Ash wrinkled his nose and watched his brother’s fleeting back. It didn’t seem that Henry would return any time soon, so he turned his attention to Captain Hager. “So, can I be of any help?”

“Normally, we don’t ask civilians for help, but considering your track record with the Adventurer’s Guild, and assistance in the past, you may be of great help in the investigation.” Captain Hager motioned for him to step closer and then directed his attention to the large cargo ship in front of them. “No one has been allowed to leave the ship and none of the dock crew has been prohibited from leaving the area.”

Not far from them, five men had been detained by three officers. For the most part, those who worked in Carthage Harbor had a decent relationship with the officers and patrol, so none seemed too perturbed to be stopped. It was the last ship of the night and no one seemed in a rush to return home.

“You said that the looted vase is missing, not stolen. Why do you say that?” Ash asked.

“We asked everyone on the crew, searched their quarters and their personal items, and the vase hasn’t been found. Four of my men are currently combing the ship.”

“Has any of the cargo been unloaded?”

“No, not yet. They were sorting through the cargo and doing a check before they docked. It was reported that an item was missing when they arrived, so any removal of cargo from the ship has been put on hold,” Captain Hager replied.

“Did they leave it at the origin point?” Ash asked.

“No, they shouldn’t have. Every morning, the goods are logged.”

“So, they were logged in this morning and the vase was still there?” Ash asked.

“Yes.”

“But they were still out at sea.”

“That’s correct. They didn’t reach the entrance to the harbor until nightfall and they docked an hour ago. The first mate in charge of checking the cargo noticed it missing about two hours before they reached the dock.”

Ash rubbed his chin. “Then it has to be on the ship or in the water.” He pursed his lips. “Was anything else missing?”

“No, Second Young Master. Nothing else was missing.”

Ash took a deep breath. “Who can I talk to about the history of the vase?” To find a motive, one had to know the background.

Captain Hager nodded. “Follow me. The director from Dareisol Imperial Museum had personally come to pick it up. She’ll be able to tell you more.”

Ash nodded and followed Captain Hager down to the dock. They passed the detained dock workers, who appeared bored waiting around. Ash climbed up the gangway to the ship, and as they approached the dock, they heard an irritated voice berating either the officers or the crew of the ship.

It was Solyek-accented Central Iverian Common, which was widely spoken and the shared language of the Federated Merchant Cities. When they reached the deck, a well-dressed woman was frowning while an exhausted crew stood across from her.

“You better hope that they find that vase,” the woman told them. “It has taken years for us to slowly recoup the looted offerings from the tomb of the first king! That vase is priceless!”

Captain Hager took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Director Vastara, this is Ash Atractas, a recovery agent from the Adventurer’s Guild.”

Ash struggled to keep his face nonchalant, as if his heart didn’t leap at the ostentatious title of ‘recovery agent’. He’d need to use that term more often.

He gave the woman a small nod of his head and extended his hand in greeting. “Good evening, Director Vastara. I came to be of assistance to the search.”

Director Vastara took a deep breath to compose herself. She reached forward and shook Ash’s hand. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Atractas. Perhaps you can shed some light on the issue since no one else seems to have any idea what is going on.” She stressed ‘no one’ as she sent a withering glare at the crew.

Ash glanced at the crew and sighed a bit. He hoped to get this done quickly, too. He knew how it felt to be out at sea for some time and finally reach home.

He turned his attention to Director Vastara with an inquisitive look. “Can you tell me more about the vase?”

“Certainly.” Director Vastara stood up straight and he caught a glint of excitement in the woman’s eyes as she thought about the vase. “It was part of a house ware set that was buried in the tomb complex of the first great king of Doria. The tomb complex was raided multiple times throughout the centuries. I’m afraid the inner sanctum was looted during the first wave of the unification in 354 pre-empire.

“During that time, many artifacts from the far more difficult to enter inner sanctum were looted and resold to private collections outside of the empire.”

Ash nodded. “Is there anything of major importance to this vase other than completing a set?”

