Chapter 5 - Eurale's Eye

High Lord Theodore Coraine raised a gloved hand to shield his eyes from the glare of sunlight. He disembarked from The Salamander, the greatest Xenarian warship in his possession - his pride. A strong gust carrying with it the southern heat blazed past as if blown from the bellows of a forge. Golden dust grazed over his worn boots. He breathed in a familiar smell. That of sun dried fish. It smelled of the sea —only stronger. The portside markets of Eurale's Eye were teeming with people. Shopkeepers yelled out bargains whilst customers responded with counter offers.

Theo stretched his limbs as his crew unloaded crates full of clinking goods; Bottles of black grape wine from the surrounds of Red Vine. Crates were handed off to shirtless workers bearing slave collars and they in turn took them to storehouses. Desert dwellers loved the rare drinks of the north, while Xenarian aristocracy enjoyed the date wines from the south, leaving Theodore to benefit as he held a monopoly over any goods entering and leaving Xenaria's port cities.

A group of four guards in white vests with loose white trousers marched towards the port and halted before him, each one pressing their free hands against their broad chests and lowering their shaved heads in greetings. Silver bangles decorated their taut upper arms. "Lord Coraine, his majesty has been waiting," the one at the front said, the golden rod spear in his hand seeming a match for the sun kissed sand at his feet.

"So you say, but he's only been waiting since my ship was spotted on the horizon, no?"

The guard fidgeted. "Ah, well…"

Theo laughed. "Read you like a ledger, didn't I? Lead on then. Can't keep the king waiting now can I?" The guard bowed and turned. Theo flinched at sunlight reflected off of the guardsman's smooth and dark head. He wanted to head back to the ship and retrieve his hat but two from his escort were already marching ahead as two more waited to watch his rear. He clicked his tongue and carried on, using his hands to shield his eyes still. His dark green coat billowed behind with the long strides of his long legs.

The people of the city paid little heed to the escort group. They hardly moved to make way. Everyone was rushing to clear the markets of the best goods before noon. A pleasant atmosphere and very different from Xenaria. Theo appreciated it more, feeling more human. Back at home, commoners, even those that admired him, avoided him like the plague in fear of disrespecting him, and those of slightly higher status did naught but bow and scrape. In Eurale, everyone was an equal save for those wearing slave collars. Many of the market goers wore these iron bands around their necks. The wealthier families of the city sent them out to conduct their shopping needs, fearing not for runaway slaves —for even slaves were deserving of some respect and a degree of trust within the city. Most were treated better than some servants in Xenaria.

All of this was made possible by the benevolence of King Agram, one of four leaders of the Illeyan Alliance. He had enjoyed multiple decades of rule and was a longstanding friend and trading partner of High House Coraine.

Theo stroked his thin goatee as he tried to get a better look down the crowded streets of the desert city. Southerners, women included, were tall compared to the average Xenarian. Men most commonly dressed in long tunics, sporting great beards and either pointed hats or turbans. Women were covered from neck down in loose garments with the married or engaged from among them wearing thin translucent veils around the lower half of their faces.

The city's smell changed as Theo was led deeper inside towards the inner markets. Here, street vendors had little need for shouting. Their work drew all necessary customers. From colorful clothes and decorative rugs to food vendors roasting meat skewers on the very spot. The part of the city Theo enjoyed most. Beyond it lay the sand houses of the desert folk. And at Eurale's center, Agram's sand palace. Its golden walls surrounded an ancient stone tower named 'The Eye'. The Eye was once used as a lighthouse, back in a time when ships were small and could easily be swept away in the currents of the Aegis Basin. A boulder sized white luminite stone sat at its top most floor along with multiple mirrors that would be used to send flashes into the night sky. Now, the tower was nothing more than a landmark, though, the city was still known as Eurale's Eye on official maps.

The guards stopped before a wall of sand and stood on either side of Theo, lowering their heads. An iron gate creaked as collared men pulled it open. Theo, as was required, undid his sword belt and handed his twin cutlasses to one of the guards. He walked inside, glad to be under the flitting shade of a date palm orchard before Agram's palace. Veiled women wearing colorful dresses stood at the ready, holding out refreshments —servants to the king and wives to his guards. Theo swept a sheen of sweat from beneath his chin. It was as if he were walking down the aisle of a wedding procession. Formal atmosheres just didn't sit right with him.

He strode between the lines of servants, following the path laid out by them. It lead further into the orchard rather than the palace. At the end of the line, Agram sat before a glass table, a spherical bottle filled with a deep amber liquid set before him. He stood at the sight of his guest, holding out his powerful arms. Even in his old age, he still maintained a regal appearance. The fading colors in his beard went well with the tight fitted grey robes that he wore. Theo smiled and embraced the old king. "Your majesty. It's been far too long!"

"Indeed," came a deep voiced reply. "A whole month. You come here too often, Theodore. Is it wise to leave your wife unattended to for such long stretches of time?"

"Bah! Tilda is better at managing city affairs. She's understanding. I'm a merchant at heart."

"And what have you brought for me today?" Agram asked, taking a seat upon a cushioned chair.

