The creature roared, causing the waves around the ships to shudder, the ships violently shifting from side to side. Its roaring maw could swallow a ship whole, its shell formed of jagged mountains, its skin scaled blue and green, like that of algae seen through a clear sea. Each tooth was larger than even Adam in his full plate, and no doubt, could crush him with ease.

“What is the meaning of this?” the dragon turtle snarled, its tone threatening.

“I am Princess Adda Blacksnow, great one,” the Princess called, feeling the creatures eyes focus upon her. “May I request your name?”

“I… am Urkina.”

“Great Urkina, have we displeased you?” Princess Adda asked, before she tensed up as Jurot stepped forward.

“Great Urkina, this is not the Western Roshan Ocean.”

“It is not?”

“This is the Crimson Sea.”

Urkina remained silent for a long while. “Is it dawnval?”

“Yes.”

Urkina let out a low groan of understanding, but even it unsettled the sailors. “I will leave you in peace.”

“Great Urkina,” called a voice, causing the Princess and Sir Roseia to glare at her in utter shock. “Please accept this blade as a gift.” Jaygak tossed Great Moon over the ship, the blade spinning, before Urkina opened its maw and began to swallow the sea, spraying it out once the sword was safely within her. Jaygak peeked to the side to see Adam make the same face others often made for him.

‘Jaygak! What are you doing?’ Adam thought.

‘Is she crazy?’ Adda thought, her eyes glued to the young woman, whose blade almost matched the magical blade of her own family.

“What is your name?” Urkina asked.

“I am Jaygak!” Jaygak declared proudly.

“What is your epithet?”

“I do not possess one, but Flame Brand is my grandaunt.”

“I accept your gift, Jaygak.”

“Would you also accept a gift from our business?” Jaygak asked.

“Business?”

“We are from a business called the United Kindom, which works upon the Iyr’s land, but is not part of the Iyr,” Jaygak explained, hoping Urkina would understand her words. “That blade was also created by our business, but that was a gift from the Gak family to you. Would you also accept a gift of gems from our business?”

“I will accept it,” Urkina replied. ‘So this is a separate matter to the offerings?’

“Adam,” Jaygak called, nodding her head.

“How much?” the half elf replied, still shocked that the young woman had thrown away such an amazing blade, but she was an Iyrman.

“At least an amber.”

“One moment,” Adam said, having almost reached into his cloak, before thinking it was best not to reveal that sort of thing. He quickly retreated away, making his way to the tiny shared room, and after grabbing some of his gems, he returned back to the deck.

“You may place your tribute within the chest,” the sailor whispered, who had followed after the half elf with their own chest.

“Not a tribute, a gift,” Jaygak said. “Great Urkina does not take tribute from this sea.”

“That’s right,” the Captain said, recalling the names of all those who were allowed to accept tribute within this particular sea. However, if Urkina wanted to, she could dare to break the various treaties, because there were so few who could dare to stop her upon land, air, or sea.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“A gift, I will accept,” Urkina stated clearly. “I will take no offence if you do not gift me such treasures.”

“Please accept this gift, Great Urkina. I am Captain Rev of the Swift Sand Eagle!” The Captain motioned a hand for the sailor to shut the chest.

“One moment,” Princess Adda called, before undoing her silver necklace, which held several rings, most silver, some made of various different steels. She tossed it into the chest, while Adam placed his gems within the chest, five tiger eyes, each worth fifty gold, and an amber, worth a hundred gold.

The sailors dropped the chest, which was quickly sucked into the dragon turtle’s maw.

“Adam,” Jaygak whispered, motioning her head towards Urkina.

“What?” Adam whispered.

“Introduce yourself.”

“Oh.” Adam inhaled deeply. “Great Urkina, I have heard your tales from the Iyr. If I had known that we would meet today, I would have prepared more for you.”

“…”

“I am Executive Adam of the United Kindom, a Nephew of the Rot family,” Adam said, noting Jaygak’s look.

“He is my brother,” Jurot said, clarifying Urkina of the complicated relationship between Adam and the Iyr.

“I will not forget your gifts,” Urkina assured, inhaling their scents deeply, and after a long moment of silence, she withdrew into the sea.

Collective breaths of relief filled the air, Sir Wick also relaxing slightly, glancing aside to the Iyrman who had managed to navigate the situation safely. Even though Urkina had no ill intentions, Jaygak accepted the good will of the people around, and even smirked playfully at Jurot and Kitool.

