The breath of Krios filled the Bountiful Harvest’s sails and sped its crew toward home. The waves that lapped against its hull were steady and soft—a sure sign that it was time to turn to the oars. While the sails were perfect for sailing Okeanos’ domain, they were ill-suited for the rock-strewn waters that surrounded the Aetolos.

While young, the coxswain had sailed the waters for years and knew the signs of Okeanos.

“Trim the sails! Heave to the oars!” His orders were confident and controlled.

The crew reacted quickly to the man’s instructions and went about their assigned duties. Soon, the sail had been lowered and the rest of the crew were at the oars. The Bountiful Harvest was no longer propelled by the wind but by the sweat of their brows and strength of their arms.

“Cut it a little close there, Kyros” a wry voice noted.

The cox blushed at the observation before and turned to the swarthy man standing next to him. The figure was tall and solidly built. He likely didn’t mean to intimidate the cox, but even his stature gave off the impression of violence in action. The leader of this particular expedition stood a head taller than his coxswain and was a collection of corded muscle protected by the boiled leather often worn while raiding. The cox could swear that after every raid, the man looked more physically powerful than the last.

“Aye Lokha, I’ll do better next time.” His eyes darted between the man and the sea.

The lokha chuckled, and the cox recognized it as an effort to put his navigator at ease. The captain knew the effect he had on his men. It was a combination of hero-worship and hard-won respect on the battlefield, but he did his best to bridge the gap. It was part of the reason why his crew loved him. They would die for their lokha and consider the price worth giving.

“You did fine enough for your first outing,” Andros commented before he winked. “but I’d be upset if all of our carefully accumulated plunder went straight to Okeanos’ halls.”

The lokha’s slate gray eyes were twinkling but the cox couldn’t help the tinge of panic that touched his heart. Just the thought of failing Andros was enough to make his heart beat faster. The god-touched were rumored to have that effect on normal men. Some had been known to bewitch the hearts of kings and make the very gods fall in love with them. Of course, every time a god was involved with one of the touched, it usually ended in tragedy.

More than just the locka’s disappointment was at stake. The resources that they had brought back from the mainland were vital to the survival of their people. It wasn’t just precious metals and jewels that were ensconced within the hull. The ship’s hull held purloined livestock, weapons, and a trove of written materials that would help the nations survive. The full hull was the singular accomplishment of their captain, their lokha.

Andros Aetos was the best raider the small island Kingdom of Aetolos had ever known. He had raided for ten seasons, and each time he brought back more goods each time. As a result, the captain had developed a personal relationship with the king and every raiding season he had come back with enough riches and plunder to make the various minor nobility weep in envy. Of course, that was expected for one of the god-touched. The captain of their vessel wasn’t like normal men.

Some had rumored that King Anaximenes had given Andros the honor of his last name in an effort to convince him to take over lordship of an island of his own. However, Andros had never accepted the offer. He preferred to fight the daima wherever he encountered them and bring back materials for Aetolos itself.

Anyone who had ever met the captain would know that he wasn’t the type to settle down. His mercurial spirit would never let him settle in one place for long. He chafed at responsibility and feared the slow death of obscurity. His restless nature drove him to further heights and every man, woman, and child dreamed of accompanying the living legend on his journey. It didn’t matter if they would have to face the daima and risk their lives in the process, it was enough just to be near the charismatic and capable leader.

Andros clapped his hand on the young cox’s shoulder and Kyros was jarred from his thoughts.

“Don’t worry, you did well.” He said kindly. “Do me a favor, and grab our rescues from the below decks, I’m sure they’ll want to see us return home.”

“Aye, lokha,” the cox said before descending into the ship.

Kyros returned to the top deck, and Andros studied his passengers carefully. Even a month at sea with regular sustenance hadn’t been enough to return the twin sisters, Teresa and Cassandra, to their former glory. Their platinum blonde hair still looked brittle and unhealthy. They had gained some meat on their bones, but still had the half-starved look that the captain had found them in. The only thing that had recovered was the sharp intelligence in their sea-colored eyes. He had noticed how their eyes could shift from a deep blue to a stormy gray that matched his own depending on their mood. Today, their eyes were the color of a clear sky.

The two sisters approached his position and they bowed slightly when they arrived.

“It’s good to see you again, Andros.” Teresa, said when they neared him.

The only reason that Andros could tell the sisters apart was due to their preference for clothing. Teresa wore a black dress that revealed the graceful lines of her shoulders, swooping breasts, and visible ribs. When she returned to her healthy self, Andros knew she would have the body of a dancer.

In contrast to her sister, Cassandra wore an off-white tunic belted at the waist with a leather thong. The tunic only extended to mid-thigh and highlighted her shapely legs and bronzed skin. Although her legs were exposed, her outfit looked more functional than seductive. Throughout their journey, Andros had been impressed with both sisters.

