Only the dead have seen the end of war

  -Plado, Philosopher of the Grekos Archipelago

  Entering the throne room had been daunting at first. Rows of stone benches lined both sides, raised in ascending tiers behind towering, ornately carved pillars.

  The pillars held up the lofty ceiling, with a grand dome in the centre that was covered in a magnificent fresco depicting various scenes of the Emerlan Isle’s history. The dome itself was tipped in glass, splitting a single sunbeam into a corona of radiance that bathed the entire space in light during all hours of the day

  Her gaze descended, ignoring the minor nobles and members of government in the benches as it came to rest on the throne. It was quite likely the most valuable item on the entire island.

  Carved from quartz and inlaid with gold runes across its surface, the throne radiated authority. The entire space was constructed for function over form, yet had an understated grandeur nonetheless.

  The king was seated upon his throne, looking comfortable yet postured perfectly. He had entered earlier so as to not draw attention to their group, though their late arrival did not go unnoticed by many.

  Prince Everyn strolled down the green carpet with the swagger of a man in his own home. It was, after all, his home…

  Warmaster Varion was a few paces behind the prince, showing appropriate deference to the members of the royal family present while seeming not to care about the opinions of the rest of the audience.

  Rose herself was still marvelling at the decoration of the throne room as they approached the raised dais upon which the throne sat, the prince kneeling down in front of his father along with Varion at the bottom of the steps leading up to it. Rose curtsied, but remained standing. Her father also knelt, throwing her an admonishing look.

  However, she wasn’t going to compromise her principles now. She didn’t believe anyone in that room could overpower her, the majority of them pampered nobles and paper pushing bureaucrats.

  That wasn’t to say they weren’t far more experienced than her in many ways. Rose knew they would have many skills that eclipsed hers in level, but they weren’t likely to be combat related.

  Prince Everyn had bragged that he was one of the most powerful warriors in the kingdom. Since then, Rose’s opinion of said warriors hadn’t been very positive.

  Plenty of the nobles and officials present began murmuring amongst themselves and looking disgruntled at her behaviour, but she disregarded them all. If the king himself didn’t care, why would the opinions of the rest matter?

  Not that Rose particularly cared for the man’s opinion either, especially after the stunt he’d attempted, but it held the most weight comparatively. The king looked out over the crowd, his gaze silencing the rabble.

  “Rise, my son. Warmaster,” he said with a flourishing wave of his hand. “Everyn, you have fought valiantly and shown the Emerlan Isle why you are worthy of being the Crown Prince.”

  “I only did as my duty demanded, father,” he replied curtly, rising to his feet and ascending the steps to take a position beside the throne.

  Varion received no personal praise, though he hadn’t exactly done anything to warrant it. He joined another man and a woman who were standing at the edge of the dais, above the regular audience but not as prominent as the king or the prince.

  His ancient eyes fell on her next. She met his gaze without flinching, earning a few curious murmurs from the crowd.

  “Finally, I would like to thank this young lady in front of those gathered here. She played no small part in repelling the invasion of Fairwater Bay and defeating Commodore Foulter, from what I’ve heard,” he said in a gravelly tone. The whispers of the crowd intensified and the king did nothing to silence them this time. “You are a credit to your nation, Rose Everblue.”

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  She nodded. “He brought his demise on himself when he dared to strike my home and kill my mother. I will show anyone they send to our shores the same treatment.”

  “Well spoken. Powerful resolve from someone so young. Your mother will be remembered fondly, I am sure. Many of my advisors and warriors could learn a thing or two from you. In fact, as worrying as it is to say, that is the very reason we are gathered now. Minenblum are launching a full scale invasion of our little island and I fear the strength they have deployed is beyond our means to resist,” the king sighed, throwing his gaze to the painted ceilings for a brief moment.

  Rose wasn’t surprised. She’d been told Minenblum were on the warpath and continuing their assault was inevitable after the loss of their first fleet.

