"Sir! We'll be arriving in the capital city shortly."

Adalbert's eyes fluttered open a few times before he finally looked at the guard at the door. He'd been resting in his own room for the last few hours, tired of seeing nothing but coastline and the open sea. They'd been on the ship for almost a full week now, and Adalbert was anxious to get on dry land again. There was something about the persistent rocking of the ship that made his stomach upset, a feeling that was only sated by laying down.

Adalbert pushed off of the bed and grabbed his gray Swabian robe, draping it around his shoulders. Leaving his quarters, he stepped outside and looked out across the railing. Just to the front of the ship, he could see Daban in the distance, a city far too colorful for his liking. The many-colored buildings and dim lights of the streets seemed too artificial for his own liking, contrasting greatly with the drab, functionality of Swabia.

It still beats having sand in every crevice of my body, he thought to himself, remembering his time in Andalucia. He'd been all too happy to leave that forsaken country, having to hide out like a beggar once his cousin's regiment was destroyed by Jack Easterbrook. He'd spent nearly two days on a full run away from that victorious army with only Berimund as his company.

And some company he was. Berimund was like a walking shell of a man at that point, already knowing his fate for his failures in Andalucia. Adalbert felt a sliver of guilt at convincing Berimund that his cousin would give him a third chance. He told the man how well it would look for him if he was the one to give the news personally to Avila, and how much his cousin respected those that showed bravery in the face of defeat. He also gave Berimund an outright lie, saying that many such men who did so with Avila received yet another chance, impressing upon the lord with their bravery.

Poor fool. There's no second chances in Swabia, thought Adalbert.

In reality, Adalbert had to devise a way to get Berimund to go back to Avila on his own, lest his escape reflect badly upon himself. Berimund had been too willing to believe, perhaps holding onto some shred of hope that he might keep his life. However, Adalbert was determined to keep his, and after hearing about Berimund's fate and his new mission, he threw himself full force into this new task.

He couldn't let himself be so lackadaisical with his own life any longer. He'd made mistakes in Andalucia, something that he couldn't afford to do any longer. He had to be better, be smarter than his opponents.

And one way or another, he would find a way to personally deliver Jack Easterbrook to his cousin.

For now though, he was joining a different type of mission. A mission of craftiness and stealth, the kind that advanced one's own position without overt means. It was his cousin's favorite way of subverting other countries from within, and these type of psychological operations were in place in all the neighboring countries. This one in particular was designed to bring the Picards to their knees.

For far too long, those redheaded idiots had played too nicely with the Galicians, content to oppose any position that Swabia was willing to take. However, in the last few years, an opportunity had arisen that Avila spotted from far away—a chance to get even.

It certainly helped that there was a nontraditional and inexperienced king on the throne of the country. In fact, it was the only way a scheme like this could possibly work. Only someone willing to overlook rivalries of the past would afford them the trust needed for this plan to succeed. Adalbert grinned at the stupidity of the king. He would almost make this too easy.

He just wished he'd been here to see it begin, not to arrive when it was already in full effect. Instead, he had to deal with the Andalucian catastrophe while the Swabian team here took all the glory.

No longer.

He would prove to his cousin that he was worthy of more independent and lucrative operations. He didn't just want to be known his Avila's little cousin for the rest of his life. He wanted a name for himself as well.

He wanted the name to be as reviled and feared as his bloodline's.

Shaking away the brief images of grandeur, Adalbert focused in on the harbor. Of course, the main docks were now closed, and he watched as the ship slid past them, focusing instead on another set of commercial docks not far away in a suburb of the city. As the ship steered into a spot on one of the long wharves, Adalbert's eyes narrowed at another ship a few docks away.

"What kind of ship is that?" he pointed to his servant, the same man who'd been guarding his door. "That looks like the type of warship that belongs to the emperor. Who else has such advanced weaponry?"

The guard looked hard at the ship before shrugging his shoulders. "I'm not sure, sir. The flag is unknown to me. However, she looks powerful. Surely it couldn't be a Galician design?"

Adalbert kept watching it for a few more minutes until his own ship berthed. It was no Galician design that he was familiar with. Besides, those bastards never went far outside their own islands anymore. If it wasn't Galician or Swabian, he would have a hard time believing it belonged to any other country in the west, as nobody else had designs that were more advanced.

That is, until a newcomer arrived on the scene not long ago.

"I wonder," thought Adalbert as he appraised the ship once more. Perhaps Jack Easterbrook is here?

Adalbert didn't have much longer to think about it. As soon as the ship was docked against the wharf, he slipped off the ship quickly in order to meet his new contacts. In his breast pocket, he had a list of names to make contact with, however they belonged to people he'd never met before. The first task would be to find them wherever they were headquartered.

"Sir, do you want me to come with you?" asked his servant, still halfway on the gangplank and looking uncertain.

"Stay with the ship," yelled Adalbert as he walked down the dock. The last thing he needed was any Picard officials snooping around the contents before they were ready for delivery. He intended to be much more cautious with his second chance.

Adalbert walked into the small customs office at the end of the dock. He carried two things in his hand—his trading permit and a letter from his cousin. The permit was still warm from the press, only arriving in his hands when the ship picked him up off the coast of Andalucia. The letter was given at the same time, a common type that gave authority to the holder to act in his lord's name.

The customs official barely batted an eyelash and let him through, much to the disgust of others waiting in the office. Adalbert couldn't help but sneer at the small uproar it caused, as many of them wondered just how he'd been able to gain entry past the port. Even as a Swabian, it was sure to add insult to injury.

Once past the office, Adalbert followed a small road that led to several warehouses huddled near the coast. He imagined that at one time, they were teeming with activity, as dockhands and workers unloaded and stored all kinds of goods behind their heavy doors. However, now they were eerily silent, a reminder of the type of lockdown Picardy was under. Only one warehouse was bound to be active, and it was exactly where it was supposed to be from his instructions. Adalbert put on a satisfied smile once he stepped in through the heavy dock doors and took a look around.