“The house ware set itself was part of a sacred sacrificial dining set. It was first used upon the first king’s birth and would be symbolically used during religious ceremonial meals, up until the first king’s death in 940 pre-empire.”

“And what is the material and size?”

Director Vastara lifted her chin with a bit of pride. “Black alabaster with mother-of-pearl cloisonne scenery of the landscape around where the first king was born. It is roughly as tall as my knee with two handles over the neck. It was a gift from the ancient Lunapsar.”

This piqued Ash’s interest, though not because of the vase’s significance, but of its origin. The Lunapsar of the Celestial Kingdom was a civilization worshiping the heavens, and well known for their talent in the arts, crafts, and their surreal beauty. Legend had it that they were the descendants of celestial beings, thus their silver hair and ‘mercury’ eyes, as well as their long lifespans.

Their territory was an island in the Smiya Sea, on the other side of the isthmus.

Or it was.

The island was no more, and any surviving Lunapsar were scattered all over the continents, with many in urban centers like Carthage Harbor. In fact, there was a Lunapsar Cultural Association there where Effie learned cultural dances.

Ash was familiar with their work and his family had many pieces, as Henry liked to collect them. He knew exactly how the vase would’ve been decorated.

He also knew exactly how much an ancient, intact, and historically important piece would be worth to a private collector.

Ash swallowed hard; a bit weak at the amount a single piece was.

“The estimated value is in the millions of dinari gold standard,” he said.

Director Vastara’s eyes lit up, as if impressed that he understood so quickly. “Twenty million Dareisol demas or 2.3 million dinari gold standard, yes!”

Hearing the amount, several of the crew paled, and someone even let out a whimper.

Captain Hager frowned. “It’s right to be scared. If the vase is not found in one piece, then the shipping company is liable for the cost, with the majority taken from those who staffed this journey.”

“2.3 million dinari? We can’t afford that!” one of the crew members choked out. Beside him, the older man in the gray uniform shut his eyes. His lips were pulled in a tightline as his hands clenched at his sides. It was understandable. The amount they would need to compensate would bankrupt a small courier company.

Ash held back, shaking his head. It really wasn’t worth it.

“Are you sure you properly checked?” The man in the gray uniform was the captain and he looked towards one of the men who was also in a uniform. The other man stiffened, but nodded his head.

“Every day I check in the morning and evening, if only to ensure that none of the cargo has been damaged,” one of the older men replied.

Ash narrowed his eyes a bit. “What other cargo was shipped?”

“This courier company was contracted by the museum to transport several pieces from the first king’s tomb, as well as artifacts from the old city that was near the burial site,” Director Vastara told him. “They have worked with us before. This is their third shipment from the collection site.”

“And this is the first time this has happened?” Ash asked. The Director furrowed her brows, but nodded, reluctantly acknowledging that it was the case. “Has anything changed since then? The vessel? The route? Personnel?”

At the insinuation, several men in uniform, including the Captain, bristled. The Captain shot him a heated glare. “Watch your mouth, boy! My crew-”

“Answer the question.” Ash met his glare with calm, but somewhat defiant eyes from behind his glasses. “Has anything changed since the first two shipments? The first two did not have any problems, did they?”

“Of course, not-”

“Then what changed?” Ash pressed. His eyes scanned over the men. They all stood tense and frowning. He doubted that the entire crew was guilty or had some part in the missing item, but knew his questioning insulted them. “This is not a personal attack on your character. There is merely something different from the first two times that may have caused the issue at hand. Identifying patterns, and broken patterns, can aid in the investigation.” Their lips remained tightly sealed. Ash took a deep breath and drew his head back. “You don’t need to answer. I can find out on my own, it will just take longer.” He looked at Captain Hager. “Take me to the cargo hold.”

Captain Hager nodded and gave some brief instructions to his officers to keep the crew on board before leading Ash and Director Vastara below deck.

The cargo hold was on the lower level, towards the stern of the ship. There was a thick wooden door that was currently propped open and guarded by two officers. Before entering, Ash stopped and checked the door frame, the lock, and the door.

