Today is the day.

Numisley and Cultrost had been busy refining their Torregornian speech. Escribanorr drilled the brothers in court etiquette in their minds and gestures. Marquis Escribanorr gave them a basic overview of the Kingdom of Torregorn’s history, from the near-mythical stories of a fleet of heroic [Pirate Lords] who opposed the undead ships of the Queen of Death to the present era of the Corsair Houses: descendants of their marriages with the Thousand Bloodlines.

The nobles of different Houses filled Ascolitica's streets. They are carriages from the Commerro, Naveirei, and Kaminor Houses. Behind them are the lesser noble families of Torregorn's hinterlands. On each side of their procession are groveling commoners in prayer. The [Priests] and [Acolytes] of the crowd were throwing flowers and bestowing them with blessings.

Count Torresso Commerro paid them no heed. It was the way things are. The Marquis Dustitoz Gaviolos had already left their caravan to ride toward his house with the [Ambassador] of Thousand Roads. The last letter that he received from the [Mercenaries] he hired was that they had sworn fealty to his son, and they were with Numisley’s company.

He assumed that he must be somewhere in the castle.

“My lord, you look wan. Have you heard of our son’s whereabouts yet?”

A soft voice interrupted his thoughts. The woman beside him was Countess Strraina Parste, from a baronial family that owns a small patch of hinterland within the county. Her father-in-law had given him an Antique-class magic item and a chest of treasure from a Dungeon as a dowry in exchange for her daughter’s hand in marriage.

No doubt that her father wanted to raise their position within the nobility using their only unwed daughter. Count Torresso let himself be swayed by the offer of a political marriage: if only to soothe his loneliness. Whenever he looked at her green eyes, murky as the moss that cling to the wooden docks of his ports and her wood-like tresses, he can see his first wife, drowning in front of him, helpless.

“Y-yes. He might be in the castle. If not, I’ll send people throughout the city.”

The Count’s throat quivered at the memory. The statement that he wrote in magic-binding ink on the cushioned seat lingered under his fingers.

-

The attendees, with their small processions of [Courtiers], had entered the dining hall of the Naveirei’s castle. They gathered in their cliques that scatter throughout the room. There are two kinds of people in the celebration: the allies of the esteemed Naveirei House, and sycophants like some members of the Commerro House that seek to establish relations with the leading noble house in the kingdom.

The guests activated their magic items and Feats suitable for this social battlefield. Many of them have earrings that enhance their hearing. A significant number of them Feats that enable them to read intentions and lips.

Gatherings like this are the metaphorical battleground of high society; where reputations were on the line. Few of the people here celebrate the opening of the city’s only library, seeing the party as a formality and an opportunity.

That includes the two brothers from across the Obscure Ocean. A Human Scion of the Thousand Bloodlines and a Satyr from Libertalia, accompanied by a lordling of the Commerros and a [Mercenary Captain] with an axe slung across his back.

“Well, best wishes, you two. Laws willing, the plan will work.”

Racieros wished the Gildin Brothers luck, as he and Yulvres were walking away.

“Where are you going?” Cultrost asked. Today, he wore a shemagh that covered his entire face, except for his horns. Cultrost made sure that he covered his red-hued body with a doublet. He covered his rough hands with leather gloves and tall modified boots for his hooves. A few sharp eyes noticed that he is a non-Human, but nothing more.

“Back to my father. I’m sure that they’re going to do something about this.”

“Like what?” Numisley asked.

“Ruin your reputation. In events like this, they could spread a rumor. Or something more devious.” Racieros answered.

Racieros left them in a hurry, and soon he disappeared into the crowd of gallivanting and opportunistic nobles.

“So…where do we go? What do we do?” Cultrost whispered to Numisley.

“Talk to people. Establish relations. Like we do back home at the markets.” Numisley answered.

“Like you got something to trade?”

“Of course. And the stuff that Escribanorr taught us. Calling them by their titles and all that.”

They looked around the cliques that spread around the hall, talking to each other, but they have no idea what they are talking about. Both the brothers felt that some groups of people seem to have a field of exclusion that seemed to deter anyone lower in status than them. If the brothers know certain fashions, they would notice that their gilded overcoats and flowing shirts with patterns of waves and coral are reminiscent of what [Sailors] wear.

They saw their benefactor, Escribanorr Naveirei talking to a group of older and younger men and women. He extended a hand towards them, dragging them to his clique.

“These are one of the [Traders] that bought the fresh fish from Commerro’s lands. I’m told that with the collaboration of a certain [Brewer] in Ascogres, they had created a brand of fish sauce that sold well.”

Numisley almost let out an audible gasp, but the curious eyes of one man and two women stopped him. Cultrost stared at Escribanorr and wondered how he knew these things despite not being there. Numisley guessed that his information network somehow reached Ascogres.

“Interesting.”

Escribanorr’s statement intrigued one of the younger women in the group, a woman with braided locks and a short dress that appear to be almost casual. Lady Arriae Naveirei and her parents, Alerra and Agnelerri are members of the Naveirei House. Little did they know that Numisley is one of them by blood: the same dusty blonde hair and yellow-olive skin are indicative of their bloodline.