It was a large warehouse but it was quite unlike any that Adalbert had seen. Usually, he'd seen them laid out in such a fashion that you could usually walk right in from the street and be immediately in front of the goods, an easy way to offload and then load up that minimized the time needed to sort new product.

However, this warehouse had a huge partition that blocked off the main entrance from the rest of the containers. They were the same type of containers that were on his own ship, the originals that had been brought in when this deal was struck. Adalbert peaked through the partition, noting that the containers were locked up and under guard by several Swabian soldiers.

"Who the hell are you?" asked a woman not far from the door. She was an attractive sort of woman in a garish type of way. She had greasy dark hair and skin that had seen far too much time in the sun. Yet, her body was pleasing to his eyes, and her lips were plump and full. For the briefest of moments, he wondered what those lips would feel like wrapped around his member, but then he realized he hadn't yet responded.

"Adalbert," he replied with an amused smile to the woman. "Cousin of Lord Avila."

The woman gave him an irritated look. "Well, Adalbert, nice of you to show up. Your ship's late."

"They had to stop to pick me up," he said. "It put them a day behind."

She looked him up and down. "Somehow, I doubt it was worth it."

Adalbert raised an eyebrow. He wasn't used to women with such mouths on them, but then again, he should have figured with one look at her crass appearance. Even though she was attractive, he could tell right away that she'd be an interesting sort to work with.

"Well, are you just going to stand there?" she asked after another minute. "Or are you going to get your ship offloaded?"

"I figured I'd check in with the leader here," he said with a slight cough. "See what they wanted me to do?"

"You found her," she grunted. "Name's Magda. You work for me now. And I want you to unload your ship. This warehouse is more than half empty, and if this operation is to continue, I need more containers."

He walked forward, offering his hand. "Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot. Let's start over. I'm Adalbert."

Magda sighed and set a clipboard into his hands. "Let's not. I want you to start unloading and make note of how many containers you bring in. Once that's done, you can come find me in my office."

Magda walked away without another word. Out of habit, he couldn't help but check out her backside as she walked back to her office. It swayed with just enough jiggle to get his attention, even under her loose clothing.

This is certainly going to be interesting.

Adalbert looked over the clipboard and realized it was mostly blank. Tapping it against his free hand, he went back out to the street and headed toward the ship. He found his servant still in the same position near the gangplank, and the man quickly sprung to attention once he saw his master. "Get the ship unloaded. The warehouse isn't far away."

It took about five hours to unload all sixty containers from the trading ship, which wasn't too bad for how big they were. Of course, the ship was able to offload the containers with a dock crane, and Adalbert was able to borrow a few trucks from the warehouse to get the heavy containers back to the warehouse. It was a tiring affair to do all sixty, and it was only a very tired man that made it back to the warehouse after they were done, giving an exhausted knock on Magda's door.

"Come in," said the curt female voice.

Adalbert entered only to find Magda sitting behind her desk with a cup of tea. She was stirring it aggressively as if she meant to punish it for not tasting as great as she'd expected.

"We're all done. Sixty containers now in the warehouse."

"What took you so long? I have workers here who could've done that in half the time you did with much less racket," said Magda.

"Sorry, not a dockhand," said Adalbert with pursed lips.

Magda sighed and went back to stirring her tea. "I'm well-aware of that now."

"Are you going to be like this the entire time I'm here?" he asked finally, his anger rising. "We're supposed to be working together, and so far, you've been nothing but a cunt."

To his surprise, Magda smiled. "Already resorting to name-calling after one day? You must really be a smart one."

"Just one that's tired of the salty reception he's received."

"Well, let me be clear then, Adalbert," said Magda, standing up from her desk and stepping closer to him. She pointed her finger at his chest. "I've been organizing this operation since it was first conceived, and I've overseen it since the first ship landed in Picardy. And you want to know something I don't appreciate? Some familial appendage of Lord Avila landing here and trying to tell me how to do my job."

"That's not what I'm here for—"

Magda waved her hand, silencing him instantly. "Sure you're not. Just needed a place to go, huh? Totally a coincidence that you're here once the plan starts to bear fruit? I will not have this operation taken over just for some lackey to take all the credit. You may have been ordered here and sure you're the lord's cousin, but this is still my gig, understand?"

This one had fight in her, and even though he didn't mean to, Adalbert found himself nodding.

"Good," she hissed. "As long as we're clear." She returned to her seat and her tea, watching him with appraising eyes as he struggled to think of something else to say.

"You're wrong about me, you know," he said finally, taking the empty chair in front of her. "I'm not here to steal your glory."

"Humor me then. Why exactly are you here? You enjoy the weather?" she asked sourly.

"More like this is my second chance," he said quietly. "I was in-charge of the Andalucian operation until it went bad. I'm only here to try to salvage my reputation and keep my head."

Magda's eyes narrowed. "You're serious? Andalucia was a fuck-up of momentous proportions. Word even reached us here."

Adalbert felt embarrassed. "What can I say? Events spiraled out of our control rather quickly. My colleague lost his head over it."

"And you kept yours because of your blood?"

Adalbert swallowed heavily. "Perhaps. Blood does run deep, not that I think it would help me if something happened here."

"Nothing will happen here," she interrupted.

"I'm just speaking out loud," he added. "But that's my situation. Don't worry, this operation is still yours. I'm not a spy sent to monitor your progress or a thief meant to steal your glory."

Magda watched him for a few more moments before nodding. "We'll see. It's a convincing story, but I'll wait to verify it on my own. You can never be too careful in this business."

Adalbert nodded. "As I would expect."

Magda flipped a strand of hair behind her shoulder. "So, you're on your second chance. And you get sent here of all places to an already existing operation. That must make you nervous?"

"If we're being truthful, yes."

"Good. I want you nervous. I want you to expect that something could go wrong at any moment. I want you paranoid, not sleeping at night. I want all of your mental and physical capacity dedicated to ensuring the survival of this scheme, no matter the costs."

"My life depends on it," he said softly. "How could I not?"

