“You’ve gone crazy.” Ash stared at his brother, though his hands continued to tie a knot and secure a rope.

“Didn’t you want to go to the Samelu Shallows?” Henry asked as he walked down the steps from the quarter deck appearing calm.

“Not on one of our family’s trading ships!” Ash almost cried out. “Momma is going to kill us!”

“She’ll understand,” Henry said with a dismissive wave. Ash continued to stare at him with accusing eyes and he sighed. “I’ll take full responsibility.”

“I can’t believe you’ve done this.” Ash didn’t mind taking advantage of his family’s resources, so long as it didn’t affect the business. His mother even allowed this within reason, but to steer a trade ship off a pre-planned shipping route for personal reasons was, in his mind, a violation worthy of financial and physical punishment. “I won’t get an allowance for months and Momma will make me join the guard for training! I just know it!”

“Ash, trust me.” To Ash’s horror, Henry smiled at him with amusement in his eyes. “Auntie will understand.”

Ash gritted his teeth and looked away. It wasn’t as if he didn’t understand the urgency of the situation. How could they compete with an entire fleet of surveyors? Even with his magic, he and Henry were only two people. They could only be in so many places at once.

In addition, if the Prince of Ashtar could cause such a disruption in Solyek’s Harbor, it wasn’t out of the question that he’d create some sort of blockade to keep others away from the shallows. That would be the worst case. They’d not only have competition, but be at a massive disadvantage.

As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Henry commandeering the ship and setting sail for the Shallows immediately was their best course of action. He glanced at his older brother with understanding and some awe.

However, the fear of being sent off to the South Village to train with the Federation’s escort guard quickly took over his understanding and awe. Plenty of people from merchant families ended up as escort guards out of choice, and of those, most excelled as they had an exceptional understanding of the needs of a merchant’s escort.

But Ash was not one of those people. The physical training was a simple matter. The guard paled in comparison to Henry and his mother, but it was so boring and he was forbidden from using magic during training. The last time, he thought he’d go insane and he’d only been training for two weeks.

As for his allowance, he still had the private money he earned left over, so he wouldn’t suffer too much.

He turned to look at the two ravens that had followed them on this new leg of the journey. “This is your fault.” Both Cole and Midnight let out a squawk of disagreement, but Ash turned and went to sit on one of the supply cabinets.

“I hope you won’t be this listless when we get to the Shallows.” Henry grinned as he sat down next to him. “You were excited to go when we were at home.”

“We didn’t commandeer a ship when we were at home,” Ash grumbled.

“All right, if Auntie sends you to the guards, I’ll go with you,” Henry tried to pacify him. Ash turned his head and gave his brother an incredulous look.

“How is that going to make it better?”

“You will be with your beloved older brother.”

“I hate you.”

“You’re breaking my heart.” Henry’s amused grin didn’t falter and Ash groaned and leaned forward, hanging his head. He felt a large hand pat his shoulder. “Okay, don’t worry. I’ll talk to Auntie and I’ll make up for any losses with my own money. Don’t be so sad. We should be preparing for what’s coming up.”

His voice had softened and Ash thought he sounded sincere this time. He looked up at his brother and sighed. “Are you at all prepared?”

“I had initially planned to get close and investigate myself before I let you get too close,” Henry told him. “First, I’d have a rowboat take us as close as we can get before you felt any unease. If you did, I’d make you go back and do the rest of the surveying on my own, including checking the water to see if the currents had weakened.”

“I can give you a diving slip,” Ash replied. As confident as he appeared in front of Director Vastara, he had to acknowledge that it was for the best that they first check to see if proximity to the island caused him unease.

Samelu had some mineral in its soil that weren't present on the mainland. Lunapsar historians said it came from the sky and hit the island, mingling with the native soil. Certain Lunapsar were born with gifts from Lunaya, but the mineral dulled those gifts. It was said that this was to ensure that they did not abuse their fellow Lunapsar with their gifts.

However, gifts were rare and those families who had often produced gifted individuals eventually became Lunapsar nobility. It wasn’t a guarantee, but it was likely.