“There was no sign of forced entry. We’ve checked. The only ones with the key are the captain and first mate,” Captain Hager told him.

Ash nodded and ran his hand along the smooth, worn door, then the sides of the door itself. It wasn’t just forced entry he was looking for.

The room past the door was large with multiple wooden boxes and crates, shelves affixed to the ship holding smaller, secured boxes, and a few barrels and random spare ship supplies.

Ash scanned the walls, the floors, and the ceilings, his eyes adjusting quickly to the dim light. He shifted his glasses a bit and pulled his lips into a line as he looked at the markings on the floor and the surrounding exits.

Director Vastara led them directly to a wooden crate on the left. “This is the crate that had the vase.”

“Can I open it?” Ash asked.

“Certainly, but you won’t find anything in it.”

Ash knelt down in front of the crate and examined the lock and clasp. “No sign of forced entry,” he said as he removed the heavy metal lock and lifted the flap. His eyes narrowed as he lifted the heavy, padded wooden lid. Without looking inside, he closed the lid. He glanced around the cargo and pointed to another, similar-looking crate. “Can I open that one?”

Director Vastara didn’t seem to think much of it, but gave him a nod.

Captain Hager moved out of the way as Ash twisted his body to turn to the other crate. He grasped the metal padlock with one hand. “Let me call for someone to open the lock for you-”

His voice was cut off by a small click.

Ash’s hand movements were quick and before Captain Hager could finish, the padlock was opened and Ash was unhooking it. He could feel the strong gazes behind him. “Opening locks is a necessary skill for people in my profession.” He hoped he sounded as matter of fact as he wanted.

With the crate unlocked, he lifted the lid. His eyes narrowed as a high creaking sound filled the hold. He drew his lips inward and closed the lid, reattaching the lock, and then moving on to another one. No one stopped him and he opened two more crates before looking back at the original one.

“What do you think, Second Yo - er - Agent Atractas?” Captain Hager caught himself, but Ash wasn’t bothered.

“Call the Captain of the ship down here.”

Captain Hager stepped outside and ordered one of his men. A moment later, the man in the gray uniform entered the cargo hold with a stern expression.

“I’ve already told the investigation unit what I know,” he told them with a dull expression. “If you wish to know more-”

“How many people are allowed in this room?” Ash cut him off. It was getting late and while helping with an investigation was fun, he’d still had a long day and needed to get home to prepare for bed. He knew his brother; Henry wouldn’t let him sleep in the next morning.

The ship captain narrowed his eyes. “Aside from myself, six of my crew had carried the items on board and placed them here. After that, no one except for myself and First Mate Rosales. Rosales has been with me since the beginning and has made numerous trips like this with even more expensive cargo. He wouldn’t have stolen it.”

Ash raised a brow. “I didn’t say he stole it. In fact, as the only other person allowed in the cargo, he would’ve been the primary suspect. It’s too much of a risk,” Ash said as he walked around the cargo hold, looking at the shelves and reaching out to touch the beams and the frames of the portholes as he passed. “In addition, he knows full well what it would mean if such an artifact went messing. Never mind the monetary value; you’d be blacklisted as a courier company. For most people, a steady source of income is not worth such a risk.”

The ship captain narrowed his eyes. “Then you’re saying he’s one of our newer members. My current crew, aside from Rosales, has been with me for five years at the minimum. This isn’t their first assignment.”

Ash lingered by a porthole and peered outside. The reflection of the street lamps along the docks could be seen on the inky black water. “Have any of their personal situations changed?”

The ship captain shook his head. “Recently? One of our men got married, another had a baby, and Arrueda had just come back after his father’s funeral; however, they all are close to their families and wouldn’t take such a chance that would ruin their family’s finances or send them to jail. As you said, a steady source of income is not worth such a risk.”

