By Jeanne Dupris, Nor Easter EIC

20/12/282- Triumvirate Authority pickets along Triumvirate borders have reported a surge in activity along the Imperial Skyways over the past week. Most of the increased activity comes from the movements of Desantana flotillas.

The Desantana ships were all seen to be headed towards Monteddor, leading many to believe that the fleets have been recalled. The reasoning and purpose of this recall is unknown at this time, but citizens across the Triumvirate who were witness to the migration uniformly described it as frightening.

One man in particular, a fisherman from Govanna Territory, said, “I thought it was some sort of invasion. None of the ships I saw seemed to be of the Triumvirate variety. They were covered in weird markings and flew a banner I’d never seen before.”

The strange banner in question is likely that of the Molten Crown Mercenary group. The Authority says that similar ships were seen mixed in with the fleets of Seylene Plamondon and Johanna McKilroy. Desantana has been pursuing a partnership with the group for some time, and it would appear that alliance has been formed.

Whatever the reason for this mass gathering of mercenary and pirate fleets in Monteddor, one can’t deny the unease that it causes. Neither Monteddor’s High King nor Yolanda Desantana could be reached for comment.

By Isairo Palantes, Monteddorian Correspondent

22/11/282- Nearly six months ago, the Gazette reported that Yolanda Desantana’s ambitious ‘Triumvirate of the Skies’ (an alliance between Desantana, the Pirate Queen Seylene Plamondon, and the former pirate hunter Johanna McKilroy) was courting a fourth member, the former princess of Quin-Loh, Zan You-Delsha. It would appear, however, that those efforts have proven in vain.

Reports made by Sarnwainian forces patrolling the eastern waters of the Pyros Ocean indicate that a fleet of airships commanded by McKilroy were seen engaging with Molten Crown mercenary ships. It is unclear how the skirmish began, but it is said to have been brief as both forces retreated after sustaining light damage.

“From the sounds of things, both fleets were evenly matched,” said Dante Luna, a retired captain of Monteddor’s air navy and instructor at Monteddor City Military Academy. “It also sounds like there was never an intent at a full engagement. It was more like the two fleets were feeling each other out, trying to get a grasp on each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This could either be the first stage of bringing You-Delsha into the fold, or the beginning of a bloody rivalry.”

Luna went on to say that any war between the factions would depend on Desantana and Plamondon’s willingness to back up their compatriot.

“There’s more than a little bad blood between the pirate queen and the huntress. Honestly, I’m surprised the alliance has lasted as long as it has. If Plamondon has Desantana’s favor, they may leave McKilroy to fight You-Delsha on her own, leaving both fleets weakened and ripe for the taking.”

If the alliance holds, however, and the Molten Crown mercenaries are brought into the fold, the captain says Desantana’s already immense fleet would become unstoppable.

“Between the four of them, they would have enough resources and martial experience to challenge the combined forces of the Triumvirate’s individual militaries, as well as the Authority. Add in Desantana’s ties to Alejandro Julianos, and the implications are downright apocalyptic.”

by Isairo Palantes, Monteddorian Correspondent

1/6/282-Several weeks ago, the Triumvirate stood in stunned silence as Blackwood magnate Yolanda Desantana joined her security forces with those of the Pirate Queen Seylene Plamondon, creating the largest private air fleet in the Triumvirate. Since then, the Empire has waited for news on how this alliance would play out.

As it turns out, they aren’t done recruiting. Reports from Crowndon and Monteddor both claim that Desantana and Plamondon have accepted a third major figure into their venture, the wayward pirate hunter and Crowndon fugitive, Captain Johanna McKilroy.

The addition of McKilroy stands to turn this already sticky situation into a powder keg. Given McKilroy’s history of taking down pirates, many of whom were close associates of Plamondon, many are wondering how long it takes before the two start tearing each other apart. There is also the question of McKilroy’s fugitive status in Crowndon, though given that Plamondon is one of the most wanted women in the world, McKilroy’s own warrants may be a moot point in the shadow of Desantana’s influence.

Not everyone believes the alliance will blow up in the faces of those involved. Marcel De La Croix, an expert in the finicky politics of pirates, mercenaries and other shady elements, claims this alliance could prove to be a force to be reckoned with, should it survive.

“Yolanda Desantana has proven to be a shrewd and pragmatic leader in recent years,” De La Croix told us. “With her as the core, I have no doubt she will ultimately be able to not only broker a truce between Pirate Queen and Pirate Huntress, but galvanize them in pursuit of some larger purpose, whatever that may be.”

In the meantime, the people of Monteddor have already taken to calling the alliance the Triumvirate of the Sky, and rumor has it that Desantana has her eye on further expansion. One possible candidate? Zan You-Delsha, who infamously abdicated her position as Princess of Quin Loh by throwing her crown into a volcano in order to form the Molten Crown mercenary group. The group consists of over three hundred ships, aerial and nautical, and has begun making a name for itself suppressing various uprisings in the Pyrossi islands during the last decade.