Ash was born with an immeasurable ability to manipulate energy around him, which was commonly called magic. Neither he nor his mother knew if this was a result of his Lunapsar blood or not because the island was no more and it was too dangerous for ships to get close to where it had been.

Coming this time would verify whether his magic was because of his background or not. In truth, he was curious.

“You have to promise me to listen to my instruction,” Henry said. Ash nodded half-heartedly. “Ash, I’m serious. Your safety is my main concern.”

“Brother, I’ll listen.”

“Good.”

“I’ll prepare some slips for you before we get too close. From what I read, an individual’s gifts are negated, but if the gift had already been used externally, it can still be used as is,” Ash told him.

“I’ve reviewed the maps with the captain and two of the crew will row us out on the rowboat when we’re close enough. We don’t know how shallow the shallows actually are after the storms.” Henry looked out over the water. The sun was halfway up the horizon.

“How many days more?” Ash asked, following his brother’s gaze.

“Four, if the winds are on our side.”

Ash let out a small chuckle and couldn’t help but be smug. “You don’t need the winds when you have me.”

“Save the slips for when we really need it. Right now, the winds are strong,” Henry said. “We should be at least a few hours ahead of the Ashtar barge. Also, that ship isn’t built for speed, but luxury. If he’s smart, he’ll leave it at the dock and take one of the smaller escort ships.”

“Do you think he’s smart enough to do that?” Ash asked. He didn’t know much about the Prince of Ashtar. He didn’t pay much attention to Ashtar in general since his family didn’t have any business there that he’d need to prepare for, therefore the country outside his interests.

He studied Henry’s pensive face. “I don’t know.” There was sincere uncertainty in his brother’s voice. Henry’s eyes narrowed. “But even if he’s not smart enough, I guarantee the Emperor put retainers around him who are.” Ash didn’t say a word as his brother turned around. Henry raised a hand and patted his shoulder. “It’s best to prepare for all possible scenarios you can think of.”

Ash lowered his head and furrowed his brows, pretending he didn’t hear the coldness in Henry’s voice when the Emperor of Ashtar was mentioned.

He took a deep breath and also turned around, returning to his room to prepare for the possible scenarios his brother seemed to assure him they’d meet.

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

When he was a child traveling with his mother, he learned the importance of instinct. During their visits to the West Wind Abbey, the Abbottess had explained that instinct was just the culmination of information your senses and learned experiences combined making a prediction that makes it to one’s consciousness to aid with self-preservation.

It was important to listen to one’s instincts.

And in this case, Ash’s instinct told him to disguise the ship. He didn’t want his family’s business involved in case there was an incident, which from Henry’s precautions regarding Ashtar’s prince seemed to be likely.

“For someone to be traveling with that much security, if we get in the way of whatever his goal is in the Shallows, we can expect retaliation,” Henry had warned the entire crew.

Despite his warnings, everyone, including him, had faith in the Young Master of the Atractas family.

A day before they were scheduled to reach the vicinity of the Shallows, Ash emerged from his cabin.

“I’m going to disguise the ship.”

“Second Young Master, we’re in the middle of the sea. The next port is days away and it will take another several days to repaint the ship and change the sails,” the First Mate told him with concern.

Henry shook his head. “You won’t need a dry dock for this.” He turned towards Ash and gave him an affirmative nod. “Go ahead.”

Ash took a deep breath and walked to the side of the ship. He unfolded a piece of mulberry paper that was as large as his head; at least four times larger than his usual card-sized slips.

He pinched it between two fingers and held it up, closing his eyes and began to release his energy into the paper. Spectators would see light blue glowing lines appear before taking the shape of different characters on the paper as it was loaded with Ash’s energy.

Unlike his day-to-day slips, these held more energy to last longer, and the characters and symbols were organized differently to get the desired effect. Once the paper had absorbed all the necessary energy, he pressed it against the outer side of the boat.

He smoothed it out with his hand and watched as the painted wood seemed to absorb the sheet.

He stepped back and took a deep breath. “Okay, now for the master sail.” It bore the symbol of Snake, Scarab, and Sons, and would identify the ship long before someone noticed the colors of the ship’s body.

“What’s going on?” he heard someone whisper to Henry as he passed and began climbing up the center mast to get to the fabric of the sail.

