Even as Nagos organized the fire brigade to combat the flames that had taken hold of part of the city, he looked pale. His gaze kept looking to the sea as if expecting some unfathomable horror to rise from it. Sahshir became concerned for him and wondered if some enemy had been heralded by the words. As the flames gradually died down and the wounded were tended to, Sahshir opted to confront him.

"Why are you afraid of the title they gave you?" asked Sahshir.

"It's nothing, just..." Nagos shuddered. "Well, one of the titles that the Fish King goes by when he takes direct mortal form is 'King of the Seas.' So I'm kind of afraid he'll take offense."

"There's more to this than that, isn't there?" asked Sahshir. Nagos did not seem one to fear divine retribution for a name.

"Yes, but I'm not talking about it," said Nagos.

"As you wish," said Sahshir.

"Do you believe in destiny?" asked Nagos suddenly.

"Destiny is a fact, Nagos," said Sahshir flatly. "The Goddess of Weaving, Rioletta, also weaves the threads of fate."

"Yes, but do you believe you can defy it?" asked Nagos.

"It is irrelevant," said Sahshir. "If fate can be defied, you may do so without obsessing over it. If it cannot, then there is no point in thinking of it."

Then Narcissa appeared, having broken off from them during the fighting. "Nagos, the garrison commander, wishes to speak with you."

Nagos nodded. "Let him through."

The garrison commander, a lean man with long, white hair, came up the steps. He did not bow, which Sahshir found offensive, and given his poor performance, he ought to have been hung. But bringing the matter up was of no real help. "King Nagos, King Sahshir, your arrival was timely; I am Romilin Aukas, the governor. May I ask your purpose here?"

"We have been dispatched as the vanguard of the Emperor," said Sahshir. "We are but the first wave of this army."

"It seems the first wave has been enough," noted Romilin.

"It doesn't matter," said Sahshir. "Where are your militia? Why did they yield the city so quickly?"

"My men are not used to facing professional soldiers," admitted Romilin. "The militia is meant to crush slave revolts and keep order."

"What about the legions?" asked Nagos. "Shouldn't there be some here?"

"They..." Romilin paused. "The legions were withdrawn some months ago, to be honest. With all the fighting around Zigilus, they were drawn back to the mainland. They never came back."

"Well," said Sahshir, "we are here now. All preparations must be made to deal with the remaining Sornian forces. They forced their way out the gate without a fight and fled into the marshes."

"Surely they'll die of diseases there," said Nagos.

"They are half-Harlenorian at least," said Sahshir flatly. "Laevian may favor them. If so, she will draw her diseases away.

"Baltoth warns that a defeated enemy may still slay the unaware."

Nagos paused, looking a little uncomfortable as all eyes turned to him. "Sahshir, Narcissa, keep watch at the gates. I'll see to organizing the fire brigade. We can save some material worth having.

"I will assist you in this, King Nagos," said Romilin.

"We'll focus on releasing slaves first," said Nagos.

"You want to free the slaves?" asked Romilin in horror.

"We'll give them back to you once this is over and compensate you for the damages," said Nagos. "For now, we need to stop the fire. The extra manpower will help a lot. Now grab a bucket; we need you.

"Sahshir, you're in charge, I guess."

And he rushed off like a man pursued by the hells themselves. Sahshir began to wonder if Nagos fear was not so much cosmic horror, as a desire to avoid responsibility. So long as he was on an adventure where he could duck out at any time, Nagos seemed happy. However, now he was being given a position of authority. One that didn't involve adventures.

"Nagos just leveled two fleets twice the size of the one we fought with hardly a casualty," said Narcissa. "And now he looks afraid of a little fire."

"He likes dodging responsibility." guessed Sahshir. "While with the fleet, he only had to make a few decisions and could be on the high seas. Far preferable to running Chaminus."

"He didn't seem like a bad king," noted Narcissa.

"His method is to be personable." mused Sahshir. "Appear as a man who just so happens to have the position of King. Then, using it, he decides, but he would much rather not have to.

"This place presents him with problems that cannot be solved so easily. I expect he will find a reason to return to sinking Sornian vessels soon."

"That's a bit harsh," said Narcissa.

"It is probably for the best," said Sahshir. "What do you think of this, Narcissa?"

"The battle?" asked Narcissa. It was more than a victory.

"No, I mean, all the slaves," said Sahshir, remembering the sight of men in chains.

