"That you are," Ca Diro said. "I haven't been that far east in a long time. Perhaps we could swap stories."

Saiyun nodded, taking a step to the left and pushing the door open. "I'm sure we both have much to say, but first I would like to get myself settled in." The stateroom was huge compared to their ship, with two narrow windows looking out over the water and a real bed nestled in the corner. A plush rug covered most of the wooden floor, and a chest of drawers, complete with full-length mirror, took up most of one wall. There was a wooden table with four chairs in the middle of the room and a portrait hung by the door, of what Saiyun could only assume was of the Litzu Emperor in his official dress.

"Better than your old quarters, I bet," Kauhy said smugly. "Only the finest for the guests of His Eminence."

"Send him my regards," said Saiyun, hurrying into the room and beckoning Ji to follow. "I'm sure I'll sleep better than I have since I left home."

Ca Diro followed them in, giving a quick glance around the room before returning his empty smile to Saiyun. "You'll hardly notice the ship rocking. No hardtack either. This place is so big, it even has its own kitchen. Fresh bread every morning."

If he weren't panicking, Saiyun was sure his mouth would have been watering at the thought. All he wanted right now, though, was to get rid of Ca Diro. "The hospitality of the Tsilen Empire is unmatched. I will be sure to partake after I have had some rest. With all the excitement, I must admit I am beginning to feel unwell."

"Let me take a look at you," Ca Diro said, eyes glowing bright blue as he paced a circle around him and Ji.

Saiyun tensed and stepped away. "What are you doing?"

"Don't be alarmed," Kauhy said warmly. "It's simply Atemzlite magic. Ca Diro is a physician and personally advises His Eminence on matters of health."

"It's just a quick look. Saiyun, you seem in good shape. But," he said, stopping behind Ji. "I'm afraid I haven't been told your name."

Ji flinched away and looked up to meet Ca Diro's eyes. "My name is Ji. I am a servant," she said, returning her gaze to the floor.

Ca Diro smiled and walked around back to Saiyun. "Her aura is a shade weak. Nothing serious, probably from a lack of good food. I have some draughts back in my sick room I could give her."

"That's very generous of you,” Saiyun said, turning to face him. "But I think I will try to rest first. If the problem persists, I will take advantage of your expertise."

Ca Diro's smile faded as he made a shallow bow. "My apologies. My training as a physician sometimes overpowers my manners. I will leave you to rest."

Kauhy stepped aside, letting Ca Diro leave the room first. "When the next meal is served, I will send someone around to your room with some fresh soup. Would you like us to send a cot for her?"

Saiyun bowed and Ji mimicked him. "I will call on your generosity later. I feel I've grown too worn-out to decide anything."

"Of course, rest well," Kauhy said as he gently closed the door.

"This is a problem" Saiyun said when he was certain no one was at the door. "Do you know who that is?"

Ji frowned. "His name sounded a little familiar."

Saiyun grimaced and sat down, running his hands over his hair. "He's the Achali from Ortan that captured Yazwa. The one Tsen had to rescue her from. He knows who she really is."

"Oh...but wait," Ji said, taking a seat herself. "She told the truth about who she is, we all did. What will that hurt?"

"We used our real names, but we didn't tell the whole truth," replied Saiyun. "You didn't get shipwrecked, and neither of us was sent on a mission to learn about the metals market on Adoti. If he starts pointing out inconsistencies, we're going to the brig with the rest."

"So we have to keep them away from each other until the time comes," Ji replied. "We can do that."

A glance out the window told Saiyun it was barely past noon. "For how long? He wanted to talk with me, so he'll probably want to meet with her too. We can make excuses for tonight, say she's not feeling well, but we'll look suspicious if we keep refusing him."

Ji stood and went to the door. "What if he's going to see her now?"

Saiyun shrugged. "Then it's already too late and there's nothing we can do anyway. I’ll sew my summon dolls together, that way we’ll have options if something happens. Maybe you should get some rest while I work."

After a moment of hesitation, Ji started to walk to the bed. "Wake me if anything happens."