“From what I could recognize on the sheet, it involves light manipulation,” Henry said. “Is that right?” He shouted the question up the mast.

Ash was halfway up to where he needed to be and there were two men beneath appearing nervous and ready to catch him if he fell.

“We see colors because of the way our eyes sense light. Grandmaster Nagazi of the Traceras clan, from his final work Illusions,” he said, citing the name of the person who discovered it. Ash pulled himself up and began to secure himself with a rope so he could free his hands. “The sheet will manipulate the light that it reflects and absorbs, changing its colors when seen by the human eye.” He looked up at the sail as he took out another sheet of paper from his tunic’s inner pocket and unfolded it. “I’ll do the same for the sail.”

The sheet began to glow at once. For this one, the manipulation would only be on the portions of the sail that were green, effectively making the Snake, Scarab, and Sons symbol disappear. He pressed the sheet into the green portion of the sail and watched at it was almost absorbed into the woven fabric before releasing it.

Once it was absorbed, he began to make his way down. Several people below gasped as they watched the company’s seal fade away.

When he landed on the deck, two crew members helped steady him. Henry was by the side of the ship, surveying the exterior side with the Captain and First Mate.

“From here on out, until we leave this area, wear your civilian clothes,” Henry said. “Not your uniforms. Don’t let the Second Young Master’s efforts go to waste by giving away our identity with the uniforms.”

“Yes, Young Master!” The people around Henry dispersed to spread the word just as Ash reached him.

Henry glanced over at him. “I was wondering why you were in your cabin for so long.”

“I needed to arrange the characters correctly and did some tests before applying it,” Ash replied. “Did you see any other ships?”

“There have been a few on the horizon. From their course, the Captain said they were likely merchant or passenger vessels, as they’re following the normal shipping lanes.”

“What about the others?”

“Surprisingly, they were going back.”

Ash cocked his head and looked at his brother. “Back? To shore?”

“Solyek is the closest major port to the Shallows,” Henry said, turning his head in the city’s direction. “They’re going in that direction.”

Ash crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s disconcerting.”

“I suspect there is something there sending others away.”

Ash drew his head back and let out a scoff. “The Shallows aren’t private property. Even if there was something there that washed up during the last storms, claiming them will face a lot of resistance.”

“Eventually, but right now, all they need are enough ships to defend it,” Henry replied in a low voice.

The thought made Ash’s eyes narrow. “Do you think they found something?”

“They don’t have to have found something. They just need to believe that there is something to be found, so they’re staking a claim now,” Henry replied. He took a deep breath and released it. “Whatever happens, I’ll handle it.”

Ash uncrossed his arms and stood up straight. “Brother, I can be of help.”

“I know.” Henry acknowledged him at once. “Just wait for me to tell you when.”

Though not resigned, Ash nodded his head. Henry had a better grasp of maritime laws and international regulations than he did. His fingers twitched, touching the edges of the deck of slips in his sleeve.

Despite his brother’s reassurance, Ash remained on edge, wary of what was to come.

At dawn the next day, the knot in his chest finally dropped.

After days anticipating various scenarios, they finally had a glimmer at what was to come, and it was absurd.

Ash reached the deck of the ship and turned around, looking toward the quarter deck where his brother and the Captain were standing behind the helm wearing grim looks. Without hesitation, Ash rounded the banister and jumped up the stairs to the quarter deck.

He could then see the sheet of paper held in the Captain’s hand.

“What’s going on?” Ash asked. “I heard the anchor drop.”

Henry’s jaw was clenched. He motioned for the Captain to hand him the paper. “A messenger bird flew this over from the ship over there.”

Ash frowned. He narrowed his eyes and first squinted in the direction Henry was pointing. He could make out the faint outline of a ship in the distance, but not its details. It was still early with the horizon in the east just turning orange with the sunrise. Crystal lanterns were affixed around the ship and one was beside the helm.

The Captain handed the message they received to Ash.

A moment later, the bumps in his skin returned along with the hot, infuriating flush that coursed through his body. His hands dropped, putting the message down with them as he looked at his brother incredulously.

