The wind blowing across the docks snuck under Kelton's white robes, chilling his pants to near ice. Fur would have been better. Winter had arrived, lacking only deep snow that was surely not far behind. It made the sight before him more puzzling. Three warships filled the Shunneer harbor, two at the mouth and one docked. Kelton had thought they would have more time, at least until the arrival of spring before they were confronted.

"They fly the Masocrate flag," Kelton said to Juno. She was also in white robes, though she stood behind others to hide her womanly features. Both had their hoods up to bury their faces in shadow. They stood among a hundred white robes; most were King's Men, some in the back were Sorrinain with bows beneath the robes. Yanda and her mother planned to sail in the spring and gladly lent the help. Unlike the new arrivals, they were not foolish enough to attempt a crossing in the winter.

Eight days ago, the news of the ships reached the castle. Kelton had been working on a ruse to handle such arrivals. It was decided that delaying the knowledge of the Promise's demise was in Aragonia's best interest. The temples were looted for their robes, and in disguise, he meant to lure those who sought the Promise off their ships. Once isolated, the seekers of immortality could be kept in Aragonia with their families unaware that anything was amiss, at least until strong defenses could be raised.

Kelton had not expected the show of force he now saw. Aragonia had no ships, much less ones of war. The land was now cut off, and Masocrate controlled the harbor. He wondered why the captain or the passengers remained on board with such a force at their disposal. Surely warmer comfort could be found in the city. Perhaps they feared the retraction of the Promise or knew well the power of the Knowing and thought a more subtle approach prudent. Either way, they had requested the leader of the land and waited. In Kelton's experience, Masocrates were rarely patient.

"One port is a weakness," Juno said. It surprised Kelton how quickly she had analyzed the situation. Her mind, once let loose, was a formidable force. It evaluated problems in the now and began dreaming up ways to improve them in the days to come - a challenging transition for Kelton, who struggled to differentiate the playful girl of the night from the shrewd woman of the day. He was not sure which one he loved more.

"Aye," Kelton agreed. They would have to add that problem to the mountain that already existed.

"This will not be the smooth thing we thought," Juno said. "It is as if they know there were troubles and seek to know the resolution. They own the water."

"We own the land," Kelton said. "Even if they are hostile, it will be summer before they could bring a force large enough to threaten our soil."

"Negotiation?" Juno asked. "Mayhap, they will listen to reason. Ending the Brethren must carry some weight. Either way, we can not be barred from the sea - our future depends upon it."

"We feel them out then," Kelton said. "By their strong arrival, I suspect they will not be shy about their desires."

Juno smiled and indicated the docked ship with her palm. "They expect a deeper voice than mine, my love."

Kelton walked forward as a Brother, like the world was required to bow at his feet. There was a soldier on the bow, his body still, but his head followed Kelton's approach. The bulk of the deck was blocked from Kelton's view; it was too far above his head and boasted a solid railing. The soldier sent no signal nor assumed any defensive posture. It was a superior stance that commanded the other to speak first.

"I would speak to the captain of this vessel," Kelton demanded. He added an overtone of annoyance. The guard did not respond immediately, instead he stared for a moment as if watching an ant find its way back to its hole. Kelton was about to repeat his demand when the guard raised his hand and waved another forward, someone who had been waiting, for the guard's eyes never wavered from Kelton.

An immaculately dressed man appeared in clothes of a regal nature. The tunic was a purple hue surrounded by a golden trim, the cut almost Sorinnian in nature. Kelton fought back a smile, for he guessed it was of Tarvakian make. An angle-sharp, perfectly trimmed beard graced the man's chin, with cheeks and upper lip bare. There was a sharpness to his eyes. He assumed a grandiose stance with his arms clasped behind his back.

"Who addresses the King of Masocrate?" the man said. There was disdain in his voice as if the conversation was beneath him. Insulting was Kelton's first thought, followed swiftly by anger.

"No one, you fool," Kelton called back. "For you are not the King." That sharp retort earned Kelton a raised eyebrow. "This ship is on my dock, and I called for its captain. I did not call for some feathered bird." Very Brethren-like, Kelton thought proudly. The man looked behind him, and then his head snapped forward again.

