Interlude The Spitoon

Interlude The Spitoon

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As the month of The Wandering Inns break came to a close, this event took place at sea.

The war was not over. Even though the cold front was rolling down from Cenidau as it often did, frozen mists that could kill someone faster than you could blink, blanketing the northern kingdoms of Terandria in snowit sometimes seemed like the cold just led to more wars popping up in the continent of old humanity.

The freezing cold meant that the nobility stayed indoors or rode about armed with heating runes, bickering without hunting to be done, sleeping with each others spouses, quarreling, and setting the grounds for a conflict come spring or a brisk winter skirmish.

Wars nowsome wars ended when winter began. Taimaguros sparred with its neighbors in the north, and the dominion was wise enough not to advance when those mists came down. Kaaz, most active of the Restful Three, didnt do much besides cheer on its adventurers in their comparatively warm dungeoneering. No dueling challenges, few of the nobility popping up in warfronts as mercenaries for hire. Fighting was all very well and good for Kaazians, but you couldnt beat winter with a sharp piece of metal.

But in the south of Terandria, Ailendamus was still at war. The Dawn Concordat had not made peace, despite all that had been said and done. And the reason was simple, depressingly so if you were a [Soldier] longing for peace.

They had the advantage.

Or rather, Ailendamus suddenly had too many enemies and too little desire to engage them all. When they were waxing in strength, no nation wanted to step up and be the first to be slapped down. Pheislant had been extremely worried about being next on the chopping block, and their spirited engagements led by the Order of Seasons had been tense.

But like a bear being surrounded by wolves, once it was wounded, everyone wanted to take a bite. Noelictus from the north. Desonis from the east. Pheislant from the west. The Dawn Concordat was now on the offensive, and even smaller nations were putting their shots in.

Ailendamus was a vast nation. So if a raid went off, they had to move their forces around. Which, of course, left plenty of places where they werent fully protected. They usually got around this with their armies being the ones advancing and their coordinated assault bearing down on their enemies from all angles.

However, they had lost multiple, multiple armies and their Great General Dionamella along with numerous lesser [Generals] against the Dawn Concordat, and their forces were tied up retreating and redrawing their battle lines against the Dawn Concordat.

They had Hydra Knights. They had the Thirsting Veil, Drell, and more troops than any one foe combined.

The problem was that Ailendamus did not want a five-pronged war with all the nations. It wasin the eyes of the royal court, a certain Wyrm, and a number of other strategic mindsbetter to take your lumps, build back up, and then start afresh.

It was a kind of dance that ignored the smallfolk that you trampled on. Lose a battalion here, eat the cost of rebuilding torched farms or stolen goods, and let the Dawn Concordat and their newfound allies claim all the victories. It would have been far harder to engage them, anyways.

Aside from Pheislant and the Dawn Concordat, who were fielding armies, the other nations were not coming in with standard forces.

In the north, a different kind of mist fell over Ailendamus northern border by night, and the [Soldiers] groaned and lit every torch and lantern they could find.

They still cowered in fear of the night. Because what stalked past their outposts, the figures who quietly broke into towns and even cities and engaged their enemies while they lootedthey werent the kind of warriors who fought fair.

The thunk of a crossbow bolt was the only thing youd hear when the Hunters of Noelictus came for you. A blade in the dark that killed a single sentry on watch and spared the rest?

That was the stuff that Noelictus enemies feared. And if one of those figures was caught, they fought in the streets, a whirlwind of blades and sometimes even sorcery, before they were brought down.

But they were almost always brought down with a dozen dead [Soldiers]. The Hunters appeared, stole precious goods, torched buildings or slew soldiers, then melted into the shadows.

They were thieves, ironically. Despite it not being their class for all they were good at stealth and subterfuge, the Hunters were after gold and artifacts, which Ailendamus had in plenty.

You may ask how easy it was to plunder artifacts not under lock and key. But message stones in the guilds could be re-tuned. Purification in wells, enchanted scarecrows, even lantern crystalsAilendamus was awash in magic that its citizens possessed in abundance and Noelictus did not. Not to mention the fact that even their spellbooks were considered more useful.

Noelictus was not always rich, so their king was treating this war as a kind of income. He set his Hunters against [Merchants] and richer targets while they harassed the forts on the border.

In reply, the Order of the Thirsting Veil was forced to deploy in towns and cities. Their duels by night with their lightly-armored counterparts were fierce affairs filled with poison and subterfuge. But again, neither nation wanted to escalate to open conflictyet. They had already clashed once, and neither wanted to test the other, especially not with all the revelations in the world.

The eastern front was even more miserable for [Knights], if you could believe it. Fighting shadows by night was one thing.

Rain and sleet? Far worse.

Storms kept blowing in from Desonis, and they were snow, rain, or sleet. Or hail accompanying one of the three. The Earl of Rains had sent his tempests, and Desonis own forces always attacked when the storms were at their worst.

No firm footing. No line of sight. Water freezing in your armor jointsthis is no way to fight a war!

Knight Yoriven, rotated across to the eastern border. Shortly before a tidal wave hit him.

Marsh Knights were considered to be one of the least-honorable [Knight] orders, barely above the commoner-filled Hydra Knights. They would rise out of rivers, hurl mud into the visors of their opponents, or simply toss nets over foes and stride past them.

Desonis was after something entirely different than Noelictus, though. What they craved and what they stole by the thousands over the winter was very simple.

They stole trees.

Desonis, wet Desonis of ships and sea, craved the best lumber they could acquire. Their marshes and swamps were not bountiful in either sturdy building materials or burnable firewood, both of which they craved.

So the raids of the Earl hit the forests hard. While their soldiers fought or kept the enemy occupied, sweating, steely-eyed [Lumberjacks] would fell trees as fast as they could or work alongside [Mages] and [Knights] with enchanted weapons doing the same.

That was gritty work, alright. Imagine, as the rain poured down, freezing you to the bone, hacking at a trees bark in the middle of winter as you heard warriors fighting each other not fifty paces from where you stood. Only your boots, made of Hydra leather, kept your feet dry and your footing secure.

But if that was miserableyou had been born when it rained, and it was like sunshine to you, even when it was below zero. For Ailendamus, defending trees was neither honorable nor pleasant.

Especially when the felled trees could be put into chests of holding if you chopped them up. But even chests of holding couldnt contain a felled oak that easily. UnfortunatelyDesonis was very good at using water. Most of their raids took place alongside the major rivers that flowed into their nation. Thusa felled tree was often just heaved into the river, and it carried the logs downstream towards the ocean.

The Order of Drell and Hydra Knights had to secure the eastern and southern borders. It was expedient; rather than lose [Soldiers] left and right in these lightning-fast raids, it was better to have a battered [Knight], if half-drowned, who could live again to fight another day.

There were accords of war, so the unhappy [Knights] fought and saved more lives by walking into mudtraps and fighting through pouring weather. And these were only two of the nations testing Ailendamus. There were incursions from as far as Erribathe, their wildfolk and opportunistic plains people grabbing artifacts before retreating to the Kingdom of Myths.

Avel took literal potshots with their damned longbowsit seemed like the only nations that werent coming at Ailendamus were Derthal-Vel, the Kingdom of Dwarves, and Samal.

None of this made Ailendamus happy, of course. Each raid was often cheered in the other kingdoms. It was a blow to the pride of Ailendamus folk, and reprisals were often hotly talked about in the Court of Masks with less action or resolution.

The problem was that there was just no will for war. Not after seeing Dionamella fall. The armies were here, but even Duke Rhisveri, a traditional war hawk supremely confident in Ailendamus ability to win a war even if they took twice as many casualties as their opponents

Even he was shaken. It seemed, among the top brass of the military, as though there were suddenly another calculus at play.

Were they preparing for round two with the Dawn Concordat or something else? The New Landsthe warning of ghosts and the King of Kheltmade them miserly when it came to expending military might. As if they were waiting for something to sneak up on them.

The borders of Ailendamus were not the place to be right now. But their northern walls and forts were largely untested, having been there for over a hundred and fifty years since the Kingdom of Glass and Glory was first founded. The rest of Ailendamus, the inner heartlands, were shaken, but stable.

There was a reason the raids targeted Ailendamus bounties, and that was because they had what the other nations desired. The forests that Desonis were chopping down? Half-Elves, outraged, were either enlisting or demanding more [Knights], because those same forests had been grown for them by the late Conservator Fithea.

Ailendamus had more forest-land than any nation in the entire southern half of Terandria, including Gaiil-Drome, the literal kingdom of half-Elves. It had enough fields of wheat, Yellats, pumpkins, melons, every variety of crop that could be grown in Terandrian soil, to make Noelictus economy struggle.

Rich in magic, knowledge, and martial might. Suspiciously so, one might say, but Ailendamus was one of the giants of Terandria, the rising kingdom. What it didnt have, like so many up-and-coming nations, like the King of Destruction, like the Forgotten Wing company, was the one thing that had stymied multiple ambitions:

A good fleet.

It was the issue of landfolk who made their fame and success on, well, land-based battles. When their eyes inevitably turned to the sea, they realized that making a ship was not like training a platoon of [Soldiers]. Ships took far longer to make, were extraordinarily expensive, required experienced crewsand the best ones were relics passed down and salvaged, repaired, and maintained sometimes over thousands of years.

Ailendamus, land-locked, had still been able to build and buy a navy strong enough to knock the Dawn Concordats forces flat and even make Pheislant hesitate. But poor decisions made by a certain Wyrm had, again, come back to bite Ailendamus in no small way.

It was one thing for Pheislant and Desonis and even Nadel to be against Ailendamus. So what if they were? Taimaguros was the ally of Ailendamus, and they had a fleet to crush most foes.

Unfortunately, few people had counted on one of the most powerful navies in the world joining in against Ailendamus.

