Ash looked over his shoulder, scanning the shores they’d left behind. Though they’d sailed out of Carthage Harbor half an hour ago, and the towering sentry lighthouses at the mouth of the harbor were fading into the horizon, he remained on edge.

For some reason, he couldn’t help but be wary. He rubbed his arms, unable to quell the bumps that rose, as if warning him of danger.

Perhaps it was the guilt of having run off again, without much warning, just days after he returned. All he’d left for Henry was another brief note telling him he’d gone, but had finished all his work and made slips, so he was well prepared. He even included a few blood-activated slips for Henry’s use as compensation.

Ash didn’t go to sleep the night before. After Henry left his workroom, Ash cleaned up and put away his materials. Then he diligently packed his usual supplies in his preservation bag, strapped it across his back, and sneaked out of his bedroom window. His room faced the interior courtyard whereas Henry’s faced the street, so Henry wouldn’t see him leave.

All he had to do was use a temporary levitation slip to get him over their house, into an alley, and on to the next street over.

The difficult part was while there were always a few ships docking, embarkation and disembarkation for passengers were at set hours. It was too early for him to board when he left. In addition, the ticket offices were all closed until an hour before dawn. He waited at the entrance of one of the ticket offices until it opened.

As when he left several months earlier for his part time job, he didn’t dare to take a family-owned ship, lest they report him to his brother before he could get far enough away. He took the first ship going to Solyek, the imperial capital of Dareisol on the coast of the Smiya Sea. It was about a week-long journey at that time of the year in part to the good weather, though traffic going through the isthmus could add a day or two.

From Solyek, it was an easy matter to hire a ship to take him a few days out to the Samelu Shallows, the now sea-covered area where the island used to be.

When he was younger, his family had sailed past, but still at a distance. He couldn’t remember seeing anything out of the ordinary then, though his mother had tried to explain how the island was shaped and how large it was.

Ash stood on the stern, half expecting to see another ship racing after them with his brother standing at the bow, his blue eyes locked into him, threatening a beating.

A caw sounded behind him and he brushed it off. Though he sneaked out in the dark, the raven that usually followed him, Cole, had seen him. He didn’t make himself known until Ash boarded the ship, prompting Ash to tell him he could come, as long as he didn’t tell his brother.

The family’s ravens, who had been raised by Effie and their mother, would follow family members when they left the island. In case something happened, the ravens were to either fly back or send word through other ravens to inform the family. Aside from that, they didn’t interfere too much.

The caw sounded again and Ash frowned a bit. Though he was not a beast master who could understand what animals said, he could hear the tone of disapproval in the raven’s voice.

“I left him a note.”

“Caw!”

“And some slips. I even finished compiling the reports on prospective inn locations. I included graphs and a roll out plan,” Ash replied, puffing out his chest a bit. He may have been impulsive when it came to adventuring, but one couldn’t say he didn’t prepare. He wasn’t being reckless.

Momma always told them that fortune favored the prepared, after all.

“Caw!”

“It won’t take long! Even if Momma and Effie get back before I do, it won’t be long. I’m just going to take a quick look and come back.”

“Caw!”

“Caw!”

“I mean, I’ll do more than just sail by. I’m not going all that way just to sail by and not look around...wait, did another follow?” Ash furrowed his brows and looked over his shoulder. Cole was perched on one of the ropes, unbothered by the motion of the ship or the wind in his feathers.

Next to him was a similar sized raven.

The blood drained from Ash’s face as his stomach sank. Most birds of the same species generally looked identical, but there were slight differences that could be noticed with familiarity. Cole had an oily purple sheen when the light hit his feathers. This other raven had a more indigo sheen.

And Ash knew who this indigo-sheened raven followed. His eyes crinkled up as he held his breath and turned around.

Dark red hair was blowing in the wind as blue eyes were narrowed and thick arms were crossed in the most disapproving, if not mildly threatening, manner across a broad chest.

Ash took one step back. “Brother....”

“You little shit.”

Henry uncrossed his arms and began to come forward. Ash took a step back, not noticing the railing behind him. He held up his hands. “Brother, I can explain-”

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t go?”

“It’s for a good cause! I’ll also report back to the Professor for you!” Ash leaned back against the railing, cornered.

Henry ignored his pleas. “To think, you’d so blatantly lie to me now.”

