A few weeks later, Sahshir found Raj Danal drinking at a bar in the port city of Saladus. It sat near the south edge of Khasina, near the glistening waters of the sea of power. Seeing it from a hill had been quite relaxing to gaze on. Sahshir had taken some time to meditate on it before descending to the town of slanted roofs. You could hear the laughter and false merriment and see the smoke rising.

In this place, all matter of depravity was allowed.

And then, of course, there was Raj Danal.

Drinking in the tavern of the Broken Moon. The outside appeared almost respectable. But it only made the revelation of the inside insulting. It was a seedy place filled with the smell of drink and women of loose morals. Sahshir found it disgusting to be here, and the kegs of beer were the most despicable. And Calishans were drinking of it.

Calishans.

Alcohol was sold in Saladus as well as many other abominations. Yet they were drinking. As if Baltoth had not forbidden the consumption of wicked beverages. Sahshir made a mental note to have all these places closed down when he had the time and influence. The site had some ancient fortifications built in the days of Namina. You could still see the symbols of the Five Heavenly Dragons on some parts of the wall, albeit faded. Others were of new construction from where the wall had been breached in a siege.

This place had not been sacked during the Rammasian Civil War. On the contrary, it had declared neutrality and served both sides.

More was the pity. Though Sahshir knew he should be happy to have the port, watching it burn would be far more satisfying.

Raj Danal was an old man of perhaps sixty, with wrinkles and scars all over his face and body. Raj wore a white turban with a jewel on top of it and golden armbands over toned arms. At his side was a scimitar rather than a katana, and several other rough men were with him.

All of them were veterans of dozens of battles. Sahshir had met the man and knew he was nobody to be trifled with. One of the few Kalthakians to fight at sea and win. "Raj Danal."

Raj glanced at Sahshir with red eyes. "So, the Leper Prince wants to talk then?"

"I am King of the Eastern Kingdom now," said Sahshir.

Raj bowed dramatically as laughter came from the men. "Forgive me, Leper King."

Sahshir reminded himself that killing everyone in this room would be wrong. So he moved over to the man who laughed, grabbed him by the throat, and tore it out with his two good fingers. The blood spewed over the table, mixing with his drink. Sahshir tossed him to the ground and crushed his skull with one foot. The ordinary patrons screamed in horror and fled out of the bar, upsetting several tables as they did.

"...I would cut off your head, cretin, if I did not need you for the moment," said Sahshir.

Raj laughed and clapped Sahshir on the back as several men made impressed sounds. These men were part of the blood cult of Melchious, after all. "But you still need me, I guess. So what is it you want?"

"I want you to command the fleet," said Sahshir, tossing some coins to the bartender in compensation.

"A fleet?" asked Raj, standing up and setting a hand to his scimitar. "Now that does sound like some fun. So who are we raiding?"

"No one," said Sahshir. "Our action is defensive in nature. We are looking to make an alliance with Dinis against Sorn."

"Why should we care about that?" asked Raj, speaking for himself and probably Kalthak in a very general sense.

"If Sorn gains control of the Sea of Power, they will be free to raid us with impunity," said Sahshir. "And it will make it far more difficult to raid them. You know as well as I that they'll ally with Harlenor once they finish here."

"Not so sure about that," said Raj, a wistful smile on his old face. "Sorn may have once been part of Antion, but they hate each other almost as much as they hate us. I think they might just start killing eachother as soon as it's over.

"Still, I'm not turning down a job like that.

"Anything else?"

"There is another matter," said Sahshir. "I expect you to carry the warriors of Zigilus with you to battle."

"Those blood drinkers?" asked Raj, not sounding upset so much as surprised. "Why? I thought your kind didn't like them."

"If they're fighting our enemies, they cannot be causing trouble for us here," said Sahshir. Then Raj stepped back and kneeled with sarcasm. "Fair point. Alright, you've got a deal. My boys and I will take care of your fancy fleet."

"Good," said Sahshir before looking at the men. A large part of Raj's crew must have been here. But, more importantly, none of them seemed to respect him. "Tell me, which one of the men here would you like to remain uninjured."