House Wellfar had set sail when Tyrion Veltras had called them to war. And unlike House Veltras, who had withdrawn when the job was done, Wellfars [Lords] and [Ladies] still hunted in packs, their ships taking down Ailendamus forces and ransoming entire crews for ludicrous sums of gold.

They seemed determined to destroy every seaworthy craft Ailendamus had left. They had left one fleet burning and were in pursuit of another. Ailendamus reserves and their allies from Taimaguros were running skirmishes at sea, but Wellfar had speed and experience on their side. They refused to let Ailendamus navy get to Taimaguros Dominion harbors, and so it would be a full-scale engagement at sea, soon.

There were multiple reasons for this as Viscount Visophecin noted to Queen Oiena at a state dinner when she asked why Wellfar was so determined to engage in a full-scale offensive. The slightly grey-skinned Viscount, eyes a bloodstained red, handkerchief tucked into a doublet as black as whatever sins his slight smile hid, explained the matter simply.

We believe Wellfar has been paid handsomely to clear the way for the colonists heading to the New Lands, Your Majesty. It would not do for vulnerable ships to be accosted by Ailendamus fleet. Losing all our warships would cripple Ailendamus for years, possibly decades at sea.

One supposes Wellfar will come out ahead. But they must be truly impressive to be able to best both Taima and Guros fleets? May it be pride from my homeland, Viscount, but I would have put my navy ahead of anyIzrilian fleets.

Queen Oiena could not hide the spark of national annoyance at the implication Wellfar would continue routing both hers and Ailendamus fleets. As to thatVisophecin grimaced.

Ordinarily, Wellfar would not press so far ahead, Queen Oiena. But they have a new [Lord]Lord Etril Wellfarleading this hunting fleet. And he commands The Pride of the Wellfar. The Taimaguros Dominion ishesitantto commit its own Citadel-class warship to any sea engagement.

Then the [Queen] went silent, because that would mean all-out war between Wellfar and Taimaguros. And without that, it would be better for any ship to run far clear of Wellfar.

Even so, a lesser warship can still put up a fight. The Prides a lion on the plains. But even Kaazians would tell you a dozen leopards or hyenas can kill a lone lion.

If it were just the Pride, I would agree, Your Majesty. However, it is running with a heavy escort. Wellfar is attempting to destroy our navy. Taimaguros is attempting to let it withdraw in good order. We must trust to our [Admirals].

The [Queen] sighed.

The competent ones, at least.

Everyone in earshot chuckled or winced at that reference.

There was one final warfront where the fighting was escalating beyond mere raids. And that was the west, where the Order of Seasons, like House Wellfar, refused to relent. They were pushing the western border. Already, they had taken a swath of territory past Stone Giants Pass where they had first engaged Ailendamus forces. They were looking to swallow the Forest of Avemith and the Filthy Gillean Farmlands beyond.

Pheislant [Soldiers] were backing up a force of [Knights] harrying all the soldiers trying to regroup and form a battle line, happy to claim more land. It was not something the Court of Masks was happy about, or King Itorin II, but they had drawn as many regiments as they could, and the [Knights] would halt from exhaustion at some point.

Take your lumps.

At least Ser Greysten and the famous Ser Solstice werent joining that fray or they might push for dozens of miles before they could be stopped. Every eye was turning towards Izril, so these were just minor affairs. Not covered by the worldwide news shows except as small updates. Overshadowed by The Dyed Lands, the King of Destruction, and other, more interesting events.

It was just a war, and all the great battles had been fought.

Some of the [Soldiers] who were now defending Ailendamus had been stationed on the border or had been hunting down monsters. There was always a need for [Soldiers] to stand guard or combat threats that werent other nations.

When their kingdom was threatened, they came running, fresh and not tested by the Dawn Concordats war. It was fair for them to take a look at the disastrous battles that had occurred and lay the blame on those that had failed.

Great General Dionamella was dead. It could be said, reasonably, that her death did not lie on her own back. She had held off the Lightherald, the Archmage of Memories, the Lord of House Veltras, and more all by herself. This was upon all those who had let her down, whether in the final battle or before it.

It was said that Great Knight Merila, Dame of the Hills, might be stripped of her rank. She was undergoing a rite of penance and had sworn to slay a thousand monsters plaguing Ailendamus by the time winter ended. Similarly, the [Knights] who had been at that battle had all been censured, often taking on oaths or undergoing their own trials of shame.

The [Soldiers] were largely unchallenged, but the officers wore the stain of defeat like a badge upon their chests. It would take far greater deeds or time to undo their disgrace. And in the meantime, proper replacements had been sent to shore up the gaps in leadership.

One such was Fleet Admiral Meirkos, who was tasked with salvaging the navys ships as Wellfar hunted them down. She had set sail from the actual Itorins Pride, and her reinforcements were bearing down on Wellfars navy. If the reinforcements reached their forces, they could bring them back to Taimaguros capital harbors for repair and safeguard for the winter.

That was not going to be easy. Meirkos had appointed one of her [Captains] to the class of [Admiral] and ordered them to fight a running retreat. But she was not going to make it to the fleet before Wellfar attacked.

Imagine, if you would, Meirkos face. Imagine a woman who had survived over forty years building up Ailendamus navies, survived being tossed overboard six times without receiving the gift of the seasmostly because she could swimand having to tread water for days before being rescued. A sea dog, who could command [Storm Sailors] respect, watching as the ships she had worked so hard to accrue for her nation were about to all be sunk.

Now, imagine she had faintly red hair owing to possibly some royal blood, salt-stained and greying, and that she wore Ailendamus uniform, a lance-bow crest on one breast, jade green and what some might call sinister purple highlighting a golden yellow uniform.

Then imagine one more thing. Which was that she had been two weeks into her first vacation in a decade when she got word that some idiot had gone and attacked Nadel. She had been travelling from the Archmages Isle of Heiste when The Pride of the Wellfar began lighting up the coastline.

So imagine a woman looking forwards to the year-long vacation she had been promised, now issuing orders like an [Admiral] always could, and remember she had been a [Storm Sailor]. She had been considered pithy even by her peers. And ships were loud, creaking affairs with shouting [Sailors], and she had a voice like thunder. She had visited countless harbors and knew more oaths and epithets than a drunk [Bard] whod just snapped a guitar string across their face.

All because some idiot who should have been capable had attacked Nadel when a few [Illusionists] had tricked him. Her replacement [Admiral] was untested, but he was largely of the same opinion.

Fleet Kerandos, the amalgamation of Fleet Hydrus and Fleet Kerandos regular ships, had been sailing out to sea, and only the changing sea currents had saved them from already meeting House Wellfar, who were storming up the coast.

They had lucked into finding a new current that was carrying them north, towards Taimaguros. It was not the current most would want and would disrupt trade routes; normally, most trade went through the south, like Nadel. It wasnt profitable to head up north of Terandria, just like the west of Baleros or east of Izril were unprofitable because they lacked access to the central shipping routes.

But in this case, it might save them. Then again, The Pride of the Wellfar was coming.

Shes a day away at most!

One of the [Lookouts] could see that famous ship with its Dragonsails coming on behind them. [Acting Admiral] Louseg cursed.

Half a day! Tell Admiral Meirkos we have to make a stand. Well have to engage and withdrawor theyll cut us to ribbons before she gets here.

The sight of that famous warship gave him a dread feeling in his chest. His dreadlocks swung as he eyed Wellfars fleet. Equal to his without the Pride.

Normally, good caution told him to keep running and engage the Pride at range and never get close and hope they made it to Meirkos. But he knew that the Pride could alterwell, distance.

Anything you shot at the Pride came right back at you. It was their signature, and while it had limits, like taking fire from two directions, it meant that a running battle where the Pride could just reflect everything back at you would be short and painful.

The response from the [Ships Mage] was quick.

Acknowledged, Admiral. Meirkos has full confidence in your abilities. She suggests engaging as closely as you can.

Louseg had a painful smile on his face. There really wasnt anything else to say, was there?

Well divide our [Knights] up and see if one of our ships can get close to the Pride. Tangle it up and let the rest fall away. If we can put a hole in enough of their escorts sailstell our [Artillerists] I want them to hit the rudders. Ill have a battle plan within the hour. Ships to fall away first and make a break.

If he could only save a handful of shipsso be it. Louseg took a deep breath and surveyed his fleet.

Sixteen enchanted warships, each one deadly enough to make the Pride wary, if not stand a chance in a single battle. Eight troop carriers, still armed enough to do a lot of damage, vital for ferrying troops around.

And nigh on sixty-one regular ship-of-the-line types. Galleons to caravels, accompanied by dozens of tiny cutters and even a few cogs.

Oh, and one hulk. The ugliest ship in his fleet had a name to match. A hulk was an old, old ship that got its designation from the times when shipbuilding technology was lost. It was a derogatory designation not so much for the style but quality of ship.

This one was large enough, twice the size of a caravel, so imposinguntil you noticed the patchwork hull and barnacles from age. It leaked. It stank if you were downwind of it, and it was a miracle it had even kept up with the rest of the fleet.

Back when Ailendamus had first been founded, the late Duke Rhimemorom had purchased any ship he could get ahold of. The hulk had served Ailendamus over ninety years ago.

Sir, can we throw the hulk in the line of fire of the Pride? It might last half a salvo. Itd be a damn shame to lose any more shipsbut if we had to lose that one, it might boost the morale of the navy even if every other ship goes down with it.

One of the [Captains] whod come aboard to consult with Admiral Louseg tried not to sound hopeful. The Admiral had to grin.

The hulk, named Wrmeriyes Spitoon, was a notoriously miserable ship to crew. Captains were assigned it either to test how they did with that ship under their command or as a punishment. You had to constantly patch leaks, it had rats that never seemed to go awayoh, and it got the worst rations the fleet had.

In this case, weeks at sea, they were so foul the Spitoon had requested auxiliary rations three times. Any [Captain] who had served on itor served with itwould cheer to see it destroyed.

Especially with the current crew and captain. But Louseg held back his desires.

