“Your Highness, the Rochette ship is approaching us,” Macey told Felicity, while pointing to the starboard. The medium sized vessel was slowly heading directly towards them. Its main mast proudly hoisted the Rochette coat of arms, a golden-trimmed Glimmeleon on blue ground. The mythological creature, akin to a winged lion, is thought to be extinct for a long time by now.

Felicity squinted her eyes to try and make out the blurred figures on the deck against the evening sun. As quickly as the clouds had been called forth by Eulisses not even an hour ago, they had vanished afterwards, leaving the sky clear.

“I wonder what they want, tell us something?" she mused and went the wooden steps up to the quarterdeck, where she found Nimo at the helm. “Captain, prepare to receive guests, in case they want to send someone over.”

“Ay ay, yer Highness! Will do. Ey Beu, Filip, ye heard the lady!” On Nimo’s command, the two men went and prepared for the potential visit. And indeed, the ship came to a halt beside theirs, a man standing behind the railing and waving to try and get their attention.

“Hey! Permission to come aboard, please!” he called over the subtle crashing of waves against the hulls. Beu and Filip heaved the plank they normally use to bridge the deck and pier and slowly dropped it on the slightly lower standing deck of the other, smaller, ship.

Let’s see what they want. Felicity was slightly distracted by her own thoughts, and only noticed the man and woman, when they were already standing in front of her, after having boarded the ship. When she noticed, she fixed her gaze on the man, waiting for him to introduce himself first, but her eyes widened in recognition. What is he doing here?

“Greetings, Milady. My name is Edmond Gautier Rochette,” he introduced himself, and with a gesture to the woman beside him, “and this is Claire Bonnel, a trusted friend.” Felicity didn’t miss the woman’s face twitching with him saying these words, before she could reign herself in and bow in turn. Distaste? Or stronger feelings of affection?

In her current clothes, high class but above all functional travelling attire - so no skirt, a curtsy would look out of place, so Felicity settled with instead just lowering her head in greeting. “I welcome you on our ship, Edmond Rochette, Claire Bonnel. I am Felicity Esaburg.”

His open mouth betrayed the duke’s son’s surprise. “The princess? It’s so nice to finally meet you! I thought we would have to wait until the summit, and the occasion would hardly be as intimate as this -- ow! What was that for, Claire?” The woman shut Edmond up with jamming her elbow in his side, and by the looks of it, she didn’t hold back at all.

“You are getting sidetracked, Edmond. We didn’t come to socialize,” Claire said in a strict tone, and with under her breath, she disgruntledly added, “or flirt, for that matter.” Edmond rubbed the sore spot under his clothing, but didn’t seem to bear any ill for the rough treatment he received.

“Ah, you’re right,” he turned towards Felicity, "We have finished rescuing anyone from the sunk ship that we could find. We have a number of excellent healers on board, so we agreed with the Khiphamidians on us helping to nurse the injured. You have rescued some as well, right? I’d take them off your hands, so we can bring them to the remaining barks for treatment and to check, who’s still unaccounted for.”

Felicity nodded. “A fine proposal. This will limit further suffering, the survivors would have to endure. Trevis!” she called for her Royal Guard, who was looking after the rescued at the bow. He immediately strode towards them. “Yes, your Highness?”

“Help our friend from Rochette to transfer the survivors to their ship, have Reed and Macey assist you.” He clenched his right fist and held it over his heart, a form of salute, and responded, “Right away, your Highness!” before rushing to fulfill Felicity’s command.

“Thank you for agreeing so readily,” Edmond said with a disarming smile, “I’m also glad we made friends so fast.” Claire practically wedged herself in between them and interjected. “A manner of speech, I’m sure. Your Highness Felicity, there is another thing we’d like to ask you if you’d allow.”

Well, I can already guess what that would be. “Of course. Please, ask away.”

“The lightning bolt that struck the sea creature, it came from your ship, didn’t it?” The duke’s son nodded enthusiastically and added, “Yes, that was an amazing display of magic! I would like to personally thank the ones behind it. They probably saved many men and women from joining the fate of the treasure bark’s crew!”

Here it is. I can lay the groundwork now! “He is currently resting, but I can take you to him.” Claire’s eyes widened, as she focused on what Felicity just said. “Him? That was a single man?”

Felicity gestured for them to follow her, and slowly made for the bow, where Eulisses was still recovering from his mental exhaustion. “Yes, a valiant mage, who didn’t hesitate to put himself in danger, so he could save others. He’s done so before. On our journey, we were attacked by bandits once, and he single-handedly repelled them. I owe him my life,” she told them with a sincere smile on her lips.