‘This is Jaygak’s tale to speak,’ Kitool thought, keeping her lips from forming a smile.

“I can’t believe we met a dragon and then a dragon turtle in the span of a week,” Adam said, before noting the accusatory looks. He raised his hands up innocently, shrugging his shoulders.

“How many dragons have you met?” Adda asked.

“I don’t know, probably five or…” Adam thought, glancing towards Jurot.

“We have met at least ten,” Jurot said, saying no more.

“Great Urkina…” Adda paused for a moment. “The Iyr has relations with Great Urkina, does it not?”

“It does.”

“Oh!” Adam blinked. “That Great Urkina?”

“Yes.”

“I knew her name sounded familiar,” Adam said, reaching up to rub his forehead gently. ‘I should have given her way more gold. If I had known, I would have dropped down about ten thousand. No, I don’t have that much on us. A thousand?’

“How many alliances do you Iyrmen have?” Adda asked, though a small smile appeared on her face.

Jurot took her words as a joke, slowly bowing his head lightly.

“Giants. Dragons. Dragon turtles.” Adda slowly bowed her head in return. “It is no wonder you can dare to defy the King so.”

“He is your King.”

“Do the Southerners trouble you with their ignorance?”

“Yes.”

“It is their way.”

“It is their way,” Jurot agreed.

“Still, you should not forget, we still provide some safety to the Iyr.”

Lucy’s eyes darted to Adam, who closed his eyes and began to meditate after hearing the words. ‘You’re really growing up?’

‘Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh.’

Adam was not laughing as night began to fall, and the ship approached East Fort. Five ships set out to meet them, each with light blue sails, emblazoned with the symbol of the East Aldish navy, that of a stylised eagle. One ship, mightier than all the others, carrying hundred soldiers on deck easily, sailed beside the Swift Sand Eagle, before the figures began to board.

He was tall, his eyes deep blue, his hair dark grey. The scar across his face spoke more of his identity than the silver blade at his side, or the medal which pinned his white cloak. His presence was almost overwhelming as he stepped onto the ship, accompanied by a pair of soldiers, each adorned in lighter chain armour, carrying blades at their sides.

“Lady Blacksnow,” the man greeted, bowing his head lightly. “How do you fare?”

“I fare well, Lord Gravesea,” Adda replied, bowing her head lightly in return. “Have you come to escort us.”

“Among other matters,” Benjamin Gravesea said, before his eyes fell to Sir Wick. “Sir Wick.”

Sir Wick remained silent for a moment, keeping the Marshal’s gaze. “Lord Gravesea.”

The Marshal’s eye then fell to the other Marshal, though unlike himself, he was but a Marshal of a city, rather than a Marshal of a region. “Marshal Black.”

“Marshal Gravesea.”

Benjamin then stepped forward towards the Iyrmen, and the three. However, Sir Wick stepped forward, blocking his way. “Sir Wick?”

“If you have business with the escorts, you may speak with me,” Sir Wick said.

“Are you aware your escorts are criminals?”

“What crime did they commit?”

“They attacked nobles.”

“Speak truth.”

“I speak true.”

“Speak Northern truths, not Southern truths.”

“What lies have I spoken?”

Sir Wick tilted his head upwards slightly. “Do you believe the Grand Duchess would hire criminals to escort the Princess?”

“The Grand Duchess is wise, but I cannot expect her to know the situations of East Aldland,” the Marshal replied. “The Iyrmen, the half elf, and the demons, are asked to speak with the Marquise.”

“You have not grown so old that you have forgotten the appropriate channels,” Sir Wick replied. “If you have such business, you may send a letter to the Grand Duchess, and should Her Grace feel the want, she may read the letter, and should she wish to show appropriate respect, she may reply within the year. A simple Marshal wishes to make requests of myself?”

“You should remain respectful, for I am owed such respect.”

“Do not speak of what is owed, Southerner,” Sir Wick stated. “If it was not for my father’s blood, you would have no land to claim your title.”

“I should remind you we are within East Aldland’s waters.”

“I should remind you that you lack the ability to deal with even the Duchess of East Port,” Sir Wick replied, leaning in to whisper into Lord Gravesea’s ear. “You should thank the Divines for the fortune of not meeting me upon Northern soil.”

Adam’s eyes widened, darting towards his brother, who seemed unphased by the pair’s confrontation. ‘What the hell?’