He gave the sisters s placating motion before replying. “Please don’t bow to me, sisters. You are royalty and I am but a servant of King Anaximenes.”

Cassandra shared a smile that would cause a normal man to become speechless.

“We’re royalty of a Kingdom that no longer exists,” she replied.

“It’s appropriate for us to treat the man who saved us from Barbarus with respect.” Teresa completed her sister’s sentiment.

Andros had noticed the sisters had a habit of finishing each other’s sentences.

“I simply did as my King bade me,” Andros said magnanimously. “I’m sure his wife, your sister, will be happy to receive you in Aetolos.”

They looked like they were about to respond, but the captain interrupted them.

“Please, I requested your presence, because I wanted to give you the honor of announcing our arrival.” He smiled charmingly. “Would you do me the honor?”

Both sisters looked taken aback. They realized the honor he was bestowing them and they were touched at his generosity.

“Are you sure we should, Andros?” Cassandra looked uncertain.

“This is your honor, lokha,” Teresa finished.

Instead of answering the two sisters, Andros addressed his crew.

“Men! The sisters seem unsure if they should announce our arrival. What say you?”

The crew roared their approval as they pulled the oars and the sisters stood in muted shock.

Andros gestured for Kyros, and the cox fumbled for the horn strapped to his belt as he arrived. With a flourish, he presented it to Teresa.

“Thank you, Andros,” she said simply.

Teresa raised the horn to her sensual lips and Andros became transfixed by the sight.

I’ve been too long at sea, the leader thought, chagrined.

He felt the Bountiful Harvest spur ahead with renewed enthusiasm. The crew had increased the speed of their rowing despite any order to accelerate. The sisters sounding the call was a symbol of their success. They had journeyed into the heart of the daima and had not only accomplished the mission set by their king but had also saved two beautiful women. After three turns of the moon, they were more than ready to enjoy the spoils of their raiding.

Teresa took a deep breath and sounded the horn. The deep call of the horn resounded from the Harvest and traversed the distance between the ship and the Isle. Andros imagined that he could see the reverberations as they flew across the sea and danced around the watchtowers that marked their destination. When the sound subsided, Andros watched the tips of the natural harbor guarded access to the Aetolosian docks.

Two blazing fires lit the tops of the dual watchtowers that stood sentinel over the port. A moment later an answering horn confirmed their arrival. Its call elicited another cheer from the crew and a smile from Andros.

When the return call sounded, Teresa returned the horn to Kyros and then addressed the captain.

“Andros, we wanted to warn you,” she trailed off.

Andros gave her a searching look. The gods typically blessed twins with foresight, he would be a fool to ignore them.

“We have seen blood and fire in our dreams, lokha.” Cassandra continued. “Keep your weapons close and remain alert for an enemy comes to Aetolos.”

Teresa’s words followed her sister’s. “We don’t know what manner of enemy, or from whence they come, but we know that you’ll play a vital part in the time to come.”

Andros inclined his head in thanks. He wasn’t sure what to do with the information. Like all prophetic dreams, the sister’s warning was vague and ill-defined. He would remain on guard, but that was all he could do in the meantime.

“Thank you for the warning, sisters. I will do my best to keep you both safe.”

“We know.” Teresa and Cassandra replied simultaneously.

Andros turned his attention back to the ship. Beyond the morale boost, their announcement served an important purpose. If they hadn’t been recognized, then the chain that bridged the gap between the two guardians of the harbor would have remained just under the waves. The iron spikes that studded the chain would have ripped their hull to pieces just as it had done to so many cacodemon ships before. Aetolos’ natural enemies were too numerous to allow open entry to their deepwater port and it was only the jagged rocks that encircled their territory that kept the Last Kingdom from being overrun by determined daima.

Andros sighed and used a hand to stroke his dark beard in thought. This was his tenth raiding season and each one felt more impossible than the last. The daima grew more numerous and wild every season. It was increasingly difficult to steal the ore and weapons that could no longer be produced within the kingdom.

I shouldn’t dwell. My crew is happy and I should take pleasure in their joy. Dark thoughts will get me nowhere this night.

As the Harvest slid into the harbor, he studied the fortifications surrounding him. The ancient stronghold was the only protection between the last enclave of men and the horde of daima that covered much of the world’s surface. Andros, like many, believed that the daima were a test for mankind from the gods, but that didn’t keep him from wishing for a better life and a better future for his wife and children.

It wasn’t long before the Harvest reached the docks and Andros could see the crowd that waited for their return. Men, women, and children cheered and waved while his crew waved back with as much gusto. Andros knew the single ones would be trying to catch the eye of a blushing maiden on the shore while the married crew members would be searching the sea of faces for their loved ones. Andros fell into the latter category and couldn’t help looking for Lydia and his two children.

