A/n> For those who missed it-- this book will be updated only on Fridays from now on but the chapter length will be increased "soon". I want to clarify that the next couple of chapters will still be shorter than promised because I had written them before this current schedule. I'm not making any changes in those already written right now because I'm focusing more on progressing the story and also I have finals 💀

So please hold on for a couple of weeks more because the chapter-length doubles after that, I promise :D

My eyes tailed the horizon lined with ships. The port was crowded, and it had taken me a while to get here this morning.

It better be worth it.

I've been away from my kingdom for weeks, and I ought to return before my brother could make any significant advancement against me. The more days I spent away from the court, out here in the Somirean lands, the more I regretted taking this matter into my hands, but there wasn't another option. This had to be done. I was lost in my thoughts until Mad offered me a roll of weed.

A side of my lips curled up when I recognized the brand.

"Isn't that from one of my cultivators?" I asked, taking it from him.

"O' course. 'twould be a shame on me part if I offer ye some other leaves 'n pretend that they be better than yers. Yers are the best,"

"Pleased to hear that," I chuckled, placing it between my lips and taking a long drag from it. The ships that had been sitting on the horizon vanished in clouds shortly as I exhaled. Mad stepped beside me, leaning at the window with a cigar poking out of his stormy ocean beard while he studied the crowd cramming the Somirean port.

"Did ye get anythin' from 'im?" He inquired.

"Vagueness," I said. Mad sighed, clouds of smoke coming out from his beard. "Wha' did he tell ye?"

"He said he saw a ship that night, hounding my merchants... it had no light on board, no flag, no figureheads," I quoted.

"Blisterin' barnacles... that's odd,"

"Is it Elrad Swab?" I wondered out loud, "He was known for looting merchants in this fashion... but that was a long time ago. He should be dead,"

"He's dead," Mad confirmed.

"Then who could it be?"

"It's been a long since I've seen somethin' like this..." He trailed off, staring at the horizon. Meanwhile, a new crowd fluxed onto the port as another ship arrived at the harbour. "Like 'em," Mad pointed. I combed the crowd until my eyes caught a few Somirean merchants.

"Somirean merchants?" I asked in bewilderment.

"The new ones," He cleared, "Thar trade has been oddly bloomin' even though the mainland be gettin' poorer 'n poorer. 'n the Naval fleet, they 'ave acquired new ships within last year. If this keeps on goin' then they'd be pushin' me out o' the Somirean waters soon,"

"Wasn't there a severe drought in the mainland last year?" I recalled.

"Thar was. Loads o' people died cuz the puppet Emperor refused t' release water from the dams. I pity his subjects, but I 'ave me owns reasons t' loathe 'im,"

"I'm aware of that. It's never easy when an old ally turns against you,"

"The Queen who ruled afore had more sense than all the rulers o' this dynasty combined. She tipped us on the Valerian merchants; in return, we left her merchants alone. This way, she secured the sea route fer her merchants 'n eliminated her competitors from markets," Mad sighed deeply, "She died tragically. Wha''s more tragic be that her son took on the throne even though thar was a more capable daughter. She died tragically too, afore her brother was throned... fishy if ye ask me,"

"Theoron had a sister?" I was surprised.

"Aye," He replied, "The Queen invited me on her birthday once. Brilliant lass, tragic death,"

"How come I find out about this now?"

"Oh, the scallywags 'ave forgotten... ye know how scallywags are. Besides, the subjects aren't supposed t' natter about her 'cause it saddens the Emperor, who be said t' 'ave been close t' his sister. I call this all bluff. It's the Nobels makin' sure they get t' keep the puppet. His sister wouldna 'ave allowed 'em wha' they do today," Mad spat.

A fleeting silence descended between us as we watched another ship of Somirean merchants hit the docks. We watched the huge cargo offloading from the vessel.

"That's only fer the Royal household," Mad remarked, and I hummed. "They 'ave more out in the sea,"

"Why don't you go after them now?" I asked.

"Fer now, I be jus' watchin' 'em 'cause somethin' doesn't feel right... mighty, somethin' about thar trade,"

"You think so?"

"Ye may call me Mad," he chuckled, and added, "but I feel it has somethin' t' do wit' those priestesses," My eyebrows nearly united with my hairline at his outlandish suggestion.

I chuckled and commented, "Lars told me about your obsession with the Shrine,"

"I am nah jokin', Alexandros," Mad remarked grimly, "I've seen some o' thar ships sailin' too close t' the Shrine's enchantment... so close that they shall 'ave drowned, but they didn' 'n besides... those witches are sittin' on so much booty that would last 'em lifetimes," Mad stated.

"But why would they give their wealth to the merchants?" I asked.

"They commission 'em 'cause now, thar Emperor only listens t' the Nobles. 'n 'twould be foolish o' those witches t' float in the middle o' the sea, doin' naught but witchcraft while the Nobles are plottin' against 'em. Thar has been a power struggle between the Nobles 'n those witches forever. Scallywags reckon only the Nobles are the kingmakers but let me tell ye, those witches take part in it equally if nah more, but the witches are pissed lately 'cause o' the new Emperor chosen against thar will. I 'ave a feelin' we be about t' get t' thar climax.

Reckon about this, the merchants are thar best asset, actin' as thar eyes 'n ears as they travel while those witches don't 'ave t' leave that black spotted island 'n continue t' do whatever they do thar. The merchants are angry at the Emperor fer providin' less in trade. Instead, the surplus be bein' spent somewhere else... somewhere I be nah sure yet, but whatever 'tis, ye best be prepared, Alexandros. I see a war comin'. I've heard the new Emperor has some expansionist ambitions,"

"You're anything but mad," I remarked, astounded at his insights. His vision must have turned sharper at sea after constantly searching the horizon for enemies.

"Thar's a reason why I've been rulin' the waters fer so long,"

"I've heard of your old ambitions," I reported.

"Ye wants t' know more about the Shrine, don't ye?"

"I'm all ears," I smiled.

"Then listen..."

~

It was early in the night when Mad was done telling me about the Shrine. I left his haven by the port and headed towards the Somirean market where Lars must have been waiting for me with my other men, ready to return home. For the most part of my journey to the market, I had been absent-minded, thinking of all the stories Mad had told me about his old days going after the shrine.

The market was buzzing by the time I reached there. I pretended to be a buyer as I stalled through the stalls, casually checking some objects on sale I had no intention to buy. I kept looking for Lars but he was nowhere to be found. His absence was beginning to irritate me.

I'd have nearly missed it hadn't I stopped briefly at a stall to ask for the directions to the other end of the market.

It came to me as a surprise.

It was the least expected to me— at this place, at this point but isn't that what makes it a surprise?

As the peasant was giving me directions, I heard a familiar voice.

"Where are you going?" She shouted.

I spun around and immediately, even in the humming crowd, my eyes isolated a familiar slender figure. She had her back to me but as soon as she turned, our eyes locked. Her eyes enlarged before she started walking away as if she hadn't seen me at all. A smile tugged the side of my lips as I followed her.

~