"You'll be the first to know," Saiyun said, reaching into his robe to pull out the two halves of one Jado doll. Splitting them apart had gotten them aboard, but no one would bother searching him now. Willing his hands to stop shaking, he reached into his hair, extracting a needle and a line of thread. As he set to work stitching the two halves together, he thought of what would come next if their escape was successful. If.

The idea of bringing word of these great ships back home was appealing, but he knew there was no point in hoping. Once they docked in Adoti, word would travel much faster than he could. At best, he could confirm they were real, and that was no great service to the state. Even if he could get an accurate count of how many Azun had, that wouldn't suffice either. His only way home was gone.

Time slipped by as Saiyun slowly repaired the split summon dolls. He came no closer to an answer. He had nothing. Taking part in a great raid against an enemy of the Emperor was worth something, but barely escaping with his life was not.

One of his favorite bedtime stories as a child had been about a terrible monster ravaging the land. The Emperor's mighty warriors were helpless against the creature, and all despaired. But then, a shepherd boy came to the Emperor and told him about the secret weak spot in the monster's armor he’d seen while grazing his sheep. The monster was slain, and the Emperor was so grateful he brought the boy into his house and married him to one of his daughters.

When he heard that story, he imagined a hundred childish ways to do some great deed to impress the Emperor, even as his father gently pointed out the flaw in each.

A bitter chuckle escaped his lips. The treasure ships had no secret to exploit, no hidden weakness that would sink them with the snap of a finger. Azun's fleet was the most powerful force in the Raoin Sea by far. It was unstoppable.

So maybe that meant he had to switch sides.

Saiyun froze, his needle deep in Tanlin's side as he turned the idea over in his head. He was a capable summoner, and those were always in demand. It would mean a life as a soldier, but it was better than being an exile for the rest of his days. Expanding his stable of summons would be easy with the proper materials, and he knew how to handle himself in battle now. If he distinguished himself, he could rise to-

A heavy knock on the door startled him out of his musings. "Hello, Saiyun, it's Captain Kauhy. How are you feeling?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Saiyun saw Ji leap out of bed as he stuffed the completed dolls into his robes. "Very well, please wait a moment," he called, adjusting his robes to make sure there were no suspicious bulges. He pointed at the door and Ji rushed to open it.

"I do hope I'm not bothering you, but I have an urgent message from His Eminence," Kauhy said as he made his way in. "He would like to see you immediately."

Saiyun swallowed, fighting to keep the pleasant smile on his face. "I am honored, but I would like to check on Yazwa soon."

"Master," Ji said. "I can check on Lady Yazwa for you and tell you how she is when you come back."

Kauhy clapped his hands together. "Excellent! I commend you on your excellent taste in servants. Let me show you the way."

Getting to his feet, Saiyun shot a look at Ji, who gave him a quick nod. He tried to think of some way to get out of seeing Azun, but no grand plan jumped into his mind as Kauhy waved him on.

-

Yazwa sat on the plush bed, covering her face with tear-soaked hands. How could she have been so stupid, so childish? She took a shuddering breath as the memory of Batro slumping to the ground played over again in her head, followed by the dead crewman's empty eyes and twisted neck.

They'd sailed together, fought together for months, and she didn't even know his full name.

Digging her fingernails into the skin of her forehead, she raged at herself for being so naive. How could she have thought that it would be as simple as getting on a ship and finding someone to cure her? The world was dangerous. She should have known that the first time she saw the summons in Channan Harbor. She could have run, should have run, but instead, she threw in her lot with one of the Raoin Sea’s most notorious pirates.

Why had she thought of this voyage as some great adventure?

Batro was her age. His parents would never know what happened to their son. Her parents might never know what happened to her.

A wave of nausea washed over her and she dry-heaved, clutching her stomach. What did her family think? Had they gone to look for her? She never had a chance to send a letter or anything telling them where she was going. Had they sent someone to find her on Channan Harbor, only to be told she had died when the Magistrates Manor burned? The only two people who saw her set sail with the pirates were the Governor and the Esgan. The Governor was dead, and the Esgan had no reason to tell anyone anything. It had been months. Had there already been a funeral? She was so wrapped up in the thought that she didn't hear the door until it was being pounded on.

