Keke gawked as the Callisto approached the shores of Nyarlothep. The sun shone brightly while dozens of catgirls marched across the docks, barking orders and delivering cargo to and from accompanying ships that had made port nearby. The air was salty, and a flock of birds flew overhead before descending upon a lighthouse surrounded by walls of gray brick in the distance. She put her hands on the railing and leaned forward, squinting.

“I’ve never seen such a large lighthouse,” Keke said with her mouth agape.

“Nay, neither have I,” Ceres said with equal admiration in her voice. “I await the moment that I fall on one knee before the queen.”

“That will be some time,” Cailu said, joining them at the railing.

“I guess I’m realizing I never asked before,” Matt said, appearing behind Cailu, “but just how big is Nyarlothep, anyway?”

Cailu paused. “Larger than the sum of the four islands.”

“Spectacular,” Ceres marveled, her hands clapping together.

As the ship came closer to the port, Keke frowned at the structures. Many were simple designs made of brick or stone and molded into box-like shapes. They bore arched roofs laden with thatching. The work was immaculate.

“I’ve never seen such thorough thatching,” Keke said. “We could use that back on Ni.”

“It is to be expected,” Cailu said with indifference. “Nyarlothep is made up of the greatest minds Nyarlea has to offer. Any two islands will be wanting in comparison.”

“Rivaled only by its dangers, I would imagine,” Ceres said.

“Yes.”

When the ship docked, Keke and Matt were the first ones off, Ceres close behind them. Cannoli and Cailu were the last to disembark. Cannoli maintained a distance, averting her gaze whenever she and Keke locked eyes. Keke struggled for something to say but came up short each time. Now wasn’t the time, and she wasn’t about to make their trip any more awkward if she could avoid it. She could try again when she and Cannoli had a moment to themselves.

Keke and Matt turned to see Cailu speaking with Portia at the base of the boarding plank. After a time, the two nodded, and Portia stepped back onto the ship.

“See you soon!” Portia waved from the ship. “Keke! Cannoli! I’ll miss you!”

Keke waved back and made no effort to mask the sadness she felt.

“She’s staying here, huh?” Matt asked with a hint of irritation in his voice.

“Yes,” said Cailu. “We will not be long. Besides, her work aboard the Callisto was remarkable. She should continue her training on larger vessels, should she have the opportunity in the future.”

That would mean she leaves Ni… Keke looked from Cailu to Matt. Matt’s hand tightened around hers. She used her thumb to rub the skin between his pointer and thumb fingers. He turned his head toward her, and she did her best to offer him a look that said things would be okay. He opened his mouth, shut it, then nodded.

“Thanks,” Matt said with an obviously reluctant tone.

Cailu cocked a brow but nodded. “Exceptional work should be rewarded.” He brushed by Matt, his cape billowing in the wind behind him. Kirti and Zahra joined him, flanking his sides, and he gestured for Keke and the others to follow.

“So, where are we?” Matt asked after a few minutes of walking the port.

“This is the Port of Elliot,” Cailu stated, waving to a passing catgirl who’d flashed him a disarming smile. Cailu offered a casual smile of his own.

“The Port of Elliot,” Ceres said behind them in awe. “Why does the port have a man’s name?”

“The man who helped construct it bore the same name,” Cailu continued. “The catgirls of the time insisted it be named after him.”

Keke considered his words. Nyarlothep had been considered the mainland since long before her time. How many generations had passed since this ‘Elliot’ constructed the port?

It was said that back when catgirls were still crafting tools from sticks and stones, Saoirse had appeared to them in the heart of Nyarlea.

Old fables and stories regaled Saoirse as a goddess of kindness and infinite knowledge. She taught them how tools and structures were made. In the same breath, she spoke of a prophecy. Mystical creatures known as men would appear and bestow their wisdom upon them. Creatures she herself would deem worthy of their lands. Together, they would learn to become more civilized with newfound knowledge, and their numbers would grow.

At first, it was the men who brought a wealth of technology and developments the likes of which they’d never seen. Over time, however, catgirls become more sophisticated and intricate. After a while, they no longer needed the men to guide them, and soon they were at the helm of power. They built a government, then conquered the surrounding islands.

Keke wondered how much Elliot had contributed to that endeavor.

“This way,” Cailu beckoned.

The Port of Elliot was larger than any Keke had seen thus far. Dozens of gray stone docks stretched out into the water like enormous fingers searching for purchase. Many homes they passed by were two or more stories high, and each catgirl moved with purpose. The roads were structured like a series of nets, crossing and zigzagging into a myriad of pointed shapes. Wagons and carriages passed on occasion, the women inside wearing enough jewelry to sink Portia’s sloop.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Nyarlothep may as well have been its own world.

“How long will it take to get to, uh, the capital?” Matt asked as another carriage caught his attention, passing by in haste.

Come to think of it, Cailu hadn’t mentioned the capital’s name.

“Ronona,” Cailu stated as he came to a larger house on the side of the main road. Above the door was a plaque that said, ‘Windrunner’s Carriages.’ “Wait here.” Cailu pushed the door open, and a handbell rang before he shut it behind him.

“What an incredible place,” Zahra said after a bout of uncomfortable silence, her arms crossed. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“It’s… it’s a little intimidating,” Cannoli said barely above a whisper.

Catgirls carrying large wooden crates walked by, large red X’s painted on each side. Keke marveled at how effortlessly they moved them. Not a bead of sweat could be seen on their bodies.

“I wonder what the ocean is filled with around here,” Keke said, looking at Cannoli with a smile. Cannoli looked away, her expression vacant.

Cannoli, I’m not the one hiding away, Keke thought, recollecting their prior conversation.