The Spitoons no vanguard. Put it at the rear and tell them to support our offensive. Enchanted warships in the front. I will put Foehammer in the vanguard myself.

Very good, Admiral.

A sigh. Several [Sailors] spat in the water as the Spitoon finally caught up with the rest of the fleet maneuvering for the oncoming fight. A few mostly silent [Sailors] were keeping the Spitoon moving, and it looked sharper than usualbut that was to be expected, one supposed.

Still. What a disgrace. The Spitoon was the only ship not calling out to one another, sailors cheering each other on before the final engagement. It was, after alla ship of failures.

The Spitoon was quiet. Well, as quiet as ships got.

In this case, the squeaks of half a dozen clans of intelligent ship-rats were always present. They were bold, could dodge any [Sailor]s boots, and impossible to eradicate. One [Pestilential Beast Tamer] had vouchsafed that the only way to rid the Spitoon of the damn rats was to burn it to the ground. They had apparently come from the isle of Archmage Valeterisa back in the day, and their warrens were everywhere.

At least they werent responsible for the leaks. Oh, the leaks. You could wake up with water spilling onto your face. The wood seemed like it grew porous the instant a repair was made. A bunch of planks and nails were at every station belowdecks to close a leak, but the constant influx of water meant it was always splashy belowdecks. Two dozen sailors had to be on permanent bailing duty just to keep it from getting to knee-level.

If you thought that was bad? All that water, the rats, and the stink of too many years in service without magic meant it felt like the food in the hold rotted twice as fast. Then again, it was probably the barrelsalso ancient and mildewedthat imparted their own flavor to the rations.

And since it was the Spitoon, they were never good rations. It was time for lunch, and for once, no [Sailor] was queued up, shoving to get their portion from the galley. Some avoided the food. Some used their time off to fish with said rations, but nothing wanted what they had.

One of the senior officers personally took the current captains meal to him. [Valor Strategist] Veine had an eyepatch over one eye, very appropriate for the sea, and carried a strange object at her side. It looked like a crossbow, a hand-crossbow, only there was no bow, and there was a simple glass sight with a black dot on it. Instead of firing a quarrel, it had a single wand in place, and it spat [Magipierce Bolts], a rare Tier 3 spell from House Shoels own manufactories.

The enchanted weapon was at odds with the ship. And the food. But as she navigated around the ship, the ship was moving too. The Spitoon normally had an average speed of 2 knots. It was ungainly and had been made at a time when people had forgotten the principles of hydrodynamics. However, it kept up with the fleet mostly due to [Fleet Navigator] Vorrmen.

Drowned Man. Half-crab, a basic and common type. One of his beady stalk-eyes was focused ahead, his claw holding the spokes of the ship wheel. He normally didnt actually navigate ships, but their helmsman had been taken. He almost seemed to be enjoying the jobbut steering the Spitoon sort of equalized his mood.

His other hand held the same bowl of food, uneaten. He nodded at Veine as she passed. Every now and then, she would check the bowl. She was almost sure it wasnt moving.

AdmirCaptain. Lunch for you.

She knocked twice on the door before opening it. The man inside was reviewing a chart of the upcoming battle and barely looked up.

Is it eel again?

Yes, sir.

You can toss it out the window.

He gestured to the porthole window in the cabin. Veine set the bowl down and put her hands behind her back.

I got you some hardtack as well, sir. Try that. And the waters potable.

The man in front of her looked haggard. His uniform was disheveled, a disgrace in command, but he hadnt been drinking. Captivity then a lack of resources did that to you. But the faded sunburst yellow, purple and green stripes, and the badge of office still belonged to him.

Admiral Dakelos of Ailendamus had seen better days. So had his crew. Once, they had been on Foehammer and in charge of the entire Fleet Hydrus.

No longer. Dakelos and his entire command crew were instead on the Spitoon. Not the regular [Sailors], mind you.

The swearing group hauling water out of the brig now converted to extra sleeping quarters? [Strategists] and [Line Officers]. The [Mage] glumly acting as a [Message]-provider? [Fleet Mage].

Earlier this year, Veine had been her fleets top [Strategist] and hoping shed be on a road back to the capital, perhaps to take a seat with His Majesty himself. Right now? She was hoping the eels were dead.

Dakelos poked the bowl with a toothpick. It was green. Eels were not normally green, and the [Mage] had cast a spell to test whether they were poisonous or rotten. Apparently, the mold in the barrels had altered the eels so they were a black green like mold. But unfortunately, they were also apparently edible, so the Spitoon was not eligible for additional rations.

The hardtack had a few tiny bite marks in it. Veine wincedbut the rats got everywhere. Yet it seemed even they didnt want the hardtack.

You said the waters potable. But we didnt have any rain, unlike the poor saps facing Desonis for the last week.

No, sir. Its potable.

Is it seawater purified by Feifen?

Admiral Dakelos looked hopeful for a second. Veine hated to burst his bubble, but she did as he took a long gulp.

Feifen doesnt know that spell, sir. Im afraid its from the barrels.

She watched as Dakelos disheveled face turned slightly pale. His cheeks bulgedand with effort, he swallowed it.

I can taste

He had flaxen hair that was almost dark enough to be called black, but looked semi-translucent given the mix of two colors. Dakelos stood unevenly, taller on his left side than his right due to mismatched legs, and when he was in a jolly mood, hed swing along the deck, inspecting everything and humming under his breath.

He knew every song sung in the inns and taverns of Ailendamus by the national [Bards]. Every song. You might hear that and think it was an exaggeration, but Dakelos had once, on a dare from his crew when they were relaxing, word-for-word repeated nineteen songs, pitch and lyric perfect.

But he never sang outright and would only do a verse as an example at most. Hed get embarrassed, so you could only catch him humming. It used to be said that it was good luck to catch Dakelos humming.

They didnt say that anymore. No one had to bring up the reason why they were here. Everyone knew.

Admiral Dakelos was the idiot who had attacked Nadel, gotten himself captured, multiple ships sunk or captured, and the rest of his fleet ransomed off at the start of this war with the Dawn Concordat.

In his defense, he had thought he was under orders to execute a supremely sneaky maneuver at the behest of the crown itself. He had fallen for a trick performed by an Elusive Lot.

It wasntentirelyhis fault. The tricksters had been very good and bypassed truth spells as well as used Ailendamus secret codes against the Kingdom of Glass and Glory. Nevertheless, Dakelos could have spotted the trick.

Should have. The Court of Masks had argued for a long time on his fate and, due to the nature of his blunder, had elected not to strip him of his rank. A court martial might occuronce the fleet was out of jeopardy.

Because of that, Dakelos was in an odd position. He had been instantly replaced, of course, and eventually consigned to the worst ship in the fleet with his command crew.

The Spitoon was, then, crewed by all of his officers. The [Sailors] and [Soldiers] had been lucky not to be included, but all of the senior crew of the Foehammer had been sent here.

It meant they had filled the hulk, which was still smaller than their old ship by far, to the brim. Two months of being here was a torment that had taken its toll on them all.

Were maneuvering to face the foe, sir.

Veine broke the silence of Dakelos nibbling on eels and trying not to gag by stating the obvious. The [Admiral] looked up once.

Yes. Lousegs got us in the rear. Id have put us in front and ordered us to broadside the Pride. Or ram it.

Veine tried to smile. The Spitoon had no artillery like a modern Ailendamus warship, which had catapults, ballistae, sourced at great price from Drakes or Minotaurs. Strangely, they had a lot of them, despite neither nation exactly being open about selling the war weapons.

The Spitoon had, in place of that, Magic Harpoons which could lance across the water and poke a hole in a ship or kill an unlucky [Sailor], a two-charge [Lightning Bolt] spell that was underpowered, and two of the earliest Greatbows.

It could probably take out a weak Cutter-class ship. It was also, annoyingly, big enough to eat a few nasty shots, but itd probably sink as the patchwork hull imploded soon after.

Oh, and because Dakelos was crewing it, the hull was as tough as steel. Unfortunately, that only meant the rats were pissed off because they couldnt eat through the wood like normal.

A Level 36 [Admiral]-level Skill on a glorified tugboat didnt make it that much better. Similarly, their [Navigator]s Skills meant that the Spitoon was just fast enough to keep up with the slowest ships in the navy.

Well be ready for the fight, sir. May I see the battle plans?

Dakelos gestured, and Veine stepped over. She saw a very standard plan of attack. Louseg was going to take them straight down the middle, flank the Pride on two sides, and hammer it before the fleet split and both sections shot off towards their reinforcements.

One daring pass down the middle to cripple the enemy, and then we run while theyre repairing their sails and rudders.

It could work. Veine bit her lip. Dakelos glanced at her, and his amber-blue eyes glinted.

Say it, Veine.

Captainthat is, Acting Admiral Louseg is a good leader. He knows how to fight an engagement.

She tried to be diplomatic. Dakelos pointed at the bowl of eels.

Were not in his company, and no ones here to ferry stories around the fleet, Veine. Say it. Im thinking it. No ones listening. N

He and Veine stopped. The bowl of eels was wriggling. Slowly, a little roach crawled out of the eels and shook itself off. It noticed the two staring at it and scuttled off the desk.

Veine stomped it. Dakelos lost his appetite.

Id have that barrel scuppered, sir.

Its probably still edible. Were not making it past this engagement, Veine. Seal up the lot and get me a [Message] toOmens of Rain. Captain Bessia.

Yes, sir

Veine stepped out to flag a [Tactician]. Then she stepped in. When she did, she took a breath.

Alright. Frankly, Admiral

Captain.

Admiral. Youre still an [Admiral], sir. The plan of attack looks good until you remember the Pride can move faster than we can. I consulted my notes, and I dont think it can physically move our ships around.

If it can, were dead.

Were already dead, but well be deader if we assume thats the only trick it has. This charge works on other fleets, but Wellfar ships are crewed by [Sailors] with more experience on the sea than your average [Storm Sailor]. Its like fighting Drowned Folk.