“Are they kidding? To whom exactly did they go to for permission to secure this location for him? The Samelu Shallows don’t belong to any country.” Ash had to restrain himself from ripping the sheet in front of him in half.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Bring me a pen!” Henry shouted as he glared out in the distance.

“Brother, we should just keep sailing!” Ash said, almost tossing the message to the side.

“I will give them one more chance to stand down before we proceed,” Henry said. The corners of his lips curled up. “Then it can be said that we tried to reason with them.”

Someone rushed up the quarter deck with some paper, a pen, and an ink well. Henry immediately took to writing a reply as Ash asked for the spyglass from the Captain.

He looked across the calm sea as the rays of the dawn washed against a ship in the distance. The corner of his eyes twitched as he saw the colors.

“Ashtar.”

“It shouldn’t be surprising that such a self-involved royal family has such delusions,” he heard Henry mutter as bold characters swept across the top half of a sheet of paper. “Do they think everyone will be scared away by imaginary claims? Do they think everyone is ignorant of Maritime Accords?”

Ash watched as Henry finished his letter and noticed it was written in both Iverian Common and Ashtari.

“Do you think they won’t understand if you reply in Iverian? That’s what they wrote in.”

Henry tore the portion of the sheet with his reply off and rolled it up. “I just don’t want them to pretend they don’t understand. Bring me the bird!”

The First Mate was holding a pigeon in his hands and raised it up to reveal it’s little feet with a little metal canister tied to it. Henry inserted his reply into the canister and gave the First Mate a nod.

“Young Master, do you think they will let us through?” the First Mate asked.

Henry and Ash both held back their snorts. They exchanged looks with each other before they both replied ‘no’.

“No matter what their reply, hoist anchor and continue forward,” Henry said.

“Do you think they’ll attack?” the Captain asked.

“At the very least, I’d estimate they’d give us a warning shot,” Henry replied.

“They should we go around?” the First Mate suggested.

Ash looked through the spyglass once more. “I don’t think they’re the only ship on guard around the Shallows,” he said. “I’d bet money that there are other ships surrounding it.”

“Agreed.” Henry kept his eyes on the pigeon disappearing towards the Ashtari ship. “Solyek is the closest mainland port, but there are others that are a day or so more out. Other explorers can also come from those other ports and harbors, so in order to intercept them, there must be other ships around the Shallows.”

Ash scanned the horizon. “I see another further to the north. I’m not sure how many there are total.” He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “No matter what, we’ll have to break through their defensive circle.”

“The Shallows aren’t theirs to defend,” Henry told him. He looked towards the Captain and First Mate. “We are taking a risk beyond what you are obliged to do. I didn’t expect there to be an attempted barricade. This will both slow us down, hindering the transportation of goods, as well as putting us somewhat at risk. You’re not obligated to continue, Captain.”

The older man furrowed his brows and frowned. “Young Master, while our contracts emphasize that our main tasks are transportation of goods and upkeep of the ship, we are ultimately at the service of your family.”

“Regardless, I want to give you the option. If this is too much, leave the small row boat with me and Ash and continue on your way,” Henry replied.

The First Mate frowned as well. “Young Master, how can we leave you two alone in the middle of the sea? How will you get back? A row boat is not suitable.”

Ash saw his brother look towards him and he nodded. “I’ll figure something out.”

The entire company knew he had magic talent, but the amount of which wasn’t widely known. His reputation as an adventure-seeking, happy-go-lucky, and somewhat irresponsible middle child was much more prevalent.

The Captain shook his head. “I and my crew cannot, in good conscience, leave you and Second Young Master alone, adrift in the middle of the ocean, in a row boat.” A determined glint hit his eye. “We will see this through.”

Henry seemed to study their faces, as if looking for any sign of hesitation. Ash glanced out towards the main deck. Other crew members were lingering around, waiting for orders. No matter how they felt about the situation, they could only follow the Captain’s orders, and the Captain would only follow Henry’s.

Ash drew his lips inward and shook his head. No, he corrected himself. They’d follow Momma’s orders.

The ship’s ultimate boss wasn’t him nor Henry, it was his mother.