Suddenly, Henry disappeared from Ash’s vision and was replaced with blue skies and fluffy white clouds. Ash’s eyes widened as his arms flew out to steady himself as he began falling backwards, over the side of the ship.

A hand grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward, sending him stumbling back on deck.

“Brother!”

“Pay attention!” Henry chided him and Ash grimaced as his brother nearly tossed him to the side.

“What are you doing here?” Ash asked as he managed to steady himself. Henry raised a brow.

“What am I doing here? What do you think I’m doing here?”

Ash shrank back with each word. “Don’t you have work?”

“Don’t you have work?”

“I finished the prospective inn reports Momma asked me to do,” Ash said. Henry’s eyes bore into his. Obviously, his answer was not satisfactory. “I...I also brought plenty of slips with me.”

Henry jerked forward and Ash raised his arms. “What exactly are you planning to do when you get to the Samelu Shallows? You know it’ll limit your abilities.”

“It’ll limit any Lunapsar abilities and we’re not sure if my magic is because of that,” Ash said, daring to counter. Henry’s intense glare didn’t lessen.

“What if it weakens you? Auntie told you the reason it’s dangerous for those with Lunapsar blood,” Henry told him. Though he was glaring, Ash could hear the concern in his voice and couldn’t help but be a little moved.

Ash took a deep breath and lowered his eyes. “The land mass shouldn’t be big and it sounded as if people have been able to get reasonably close to it. That means the energy over it has lessened.”

Henry gave him a tired look. “Ash, we don’t know if it has lessened.”

“Then we should check.” Ash lifted his head up and met Henry’s eyes with pleading ones. “For fifty years, no one has been able to get close because the energy in the water makes it turbulent. Sailing close, never mind diving in the site, was impossible. We all know there are relics in those waters that no one can get close to, and if we can get to them now....”

Henry took a deep breath. “Then you want to collect the relics for preservation.”

Ash lowered his eyes. “I don’t want Lunapsar relics to be sold and sent to all corners of the world just to sit on some wealthy person’s mantle.”

Henry opened his mouth, but paused. “Isn’t my collection of Lunapsar vases also on the mantle of our library at home? Are we not also wealthy persons?”

Ash clicked his tongue. “You don’t count! You’re practically Lunapsar. Also, you started collecting for me and Momma.” To further remind his brother, he tugged at his silver hair.

Henry shook his head. “I understand what you’re saying. In fact, it bothers me a bit. Day-to-day items, like vases, bowls, even jewelry, I’m not too concerned with, but the religious and royal relics also went down with the island. Those are sacred to the remaining Lunapsar in Iveria.”

“I’d like to have them brought to the abbey.”

The West Wind Abbey was on a mountain range. Its patron goddess was Suryana, the goddess of the eternal sun, and was said to be the oldest continuously used religious site for her.

At the base of the mountain range was a valley that was property of the abbey where orphans and refugees the abbey had taken in tended to settle. In the past, due to the valley’s humble reputation, many chose to leave once they could, but after the Fall of Samelu, it became the hub of Lunapsar culture on the mainland.

The bulk of those who managed to flee Samelu settled in the valley.

Iverians couldn’t understand why; there was nothing particularly outstanding in the valley, not to mention it was difficult to get to and defend. Only the abbey overlooking it could be noted as important.

But according to his mother, it was natural that the Lunapsar who fled settled near the abbey.

“Suryana and Lunaya, the goddess of the moon, are twins, born of the nothingness of the cosmos,” his mother had told them. “Suryana is the eldest and Lunaya is her little sister. When the little sister is in trouble, to whom does she go?”

The goddess of the eternal sun.

The sisters of the abbey welcomed the Lunapsar with open arms and in return, the Lunapsar cultivated the valley and the surrounding mountains to provide for and protect the abbey. It was common for daughters of the local Lunapsar to study at the abbey, which had an elite all girls private school.

This was where his mother had her formal education.

“We needn’t act in a hurry,” Henry said. “It’s possible the abbey may have sent their own representatives. After all, the goddesses are tied together.” Relics for Lunaya were also sacred relics to Suryana.

Ash drew his head back. He didn’t want to admit it, but that was a very real possibility that he overlooked in his excitement. The sisters of the abbey abided by living modest, strict lives of service, but they were also wealthy.