"Go away!" she called, hoarse voice cracking.

"Yazwa..." said Ji, voice muffled through the door.

After wiping her hands on the sheets and rubbing the tears out of her eyes, she got up and went to the door. "I want to be alone," she said, stopping when she saw the look on her face. "What's wrong?"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"Saiyun just got called to go meet with Azun," Ji said, stepping inside and closing the door. "Also, the ship’s doctor is a man named Ca Diro."

A snort of hysterical laughter escaped Yazwa's lips. Of course. The man who inspired her to become a false Achali. Why shouldn't all her mistakes come back to haunt her all at once? "Wonderful. Just wonderful."

"You should stay out of sight until it's time," Ji whispered. "I’m going to try and find the brig. We need to know where it is so we're ready when the time comes."

“Wait,” Yazwa said, reaching for her staff. “Won’t it look suspicious if you leave Saiyun’s room and wander around the ship alone? We should go together.”

"What about Ca Diro?" said Ji. “Saiyun says if he sees you he might start asking questions.”

Yazwa frowned and looked at the doorknob. If they stayed here they would be useless. “You said he was the ship's doctor, right?”

“That’s what he said,” replied Ji.

“Perfect!” Yazwa said. “Go find him and fake being seasick or something. He’ll be focused on you and I can go find the brig without worrying about him.”

“Do you think he’ll believe me?” asked Ji.

“You don’t have to keep it up for long, just to keep him out of the hallways for a while,” said Yazwa, throwing the door open. “You go first and I’ll meet you back here.”

Ji hurried out into the hallway without another word.

Yazwa waited, watching the hands of a clock on the wall slowly tick by until she darted out of her room. She climbed the flight of stairs at the end of the hallway and emerged on deck, seeing vast sails snapping in the wind as they propelled the ship forward. Soldiers and sailors marched back and forth, shouting orders to each other. Reconnaissance was something Aven would have usually done, but she pushed doubt from her mind. He was in the brig, Ji was keeping Ca Diro busy and Saiyun was with Azun. She was the only one to do it, so she would.

But that did beg the question, what would Aven do? She couldn't just ask where the brig was, and there was no way she could sneak around a navy ship. Looking around, she spotted a sign near a staircase leading down into the ship, but she couldn't read the language. It wasn’t like the whole ship would be marked in Gray. A line of sailors climbed the stairs, and she stepped aside, averting her eyes as they stared at her before marching on. No, sneaking around would not be wise. She stood out, and...

Wait.

In Adoti, Aven had sent her into the manor because she looked like a rich, foreign noblewoman. Not to sneak, but to act. Maybe that would work now.

"You!" she shouted, pointing at one of the sailors. "Do you speak Gray?"

"Sheh?" he asked, blinking and pointing at himself.

"Yes, you! Do you speak Gray? Speak Gray?!" Yazwa shouted. "If you don't, find me someone who does!"

After a minute or two of shouting a haggard-looking man in an officer's uniform came over and waved the sailors away. "Honored guest," he said, sounding in no way like he meant it. "It's dangerous to be out on the deck. You should go back to your room."

"I need to find the brig!" she declared, jabbing her finger into her chest. "A uh...I'm missing a broach and I'm sure one of those pirates has it hidden away somewhere. I need to get it back right now!"

From the look on his face, the officer looked like he wanted to shove her overboard and be done with it. "Honored Guest, if they had any jewelry on them, the jailers would have found it when they searched them."

Yazwa plowed on ahead, letting instinct guide her. "That means the jailers have it, then! Show me to the brig so I can claim it from them!"

Someone shouted from across the deck, and the officer shouted back before returning his focus to her with a tired expression. "Very well. Go down three flights of stairs and take a right. Keep walking until you see an iron door on the left."

"Finally!" Yazwa snapped in a huff, turning on her heel and striding haughtily for the stairs. Inside, she was singing. It worked! Now she just had to confirm they were right before she went back.

