Nagos was now dressed in a red robe with a tight black vest around the chest. On his head was a black cap, and he looked very solemn on the docks. Before them, the Emperor's flagship was coming into the harbor. On either side of them was an honor guard of blue-clad warriors with long spears. Sahshir had set up his Silent Guard just beyond them. The two factions were glaring at one another. And between them could be witnessed the ships of Dinis, a vast fleet arrayed outside the island. Most of the vessels were far larger than those used by Kalthak or Chaminus. Particularly Nagos' craft, which were repurposed merchant vessels. They were made for speed and maneuverability with small crews.

Sahshir had not been allowed to take a closer look at one. His Silent Guard had asked to be dispatched to check, but this was not allowed. Nagos had a right to keep secret his ships if he so desired, and Sahshir had no reason to suspect treachery.

Enough to demonstrate his presence without appearing to be throwing his weight around. Glancing at Nagos, he noticed him fighting. "Serna, why do I have to wear this?" he whispered to Serna.

"You know why," said Serna. "And not so loud. This is the Emperor of Dinis who is coming. Now, remember, Nagos, you have to prostrate yourself before him when he comes. That is the way things work here."

"I know, I know," said Nagos, rolling eyes.

Sahshir scoffed as the gangplank was put down, and guards marched down to clear the way. Serna looked at Sahshir. "Um, King Sahshir, are you planning to-"

"No," said Sahshir flatly. "Kalthakians bow to their Lord and Master. They prostrate themselves before no one."

"Octavus ordered my entire city destroyed," said Narcissa. "I'm not bowing to him."

"Octavus is the Serpent's Son," said Serna. "The head of the Safaran religion. You must at least show deference when you meet him, or it could be considered a grave insult."

"In that case, I will communicate with him purely through letters," replied Sahshir. "No King of Kalthak has ever prostrated themselves before any ruler. Not even Baltoth is afforded such an honor, and he would not want it if he was."

"Why are you so opposed to prostration?" asked Serna. "It's a sign of respect."

"To kneel or bow is a display of respect," said Sahshir. "To prostrate is to humiliate yourself for another. No worthwhile ruler would ever ask a loyal subordinate to do so. And if they were not loyal, it would be a lie. Kalthakians do not lie."

"Except all the times they do," noted Nagos.

Sahshir had to concede his point. "Kalthakians should not lie."

"Fine," hissed Serna. "but if we get beheaded, this is your fault."

"You don't really intend to go through with this humiliation?" asked Sahshir, looking to Nagos.

Nagos sighed. "It's just lying down, Sahshir. And it could cause problems if we don't do it. I've already explained things to the people."

"King Sahshir, would it be too much to ask if perhaps you could relocate somewhere less obvious?" asked Serna. "If you mean to remain defiant, it would be better if it was not a public display."

Sahshir conceded the point. "As you wish. Come, Narcissa."

Turning, he went over to the shadows of a nearby building and faded into them. Narcissa looked for him and evidently could not find him. Then she sighed. "Fine, I wasn't interested in meeting the bastard anyway."

She did not stalk into the shadows. She flat-out took her guard and walked off. Sahshir remembered the corpses made by the legions. He concluded it was not an unjustified response. If the Emperor would make this display and then keep them waiting. There was little reason beyond pragmatism to humor him.

And here they came. Sahshir saw an opulently dressed man come forward, clad in fine gold and red and flanked by two guards. He certainly wore enough obscenely expensive garments to be an Emperor. "I give you the Serpent's Son, the Emperor of Dinis, He Who is Beyond Reproach, Emperor Octovus III himself, and the Empress Mother, Catria!"

Was he the herald?

And down came the procession from the plank. Eight magnificently dressed guards came down. They were surrounded by a litter that was shielded by silken curtains. Two figures could be seen within. So down it came, and Sahshir privately hoped the gangplank would break.

It could cause problems, but such unbridled hubris would be a fitting reward. So down they came, and the guards fanned out. The curtain was pulled aside, and out of it, they came.

Sahshir barely contained his laughter. He couldn't stop himself from letting out a chuckle. So these were the divine beings that these idiots were obsessing over? The woman, well, she was beautiful after a fashion, but she had no muscle tone. She carried no weapon; even Nagos could have forced himself on her, were he so inclined. Yet she thought she was powerful from how she looked around at those assembled.

Sahshir reminded himself that she might be powerful, even competent. Then he looked to the other. A boy about his age, very fair with almost angelic features. But the scornful, spoiled expression on his face ruined it. A sword was at his side, but he was obviously not trained for war.

One dagger would be all it took.