Ash nodded. “It’s different if someone is desperate, though.” He pushed open one of the port holes with ease, letting the breeze waft in. He reached into his pocket and took out one of his last remaining slips. The piece began to glow and he stuck his hand out the window, using the slip to look around. “No one else is allowed in here except for Rosales. Do you have any other storage rooms?”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Yes, across the hall and everyone is allowed in there to retrieve what is needed.”

“Are the supplies put in and removed logged?”

“Yes.”

“Take me to see it.”

The ship captain looked towards Captain Hager, who gave him a firm nod. The ship captain led the trio to the storage room and showed Ash a worn log. In order to keep track of their supplies, items that were used were logged, including the dates, where they were sourced, or who was removing them.

Ash flipped through the log book and nodded to himself.

“All right. I got it,” Ash said, handing the log back to the ship captain. “Let’s go.”

“You got it?” Director Vastara stood up straight, her eyes widened. “Already? You know where the vase is?”

Ash lifted his hands up to calm her. “Yes, and it should be fine, but it's difficult to get to.”

Director Vastara frowned. “What do you mean?”

Ash waved for them to follow him. “Let’s go back to the deck first.” He didn’t wait for the others and continued on his way, backtracking up the stairs to the deck. No one seemed to have moved from their place since he left.

“Did you find it?” The first mate was the one who checked on the cargo daily and he looked the most eager for Ash to have found it.

Ash had already removed him from his list of suspects. He gave the older man a shrug. “I’d like to read over the crew’s statements.”

“Give him the recordings,” Captain Hager said as he climbed out from the lower level behind Ash.

One of the officers rushed to hand Ash a notebook. Using the same slip of paper that glowed, which he’d stuck up his sleeve earlier, Ash looked over the statements that covered their movements on board in the last day.

Ash raised a brow. “Well...that matched up all too nicely,” he muttered to himself. He looked up at the crew. “Which one just had a baby?”

“Me.” One of the men stepped forward.

“Name?”

“Reyes.”

“Congratulations on your new baby. Boy? Girl?”

“Girl.” Reyes’ face lit up at the mention of his daughter.

Ash smiled. “Does she look like you?” Reyes drew his head back, his eyes wide with delighted surprise.

“How did you know?”

“They say the first-born child always looks like their opposite sex parent. I look more like my mother,” Ash replied. “You must be excited to go see her.”

Reyes let out a laugh, as if forgetting all about the situation they were in. “Of course! I’ve been gone for some time; what if she forgets how her papa looks like?”

Another crew member chuckled, amused at Reyes’ enthusiasm. “This boy. As soon as we return, he wants to go home to see little Mina.”

Reyes flushed, but couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “She is cute! Who wouldn’t want to see her?”

“Aye, you’d swim to shore as soon as we entered the harbor if we’d let you,” another man smiled.

Ash nodded and looked around the group. “And who is the newly wed?”

A slim man with sinewy muscles stepped forward. “Me. Miranda.”

“Congratulations on your marriage, sir,” Ash said with a slight, respectful nod. “You must also be eager to get home.”

“Of course!” He looked almost affronted at the thought that he wasn’t.

Ash grinned. “Don’t worry, everyone will go home soon. I know where the vase is.”

The crew seemed to take one collective breath in relief. Ash watched all their expressions and homed in on a brief flash of surprise and the quick eye dart of one of the men.

“Then, is my crew free to go?” the ship captain asked with a tentative voice.

“Except for Seaman Miranda,” Ash said with a smile, as if nothing was amiss. “Captain Hager, you can arrest him.”

“What?” Miranda’s eyes shot open and he took a stunned step back. Everyone on the crew snapped their heads towards him in disbelief.

“Wait a moment!” The ship’s captain rushed forward and stood between the officers, Ash, and his crew. He held out his arms. “How can you be sure it’s him?”

“Indeed! I’ve worked for this crew for six years! I’ve never touched any of the cargo except to bring it on board or carry it down!” Miranda retorted as his ruddy face reddened further.