And Nera Atractas’ priority was always the lives of her children.

Ash looked at his brother to see if he’d agree.

Henry took another deep breath and exhaled. “Then, we will do our best to ensure the safety of the crew, this ship, and the cargo.”

Ash released his own breath, relieved. It isn’t so much that he wanted to put the crew in danger, but taking a rowboat back to the mainland would be a daunting task, even with his magic and Henry’s spirits - Raiju being useless, considering he was a thunder and lightning spirit and would hardly provide any assistance getting them back to shore.

“I will have the crew on standby and prepare to hoist the anchor. We will prepare for aggression from the Ashtari ships.” The Captain turned to give orders and Henry looked at Ash.

Ash met his gaze and raised a brow. “Are you worried they’ll attack us?”

“No, I’m worried West Wind Valley sent a survey team and were either intimidated to turn away or worse,” Henry replied. Of all the places they traveled to in their youth, West Wind Abbey and the Valley were where they spent the longest time.

Carthage Harbor was their home, but for them, and his mother, the West Wind Abbey and Valley were their ‘hometowns’, though none of them were born there.

“If they did, Momma is near there for the meeting,” Ash told him. “I’m sure word of any survey team would’ve reached her, and she won’t sit idly by if something happens.”

Henry gave a distracted nod. “If something happened to them, Auntie would take care of it.”

Considering such a scenario relaxed them.

The two brothers waited on the quarter deck, impatient to get started. Henry stood with his arms crossed and his eyes fixed on the horizon where the Ashtari ship was while Ash alternated from pacing, glaring at the Ashtari ship, and back to pacing.

It felt as if hours had passed before someone shouted that the pigeon was returning. Ash stopped pacing and snatched the spyglass from the table beside the helm. The sun was well above the horizon and the pigeon was easy to spot. It flapped its wings as it landed on the railing of the ship.

The First Mate was quick to snatch it up, and Henry removed the reply from the message canister.

Ash held his breath and watched his brother’s expression unmoving.

Henry’s eyes moved from side to side twice before they narrowed. His blue eyes flickered to the Captain. “Hoist anchor. Set sail for the established course.”

“Hoist anchor!” The Captain whirled around and shouted over the side of the quarter deck, earning enthusiastic shouts as the crew scattered to their positions. The First Mate tossed the bird over the side of the ship, allowing it to fly off without a reply.

Ash looked at his brother. “What does it say?”

Henry’s expression was relaxed as he handed the curled strip of paper to Ash. Ash held it open and read the contents that were written in Ashtari.

He almost crushed the small piece of paper.

“They’ll shoot at us if we attempt to enter?” Ash let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Who gave them that right?”

“Fill the sails,” Henry told him as he began to tie up his hair. “When we’re in closer range, I’m going to disable their rudder.”

Delight filled Ash at the thought. “Do you need help?”

“Naali and I can handle it. For now, just keep the wind in the sails,” Henry told them. He looked back towards the Ashtari ship and sneered. “The Shallows are not under their control, and their ship won’t be either.”

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

Half the crew was enthralled watching Ash use two slips to circulate a sphere of air against the main and stay sails. They were more impressed that the speed and direction of the magic-made air could be controlled separately.

However, in order for this to work, Ash needed to concentrate and constantly adjust against the natural air currents.

Henry stood at the bow of the ship, watching as the Ashtari ship that tried to intimidate them away grew closer with their approach. The opposition ship had turned, having noticed them refusing to heed and instead rushing forward.

With Ash’s magic, they could easily outsail the other vessel, but they couldn’t bypass the Shallows. They’d need to anchor in place in order to survey the site, and when that happened, then the Ashtari ship would catch up. There was also a chance that other ships on guard had been informed that they were trying to breach the ship barrier, and would come to the aid of their sister-ship.

Naali floated beside Henry’s head, small and somewhat round, like an adolescent fox kit that controlled ice. The tips of her ears and the lower half of her legs were black, but her eyes and the rest of her was white.

Not everyone could see spirits, but everyone could feel the cold coming off the ice spirit if they neared Henry. As her master, he was unaffected.

“When do I send them out, Master?” Naali’s childish, eager for action voice sounded in his mind.