As the Harvest bumped into the wooden pier and his crew began securing the ship, he found what he was looking for.

Lydia’s emerald-colored eyes caught his from just beyond the slip. Little Agathi, only three summers old, was perched on her hip. While Alexios, nine summers, was holding her hand. Andros trotted to the edge of the hull and lightly jumped to the wooden deck. The rest of his crew were still milling about and grabbing their gear, but Andros only had eyes for his family.

His long strides carried him past the respectful distance that the crowd had gathered beyond and into the waiting one-armed embrace of his wife. He noticed that she was wearing the beaten gold necklace that he had gifted her before leaving. It had crossed sickles stamped into its surface. It was a symbol older than known history and represented a blessing from Kronos. As the King of the gods, it was the safest talisman for his safe return.

He used a hand to gently clasp the amulet in his hand.

“It looked like the gods saw fit to deliver me to you once more,” he said with a smile.

His wife’s face looked complicated. “So they did. At least this time, husband. I’m overjoyed at your safe return, but I can’t help but think about the position Axinmenes has offered you in his court.”

He pressed his lips against hers to quell her worries. After a long moment, he drew back. “You know I can’t accept his offer, love. I’m more at home on the sea than arguing with the other minor nobility about taxes and goods.”

“I know,” Lydia said softly. “But you’d be safe, and you can’t blame a wife for wishing.”

“I couldn’t blame you for a thing,” Andros said with a wink before turning to his two children. He knew that the matter wasn’t truly settled. On one side, the king wanted to bind Andros more tightly to his house while, on the other, his wife wished for his safety. Unfortunately, neither person truly realized how torturous such a safe assignment would be for him. He was god-touched. He needed to be at the front of every battle. He needed to sail the world. He needed to discover the limits of his blessings or he would die in his soul before his body truly expired.

He lifted Agathi from her mother’s hip and kissed her forehead.

“Little mouse! You’ve all grown up! What are you nine, now?”

Agathi giggled “No, daddy. I’m three!”

Alexios pulled on Andros’ trousers to get his attention. The young boy’s face was surly and even though his father knew he should take it seriously, he couldn’t help but find it cute.

“Dad, I’m nine.”

Andros laughed and handed Agathi back to his wife before picking up Alexios and giving him a bear hug.

“Why of course, you are Alexios, how could I forget?” He spared a wink for his wife that she returned.

He set his son down and returned to his wife. He took a moment to drink in her beauty before saying anything. She beat him to the punch by tugging on his beard.

“Husband, every season you leave with blonde hair and pale skin and come back with dark skin and black hair. Are you a god in disguise?” She teased.

“No, my love, it is merely a blessing of Phoibe in all her mystery. She protects me from the burning sight of Helios.”

Lydia smiled. “Well, who am I to argue with a goddess? It suits you.”

Her eyes met his.

“Are you coming home right away?”

Andros grimaced at her question. “No, I need to see the King. He’ll want to know the results of the raid and I need to escort the Queen’s sisters to her care. See you for supper?”

Lydia looked up at the sun that was high in the sky and frowned before looking back at him.

“I supposed I waited this long, I can wait a little longer. Don’t be late, I made something special.”

Andros held his hands up in mock defeat before he kissed his wife once more.

“Of course not.”

He looked over his family. “I’ll be home soon, be good for your mother.”

“Okay, daddy,” Agathi said and grinned.

His son merely rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, dad.”

Andros quirked an eyebrow at his wife and she shrugged.

“Alright, see you tonight.”

He spared one last glance before returning to his ship. He grabbed his equipment and strapped it back on. He didn’t want to have to return after his visit with the king and retrieve them. Once everything was in place, he looked for the two sisters. When he looked over the edge of the bow, he found them already waiting on the deck.

They didn’t have anything they needed to bring with them so their arms were empty of the usual accouterments that accompanied royalty on the move. When he had sprung them from their imprisonment, he had barely been able to stop them from fleeing in the first moments. He wasn’t sure what Barbarus had done to the two women, but out of respect for the two sisters, he hadn’t pried into their private struggle. Regardless, they had been completely uninterested in retrieving any of their old things from the palace.

Deciding that he should join them, he leaped over the edge of his ship and landed on the dock like a cat. Both of the sisters gave him a considering look.

“You know there’s a perfectly good ramp to get down to the dock?” Cassandra asked him.

Andros smiled. “Of course, but then how would I show off to two beautiful women?”

Teresa gave him a playful glare. “We would be poor seers if our visions were disrupted by a fool who snapped an ankle trying to impress us.”

Andros merely shrugged. “That sounds like a seer problem. I’m just a dumb warrior with a couple of swords.”

Cassandra laughed behind a hand. “For some reason, I sincerely doubt that.”

Andros laughed with her. “Well ladies, let’s get you home.” The emotion in his last word quickened their steps and buoyed their hearts.