Of course, backing down was neither an option nor desirable. Nagos was stepping behind him on reflex, so Sahshir stepped forward. Narcissa fell in behind him, hoisting her axe as they neared the satyrs. The creatures stood ready for a moment, prepared for a spring.
"King Alcaides, I am Abdul Sahshir of Kalthak. I come to you with an offer for great danger and great glory."
"Glory and danger are well," said Alcaides. "But King Alcaides needs neither from one who wears a mask."
"This cloth is my face," said Sahshir. "What lies beneath is merely rot."
"You intrigue Alcaides." said the colossal satyr, eyeing him, "What manner of King walks with only two servants?"
"These are not servants but two rulers in our own right," replied Sahshir. "Nagos, Heir of Namina of Old, stands to my right."
"I think we've already met," said Nagos, regaining his composure.
"Yes, I remember you washed up on Alcaides' island some time ago," said Alcaides. "What of the other?"
"Narcissa, the ruler of Zigildrazia's remaining people," said Narcissa. "I have heard many tales of your power and valor, and every one of them seems true, King Alcaides."
"Alcaides knew of their nature before you introduced them." scoffed Alcaides. "He merely feigned interest to test your truthfulness. You might be worth a ransom."
"Perhaps," said Sahshir. "But it would cost you great bloodshed to gain it. We are not defenseless; our people shall never pay ransom to deliver us from a foreign adversary."
"So you say," said Alcaides. "Why do you come before King Alcaides? What is your mission?"
"We seek to create a great alliance of all the Pirate Kings," said Sahshir. "To unite them for a single purpose; To defeat Sorn and create a new order."
"And so you come to Alcaides, as was long foreseen," said Alcaides thoughtfully. "Yes, I knew a day such as this would come. But why should I unite with you when I need no army to drive my enemy before me alone."
"Can you?" asked Sahshir in turn.
"DARE YOU QUESTION KING ALCAIDES?!" roared the satyr, his voice echoing through the trees. The wind howled around them as the eaves of the trees moaned.
"Hang on, we weren't questioning you, just asking a hypothetical," said Nagos quickly.
"Hypothetical?" asked Alcaides. "What do you mean by this?"
"Forgive my companion, Sahshir, great Alcaides," said Narcissa, stepping forward. "His affliction has driven him near to madness. We meant only to say that winning by using a vast army is more glorious, for it would demonstrate your hold over the many. All know of your magnificent feats of battle, but not many know of your incomprehensible aura.
"For all men would die for you if they but knew your true nature."
"You speak truly, Narcissa," said Alcaides, sounding pleased. "Yet I would have you answer a question. Speak truthfully, for I know the answer already, will King Asrif be among this fleet."
"He will," said Narcissa.
"Then, Alcaides cannot sail! Our ships shall only ever meet to enact retribution!" said Alcaides. "Asrif slew Alcaides' brother, and that blood, in turn, demands blood! More blood than Asrif has!""
"I've heard how he killed your brother," said Narcissa. "That's why we're here. You don't think we would bother you about the fleets of Sorn, do you?
"We want Asrif to see your glory and the nature of his crime. We want him to comprehend his sin and redeem himself. But first, we need a victory."
"Victory is the state of Alcaides being," replied Alcaides. "Yet, I do not think you are yet worthy of Alcaides to walk among you. So I will give you a question. Complete it, and all shall be as you say. Fail, and Alcaides shall engineer his will through other vessels."
"Whatever you want, King Alcaides," said Narcissa.
Alcaides pointed to the mountain above them. "There is a mine high in that mountain. Deep within it lies a monument. All who come before that monument die slow deaths unless they flee.
"Now and then, horror spells are sent forth to harm the farmers serving King Alcaides. This was made as punishment by Alcaides for crimes made long ago.
"But now the debt is paid.
"You will enter the cave and destroy the monument. In doing so, you shall prove your worth."
"It shall be as you say, King Alcaides."
"Then go forth," said Alcaides.
Then he and his men vanished into the trees as quickly as they had come.
"What was that?" asked Sahshir.
"I was taught to flatter people by Zarana," said Narcissa, removing her helm. "I haven't used it much in a long time. Where is Sheltath?"
"Gone," said Nagos. "I'll call him up later. That was amazing, Narcissa."
"Not really," said Sahshir flatly.
"Well, what would you call amazing?" asked Narcissa.
"There is nothing impressive about flattery." snapped Sahshir.