“What specific Feats did the [Brewer] have?” Arriae asked Numisley. “Something like fish sauce is an interesting venture, even if saturated in the coastal market.”

“Apologies, my lady. He did not reveal it to me.” Numisley answered.

Alerra Naveirei stared at Numisley, noticing his peculiar accent when he spoke Torregornian. She turned to her husband and took one step towards Numisley.

“You speak like someone from the Free Continent.”

“I do not deny my heritage, denora. Numisley Gildin, at your service.”

Numisley drew their attention to him instead of Cultrost. It was the same tactic that they use back home, where they had visited towns that were more hostile to Satyrs. Agnelerri Naveirei somehow has an inkling about the layered meaning behind those words.

“Somehow, you seem familiar.” Agnelerri Naveirei, Alerra’s husband spoke. His sharp eyes threatened to penetrate any hidden intentions that Numisley might have.

“Lady Alerra, Lady, Arriae, and Lord Agnelerri. Apologies, but I have a lot to do, being the host of this celebration and all.” Escribanorr interrupted, gazing towards Numisley.

“No, no, it’s quite alright, Marquis. I hope that the rice wine from the Orient is to your liking.” Agnelerri asked.

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

“The Orient? From which kingdom?”

“As far as Phalim. I got lucky when it caught my eye. It was sitting within the wares of an Aquinoxian [Vintner Merchant] during my short vacation to Isiagor.”

“Ah. Do you know what the markings mean?”

“Unfortunately no, my lord. Would you like me to refer you to a [Linguist]?”

“No need, cousin-in-law. I got Lao-Sseng, the Phalim Energist in my court. He might be able to understand it. I appreciate the offer.”

“May the Laws sanction your library.”

“Thank you.”

Escribanorr left the vicinity, walking towards one of his [Servants] and whispered commands. He soon checked on his most important guests. Other guests came, with grand gifts in hand that they gave to the castle’s [Servants].

Arriae invited Numisley to their table. She had inquisitively interviewed him about their journey from Libertalia.

-

Count Torresso Commerro and his entourage stopped in front of Racieros, with his new bodyguard within the castle’s bailey.

“Racieros?” Countess Strraina uttered.

“You all can go ahead,” Torresso spoke to her wife. She understood and let her husband me, leading the other members of their immediate family inside the castle.

“Where have you been? Why didn’t you wait for us? Or contact us as soon as you can? I have to send someone to get you.”

Comerro realized that his son's escort is the same [Mercenary Captain] that he hired through a friend in the Decree’s priesthood.

“No. You don’t care about me at all.” Racieros flatly stated, seeing the lies behind his father’s words. “You hired his group to retrieve the notebook. They swore fealty to me to repent.”

Racieros impressed his father despite his disappointment towards him. The Count has a lot of questions at the tip of his tongue.

“Why are you with them in the first place?”

Racieros fell silent. He didn’t want to reveal the real reason why he came with Cultrost and his brother.

“Are you betraying your House?”

Count Torresso’s accusation rang throughout Racieros’ skull. To an extent, it is true. He is betraying his own family, but not in the way that his father expected.

“No. I’m a Commerro.”

“Yet my Feat detected something else. Another intent. Why do you side with them? They will have a debt to pay.”

He loved listening to Cultrost’s stories about his home when they had first traveled together. An adventure like that was what he dreamed of when he read those adventure books in their castle’s study. Whenever they talked, whether telling stories, sharing experiences, or spotting a unique tree out of the forests they passed by as they sat in the rolling wagon on that first journey, or friendly spars when their gaze and their weapons met each other, he could forget about his father, his mother, his stepbrothers, and his duties as the scion of the Commerros.

“Friendship.”

The only acceptable answer that he could give to his father. To someone who couldn’t understand.

“Friendship, hm. [Out of My Way].”

Count Torresso pushed Racieros aside with an invisible force. He approached the keep, but a presence interrupted him. The presence pulled both the attention of father and son.

An old [Lady], flanked by two armored [Knights] with enchanted armor and sheathed swords, approached them. One of their entourage held a banner with a crest in the shape of a sail of a galleon, with a figure throwing a spear toward the creature rising from the waves.

The Naveirei’s crest.

“Did I interrupt something?” The old woman spoke, with the weight of crashing waves. Her Aura prickled the skin with the salt of the ocean and the thickness of the mana hanging in the air, washing over Commerro’s Aura like a stone consumed by the waves. Racieros and even Yulvres instinctively kneeled to her; the weight of her presence was too much for someone like him.

Despite her advanced age and the deep wrinkles and aching bones that come with it, she is still formidable.

“No, M– Warden-Duchess Naveirei. Family issues.” Count Torresso admitted.

“Every family has their issues.” Duchess Matironra Naveirei sighed. “Especially the nobility.”