"What do you mean?" asked Raj.

"If you had to pick an indispensable man in this room, who would it be?" asked Sahshir flatly.

Raj thought about it. Then he pointed to another man with blonde hair. "Well, I imagine myself. But, failing that, my mate Acton would be it."

"Excellent," said Sahshir.

Then he surged at the men, and his rage was unleashed. Before one of the men could move, he was floored. Another went at him, but Sahshir gripped him by the hair and smashed him against the wall. Two who came from behind were knocked flat. Sahshir was sure to pull them back before they could hit the counter.

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Another came at him with a stool, but he disarmed him and threw him down before setting down the stool. Then, as he set his hand to his blade, he found himself surrounded by a thicket of swords.

"Put them down," said Sahshir. "Or none of you will have hands."

Raj laughed from where he was sitting cross-legged and tossed his sword into the air. As it fell, he rose and sheathed the weapon while coming forward. He waved off the men. "Put up your swords, mates; the King and I are in this!"

Raj set a hand to his sword as Sahshir mirrored the motion. For a moment, they held each other's gaze. Then, the moment passed into what seemed an eternity.

Then their blades were out and moving in a blur. They hacked and slashed at one another, parrying and slashing. Raj seemed to be enjoying the fight until; finally, Sahshir turned Raj's blade. Bringing around a leg, he kicked the man's legs out from under him and brought down his sword. He halted it over Raj's throat.

Then he noticed an iron point at his own throat. Raj was smiling, and he'd shot the thing from one sleeve. For a moment, they paused, then Sahshir stepped up. Raj rose quickly. "Well, you're a bit more than rotting flesh and parched bone, after all. I'll take the job with pride."

"... Don't even speak of my affliction lightly again," said Sahshir. "Or you'll lose your crew, then your life."

Raj laughed. "Fair enough, fair enough.

"Up, you sea dogs! We've more than bruises ahead of us in the weeks to come! Who are they?"Sahshir left in disgust.

No matter how many victories he won, he'd always be treated as less than a full warrior. Then, meeting his entourage, he saw another group.

They were a sharp contrast to Sahshir's Silent Guard. The new arrivals wore very little, and what they did wear left little to the imagination. Every one of them, man and woman, were universally beautiful to look at. Many had skin tinted reddish or purple, strange hair, and eye colors. They wore axes and curved swords and wore little armor.

Narcissa was clad in more practical armor than last time at their head. Still black, with a huge axe. Her golden hair was hidden beneath a black, horned helmet that concealed all but her eyes. "Sahshir, I see you're up to the usual."

"Narcissa, I was not expecting you for some time," said Sahshir.

"I've come ahead of the main column," said Narcissa. "Figured I'd see to it that my troops had proper lodging."

"Well, I'm certain they could find lodging in you, beautiful." crowed Raj.

Sahshir resisted the urge to stab him, and Narcissa came forward. "Is this Raj Danal?"

"The same," said Raj.

"You're utterly repulsive," said Narcissa, voice matter of fact.

"Well, if it exists, it appeals to someone," noted Raj.

Narcissa blinked. "You've read the texts of Zigildrazia?"

"I dabbled in them as a younger man, yes," said Raj. "Preferred blood to beds, so I gave myself to her lieutenant, Melchious. Still, I ought to ask you how your warriors will perform on the seas?"

"I wouldn't know; we haven't been on them before now," said Narcissa. "Still, we faced an invasion by monsters and Dinis at once. So it should go well."

"Lots of carnage?" asked Raj, voice eager.

"Like you wouldn't believe," said Narcissa. "Though many of the recruits I'm bringing with me weren't combatants at the time?"

"Find any good loot?" asked Raj.

"If by 'loot' you mean what we could salvage from the broken wreckage of our homeland, yes," said Narcissa, voice dark.

"Still counts," said Raj with a shrug. "Now, why don't we get to the nitty-gritty details of the fleet. Tell me what I'll be commanding and your guidelines for me."

