The Elsemer fleet sliced through heavy swells, sails straining under a sky bruised with clouds. General Schar stood at the prow of his flagship, right arm of ever-shifting sand gripping the rail. Eyes locked on the horizon.
High in the rigging, a lookout's cry cut the wind. "Royal ships sighted! Escorted by a fleet — red leathers, Kaine banners!"
Schar squinted ahead. Tension rippled through his broad shoulders. "The Kaine Sect… could it be…" he mumbled to himself. Without turning he barked, "Trim sails! Raise signals — converge on them!"
The fleet answered like a single beast: canvas snapping taut, oars biting water where wind fell short, hulls heeling as they closed.
On the royal vessel, Queen Abigail waited at the rail, now wearing Leonhart's crown atop her head. Frederich Kaine stood close — too close.
Schar's boots struck the deck as he approached. The sand of his right arm flexed and reformed. He took her hands briefly and descended on a knee. Callused left thumb brushing her knuckles. Relief and remorse carved deeper lines into his weathered face.
"I failed him," Schar said. "When Leonhart needed me most, I was not there. I feared the worst when the Sealbearer's message hit Elsem like a warhorn — I sailed the instant it came — but still… forgive my incompetence, my queen."
Abigail stood composed. "You were not in Grey-roses because my late husband trusted you most to protect Elsem in his absence. Rise and stand proud. Elsem needs you now more than ever."
Schar rose. Now taller than her but inches shorter than Fredderich Kaine behind her.
"Lord Kaine came to our aid," she said. "His ships arrived when ours were overrun. My ordeal was brief compared to what might have been."
Frederich inclined his head, measured as always. "When word of the king's death reached me, I knew Elsem would need every ally it could muster. I turned my fleet back toward home waters, intending to escort Your Majesty's ships safely to port. We came upon the pirate attack by fortunate chance — just in time."
"Fortunate indeed. All of Elsem owes you a debt," said Schar. "You are as measured as your sister, Lord Kaine. A wonderful family trait."
Frederich paused, posture shifting — earnest now, almost vulnerable. "My first duty was the Queen's safety, of course. But the reason runs deeper." He looked directly at Abigail. "I seek your hand in marriage. A union between Whyteleafe and Kaine Sects would forge an unbreakable front against the foes gathering on us. Together, we could hold Elsem intact."
For the first time since the attack, Abigail faltered. Her breath caught; her eyes blinked. Leonhart's crown on her head felt suddenly heavier.
KAINE FLAGSHIP
At night. Below deck on Frederich's flagship, the brig reeked of bilge, sweat, and fear. Pirates huddled in chains. Their faces battered, eyes darting in the lantern light.
Kaine soldiers stood silent in the shadows, hands on hilts.
Frederich descended the companionway, calm and poised, boots ringing softly on iron rungs. The moment he appeared, pleading erupted — overlapping, desperate.
"Mercy, lord! We'll never raid again — swear it on our blood!"
"Spare us, we'll serve you — anything!"
Frederich listened without expression, head tilted with faint amusement. He stepped closer to the pirate leader, whose chains rattled as he shrank back.
"How much gold did the Serpents Guild pay you for this job?" Frederich asked, voice casual, almost conversational. "I merely seek to know if my coin was passed along with or without embezzlement."
The brig went deathly still. The leader's eyes widened in horrified recognition. "You… traitor," he rasped, voice enraged. "Sold out yer own people!"
Another pirate scrambled forward on his knees, chains clanking. "If you hired us, we're allies! We'll keep the secret — serve you instead of dying. No oughta know."
Frederich's lips curled into a thin, cold smile. He looked each man in the eye, one by one.
"I have no use for scum."
At his nod, his soldiers moved in. Steel flashed in the dim light. Screams rose — sharp, brief — then cut off into wet gurgles.
Bodies dropped.
Frederich turned away without flinching. He climbed back to the deck as though nothing had happened below.