[h2]Zoe[/h2]
There seemed to be a bit of a commotion as they departed.  It wasn't clear exactly what it was, though one could guess... nobody, however, did anything to stop the launch.  It seemed luck was in their favour... or perhaps it was Prince Maximilian rather than luck.  As the ship began it's ascent, the Prince strode out onto the gangway of the mooring tower, offering the departing airship a salute.

Zoe smiled slightly, returning it, holding the pose until the figure of Prince Maximilian was just a spot below them before she relaxed, her posture seeming to deflate back into the Zoe that had been on the airship with them since Inbur.

She gave a smile to the bridge, before taking herself off towards the dining hall that they had once used for a party, pausing in the door to ask, "You coming?"

They hadn't removed the dining room furniture yet, apparently the Mittelanders had been more interested in removing the gold, and Zoe seated herself in an archair, folding her hands decorously in her lap, before looking up at whomever had followed her.  She looked a little flushed, "So... question time I guess.  I do hope Admiral Le Marinier has managed to find us something pleasant to drink."

Arkadios looked amongst the crew, "Your High-"

"Can we please go with something a little less formal on the ship?  Miss Spy... err Miss Hasikos, is perfectly fine."

Arkadios looked surprised, but didn't protest, "Very well, Miss Hasikos," he said, trying out the unnatural feeling phrase, "This explains how you knew where the gold reserve was, though why the subterfuge as to who you are?"

"Captain, you are an honourable man," Zoe replied, glancing amongst the others, "So are you all, but I didn't know that when I got on the ship!  And not everyone in our company has been.  I was a little concerned that someone might decide to try to sell me to the Communalists, like a prize bull!  Then, after a few days I figured if I announced who I was, everyone would think I was a lunatic.  And, this might sound strange, but it was fun to be Zoe Spyrou for a little while.  I have occasionally become her before for an evening," she said, confirming there was some grain of truth behind some of the semi-scandalous rumours that had circulated in the Inburian press about Philazoea, "though this was her longest outing to date."

"And what of your Royal Family?  How did you escape?" Arkadios asked.

Zoe gave him a pensive look, pursing her lips for a moment before replying, "Well if you must know, Father had told his guard he wasn't leaving the city while it was under siege.  He figured it would inspire the troops to defend the city more valiantly.  I'm not sure if it was an inspiration, but they didn't seem to stand for very long at all.  Father was rather surprised by the speed at which the Communalists seized most of the capital.  The last I heard he was being told by a driver that the palace was cut off from friendly lines," Zoe gave an uncomfortable shrug as if acknowledging her actions hadn't been entirely noble, "I did suggest I had a plan, but nobody was listening so I thought some uncharitable thoughts, went back to my room, got changed, then climbed out a window and made a dash for it.  I think I rather looked like a poor civilian fleeing the fighting - nobody gave me another glance."