Narcissa blinked in surprise as if it had never occurred to her. "Slaves belong to their masters. The masters may do as they please with them."

"We don't practice slavery in Kalthak for a reason," said Sahshir. "Our warriors may sell some into the markets of the Medi. But it is illegal to keep them in our land."

"Why?" asked Narcissa.

"Men belong to themselves and Baltoth alone," said Sahshir. "To claim ownership over a mortal is to dispute Baltoth's authority."

"Aren't the Medi active practitioners of slavery?" asked Narcissa. "I read about them."

"It is a crime," said Sahshir. "Baltoth's allows some crimes and uses those in pursuit of perfect order."

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"I don't really care about slavery," admitted Narcissa.

Sahshir looked at her flatly. "You're joking." So the transformation of men into chattel was meaningless to her?

"I belong to Zigildrazia, as do all our people," said Narcissa. "Why do you think we blame Dinis for what they did and not her? We are hers and are hers to do with as she wills. It's the same with slaves and their masters."

"Do you hold no value of your own people?" asked Sahshir, remembering the vacant gaze of her countrymen. Like their souls had been suppressed.

"Nothing that would make me work against Zigildrazia," said Narcissa. "You're a devout follower of Baltoth. If he told you to die, you would, wouldn't you?"

"Yes," admitted Sahshir. "But I would trust that it would be in pursuit of perfect order. What great cause would Zigildrazia seek?"

"Her own entertainment, I suppose," said Narcissa as if that was a satisfactory answer. Though even she didn't fully believe it, Sahshir could tell by her voice.

Looking up, he saw the flames dying out. "The fire is dying down, isn't it?"

And then Sahshir felt something.

It was like what they had felt in the cave, only stronger. Sahshir set his hand to his sword. Narcissa did the same for her axe. "Something is wrong."

A black cloud emerged from the earth, growing larger and larger to encompass the wall. Sahshir drew his sword as he felt the curse of hatred.

"Demons," said Narcissa.

"More than that, Narcissa." said a familiar tone.

Sahshir raised the sword of order, channeling the power to break the spell. The clouds parted, and Garacel stood before them. His black skin could hardly be seen beneath his armor, and the Blade of Chaos was at his side.

"Master Garacel," said Narcissa.

"You," said Sahshir.

Sahshir calculated that a direct confrontation could result in a loss. However, with Narcissa as an unknown element and no power from Baltoth, it would not be wise to battle here. And Garacel was here to talk, wasn't he? "Speak your peace, Garacel. We both know the terms of our arrangement."

"In truth, I've come to thank you," said Garacel. "Releasing the spirit of hatred into the world has given me a chance I need to attain a domain in my own right."

"You will never attain any divine rank, Garacel," said Sahshir simply.

"I already am," said Garacel. "my plans are in motion as we speak. Which is why I've come to deliver a warning to you. Leave this island at once."

"Why?" asked Sahshir.

"The atrocities committed by those here will soon return to them," said Garacel. "Generations of rage long-suppressed will soon be unleashed.

"When all is finished, none shall remain here save those who bore the yolk of slavery."

"You will achieve nothing while I draw breath," said Sahshir. He would not allow another Zigilus.

"That is your own decision," said Garacel. "You may remain and witness the destruction if you so choose."

His hawk wings beat, and he soared upward, vanishing from sight.

The cloud of hatred vanished.

Narcissa lowered her axe as Sahshir released his sword. Turning, he saw Marius and some of his men climbing the steps. They had drawn swords in their hands and looked grim. Halting, they looked around.

"Sahshir, what happened?" asked Marius. "I felt a presence that was familiar."

"Garacel has returned," said Sahshir. "We'll have to deal with more than just Sorn."

Narcissa paused. "Not an enemy of mine, Sahshir. We might be able to reason with Master Garacel-"

"He speaks of using the hatred of this island to destroy everyone. Or everyone who does not now wear the yolk of slavery, at least," said Sahshir flatly. "Negotiation is not an option unless you want to abandon this place."

"He'll start a slave revolt," guessed Marius.

Sahshir blinked and considered that it made sense. But he was surprised that Marius had come to a conclusion so quickly.

"You do not know that," said Narcissa, as if the suggestion was a mortal sin.

"I've read my histories," said Marius. "My Father, Cato, fought a Kalthakian invasion in his youth. One of the things they did was free the slaves that worked our lands in the hopes that they'd bolster their forces.