"You clearly haven't ever tried using it before," said Narcissa. "It's a skill."
"Believe what you will," said Sahshir. "Where are all the ships on this island?"
"The ships?" asked Nagos.
"Yes, I've seen no sign of them since we arrived," said Sahshir.
"No one knows," admitted Nagos. "I've heard rumors that Alcaides has a secret harbor that closes behind the ships that enter it, though. He often hijacks slave ships and recruits the cargo, and no one is allowed to leave his following and live."
"Well, however, he hides them; it is a mystery we must solve later," said Sahshir. "For now, we have a dark spirit to exorcise."
"And how are you going to do that, Sahshir?" asked Narcissa.
"I have no idea," said Sahshir before making for the mountain. "I imagine stabbing it multiple times might help."
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"You know, we really ought to have more of a plan than that," said Nagos.
"Make whatever suggestions you desire, Nagos," said Sahshir, entering the trees.
"Well, I can't think of anything," admitted Nagos.
"My point is perfectly made," said Sahshir.
On they walked into the darkness. The ground on this island was wet, and their feet sank into the ground. They saw massive spiders making huge webs, no doubt under the guidance of Rioletta. Sahshir wondered if the Goddess of Weaving had holdings in this domain.
Probably not. Rioletta's worship was from the lands of the Medi to the cursed domain of the Bright Lord Elranor in Gel Carn. Though there were likely a few.
"Sahshir?" asked Nagos.
"Yes?" asked Sahshir.
"What if Alcaides doesn't join us?" asked Nagos.
"Then we will have at least destroyed a threat to the people in these lands," said Sahshir.
"Yeah, it seems like a situation where all benefit," said Narcissa.
"I suppose if your definition of victory is loose enough, it is," said Nagos.
"Do you have an alternative?" asked Sahshir.
"Not really," admitted Nagos.
As Sahshir had suspected, Nagos had been making all this up as he went. He had been doing a good job of it, though. Nagos knew what had to happen and roughly what steps he had to take. And he had recruited Sahshir and Narcissa to compensate for his shortcomings.
Nagos was a good King and a skilled adventurer. "Then we go on."
"I hope Alkela is doing alright," said Narcissa.
"She is far safer than us," said Sahshir.
"Well, yes," said Narcissa, "but I left her in charge."
"With all possible respect," said Sahshir, "how could a mute lead anyone?"
"She can write," said Narcissa. "Mostly, she just writes out the directives. She's better at it than I am, anyway. It's why I was able to be here."
"I leave your own affairs to organize or destroy as you see fit," said Sahshir.
Soon they came out of the trees and began scaling up the mountains. These were oddly barren, with not a blade of grass on them. As they went further up, a sort of malaise came over them. Here and there, Sahshir saw bones scattered in the rocks.
"Wow, climbing these mountains is difficult," said Nagos, though he didn't seem winded. "Have you done this kind of thing before, Sahshir?"
"Yes," said Sahshir.
"I've done it in high heels," said Narcissa.
"I don't get why anyone would wear high heels in the first place," muttered Nagos. "They've got to hurt the feet."
"It's for the sake of appearances. And appearances are everything," said Narcissa.
"Yeah, but they're only skin deep," said Nagos. "Someone can look really beautiful and be horrible or kind. Outside appearance doesn't matter."
"Actually, it tells you a great deal about a person. For example, if someone wears makeup, it means they care about their appearance," said Narcissa. "If someone is meticulously clean, it tells you how they behave each morning.
"Outside appearances are what we choose to show to the world. And our choices define us." So they scaled higher into the air, near several huge stones.
Nagos rolled his eyes. "I just throw on whatever I want unless Serna forces me to dress up."
"And that says a lot about your character, doesn't it?" asked Narcissa.
"Not anything I wouldn't tell someone who asked," said Nagos with a shrug.
As they went on, Sahshir sensed Garrick Estov around them. He stopped and put a hand to his sword. "Quiet. There is something in the trees.
"We have walked into an ambush."
And then they emerged.
They did not come from the stones but from the ground. Men clad in mail emerged like phantoms from the earth. Swords surrounded them as archers appeared on the rocks and trained their shots. There were dozens of them.
And then a man came forward, the one with the huge sword. Up close, Sahshir saw he had sea-green eyes. His skin was gray, and his black garments were adorned with the symbol of a coin changing hands. "You are perceptive for one with your affliction. Keep your arrows trained on them, Lauren."
"Lieutenant Garrick, is it?" asked Sahshir.