"We understand each other then," she said finally. "Good."

"You know, I know about the operation in very basic terms. Even though I unloaded the containers, I haven't seen the merchandise. Or heard about distribution or anything further than that."

"In due time," answered Magda. "Once I know I can trust you, you'll hear more. In the meantime, you'll do what you're told. You'll find that I can be an easy person to work for, as long as you're not a total incompetent fuck-up."

Adalbert managed a genuine smile. "I'm afraid my previous record won't inspire a lot of confidence for you."

Surprisingly, Magda laughed. "Then you'll just have to do better here."

"Got it," he replied with an eager nod.

Magda got out of her chair, and quickly approached the door. She opened it and looked back at him. "Well? Are you coming?"

Adalbert sprung out of his chair and followed her out of the door. Her office was situated near the main door to the street, located not far from the partition that blocked off the rest of the warehouse. It was still open from when he brought in his own load, and they stepped through easily. Magda then shut it behind them.

"Just out of precaution," she warned, locking the partition and then continuing the trip further into the warehouse. Even taking out the sixty containers they'd just brought in, there was still a surprising amount of them remaining within the warehouse.

"I'm amazed that there's so many of them here still. Considering your success, I thought you'd be just about out," said Adalbert as they strolled along one of the rows.

Magda laughed. "That might have been slightly more successful but ultimately a foolish plan. If I unleashed all the containers on every marketplace in Daban, they would've traced them back to us in a heartbeat. I had to be more strategic with my plan, picking marketplaces far away from the warehouse, and disseminating the goods for maximum effect with minimum repercussions. I had to be choosy with how I did this."

"That makes sense," he said, as he lightly touched one of the containers.

"Don't do that," Magda snapped. "Are you mad? Do you wish to die?"

"I didn't think it was of any threat," he said quickly. "It's still sealed."

"It's people who don't think who end up dead," she added with a stern look. "I would think you of all people would've internalized that lesson already."

He nodded. "My apologies—"

She didn't wait for him to finish speaking, instead, quickly walking a short distance away to another guarded room where she returned with an armful of clothing. Adalbert could quickly see that she brought back full body suits, masks, eyewear protection, as well as gloves.

"Put these on," she instructed, casually putting her own protection on after she handed over his. "You can never be too careful. So far, we've prevented many casualties on our side, simply by taking the necessary precautions. Usually it's not until the goods are unveiled at the market that the pathogens are finally unleashed on the population."

Once they were both protected, Magda cracked open a container with a crowbar and removed the heavy wooden lid. The both of them stepped back as soon as the lid was partially cracked, and Adalbert couldn't help but give a curious glance inside.

From what he could see, it was nothing more than ordinary clothing inside. Swabian clothing was never flashy or anything but functional, so there wasn't much to see in the container beyond the few drab colors of Swabian robes. Adalbert took a step closer.

"Don't get too close," warned Magda. "You don't want it on your body."

"How could something so deadly be on something as unsuspecting as clothing?" he wondered.

"That's the very genius of the entire plan," said Magda with an evil laugh. "They'll never suspect it. It will start to attack their bodies the second they're exposed to it, and they'll never know the reason why or the true source. The entire city has already been closed due to the plague. It's only a matter of time until the goods get disseminated into the rest of the Picard population. Soon enough, the entire country will be far too weak to offer any resistance, making the Picards easy pickings for our armies. The best part about it is the very pathogens that are being used against them came from their former allies—the Nax."

"I've heard about that. There's been a few plague outbreaks amongst the Nax slaves that were brought back to Swabia, mostly due to their living conditions."

Magda nodded. "Lord Avila found a way to weaponize it. He had all these goods worn, coughed on, or spit on by those slaves before they were packed away in the containers. It's a new weapon that's never been tried before, but I think it might end up being the most effective."

"And then once the Picards are down? Then what?"

Magda fixed her gaze on him. "Then the last remaining strong country in the west will be unable to offer any resistance. Then, we'll have complete control. Andalucia was nothing, Adalbert. This war will be won or lost in Picardy."

*****

Jack sat in his quarters on the Destiny tapping his fingers against his desk. It had now been three days since they'd arrived in Daban, and he was no closer to getting off his ship and into the city. He was starting to get highly annoyed with the entire situation, knowing that if he could just get in front of the king, this misunderstanding could go away.

It didn't help anything that he was just about out of options. He couldn't secure a permit, because he needed to go into the city to get one. He couldn't send a messenger beyond the port area since it was blocked off to all but the Swabians. For a moment, Jack contemplated trying to sneak inside wearing a Swabian-style robe, but he worried about the implications of getting caught and what it might mean for relations with the Picards.

It was the same worry that stopped him from doing any more theatrical displays to get inside the city. He had flares on the ship, useful in case he needed aid from other vessel. Jack thought about sending one of the flares up, even if just to get the attention of the city or perhaps Aedan, however there was no guarantee that anyone from the palace might see it or care what it was about.

For that reason, Jack still kept up the more legal methods of trying to gain entry. With an outbreak like the plague, he realized the situation on the ground might change daily, and any restrictions could very well be up for modification from one day to the next. It was why he still kept trying to gain entry from the port office every morning, hoping something may have changed since the last time he tried.

It wasn't much to go on, but it was all he had.

"Sorry, sir, we're still not allowing any entry into the city," said the official, already shaking his head behind his narrow spectacles. "It's still too dangerous."

"I don't care for my own safety as long as I can get to the palace," argued Jack. "I'll even put on one of those masks that I see everyone wearing now. I just have to get in."

The official looked annoyed. "I'm sorry, sir, but the answer doesn't change."

It never changed. It was always the same answer, relegating him to frustration and even anger as more days passed. He couldn't help but be further annoyed.

"Tell me, if I put on a Swabian robe, can I gain entry into your city?" he asked sarcastically, pointing to the few Swabians that could be seen out on the docks. They'd entered past the port to the warehouse sector with no problem, and Jack had to wonder how they were able to, especially when the Picards and the Swabians were supposed to be just as much of enemies as it were with the Galicians.