Mhm. Remember Ediven?

Dakelos was trying to eat the hardtack, but he couldnt get his teeth through the crust. Veine was glad he remembered. They had learned how fast a Drowned Ship could turn back then.

If they see us coming, theyll just swing around us. They can turn faster than our ships. I think we once estimated it at 40% faster turning speeds on their largest ships.

Their artillerys not as good.

No, but their close-range weapons are twice as nasty. They dont have the means to repair and maintain ballistae and catapults, so they do enchanted spells and Mage Harpoons, sir. Weve never had to engage them, but I know for a fact that some of their ships run hot. Sixty-four Flaming Harpoons plus [Oil Orb] spells.

Shipburners. Dakelos shuddered.

Louseg has to know that. How would you run this battle, knowing the Pride can deflect everything it sees?

Veine had a solution in mind.

Simple, sir. Crash the Foehammer straight into the Pride.

Dakelos stopped chewing on the hardtack. He swallowed, or tried to, and it got stuck.

After three minutes of getting him to cough out the hardtack, still mostly in one piece, Dakelos gasped out.

You want to watch the Foehammer explode?

It wont go down that fast, sir. Any ship with enchanted hulls can survive one hit. Hit the Wellfar, board them, and physically tie the Pride up. Lord Etril may be a daring young [Captain], but I havent read hes an expert on boarding maneuvers. And hes a young man. Hotheaded.

So physically block him, and he has to reverse. I bet the Pride can do it fastbut maybe it lets the fleet flee. How many ships?

Two-dozen regular ships of the line and one enchanted warship. Better make it two. They sacrifice themselves. Wellfars good at dodging, but its easier to hit them than it is to outmaneuver them.

It was an ugly play and one Veine wasnt proud of. But it sounded better than the full-scale engagement. Ailendamus fleets, especially the ones at sea, had been designed around the idea of long-range superiority.

Their Greatbows were excellent weapons that did well at range and close upbut Wellfar geared around a mid to short-range skirmish where they danced around you.

But they wouldnt expect boarders, and they werent famous like Nadel or Desonis were for close-range fights. Mostly because Ailendamus wasnt that good at it either.

Most of our ships havent seen boarding action, let alone offensive ones. Weve fought off Drowned Crews and even Bloodtear Pirates.

Both shuddered at the memory. Dakelos hadnt risen to [Admiral] just because hed had a safe trip. Veine nodded.

Thensirtheyll tie up Wellfar long enough for the rest of the fleet to get away.

Dakelos face turned bleaker still. He looked at Veine and then down at the map.

Get me a [Message] to Admiral Louseg. At his convenience to discuss strategy.

Veine smiled as the man straightened and looked more determined. She nodded.

Right away, sir.

That night, the fleet was watchful, afraid of the Pride coming up upon them and starting the fight. Strategist Veine was less worried and, in fact, was playing cards.

There was little else to do on this damned ship. And Admiral Dakelos had joined the officers club himself. He was of the same opinion as she and her crew. A junior [Captain] might fear an attack by night.

Not them. Master of Arms Giqe, Fleet Navigator Vorrmen, and even Chef Moirmen were all invited to a game. So were two rats, apparently. The green buggers were sitting on a hanging chandelier, copper turned green with age, candles a mess of wax dripping down to the tables below, watching the game with interest.

I heard Louseg wants us to keep an eye out for the Pride. As if theyll risk grounding her so close to the coast. Even if she can reverse out of it, Wellfar wont risk their ship.

Hes new.

Dakelos muttered around his cards. Veine hesitated and shut her mouth. It was hard to say what you wanted around Dakelos, because he had to maintain the authority of rank. Then again, she was supposed to do the same, but she had made her position clear.

Meirkos wouldve kept you in position, Dakelos. Second-guessed your every move and shouted hellfire at you, but the Court of Masks wanted you removed. Louseg has [Captain]-level Skills. Even two months wont have been time for him to gain enough [Admiral] Skills.

Mm. Its fine. Hes solid.

Hes no Toithe. Not yet.

Giqe put in as he tossed a card in and shadows enveloped all their cards, obscuring the faces. Moirmen cursed him as he threw down four cards at random.

Damn it, Giqe! Lets change the subject, eh, Admiral? No ranks in the backrooms, no talk of the fleet tonight.

Agreed. Pass the water.

The bad water went around, and everyone grimaced as they sipped. But they were playing for coins; they had pay, if nothing to spend it on. Giqe complained as Veine upped the ante with two gold coins, despite the obscuring card. She knew exactly which cards she held.

Im gambling with my familys coin here, Veine. You wouldnt take my gold, would you? I have a daughter.

Then stop making risky bets. Whats so expensive that you cant buy it for her on a [Master of Arms] salary?

Giqe scowled hugely.

Sock puppets.

Dakelos checked his slightly tainted glass with bits of something in it before peering at Giqe.

Shes buying socks, Giqe?

No, its the Windy Girl. Havent you seen the broadcasts, Admiral?

He must truly have not been watching the ships scrying orb. The man looked blank as everyone chuckled. Magus Feifen returned from the privy only to scowl.

That nonsense? Theyre calling it entertainment for children, but its too ribald for just children. Whoevers making it sneaks in jokes to the adults. Its more popular than youd guess, back home. Giqes daughter wants one of the Windy Girl.

I was just telling them that, Feifen.

Dakelos was trying to make sense of all this, but Moirmen held up a crooked finger. One of the [Chef]s hands was broken and battered from a fight with a monster. He was still very good with a knife and any cooking he had to do, and he had the respect of anyone who heard the story.

But why the Windy Girl? Isnt she the farting Courier who stinks up the place and causes all the mischief?

She does what now? And this is for children?

Dakelos growing concern about the youth of Ailendamus made the game that much more fun as they tried to explain it. Giqe took two hands off Veine, much to her great annoyance, with some delight.

And she shall have the Windy Girl puppet! Its apparently the thing. You have to have the Windy Girl causing trouble even if your favorite puppet is someone else. Apparently, she wants General Dioname, but she needs at least the Windy Girl.

That comment made the table fall silent. Without a word, the group lifted their cups, drankand grimaced as one. Dakelos murmured.

Oh. General Dioname. I hadnt knownI hadnt known she was even still a [General], much less willing to return to war. Some people knew stories of her, but when she came out of retirement like that, it felt like the stuff of stories.

From your lips, thats naught but truth, Admiral. You didnt know of her, truly?

Vorrmen broke in, looking sidelong at Dakelos, and everyone pretended not to be intensely curious. He hesitatedand looked around, but even the two rats were giving him an encouraging stare. So Dakelos spoke out of the corner of his mouth as he tried another piece of hardtack.

Truthfully? I knew her name, but its still land to sea.

Everyone nodded. That was true. Dakelos chewed. And chewed. And chewed before swallowing and continuing.

But you heard of her among the most senior commanders, now and then. The old ones who remember her talked about General Dionamella like a weapon of last resort. I always thought that meant theyd have to beg her to come back to the front. But then, we have some sleeping Giants. You saw in the capital. House Shoel.

The judges? Youre yanking on my chain.

Vorrmen laughed, but Giqe instantly disagreed.

House Shoels not just judges. Lord Uzielhave you ever met him? I trained with him for six months, and if he wasnt wheelchair bound, hed be Ailendamus Great Knight. The public-facing side of the familys not lax with magic or blades either. Viscount Visophecin himself was at the battle with the Dawn Concordat and nearly scorched Archmage Eldavin.

Hard to believe he was at that level and just hiding it.

Moirmen frowned, but Veine dismissed that.

Its no secret our spellcasters are a grade above the rest. The Viscount comes from a noble family. Small wonder we keep our best [Mages] secret. Ive heard Duke Rhisveri is nearly as good, and thats our nobility. My wand comes straight from House Shoels magics. Now, if only one of them would come to sea

Maybe theyd be able to replace Louseg for someone more senior. All the power seemed to be land-based. But Dakelos just shrugged.

Ailendamus has been swapping its forces around for as long as its been here. House Shoel used to fight on the front, you know. Its a sign of how the nation prospers that they dont have to demand the nobility fight. We used to have, erI think they called it Merven Leaders.

Thats not a military rank.

No, they were specialists from the capital. Navigators and guidesbut they were all withdrawn oh, decades ago. Old Toithe told me about being a [Deckhand] and one of them reading a sea current through a storm and taking the ship to safety.

Why the hell would we get rid of that? Even among Drowned Folk, thats impressive.

Vorrmen demanded incredulously. To that, Dakelos murmured.

Maybe we lost their class, or maybe they were deemed too valuable to lose. Perhaps theyre on some secret mission. But I would rather not have Viscount Visophecin fighting on the front. If he has toweve failed. General Dioname should have rested another century.

He tossed his cards down. And his face was suddenly guilty, as it had been for months now. The rest of the command staff looked up as Dakelos stood.

Im sorry, I think thats my last hand for the night. Tomorrow

He looked around the cabin and exhaled.

This was not his fault. Veine wanted to tell him that even if they hadnt run into Nadel, the Pride would have destroyed Fleet Hydrus just the same. Even if hed been in charge.

The [Admiral] just nodded after a moment, as if he knew all this and the guilt remained, without Veine having to say anything.

Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day. All of you, at least seven hours.

For what? The Spitoons armed as well as a dolphin wearing britches.

Vorrmen grumbled, and Dakelos voice snapped and made him sit up straight for a second.

Youre still in a command crew, sailor.

Dakelos eyes flashed as his officers looked up, and Veines heart stirred. He spoke slowly.

Youre still the finest crew an [Admiral] could want. Tomorrow, wed best be ready to pick up any slack. Not that I expect any.

After thateveryone put down their cards and went to get some sleep. And Veine slept better, nevermind the two rats who decided to sleep under her pillow. Because that was why shed stayed with Dakelos. That was why theyd all stayed.