Very wealthy. At first, it was from the dowries of wealthy daughters who joined the convent to avoid arranged marriages. Later, those they took in who had become successful didn’t hesitate to repay the abbey, like the Mt. Asae Merchant Guild. That’s how the abbey was able to buy so much surrounding property and protect it.

Coupled with the West Wind Valley’s prosperity, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone was already on their way to investigate the site.

“Perhaps...I should’ve inquired further.”

“You think?”

Ash slumped back. He looked at Henry, resigned. “Then, are you going to make me go back?”

At this, his brother unexpectedly relaxed. “No.”

“Then at the next-wait.” Ash stood up straight and eyed his brother as if he’d heard wrong. “Did you say no?”

“I said no,” Henry replied. “In truth, I’m also a bit curious as to what’s there.”

Ash’s eyes widened, but still didn’t believe him. “Really?”

“I grew up with Auntie telling me stories of the island she’d heard from her mother. I’m also aware of what could be buried beneath the waters there,” Henry said. His brows knit a bit. “The thought that it would be looted instead of returned to the surviving people...it makes me uncomfortable.”

Ash’s chest tightened. “Brother....”

“I’m also worried that if we do stop to turn around, you’ll change your mind and sneak off again before I can stop you.” Henry’s eyes sharped again. “I might as well go with you to make sure you don’t endanger yourself.”

Ash pretended he didn’t hear that part as he trembled with excitement. “Thank you, Brother!”

He reached to hug Henry, only to be shoved to the side. “Don’t thank me. When we get back, I’m going to work you to the bone.”

Ash let out a weak laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll do my best.”

His brother sighed and ran his hand down his face. “Then, let’s make plans. Are you sure you brought enough slips?”

“Enough to last a few months.” He raised his hand and touched the strap of his preservation bag. He looked at his brother, who was in his day-to-day clothes. “What about you?”

“It’s in the room.”

“How’d you get a room? The ticket office said that there were only hammocks available below,” Ash frowned.

“I traded a spot on one of our ships with a couple before boarding,” Henry replied as he turned around.

Ash furrowed his brows. To avoid being seen by anyone on the docks, he’d immediately gone below deck to hide, daring only to come up when they passed the light houses. He let out a heavy breath.

“Did you tell Aunt Margeaux?”

“I left her instructions,” Henry replied. “And I sent a message to Auntie.”

Ash almost choked. He froze in place as he eyed his brother’s back. “You send a message to Momma? What did you tell her?”

Henry shot him a sneer. “What else could I tell her? Her idiot son ran away again and I followed to make sure he wouldn’t do anything stupid.”

Ash could deal with that, but there was one thing he was concerned about. “Did you tell her where we’re going?”

Henry gave him a once over, but didn’t say a word. He then turned back and continued to walk away without answering.

The goosebumps on Ash’s skin hadn’t gone down.

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A pair of small hands with a faint, pale bluish tint lowered her binoculars. She squinted as she saw a bird flying towards them and wrinkled her nose. “Momma! I think I see Donut!”

She shouted over her shoulder, but didn’t look away. The closer the bird flew, the more its features could be made out: a cream-colored underbelly with dark tips on their tail feathers and wings. Their head was dark brown and their deep yellow talons were flush against their underside.

A low, smooth voice of a woman somewhat distracted spoke from the bed. “How are you sure it’s Donut?”

“The circle on his chest - Donut!” She shouted out the window of the inn that was built against the mountainside. “Donut, is that you?”

A shrill screech answered her and her blue eyes went wide. She clapped her hands together.

“Momma, it is Donut!” She slid off the cushions of the chaise by the window and ran to the a backpack slung on the back of a chair in another room of the suite. She bypassed a massive, furry white creature laying on his side on the wooden floor, snoring. “Commodore, I’m going to take some of your raw beef, okay?”

At this, the triangular years of the creature twitched and his ice blue eyes shot open. He lifted his head and let out a small growl of refusal.

“It’s for a good cause! Donut flew all this way....” She rummaged through the backpack and took out a pre-cut, adult finger sized piece of meat. Shen then scurried back to the bedroom, to her spot by the window.

The hawk was almost there and the seven-year-old’s eyes glistened with excitement. The hawk let out a screech in greeting before extending his talons and flapping his wings to land on the stone windowsill.

