Chapter 15: Trials and Tribulations

~Winrol Citadel dungeon, Kingdom of Vasilosse~

Luck lay in bed, twirling his wrist to help dissipate the remainder of the tingling sensation his cut had caused him. Under his bandages, a scar had begun to form.

Across from him, Marco slept as soundly as one could in a dingy dungeon. Imprisonment was leagues more boring than he could have anticipated, and he had only been behind bars for a day. Still, if it meant drawing harm away from Hunter and Taina, it was a sacrifice he would gladly suffer for as long as need be. As an added bonus, he was now closer than ever to his father.

As he contemplated how to rescue his father, footsteps approached his cell. A short while later, Prince Windfrey stood before him, his sullen countenance haunting the air around him.

The prince pulled a conveniently placed stool to himself and sat in front of Luck. “I have bad news.”

“Oh, don’t worry, lay it on me. I’ve had a pretty rough last couple of days, I didn’t expect things to get much better,” replied Luck on a far more jovial tone.

“You’ve been captured…” defeatedly muttered Windfrey.

Luck sat up confusingly and began exaggeratedly looking all around him, grimacing sarcastically. “Really?”

Windfrey leaned forward, his head resting in his tense, sweaty hands.

“Hey, are you okay?” asked Luck, starting to feel the awkwardness creep in.

“Tomorrow, a public announcement will be made to the whole city about your capture. My father demands I be the one to make it.”

“Really? What does the city care that I’ve been captured? They don’t even know me.”

“It’s about the treasure of the stars. You’re a valuable hostage in the race to the treasure of the stars. The news of your capture will quickly reach other kings and rulers who aspire to find the treasure themselves. The announcement is meant to deter them, to show the world that my father is in the lead.”

“Oh, I see. I guess it makes a little bit more sense, then. Why am I a valuable hostage, again?”

“Because of Travis Reas. If one man knows how to find the treasure of the stars, it’s him.”

“Oh, okay.”

“You don’t seem very bothered. How can you be so calm? Myself, I’m trembling at the thought to have to tell the world you are our prisoner. It’s the last thing I want to do, but as per usual, my father won’t listen to me. Why would he? We’re opposites.”

“I knew I’d end up here with my actions. It would be silly to act surprised.”

“Aren’t you scared? I’m not the one behind bars, whose life is at stake, yet I’m terrified.”

“Yeah, I am. I did what I did to protect the ones I love, but… what if that was the last time I see them, crying, begging for me to come back. I don’t want that to be my last memory of them.” He let out a nervous chuckle. “Hunter’s gotta be punching air, right now.”

“You won’t die, not as long as I make the announcement.”

“Your father threatened you?”

“I’d say he’s threatening you more than me.”

“Are you gonna make it? The announcement? It’s gonna ruin the public image you’ve spent your life building up, no? I wouldn’t want to be the reason for that.”

“And I wouldn’t want to be the reason for your death.”

“I thought I was a valuable hostage? What happened to that?”

“My father wants to teach me a lesson more than anything, so much that he is willing to throw your life away. I know him, better than most, and as much as I hate to say it, he isn’t bluffing. If I don’t do as he says, both you and your father will die. Maybe not right now, but one day soon. You won’t ever see the outside world again.”

“Hey, well listen, I’d rather live, but I understand where you stand. I won’t be mad if you choose to defy the king.”

“Thank you, Luck. I am forever grateful to have met you. You are a truly remarkable person. But I would never again be able to live with myself if I let you die. I will make the announcement tomorrow. From then on, what happens is up to the gods, though I hope fortune will be on your side.”

“You know, I’ve made up my mind about something, too.”

“What about?”

“You’re a good guy, princess.”

Windfrey took a second to react, puffing out a laugh.

“I hope you become king,” added Luck.

Windfrey stretched his body, sore from the anxiousness. “Thank you, my friend. There’s something else, before I leave.”

“Shoot.”

“You will soon be taken to appear before my father. Prisoners in the capital typically meet with a special counsel to determine their punishment, but in some very rare and special occasions, they are brought to the king, upon his request. Both you and your father will have to meet him.”

“I’m teeming with excitement,” facetiously said Luck.

“Be careful how you speak to him, weigh your words. Think of it as a job interview. You want to leave a good impression on him so he’s less likely to show severity.”

“Heh, isn’t my life already in extreme jeopardy?”

“Exactly. Please be careful.”

“Being careful isn’t my strong suit, but I’ll try,” joked Luck.

“I’ll be off, now, before someone catches me sympathizing with a prisoner.”

Luck waved him goodbye, his pleasant smile reflecting the opposite of his situation. He got up and paced around his cell, trying to pass the time.

“Excited for your date with the king?” asked Marco in a snicker.

“I thought you were asleep?”

“I was, until I wasn’t. I wish I could meet with the king.”

“Why, are you a fan of his?”

“Hardly, but maybe it’d give me a shot at leaving this place.”

“I thought you didn’t care what happened to you.”

“I didn’t really, but your perseverance inspired me. I’d like to bust out of here, if I could.”

Luck jumped up excitedly. “That’s the spirit! … So, how are you gonna do it?”

Marco shrugged his shoulders. “Haven’t thought about that part, yet. One thing at a time, friend.”

“Well, if you want to meet the king, you’ll have to hurry up and get those cogs moving in your head, because I’m about to be picked up for my ‘date’.”

“I’m working on it, don’t worry,” shushed him Marco.