Well, probably not. And it would lead to a brutal massacre. Was this the Emperor who ordered an entire city obliterated? Surely not. Perhaps an imposter, or a bastard, or a lover?

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Nagos and Serna were prostrating themselves before him. Now Sahshir didn't feel like laughing so much for turning the war around. He only prayed the Emperor was delegating responsibility to someone with more experience. Perhaps a peasant who would understand men needed to eat. Or a merchant who understood that men would not work if they were not paid.

The Prince, Sahshir, might have refused to think of him as an Emperor but knew all these things. But knowing and understanding were two very different things. With his pampered appearance, understanding was out of the question. It could be an illusion, of course. But if an Emperor presented himself like this, it did not bode well for his intelligence.

His mother was a Haldrenian, wasn't she? He could tell by her fair complexion. Some harlot taken into the previous Emperor's harem. One who pulled enough strings to put Octovus on the throne? Or had it fallen naturally to him by virtue of hereditary rule? Either seemed possible.

At any rate, the harlot and the Emperor moved forward, and the harlot spoke first. "Well, it's good to see you remember your place this time, boy. Now, where is the Kalthakian?"Nagos looked up.

"Answer her, peasant!" snapped Octovus, the voice of a petulant child. Was he really Sahshir's age? He seemed there, but-

"He's over there," said Nagos, motioning to the shadows.

Octovus looked are. "Where? I do not see him. Are your eyes as dull as your mind?"

"No, he is right there," said Nagos.

Had Nagos found where he was hiding? That was impressive.

"I don't have-" began Octovus.

Sahshir emerged at a brisk walk. "I am King Abdul Sahshir of Kalthak."

"And why do you skulk in the shadows like a thief," said the harlot.

"It is the custom to prostrate oneself," said Sahshir, keeping his tone polite. Finally, he fell to one knee and set his sword at their feet. "This I cannot do, as it would betray Emperor Baltoth. Thus I chose to watch from the shadows."

Octovus looked at him hard and raised a finger. As he did, one of the guards whispered something in his ear. "...Very well, then. Since you have chosen to serve the empire in your own way, I shall permit it."

"Dearest one," said the harlot, "this is disrespectful. You are the Emperor and-"

"Enough, Mother." said the Emperor. "I'm tired of listening to you wail. And making an issue of this will cause meaningless problems. Would you rather he take his ships and leave?" Sahshir somewhat revised his opinion; Octavus had common sense if little else. He sighed and looked at Serna. "Where is the food? I assume you had the sense to plan a banquet?"

"We've been planning a war," said Nagos in a low whisper. "And your arrival was so swift that we had no time to make such plans."

"Oh, have you?" asked Octovus. "Without my presence?"

"Only your majesty's presence was missing," said Sahshir. "Indeed, we hoped to tell you of Nagos' strategy in person? Will you meet with us to plan the war?"

Octovus shifted and seemed to realize he knew nothing of war and would probably make a fool of himself. "Yes, that will have to wait until after my party has rested. General Aridius has my trust and will see that they do not destroy our plans. You, girl, I am hungry. Bring us food."

"I will arrange for it personally, your Majesty," said Serna.

She stood and scurried off. Octovus then looked to Nagos, who remained silent. "And you, Nagos, is it? Think yourself lucky to escape without a whipping! Now get to your duties and do not make any more impertinent remarks!"

"As you wish, your majesty," said Nagos, standing up.

He and Sahshir left immediately and did not attend the banquet. Apparently, Serna had arranged one, making Nagos look like a fool. As they walked away, Nagos whistled, and Sahshir wondered at him. Here was someone of clear ability and talent. One who moments before had bowed and scraped before two wastes of flesh and soul.

And he seemed to feel fine about it. "Have you no pride?"

"Not really, no," admitted Nagos with a shrug. "If it means avoiding getting beaten up, I will do a lot. I don't see the harm as long as it isn't hurting anyone."

"You are the representative of your nation. Nagos," said Sahshir. "To bow and scrape before one like him humiliates your blood."

"Not really. If we picked a fight with Dinis, we'd lose badly," said Nagos. "I'm not all that worried. If you spend your life being cruel to people, it backfires. Octavus thinks the world revolves around him. And everyone will let him keep thinking that until they knife him."

"Such words are dangerous, King Nagos," said a voice from the corner. "I recommend you speak them in a lower tone."

Sahshir looked and saw the guard who had whispered to Octovus before. His helm was off and under one arm. He was a balding man with scars on his face. Sahshir turned to him and remembered. "General Aridius is it?"