“Donut! What are you doing here?” She glanced down and didn’t see a message canister on Donut’s leg, meaning the message was verbal. She looked at the hawk and waited. The hawk eyed the meat in her hand. She narrowed her eyes and pulled her hand away. Her voice became stern. “Message before reward.”

The hawk protested once, but talked.

The little half-elf nodded, listening with interest as her lips tugged down into a frown. “He left again?” She didn’t listen to the other parts, just that her second brother had run off, so her eldest brother had to go after him. She bristled. “Ooh! He’s always doing this!”

The hawk screeched to remind her and she handed over the beef strip.

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As Donut swallowed the piece, a tall woman looked up from the bed, where she was sitting back against the headboard, reading papers in front of her. Eyes that swirled with colors over silver rose after the hawk communicated, and full, pink lips turned down.

“Momma, can you believe this?” Effie huffed as she crossed her arms and sat down. “He just got back and now he left again! At this rate, I’ll forget what he looks like!”

The woman’s lips curled up with amusement. “Your eldest brother will bring him home after.”

“Isn’t Samelu hard to visit because of the dangerous water?” Effie crossed the room to the bathroom to wash her hands. “Instructor Hemaya says that’s why it’s hard to retrieve things from the ruins under the water.”

“Hmm...your instructor is correct,” the woman replied. She uncrossed her legs and lowered the papers onto her lap. “Certain Lunapsar also dull their strengths in that area. The land may be underwater, but its energy still resonates.”

Effie finished wiping her hands as she looked at her adoptive mother. “Like we couldn’t talk to animals?”

“Our ability would be limited, so we’d only be able to understand a few. Only those with strong consciousness,” the woman replied.

Effie climbed on to the bed and the woman moved aside her papers, allowing for a space for the little girl to cuddle next to her. “Momma, will Second Brother be all right?”

The woman was quiet for a moment. A hand rose and stroked back Effie’s fluffy white hair with some tinges of silver. “Your eldest brother is with him,” she replied. “They will both be all right.”

Effie closed her eyes as she put her arm around her mother’s stomach. “Momma, I miss them. When can we go home?”

The woman mulled over the question, glancing at the various papers on her other side. “A few more days, my baby. We need to finalize some contracts with the wood and metal workers, then we’ll go home.”

Effie looked up. “Do you think Brother and Second Brother will be there when we get back?”

The woman looked down and gave her a brilliant smile. “They better be.”

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“We’re not moving.” Henry pulled himself up over the wooden beam that held up his upper bunk while Ash pushed aside the modest curtains that covered their tiny porthole. He lowered himself back down with a measured movement before releasing the beam and stretching out his arms.

“What do you mean we’re not moving?” Though the ship was large enough that minor ups and downs weren’t very noticeable, Henry could still feel the slight sway of the ocean beneath them.

Ash tugged his shirt over his bare chest and squinted out the window, even removing his glasses. “Brother, the ship isn’t moving.”

Frowning, the older of the two gently moved his brother to the side to take a look. Their room was well above the water and he could see the waves passing.

He could also see several other ships in the distance, and after observing, it was either all the ships were moving at the same pace as they were, or none of them were moving at all.

“This isn’t right.” His frown deepened as he moved away from the porthole and turned around. He reached up, patting the side of his upper bunk for his shirt before putting it on while reaching for the door.

Ash followed, putting his glasses back down and running his hand through his hair.

They walked up the narrow corridor to the stairs that would take them to the top most deck of the ship.

As soon as they reached the deck, the cool morning breeze swept past them, blowing Henry’s hair around his face. In his rush, he hadn’t tied his hair up, as he usually did. He stopped near one of the railings and squinted.

“What’s going on?” Ash stood beside him and put his hands on the railing. He turned around to look at their surroundings. Henry narrowed his eyes. There were dozens of ships of varying sizes all floating around them, neither coming nor going. In the distance, Solyek’s harbor was awaiting them.

There didn’t seem to be any problem. The weather was perfectly fine, and from what Henry could see, there wasn’t any sort of funneling issue that clogged the entrance and exit lanes into the harbor.

“There were no warnings last night or this morning, so it can’t be an attack,” Henry said. And even if it was, their ship wouldn’t have stayed to be trapped in one. He patted the sides of his pants to find a hair tie in his pocket.