Admiral Dakelos cursed General Yerzhens name each day he woke up to find a rat in his things. Or his bag of holding.

The rat was very, very dead. Living beings did not do well in bags of holding. For one thing, there was no air. He threw it out his window with a shout.

A day had passed without two things happening. The first was that Wellfar hadnt attacked yet. The second? No one had responded to his [Message] requests.

The fleet was ignoring him. As was fair for a fool, but Dakelos couldnt help but be annoyed. They were heading north, still, and hed heard Acting Admiral Louseg was wondering why Wellfar hadnt engaged.

The ships crew on the Spitoon were debating it too. Unlike regular [Sailors], they were all veterans. Promoted officers now doing grunt-work again. He heard his [Chef de Poisson] talking it over as he served eels.

Must be something up ahead. Riptide, thered be the thing.

Riptide or theyve got a Drowned Ship flanking us.

I bet its a riptide. No one like Wellfar to sense that kind of thing. Thats why they dont want to pounce. Its got to be. Hey, is this the eel barrel with the bugs in it? I thought you were a fancy [Chef].

A [Sensor Lookout] was poking at the eels. Moirmen gave her a dire look.

I cant do much with salt in the cupboards. Believe me, Ive salvaged the eels as best I can. You can eat them, cant you?

She took one bite, shuddered, and nearly vomited. Which made Dakelos feel better. He had wondered if he was getting the worst stuffwhich hed deservebut Veine had apparently brought him standard fare.

Its like eating chewy snot!

Moirmen puffed out his chest.

Thats right. You should have tasted what I had to work with. Oh, Admiral. Have a try of my salvaged eels. Eel du saltine.

Salted eels, Moirmen?

Dakelos was starving, but he didnt want the eels or hardtack. But he took one slimy bit of eel, chewed it while hoping it wasnt roach-yand swore.

Gah! How much salt is in there?

All of it.

The [Chef] gave Dakelos an innocent look.

I salted the stuff. I baked it in salt. Then I rubbed more salt onto it and did it for the lot. Hows it taste?

Rubbery. And too salty. Anyone got water?

Some brackish water was handed over, and Dakelos gulped it. Moirmen tapped the side of his nose. He had a slightly bulbous nose that came from having won a punching match against a Sword Crab once. An amazing feat that got him a round at any bar where a [Sailor] drank. A real [Sailor], anyways.

Ah, but it tastes like salt, doesnt it?

Dakelos stopped sipping water and blinked. It was true. The eels were just really salty, not like dragging his tongue over mildew and snails eggs.

Fill me a bowl, [Chef].

And me!

Several of the crew went for the special dish with considerable gusto. The [Chef] drew Dakelos aside as the man actually managed half a bowl before he felt nauseous.

The, um, contaminated barrels weve marked with red paint, Admiral. I would have talked to Veine or someone, but the chain of command is

Tell me. Im just a Captain, not an Admiral.

Moirmen gave Dakelos a sympathetic look.

Well, Captain. Its edible. I hate to say it, but the fleets not going to give us more supplies for a roach or two in the barrels. We can eat that and live until we get to Taimaguros. But what a life, eh?

What a life. Dakelos looked around and saw his [Master of Arms] trying to saw a piece of hardtack in half with an enchanted dagger. Why was it difficult for him? He slipped, slashed his hand, but he had a Skill that prevented him from cutting his skin. Laughing, the man showed everyone the two pieces.

He should have been on the Foehammer, showing new recruits his sword style that had no fear of self-harm. Dakelos belonged on this ship, but no one else did.

Illtry to do something about it.

Its not a thing to worry about with the Wellfars on our back. Just a word in your ear, Captain. About provisions in the future.

The [Chef] seemed worried hed taken Dakelos time. But Dakelos was grateful.

Thank you, Moirmen. Your salted eels are the stuff to eat.

Well, just you wait for dinner, sir. I have fifteen rats, and I figure theyre meat.

Was it wrong that even as he shuddered, Dakelos stomach felt hungry? He stomped to his cabin and checked for [Messages]. Veine, his acting first-mate, walked in as he found nothing.

Veine, has either ship responded?

No, sir. Admiral Louseg is scouting ahead. Hes wary of an attack.

Drowned Folk and Wellfar arent that friendly. Its doubtless some trick of the new currents. Hes slowed us by two knots, and Wellfar is catching up.

Hes being wary, sir.

Well, tell him to speed up. We wont be saved by a better battleground, well be saved once we reach reinforcements. Tell him

Dakelos caught himself giving orders. He stopped and lowered his hand.

Nevermind. Is that a consensus among the fleet?

From his crew, it sounded like they had guessed the reason for the delay. But Veine shrugged.

I caught some signal lanterns from the other ships. I think the rumor is a Drowned Fleet hired by Wellfar.

Thats ridiculous. We have [Sensor Lookouts] who can read the deep

We have the best, sir, but the navys jumpy.

So Louseg is listening to scuttlebutt from [Captains] greener than my eels?

[Double Speed, By Wind and Oar].

Then he raised his voice.

Everyone, Giqe. Im going first. Once we get on boardtake the helm. Swing us into the next ship. Vorrmen, scuttle the Spitoon with five volunteers, then take the new vessel to sea if you think you can hold it. OtherwiseVeine has command, then Giqe.

The [Master of Arms] stared at Admiral Dakelos. Then the crew of the Admiral of Ailendamus looked up. He pointed ahead as the Lower Passes lazily came about, spotting its ridiculous foe. And the Admiral was humming.

To protect crown and people, every [Knight] stands true. A [Soldier] I shall be, or if a [Farmer] be my calling, to my part I shall do~

The two ships were closing, and the Lower Passes was angling. One of its Golem ballistae punched a hole in the Spitoon, and it took on water instantly. But the shot didnt go through both sides of the shipthe enemy [Captain] frowned as he noticed how tough the Spitoon was.

Then he realized how fast it was coming on and their intention and made to maneuver. Wellfar cut left fastbut they had no idea who was on this ship.

[Ramming Charge]!

Veine screamed as she fired her first shot from her wand. An arrow struck her in the side, and she went downbut the ship accelerated as she lay there, gasping. She yanked the head of the arrow out of her enchanted leather armor as Dakelos roared.

Brace! Brace!

Then there was thunder.

The Lower Passes of Izril reeled. Chaos on decks as Wellfar [Sailors] were thrown about. That damned hulk had hit them! A suicide charge from that worthless vessel!

The keel! Check the keel and make sure were not taking on water! If were tangled with the hulk, we go down with it!

Captain Inme was screaming at the same time as Lady Selica screamed curses at the other ship. It was definitely dead. One hole in its hull meant it was sinking, and the impact had probably destroyed the other ship for good.

So why was it in one piece? [Sailors] at the railings were shooting arrows across at the other, tilting ship.

Theyre boarding! Lady Selica, take cover!

Of course they are. Theyre rats fleeing a sinking stone! Cut them down if they dont surrender!

The [Lady] of House Wellfar had a scimitar in hand herself, though she was supposed to keep back. She stared at the other ship in disgust. There were literal green rats trying to swim onto her ship and climb the rigging. But then she frowned.

Wait a second. Is that a [Light Bridge]? They wasted a [Mage] on this pile of flotsam?

A glowing platform connected both decks. Then she saw more lengths of wood being thrown across.

Damn Ailendamus landfolk! [Deckbreakers Hammer]!

A huge Wellfar [Boarding Sailor] smashed a plank the instant it fell, and more hands were rushing to repel boarders. But what made Lady Selica and Captain Inme frown wasthe boarders werent coming.

A hail of crossbow bolts and spells were knocking down her crew. The other ships deck was engulfed in smokeshe assumed a fire. But she hadnt ordered flaming spells.

And the incoming fire was extraordinarily accurate.

Fall back! Theyre cutting us down

Hold your ground, you cowards!

Captain Inme strode down the deck, drawing a pair of blades. But before he got to the fighting, more Wellfar soldiers were slamming into place, rushing out of the holds. Two hundred on deckand more coming from below. They were laughing. Right up until the smoke began to clear.

Then, Lady Selicas smile was knocked clear off her face. She gazed down onto the other ship and suddenly wondered if this was somecunning trick. For the hulk, smaller than her ship-of-the-linewas filled with enemy soldiers.

Far too many unless they were literally squeezed on there cheek-by-jowl. And they lookedsharp. An enchanted bolt of magic went straight through Captain Inmes leg, and he stumbled, looking up.

Sailors of Ailendamus.

A voice rose through the smoke, and a man in front wearing an admirals vest pointed his sword. Lady Selicas mouth opened.

It had to be a trick. There was no way an [Admiral] would be on a ship like this. Much less at the head of

Charge!

Then the crew poured across the lightbridge, over the gangplanks, leaping from the railings. Some fell over the edge of their ship, but began climbing lines tossed down to them. A man swung overhead, and a bladed quarterstaff flashed as he landed, scattering [Sailors] around him.

Follow Admiral Dakelos!

They werent [Sailors] or even regular [Soldiers]. Was that a [Cook] fighting alongside [Tacticians] armed with crossbows?

The surprised Wellfar crew locked blades with Ailendamus crewand the brawny [Boarding Sailor] swung his warhammer down to crush the first mans head. The [Chef] sprinted up to him and raised a fist covered with scars.

[Swordbreakers Fist].

A hand met a metal warhammer and broke. But the warhammer twisted in the other mans hands. Then Chef Moirmen raised the kitchen knife and hacked it into the exposed neck. It lodged, and the [Boarder Sailor] screamed. He dropped the warhammer and seized the [Chef]. Struggling, the two stumbled back across the lightbridgethen over the railing. They plunged down as Moirmen laughed. In his place, a woman strode over the decks. She lifted a crossbow and aimed a wand as Captain Inme slashed down two members of her crew.

Veine shot the [Captain] through the head, ignoring his protective rings. She swiveledshot a running [Sailor] through the chestthen shouted over her shoulder.