Ash met his gaze. “The last time the vase was seen was this morning. Between that time and two hours before docking, someone must’ve gone into the cargo hold. Outside of knocking a hole through the side of the ship to get in, and making a lot of noise in the process, there are three ways in and out of the cargo hold.”

Captain Hager tilted his head to the side and furrowed his brows. “Agent Atractas, there is only one door in and out.”

“And there are no trap doors on the floors,” the ship captain told him.

Ash nodded. “I know.” He pointed on either side of him. “But there are two portholes, aren’t there?”

Director Vastara’s brows shot up. “Someone came in through the porthole?”

Ash nodded. “The cargo hold only has one door in and out, you’re right. Only two people have the keys, and the chances of the captain or first mate being the thief, and risking their lives’ work and livelihood, are slim to none. Meaning, if one was going to go through the door, they’d need to steal the keys or pick the lock.” He pointed to the captain and the first mate. “But they can’t pick the lock, because it’s not a normal lock.”

The ship captain took in a sharp breath and narrowed his eyes. “You’re a mage.”

Ash nodded. “Well, I dabble a bit in magic.” He pretended he didn’t see the side eye from Captain Hager. “The cargo room door uses a magic seal that bonds the door to the door frame once it’s closed. From the pattern of the seal, you can shoot a cannonball at that door, and it wouldn't budge. The metal lock and key hole isn’t for a key, nor is it just for decoration. Inside is an energy crystal that recognizes the captain and the first mate, meaning the door can only be unsealed by them.”

“So, because of this, you think the thief went through the porthole?” Captain Hager asked.

Ash clasped his arms behind his back and began to walk across the deck, towards the side of the ship. “One porthole still had dust on it and didn’t look to have been opened in a while. When I touched the latch, it resisted movement. The other porthole was wiped clean of dust and as you saw, I opened it with ease earlier. The portholes aren’t that large, so several of your crew members wouldn’t fit through.” He stopped and turned towards the crew. “Except for two of the younger crew members.”

At this, both Rosales and Miranda perked up. Rosales looked down at his midsection, as if wondering if he was thin enough to fit, and then looking at his crewmates. The older ones had slight pot bellies or wider shoulders. Miranda grew flustered.

“But why me?” he demanded, clenching his hands at his side. “Rosales just had a baby that he needs money for!”

“Hey!” Rosales snapped his head towards Miranda and scowled. “Why would I risk going to prison and never seeing my Mina again?”

Ash pointed at Rosales with acknowledgement. “He’s not willing to take the risk. There were three people with life changes that may have been a motive. First, the new baby. A new baby means more money is needed. Aside from another mouth to feed, there are clothes, education, extracurricular activities,” Ash said as he paced. “I’m not a parent, but I know how hard my mother worked to give me a good life. Second, someone lost their father. A death in the family can sometimes put a strain on family finances, but the two who stepped forward first were the thin ones who could fit through the porthole, so I didn’t bother to ask.”

“That’s fair....” Director Vastara said with narrow eyes. “But what’s his motive?”

“Starting a family is expensive,” Ash replied with a shrug. “You have to set up a new household, which costs money; weddings aren’t cheap; and I’m sure there are a lot of other expenses. What if the partner just likes to spend money or is in debt, then now you have to share the responsibility of any debt. I don’t know the exact details, but money is involved and that’s a factor. But that’s not all!”

Ash walked to the officer with the notebook of statements and plucked it from his hands. “At midday, the riggings needed to be adjusted, and which ones? The ones on the starboard side.” He crossed the deck to the starboard edge and moved his glowing slip over the side of the boat, allowing the thick ropes to be seen leading down to pulleys fastened to the side of the boat. “And who adjusted them?” He looked towards his suspect.

Miranda shook his head. “I went to adjust them, but the porthole can’t be reached from the ledge!”

“Which is why two days ago, a length of rope was taken from the supply room, according to the log,” Ash replied. “It was not returned.”

“It’s possible that it could’ve been used for something,” the ship captain said with lowered eyes as he seemed to contemplate the entire scenario.