“Why are we still anchored here?” Ash squinted and scratched the back of his head as he yawned. “Weren’t we supposed to dock by morning?”

Henry finished tying back his hair and frowned.

They had no severe delays going through the isthmus; thus, they were scheduled to dock in Solyek by sunrise. That had been an hour or so ago. Henry had woken up to exercise in their room, but hadn’t noticed they’d stopped. The ships’ sails were still mostly furled, appearing as if they'd been anchored for some time.

By now, they should’ve been docking, or at the very least, well inside the harbor, waiting for a position to dock at.

“We were supposed to be docked by morning,” Henry replied. He stepped back from the side of the ship. “I’m going to speak to the captain.”

Ash gave him a nod as Henry turned and headed towards the cabin. As he approached, he saw several other passengers crowded at the entrance of the cabin. From the frowning faces and barely controlled demands to know why they’d stop; it was clear that everyone was upset.

As he reached them, he heard someone speaking to one of the officers on board.

“Do we at least know how long it will be until we can dock?” a frowning middle-aged man asked.

The officer appeared to be about his age and wearing a uniform. “We were not told an exact time, but as soon as we receive the signal that the harbor is open, we will proceed.”

“What do you mean ‘the signal that the harbor is open’? Did Solyek close its harbor?” an older woman’s voice was even more irritated.

The officer opened his mouth, but didn’t seem to know what to say. A helpless look was in his eyes.

“Why is the harbor closed?” another person asked.

“That’s right! Is there some sort of emergency?” At the mention of an emergency, which could range from a shipping accident to war, the tension around the group seemed to increase tenfold.

“No, no!” Quelling the immediate panic became the officer’s priority at once. “It’s nothing dangerous. We were told there is a visiting dignitary and their safety is paramount, so while their ship is docking and the area is secured, normal shipping traffic is to wait!”

“A political visitor?” The crowd continued to ask questions, but for Henry that was a sufficient answer.

In addition, he didn’t think the ships anchored outside the harbor were given any deeper explanation than that. He turned around and walked back to where Ash was. His brother had moved to the bow of the ship, one hand, holding his glasses as he squinted in the distance. His lips were in a tight line and he seemed concentrated.

“We were told the harbor is closed until it is properly secured for a visiting dignitary,” Henry told him. Though it was understandable, it was still annoying. The city was the capital of Dareisol; it should’ve had precautions in place to secure the area for a visiting dignitary that were put into effect well before the dignitary could even see their shores. “They don’t know when we’ll be able to dock, but if it’s just for security, at worst, we won’t move until this afternoon.”

The more he thought about it, the more impatient he became.

Once the ship docked, they had to disembark. Since the original plan was to arrive in the morning, he had planned to spend the day arranging to charter a smaller private vessel to take them to the Samelu Shallows. Now, they’d have to find a place to stay for the night.

It wasn’t just them, either. Every other passenger on their ship, and the ships in the same situation as them, who were only supposed to transfer through Solyek would also need to find a room. All the inns, boarding houses, and rooms for rent within an hour’s walk from the docks would be full.

Henry rubbed his forehead. It was a headache just thinking about it.

“Maybe we should arrange for an inn to be built here....” he muttered under his breath. He stopped a few paces away from Ash and frowned. Normally, Ash would’ve been quick to answer, but his brother seemed preoccupied. A tense expression was on his face, causing Henry to narrow his eyes. “Ash?” He called out, but Ash didn’t answer. “Ash!”

His brother snapped his head up and he turned around. Henry could see a faint glow of symbols around the frames of Ash’s glasses before Ash lowered the hand that was holding them.

“Brother....”

“Did you hear what I said?” he asked. Ash hesitated, but nodded his head.

“Yes....” He glanced towards the shoreline in the distance and Henry followed his gaze.

“What is it?”

“There’s a fleet of ships in the harbor,” Ash told him. “They’re from Ashtar.”

A flash of heat swept over Henry, tensing his muscles, and making him clench his jaw for just a moment. He could see Ash watching him carefully as he willed himself to relax. “Is that so? You’re sure?”

Ash nodded once. “The violet flag with the gold and white seal of Ashtar.”