They arrived before the seated wizard, his eyes closed. Meditation? I hope I can wake him. Felicity touched his shoulder and gently called out. “Eulisses? I’m sorry if I disturb you, but I have someone that would like to meet you.”

Eulisses groggily opened his eyes, which slowly focused on the person in front of him. “Fel- princess? You’ve brought guests?” he slowly said while stifling a yawn. “What can I do for you. Ah, please excuse me if I remain seated, I’m exhausted.”

Edmond quickly reassured him, “That’s fine, please don’t inconvenience yourself!” Claire chimed in, “We only wanted to meet the man who put down the Leviathan.” Eulisses put a hand on his chin. “So that’s what it’s called, huh? It’s really dead then, I wasn’t sure I actually got it?” he enquired, which was met with affirmation.

“Yes, the Khiphamidians confirmed it when we spoke to them. The Leviathan is no more.” Claire then added, “I still can hardly believe that one man alone is capable of such a feat.”

“Yes, it’s like a tale of some old legend! A brave man engaging with a mythological creature, and defeating it in a single strike!” Edmond concurred. With a bright smile, Felicity steered the conversation, “I would go as far as to call him a Hero.”

Eulisses threw her a quick glance, before turning his attention back to Claire, who responded to her claim. He already understands my intentions with just that, huh? Sharp.

“A hero? Well, our battle against the Leviathan would make for a fine tale. But I am more interested in how you put the creature down. I thought I’d known of all the prestigious mages, but I don’t recognize you. Might I ask for your name?”

“Eulisses Malinor, I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of me.”

“Let me shed some light on the situation. Are you aware that ‘Hero’ used to be an actual title back in the olden days?” Felicity asked mysteriously, a mischievous smile on her lips.

“Well, okay?” Edmond commented, while Claire probed further. “What does this have to do with it?”

“You see, these were not just heroic people, who fought seemingly unwinnable battles and beat near impossible odds. They were truly special. Out of this world. Literally.”

“Wait, do you mean to say?” Claire asked incredulously, while turning to Eulisses, who blankly stared back at her. Felicity confirmed her, “Yes indeed. When a crisis threatened to destroy the world, our ancestors summoned Heroes from another plane to battle it.” She took place beside Eulisses and put a hand on his shoulder, pride evident in her voice. “We replicated this feat, and Eulisses answered our pleas. With all our efforts combined, and him at the forefront, we will repel whatever might arise from the Convergence!”

--

The Rochette ship left soon after for the Khiphamid barks, with the survivors from the sunk treasure bark on board. Claire was in deep contemplation, while Edmond tended to the rescued as best he could, without getting into the healers’ way. The clerics cast their miracles in the meantime, mending wounds and alleviating pain, all the while bathing their surroundings in an ethereal light.

“What do you make of the Esaburg princess’ story, Edmond?” Claire finally enquired. “Huh, well, if she says so, then it must be true?”

“Hm, I have to agree. She could have told more believable lies.” Edmond objected, “That’s not it, I just don’t think she would lie to us.”

Claire narrowed her eyes and inched closer. “What do you mean?” Their noses almost touched. “You think a pretty face cannot conceal a scheming mind? You’d best be wary of that vixen and her true intentions!”

He put his hands on her shoulders and tried to reassure her. “There is no need to get jealous of her, Claire. I do think you’re pretty as well.” He was not prepared for the echoing slap he received next. “That’s not it at all, you idiot! I told you time and again that you are too trusting of people!”

“And you only see the worst in them!”

She shook her head in disappointment. “Someone has to. Do I need to remind you of the drug ring we busted in Toumart last year?” He tried to retort, “No, but--”

“You remember what they did to those women, right?” He reluctantly nodded, trying his best not to picture the events he had witnessed back then. “Yes, but--”

“What of the slaver ring that operated out of Nanmont Forest? Who got captured and needed to be rescued by me, since he apparently couldn’t notice what was going on with that caravan?”

Edmond hung his head in defeat. “You are right, Claire, I’m sorry,” he conceded. Claire put her hand on his chest, over his heart and applied a tiny bit of pressure. The slight vibrations of his beating heart gave her a reassuring feeling, and she softly spoke, “It’s not that I dislike it. This kind heart of yours.” She leaned in even closer. “I’m only worried about you, you know. Always. And the princess, I feel that we are going to get mixed up in whatever game it is she’s playing.” A slight shiver ran down her spine. “And you saw how that could end.”