“Do you need more rope?” Ash asked, raising his brow, and holding up his glowing slip and increased the energy, illuminating the entire deck. “With this much rope already on deck?” True to his word, there were coils of ropes hanging from metal hooks all along the sides of the ship. “This morning, he also took a jar of olive oil. According to the crew's statements, the cook had prepared light meals all day.”

“It was bread and leftovers to get rid of it.” A portly man with a stained shirt frowned. “Nothing new was cooked, just reheated.”

“Exactly, so what was the olive oil for?” Ash asked.

“Greasing the joints of the crate so it wouldn’t make a noise when opened!” Director Vastara almost cried out in excitement. “I see...no wonder you opened several crates. You were comparing.”

“Creaking joints would alert anyone near the cargo room. The seal keeps the door shut, but doesn’t keep out noise,” Ash replied.

“Then, what did he do with it?” one of the crew members asked, their faces filled with confusion. “He hasn’t left and we searched the ship!”

Officers also nodded in agreement, having combed the ship.

“You checked the lower levels?” Ash asked and received several nods in return. “You checked the deck?” More nods. His lips pulled up. “Did you check the outer sides of the ship?”

The air went from confused to excited in a heartbeat. “Bring up lanterns! Get some rope!” the ship’s captain ordered.

“Check starboard, just beneath the ledge where the pulleys are fastened,” Ash told them as he took out another slip and made it glow. He handed it to one of the officers to use. “Look for a canvas bag wrapped in jute rope.”

“You saw it when you looked out the window?” Director Vastara asked with a tremble of excitement in her voice.

Ash nodded. “Something was missing from the cargo room. It looked just to be some supplies for tying down items that may shift. There was a space on the floor with dirt markings indicating a pile was there,” he told her as they watched several officers shrug off their uniform coats to prepare to climb down to where the ship captain was telling them. “When I looked out the porthole, I saw this bundle wedged beneath the ledge. It’s still quite high over the water, and it looks well-wrapped, so it shouldn’t be water damaged.”

Director Vastara lifted her hand to her chest and let out a heavy sigh of relief. “Thank goodness....”

“I was worried it was tossed overboard to be picked up later,” Captain Hager said over the shouts of his men.

“It’s an option and I’ve heard of other smugglers doing that, but as long as the thief wasn’t an idiot, he wouldn’t toss an alabaster vase into the sea,” Ash said with a slight sneer.

“Because it’ll sink?” Captain Hager asked.

“Because alabaster is a fragile stone and will deteriorate with water damage,” Ash said. “Then, it would be worthless.”

“Yes, pieces recovered off shore and at shipwrecks are just scraps in comparison to what they were originally worth,” Director Vastara told them. She looked at Ash. “I don’t mean to be rude, Mr. Atractas, but you’re quite young. How did you know this?”

“My family has always appreciated the art of Lunapsar pieces.” They had a collection. It was mainly Henry’s, and he made him carry them in a space bag whenever they moved.

“I found it!” Someone yelled.

“Careful! Don’t let it fall!” Captain Hager rushed to the side with a frantic expression after hearing Ash.

Two officers assisted the one who had been lowered down on a rope to retrieve the bundle. Captain Hager gingerly pried the bundle from his officer’s hand as soon as he could and brought it on to the deck, relieved once it was over the wooden deck as opposed to water.

Director Vastara rushed over and knelt down. Ash remained where he stood, still holding up his glowing slip to keep the deck illuminated. The bundle of waxed canvas had been used and tied with jute rope to keep it secure. One of the officers used a small knife to cut the jute rope, though the Director repeated over and over to be careful.

Once the rope was pulled away, the layers of waxed canvas were peeled off to reveal the pale, smooth stone that seemed to almost glow beneath the light of the slip.

“Someone, bring up the crate!” Director Vastara shouted over her shoulder; her eyes glued to the vase.

Two of the officers ran down while she carefully cradled the vase and examined it.

Ash craned his neck and squinted his eyes.