In the far southeast of East Iveria, several mountain ranges enclosed various swaths of fertile land before bordering it with a mountainous desert. This was the territory of the Ashtar Empire. Though it called itself that, it was far smaller than Dareisol, which took up nearly half the continent, but its location was rich in natural resources and, except for the northeast, easy to defend.

It was wealthy, trading in various minerals and local spices, and rarely interacted with foreign powers unless it was necessary. As a result, despite its strong trade, it was a very insular country.

“To the best of my knowledge, they aren’t facing any problems right now,” Henry said as he turned towards the shoreline. “At least, nothing that would require them to reach out to another country.”

“I didn’t know they were friendly with any country,” Ash replied as he stepped down from the bow.

There were very few foreign merchants in Ashtar and most of the empire’s aristocracy dominated trade. The few foreign merchants there had been invited by nobles, who would assist in establishing a location, as they owned most properties. Building a new location also required dealing with nobles, as they would not want their businesses negatively affected by newcomers.

Henry had looked into this with his Aunt when considering new places to open up a tea shop. As far as they were concerned, Ashtar was more trouble than it was worth, though they had the means to do so.

“Now I’m curious as to why they’re here,” Henry told him.

“It doesn’t matter as long as we can get to shore.” Ash jumped from the step and landed beside him. “You know that all the inns and rooms near the docks will be full by the time we disembark, right?”

Henry let out a low growl. “I’m sure there are ships ahead of us, so yes.”

“I don’t want to sleep outside.”

Henry rolled his eyes. “We’ll find a place.”

Ash furrowed his brows and looked down, thinking. “We should have a trade ship that may still be here when we disembark. If the ships at the harbor were also told to stay in place due to security concerns, then their loading and unloading would also be delayed.”

Henry’s answer was a small, disapproving grunt. He’d rather their Snake, Scarab, and Sons ships weren’t delayed, but at the same time if their ship was still there, then they could easily arrange for a place to sleep on the ship directly with the ship’s crew, saving them time and energy.

“We’ll look around when we dock,” Henry said, patting his shoulder. “I’m going to bring out our breakfast.”

Ash hummed and nodded. “I’ll set up a chess board and tea. Maybe someone will want to play and relax while we wait.”

“That's all we can do for now. Lets just hope we’ll start moving before it gets dark.”

Perhaps they still had a little luck with them. Ships were given the signal to return after lunch, but as they still had to enter the harbor in order so as not to overwhelm the shipping lanes in and out of the harbor, their own ship didn’t move for an additional two hours.

By the time they reached the rows and rows of piers meant for passengers, the sun was just starting to set.

The two brothers had their bags slung around their bodies as they stood on the main deck, by the bow of the ship as they cruised past other ships.

Along the piers and docks passed, Solyek soldiers were in pairs doing their rounds. The usual loud hustle and bustle of a port had seemed to become much more somber with the arrival of a dignitary.

“Six escort ships.” Ash counted as they passed the smaller vessels bearing the violet Ashtar flags. “Is that a lot?”

Henry counted that many, too, and his blood grew cold with each additional escort ship accounted for. Ashtar had a high mountain range before it tapered off into the sea. The land between the mountains and the shore was narrow and unsuitable for agriculture, but it still meant that Ashtar had a coastline it needed to defend.

While its navy was a fraction of Dareisol’s and the Federation of Merchant Cities’, which had a much larger area of concern, Ashtar still kept up-to-date with naval technology. Their ships weren’t inferior, they were just less in number. Seeing a half dozen armed escort ships that required an entire port to be temporarily shut down for security meant that whoever they were escorting was more important than a mere dignitary.

Henry inhaled a low breath. “It’s not a lot if they’re escorting a royal.”

From the corner of his eye, he saw Ash stiffen in place. His brother’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses as the hand that was holding on to the strap across his chest squeezed the strap.

“A royal?” Ash’s voice was clear and calm. “Who do you think it is?”

Henry knew that Ash had also figured it out, but didn’t want to say it out loud. Ashtar’s royal family was large, in a sense, as monarchs had multiple spouses for political and financial purposes. There were many side branches of the royal family. The current emperor had seventeen siblings, though only five remained.

As there was a preference for male primogeniture, daughters of the nobles and royals were married out for political and financial gain. The monarch’s surviving siblings were also relegated to minor figurehead positions, if any. And while not an official policy, branch imperial family members could not participate in the government, nor could they leave the country.