The official sighed. "As I've stated before, they have the proper permits, sir."

"I find that very curious that they were able to get into the city to get those permits and I'm not," he argued. "One could almost say it's suspicious."

Before the clerk could give yet another rehearsed line, a door just behind the counter opened suddenly, and a hostile-looking man stepped out. Jack could tell he was most likely Picard navy by the style of his uniform, and it was a very thin spattering of red hair that covered the portions of his scalp not covered by his cap.

"Do we have a problem out here?" asked the officer, looking at Jack with a questioning glare. "Why are you harassing my clerk?"

Jack turned to face him. "I need to get into the city to meet with the king. It's of utmost priority that I do so."

"Who's priority? The king's or yours?" asked the officer.

"Both," replied Jack.

The officer took a deep breath and silently appraised him. Without so much as another word, he waved Jack inside his office, not waiting for him as he dipped back inside. Jack gave one last look to the clerk at the counter before following the officer. The clerk almost seemed relieved.

"First tell me who you are and then tell me what you want," said the officer as soon as Jack was past the doorframe. The office was tiny, with barely enough room for a desk and two chairs. It didn't help the fact that the officer still regarded him with suspicion.

"My name is Commodore Jack Easterbrook of the Javan Empire," said Jack, leading with his official identity first.

"Easterner then, I take it?" asked the officer before he gestured to his hair. "Or what?"

"Yes, easterner," replied Jack.

"We don't get many easterners around here. Can't say I've ever seen one in my lifetime," said the officer.

"This was a first for me too," said Jack. "You're clearly an officer here, correct? Navy?"

The man nodded silently.

"I gave you my name and rank. What's yours?"

"Commander Booth," he replied. "I'm in charge of this port."

"Commander Booth," acknowledged Jack. "Good. Is there any way you can help me?"

"I know your name now, Commodore, but I still don't know why you're here," said Booth. "You can try enlightening me on that subject, and then I'll see if I can help you."

Jack didn't waste any of the time he was given, launching into the story about his mission from Java, his time spent in Lishkerra, Sorella, and Andalucia, and their goal once they arrived in Picardy. He didn't expand into many details, especially concerning the Swabians, as he couldn't be sure of Booth's loyalty or their status in Picardy. The last thing he wanted was to go off about his encounters with the country only to find he did so to unsympathetic ears.

"So, that's the gist of it," said Jack finally. "We're here to see King Aedan to see what can be done for the purpose of joining our alliance."

To his credit, Booth didn't bat an eyelash or interrupt during the entire story, even during some of the more hard to believe parts. He listened quietly until Jack had finished and then opened up with his own line of questioning.

"You know, I'd heard of a few disturbances to the south," said Booth, leaning back in his chair. "Small news items, things that don't change the world too much. A change of king in Andalucia, and the ending of the civil war in Sorella. However, your story makes you the central figure to both of those pieces of news."

Jack nodded. "That is the case. Our time here hasn't been without trouble, but we didn't come here to start any fights. I know your king is related by marriage to Heron of Sorella, and it was upon his advice that I'm here. Heron is a crucial ally to our cause."

Booth fixed his gaze on him. "Even if what you said is true, which I have no way of verifying if it isn't, I can't let you into the city."

"Even if I protect myself? I'm not carrying the plague, Commander. You'd be able to tell if I was."

"That's not so much the case, and I can already see that clearly," replied Booth with a knowing look. "It's more of a case of my own orders. I can't let you in because my superiors don't want anyone but the Swabians coming in currently."

Jack pursed his lips. "Can I ask what the reasoning is behind that? It was my knowledge that the Swabians and the Picards were not on friendly terms."

Booth waved his hand dismissively. "Old rivalries, yes. Yet, times have changed, Commodore. The Swabians have turned over a new leaf and approach as friends now. Their goods flood our marketplaces, and they've shown themselves to be an agreeable sort of people."

"I've never heard of the words 'agreeable' and 'Swabian' being in the same sentence," joked Jack. Unfortunately, Booth didn't crack much of a smile in return.

"As I've said, times have changed."

Jack nodded. He was thankful he didn't launch into the real story about his conflicts with the Swabians to Booth, seeing how partial he was to their change of heart. It still didn't help his situation at all, and without the Swabian threat behind it, his urgency to see the king lacked teeth.

"Unfortunately, if that's all the story you have to go on, I can help you no further," continued Booth. "And I'd like to ask that you stop harassing my clerk. They are under orders, as we all are."

Jack didn't want to resort to this, but Booth's sudden movements clearly showed the meeting to be over. Reaching inside his jacket pocket, he pulled out a small bag of gold coins, tossing it on the desk with a heavy metallic sound.

Booth's eyes looked down at the bag and then back to Jack. "What is this?"

"A gift. For you and your family if you help me."

Booth gave him a suspicious look as he slowly reached over to the bag. He pulled it to him without taking his gaze off Jack. Once he opened the bag, his eyes went wide.

"How much?"

"Enough that you won't have to worry about much for the next decade," said Jack. "Enough to buy your wife something nice and to make sure your children get a proper education."

Booth looked back down at the bag. "Why?"

Jack leaned forward. "I need to get in front of the king. I'm not above spending some gold to accomplish that. What I need to know now is can you help me?"

"I don't have any pull with the king. I don't even know him," said Booth, letting several coins spill out onto his desk. He inspected them carefully. "I can't promise you any success in getting there."

"I don't need that promise, because I know that was never guaranteed. I just need you to try. I'm sure you have your own resources. You know the city, and I know you would command respect. All I need is for you to try," Jack repeated.

"And if I fail?"

"Then I will think nothing of it, and we'll go on our way with no hard feelings."

Booth gulped. "You know, I could be putting my entire career in jeopardy by accepting this. This is tantamount to a bribe."

"It's an understanding between two officers," said Jack. "It doesn't need to go any further than that. If asked, we'll deny any involvement. As I expect you would."

