Chapter 7

Announcement

Lo-eel finally found his way to the Diamond Room. It had taken longer than he'd wanted to get ready. Partly thanks to Kyie, who had been stuck in another long argument with her father who tried to convince her not to make a public appearance with him. It was hard not to take it personally, but after years of scrutiny, he'd started to become numb to her fathers antics.

He would never forget how hard she fought for him, for them. It was something he had always admired about her, the persistence and the inability to let her beliefs be taken from her. She said time and time again that she'd rather be banished from her manor than let her father drive them away from each other.

But now, with their arms interlocked, his heart fluttered as he eyes lay upon her in her beautiful teal dress. Sure, it looked a lot like many of the other women's dresses, but she certainly didn't look like them. She looked like a cryy crystal gleaming in the high noon, or the surface of the water when Coreterra's light dazzled upon it. She was ethereal, and still made his knees weak.

He had to suppress the lust growing inside him as they entered the room at the latter half of the final course, just before the Noble Feast. The citizens look satisfied, happy and fat. Lo-eel couldn't help but smile as he caught wind of the food being prepared near the kitchen. But his eyes were quickly snagged by something else, his sister.

Lo-eel was surprised enough to find that Sym had actually stayed the entire night with Asu, but to see them there in public, arm in arm, was a surprise of its own. Immediately he wondered where Jarvic could be, and how he would react to seeing such a thing. But then again, he never personally agreed with the marriage in the first place. Their family was well-to-do and didn't need the marriage for any financial reason. Their father, Niyus Mordd, had insisted it would allow their legacy to grow on D'gyra, and keep them on the island for many hundreds of years to come.

But from what Lo-eel could see, Sym looked much more fitting standing next to Asu than that old man ever did. Besides, his "lumber companies" never fooled anyone when it came to where his money spawned from.

His brothels were well known across the country of Hyvak, and his name was heavily tied to them. He never quite understood how such a thing would be good for their legacy. But, it wasn't his job to judge, only keep the family from falling into poverty.

"Oh dear…" Kyie said quietly, as she too looked at the pair. Lo-eel couldn't help but smile, looking at his partner with her braided hair. "That must be the young mylian you were talking about." She added.

"Mhm. Fine fellow isn't he?"

"He's no Lorrketh, I hope." She said with a shrug. Lo-eel and Kyie had bonded over each other's odd sense of humor, often saying things to one another that they'd never dare utter to another noble. In this case, speaking of Lorrketh in such a manner.

"I don't get the feeling. But only time will tell, I suppose." Lo-eel watched as Keyotti shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The two had interacted very few times over the years, and each time was more unpleasant than the last. Everything about the man just made Lo-eel feel unclean, like he was a walking stick of feces. There was no particular thing he'd done that made him feel that way, other than his arrogant manner of talk. But he stuck by his feelings regardless.

The two eventually found their spot next to Te'coli, who didn't seem to pay them any mind. As they stood in front of the pillar, watching the citizens eat, Lo-eel couldn't help but feel a pit in his stomach grow. He could feel the queen's gaze pass over him, and wondered if she was going to press him about his progress or not. If she knew her at all, she probably wouldn't even though the day was meant for letting loose and forgetting your worries. For now, though, he was safe. And before he knew it, the final course was finished, and the masses quickly began to descend the stairs to prepare for the next event.

After a few minutes of maids scurrying back and forth to clear the table, the queen gestured for the nobles to seat themselves. Lo-eel and Kyie found themselves sitting across from Asu and Sym, though they didn't say a word. And Sym did his best to avoid eye contact, though he didn't seem shifty in the least bit.

Eventually, the queen stood from her seat.

"Let us feast, and prepare ourselves for the coming release. The ever graceful release." She said with a raised silver goblet, embedded with many expensive gems. Though she had never been a person of extreme luxury, she had been passed down many relics such as that very goblet. Which had been in the hands of many queens before, but never one of D'gyra until her reign.

Her short speech brought many nobles to their feet, raising their glasses and goblets in unison as they all drank and began to feast. The food was as delectable as it was every year. The chefs poured their heart and soul into the Oto'oco, as it was deemed an honor to be able to prepare such a feast.

Even after two courses though, Jarvic had yet to make his appearance. An empty seat sticking out like a sore thumb at the far end of the table. It was unusual for him to miss such an important event, perhaps he'd come down with a sickness? But usually in such a case, they'd send a messenger to the queen, who would announce the reason for their absence. They only announced it during the Noble Feast, and thus he knew his tardiness couldn't have led him to missing the announcement.

He didn't have much time to ponder his absence, before the queen stood once again, this time no goblet in hand, but a scroll instead. She read it over for a long moment, before her lips parted slightly in surprise.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"I have now been given the names of the two drawn for the naval competition. And the two who will be competing are Sym Cortava and Lucyal Lorrketh." Even the queen had a look of hesitance as the words left her lips. Gasps rose from around the table, even Pawn having to blink excessively to make sure he was awake and not in some strange delusional state.

Syms breath caught in his throat as he heard his name be called. He knew he had a good chance of it happening, being young and eligible, but he still held onto some hope that he'd be given at least an extra year. It hadn't even reached him yet that the other name called was a Lorrketh, something that should be impossible. But who was Lucyal?

From the look on Asu's face, or even Lo-eel's across the table, neither of them knew. It seemed that most everyone at the table was at a complete loss of words, some even beginning to form tears in their eyes.

