hi. mb i was operating at 1 fps irl. alas, i am returned.
[Part 2] — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — [Part 4]
Chapter 5
A will
The Basileus of Redwake walks through town with Cain carried on his shoulder. A commanding presence made the crowd swiftly part, allowing his and Lucian’s passage. Quiet murmuring amongst the audience is heard, but Lucian pays it no mind, purely interested in the incoming payday and assignment.
“So, Basileus. How’d things go over at Shell?” Lucian questions.
“Fine enough, but the news is not good. I appreciate your neutrality, even if you technically belong to their kingdom.”
“Pshh. I belong to Frostmill, and Frostmill alone. And to Drachmae, too.” Lucian chuckles.
The Basileus doesn’t so much as smile as the guards to his quarters greet him. He and Lucian walk up, escorted by two Redwake guards. They arrive swiftly to a long table with a map of the War Seas spread out on it. There, Viceroy Anthimos awaits the two, peering over the map with a frown. His wavy brown hair obscures his red eyes until he notices the two. He turns to face them and salute his lord, wearing his typical red cloak, bracelets, and black pants.
“Ah. Welcome, Captain Gaius.. I heard the news…”
“Mm. Had to come back a bit early, but at least a clear message was sent. Those who oppose us and threaten our lands will meet their death.”, the Basileus replies, setting Cain down.
“So, is that…?”
“Yes sir. It’s the kid I was talkin’ about. I can’t take him on my crew, but considering he showed up and actually fought for you two, mayybe you could give him a break?” Lucian answers.
“This is heavily outside the norm… I’m sure you’re aware of our strict policies, Lucian.” The Basileus responds, eyeing Cain as he sits in his throne.
“Yeah yeah, but it’s also against the norm for some random kid to fight for you. He even took out a guy! Of course, I can’t have him on my crew because of that, can’t let my international ties get dragged down by a kid playin’ hero.. But he’d probably make a fine enough soldier.”
The Viceroy looks at the boy, then at his former captain, now king. “Considering the tensions… It may be a worthy risk, Captain.”
Muffled by his position, Cain looks around, a bit dazed. “Agh… I was out for a bit.. Where are we?”
The Basileus eyes Cain up and down, and begins to sense his energy. It was much greater before, but he still senses something peculiar about the amnesiac. Something familiar.
“Who are you, really?” The Basileus asks, looking Cain in the eye.
“Huh?” Cain sits upright in the seat he was left in, rubbing his head. “Uhh.. I’m Cain. I lost my memory because of that.. Wrath of the Gods stuff… I think?”
The Basileus’ eyes lighten up somewhat. He senses Cain again, this time sensing his intentions. Too weak to harm the town, and a hazy, but positive intention in his heart. The Basileus closes his eyes in thought.
“…Fine. He may stay, if he wishes.”
“Me? Stay here? Can’t I go with you, Lucian?”
“Hah, sorry kid. But you’re way too green to come with us. And too jumpy. I’ve got a neutral alliance with everyone in the War Seas. I can’t have you messing up things for me, yeah?” Lucian responds.
“Oh… Well, I don’t have another choice, huh? I wouldn’t mind staying here if that’s alright, I guess.” Cain finishes, looking back at the large man on his throne.
“It’s alright, on one condition. You will fight for us, for now. Anthimos, do you think you could take him under your wing?” The Basileus asks.
The Viceroy thinks for a second, then nods. “I don’t see why not.. Not any other magic tutors in town after all. Cain, was it? Come, we can go to the training grounds. I’ve got one student already, so you can get acquainted.”
“Already? Well.. Alright. Bye, Lucian.”
Cain gets up, and follows the Viceroy out of the Captain’s Hall.
Lucian looks at them as they leave, then turns to the Basileus. “Yeah yeah, bye now. Now, onto my favorite subject… Time to pay up.”
The Basileus sighs as he begins financial talks with the trader, drawing up plans for his next transaction.
As Cain walks down the stairs with Anthimos, he notices the weapons on his back. A massive sword, carved from the bone of some sort of animal.
“Wow.. That’s way bigger than my dagger.”
“Indeed. I train my magic, body, and weaponry prowess equally. It allows me to expertly wield such a blade… As well as imbue my magic into it.”
“You can do that?” Cain asks, pulling his tanto out and looking at it.
“Yes, but only after lots of training. You’re much too young for your awakening, kid.”
“That sucks… So, where’s the training grounds?”
“We have one to the North and South. We’ll head to the south one, The Silent Ire. It’s larger, perfect for magic users.”
“Got it…”
As Cain and Anthimos walk through the town, a certain woman notices the tanto in his hand. She whips her head around, her long black hair getting in the way of her tired dark red eyes, hidden by a pair of tinted goggles. She was quite obviously an outsider to Redwake, wearing a black tank top and thin black arm warmers, along with baggy dark blue pants, around which was a holster for her own, much more plain dagger. Her black boots and leather welding gloves made her look more like the smith’s apprentice than a citizen.