“When they’re a little closer. You need to be able to control it and the further out it is, the less control you’ll have. Can you see the rudder?” Henry asked.

Naali nodded. “Naali can hit it in one shot!”

There was a small snort. “Yeah, but will it be strong enough?”

“Shut up, Raiju! Naali can do it!” The ice spirit hissed, her little teeth appearing as she growled.

“Ignore him and focus,” Henry told her. “I don’t care that it takes multiple hits, but it should be done quickly so they don’t know what hit them.” Of course, once the collision happened, Naali would simply dissolve the ice.

Beneath Sea Serpent Five, six pieces of ice that resembled logs nearly as long as the boat and with a pointed end had been created and were ready to be shot.

“Young Master, let them shoot first,” the Captain told them. “Then, it was they who attacked.”

Henry nodded. “Raiju, if a cannon ball comes too close, intercept it.”

“Yes, Master!”

As soon as he replied a loud boom echoed across the water. There was a small puff of smoke from the ship approaching them and someone shouted that there was a cannonball coming. Though the crew braced itself from the trajectory, it was going to fall short.

“A warning shot.” The Captain shouted from behind him.

“Keep course.” Henry was unperturbed. They sliced through the water and the opposing ship was coming at them from an angle. Another warning shot was fired, but like the last one, the cannonball fell short.

Naali’s voice rose. “Now, Master?”

“Hold.” Henry kept his eyes on the boat. He could make out the people on deck, rushing around. He couldn’t hear them over the sound of the ocean, but did see a colored maritime flag being waved to get them to stop.

“Do we stop, Young Master?”

“No, keep going.” If they wanted to stop them, they could try.

The ship cut through the waves faster than any of the crew members on board had ever experienced. If it weren’t for the situation, it would’ve been fun to go at such a speed with good weather and sea conditions.

The Ashtari ship was closing in. Had the Sea Serpent Five not been going at its speed, a collision would’ve happened. Instead, the Ashtari ship had to adjust to go after them. Another boom sounded and on the port side, a cannon ball slammed into the water.

“That one was a little close....” the First Mate said. “Young Master, I think they’re serious.”

“They’ve always been serious,” Henry replied.

“Another ship comes this way from the southwest!” One of the men watching from the mast shouted. Henry’s lips pursed into a line as he was handed a spyglass.

A similar vessel to the first Ashtari ship was coming to intercept them.

“Well, well, well,” Henry said as his eyes narrowed. “They tattled.”

“What should we do, Young Master?”

“Keep the speed until we close in on them,” Henry replied, handing the spyglass back. “Naali, take out the rudders of the ship behind us.”

“Aye-aye, master!” He could almost see the ice spirit lift her little paw to salute him before he felt a surge of energy move past.

The undersea ice projectile shot out well beneath the waves. With its transparency, it was difficult to see, and with the ripples of the waves and the wake of the ship, it was difficult to notice that something had been launched.

Henry didn’t bother to turn around and look. The excited shouts from the crew behind him told him that Naali’s projectile hit its target.

“Master, Naali broke off the rudder!”

“Good job, Naali.”

“Master, what’s the back part of a ship called?”

“The stern.”

“Yes, Naali also broke off part of the stern!”

Henry’s brows shot up and he whirled around. He ran across the deck and up to the quarter deck. The Captain was looking out at the ship that had been chasing them. It seemed to have slowed as it began to turn awkwardly off their previous course.

Henry couldn’t hear what was happening on the other ship, but from the way people were rushing around the deck and the way the ship was moving, there was a problem beyond a damaged rudder.

“Naali is too powerful,” Henry muttered, hearing a pleased childish giggle in response.

“Master, should I shoot more at the other ship?”

“Only if they attack,” Henry said. He forced himself to turn his attention away from the ship behind him to focus on the one coming forward. He readied himself for more warning shots, but as they approached, none were fired.

The striped flag asking them to stop was waved and someone shouted that another pigeon was coming.

“Is it another threat?” the First Mate asked after picking up the pigeon as soon as it landed. Henry unraveled the message from the container.

He raised a brow. “It seems they want to talk.”