Bring the barrels! Go, go!

Lady Selica realized her deck was being overrun. She backed up as the enemy kept coming. The [Admiral] was charging forwards, trying to take the lower decks and bottle Wellfars soldiers from coming up. He only broke away when he heard a shout.

Barrels coming down! Move it!

Watch out! Alchemical weapons!

The Wellfar sailors fighting to get up the stairs dove and ran aside as red-marked barrels were hurled down the stairs, flattening [Sailors] and knocking more over. The ones not hit cried out as the barrels ruptured.

They waited for fire or acid or deaththen they blinked. One tried to moveand slipped in corroded, rotten eels. Roaches and rats exploded out of the barrels as more were hurled down, slicking the stairs up. Then came more crossbow bolts.

They had one of the stairwells, and Giqe was fighting to take another when Dakelos looked around and realized they had the deck.

Vorrmen! Vorrmen! Where are you?

The Drowned Man skidded across the decks, bleeding from the stomach, but grinning. Dakelos looked around. Veine was aiming her crossbow-wand at a kneeling [Lady] spitting curses.

A [Lady], Admiral.

Good! Theyll hesitate to hit us. Vorrmen, take us ahead.

The enemys got the lower decks! They could sabotage the rudder or fight up

I know. Is everyone aboard from the Spitoon?

Everyone living.

Vorrmen snapped back. The other ship was two-thirds submerged by now. Dakelos looked around.

Wheres Moirmen?

He went over. Moirmen? Moir

Someone called out and looked over the edge of the ship. Then up slowly. Dakelos strode over to the edge of his ship. Then he saw what he should have remembered.

The bodies of the dead werent visible. They were goneand a number of people had gone down. But the sinking hulk was pulling everything down with it. Suction. The ship was full of air belowdecks, and as it filled, the water was dragging everything with it.

Moirmen was nowhere to be seen. Dakelos looked down.

Its faster than youd think if he wasnt conscious. Maybe the sea has a gift for him.

Vorrmens voice broke him out of his stupor. Dakelos looked up.

Yes. Take the helm, Vorrmen.

Away?

No. That ship.

Dakelos spun. He looked around. And he saw more of his crew lying silent behind him. They were still fighting. Only he had known Moirmen by name.

They were dying. He saw an [Ensign] fall, gasping, as a flying dagger struck him in the throat. The decks were filled with flashesVeine shot one of the crew off their feet, and the bolt pieced another magic shield. Dakelos took his eyes off his people and stared out, across the coastline engulfed by battle. He had to.

He was an [Admiral], not a [Captain].

While theyd been fighting, more ships had sunk or maneuvered away. But the boarding action had taken less than ten minutes, though it had felt like an age of fighting. He pointed at the nearest ship he saw.

The Burning Wish. It had begun moving again. Vorrmen glanced at it. And the Wellfar [Lady] raised her chin.

You may have my ship, Ailendamus dogs, but youll have to kill me before I render the attack spells over to you. And youll have to slaughter every daughter and son of Wellfar before the Lower Passes yields to you!

Admiral Dakelos turned, and she flinched. He gave her his signature blank lookthen strode down across the decks as Vorrmen swung the ships wheel. Then he called out.

Did anyone bring one of the Greatbows over?

Aye, sir.

One of his crew had helped wrestle the huge, mounted weapons over. It wasnt fixed, and the blowback might destroy the entire weapon. That was fine.

Arm it. Aim it down that stairwell.

Watch out! They have a greatbow!

Lady Selica screamed at her people, and they once again fled the stairwell. But Dakelos didnt bother having her gagged. He just stared ahead.

The Burning Wish had seen the fighting on board their sister vessel. They were approaching warily, no doubt pondering whether to board or parlay and whether it would endanger Lady Selica.

Theyre hailing us, Admiral. They want to know if youll accept the crews surrender. If so, theyll leave us alone.

Veine was reading the lantern-signals. Admiral Dakelos didnt have time to find this ships lanterns. He raised his hands over his head in an x.

Instantly, someone shot an arrow at him. Dakelos ducked, and Giqe, bloody with combat, shouted.

Brace!

Vorrmen! Ready?

Aye, sir!

The Drowned Man was grinning. The crew of Dakelos ship, bloodied and panting, those not holding off the crew from belowdecks, looked up. Lady Selica was calm. She drew herself up and bared her neck.

If you want to make a mockery of honor at seaswing true or fire your bow, Admiral.

She spat at him. But Dakelos look at her made her hesitate.

He was smiling. Teeth bloodied. Panting. But he drew his sword. And then he shouted.

Sailors of Ailendamusbrace! Fire the Greatbow.

Selicas head turned. Then she saw the Greatbow fire and heard the screams. It roared as it exploded from the backlash. And the bolt travelled downmissing her crew

And breached the hull of her ship. Her eyes went round with horror. Then she felt her ship fill with water. Lady Selica Wellfar stared at Admiral Dakelos. What did she see?

The insane [Admiral] was smiling. Andhumming? His crew was cheering him even as a quarter kept her crew from leaving the hold. They had no idea what was going on except that they were taking on water and now they were fighting like Sword Crabs to get free.

But Ailendamus didnt want this ship. The [Admiral] looked around as his people cheered.

Speech, Admiral! A speech!

I thought I gave you one already?

He turned, staggering, and she saw he was wounded. But then he laughed, and his face, which looked wild, sooty and hair standing on end, turned melancholic. He gave the oddest speech imaginable to the oncoming Wish. They couldnt hear him, but his crew listened.

Attention. Ships of Wellfar. By order of His Majesty, King Itorin II, I demand you surrender and disarm immediately! Ailendamus will not be stopped by any nation in the world! If you do not haltwe will immediately attack.

It was the damndest speech. Unheard by any but those around him. Idiotic in the middle of an engagement. But he was not speaking to Lady Selica.

Dakelos crew was bloody. They were tired and gasping for air. They saw a second warship in their sights, and their [Admiral] was steering them straight at death. Hundreds of Wellfar [Sailors] held those decks, and they were screaming for battle.

But when Dakelos crew heard that speechthey laughed. As if it were the finest joke in the world. They stood taller, and Lady Selica felt a terrible chill when she saw their eyes.

Admiral Dakelos had been waiting for a mutiny, not a speech. But when he looked around, he saw none. They were looking across the harbor, and they saw what he did.

Ailendamus ships were taking fire from the Pride. They were trying to flee, and Wellfar was boxing them in, like [Shepherds] herding sheep back to a slaughter.

Admiral Louseg cant take this fleet out of hell. But we can. Every ship we stop is another one that cant burn our ships from behind. Prepare to board! The Kingdom of Glass and Glory seldom shouts. But todayI hear her calling our names. I let her down once. Fight so hard the Lord of the Dance himself would retreat!

His crew were abandoning the stairwells, flocking to the railing closest to the Wish. It was turning, now, trying to avoid them, but Vorrmen was anticipating their course. Dakelos was counting down the distance between them. He turned his head.

Veine. Start a fire. I want half this deck burning before you leave. Brace!

Aye, Admiral! [Ramming Charge]!

The [Valor Strategist] looked like a Bloodtear Pirate herself. Her forehead was covered with blood except for the smear around her eyes. She yanked her wand out of the crossbow, checked it, cast it aside, and put in the replacement.

Their ship leapt forwards. The Lower Passes swung to TheBurning Wish. The Wish tried to turn, but once again, Dakelos ship shot forwards. And this timebefore the thunder had even left his ears, he was running. Pounding across those decks, and he thought he was humming like a boy in school again, dreaming of the sea.

Strategist Veine saw it all with her [Birds-Eye View] of the battlefield. As they hitthe impact threw her across the decking, and she missed her shot. Her wand was running out of power.

The impact sent a [Tactician] smashing head-first into the deck. The rest of her crew lurched despite their bracing, but Wellfars did not. [Sturdy Footing] on the enemy [Lord], perhaps.

They were ready, this time. Theyd formed up, creating a literal wall of bodies as archers took aim at the light bridge and boarding ramps. A killing field daring the enemy to cross.

An [Admiral] charged out of the smoke, leaping onto the enemys deck, screaming a song. For a second, Veine thought she saw the enemy [Captain] blink. Then an arrow punched Admiral Dakelos off his feet.

His uniform was enchanted. He went downand the Wellfar sailors looked up and saw Ailendamus charge.

Bows snapped, and dozens of figures fell into the frothing waters between the ships or slumped across the decks. But behind them came more of the crew. [Tacticians] and [Servers] meant to wait the command staff. [Junior Cooks].

Officers. Veine pulled herself up and shot one of the archers through the head. She had blood in one eye, and she only heard a roar.

They poured over the decks of the second ship, fighting like devils in the breach. Wellfars troops looked shaken even as they rained arrows down. They had fought Ailendamus before and never seen this.

A [Swashbuckler], one of the specialties of their classes, swung across the decks with a rope from the yardarm, a flask ofgreen acid in hand? Veine saw it. She thought, rather than spoke as she pointed.

[Sight: Significant Threats]. [Covering Fire]!

A group of [Tacticians] holding wands heeded her Skill and adjusted their aim automatically. They knocked the [Swashbuckler] out of the air with a trio of spells. They advanced, firing spells from wands a caliber above what Wellfar could dream of.

Master of Arms, Giqe, had the stairs. He surged forward, protected by three of his subordinates. [Blademasters] trained by Lord Uziel himself. One ran into a spear on the stairs. Another fell with three arrows studding her chest.

And the [Admiral] was on his feet. And his roar filled Veines ears.

Charge! Charge until theyre all dead!

Flames burned behind Ailendamus crew as Veine strode for the light bridge, still firing from the hip. The deck was aflame behind her. The Lower Passes was damned, and its surviving crew was pouring out of the lower decks and leaping into the sea along with the rats rather than die.

She was about to leap across to the second ship when the [Strategist] saw someone wriggling on the deck.