Theo pulled out a dark bottle from within his coat and placed it on the table. "Aged to a near century. Worth its weight in gold."

Agram nodded his approval. "Should I have chalices brought?"

"Nonsense! Men drink by the bottle!" The two laughed at the remark and popped open each other's gifts before taking a hard drink. "Nothing's better than something sweet after a long ride on the waves."

Agram grunted. He snapped his fingers and servant women came to stand on either side of him and Theo. They held large feathered fans in hand and waved them back and forth with a patient consistence. Agram twirled the dark bottle around, staring at the line of liquid within swish about. His expression grew stern. "I wasn't expecting you today. But now that you're here, there are some matters I could use a friendly opinion on…"

"Speak your mind, old friend," Theo smiled.

"I've received consistent demands from this…" Agram leaned in, lowering his voice. "The Lord Sun of the Thousand Sun City. He's been requesting his inquisitors enter Eurale, citing that no city is free of darkspawn. This started many years ago. I declined of course, because of your advice. But the messages have been growing threatening of late. The leaders of the Illeyan Alliance have allowed Union legions inside their cities. My own advisor is in favor, if only to keep the peace. In favor I say, but so much so to the point that raises suspicion. I've been king for more than half my age. I can see enough to suspect lying faces, but I also am wary of losing the trust of a faithful attendant."

Theo nodded. "The Sun City won't invade the desert. They can't. Eurale is the farthest of the Alliance kingdoms from them. And they would leave their rears exposed to Duke Serene and the Empire. All this without taking into account the preparations for invading these heat ridden lands."

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"A land invasion isn't what worries me. There's been a rise of a new faith recently. Trillians they call themselves," Agram said, taking note of Theo's clicking tongue. "You're well aware of them, I'm sure. They stem from your country, or so I'm told. By the looks, you don't seem overly fond of them."

Theo nodded.

"Good. We're on the same page. There's been conflicts between those who pray to the Desolate God of Sands, Shuari, and the Trillians. Conflicts I fear may grow out of control. My advisor, Cass, has expressed her conversion to the Trillians. Their worshippers and preachers alike most appear to be able bodied men of lean appearance. Not muscles from work but hard training. The city is weakening. And ships from the Thousand Sun City only take a few days to arrive here."

"And my own vessels take a full cycle of nine days to get from Qalydon to Eurale if currents are favorable… What of the Fang of Eurale, Dhorjun, your admiral? The man seems capable from the few conversations I've shared with him over drinks. If he can stall long enough for me to arrive in the event of a seaborne assault… Bring me the charts, Agram. I can sketch a defense plan right now."

The king nodded. "Perhaps in my room. Too many eyes here."

Theo grunted and stood. He wore an easygoing smile and stretched out his limbs. The fanning servants stepped to the side and cleared a passage for their master and his guest. Theo observed their veiled expressions. They dropped their gaze when he met their eyes. It was never a good sign when a king couldn't trust his closest aides. Agram took a long detour through the orchard, making small talk, pretending to enjoy a walk with a friend beneath the blue sky. At all times, attendants bearing refreshments followed.

Noon reared its head, the sun at its zenith, and the king at last entered his sand palace. An entry well timed, heat outside reaching scalding levels. Theo squinted, adjusting his eyes to the shade of indoors. He followed his friend to a well-furnished room before which Agram removed his leather sandals. Theo did the same, unlacing his boots. A shirtless servant stood guard by the gates, a shamshir at his waist. He picked up the footwear and placed them within cube carvings in the solid sand walls.

"Have someone bring the nautical charts of our surroundings," Agram muttered.

The servant nodded, striding down the corridor to pass the orders before returning to his post.

Intricate wool rugs masked the flooring of the king's chambers. The room was otherwise plain, a simple bed the likes of which could be found at any inn, and a wardrobe full of clothes. A shamshir and a shield hung from one of the walls whilst another held a lidless window carved into the sand. Theo took a seat at a small round table opposite of Agram. He felt the pockets of his coat, regretting not having carried the wine bottle with him.

"Should I have further refreshments brought up?"

"Mm. No. Better to not stare at maps under the influence," Theo said, running his finger along grains of sand on the table. The door to the room opened after a while and the servant let a red haired girl inside before closing the door behind her. She held a crate of papers in her hands and set them down on the table, standing to one side with her hands behind her back. Theo frowned, noticing the collar around her neck. Her pale skin was near equal to the color of her hair as if she'd spent too long a time under the sun. "Strange to see an Estraean so far south…" he commented.

The girl shrugged, showing no intention of leaving from the private meeting. Her eyes held a distant pride, not matching the state of her shabby jerkin and dirt marred arms.

"Eksa, can you leave us?" Agram asked.

"No."

Theo mouth quirked in amusement. He observed the king's reaction, disappointed when there was none. "Then sit on a chair," Agram said, making no mention of the slave's insolence. The girl smiled, promptly sitting with a straight back and nose to the air as if she held all authority in the room. "Where is Advisor Cass?" the king asked.

"Off attending a prayer or something," Eksa replied, smirking. She had a clear distaste for the person in question. She began laying out the many charts on the table in an organized manner.