And so began a meeting where Sahshir did explain all those things and more. Raj listened carefully, despite his outward appearance. Often he asked questions that Sahshir needed an answer for. Many of them were things that had yet to appear important. But Raj clearly did and demanded them. For example, certain vegetables were to be provided to his men. Apparently, to keep them in good health. That was one of many such requests.

"No good going to see without a healthy crew," said Raj.

Sahshir began to see that Raj had not gotten his position for nothing. He'd ended up having to send letters requesting certain supplies. Even so, his repulsive nature had Sahshir dearly wishing he were less of a legend.

"Raj Danal certainly is smarter than he appears," said Narcissa afterward.

"His grasp of raiding is unmatched. His talent for naval warfare is likewise flawless," said Sahshir, remembering the reading. "When he was fifteen, he led the crew of a merchant's vessel to victory over two Dinis military vessels. He led them on a chase and saw them both broken on the reefs."

"Do you think we can trust him?" asked Narcissa.

"He has always acted loyally to Calisha, yes," said Sahshir.

"Oh good," said Narcissa, sarcasm as she drew off her helm. "In Zigilus, everyone is loyal to Zigildrazia, not so much to each other. I've heard there were all kinds of backstabbing from my advisors." Her blonde hair fell around her shoulders and down her back. Sahshir privately thought she had looked better with her hair tied up.

"It is a good thing to know," said Sahshir. Then he considered Narcissa's own issues. "...Has there been any resurgence?"

Narcissa sighed. "Amysta has not appeared again or manifested, no. She's been quiet in the way she was before the fall of Zigilus. Though I think she was always at the back of my mind."

"And what news from Baltoth?" asked Sahshir.

"I received a letter from High King Suloth. He officially granted us sanctuary on behalf of Emperor Baltoth," said Narcissa. "I'm surprised you didn't hear about it."

"I did," said Sahshir. "However, I thought Baltoth might have some special requirements he asked of you. He and Amysta have been enemies more often than allies."

"Well, they are siblings," noted Narcissa. "Alkela and I have our disagreements now and then. And I still wish she could come."

"Have either of you ever tried to torture the other into insanity?" asked Sahshir flatly.

Narcissa paused. "...Well, no."

"Then you are not similar to Baltoth and Amysta," said Sahshir. "They clashed many times before Zigildrazia overthrew the latter. And cost each other dearly.

"I would have expected Baltoth to have some kind of reaction."

"I get the feeling that Baltoth isn't really making decisions anyway," said Narcissa.

"What?!" said Sahshir, hardly believing his ears.

"Well, Suloth seems to be the one everyone seeks the approval of," said Narcissa. "All practical affairs go through him. He may use the Emperor's seal, but it seems to me that he is the one in charge."

"Emperor Baltoth does not act directly," said Sahshir, feeling like he were talking to a child. "His will infuses every being in all of Calisha. Therefore, all things that happen have been foreseen and accounted for.

"Do not speak of Baltoth as though he were a mortal Emperor. He is inconceivable to mortals." He reminded himself that Narcissa had no experience in these matters.

"Fair enough," said Narcissa, not understanding.

At that moment, a man wearing the robes of a royal messenger rushed up to him on foot and kneeled, offering a scroll. "King Sahshir, I bear a message from Emperor Octavus of the Dinis Empire."

"Give it to me," said Sahshir, taking the scroll. He saw the seal, broke it, and unrolled it.

'To the Chieftain of the Eastern Kalthakians,

'Your presence on the battlefield in service to Dinis is accepted. Meet my son on the island of Chaminus two weeks from there. Come to us, and we will discuss the details of your involvement.

'-The Empress Mother, Atria'

"Chieftain?" asked Sahshir, deeply offended. And a message from the Emperor's mother at that. He should consider depopulating Dinis. If only so, they would give him some respect. Wars had been started for less, after all. But, no, that would not be wise. Dinis had a direct border, in any case.

So he would stick to his original plan.

"What does it say?" asked Narcissa.

"Far more than was intended." snarled Sahshir. "We have our permission. Find Raj, tell him to make ready for war."