Lady Selica. The Wellfar [Lady] was bound, unable to escape. Shed burn to death if she wasnt freed and her crew hadnt seen her. Despite the fire in her blood, Veine had a moment of insight.

A [Strategist]s deed. So

So Veine heaved her up and then heaved both across the light bridge. Lady Selica tried to bite heruntil Veine drew a knife. But the [Strategist] cut Selicas hands free.

What are you?

A life for a life! Remember that, Wellfar! Honor for honor or the sea run dry.

Veine screamed itthen she left the startled [Lady] behind. She thundered over the deck, firing until her wand ran dry.

Dakelos brought a shortsword down and stabbed a [Sailor] knocked flat by the impact of the two ships colliding. He felt bad about it even as he twisted the blade in the gasping womans chest.

Then an arrow hit him in the chest, and only his enchanted uniform kept him from death. But it felt like hed broken at least one rib.

They have archers there! Kill them!

[Master of Arms] Giqe led the charge up the stairs. But this time, The Burning Wish had prepared for them, and they had fought one battle already. Stamina potions ran like blood through the veins of Dakelos crew as they tried to fight up onto the upper deck.

Giqe looked around and screamed.

[Light Stair]! Feifen!

The [Mage] had been throwing bolts of lightning. He looked up, pointed, and a stairway of light let the [Master of Arms] charge up. The half-Elf raised a hand, pointing, and Dakelos heard a thunk.

The [Lord] of this ship lowered a crossbow as Feifen fell over. Veine took her shot and missed. Dakelos shoulder-charged across the deck and slammed into the man.

Youthink you can take

The two fought, wrestling for the crossbow as Dakelos tried to lower his sword-hand and the other man caught it. Then Dakelos saw the [Lord]s eyes burn.

[Get Off My Ship].

A force picked the [Admiral] up and made to hurl him off the ship. It got his sword, flinging it into the ocean as it tore the blade loose from his grip. But the [Admiral] fought the Skill. He floated a foot off the groundthen halted. He pushed back against the Skill with all the force of his class. Then Dakelos gritted his teeth and spoke.

My ship, now. [Crew: Second Wind]!

The [Lord]s eyes bulged as the [Admiral] stumbled backthen a second burst of energy ran through his crew. They pushed forwards with a roar. The [Lord] raised his crossbowand Dakelos seized him by the legs.

He heaved the [Lord] of Wellfar up over the railing and off his ship. The man fell with a howl of fury. Dakelos looked around for a blade and snatched one up. He went to take cover from the arrows falling from aboveand saw no more enemy [Archers].

A man lay on the upper deck, by the helm supporting his weight. [Master of Arms] Giqe was dead. There were more arrows in his front than his back. But so were all the Wellfar sailors around him.

Admiral!

The decks were in chaos. Dakelos crew had abandoned the Lower Passes, and now they were fighting across TheBurning Wish. But they had lost so many in the first push. Now?

Dakelos just sprinted over to the helm.

Vorrmen! Take us at the nearest ship! Guard the helm! Get me a lantern and oil! Activate the mage-spells if you have to. Overload the ships enchantments!

The Drowned Man was laughing as he hewed past two [Sailors]. He grabbed the wheel as Wellfars navy began to realize something was wrong.

The Burning Wish has been seized by the enemy. And theyve sunken the Lower Passes!

How? I didnt see any fighting.

Lord Etril Wellfar had lost focus. Like Admiral Louseg, he was newer to his role and had been absorbed in the engagement with five of the enchanted warships. The Pride had sunk three, damaged the other two, and was locking down the entire port side of the battle.

But something was wrong to starboard, to sea. Ailendamus ships were breaking away in good order now, fleeing their counterparts.

Its an [Admiral]!

Admiral Louseg? His ships in splinters.

Etril trained his spyglass on the Foehammer escorting ships to safety, trailing smoke. But his [Strategist] shook her head.

No, a second [Admiral]. In the hulk! He rammed the Lower Passes and fought his way onto The Burning Wish! Now hes set the Wish ablaze as well, and hes ramming every ship he can find!

The Wish was one of their most mobile ships of that class. Even as Etril turned, he saw it smash into a galley and actually tip the other ship over. Half the ship was in smoke, and if his eyes didnt betray him, it was Wellfar sailors abandoning their own ship in rowboats or leaping away to clear the blaze.

One ship was scything around in the waters, making use of the high-level [Admiral]s Skills to hit the other ships. Even as he watched, it sailed between another Wellfar ship, forcing the [Captain] to spin the wheel or collide.

Less than two hundred soldiers were fighting on the decks, keeping Wellfars soldiers from reaching the helm as fire lashed the Wish. And they were still

Take the Pride about and tell them to evacuate the ship. Tell the fleet to get clear of that Admiral!

But the rest of Ailendamus fleet

Etril shook his head.

Damn the rest of their fleet. Hell sink any ship he can get close to. Get out of the way of that ship!

He was humming. The [Admiral] strode down the deck of his new ship, afire, appropriately. The Burning Wish was smoking, and his eye ran with tears. Or was it blood?

Dakelos stumbled as he walked. His sunburst uniform was cut in two places, the enchanted fabric losing its magic. He had someone elses sword, and the air was filled with screaming.

Abandon ship! Abandon the Wish or burn! Leave them to die! The Pride will have them, and damn them to the depths!

Lady Selica was marshaling the retreat. Dakelos tried to count how many figures he could see on the command deck with him.

Two hundred, now? Less? He felt terrible. His beloved crew were just numbers. Moirmen was dead. Giqe was dead.

Vorrmen. Take us ahead.

The Drowned Man had smashed them into ship after ship. At last, they found another target. Dakelos braced, and this time, the flaming ship had no benefit of a Skill. Veine tried, but it was no good.

[R-Ramming Charge]. Sorry, Admiral.

No problem. Vorrmen, hit it.

You make life so hard, Admiral. Aye, aye. Is that your new ship? This ones getting hot.

The Drowned Man grinned as Dakelos crew raised their blades. They all had Dakelos face. A wild look, whether it was smiles or grimness. The [Admiral] raised his voice.

I need a new one again. Is the fleet making its escape?

Theyre pulling away, Admiral.

Veine was scanning the horizon. Another ship came into view beyond the smoke and tried to turn. A simple cutter this time. Small. Perfect.

Vorrmen, hit it. Sailors, prepare to board!

Dakelos shouted. He ducked as arrows sped overhead and heard a thunk. He looked up, and the sloop was turning.

Vorrmen, hit

He looked over his shoulder, and the Drowned Man was lying on his back. An arrow through his eye. Dakelos looked down at him. Then he seized the wheel.

This is it, Admiral?

A weary [Sailor] was bleeding out as she clutched an arm. The blood was spurting onto the deck no matter how much she tried to stop the bleeding with a piece of cloth and her hands. Dakelos swung the wheel around, chasing the cutter.

This is it. One more ship, I promise. Weve saved the fleet. My mistake at Nadelyou are all the finest sailors I could wish for. Weve saved the fleet.

He didnt know if that was true. But hed seen ships fleeing. Even one. Dakelos found the other cutter making a break left and swung in, anticipating their course. When he felt the impactlighter, more of a tap to TheBurning Wishhe shouted.

Get them! Come on

He looked over, and the [Sailor] was dead. She was slumped over next to Vorrmen, a deaths smile on her face. The rest of Dakelos crew were waiting for him. Veine had lost her crossbow or tossed it away. She had just a simple spear.

Soot-blackened faces. Desperate eyes. But they looked up, and he almost asked them.

Why are you still following me? After so many ships?

But perhaps the answer was they felt guilty too. Was all this his fault? He didnt know. That wasnt what mattered. So he raised his sword. The crew of that small cutter looked up as a man shouted through the smoke, as it burned his lungs, coughing.

I am Admiral Dakelos of Ailendamus. My crew. Help me damn one more ship. Charge. Charge, for the Kingdom of Glass and Glory!

When he leapt down to the cutter, the impact almost broke his legs. When the first sword stabbed him in the leg, he sat down. The bloody bodies fighting and swinging blades against terrified Wellfar [Sailors] made half jump ship after killing a score.

They kept coming. And when the [Admiral] looked around

Veine?

Still here, Admiral.

She was grinning. He sagged in relief, and thirtyjust thirty now crewed the cutter, heaving bodies overboard, grabbing lines. But they looked at him.

One more ship. This ones not as nice as the Spitoon, either.

None of them laughed this time, but they grinned as if it were the funniest little joke he had ever told. Dakelos sailed out of the flaming wreckage of TheBurning Wish.

And then he saw his navy. What remained of it.

Half the ships that he had seen this morning were sailing north, full-speed. A few long-range spells were pursuing thembut Dakelos saw the Foehammer and four more enchanted warships taking the rear.

They were miles away from him. The Wellfar navy was breaking away from their pursuit, even the Pride. Not for fear of the current that Ailendamus had gotten past, but the ships in the far, far distance.

Admiral Meirkos. That made Dakelos smile. He heard a cheer come up from his crew. Thensilence. Dakelos looked up, and a woman with scales on her lower body, a figurehead of a half-fish woman from another age stared down at him.

The fleet of the Wellfar was bloodied, but they had lost less than eight ships. Far more were damagedbut those not in immediate jeopardy were forming up around the Pride.

A vast circle of ships, weighing anchor. The cutter blew forwards as Dakelos pointed them ahead.

Not at the Pride. But at the nearest sloop he thought had the smallest crew. He heard a distant thunkthen the water exploded around him.

Seawater rained down over him, but he still felt hot. Dakelos wasnt humming any longer. He swung the cutter left, then right, trying to be unpredictable. Thenhe was shouting.

Ailendamus, Ailendamus, I gave my life for thee! Until my dying breath, from sea to glorious sea

His crew were on their feet, men and women. Half-Elves, Humans, Drowned FolkVeineraising their swords and screaming at the distant ships. Then the magic came down.