"And if the payment is not enough?" Booth's eyes locked on Jack's.

Jack shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I think the contents of that bag should be sufficient for your needs."

"What if it's not?"

Booth was playing with him now, trying to see how far he could milk this request. Jack could only hold him off for so long, but it would be ultimately futile. He needed the man's help.

Making a dramatic sigh, Jack finally said, "I'll pay you more if you're successful. But only if you're successful."

"How much? Another bag?"

Jack felt his nostrils flare at the man's gall. Even though it was a tiny amount compared to what they still had left in the treasury on the Destiny, it was the principle of the matter. He didn't want to overpay, but just how much was this man's assistance worth?

"Fine. Another bag if you're successful," said Jack reluctantly.

Booth's body language changed instantly. A wide smile pierced his face, and he happily pocketed the gold in front of him. "Rest assured, I will get word over to the palace this very morning. I can have an answer back to you before nightfall. If the king agrees to meet with you, I'll give you the time and place."

"So soon?" asked Jack with a raised eyebrow. "I would expect something like this to take a little more time. How are you so sure you can have an answer back so quickly?"

Booth patted the bag of gold in his pocket. "The reward of success will motivate me."

Jack nodded. "Then we understand each other. I'll return back to my ship now, and I'll await word on what you hear."

"That works for me." Booth stood up from his desk and extended his hand to Jack. The smile on his face was a little too smug for Jack's liking. "A pleasure to do business with you."

Jack shook his hand without acknowledgment and quickly left the office. He hazarded one last look at the clerk before leaving, finding the man watching him leave with a measure of relief on his face.

You might be seeing much more of me very shortly, thought Jack as he left the office and emerged back onto the dock. He made the short stroll over to the Destiny and rushed up the gangplank, deciding to head to the bridge first. There was a good chance Abigail would be there, and he wanted to share what just happened with her.

Sure enough, she was found at her command station, and he soon entered and sat beside her.

"There you are," she said with a smile. "Did they change their answer?"

"Not exactly," replied Jack. "But I changed it for them."

She looked over at him. "What do you mean?"

"I had to resort to bribing the commander. He's going to help me get word to Aedan of our arrival."

Abigail looked shocked. "I'm surprised. Do you think it will actually work?"

Jack shrugged. "I hope so, but I'm not sure. It just seemed a little too smooth for my liking. It's one of the only chances we have though, so I took it."

She reached over to pat his back. "I hope so too."

"What have you been doing up here? Has it been quiet for you today?"

Abigail pointed out the window of the bridge. "I've been watching this show for quite some time now. It's an interesting situation."

Jack looked to where she was pointing. Curiously enough, another warship had appeared in the bay. It wasn't much smaller than the Valiant in size, and it looked to have an all-metal hull. Like the Swabian cruiser they fought before landing in Andalucia, it appeared to be at the same level of technological sophistication, or roughly a generation behind Jack's own ships. There was a flag flapping from the mast that Jack didn't quite recognize.

"Do we know who it is? How long has it been there?"

"It arrived right as you left the Destiny to go to the port office," said Abigail. "When I saw the flag, I asked Kat to come up to the bridge to see if she recognized it. She said it was a Carinthian cruiser."

"Carinthian then? That's interesting. I wonder what a Carinthian warship is doing in Picardy," said Jack as he studied the vessel.

"From what Kat was saying, the two countries were at one time firm allies, although she wasn't sure if that was still the case."

"Have they made any hostile moves?"

Abigail shook her head. "Not from what I can see. But this meeting down below ought to be interesting."

She pointed to a launch boat that had left from the Carinthian vessel and now approached the official city harbor. Like themselves a few days prior, they were stopped by the chain across the entrance and the Picard officials in their boats. From this vantage point, Jack could tell that the meeting was going to be far from routine.

"It doesn't seem to be going well," said Jack. "I'm seeing a lot of arm waving, and it looks like they might be yelling at each other."

"Let me see." Abigail took over the binoculars and looked through it herself. After another moment, she lowered them. "It's really getting heated."

That confrontation between the two former allies went on for a few more minutes. They both watched eagerly, trying to get some kind of idea of what might happen. Would the Carinthians be allowed entrance into the harbor?

What would they do if they were turned down?

"Oh my god, Jack! They drew their weapons!"

Jack grabbed the binoculars to take a look. Just as she described, both parties had now pulled out their weaponry. The Carinthians had rifles with them, and they were now pointed at the Picard officials, who had drawn their service pistols. The situation seemed to be regressing quickly.

"I wonder if we're about to witness the start of a war," muttered Jack. "What I wouldn't give to be within earshot of that conversation."

The standoff was over far too quickly. After a few tense seconds, the Carinthians dropped their weapons and sped off back to their ship. Jack watched as the Picards kept their guns trained on them until they were far enough away.

"Jack, what do you think that was all about? I get the situation here with the plague and everything, but that looked a lot more serious than just being denied entry into the city."

"I don't know," he said quietly. "But it looks like we're not the only ones chafing at the treatment by the Picards. It seems like everything here is backwards. The Carinthians get guns pointed at them while the Swabians get most-favored trading status. I'm not sure what country we landed in, because it sure doesn't sound like Picardy."

"If not even their own allies can get through, what hopes do we have?" she asked quietly.

Jack didn't answer her. He couldn't find the words to make a response without losing whatever hope they had left. The situation hadn't become any less challenging with the arrival of the Carinthians.

He needed the Picard officer to hold up his end of the bargain before a war broke out between the wrong countries.

He just needed a little good luck.

Unfortunately, good luck was always in short supply on this mission.

*****

Back in Sorella, King Heron was in a splendid mood. The older man found himself humming as he removed his ceremonial outfit, placing one of the many sashes back in its proper place in his wardrobe. His mood was elevated by the parade that had taken place this afternoon, a celebration of the impending nuptials of his daughter and future son-in-law.