Brielor quickly slammed the scroll shut, and slapped her hands against the table top. The nobles all quieted in an instant, and turned their attention back to her. She seemed more upset, annoyed even, than anything else.

"It is my understanding that Lucyal Lorrketh is back on the island, and has specifically requested he be given this opportunity to claim his manor back from Te Cortava." Syms blood ran cold as the queen herself gazed over at him. Her expression was soft though, almost sympathetic. "I'm sure most of you were not aware that Lorrketh had an offspring, as he kept it well hidden from the nobles. I, though, was under the impression that he was to leave and never come back. He was never worth mentioning until now. It would seem he's finally found out about his fathers passing, and the state of his manor, and wishes to reclaim it. It is only fair that we give the son of such a prominent figure a chance to earn back his estate. Wouldn't you agree, Symbre?" She said, one hand extending as she gestured to him. His words tangled in his throat, but after clearing it, he nodded.

"It seems only fair." He said with less anger than he truly had. Sym was confident in his combative abilities, but he'd never been in charge of a naval ship before, only ever been a part of one. Suddenly a voice rose above all else's.

"And where is this Lorrketh?" Said one of the lesser noblemen, Te Ssavim. His long blond hair and black twirling eyes made Syms lips seal shut. It seemed not everyone was happy about the arrival of a Lorrketh heir.

"That bastard owes Lorrketh tens of thousands of cryys." Lo-eel whispered to Kyie, who tried her best not to chuckle given the circumstances.

"That makes sense why some of these nobles look less than pleased, I'm sure he's not the only one." Kyie had a smile of satisfaction, it seemed most of the nobles that were upset were the ones who were least pleasant to be around. Lorrketh was known to be the main source for decently sized loans on the island. Most of the lesser nobles had built their wealth off mountains of debt they could never hope to repay. A debt they thought was erased after Lorrkeths death.

If Lucyal managed to reclaim his manor, and gain the title of a Te Lorrketh, he'd no doubt figure out who still owed money. And he would be in quite the hurry to collect what he was owed. Lo-eel could feel a riot coming along.

"Lucyal is already preparing his vessel, he doesn't wish to make a public appearance until after the event." The queen said calmly, excusing the sudden outburst of Te Ssavim. This didn't seem to please the nobleman, who's lips twitched as it held back a scowl. Somewhere in his heated mind he realized it would be best not to push the queen any further, and sat back down without another word.

Brielor then turned to look at Sym once again, the gentleness returning to her eyes.

"Te Cortava, as this is your first time competing, I will have Fe Pawn escort you to the docks and explain the rules and conditions of our game. Understood?" At first it seemed odd that she'd choose Fe Pawn for such a task, but Sym remembered that he was a well known Naval Captain at some point in his long life. It was how he had accumulated a lot of his wealth, which he had introduced to the island shortly after the Taking of D'gyra. From what Sym could recall, he had been the one who organized the Naval Competition in the first place, and branded it as the Waterdawning.

Last year, Te Movva had won the Waterdawning, and was thus crowned the Waterdawn until the next competition. It was well known that whoever was Waterdawn could request to keep their title the following year by competing once again. But it seemed that the arrival of Lorrkeths heir had shaken the tradition. Something that was sure to upset Te Movva who was also noticeably absent.

It seemed that Asu finally snapped from her trance, and gripped Syms arm as Fe Pawn started toward him. Leaning in, she whispered hurriedly.

"Throw the flag…don't let this destroy you." Her eyes were frantic, but before he could even respond, Fe Pawn stood before him. He realized he didn't have much of a choice, and could only afford a slight nod before leaving with Fe Pawn. The pit in his stomach grew as he saw the two massive ships at the docks from atop the castle's steps. Men running back and forth, hauling crates of cannonballs and blades.

Lo-eel could see the dismay painting his sister's face, her eyes fluttered as she swallowed a wave of tears. He hadn't expected her to get so attached to Sym so quickly. But as far as he knew, they'd been courting for months, and the both of them could have been lying about having just met. The question still remained in Lo-eels head, though, why has the system been disrupted?

Every year, nobles would submit their names to compete in the Waterdawning. So had Sym really been foolish enough to have already submitted his name? Either way, Lo-eel was sure that the current Waterdawn hadn't willingly given up his title, so at the very least that aspect had to have been tampered with.

"Jarvic…" Kyie said at volume so low that Lo-eel thought he was imagining it.

"What?"

"Jarvic owes Lorrketh. I recall my father telling me this, in confidence." She said, almost even quieter. But it was all starting to make a bit more sense now. Jarvic must've found out that Lucyal was on the island, and either fled or went into hiding, which would explain his absence.

"Think he's gone for good?" Lo-eel whispered back, not turning his head to avoid suspicion of gossiping. The queen was now droning on about how the island was doing financially, and explaining the new renovations that were done each year. It seemed she wanted to expand the A'kula manor, which acted as the island's hospital. Te A'kula himself sat at the far end of the table with a satisfied grin, nodding as she went on.

"Hard to say, I'd have to ask my dad. Naturally he knows Jarvic better than anyone else." She said, holding back a frown at the thought of having to converse with her dad. It would be obvious what she was trying to get at too, considering he probably knew exactly where and what Jarvic was doing.

"Naturally." Lo-eel couldn't stop the eye roll, forcing himself to look down at his food which was now growing cold. The sun was starting to get low, and the Waterdawning was going to start soon. It was time to see the kind of man that Sym truly was.