Theo studied the girl. Wondered where that pride stemmed from. She looked to be around twelve. Maybe fourteen at most. Her round cheeks and nose were marked with small freckles. The length of flame on her head reached just below her shoulders. "A captured member of the Solsetur clan?" he mused.

Eksa's lips curled down. Her eyebrows came together. "Don’t associate me with Ashlay the Ashen! I am not a Solsetur! That whore tried seducing my father once. I overheard the story from his sailors. Humph. They say she threw open the gates of Grace when the Empire invaded and they killed her anyway. Serve's the Flaming coward right. We Rau— I mean, real Estraeans are not cowards."

Theo nodded thoughtfully, understanding Eksa's pride. She explicitly refused to mention her family name or location but had given one of them up unintentionally. 'Sailors' she said. The only Estraean sailors were the explorers of Cordia. Those that braved crossing icy waters into the ruined nation of Vyetrim in search of Artifacts and treasures from the ancient War of Ashes. She certainly has a sailor's mouth… "If you aren't from Grace, how is it you ended up here as a slave?" Theo asked, curious.

The girl turned away, facing the window with puffed cheeks. "I ran away from home," she mumbled. "I had no choice, okay? Mother only ever spoke of marrying me off to a wealthy family after father died in an expedition. They set me up with some Flame scorched brat from Grace who broke all my porcelain dolls and then laughed. So I broke his nose and then… and then my mother had to pay for his medical fees. Which makes no Flaming sense! He broke my dolls! They slandered my mother and took me away to be disciplined in 'lady arts'. Whatever that means. So I ran."

Theo resisted the urge to laugh. "And then you got captured by slave traders."

"Yes," the girl said, turning back. "It isn't funny! Stop smiling!" She looked to Agram as well for some sort of a command but the king's lips were twitching also.

Theo looked up at the ceiling and stroked his goatee. "Grace was it? A surprise Ashlay didn't foresee her own death. Emperor Arzael hates despotic rulers. Well, a somewhat hypocritical stance to take if you ask me."

Agram grunted in approval. "So? What do you make of the seas around here?"

Theo let out a loud exhale and began studying the charts. The pages were crumbling around the edges. Some details weren't clear, ink smudged and locations mislabelled. Eksa pulled her chair closer to his and bent over unnecessarily low, squinting at the papers, red hair spilling over her shoulders and on the table. "You're a captain aren't you?" she asked. "I can tell. You dress just like my father. Smell like salt too. This part here," Eksa began, pointing to a location a few miles out from shore, "is shallow water. The reefs are high. Avoid this place or the keel of your vessel may end up damaged or worse."

"I'm aware," Theo commented, tugging his goatee.

"Good! Now the waters here are generally safe, though during the latter half of the months, the tide may recede to dangerous levels," the girl said. "Farther south to the west of Eurale, whirlpools are said to form spontaneously. No one's been there to confirm. I don't advise going. There are rumors of a multi headed serpent down there. Around here," Eksa said, dragging her finger and smudging ink further, frowning, "is a good place to drop anchor if visiting shores a few miles out from Eurale. Good fishing spot I hear. And up there is a good place when visiting the island of Kovar. Or, given the state of winds, maybe around here is better? Depends on whether the island has docks. Which I think it does. I can't really tell. These maps are so damn old." Eksa took out a few remaining pages that were left at the bottom of the crate she had brought. Fresh pages with fine, untorn edges. "I can't confirm anything since I haven't been on the waters of the Aegis Basin, but judging from these old maps, I think these new ones are accurate."

It was Theo's turn to frown. The girl had hidden newer charts as if raising tension for some big reveal. He nodded his approval at the newer works. Very detailed. The depth of the sea at certain areas had been labelled with near accurate measurements. The drawings had a riveting artistic aesthetic that made it pleasing to the eye. Each area was correctly labelled with handwriting that would put professional scribes and scholars to shame. In some ways, they were better than those of his own. "You have a skilled cartographer, Agram. I'd like to meet this person." Eksa squirmed in her chair at those words, the blush beneath her freckles flaring like hot coals. Theo raised both eyebrows. He turned the page in his hand. The blank side held a small signature at the bottom labelled 'Eksa v. R.' "You drew these?"

A nod.

A girl her age? "Agram. How much for her freedom? This girl doesn't deserve to be held down on dry land."

The king sighed. "I'm afraid you're a little late for that, Theodore. Dhorjun already bought her yesterday. He'll be picking her up later in the evening."

"You mean she was showing off the entire time!? I'll pay double —no, triple!" Eksa was prideful for a reason. She knew her own supremacy. And displayed it well.

"That's a matter you would have to take up with my admiral. Now, what of a defense plan in the event of a…"

Eksa's eyes shot up. "Defense? Is someone attacking? Can I help? What kind of ships?"

Theo, curious yet, glanced at Agram. He showed his approval of the flame haired girl. She was innocent of any involvement within Eurale's religious factions. He explained the situation to her, wondering how far her talents stretched. She promptly formulated a half decent plan, Theo interrupting to make slight corrections. Never in his thirty-five years had he seen such a person so blessed in talent. Eksa was a monster. That was the only description Theo could think of that fit her well. How to poach this talent…