  However, she knew firsthand the difference in strength between the upper echelons of their navy and the warriors of her homeland. She had struggled against Commodore Foulter and he was far from the strongest opponent they would face.

  Was it the fate of the Emerlan Isle to fall to their relentless conquest? She couldn’t see any path of victory, but perhaps the king had more hidden secrets like their mysterious war chamber.

  After the king began addressing the crowd, Rose and her father joined her uncle in the stands. He admonished her for rushing off while simultaneously praising her for her victory.

  When he heard about her mother, he was suitably upset, offering condolences and hugs. Suddenly a chorus of shouts erupted as the throne room descended into chaos, nobles and officials alike arguing about their strategy.

  War was coming for them. Instead of bickering like children they should be training. It wouldn’t help that much, but it was better than this. Rose was a little disgusted.

  ***

  The gathering had produced little of worth. As far as Rose could tell most of those present had never seen a real battle in their lives and had nothing to offer to the defense strategy.

  She had little faith in the Emerlan Isle’s capability to defend itself. It was harrowing, facing the imminent conquest of her home country, but she was still too weak to change this particular destiny.

  For their part in orchestrating her mother’s death, Rose would make Minenblum pay. That day might be in the future, but in order to ensure she could claim her vengeance Rose would need to survive, train, and challenge herself.

  At her uncle’s home, they were eating dinner. Despite the luxurious mansion and elegant dining room, it was simple fare. Grilled fish and potatoes.

  Her aunt and uncle had never forgotten their roots, despite their elevated station. Rose thought of her mother as she ate, a few tears rolling down her cheek.

  After they were finished, she confronted the trio. “I’m not sure you’ll like what I have to say, but I need to say it regardless,” she began, rubbing her temple. “We should leave the island and travel somewhere that is far from Minenblum’s reach. I intend to personally claim vengeance, but I am far from strong enough. We need time. I know we hail from these shores, but they will still be here for us to return to. What we need now is time.”

  “I will not abandon this nation in its time of need,” her uncle immediately exclaimed, frowning and leaping to his feet.

  He began pacing around the room, her aunt sighing and throwing him an admonishing gaze. “You are a good man, but I think Rose is right. I don’t want to see you die an early death. There is no way we can stand up to Minenblum.”

  “Minenblum are not fools. They are bastards, but not fools. They want to conquer the island. They won’t slaughter us all. At least if I stay I can try to make sure the citizens aren’t treated like doori in the aftermath,” he said, waving his hands wildly as he spoke. “I have a duty.”

  “I won’t leave either. I was born here and I don’t know anything else; the salt of the Emerlan shores runs in my blood,” her father said. Rose scrunched her face as he continued. “Your mother meant everything to me. Without her, you are my only light in this world. You’ve already made me proud. Go into the world and achieve your goals, my little fish. Just make sure you never forget where you came from.”

  Why are they speaking as though they’re about to die… she groaned inwardly. The situation isn’t great, but uncle has a point. Minenblum wouldn’t just slaughter everyone. No one would let them get away with it.

  “You’re all so stubborn,” she moaned, reclining on the sofa and kicking the air in frustration.

  Her aunt chuckled and stood up, walking towards the kitchen. “I’ll make some tea. Where will you head first, Rose?” she asked as she left.

  The kitchen was right next to the living room and it was easy to have a conversation between the two rooms. Rose had to think for a moment. She hadn’t expected everyone to dismiss her plan, only believing they’d sail as far as they could; far beyond the reach of Minenblum.

  Then again, they will send their stronger officers to conquer the Emerlan Isle, but that doesn’t mean every fleet will be stronger than me…

  A dangerous spark of an idea flickered to life in Rose’s mind. It would be risky, but a pirate’s life was full of risk. And if there was one thing pirates did best, it was lightning fast raids—slaughtering their foes and claiming their loot, then disappearing before anyone could give chase.

  “I have a plan. It seems like I won’t be going that far away after all…” she said, drawing her family’s attention as she began to explain her idea.