earning quite a bit of plunder. But my goal was always the day that I returned to face you...and claim the man I love. Thanks to a storm, we were blown off course, and I pirated the other side of the world for years, until we worked our was back, and now here I am, at my day of reckoning. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Queen Cassandra looked at the foolish scandalized nobles, gasping and making disapproving sounds. "I didn't do it, sister."

"Admit it!" The noise and shouting was enough to wake Elard, who had fallen asleep on his throne during the entertainments. "Milisandia? Is that you?" "Yes, my love." "We looked for you for years. I exhausted great portions of the kingdom's resources searching for you. And when I thought you were gone forever, I..."

"Married my sister? The one who sold me into slavery? Well, don't worry. I am back, and will have satisfaction."

"What is it you want? I will give you almost anything," Elard said. Cassandra nodded in approval, just wanting her inconvenient sister to go away.

"I'm not here for your money. You don't have anything I want...but SHE does. I'm here for her." Everyone in the room gasped as Milisandia pointed at the queen with her sword. Under normal circumstances, guards would appear and arrest or attack anyone with the gall to do such a thing. But she was holding two swords. She tossed one to Queen Cassandra, who let it fall at her feet.

"Pick it up...remember, you used to know how to fence." Queen Cassandra's honor goaded her into picking up the blade. "If I recall correctly, I always gave my little sister a sound thrashing."

"I'm not your little sister anymore--I am the scourge of the seas!" Milisandia said, taking an en garde position.