"I speak for the king," the man said, this time with less supremacy. "Who does my king address?" His words held less malice yet were shocking nonetheless. If the man was to be believed, King Victalica himself was aboard - not the first monarch Kelton wanted to face. Victalica was not someone who could be trifled with or negotiated out of his desires. Kelton would have preferred someone weaker and less calculating.

Kelton unintentionally stalled. He knew Rolic and Victalica were in communication, but that was one or two missives a year. Filgot spoke of Victalica's interest in the venture, but the outcome certainly would not be known by the King. Three ships of war and the King himself, perhaps Rolic saw himself growing his old empire in his descendant's name. Aragonia was in no position for a war against the might of a fore-warned Mascorate. Victalica was far too clever to discount.

"I ask again, who does the king address?" the man asked. His arms came forward in a casual way to rest upon the railing. In them was an orange that he rolled absently between his hands.

Kelton watched the orange move from side to side. A sign the King had already guessed who he may be speaking with. Of course, he did not hold enough proof to step forward himself. The King was playing it both ways. Kelton sighed - another impossible choice in a string of gambles. He pulled the hood from his head.

"Through me, the King addresses the new Queen of Aragonia, Juno, first of her name," Kelton announced loudly. That earned Kelton both eyebrows. The man looked back again; this time, his attention was garnered for a moment longer before his eyes returned.

"And who are you, sir?" There was respect in his voice. Kelton was about to respond when it was done for him.

"My love," Juno called out as she approached. "King Kelton Gossamer Tarvakian Gregory." This time it was Kelton's eyebrows that rose. She walked forward like a Queen with her hood removed. "Borrowed that from the Sorinnians," she whispered.

Deep laughter arose from upon the ship. King Victalica moved to the railing and looked down as if the world was nothing but a jest. "And what of the Brethren, your majesty?" he asked with his eyes entirely upon Juno - a tact Kelton respected.

"They, and any promises they have made, are no longer," Juno said without hesitation. Then she added "your Majesty" after a brief pause.

"Impressive," Victalica said, nodding his head. "May I come ashore, your Majesty?"

"What of our harbor?" Juno said, indicating the ships.

Victalica smiled. "I have no desire for conquest, though others may. This I will assure you, while my feet are upon your soil, war against your holdings is war against mine." Juno looked at Kelton.

Kelton did not whisper. "He is conniving, but I have not known him to lie." Victalica laughed again. Juno diplomatically joined in the humor.

"You are most welcome, your Majesty," Juno said with a slight bow. The bow was returned in kind. The King disappeared behind the railing only to reappear on the gangplank followed by his son. In a gesture of trust that Kelton did not miss, the small entourage that followed was unarmed.

Juno smiled when King Victalica offered his arm. It was a short walk to their transportation - wagons much rougher than the King was used to, Juno assumed.

"I must treat you well to earn forgiveness," Victalica whispered as if it were a secret.

"How so?" Juno asked.

"Once, in my haste, I let anger get a hold of me," Victalica replied. "Well, really, it was mostly fear, and your love was the cause of it." He looked back for a moment. Kelton was a few steps behind, speaking with the Prince. "It involved a beating, one that he was not allowed to avoid, and I now regret."

"Are there beatings you do not regret?"

Victalica chuckled. "I see why Kelton felt compelled to cross the sea. You have a mind as quick as his and no fear to use it."

"Kelton has told me many things about your land. Some of which fill me with wonder, other things, well, I cringe." Juno decided honesty was better than friendly lies. She felt the land and her standing would benefit more.

"There is good and bad in all things. My land is good to many, and not so for many more. There have been generations of my forefathers who, like myself, desired change. It was your land that slowed that change, halting it in many ways. Because of what has transpired here, those changes will now ripple through. Many will welcome the changes, and others will fight thinking their place in the world lessened." He shrugged. "There will be some who think the Promise is a birthright, and like me, they hold power." He paused for a moment, then changed the subject. "You have met the man called Rolic?"

"Aye," Juno said. "Great in his beginning, and great in his ending. Not so good in the middle."

"So, he is no longer breathing?"