A lightning bolt cracked the mast. And still the ship came on. Flaming Mage Harpoons set fire to the decks. Then the first magical arrows pierced the deck.

They blew apart the hull, sent splinters of wood across the deck, and more of the fleets fire rained down. From his position at the helm of his ship, Lord Etril Wellfar saw the [Admiral]s crew die.

He had not given the order to attack. The moment the cutter had begun moving, House Wellfar had begun firing. The ships circling that damned crew unloaded their firepower without regard to the overkill or waste.

And still, the ship kept coming longer than it should have. It had a hull like steelbut the ship gave up before the crew.

Madmen and madwomen. He thought they were firing arrows despite being out of range. A [Strategist] vanished, and he swore she had aimed at him from her ship. Then a body was tossed into the sea and sank. And the last person on that ship was the [Admiral].

Whether by chance or luck or the simple fact that he had been at the prow of the shipthe spells and munitions had missed him. The cutter sank into the waves, and still, that figure was steering towards the nearest Wellfar ship.

His eyes never wavered. Even when an arrow struck him in the chest, a long-range shot by a [Sniper], he just sat down for a second. Then got back up.

Water was sucking him down. But he resurfaced, a single bobbing head, and began swimming towards the nearest ship. Not a sword in handalready faltering from blood loss. Head dipping beneath the waves.

But he kept surfacing, kept trying to swim. As if giving up a second too early would have disgraced the men and women he had ordered to their deaths.

Eight hundred men and women of Ailendamus under Admiral Dakelos command perished in the naval battle later called Dakelos Redemption. The last was still swimming as arrows rained into the water around him.

Lord Etril? I can finish this.

A [Longbow Sniper] called from the decks. Lord Etril stared down into the water and hesitated. He saw something streaking across the waters.

A boarding craft? One of theirs? He held up a hand.

Cease fire! Ceasethats Aunt Selica! What is she doing?

Her voice was cracking across their speaking stones.

Hit me and Ill hang you from the railings all the way back to First Landings ports! Cease! Im taking the [Admiral] for ransom.

You want that monster back in their grip? Are you mad, Aunt

Lord Etril demanded before he heard the response.

A life for a life! Wed be the shame of the sea to slaughter him. Your own mother would run you through. There is a captain for the seas in the days when storms ate continents. That admiral won Ailendamus half their fleet. Or do you disagree?

His aunt barked back. The arrows and spells halted, and Lord Etril cursed. He stared out at the water where a ship was cutting towards where the [Admiral] had gone under. He hadnt surfaced. Lady Selicas ship halted, and several figures, all Drowned, leapt from the sides to dive into the water.

Etril looked around, and House Wellfar was in accord. They watched silently, and Lord Etril took a slow breath.

Very well. If he lives or any otherransom them to Ailendamus. [Captains], all. You have two hours to salvage anything you want from the wreckage. No towage; Taimaguros and Ailendamus will be here too soon. Take what you find. Then were bound for First Landing. Ailendamus has bit too hard for my liking, this day.

Or ratherhe stared at that water where the ship had gone down. One crew on a filthy hulk had died harder than a Reefeye, their teeth embedded in Wellfar bones. He did not wait to see whether Lady Selica found the [Admiral].

He had a feeling he would meet that monster again. Some things were so hard to swallow, even the deeps of the ocean spat them out. But Etril Wellfar gave that sunken ship one last salute. There was a crew worthy of The Pride of the Wellfar. He realized, in that moment, he had finally lost his appetite for this war the moment he had stopped sinking kidnappers and cowards and begun fighting men and women of the sea.

And so. When they spoke of the fool who attacked Nadel, the [Admiral] who had been duped, the same people who told that story might tell the tale of an [Admiral] and his crew who had seized no less than three ships in a single battle and held off House Wellfar long enough for Ailendamus navy to escape.

A man with fire for blood, they claimed. Followed by a crew who would have charged into Rhir without hesitation. And what most didnt realize was that they were one and the same.

[Conditions Met: Sailing Admiral Intractable Admiral of Sacrifice!]

[Intractable Admiral of Sacrifice Level 40!]

[Skill Crew: My Ship is Crewed by Ghosts obtained!]

[Skill Crew: They Knew No Fear obtained!]

[Skill Crew (Aspect): Devils of Slaughter obtained!]

[Skill Ship: My Ship Shall Not Sink Before I Do obtained!]

It was not the impartial observer and the hand of fate that governed all things. If there was a narrative to everything

The thing that was known as the Grand Design of Isthekenous was not that. But it was close. Even the impartial arbiter of the world needed its own story and description.

Especially because it was moreactive of late. Especially because it watched and exulted when they, the points of data in its system, rose and fell.

[Intractable Admiral of Sacrifice] Dakelos was a surprise. They all were. But when they did what was remarkable, it rewarded them.

That was how it worked. In this case, the Grand Design had worked hard to make sure his class fit.

[Sunken Admiral of No Surrender] had been floated, but intractable was fitting and he wasnt a Drowned Man. [Admiral of Loss] was close, but the [Bowman of Loss]there was a difference between loss and sacrifice.

His entire crew had gone down fighting. He belonged to a nation ruled by Lucifen. Therefore, and therefore, his Skills and class changed.

He was eminently deserving of four levels in a single battle. He might rise higher, and if he didhe would be more than a mere [Admiral] of the seas.

How exciting. How exciting! Was that exclamation mark warranted? Yes, yes it was.

There wasjust one thing that was wrong in this moment, in the time out of time where the Grand Design alone worked. A problem.

Everything had been assigned properly. The [Admiral] had his Skills. But one was generatingexceptions. A rare thing to see. Something was wrong.

[Skill Crew: My Ship is Crewed by Ghosts obtained!]

<Veine Ecleith, Level 34 [Valor Strategist] not found. Searching>

<Veine Ecleith, Level 34 [Valor Strategist] not found.>

<Giqe Roselelm, Level 32 [Master of Arms] not found. Searching>

<Giqe Roselelm, Level 32 [Master of Arms] not found.>

Where were they? They should have been right there. The Grand Design had been counting their prospective levels until their final breaths. Rooting for them in the way it rooted for every single person about to level, however large or small.

This time, it began to search. The Skill demanded them. The [Admiral] deserved his crew, in spirit. Copies could be made. But wherewere

There.

It found them. Right where they should be. But where had changed. All thethere was just one entry, one data point where there had been all of them.

The place mortals called the lands of the dead was just a single name now. And they were all becoming part of it.

Kasigna.

But the rules. The Skill. For a moment, the Grand Design did what it had never done before. As a hand closed and the three-in-one plotted

The Goddess of Death stopped amidst the task of redesigning death itself. At least she had blueprints to her great work. First, for this land, then two more. The Solstice came soon, and its namesake would not forget this one.

She was undisputed now, her competitors lost or imprisoned or scattered. She had time and power, even over the other victor, Cauwine.

Long had Kasigna gloated and consolidated her power here. Nothing should have troubled her before the Solstice. Nothing

And yet, the three-in-one froze. And her hand snatched at something in the void. She caught a handful of souls, and for a second, even the dead heart of the divine shuddered atshe felt the slightest resistance.

Her eyes, caught across every age of existence, which had seen heavens burn and stared into the eyes of foreign gods as they diedwidened. And she spoke.

What are you doing?

Shepulledfor lack of a better word. Wrestled with something that should not have any force to it. Kasigna pulledand at last claimed her prizes.

But for one momentsomething had resisted her. Then the pull was gone, and they were hers. Copies were made. She was uncontested once more.

Yet of all the things she had seen, even more than the Faerie King, even more than the defiance of the deadKasigna paused a long while in the nothingness of her realm. Then, shaken, she returned to her work. However, all around her, in her ears and memories, far worse than reality

She could still hear Zineryr laughing.

Authors Note: Do you recall Interlude The Gecko of Illusions? Because this is a chapter I had planned after that. But of course, some things have to wait.

In this case, perhaps it waited too long, and I certainly have other points of view to tell from Ailendamus side, but just like Raelts chapter, I had more to write of him than the part with the oranges. I wrote the bored [King] hucking oranges at peoples heads because I was waiting for the part where the King of Duels emerged.

Yet chapters like these are always, always stressful because my greatest fear is that they fall flat when they should be the best of chapters. I am newly off-break and I have energy, but that doesnt always translate to a good chapter.

My point is that I hope Dakelos chapter is received well. I had a far, far more ambitious chapter planned with another characters section interwoven, but I feel it would have made the entire narrative weaker. Plus, it might have resulted in two chapters, and Im trying not to do that.

Know your limits. Something something about manageable workload and blah blah blah. Sometimes its nice to just sit down and write a chapter without knowing what the heck is going to happen, or experiment and write a bad chapter or one that takes risks.

Now that were in Volume 9 and 11 millions words in, I plan out a lot more and take a lot less risks, but perhaps Ill do some chapters that gamble. And the risk is, of course, a bad chapter. But you have to keep things fresh or else the story gets bad. Thats the thing I think a lot of isekais and longer tales, be it shows or games, miss. It has to be original. Sometimes you tell a straight story like a tale of war. But it should still make a reader engage rather than be bored.

Star Wars: Fallen Order is a game I played over my break. I havent finished it, but Im like at the final planet and its a bad game because the story is trash. Everything can be predicted, and the characters are bad action ones. Also, the gameplay isnt that great.

Resident Evil 4 I beat in two days because I enjoyed it so much. The story is not great and parts suck, but the difference is that the gameplay is better, and the story is functional enough to not make me gripe too much. Video game stories aint that great, but thats the difference between a story that makes the game worse, and one that doesnt move the meter. Now wheres my good story?

Thanks for reading.

For the month of March, jawjee did an amazing amount of art along with other prolific and talented artists! I am featuring just one artist but the rest will also be shownand each one is a different scene from the story in amazing style. Its an amazing birthday gift and gift to the story!