From what Henry read; this wasn’t always the case. As recently as five generations prior, the empire was much more open to the outside world, and absolute primogeniture was the norm, which was the case in Dareisol and many other countries.

Of course, Ashtar’s preference for male heirs might’ve saved the life of the six daughters of the current Ashtar Emperor.

“That’s the royal barge of the First Prince of Ashtar.” Though they were talking several paces away, a few passengers’ voices could be heard clearly where the brothers stood. “I saw the seal on the side of the boat.”

“You read Ashtari?” a curious and impressed person asked.

“Yes, if you’re doing trade in the area, you need to know it.”

The common people of Ashtar did not learn Iverian Common, though it was a required second language for the aristocracy. After all, how could they do business and deal with their neighbors?

“Isn’t there only one prince of Ashtar now?” another person asked.

“Hey, don’t talk about that.” The same person who could read Ashtari quickly silenced the person asking the question. In a lower voice, they continued. “People don’t talk about their imperial family.” Ashtar’s lèse-majesté laws weren’t for decoration.

“We’re not in Ashtar; what can they do if we talk about it?” Another let out a scoff.

“We’re not in Ashtar, but we’re certainly surrounded,” his companion replied.

The large royal barge of the First Prince of Ashtar was in a prominent position in the harbor and there were Ashtari escort soldiers seen when they passed.

Henry tried to keep his breathing even as his eyes darkened. “To think that the Emperor allowed his beloved son to leave the country....”

Ash took a deep breath. “He is an exception to the rule, it seems.”

If a royal was going to go to another country to represent Ashtar, then it would likely be a sibling of the Emperor, but not his heir apparent.

“That aside, I can’t think of any reason for him to be here,” Henry said.

“...all dead?” They heard the small group talking again. Someone’s voice sounded alarmed. “All at once?”

“Not all at once. It was spread over a few months. There was a sickness that made several princes sick one after another, and there was no cure so they all died.”

“All of them died? Leaving only one prince to inherit the throne?” One woman snorted with distaste. “I’m sure it was just a coincidence.”

The jeers around the group were shared by Henry and Ash. It was an open secret in Ashtar and much criticized outside.

There were once six princes, all still children, when one died after another. If it had been at odd times with deaths staggered at different times and at different points in their lives, perhaps one could believe there was no conspiracy.

But when five sons died within a few months of each other, leaving the Emperor’s favorite son alive with no other real contenders to the throne, it was fairly obvious to outsiders what had happened. It was just that in Ashtar, the Emperor’s power was near absolute, and even if everyone suspected foul play, they couldn’t do anything about it as there was still a proper heir.

Henry tore his eyes away from the barge in the distance and refocused his attention to the docks. He’d already seen the Snake, Scarb, and Sons trading ship three piers over. It wasn’t a long walk for the two of them, and he’d sent Midnight the raven with a message to the ship to have them expect them by evening.

Midnight had returned with a response confirming that they would be waiting and that two rooms, albeit small, were prepared for them.

“Sea Serpent Five is waiting for us,” Henry said as they reached their dock and the crew began yelling at dock workers as they prepared to secure the ship for disembarkation.

Ash nodded, moving his hand over his stomach. “Can we get something to eat first?”

Henry replied with a positive hum as they waited for the gangway to be ready. Since they had little baggage, the two brothers walked off the ship first, bidding the crew they passed goodbye with gratitude.

“It’s been a long time since we were here,” Ash said as he looked around. “I can’t remember what’s around here, but I do remember that they have abalone here.” He licked his lips.

“If you want fresh abalone, we can see if the fish market still has any left.” Ash gave him an energetic nod and Henry led him in the opposite direction of Sea Serpent Five, towards the fish market.

Local fishermen returned to shore further east of the commercial port area, but their catches were brought to the fish market closer to the commercial port. As the sun was still up, the market was still open and was bustling with last-minute shoppers. Men and women were trying to haggle down prices as it was almost time to close.

Much of the selection had already been taken, leaving mostly a few fish or parts of fish, and a small handful of small shellfish left in each stall.

The smell of fish and brininess from the ocean filled their noses, but it didn’t detour them. Since each stall had limited quantities left, it took them four stalls to find enough to satisfy them. All that were left were abalone with shells the size of Effie’s small hand. Though more tender, the taste wasn’t as rich.

