Before the funeral, the royal pigeon fancier had gotten his doves together and prepared in order send to them out with a message.
When the work was finished at night, all pigeons were released as they flew to even the furthest corners of the realm.
Maryam had responded very calmly and cool and had decided not to go to the funeral out of fear that her sister might arrest her. Instead she had written some letters and had them sent by carrier pigeon to Opal.
Elisheba waited till the funeral was over out of respect for her mother, gathered her army and went on her way to occupy Opal.
Somewhere far beyond the borders of the realm the message was received more emotionally. Both Murat and MacDonald were shocked "Now what?" "How did the men react?" "They are lost...after all this expedition was made in her name."
So Murat and MacDonald got below deck to consult the men. "Do we proceed in remembrance of the Empress, or do we return to Opal and retire?"
The discussions took long and lots of arguments were weighed against each other.
In the end the crew decided to go on. After all the expedition was started by the Empress, but now it had become their life's work. So both captains were informed and the relief was visible on their faces.
"So, we sail on....in remembrance of our Empress Jade I, and her desire to find a cure for the aging disease." "Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!!!"