“It’s written in Ashtari,” the Captain said. “Perhaps they think you are a countryman?”

The air around Henry grew cold. “I’m willing to hear them out. Ash! Hold!”

“Holding!” The sails above them sounded as the flurry of air against it slowed until only the natural wind was against them.

A moment later, Ash joined him on the quarter deck. “What’s going on?”

“The other ship wants to talk to us,” Henry said. “Since they haven’t attacked us or mentioned any threats forcing us to turn back, I’m willing to stop for a chat. See what’s going on.” Ash scrunched his face and Henry sighed. “Aren’t you curious?”

“What’s there to be curious about? They’re pretentious, lying bullies on a power trip,” Ash crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s not a good look for them, but that’s not really our problem, is it?”

“But I want to find out what exactly their goal is.”

“Brother, do you think they’ll tell you?” Ash raised his brows.

Henry gave him a brilliant smile. “Let’s find out.” He could tell from his younger brother’s eye roll that he didn’t believe him, but Ash didn’t stop him or protest his orders.

Ash leaned back against the counter, an idle look about him as Henry stood on the side closest to where the other ship was coming from.

The Ashtari ship was likely the same size as the one that had chased them, and thus also the same size as the escort guard ships they’d seen at Solyek’s port. Their cargo ship was larger, both in width and length, though they had fewer cannons. Cargo ships needed to defend themselves, but they weren’t built for a naval battle.

The ships seemed to slow as they approached each other in order to avoid collision. The creaking of wood filled the air as they came to a stop, side-by-side. The other ship released their anchor while their ship floated in place, controlled by adjusting the sails.

Henry didn’t wait for them to speak first.

“Good morning! There seems to be some confusion. We’re on our way to survey the Samelu Shallows for a group of academics, and were suddenly told to cease our journey. What is going on? Are the undercurrents too dangerous?”

Henry’s Ashtari was very formal. To everyone on their ship, save Ash, his voice sounded smooth and casual, but to native Ashtari speakers, not only was it formal, but it was of a tone and cadence that commoners didn’t use.

The older men who had stood on their ship’s starboard side to confront them seemed taken aback. Since the Ashtar Empire didn’t have as many foreign relations as other countries, Ashtari wasn’t a language that was often learned outside of the empire.

A man stepped forward who didn’t appear to be dressed in a sailor or a soldier’s uniform. His clothes were deep, dark colors with intricate metallic embroidery along the cuffs and hems. His headpiece matched and there was a gemstone pin connecting the headpiece to the shawl draped around him.

If Henry wasn’t mistaken, this man was a minister of Ashtar’s Imperial Court.

“You speak Court Formal Ashtari?” The Minister stood behind the railing with dark, narrow eyes. “Where did you learn?”

“Books.” It wasn’t a lie. “Am I pronouncing the words incorrectly?” He gave the older man a curious look, though he knew he wasn’t pronouncing anything wrong. The minister kept his critical eyes on Henry.

“Where are you from?”

“West Iveria,” Henry replied. Though close to the Isthmus, Carthage Harbor was on West Iveria. “We were hired a few days ago to survey the Shallows. What is the meaning of your Ashtari ships trying to stop us?”

“His Royal Highness is coming to survey the site himself. We ask that all other ships leave as a security measure.”

“Is there a need for that?” Henry asked.

“We must protect the Prince, you understand,” the Minister replied. He lifted his chin. “I will have to ask you to leave.”

The corners of Henry’s lips pulled up. He let out a small chuckle and smiled. “I’m afraid there really is some confusion. This is not Ashtari territory, nor is it the territory of any country. The sea is free for anyone to pass, so long as they abide by maritime law.” His eyes narrowed just a bit. “You can’t tell us to leave.”

The tension in the air seemed to increase. Several men stepped forward behind the Minister, appearing to try to intimidate Henry.

Henry remained in place, unmoved. Ash came to stand beside him to show his support.

“Young man, if you do not turn your ship around and return from where you came, we will have to use force.” The barely maintained civility meant little when being threatened.

Henry cocked his head to the side. “You understand that using force against a civilian vessel will cause outrage amongst the groups that frequent the shipping lanes of the area. You are essentially blocking our way with no right. The Maritime Accords do not sanction this.”