As was to be expected, the city went wild at the celebration, and it had been a long time since Sorella had seen such happiness. It would take days to fully clean the streets of all of the flowers that had been thrown along the path, and even though the parade was already over, he could still hear the jubilant populace celebrating on their own. The city was alive with the festivities, and he could only give thanks at seeing the return of such joy to the hearts of Sorellans.

He had no doubt that the celebration would go on for the rest of the evening and into the night, and he welcomed the sounds of it. For now though, he had other plans. He'd planned a quiet evening with his family, a dinner with Elektra and Nikias that was going to also add a new person to the table.

"Are you sure this dress is appropriate?" asked Melora, coming up to his side. "I don't want anything too elaborate in front of Elektra. It's her day after all."

Heron smiled and kissed her forehead. "You look beautiful. And the dress makes you look even better. Trust me, it's the right one."

Melora gave him an anxious smile as she rushed back over to the mirror, making sure her complexion was just perfect. She'd been a bundle of nerves ever since receiving the invitation to dinner. Even though he'd been formally courting her for weeks now, and they'd privately expressed their feelings to each other, this would be the first time that she was having a public dinner with Elektra.

Of course, she was worried about his daughter's approval, especially on a day like today that was already so much about her. Heron thought he'd heard every excuse in the book about why Elektra may not approve of their relationship, but he was ready to introduce this new connection to his daughter.

And why wouldn't he be? Melora gave him a happiness that he hadn't felt since his wife passed away. Just about every evening, the woman sat with him on his balcony, looking up at the stars and talking about every subject there was to talk about. Melora impressed him with her mind, regularly giving thoughtful comments and ideas, and by being the one true companion around whom he felt he could be himself. It was long past time that those two halves of his soul had met.

Satisfied with his appearance, Heron turned to see Melora sitting on his bed, anxiously toying her fingers. He approached her and took her soft hands in his. "No need to fret. All will be well today. Let's go down for dinner, as I'm sure they're waiting for us."

Melora nodded reluctantly. Truthfully, he found her nervousness adorable. She'd been fretting so much about how Elektra would receive her that it had even affected her sleep the prior two nights. Heron just hoped that once this dinner was over, she would go back to her normal, less anxious self.

The two of them walked arm in arm down to the main banquet hall, entering right in front of the servants who were still setting the table. Predictably, Elektra and Nikias were already there. Heron took the moment to appreciate the two of them from afar before they realized they weren't alone. He might have understood if they were quiet or exhausted from the course of the day, but it was quite the opposite. They were seated so close together that they might as well be on top of each other. Elektra rested her head against his shoulder, only pausing to look up lovingly at her fiance. The two of them were the picture of love, and Heron could only give a silent thanks to the gods bringing someone like Nikias into his daughter's life.

"There you both are," said Heron loudly, attracting their attention. "And I here I thought you both might be too tuckered out from the parade to have dinner."

The both of them raised to their feet as was custom and came over to greet him.

"As tired as I am, I'm hungry more," said Elektra as she leaned in to kiss his cheek.

"She speaks for both of us, Your Majesty," said Nikias.

"Nikias, how many times have I told you to cut that out, especially now that you're family?" asked Heron with an exaggerated sigh. "Especially when we're in private."

Nikias grinned. "It always takes me a long time to get used to something new."

Heron gave him a sly smirk and tapped his arm. "Well, start getting used to it!" Heron then looked to his right, noticing Melora was still by his side, if not slightly behind him. Even though Nikias and Elektra knew who Melora was (and no doubt knew unofficially of his relationship with her), it was the first time he would introduce her in this fashion.

"I believe you both know Melora already," said Heron with a more serious look. "I've invited her to join us for dinner."

The words were simple but meant much more than they conveyed. Only family dined this intimately with the king, and his bringing of Melora to the table signaled a romantic intent that didn't need to be verbally spoken.

Nikias was the first one to react with his usual customary politeness. "Welcome, Melora. It's a pleasure to have you at dinner tonight."

Melora turned red and gratefully took his hand. "The pleasure is all mine, my lord."

Nikias started to chuckle. "Just Nikias, please." He then turned back to look at Heron. "Especially if we're being informal here."

"Nikias is right, dear," said Heron. "First names only tonight."

The moment he was waiting for happened next. Elektra and Melora seemed to study each other for the briefest of minutes before Elektra offered her hand in greeting. "I've been hearing rumors that my father has a lover."

"Elektra!" said Heron with a shock. "Is that any way to—"

"Let me finish, father, please?" asked Elektra with softness in her eyes. She turned back to Melora who was now so red that she might as well have been a tomato. "What I meant to say is that this old man has needed a woman in his life ever since my mother passed. When I found out it was you, I really hoped that you would be the one to give him that happiness again." Elektra then offered a genuine smile. "Welcome to the table, and I'm glad to have you here."

Melora opened up with the most beautiful smile that Heron had ever seen. "I'm so grateful for your acceptance, E-Elektra," she said, before turning to look at the king. "Your father is a great man, and one who warms my heart like none other."

Elektra smiled and nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. Come, let's have our dinner. I'm starved!"

The three of them sat at their designated spots around the table. Heron opened up a seat right next to him for Melora, enjoying the sight of her beautiful figure now at his side. He grabbed her hand and gently squeezed it as the servants began to bring out their meal. As their dishes were placed on the table, the conversation started up.

"So Melora, did you enjoy the parade today?" asked Nikias as he eyed the roasted duck in front of him.

"It was lovely, Nikias," said Melora with a genuine smile. "You both looked resplendent in your outfits, and I've never seen the city so enthusiastic about your upcoming nuptials."

Elektra nodded. "It's been some time since we've had this much to celebrate about. It's been a long road to get to this place."

"A long road indeed," said Heron, grabbing his daughter's hand. "For a long time, I didn't know if we would get through it."

"But we did," Elektra insisted before gesturing to the other two. "And maybe now we can have our chance of a long life in peace."

"A long life in peace? From my warrior daughter?" asked Heron with a slight chuckle. "My dear, you've really changed."

Elektra giggled. "Oh, all right. Maybe a battle or two in there somewhere."