For once, the two family heads agreed on something. The matriarch of the Naveirei stepped forwards, her single step cracking the stone tile under her heel, stern eyes crackling with sparks. Two young [Pages] marched forwards, ceremonially lifting a long gilded halberd twice the length of a Human, within an open wooden padded case. Its axe blade, twice as large and heavy as an average halberd, etched with Runes that enchant it with a magical sharpening effect, along with a Glyph of Strength in the shaft. Its beak and point are forged with Nullsteel: an antimagic metal.

The Duchess telekinetically grabbed the halberd. Her balance was unstable for a second before she adjusted her posture, unsteadily holding the halberd with her thin hand, pressing the bottom of the shaft on the ground. Count Torreeso stared at the legendary halberd once held by the hero of the Naveirei House. This reminded the Count that the matriarch of the Naveirei was a great [Mage] and [Fighter] in her youth.

“So, did Escribanorr invite you?”

“The members of my extended family were invited. Thus, I have the right to be included as the patriarch of the Commerro House.”

The matriarch of the Naveirei House murderously glared at the patriarch of the Commerro House.

“Fine. If you make a commotion at my nephew’s party, I will declare war on your lands and show the kingdom the characteristic weakness of the Commerro House.”

She and her entourage walked away from Count Torresso. He curled his fists into a ball, his knuckles white with fury. Worse of all, the Count knew that she outmatched him in both influence, wealth, and martial might. Even as an old woman.

“Hag.” The Count spat back. Wordlessly, the father and son followed them inside.

The Duchess later handed the weapon to the [Pages]. Their bodies buckled with the heft of the weapon as they lifted it.

“How did Marhyiana lift this thing with one hand?” She wondered wistfully.

-

Numisley sat with Alerra and Agnelerri Naveirei at one of the tables. Cultrost stood as stiff as a statue, straining to blend in as Numisley’s [Bodyguard]. Escribanorr told the brothers beforehand that revealing their relationship will ruin Numisley's efforts.

Numisley had regaled them with his abridged tales of his journey from Libertalia. He omitted many details that would be too risky to reveal in their conversation. They kept Numisley at arm's length but were more than willing to have Numisley as a trade partner.

“You know, you kept mentioning a ‘brother’.” The sharp Agnelerri noticed the gaps in Numisley’s narration of his journey. “Where is your brother? Is he that…thing behind you? That Satyr with red horns?”

Cultrost stared daggers at the middle-aged noble in front of Numisley. Underneath the table, Numisley held his brother’s mace down. Before Agnelerri forces the answer out of Numisley they heard a brassy note. An audible trumpet reverberated throughout the hall, cutting the chatter of the nobility and the [Merchants].

“All hail.”

A [Herald] eliminated all errant sounds in the hall, his voice deep and resounding. He wore the colors of the Naveirei: yellow, orange, and blue.

Escribanorr and Anteojor Naveirei appeared opposite of the [Herald] and the old Duchess. Her entourage of a handful of [Knights], two [Pages] bearing the halberd, and a couple of [Priests] stood still.

“Warden Duchess Matironra Teonecra Unor Naveirei, First Matriarch of the Naveirei House, Mother of the Lady Protector of Torregorn greets this gathering.”

The [Herald] spoke, before retreating to the entourage.

“I welcome the Naveirei First House and all the other Houses, small and large, to this gathering. We celebrate this day, the third day of the Moon of Teinoger of the Morthalis Calendar, with the opening of Ascolitica’s first library.” Escribanorr announced. “As of today, we had filled its shelves with Decree-approved books.”

“Upon my name as Matironra Teonecra Unor Naveirei, and my daughter’s halberd, I consecrate the library as Naveirei’s own.”

The matriarch of the Naveirei family approached her nephew and stood beside him. The [Priests] on Matinronra’s entourage stepped forwards and synchronously raised their scrolls.

“All listen for the Reading. On canon law of the Amithrales Charter, blessed by the King of Torregorn and the Synod of Iberreos, Section Eleven…”

Numisley and Cultrost thought that they were just feverishly reading laws from parchment, but he realized that this was akin to [Priests] reading scriptures back home. Although Numisley, Cultrost, and their father were hardly religious, they had passed by the local temples of various towns and cities and inevitably overhear some of their sermons.

A [Servant] that blended within the crowd had appeared before the brothers at their table.

“Come with me. Lord Escribanorr says it's time.” He spoke to both of them telepathically with a Feat. Before the family of Agnelerri Naveirei, they had been whisked away, disappearing into thin air, leaving unanswered questions.

Despite the tables and chairs, the guests' escorts, passed through unnoticed. They never crashed into the cramped gaps between them. They had noticed that their bodies became noncorporeal. An [Servant]'s Feat that is effective within crowds.

“I dedicate this library to the Lady Protector of Torregorn. Marhyiana Unor Naveirei. She was not only a woman of strength, but a woman of wisdom. The best scion of the Naveirei House in this era…”

Escribanorr began his speech, seeing Numisley and Cultrost in the corner of his eye.

“...Yet, she has been lost to us. We had believed that she had died. But now, we had found her only son. Numisley Naveirei.”