Playing her part to the hilt, she pushed her way past anyone on the stairs until she reached the proper landing. Luck was with her. Portholes provided light even this deep in the ship, and there were no lanterns for her to snuff out. She kept walking until she saw an iron door flanked by two guards. Keeping her pace up, she passed them, fighting to keep the smile off her face until she could duck into a doorway.

She’d found it! She could lead the others there if she had to.

They were going to get off this ship.

With a skip in her step, she hurried back to her room to tell Ji the good news.

-

Saiyun was thankful for the hot sun and the long flight of stairs up to the top level of the sterncastle. It would help explain the sweat. He followed Kauhy up, wiping his hands on his robes.

Azun wouldn't have called him up for nothing, but that was little help in figuring out what he actually needed.

"Lovely view, isn't it?" Kauhy said as they reached the top of the stairs. Laid out before them were the many sails of the ship, and off to the sides was the wide blue ocean, packed with the warships escorting them. "I never thought I'd see such a fleet, much less command a ship like this."

Looking up, Saiyun saw dozens of specks circling in the skies above. They were the flying summons, protecting the ship from above. There were doubtless just many many aquatic summons in the waters around them as well.

"It is truly impressive," Saiyun said, sounding as chipper as he could. "The world hasn't seen such a thing in decades."

Kauhy nodded as he knocked on the ornate door at the top of the stairs and stepped in. "Your Eminence! Saiyun Li Enaoshi has come at your command!"

Azun's gruff voice drifted out of the cabin. "Send him and leave us be."

Stepping in, Saiyun took a look around the room. Tall windows dominated the rear wall, through which he could see three other treasure ships sailing behind them in the distance as well as the wakes of their escorts. A long table ran along the entire back wall with many drawers from the ground up. The walls to the left and right were decorated with massive charts of the Raoin and Etrin Seas, a massive map of a unified Qisin hung on the wall opposite the windows. Under it was an enormous, ornate desk covered in maps.

Azun loomed over it, working with a compass.

"Thank you for inviting me up to speak with you," Saiyun said, flinching as Kauhy shut the door.

"Mm," Azun mumbled as he drew some precise lines on the map. "Your former captors have likely delayed us by a full day. I may have them flogged."

Was this a test? Did Azun suspect he was lying? He had to tread carefully. "I would dare say they deserve it," Saiyun replied. "They are pirates after all."

"Indeed," Azun said, setting his compass aside and sitting down. He went dead still, his cold blue eyes boring into him. "What do you think of my ship?"

"It's wondrous," Saiyun said. "I can scarcely believe what I'm seeing. It's a privilege to be aboard such a magnificent vessel."

Azun remained motionless, letting the silence hang in the air for what seemed an eternity before he finally broke it. "Odd. I'd think a loyal servant of the Haogon Emperor would be more…distressed."

He WAS being tested. But for what? Back on the ship, he had proven he was fluent in Old Qis, which seemed to satisfy Azun that he was who he said he was. Giving the three of them unguarded rooms seemed to confirm that. If he believed Saiyun was who he said he was, then what was he testing? Without knowing that, the best he could do was play the part.

He was a kidnapped official, nothing more. "My father taught me not to be rude to those whom I owe favors. I owe you my life, Your Eminence."

"Repay me by answering my questions honestly," said Azun. "What do you think would happen if ten of these ships, escorted by thirty smaller ones, were to sail for Channan Harbor? Would the fleet there be able to repel us?"

Saiyun frowned. "I'm not a military man..."

"But you have eyes," Azun said sharply. "You work in Channan Harbor, where the Eastern Hangzai Empire navy keeps the bulk of its fleet, save for squadrons at Lai Zeng. From a civilian's point of view, what do you think would happen?"

"You wouldn't even need ten of these," Saiyun said, sagging in a way he hoped seemed genuine. "The fleet spends most of its time chasing smugglers and pirates. They haven't had a real fight in decades."

Azun's bushy eyebrow twitched. "I imagine the crews that man the guns overlooking the harbor are equally out of practice."

"I've never been up to the forts," Saiyun said, looking Azun in the eye. "But I wouldn't be surprised if that was true."