"Aye," Juno replied, though it did not seem a surprise to Victalica.

Victalica smiled. "Great in his ending? I would love to hear about that." He leaned closer. "Know that he loved Kelton, or perhaps the idea of Kelton. Rolic is why I protected the boy."

"By beating him?"

Victalica shrugged. "I thought him a safely caged bird." He looked back again and found Kelton still engaged. "Let no one know this, but we monarchs make many mistakes. One on the top of my list was thinking I had your love caged. Blink your eyes, and he will better the world without your permission."

Juno smiled. "You are not as evil as Kelton has led me to believe." They chuckled together. Juno wondered if it was true bonding or just a King attempting to curry favor, though she could not imagine what favors she could give. Either way, she did not want to become as callous of a ruler as him. Never forget the curse, she told herself.

Kelton was wary of the arrival of Victalica. He was pleased that Mascorate ships would give Aragonia a reprieve from an outside threat, but at what cost. Victalica had also dropped much of his veneer of superiority. Granted, he was dealing with supposed equals. Still, Kelton did not trust the King's demeanor, nor did he believe Aragonia was Masocrate's equal.

"Ahh, warmth," Victalica said, holding his hands before the hearth. Juno had borrowed the Shunneer City nighthouse's main room. It was lent gladly to a queen who suffered as they had. The chamber created the privacy needed for whatever Victalica was devising. An inn or tavern would not do - too crowded - and the castle was too distant. "My ship has many comforts, but warmth is not one of them. It seems the captain frowns on open flames." He shrugged. "Better to shiver than burn, I suppose."

"My sorrows that we do not possess the comforts of your land," Juno said.

"Nonsense," Victalica said, waving away any perceived slight. "A chair is a chair, be it built of gold or wood. A warm fire is all the luxury I require on a day such as this."

"Remember that hunting trip, father, the one with the endless rain," Prince Sandatic said. "I would have given my right arm for a fire that would stay burning." Father nodded and shared a brief chuckle at the memory.

"Tea, my Queen," Lilly said as she entered the room. She smiled at Kelton, nodding with recognition and respect - a bow would have spilled the tray she was carrying. "Mother broke open the best leaf for your visit."

Victalica's head turned swiftly from the fire. "Is it South Allyander leaf?"

"Aye, your majesty," Lilly replied, somewhat surprised. Kelton was mildly shocked as well.

Victalica smiled and addressed Juno. "Each land possesses its comforts, and the leaf you grow here is pure pleasure." Kelton saw no feigned compliment in his words.

"How do you know of our tea?" Kelton asked.

"I am a thief, of course," Victalica replied. "Your gift to Tarvakian traveled through me, and I lessened it some. It was curiosity at first, then greed after a taste."

"Filgot has told me much," Kelton said. "Your interest in this land and my doings was far deeper than I imagined. Still, I can not fathom why. You did not protect the Promise, and you did not openly defy it. Everything was subterfuge, and I, your tool."

"Or, am I your tool?" Victalica said. He sighed. "It is best we enjoy some tea and wait for your ally, the Queen of Sorinnia. I will make clear my purpose and set a choice before your kingdoms." He smiled at Juno. "I believe you will find it one of the easier decisions you will be forced to make. Crowns are such heavy things."

They sat by the fire, sipping tea and soaking in the warmth. To Kelton's pleasure, Victalica talked of his last visit to house Tarvakian and the antics of Yelvin. It was strange to see the regal King disappear and be replaced by a doting grandfather.

Kelton and the party rose from their seats when Queen Serinda and Yanda arrived. Kelton was about to handle the introductions but was forestalled by Victalica.

"Queen Serinda Orctavia Onlain Grovicko Sabo Divarina Linbola Travici Bangala Wath Nab Fortuna Mina Mordico Yovia Aborocollo," Victalica said with a bow. "It is an honor to meet you."

Serinda held her hand out to her daughter to stall the useless translation. "King Yalin Victalica," she said with her own bow. "Our first meeting is long overdue." Yanda translated the last part with her young one asleep in her arms.

"Aye," Victalica agreed. His eyes shifted. "Might I ask, did you birth her here, Princess?"