“How do you want them to cook the abalone?” Henry asked as he had the old woman behind the last stall remove the meat from the shell.

“Can’t you cook them?” Ash asked in return.

“I don’t have time to cook it, nor all the seasonings.”

“Then have them prepare it how they do it locally.” The other abalone were also handed off to the old woman to have them cooked.

“Let’s take it back to eat on the ship,” Henry said as he watched the old man behind the old woman prepare a large metal skillet. “And get some rest. We’ll get up early tomorrow to look for a private vessel.”

The old woman had moved on to close up shop since the sun was setting. She shook her head as she reached past the two.

“All the private vessels have been ordered to remain in the harbor,” she said. The two brothers looked at her with disbelief and confusion.

“All of them?” Ash asked. “How is that possible? There are hundreds of boats for hire here.”

“Some of them have been ordered to remain in the harbor for a week,” the old woman told them. “Due to safety concerns with the Ashtari Prince.”

“Him again....” Ash frowned. “How would private vessels pose a safety concern to him?”

“That’s quite an order, as it will also affect the money they’ll be making,” Henry added.

“The Ashtari Prince is paying their docking fees for the week and each boat gets two hundred demas per day.”

Henry made rough calculations in his head and his frown deepened. “I knew Ashtar had money, but not that much money.”

The old lady moved away and Henry saw his brother look towards him with worry. “What do we do? We can’t sit here for a week and wait this out.”

Henry ground his teeth together as he thought. He narrowed his eyes. He looked towards the woman and offered her a smile. “Madam, is this order just for the ships that enter the harbor?”

The old woman paused and shrugged. “Private vessels for hire that aren’t scheduled to leave must remain. The notification was posted. Check the signboard at the entrance.”

The abalone couldn’t have been cooked fast enough. Henry took their bag of food and almost hauled Ash outside to read the notice. Just as the old woman had said, an official order was released to stop private vessels from leaving, and crew for hire to pause for a week’s time under the guise of safety for the Ashtari Prince.

However, there was also a notice that vessels large enough to take a small group of a dozen people were being sought. Henry’s eyes widened as Ash took in a sharp breath.

“...Samelu Shallows? Why is he going-”

“If Ashtar’s prince is here, then the rumors of the landmass must be true.” A passing trio of fishermen talked as they went by.

Henry narrowed his eyes and began following them, trusting that Ash would follow.

“My son’s boat was contracted to join the fleet that would follow the Prince to the shallows,” one of the fishermen said with a hint of pride in his voice. “He says that the Prince believes that they can now search for ruins since the water below must be calmer.”

“He came all this way to contract a ship to take him to the shallows? Why didn’t he just go straight there himself with that barge of his?”

The fishermen who had spoken before him shook his head. “Where else are they going to find the best divers in East Iveria?”

“Aye, no one dives there. They’ll be tossed around and unable to resurface!” The oldest of the men said with conviction.

“I’m sure they’ll check first,” the first fishermen replied. “I wonder what they’ll find.”

“Gold.”

“Jewelry.”

“Or those Lunapsar vases with the cloisonne!” One of them let out a whistle. “One of those and I’d never have to work a day in my life again.”

The men laughed. “Why bother when he’s the prince of an empire? I doubt he’s lacking money.”

“I think he’s going to look because of his heritage,” the second man replied in a knowing voice. “Didn’t you see him when he came ashore this morning? He’s part Lunapsar. You can tell because his hair is silver.”

“Then, he must be going to retrieve relics from the shallows for his people.”

Henry and Ash exchanged glances before quickly turning to leave. Ash moved closer to his brother. “What do we do? If all those people he hired go with him, how will we even get close? And will there be anything left?”

“Then, change of plans,” Henry said as he looked ahead of him. “We leave now.”

Ash’s rows shot up. “We don’t even have a ship to commission!”

“We don’t need to commission another ship. We already have one,” Henry said as he quickened his speed. Ash kept up, but remained confused.

“We do?”

“We do.” Henry motioned his head towards a ship with green on its sails. Ash’s jaw dropped.

“Are you kidding? We can’t just commandeer it for personal use!”

“Yes, we can.”

Ash huffed. “What will Momma say?”

Henry didn’t miss a beat as he made a hard left on to the docks. His face darkened. “She’d say don’t let that fake take anything else away.”