“Terrors,” Kirti said, flashing a wicked smile. “Many, many terrors.”

Cannoli whispered something, but Keke didn’t catch it. Judging from Kirti's giggle afterward, she clearly found something amusing in it.

I need to make sure she’s okay before I leave.

The conversation died afterward, relief flooding Keke’s veins when Cailu reappeared.

“The carriages have been arranged,” said Cailu. “We have two hours until they arrive.”

“Thanks, Cailu,” said Matt.

Cailu nodded. “With that said, the journey will be a long one. It will be two weeks before we arrive in Ronona.”

Keke couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice. She gasped. “Two weeks?”

“Yes,” Cailu continued, “and our first major stop will be at Irisil. We will make necessary preparations there, then continue our journey.”

Matt rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I don’t suppose we have time for a drink or some sort of pick-me-up.” Matt must’ve seen how Cailu’s expression changed because he jumped right into an explanation. “I mean, it’s just… we’ve been riding on a boat—”

“Ship,” Ceres corrected. A brief silence passed. “Sir Matt.”

“Ship,” Matt continued. “So I was hoping we might get a short break before we have to take another ride somewhere.”

“Very well,” said Cailu. “To ensure we do not leave the carriage attendants waiting, however, I will accompany you.”

Keke snickered.

“Oh… okay,” Matt said, rocking his lower jaw.

“My, my,” Kirti mused with a finger to her lip, “you two are entertaining.”

“Where should we go?” Zahra asked, an eagerness in her voice Keke hadn’t heard before. “I would love to try some of the local food and drink. This looks nothing like Ichi or San.”

“I will offer a suggestion when we arrive,” said Cailu. He took the helm once more, waving them along to follow. “Come.”

Cailu brought them to a section of the city separated by a long set of stairs. At the cliff’s edge was its lighthouse, a tall wall of brick surrounding the land mass. Three buildings stood before them, each atop a small hill. The houses were distinct enough from one another that Keke felt she could put each one inside of the other, like putting small boxes into larger ones.

Muffled music played from within the building directly ahead of her.

Winona’s Secret, Keke read.

“Winona is the finest tavern owner I know,” Cailu said as he approached the front door.

“I’m sure you say that about all the innkeepers,” Matt commented, taking to his side.

Cailu’s lips formed into a thin line as he regarded Matt. “This will give us time to discuss what happens from here.”

The tavern was absolutely breathtaking. At least compared to anything Keke had ever seen. She counted no fewer than twenty tables, which didn’t even account for any booths. Grinning catgirls littered every table, and mugs filled with frothy liquid adorned each patron’s hand. At the far end of the room was a woman with pastel-violet hair and furry ears. She sang with her eyes closed, her hands dancing delicately between the strings of a harp.

“That’s beautiful,” Cannoli commented with a gasp.

Keke was glad to hear something out of Cannoli’s mouth.

“I must agree,” Ceres said softly as she observed the crowd. “It gives me immense joy to see the patrons do their part to avoid making noise while she sings.”

“Makes me afraid to talk,” Keke mumbled.

“Yeah, me too,” Matt said, chuckling.

“There,” Cailu said quietly, pointing to a corner booth to their right. He took his seat first, taking great care not to sit on the cape, and pulled the chair closer to the table.

Keke took a spot next to Matt, and to her surprise, Cannoli took to his opposite, her hand on his knee. Kirti and Zahra took flanking chairs next to Cailu, and Ceres sat beside Keke, her hands in her lap.

“So, what—” The words were barely out of Matt’s mouth before a waitress appeared beside their table.

“Good afternoon! My name’s Lucielle, and I’ll be your waitress today,” she said, playing with a quill between her fingers. Her accent was different from anything Keke had heard before. It rose and fell in pitch without consistency, sounding like she was chewing on something the entire time. She bore long scarlet hair tied into a braid that rested over her shoulder and striking blue eyes. She had a slight overbite and wore a frilly white shirt that reminded Keke a bit of how the maids on Shi Island dressed. Around her waist was a long, black skirt.

“It is their first time here,” Cailu said, flashing his signature smile, “and I expressed that there was no finer tavern than Winona’s.”

“Right, ya are!” the waitress said. “If that’s the case, then I’ll start ya off with somethin’ light! Will we be needin’ any snacks or food?”

“Three orders of stuffed grimgam,” said Cailu.

“I guess I’ll see how I feel after that,” Matt said.

The others nodded their approval, and Lucielle skipped away.

“Now,” Cailu began, setting his chin upon entwined fingers, “it is important you understand how you conduct yourselves in Ronona. [Combat Mode] is deemed ill fit for nobility, and every word you speak can be recounted.”

“I’m a bit nervous,” Keke admitted.

“As am I,” Cannoli said, barely loud enough for Keke to hear.

“‘Tis expected,” said Cailu. “So long as you listen to what I say, there will be no trouble. I suspect Ceres is already aware of proper court etiquette.”

“Yes,” Ceres nodded. “I would be happy to refresh Sir Matt and his Party en route.”

“Excellent. That saves us time and leads me to another matter.” His gaze settled on Cannoli. “I have arranged to have Cannoli escorted to Saoirse’s Sanctuary once we arrive in Irisil. At that time, she shall depart.”

“Wait, she’s not even going to meet the queen?” Matt snapped. “You can’t be serious.”

Cailu didn’t answer immediately. “Saoirse has many temples devoted to the faith. The main body is located in Falselle, Irisil’s neighboring city.” He rested his hands on the table, his gaze now focused on Matt. “A [Bishop] will escort her the rest of the way.”

“I see,” said Cannoli. “Thank you.”

Keke balled her hands into fists on her lap. In less than a week, Cannoli would no longer be in their Party.

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