"You told me you worked customs on munitions," Azun said, leaning forward and steepling his fingers. "How much gunpowder has your Empire imported in the last year? How much stayed in Chanan Harbor, and how much moved on?"

"I must protest," Saiyun said, straightening up and trying to hold his gaze. "I am grateful to you, but those are state secrets."

Azun's brow furrowed, and he clenched his hands into fists. "Let me start by sharing a few. After this voyage, I will sail my fleet–holds bursting with guns, ammunition, and rice–back to the Tsilen Empire," he said, growing angrier with each word. "That cargo will arm and feed an army three times the size of the squabbling forces that protect the Western Hangzai Empire. Our army will drive to the Floating Palace and take it. While they are doing that, my fleet will destroy your navy and blockade your ports to starve your military of the resources it so desperately needs."

A knot formed in his stomach as Azun's rant continued. What was the man doing? Why was he telling him all this? Was he boasting? Trying to intimidate him into answering his questions? Was he going to shoot him if he refused again? Had he figured out their ruse on the ship? Was he just enjoying tormenting him before he had him executed?

No.

Saiyun took a breath and cleared his mind as Azun went on about his agents blocking imports from Ibscaal into his country. Azun had built this fleet, and he wasn't stupid. He didn't think in the short term. This WAS a test and Saiyun knew exactly what kind

"You want me to spy for you," Saiyun said abruptly, daring to cut him off.

Azun glared at him. "Yes. It's the smart thing to do. You don't have a chance, and you know it. You'd probably die when I bombard Channan Harbor into ruins. Help me win, and you'll be rewarded when the war is over. Money, land, titles–there will be plenty to go around."

Agreeing with him would be the obvious thing. Even the smart thing, as he said. Saiyun swallowed, hoping he had it right. "Your Eminence. I took an oath and I intend to keep that oath."

The anger disappeared from Azun's face, replaced with its previous coldness. The silence dragged on until he clicked his tongue. "If you will not be a spy, will you be a messenger, at least?"

Saiyun clenched his fists, fighting to keep the smile off his face. He was right, but he still had his act to maintain. "I do not understand."

"After our stay in Adoti, I intend to charter a ship to send you back home," said Azun, voice toneless. "I will send you with a letter for your Emperor to explain the hopelessness of his situation, the steps he may take to surrender peacefully, and the consequences if he does not. Can I trust you to put it in his hands?"

"Yes. I will deliver this letter," replied Saiyun. “That much is only my duty.”

Azun stared at him as he opened a drawer and reached into his desk. "Once you see the full might of my fleet assembled, you may think differently. On your way."

"Your Eminence," Saiyun said, bowing and making for the door as fast as he could without looking like he was hurrying.

"Wait," Azun said as Saiyun put his hand on the doorknob. He pulled a book bound in black leather out of the drawer and put it on the desk. "I'm going to write in my log that I rescued a loyal man today. May that serve as consolation for what is to come."

"I am honored," Saiyun said as he slipped out of the room. Once he was out in the sun he ran down the stairs as fast as he could, heart pounding in his chest. If he had guessed wrong, would he be dead by now? Would he be tested again?

He did his best to push the doubts out of his mind. He’d overcome one obstacle, and he could manage a few more.

When he reached the deck he checked in his room to see if Ji had come back. When he didn't find her, he went looking for Yazwa's room. When he reached the hallway, he saw her pop out from around the corner.

"Saiyun!" she called out, rushing over to him and lowering her voice when she realized someone was cleaning the hallway. "I found the brig."

"What are you doing out of your room?" Saiyun whispered, hurrying to her door. "Ji was supposed to tell you about–"

Yazwa interrupted him, grabbing the doorknob. "She did. But we had to find the brig, so I sent her to distract Ca Diro while I went looking for it. She’s supposed to meet me back here.”

"I knew I shouldn't have let her go," Saiyun grumbled, swinging the door open.

Ji wasn't there.

Saiyun swallowed, a shiver running up his spine. For a split second, all Saiyun could think of was the emptiness behind Ca Diro's eyes when he smiled.

Then he took off running.