"Indeed I am," said Garrick. "My associates and I merely wish to talk."
"You tried to kill us," said Nagos.
"You interfered with my gathering of a storm," said Garrick. "It is not in my nature to act aggressively, but I felt that it warranted reprisal."
"Fine words from the one who has spent his life in the armies of Sorn." scoffed Sahshir. "Haven't you the stomach to face an equal opponent?"
"So I did," said Garrick, not offended. "I have the stomach. But I prefer easy victories. Might I inquire as to what brought you out to this place?"
"I have no words for you," said Sahshir.
"We're here to get an army of pirates to wipe you off the map!" said Nagos.
Typical, really.
"I see. An innovative tactic" said Garrick. "Surely, you must be aware of how unreliable pirates can be."
"Sure, but they've got a code," said Nagos. "You break a deal among them and end up hacked into tiny pieces.
"They don't like double-crossing."
"Perhaps not," said Garrick. "I note that you have come here from King Ansif's domain. Were you successful in gathering his support?"
"Of course I was," said Nagos.
What was he doing? Something was calculating in how Nagos was doing this. "Really. So you are negotiating an alliance with various pirate lords. And you've done it without any shows of force."
"I know most of them on a first-name basis. Well, except Alcaides," said Nagos.
Garrick paused. "...Why don't you come to work for Sorn."
"What do you mean?" asked Nagos.
"Surely, you must realize that Dinis is falling to pieces," said Garrick. "It is doubtful that they will last very long, even if we repulse them."
"The Empire has been dying of the same disease for thirty years," noted Narcissa.
"Why do you care?" asked Nagos flatly. "You're a Knight of the Coin."
"Of course I am," said Garrick. "I am absolutely loyal to the interests of the man paying me now. Those interests, at present, are solidifying control over the Islands of Power. An allied system of islands Sorn can work with as a partner could be quite valuable."
"You do realize that the Emperor of Dinis is on my island?" asked Nagos. "If I betrayed him, he'd kill everyone."
"Then all you need do is ensure that your treachery is engineered to destroy him," noted Garrick. Then he looked to Sahshir. "Abdul Sahshir, is it? I have heard some rumors about your battles. You must realize that Dinis is your primary threat.
"Sorn has no interest in Kalthak. If we cooperate, we could take Dinis apart, distributing areas of land as we see fit. There is great profit to be made for all involved."
"Do not do this, Nagos," said Sahshir, not dignifying him with even a look. "He is your liege lord, whatever his vices."
"I say we negotiate on the subject," said Narcissa.
"Narcissa!" said Sahshir, genuinely horrified. Was she really suggesting they betray their allies?
"Oh, come on!" said Narcissa. "You saw how the Emperor treats his loyal subjects! He massacred my people and tried to purge us! I have no loyalty to the man, and I'd love to see him die!"
"Whatever his character, Macshore is his territory," said Sahshir flatly.
"It is Sorn's by legal contracts," replied Garric. "We found it, created the colony, and seeded the fields. We have come to take Macshore."
"You took the island from the natives who lived there in the first place," said Sahshir. "You enslaved or murdered them. You Sornians go from island to island. You make trade deals with contracts the natives do not understand. Then you use those same deals to justify mass slaughter and enslavement.
"Then you praise Coinfurth and cry to high heaven about seeking a peaceful solution.
"You are the most abominable people to ever taint the earth. I will be damned before I side with you."
"I'm sorry you feel that way," said Garric. "In truth, the examples you cited were done mainly by House Kaba. They can hardly be considered true Sornians. My own Lord, Carath Magnious, is no breaker of contracts. It was decided that he would gain more favorable economic terms if the island were in our direct control. So he ordered me to remove the natives by sword or chain. No contract was involved. In contrast, formal treaties were signed with Dinis. They made it ours in exchange for favorable prices.
"I have them aboard my ship if you wish.
"Those treaties that were violated by Dinis when they seized the island from us during the Era of Burning. Sorn has meant to take them back, and now the Knights of the Coin stand ready to do just that.
"However, we have no designs on your territory. Far from it, we will focus on developing our conquests for maximum profits."
"Why do you keep pretending you work for Sorn?" asked Narcissa. "You're a Knight of the Coin. You don't care if Sorn wins or loses as long as your order remains intact."
"My personal feelings are irrelevant," said Garrick. "I represent my employer, and Garrick Estov is only a name.