Laughter erupted around the table as they dove into their meals and the conversation became much more lighthearted. While Heron launched into a story about the last time Sorella had seen such a grand wedding, Elektra and Nikias followed it up with a full rendition of the events for the day, earning a delightful round of laughter amongst all of them.

Afterward, Melora suffered only a mild round of grilling from the other two as she answered questions about her own life and her thoughts on a variety of subjects. Heron knew they were doing it only because they wanted to see his happiness, but he couldn't help but feel for Melora as she squirmed awkwardly in her seat. Not soon enough for her, the questioning ended as the topic changed, and they finished their meal as the darkness of the evening descended around them.

"Well, that was a fitting end for a nearly perfect day," said Elektra finally, as she pushed out from the table. "But I'm getting rather tired."

"As am I," said Nikias. "Perhaps it's time for bed?"

"Why don't you go get the bed ready for us," said Elektra with a small smile. "Father, if you don't mind, I'd like a word with you alone."

Heron nodded while casting a glance over at Melora. The woman had been wearing a satisfied smile once the questions had stopped, but he could see a tinge of fear on her face at what Elektra might say. "I'll be right back," he whispered into her ear, as he stepped out of the room with his daughter.

Once they were out of earshot, Elektra stopped to face him, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Heron's brow crinkled in confusion at the change in body language, wondering if they were about to have a tough discussion.

"What's on your mind, Elektra?" he asked hesitantly. "What did you want to talk about?"

To his surprise, she cracked a sly grin. "I never thought I'd see this day come to pass."

"What do you mean?"

She pointed back to the dining room. "I mean Melora. I thought after mother passed, you'd spend the rest of your life alone. You didn't seem like you'd ever move on from that."

Heron nodded solemnly. "It took me a long time to accept. In no way is Melora a replacement for your mother. But her presence is soothing to me. I enjoy being around her, and I love the person that she is."

"So you do? Love her, that is?"

Heron nodded again. "I do."

Elektra smiled. "Good. She's right for you. Someone who can make you happy. I rather like her as well."

Heron chuckled. "What's not to like? She's a wonderful woman."

"Part of me wanted to give you hell for this," admitted Elektra with a teasing grin. "But I can't deny that Melora would be a good fit for you."

"So I have your blessing then? To keep seeing her?"

Elektra nodded. "Will you marry her eventually?"

"I hope to," he admitted. "If she wants me, then I will. I wouldn't mind growing old with her."

"Good. Then you'll hear no complaints from me. I'm glad that you've found each other. Who would've thought that the two of us would find happiness after all that's happened?"

Heron engulfed his daughter in a heavy embrace. "That very thought has crossed my mind more times than I can count. I think this is the way we move on from the past. A chance for us to create our own futures?"

Elektra smiled. "For that, I'd give the world."

*****

It was a beaming king that walked back into the main dining hall after the conversation with his daughter. Nothing compared to getting the approval of Elektra in that moment, and the only thing he wanted to do was share the news with Melora.

He found her still at the table, looking like a nervous wreck and no doubt wondering about the topic of his previous conversation. Her head quickly swiveled in his direction as she heard him approach, her eyes eager for news.

"What a lovely dinner that was," said Heron as he rubbed his stomach. "I'm quite stuffed right now, and the conversation was just terrific."

Melora's eyes went wide and she gave him an impatient look. "Aren't you going to tell me what all of that was about?"

"All of what, dear?" He didn't mean to be cruel, but having a small degree of fun with the woman was too much to pass up.

Melora waved her arm in the direction of Elektra. "What Elektra just said! What you two just talked about in the hall? Are you going to clue me in?"

Heron shrugged playfully. "I might. If you kiss me."

Melora stood up from the table and shook her head. "Not until you tell me!" As hard as she was trying, a smile was starting to form on her face. She was buying into their little game.

"Just one? And then I'll tell you everything."

Melora sighed dramatically and beckoned him closer. "Fine. Just one. And then you spill the details, got it?"

"You would think here that you're the sovereign instead of me with that kind of attitude," he said with a chuckle.

Melora raised an eyebrow, only furthering his laughter. "Kiss me already!"

Heron took her into his arms and placed the deepest, most passionate kiss he could muster on her lips. Melora was surprised at first judging by her body language, but she soon melted into the kiss as her body pressed into his. It was only with the loss of breath and a heated look in her eyes that she pulled away afterward.

"I haven't been kissed like that in a long time," she panted.

"A pity then. Someone like you should be kissed like that multiple times of day," he whispered against her lips.

She smiled warmly. "Are you going to quit toying with me or are you going to tell me what Elektra said?"

Heron beamed. "She approves. You have nothing to worry about."

"You're being serious right now?" She gave him a questioning look.

He nodded. "I am. She was thankful that you were in my life and wished us all the happiness that we can have."

Melora couldn't restrain herself any further. She clapped her hands together excitedly and then soon threw her arms around his neck. "I was so worried about this," she whispered against his ear. "So worried that she'd object and what it might mean for us."

"My daughter is remarkably levelheaded when she wants to be," said Heron. "And plus, I think Nikias helps to balance her out even further."

"She's a lovely woman," said Melora. "And he'll be a wonderful son-in-law for you. Today is their day as much as anything."

Heron tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "If today is their day, I was hoping tonight might be our night?"

Melora gave him a coy look. "What are you asking, Heron?"

"I just thought that perhaps you would join me tonight? In my personal chambers? And stay the entire night?"

Melora's breath caught in her mouth. "What kind of girl do you take me for, Your Majesty?" Her playfulness was back with a vengeance.

"One who might take pity on an old man and warm his bedside?"

Melora pressed in for a sweet kiss. "You're not old and no one is taking pity on you. Especially after what you're in for tonight." She gave him a heated look, one that he felt deep inside his chest. It was a look of promise just as much as it was erotic.

"I hope you're not the one teasing me now."

She shook her head. "I would never," she whispered sensually. She kissed him again and again, leaving a light trail that started at his lips and ended near his neck.

