"Yesterday you spoke of your ability to see in the dark," the Emperor enquired. "That's a very interesting gift. Tell me more about it," he instructed, in the same encouraging tone he had used to easily pull Brelen's words out of Teal's mouth. "How far can you see? How does it differ than day time? Do you see just as clearly?"

Teal focused on the questions the Emperor asked and not his diligent eyes that were upon him. "I can see about two hundred meters off into the distance at night, but it's not like daytime. My sight at night is mostly different shades of greys and whites, and I only really notice movement. It's better, of course, with the moon, then I can see some colors."

From the corner of his eye, he saw Jale shake his head. "Fascinating."

"Yes, very impressive," the Emperor declared. His stare continued, and Teal swallowed anxiously. "My scouts also mentioned that you were quite skilful in climbing. One said he saw you scale a tree very quickly."

A servant placed food before them.

"I can climb and jump through the trees as long as they are sturdy enough," Teal quickly answered. "I think one of the reasons why the Lombock have not been found or seen, is because they have a way of using the land around them to allow them to hide."

Interested, the Emperor leaned closer, not paying heed to any of the spread over the table.

"Have you ever searched for the Lombock?" Jale asked.

"No, never," Teal answered, shaking his head.

Jale tilted his head quizzically, but neither questioned him further on why.

"Did your parents ever tell you where they found you?" the Emperor asked.

"Near the Valena Islands."

The Emperor and Jale shared a look as if they were confirming some of their own suspicions.

"That's far," Jale said.

"It would explain why no one has come across them. Not far from there is The Lost Seas," the Emperor agreed.

"Yes," Jale said. "Just like Captain Fretner."

"Captain Fretner?" Teal asked.

The Emperor leaned back against the cushions, his face pensive as if he wanted to say more but was in the process of deciding not to.

"What about your life?" The Emperor asked. "Tell me about your everyday life in Hulena."

It wouldn't take long for Teal to explain how he lived his life. "I spent most of my time helping my father with fishing or farming on our allotted land. When I wasn't doing that, I would explore the forests on the edge of my town collecting roots, herbs and flowers for my mother's healing mixes."

"Healing mixes?" Jale asked curiously. He leaned across the table and started to place food on a plate.

"Yes. My mother would take the oils from the plants and mix them together for medicines."

"And she passed that knowledge onto you?" the Emperor asked, accepting the plate from Jale.

"Just some odd things here and there," Teal shrugged, his eyes following their movements. He was supposed to have done that task. "I'm sorry, forgive..."

The Emperor silenced him with a wave of his hand.

"I might get you to spend some time with Nala. What about friends? Cokrin was your lover, wasn't he?" the Emperor pressed. "Tell me about him."

Teal blinked. "Cokrin and I are best friends, since we were kids.”

"But you cared for each other?" Jale asked.

Teal nodded. "And it wasn't just his parents' wishes to see him promised. He is also fond of Matina. He also wants to have a family."

"I am glad Brelen stumbled into your camp," the Emperor proclaimed. Teal's eyes shot up at the Emperor's words. "Not only do I think you're going to be a wonderful concubine, but I believe that you might become very useful in the palace. I have plans for you."

Teal shifted on the cushion, and asked weakly, “Plans?"

The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "All in good time, Teal."

Silence fell on their small gathering, and Teal began to panic that maybe he had been rude to the Emperor somehow.

"How about a game of Mocho?" Jale suddenly suggested.

"Sounds like a fantastic idea," the Emperor responded with a smile.

Jale waved to the servant who quickly disappeared into the Emperor's cabin.

"Have you played before?" the Emperor asked.

"No, I'm afraid not," Teal replied. He had heard of the game before. It was often known to be played by the elite and wealthy, not for ones who spent their time helping their fathers with fishing.

"I'll get the Empress to teach you when we return," he told him. "She's a fabulous teacher."

"That she is," Jale laughed, "and she's also brutal. I have never been able to beat her."

Teal watched as Jale and the Emperor settled in to play. It consisted of moving pieces around a large board where they pretended to attack each other. Teal tried to follow what was happening, but the board had too many territories and each piece was only allowed to move in a certain way.

In the beginning, Teal observed that both the Emperor and Jale concentrated on the game, eager to beat the other. As the afternoon continued and more wine was poured, the bantering and flirting between the pair began. Food was delivered, but Teal only nervously pecked at was on offer, when he would usually finish off three times the amount.

The evening was soon upon them, the sun began to set and the first stars began to appear in the sky. The sunset was quite spectacular, a brilliant and expanse mixture of orange and pink puffy clouds covering the sky.

Teal still couldn't relax. He found himself gazing at the sleek form of the Emperor's body, taking in his handsome features, now so close that he could fully appreciate his striking looks.

Teal was also edgy, his body used to so much more activity. These thoughts were distracting, and they affected his ability to follow the conversation that was going on around him. He stumbled over responses to questions from the Emperor, missed comments from Jale, and forgot to add his own thoughts to the easy chatter.

Before Teal knew it, night had fallen, lanterns had been lit and Jale was admitting defeat to another round of the game. Although, it hadn't been from a lack of trying.

The Emperor laughed, took a long drink of his wine and settled it back down beside him. "I think we'll end the games of Mocho here, that was too close," he stated. He let his hand fall to Jale's knee.

Jale sighed in response, and from the frown on his expression, he was honestly put out he had lost. Teal watched Jale's hand rest easily on the Emperor's hand also.

"Teal," the Emperor suddenly spoke, and Teal startled and sat upright at the sound of his name. "It's been a pleasure having you join us, but you can leave us now. The guards will escort you back to your room."

Surprised, Teal nodded and looked at Jale in case he had done something wrong. However, Jale offered no support. He leaned back and placed one of his arms on the back of the cushions behind the Emperor. His face had taken on a whole new expression that was solely focused on the man beside him.

Teal rose shakily to his feet and paused. He wasn't sure what he was meant to do. Was he supposed to kowtow, was he supposed to say something? Jale's training that morning had focused on greeting the Emperor. They hadn't even remotely reached leaving his presence.

He quickly realized he needn't worry for the Emperor and Jale were now absorbed in each other. Teal gave one last look over his shoulder as he walked towards the door, Jale now saying something that only the Emperor could hear. The Emperor didn't give Teal one last look either while he laughed in response to whatever it was Jale had said.