That was it? When he heard it was a Lunapsar carved vase, he expected more. High quality Lunapsar cloisonne pieces were either of nature, usually flowers and landscapes, mythical creatures, or the heavens, including celestial bodies and images of celestial maidens. They were intricate, and on vases, would’ve formed a never-ending scene as the vase was rotated.

This vase that had turned the ship upside down had a simple landscape with faded enamel, without the usual embellishments. The mother-of-pearl cloisonne didn’t cover the entire surface, either. It just decorated the neck of the case. It wasn’t that the style wasn’t Lunapsar, but that style was so simple and was for average pieces. This was supposed to be a gift to a king, and they gave him such a simple gift?

Did they not like him? Ash crinkled his eyes. If someone gifted that to Henry, he would’ve given it to Effie to play storefront with.

“It’s magnificent....” Director Vastara’s voice was filled with awe and, for a moment, Ash almost felt pity for her. “Have you ever seen anything like it?”

“No...it’s...something.” She didn’t seem to notice Ash’s voice was filled with sympathy. “And this is worth several million dinari?”

Director Vastara looked up and nodded earnestly. “I think it’s priceless.”

“...How much money does my brother have....” Ash muttered under his voice and lowered his eyes.

“Don’t let him get away! Stop him!” A series of voices sounded behind Ash and he whirled around. He’d been so engrossed in judging the vase that he didn’t notice officers trying to arrest Miranda.

Miranda refused to be held back and managed to escape their grasp, pushing several crewmates towards the officers to buy himself time.

Ash moved before he could think. “Hey! Stop right there!” He didn’t just waste his time investigating a missing, and underwhelming, vase just to let the thief get away.

“Miranda!” The ship captain yelled and tried to get in his way, standing between him and the gangway. “Stop it! If you’re guilty, go with the officers! I...for the sake of your time here, I won’t press charges.” There was pain in his old eyes as he said this, but Ash could tell it was more because of his disappointment in his crew member than the actual crime.

Miranda hesitated. He stood in place, his arms out and his breathing heavy as he seemed to weigh his choices. His eyes narrowed. “Yenny’s father has a debt...I swore if he let us marry, then I’d pay the debt. I can’t go to jail. If I go to jail, he’ll sell Yenny!”

Miranda’s eyes began to redden, but the ship captain didn’t move, his own face remaining regretful. “I’m sorry, Miranda, but I can’t let you go.”

If the thief got away, then the entire weight of punishment would go on to the crew, and that wasn’t something they could afford.

Miranda gritted his teeth. Ash was just about to reach him and tossed his slip into the air to free up his hands. Before he could reach Miranda’s back, the man whipped around. His arm flew forward and snatched Ash’s forearm, pulling him close.

The entire ship went silent as Ash’s back slammed against Miranda; a blade was pressed against Ash’s throat.

“Second Young Master!”

“Miranda, what are you doing!” The ship captain and Captain Hager both cried out at the same time.

Ash let out a heavy breath. I really am tired. I can’t believe I didn’t notice him moving or see the knife. In the morning, I’m going to use this as an excuse to sleep in.

“Second Young Master, remain calm!” Captain Hager yelled as he seemed frozen in place. One move could kill the second master of the Atractas family.

“I am calm,” Ash replied in a droll voice. “This isn’t the first time I’ve had a knife to my throat.”

“Second Young Master, what kind of life do you lead.....” one of the officers asked with pity. Ash opened his mouth to reply, but he was pulled back.

Miranda shuffled forward, keeping Ash close. “Shut up! No more talking! Let me off this boat or I slit the young master’s neck!”

Captain Hager and the officers winced. The ship's captain hesitated.

“Just let him go. Don’t worry about me,” Ash said, trying to keep as still as possible.

Even though he said that, the ship’s captain didn’t move. He drew his lips inward before a defeated look graced his face, and he lowered his arms. There were a few voices of protest, but he stepped to the side, clearing the way for Miranda to get off the ship.