"Marius spoke highly of you, King Sahshir," said Aridius.

"I was told you organized the retreat from Zigilus," said Sahshir, suspecting it to have been a route.

"There was little choice in the matter," said Aridius. "The men routed, and it was all I could do to restore some order. It was a miracle any of them survived at all.

"No one expected a god to appear in the flesh and begin summoning monstrosities from beyond the veil. But, frankly, I think my men should be congratulated that their courage lasted as far as it did.

"Or so I said to get my promotion."

"You were promoted?" asked Sahshir, surprised.

"Of course," said Aridius. "The Empress Mother hates nothing more than a meritocracy. Generals who gain too much glory tend to use it. I was given my position because I succeeded in my mission but did not gain recognition.

"I am to do all the work here and yield the credit unto the Emperor. Somewhat ironic.

"Do you know what happened to Marius?" asked Sahshir, curious.

"Well, I gave him a new assignment and rewarded him and his men," said Aridius. "Now, I'd be very interested to know your plan."

"Nagos is the one who had it," said Sahshir.

Nagos shrugged. "Oh, well, I figure that we'll be more likely to win if we have many more ships."

"Your powers of deduction astound me," said Aridius with a smile.

"I have a rare gift," said Nagos. "So, I thought, if we could get more ships, we'd be able to win."

"I'm having difficulty following," said Aridius. "But go on.""I could visit some of the old pirate hideouts I used to live on and ask them for help," said Nagos. Aridius blinked. "Do they owe you any favors?"

"No," admitted Nagos. "But you'd be surprised what you can get by asking. Sahshir and I were about to go out and try our luck when the Emperor arrived."

"And who will command the fleet?" asked Aridius.

"Why not yourself, the trusted servant of the Emperor?" asked Nagos.

"I meant that Kalthakian fleet," said Aridius. "As well as your own."

"Admiral Yin can more than take care of things here," said Nagos.

"A man named Raj Danal commands mine," said Sahshir. "He is organizing my ships for war and will be in charge of my navy."

"And you don't have a plan to remove him?" asked Aridius, surprised.

"If I die, when I die, my Kingdom will go to my uncle," said Sahshir. "I accept this, and killing me would gain Raj nothing."

"What makes you think your uncle won't try to remove you?" asked Aridius.

"I will be dead within a few years, regardless. So he need not stain his hands," said Sahshir.

Aridius paused. "...Fair enough. There are certain liberties afforded by imminent death. Well, I suppose I'll authorize this plan of yours. So long as you give me written authority over Raj. I want to be in command of the fleets."

"I will give you that for all the good it will do you," said Sahshir, drawing out a scroll he had prepared. "Sign this. Do not expect us to accept suicidal orders, however. Kalthakians have a history of defying authority figures who misuse their power."

"Far from it," said Aridius. "How many do you number?"

"At present?" asked Sahshir. "An exact count has not been made of the men. Some will have died on the voyage. However, we have fifty-six ships with many battle-hardened men aboard them. More of them are being drawn up as we speak, mercenaries and adventurers, so it will have changed.

"How many are on each ship varies, as does the size and qualities."

"It may be best to gain an official count of such things," said Aridius. "Good organization and logistics are the marks of all great armies.

"Our forces at present are six hundred warships with more being mobilized. Each one has a crew of three hundred. Both the crew itself and the marines who maintain it. For the most part, our battles are waged by boarding tactics. More can be drawn up; however, much of the fleet is watching Babarassia to the east. They may move against us, even in their weakened state."

"My fleet is sixty in number," said Nagos. "With a crew of sixty crew and forty marines each. But Admiral Yin and Serna have given us some advantages. It should make them worth a lot more than that.

"But if we can get a coalition together, we'll have many more ships than that."

Aridius nodded. "Then we are in a stronger position than expected.

"The Emperor will no doubt be pleased. I wonder if this coalition can be arranged. I suppose we should drink to mutual cooperation."

"I'm not taking orders from a Dinisian General," said a voice. Sahshir looked up and saw Narcissa standing with crossed arms. Oh, right, she was here. "The last time I saw those legions, they were slaughtering everyone in my home."

Sahshir had no intention of negotiation. "Narcissa, you are my subordinate. Your forces are under my authority. I command that they cooperate with Dinis, and you will do so.

"Need I remind you, the fate of both our homes hangs in the balance."

Narcissa held his gaze, then sighed. "...Fine then. I'll pass the word along."

"We'll make the appropriate arrangements," said Sahshir. "Then get to my ship."

"I have something better, thanks," said Nagos.

He would say no more than that. It was made clear when they got to the shore.