"I really like this side of you," said Heron with a shudder. "You went from nervous wreck to tigress really quickly."

Melora looked back into his eyes. "I was so worried about Elektra and so afraid of what might happen if she didn't approve. I thought it put a question mark on whether we could continue this or not. With her approval, I'm ready to give all of me to you, Heron. All of me," she repeated much more slowly, emphasizing each word.

"If you're ready then, I think we should go to bed," he said in a panting whisper.

Melora nodded eagerly. "Please take me to bed."

They rushed out of the dining hall like two newlyweds on their wedding night. In the process, Melora nearly smacked into a servant bringing clean bedding into Heron's chambers, frightening the servant girl greatly.

"I'm so sorry!" said Melora after she helped her pick up the dropped sheets. Heron could only chuckle as the servant girl soon put them back in their place and scampered away from the couple.

"I'd say you scared the poor girl," he said with a laugh.

Melora turned red. "At least she brought us clean sheets. After I'm done with you tonight, we might need them."

Heron raised an eyebrow. "All this time, I thought you were pure, chaste consort. I didn't know you had this side to you."

She started to undo the buttons on her dress. "There's a few things I'd like to show you about me. Sides of me that only you'll see, Heron. That is, if you want me?" She let her dress drop to the floor. Melora was wearing nothing underneath.

Heron found himself biting his tongue at the sight of her fully nude. It was the first time she'd exposed her body to him in this way, and he was at a loss for words at the sight. Her skin was perfectly olive in color, just tanned enough in the right places to make him hot under the collar. Her curves were soft and feminine, spreading out over her hips before pulling into her taut stomach. Melora's breasts were on the large size, a feature he never would have realized from the way her clothes hid them. They were capped with small, tiny nipples, and he ached to have his hands over every inch of her.

"I take it you like what you see?" Melora gave him a coy grin as she moved toward the bed.

"You're the most beautiful woman in the world," whispered Heron as he watched her body.

"Then will you join me on your bed, Your Majesty?" she teased, arching her back and sticking a single leg into the air.

Heron moved closer to the bed, preparing to slide onto it when she started to shake her head. "Not fully dressed, Heron. Like me. Take your clothes off."

Heron paused. "You don't want to see an old man without his clothes."

She stood up quickly and grabbed onto his trousers. "Yes, I do," she growled. "Despite what you think of yourself, you're mine now. I'm attracted to you, and I want you to be naked with me."

"You're not going to give up on this, are you?"

She shook her head firmly.

"All right," he said with a sigh, holding his arms out. "Do me the honors?"

She gave him a wicked grin as she made short work of his clothing. The king's royal garments were soon on the floor in a crumpled heap. Heron wanted to cover himself out of fear that his older body would turn her off and put an end to their evening. However, Melora was full of surprises. She took him in, examining him from head to toe. It was a nerve-wracking experience for him, and it ended when she pressed her body to his and kissed him passionately. When she finally pulled back from the kiss, her eyes locked on his.

"You were most worried about Elektra," he whispered. "This is what I was most worried about."

Melora's gaze softened and she touched his cheek lovingly. "You don't need to worry about anything. I love you for what's in here." She touched her chest.

"I just hoped I'd be enough for you."

"You're everything to me. Don't ever doubt that, all right? You made me love again, Heron."

He nodded softly. "I'd like to show you how I feel about you tonight. How I really feel."

She smiled and helped him onto the bed, his body soon pressing against hers. Heron felt the wonderful smoothness of her skin, the erectness of her nipples against his chest, and the hot warmth of her breath against his cheek. He could feel his manhood pressing against her thigh, earning a throaty giggle in the process.

"I'm glad to see you're so excited to see me."

"It's hard not to be, especially whenever I look at you."

"What are you waiting for then? Put it inside me, Heron."

He reached between them, guiding his member to her source of heat. With one delicate thrust, they both gasped as their bodies became one. Melora was wet with need, and her hands grabbed both of his sides and pulled him in deeper.

"I've been waiting so long for that," she said with a content sigh as soon as he'd filled her fully.

He nuzzled her face. "You and me both. You feel wonderful."

She smiled and locked eyes on him. "Thank you. I'm not sure if I ever told you that, but thank you, Heron."

"For what?"

"For everything. For rescuing me back in East Sorella. For being the kindest, handsomest man I've ever known. For giving me my life back. For my dignity back. For giving me a second chance. There's a handful of reasons, take your pick."

Heron smiled. "I could say the same as well. I never thought I'd love again until I met you."

"Then let's just celebrate our second chance the best we can, hmm? Make love to me, Heron."

He was only too happy to oblige that request. Within the space of a few heartbeats, their hips were moving together in gentle unison. Heron wrapped his arms around her shoulders while her arms did the same around his back. Her kisses were soft, deep, and they only turned more pressing when their pace quickened.

He found himself turned on by the sounds of her subtle moans and soft coos of approval. In short order, her body was responding to his, and he could begin to figure out just what she liked. Melora preferred an alternation of deep, powerful strokes coupled with short, shallow ones, and soon he was rewarded with her first orgasm.

"Oh, right there. Right there, my love," she moaned, arching her back and pressing her chest tighter against his. He kept up a steady rhythm the best he could, but it was quickly becoming apparent how long it had been since he'd engaged in this kind of activity. The need of his body started to grip him, forcing his own orgasm not long after.

Melora kissed him passionately as he filled her, and he soon collapsed to her side. She curled up into his arms with a happy moan of approval as her fingers danced across his thigh.

"That was just what we needed," she said happily, as she teased his slick member once more.

"It's been way too long, and I think we were overdue," he agreed.

"Overdue is right. But it just felt so right," she said, stroking him again. "I love you, Heron."

He smiled and caressed her cheek. "And I love you. And if you keep stroking me like that, I'll have to take you again in short order."

Melora grinned wickedly. "Is that a promise?"

"Keep stroking and find out yourself."

The grin never left her face, and her hand never slowed down.