The hostage-taker’s grip on Ash tightened as he half dragged Ash to the edge. Miranda kept his body facing the officers and crew on deck, but glanced over his shoulder, towards the dock. He screamed at the officers on the dock to make way.

“Do what he says!” Captain Hager shouted; his eyes fixed on the knife. “Second Young Master....”

Ash patted around his torso and frowned. “I knew I should’ve made more slips before I left....”

“Auntie would be so disappointed with your ill-preparedness,” a low voice said behind him. Ash sucked in a sharp breath as the voice seemed to have come from nowhere. The pressure of the blade against his throat was released and a man’s painful scream sounded in his ear. He grimaced and leaned forward, trying to get as far away from the scream as possible.

Miranda was on his knees, screaming and clutching his arm as a tall man loomed over with a tight-lipped frown.

Ash’s face lit up. “Brother! You came back!” An idiotic grin filled his face. “I knew you’d come back.”

“What did you do to my arm!” Miranda looked up and screamed at the red-haired man.

“It’s just dislocated.”

“Just dislocated?” Miranda choked.

Henry rolled his eyes and stepped on Miranda’s ankle. A slight crack was heard and Miranda let out another painful shriek. Before anyone could ask questions, Henry stepped away. “Now he can’t run. Arrest him at your leisure.”

He gave an elegant nod towards Captain Hager, which seemed to shake the man out of his stupor enough to order his men to arrest Miranda.

Ash let out a giddy chuckle. “I knew you’d come to make sure I’m safe,” he said. He looked towards Director Vastara. “This is my older brother. He loves me.”

Henry sneered. “I met Aunt Margeaux on the way back. She settled payroll, so I turned around.”

Ash nodded. “To protect your beloved little brother.”

“If you die right when you return, how would I explain it to Auntie?”

Ash gave his brother a dull look. “Can you at least not embarrass me in front of the Director of the Dareisol Imperial Museum?” He motioned his hand to the woman who was placing the vase into the crate padded with straw and cloth.

Henry’s blue eyes moved over to the vase before he furrowed his brows. “That’s what started his whole mess?”

“It’s a Lunapsar vase gifted to the first King of Doria,” Director Vastara told him with a proud expression. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Henry narrowed his eyes and Ash could already see him thinking the same thing he was. “You’re sure that’s a Lunapsar vase that was a gift to a royal?”

Director Vastara nodded. “Of course. The walls of the tomb had a list of all the items placed inside. The Lunapsar alabaster sets were described in full.”

Henry looked at her with pity. “Was there a political disagreement at the time?”

Taken aback, Director Vastara frowned. “Pardon?”

“I’m not saying it’s not authentic, but it’s not a valuable piece. If the Lunapsar aristocracy did not like you, they would gift inferior products, but since the weight of Lunapsar pieces was so heavy, foreigners would become excited over the most mundane pieces,” Henry told her.

“But it's still worth millions, isn’t it?” Director Vastara asked. “It’s a priceless antique.” At this, Miranda, who had been tied up, was being pulled on to his good foot.

“For an average collector, yes. Lunapsar pieces are difficult to find,” Henry told them. “But for someone with a discerning eye, this is a few thousand at most.”

“A few thousand! Dinari gold standard?” Director Vastara looked horrified that the ‘priceless antique’ could be worth so little.

“Isn’t it for Dareisol? That’s in demas.” Director Vastara looked like she was physically hit. The corner of Henry’s lip curled up. “You look shocked.”

“It just...falls below expectations,” she replied, staring dumbfounded at the crate.

“I would think you would know this already, Director,” Henry said, still smiling. “After all, you have spent most of your life studying Lunapsar foreign relations.”

Flustered, Director Vastara stammered. “Well, yes, of course-”

“And the last time we corresponded, it was on the Lunapsar gifts of ire.”

Director Vastara tensed. Her eyes were wide as she lifted her head to look at Henry. “What are you talking about?”

Henry knelt down beside her and the open crate. His eyes did not mirror the smile on his face. “Director Vastara,” he said. “Does Professor Vastara know someone is impersonating his granddaughter?”