"He," Yanda corrected. "And he was born here, for my brother needed me." She looked at Juno and Kelton and added a grin. "Nothing hinders such a bond."

Victalica looked between Kelton and Yanda briefly. His eyes seemed to be studying as if it was only now that he fully understood the strength of the link between Kelton and Yanda. "I was told you were firstborn," he said to Yanda.

"Aye," Yanda replied. "And he is mine. Sorinnia will have a king again, as it did long ago." She translated for her mother. The Queen nodded, bent over, and kissed her grandchild on the forehead, leaving no doubt of the direction the crown would travel.

Victalica looked to Juno, who promptly offered all a seat. The chairs were of many different natures, some high-backed, others nothing but low stools. They were corralled into a circle, with no table between. There were two kings, two queens, a prince, a princess, and not a servant in sight. Kelton found the manual scooting of chairs by nobility refreshing. For a moment, they were only men and women.

"First, I must ask," Victalica began. "Did I say the Queen's name correctly, Princess?"

"Very close, your majesty," Yanda replied with a smile. She translated to the Queen, who nodded her agreement.

"Good, good," Victalica said. "There are two Sorinnians aboard my vessel who spent the voyage teaching me on the chance we would meet. Both wear the copper in my house's name, and both desire to return to their homeland. It is my intent to release them from service into your hands." He held up his hand to slow Yanda's translation. "They are not some bargaining chip or a demonstration of my mercy. They are the beginning of an apology my house owes to the world."

Kelton half-trusted the words. Yanda translated and had a whispered conversation with her mother. Twice she tried to translate and was pulled back by her mother for more discussion. They did not trust the King either.

"We will gladly accept the return of our people," Yanda said. She looked uncomfortable when she added. "Though it would be best if you apologize to them and not to the world." Juno smiled, then hid it with her hand. Victalica laughed, and his son followed suit.

"Well said," Victalica agreed. "It will be done in the Queen's presence if she desires."

"My mother wonders why you have come," Yanda continued.

"As do I," Kelton added. "You did not sail all this way to release two coppers."

Victalica sighed deeply. "Aye, I did not. In truth, it was you or the Promise I was coming to." He looked at his son. "We hoped it would be you, but I would have accepted the Promise had you failed, and my son would have seen the proof of it."

"The world was broken," the Prince said. "Mascorate can face any single foe in a war, but not all the kingdoms at once. Now that the Promise is no longer, the risk of such a thing is greatly lessened. A fanatic or two mayhap, but not them all."

"If you try to take the world's future profits, it will hunt you down," Victalica said. "If that profit is no longer possible, well, those same men now ponder the cost of unprofitable retribution." He looked at Kelton. "You have done what was thought impossible."

"You played both sides," Juno said. She began with some disdain, though the emotion faded in the last of the words. Perhaps she saw herself in his shoes. The crown is a heavy thing.

"A must for my land," Victalica said. "A must for my family."

"You intend to stay here," Kelton blurted out. It was meant more as a thought than a statement, but it followed all that came before. It changed all of the calculations, upending many of the difficult plans Kelton felt forced to implement. A quiet moment ensued for all but Yanda, who rapidly whispered the translation to her mother.

Victalica allowed the words to be digested, or perhaps he was assembling a response. After a moment, he decided to reply since time had turned the statement into a question. He looked at Juno and added a soft smile. "With your permission and as your subject."

Victalica was no different than Kelton's father. If knowledge of the Promise and its evil got out, his claim to the throne would be weakened by the very people he ruled. It was better to pass the crown while he still had the capacity - best if he was distant from retribution as well - a must for his family. Juno and Kelton exchanged a look. He nodded as they exchanged a silent agreement.

"You will be welcomed as our guest," Juno said.

"Granted all rights of a visiting dignitary as long as you wish to stay," Kelton added. Power had just shifted, and Victalica's early words of standing on Aragonia soil took on new meaning - an alliance with Mascorate, sealed with his permanent presence.

Victalica nodded and looked at the Prince. "Son, I will have your decision now."

Prince Sandatic had a look of joy on his face. "You know where my heart lies, father. I bend to it."