She looked at the man, then at the tanto. “Hmph. Clearly stolen. It’s obviously made by the smiths in Taiyonokuni.. Though the materials don’t quite match.”, she thinks to herself.
The studied woman looked toward the weapon shop, then to the Viceroy. “Wonder if he knows… Well, if I steal it back, I’m technically in the right.”
Chapter 6
A way
The pair of men make it to the water’s edge, where a couple rowboats await.
“Lucian said you were an amnesiac, yes? Do you need instructions on how to row a rowboat?”
“I’d like that, yeah..”
Anthimos begins a proper demonstration, as the studied woman makes her way nearby, observing the two.
“They depart to Silent Ire from here… Hmmm…. I’ll wait, then..” She thinks, as she heads back toward the weaponsmith to ogle at the craftsmanship
After showing him the proper technique, Cain gets on the rowboat and tries to row.
“Oh, this isn’t so bad.”
“Yes. Now, I have some business to take care of. Row yourself to the Silent Ire. Go straight ahead, then go to the right after the third spire.”
“There.. Then.. Alright. I’ll see you soon, then”
Anthimos nods and waves as Cain rows off. Cain’s rowing isn’t the most even, but it’s good enough to send him forward.
“This is more tiring than it looks.. Hah…”
Cain wipes the sweat from his brow as he passes the second spire, not quite used to continuous activity. He breathes heavily and pushes on, past the third spire as he sloppily turns right. He looks ahead, seeing a small grassy island, with two spires around it.
“Ah, that’s gotta be it..”
As Cain rows, Anthimos heads back toward the Captain’s hall, passing Lucian eagerly checking the bags of drachma. One could swear that drachma was the only thing ever on his mind…
Anthimos greets his captain as he enters the hall. “So, Gaius.. What’s it looking like?”
Gaius has gotten up from his throne, now peering over the map of the War Seas. “At this point… War is imminent. I talked with Seneschal Aspen at Shell Island. He agreed that even if Shell Island themselves wanted to be annexed into my territory, doing so would set off King Viren, and start a war… But even so, they say General Arvid ordered this attack on Redwake.”
“Well if it’s a fight they want, we have to prepare. The Vermillion Province will not take this standing down, right?”
“Right. Thankfully, they haven’t quite been the same after the Greenlit War… But they’re still dangerous. They have three generals, and their king.. Meanwhile, we only really have the remaining members of my flagship, back in the day… Their footsoldiers in general are stronger than ours.”
“And their generals are, too.. I mean, I could take on Arvid, I think. But Seneschal Aspen would be a tough one, even if he’s old. And General Keziah… I mean, I’m strong. But I’m not THAT strong, y’know?”
“I’m the only one who can really fight Keziah and King Viren.. Though if we had a Devourer in our hands, I think you’d stand a chance.”
“Ah, you flatter me, sir. Unfortunately, they come extremely expensive.. We might be able to secure a deal with The Brotherhood, but I don’t know if the smiths at Atsali have one available. And with how volatile things are, at the moment…”
“We have to be ready at a moment’s notice. If you train those two well, I think they could take General Arvid on in a direct assault together. Then you could fight Senschal Aspen alone, and I could fight King Viren and Keziah.”
“Ohhh… Then our fleet captains and the like can help the soldiers, yeah?”
“Exactly. I’ll order the entire island to begin training for this war. It’s important that we don’t attack first. We must simply be ready for a strike at any moment. Their king is young and impulsive, bound to attack any moment now.”
“Aha… And if they come here, you can use The Jaws to your advantage.”
“Heh… If I recall, you told me it was a bad decision to make them, that I was too inexperienced…”, Gaius replies, a small smirk upon his usual stoic face.
“My bad, Captain. Won’t doubt you again. So, that’s the plan then?”
“Yes. I’ll let the people know. Go to the Silent Ire, train your pupils. I sense good things within them, I truly believe they have the potential to help us.”
“Got it. See you later, Gaius.”
Anthimos walks out, waving goodbye to his leader. As he gets onto a rowboat, Gaius makes an appearance at the top of his spire.
“All Redwake Soldiers, listen up. We’re preparing for war. Train hard, train well. Our lives depend on it. Anyone willing to help, come see Commander Petros.”
The people of Redwake cheer, and hundreds flood the poor commander’s office. Captain Lucian Yore looks back to the bellowing man.
“Is Cain gonna be alright here, Captain..? I mean… Preparing for war…??” A worried crewmate asks.
Lucian simply shrugs, “Ahh, he’ll be fine. You saw him take out a soldier in his first fight, right? If he trains like that, he’ll be a natural in no time.”
Perplexed by his blasè attitude, the crewmate nods. “I guess so… Shame we can’t take him with us.”
“I have the feeling that we’ll meet again, don’t worry.. Now hurry up, will you? We’ve got orders to fulfill, gentlemen! Hustle!”
The crew yells, as they get onto the ship and leave the Redwake port for open waters.
ok bye next part when ao is optimized