"If you would return to my ship, I'd be happy to negotiate-"
Nagos drew out a white stone and hurt it at the ground. There was a flash, and the assembled soldiers fell backward by a burst of light. Nagos grabbed their arms and pulled them over the men. "Run!"
They sprinted through the rocks, slipping past the archers. Arrows bounced off the stones around them as they went for the peak. Soon they left their enemies behind them and went higher still. Still, they had to slow down to climb further, and Sahshir hated the idea of falling.
"What was that?" gasped Narcissa.
"A flash stone," said Nagos. "A Naminean object I was taught to make by Serna's parents. We've got to get up the mountain quick."
"I take it this means your answer is no," said Sahshir.
"I'm not going to give any answer on Garrick's ship," said Nagos. "And anyway, just because Octavus isn't good company doesn't mean he deserves to be betrayed. He's never done anything to me personally, and I don't trust Sorn.
"They rip up contracts whenever they think they can get a better deal by force."
Then a howling wind shot down at them. Exactly on them, making it nearly impossible to scale higher. Sahshir could see the cave high above, but every inch seemed like a mile.
"These winds... they're slowing us down," said Nagos.
"We have to press on," said Sahshir. "When we reach the cave, Garrick won't be able to follow us."
"He can just wait at the entrance and starve us out," noted Nagos.
"Assuming there is only one entrance," noted Sahshir. "There might be several."
"Garrick might not even be able to follow us that far," said Narcissa. "Don't you feel it?"
"Feel what?" asked Sahshir.
"That presence in the air," said Narcissa. "Something out there, it hates us. It hates us more than anything."
Sahshir looked up and felt his neck hairs stand on end. As he scaled higher, cold sweat fell over his brow. As they rose upward, he felt something. A presence. "Is that... Garacel?"
"Master Garacel hates Baltoth, not us," said Narcissa. "Otherwise, he wouldn't have spared you."
"Do not call him that," said Sahshir.
Narcissa looked away. "I'm sorry."
And then Sahshir sensed a tremoring. Looking up, he saw waves of stones falling down toward them. "Look out! Get cover!"
Quickly they slid into an alcove of rock. Then stones fell down around them, shattering down the mountain. So they came, kicking up dust and earth until the clamor finally ended.
"A rockslide! How did he create a rockslide!" said Nagos.
"Send a few stones down the mountain, and they may start an avalanche," said Sahshir. And then he spied Garrick and his men scaling up the mountain with the wind at their back. "There is Garrick now. He's coming after us quickly." An arrow bounced off the stone next to him. "Climb faster."
"I am climbing faster!" said Nagos before beginning to scale.
Up they went, as Garrick and his men finally gained on them. Then they came to a plateau, and on it were many stone buildings. But all of them were empty, save for abandoned skeletons and valuables. So if no one had looted them, something must still be here.
"A village," said Nagos. "I was here some years ago when we made port. It used to have hundreds of people in it.
"What happened to them?"
"It is a mystery we'll have to solve later," said Sahshir, sensing the evil. "Come."
They took a path upward, and as they walked, they felt the hatred growing nearer. Yet it did not seem to have a source or even a target. Instead, it was a festering loathing that permeated every stone and grass.
"Was it... was it always like this?" asked Narcissa. "No plans."
"No, not before," said Nagos. "At one time, there were trees up here. However, I feel like something has awakened recently."
"But what?" asked Narcissa.
"I don't know," admitted Nagos. "But an old woman once told me a story. She said that the God of Hatred fought in the God Wars on the side of Typhos. He clashed with Elranor and was slain. His body was then entombed deep within the islands and, with it, all his power.
"Waiting for the day when his successor comes." He paused. "Hang on a sec."
Then he put a finger between his lips and whistled a complex tune. Something shifted.
"What did you do?" asked Narcissa.
"I just whistled Sheltath and told him to circle around the island until he nears my whistle," said Nagos. "That should make getting away easier. Once we get out, we can run down that way to the sea and get on him."
"Assuming we aren't caught with no way out," noted Sahshir as they came within sight of the cave.
It was a bleak and enraging look. Every stone was barren. The dust was blowing in the wind, and the mouth of the cave was as black as night. The closer they got, the more violent the hatred around them became.
"Are you sure there is no other way?" asked Nagos.
"If there were, Alcaides would tell us," noted Sahshir.
"He didn't strike me as a very sane person, Sahshir," said Narcissa.
"The fact is irrelevant," said Sahshir. "We have no time to find other means. Come, we must enter."
Together they stepped into the darkness.