“We have a right as ordered by His Royal Highness-”

“Your Prince has no power here.” Ash’s voice was filled with annoyance. “We are surveying the Shallows and no one can stop us.”

The Minister’s face reddened. Henry continued on. “Your party is free to survey the area, as we are. We need not be in contact when we are diving.”

“You are forbidden from doing so!” The Minister’s flushed face twisted with anger. “The Shallows have been secured for His Royal Highness!”

“The Shallows do not belong to Ashtar.” Henry repeated the main point, but it was like talking to a wall. “I will say this once more, you are free to survey the area, but you cannot stop us from doing the same.”

The Minister threw his head back and laughed. “You don’t seem to realize what is going on-”

“Hold on!” Another man’s voice called out from behind the Minister. A thinner man who seemed a little older, and was dressed similarly but lacked a gemstone pin came forward. “I am Professor Moussel from the Imperial Academy. As long as you do not approach our dive area, we can let you pass.”

Immediately, the Minister flushed and clenched his fists. “Professor-”

“We cannot seal off the Shallows forever.” The Professor shot the minister a sharp look.

Henry narrowed his eyes. “What section of the Shallows are you surveying?”

“The central portion.”

“The central portion?” Ash nearly balked. “That’s where the highest peak was and is the bulk of the actual shallow area of the Shallows! Are you saying we can only survey the edges?”

Henry clenched his jaw at this. Those men really had the gall. The buildings of historical and religious importance were all located in the central area. What sank below the edges were farmland and seaside fishing villages. Those were the first to fall into the sea, and deeper than the central portion.

“We are giving you access, is that not enough for you?” the Professor asked in a belittling voice.

“How can that possibly be enough?” Ash replied with a glare.

The Professor narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Young man, as an academic, I admire your curiosity, but the central portion of the Shallows can only be surveyed by His Royal Highness and his people. If you cannot accept that, then we will use force to send you away.”

It was ridiculous and everyone knew it. Diving around the edges of the sunken islands was akin to giving a beggar crumbs. Everyone knew there was little to find.

Ash grit his teeth, his eyes narrowed as he struggled to keep from trembling with rage. Beside him, Henry frowned. “Ash-”

“Just who do they think I am to shut me out?” Ash said in a low voice. “Do they think they own Samelu? They can’t stop us from diving where we want!”

“Ash, calm down.” Henry’s hand rose and touched his shoulder. His grip grew stronger when Ash almost lunged forward.

“What right do you have to stop us from surveying the entirety of the Shallows! It is not the territory of Ashtar and, if anything, belongs to the Lunapsar people!” Ash pulled against his brother’s grip as he shouted up at the ship.

Henry’s eyes shot to the swift motion in his brother’s hand. Three slips appeared between his fingers and his chest tightened. Those slips could do many things, from lighting a room to chilling water into ice, but Ash primarily used them for defense.

Load them with energy, select the right combination of symbols to manipulate the desired energy type, and then throw them. Upon impact, the energy type selected will release all at once, causing an energy explosion.

“Ash, stand back.” Henry’s voice lowered, turning cold to try to keep his brother from making the situation worse. He didn’t like Ashtar either, but they didn’t need to sink one of their ships.

“His Royal Highness Prince Eskander has claimed the Samelu Shallows on behalf of the Lunapsar people!” The regally dressed Minister puffed out his chest and spoke as if he had been given some divine authority.

“With what right?” Ash demanded.

“With his right as the last surviving member of the Lunapsar royal family!”

Henry took in a sharp breath. The man’s proclamation was like a punch to his stomach. His eyes were wide and his hand on Ash’s shoulder began to tremble. He looked at his younger brother.

Behind his glasses, Ash’s eyes had gone wide. His mouth was almost agape as he stared at the people on the other ship. His hands began to shake and the three slips between his fingers started to glow.

“The last surviving member....” Ash’s low voice dripped with disgust as his eyes darkened. “Of the Lunapsar royal family?”

Henry’s heart dropped. “Ash-”

Before he could pull his brother away, three glowing slips were flung forward.