"Some harsher masters were killed, but my family had its slaves remain true.

"Afterward, we had laws about the proper treatment of slaves. To ensure a repeat incident did not happen, obviously. Though they are only for my home province."

"He'll make contact with Garrick in the wilds, start freeing slaves and training them in war." guessed Sahshir. "Then he'll start launching larger raids.

"That'll probably cause the planters to get paranoid and start all kinds of atrocities. Which will inspire lots of hatred, I think. Perhaps that is how he intends to prove worthy of godhood. In the meantime, Sorn might send another fleet, and Dinis won't sit it out. There will be hate and murder."

"What makes you say that?" asked Narcissa.

"That's what I would do," said Sahshir.

"So what should our next course of action be?" asked Marius.

"We'll need to secure the island for now." mused Sahshir. "The rest can wait."

"We do not know this island," said Marius. "We will need local guides. And even with them, we lack the manpower to cover it."

"Then we shall send out an order that the plantations must make some of their men available for the militia." mused Sahshir. "They would need many of them to enforce their hold on so many slaves."

"That will not go over well with them," said Marius.

"Why?" asked Sahshir.

"Plantation owners in Macshore live in perpetual terror of a slave revolt," said Marius. "They won't want to give up even one man to fight with us. Our legionnaire marines number perhaps a thousand. With your own men, we have more.

"It will be difficult winning if Sorn can gain reinforcements or drag the conflict out. Men here become sick."

"How unfortunate for them," said Sahshir flatly.

And then Nagos came back. He looked a little less afraid than before and was putting on a confident face. "Alright, the fires have been doused. We also managed to save a decent number of supplies as well.

"We've also been trying to sort out which part of the treasure ship belongs to who."

"I don't suppose we could just take it all for ourselves?" asked Sahshir flatly.

"That'd be stealing," said Narcissa.

"No, it would be plunder," said Marius. "The Sornians stole it from them. Now we have stolen it from the Sornians in a fair battle. So it has changed owners twice."

"Yeah, but everybody knows it belonged to Macshore." said Nagos. It probably wouldn't go over well if we took it for ourselves. So I figure we ought to hand it all back, be neighborly, you know." He paused. "On a separate note, Sahshir, Narcissa, Marius, I need you to take over for me."

"What?" asked Marius. "Why?"

"I'm not going to be any good here, so I'm heading back to the fleet," said Nagos. "I'm going to see if I can sink more enemy ships. That way, I can keep Sorn off your backs and do some damage."

"As I predicted," said Sahshir to Narcissa, who hmphed in irritation.

"You're leaving," asked Marius.

"Sure," said Nagos. "We're still at war with Sorn. My ships will be of far more use sinking Sornian fleets than having my crews scouring the island."

"That will cut down our manpower significantly," noted Marius.

Nagos snapped. "Alright, look, I don't want to defend these people. I stopped here on a ship once and explored the place a bit and...

"Well, what I saw will haunt me.

"I don't want to fight to defend this place, especially from former friends. Unfortunately, there are people from Chaminus wearing those collars. So I'm going to go do my duty someplace else."

"Nagos is right, in any case," said Sahshir.

"Sahshir?" asked Nagos, blinking.

"A ship in the harbor is doing no one any good," said Sahshir. "And clustered here opens them for a fireship. He'll do more damage to Sorn on patrol."

"Right, I'll be back in a few weeks," said Nagos. "Tell me how things go when I return."

And he moved off at a jog.

"Well, he was in a hurry," noted Narcissa. "Why would he hate this place so much?"

"King Nagos does not seem to stay focused on any one thing at a time," said Marius in bemusement.

"He certainly seems good at achieving things in a limited time," said Sahshir. "Come, Marius, let's make preparations for our search."

Narcissa walked off. "Do whatever you want, Sahshir."

Sahshir noted the bitterness in her tone and followed her to the broken gates. "Where are you going?"

"To speak with Master Garacel. And hunt Garrick," said Narcissa.

Sahshir remained silent for a moment, considering things. "Very well, then. But return within the week."

Narcissa nodded and moved off. Marius stepped after her, but Sahshir caught him by the shoulder. "Let her go, Marius. She is bound to me; should we be destroyed, so will her people. Narcissa will not betray us."

Marius faltered. "If you believe so, Sahshir." And so they set about their own tasks. The die, so to speak, was cast.