It took less than an hour for someone to come for Luck. It was Admiral Gunn, standing solemnly, hands behind his back, facing Luck.

“It’s time?” asked Luck, despite knowing the answer already.

“Yes, follow me,” dully replied the admiral as he unlocked the cell.

As Luck was crossing the threshold of his cell into the hallway, Marco got up and gestured toward the stoical man towering in front of him. “Excuse me, good sir, may I have a second of your time before you leave?”

Admiral Gunn turned his body to look at the other prisoner from the corner of his eye.

“Is that three golden stars I see under your cape? So, you’re an admiral, then?”

Eska turned back around and locked Luck’s cell once more. “I don’t have time for idle chatter.”

“How unfortunate. I have all the time in the world.”

“If there is something you wish to say, make it known immediately.”

“I don’t suppose you would take me with you to meet the king? After all, I’m a prisoner here as well, and have been for a while. I believe I should get to know my fate.”

“Your turn will come, and it will not be with the king.”

As Eska and Luck began walking away, Marco raised his voice slightly so it would reach them. “I believe my presence could prove fruitful to His Grace. I hear he is looking for Travis Reas. I happened to know the Reas brothers from our time spent together at sea.”

“A convenient story.”

“Isn’t Silvers here as well? Simply ask him, he’ll confirm my story. If he remembers me, that is.”

Eska stood still, thinking. “I cannot bring you with me, but I will let the king know. He will decide whether your story is worth his time.”

“Fine with me. I’ll be awaiting your return.”

What was Marco thinking, Luck wondered. All while following his captor, he turned his head to look back at the black-haired man, who returned a friendly wink. Having no other option but to put his trust in him, Luck turned back to face the door leading out of the dungeon.

What was the king like? He had heard stories from Windfrey, the few times the two had met, about how terrible of a father and a ruler he was. What happened back on South Breeze Island twelve years ago was his doing after all. He was the reason Hunter lost his mother and his home. He was the reason his father had been taken prisoner, the reason why he, Hunter and Taina were on the run. Still, despite all his obvious wrongdoings, Luck held out hope that they could somehow come to an understanding. Naiveté, maybe, but hopefulness; it was all he could realistically hold on to, now.

Before he knew it, Luck found himself standing in front of a massive set of ornamented doors forming an arch at the top.

“We’re here,” said Admiral Gunn.

He pushed one of the doors forward. Through the opening forming, a radiant light blinded Luck. When his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the throne room, Admiral Gunn urged him inside with a light push on the back. The gold plated on the throne, embroidered in the silky carpet leading up to it, hanging over his head on the biggest chandelier he had ever seen, all radiated a noble light.

Balancing out that light, sitting sternly on the throne, was King Bartholomew Soffle, eyeing down Luck coldly and uninspired. On his sides, atop the marble stairs from which he looked down upon his guests, were various high-ranking officers in the Royal Army and Navy. Luck recognized two of them : Vice Admiral Brock Floke and Commander Desmond Blacke.

Vice Admiral Floke wore his usual weaselly expression, standing proudly among his peers, looking down at Luck with contempt. Commander Blacke, however, had the eyes of a vengeful killer, piercing the deepest confines of Luck’s mind. He had not forgotten the face of the one responsible for his hideous appearance. Half of his face was red, like a steamed crab, his skin leathery and itchy.

Along with those two also stood Admiral Frankrick Zube and General Jean-Pierre Roche, both far more neutral in their body language.

Admiral Gunn handed Luck over to two soldiers, who cuffed him and stood on his sides, before joining his comrades on the marble steps.

“Luck…?”

Luck had been busy sizing the power standing before him, so much so that he had not even realised that the reason he had come to the citadel in the first place was standing right across the carpet from him.

He turned his head upon hearing his name, and there, mouth agape and eyes saddened, was his father, Silvers. “Dad!” he shouted enthusiastically.

“Luck, what did I tell you,” asked his father soberly.

“I came to get you out of here.”

“I specifically told you not to come after me.”

“Did you really think I was gonna listen?”

“You should have! I was gonna be fine!”

“You don’t look fine to me.”

“Neither do you! What happened to your wrist?”

“Oh, that’s a long story, I doubt you’d be proud of me.”

From his lavish chair, the king cleared his throat, the hoarse sound echoing in the circular room. “I have half of the Reas family standing before me as captives. I cannot say I am impressed. Silvers Reas, once a legendary treasure hunter and fabled adventurer, now merely a shadow of what you were with your brother.” He turned to face Luck. “And what about you, Luck Reas, son of Silvers. What a sad twist of fate that you would end up here the way you did. Nothing but a foolish boy chasing foolish goals.”

“Don’t speak about my son that way,” said Silvers on a tone far more serious than his character.

“You forget yourself. You are my prisoner. Both of you are. And soon, the whole world will know.”

“Why?” asked Luck. “So that Travis will come out and do your bidding? Why do you want the treasure of the stars so badly, anyway? Of what use could it possibly be to you?”

“You speak of things you should not know.” The king sighed and grunted. “Did my son tell you?”

“What, like you weren’t going to?”

“My son, Windfrey, has a penchant for you. He is far too idealistic and merciful. He spoke of you to me just recently, right before this meeting, in fact. He begged for your safety. You are ‘a good person with a good heart, someone who just wants to help those around him’. Those were his words, if I recall. Is that not funny? The boy who wants to help everyone. I can see why my stupid son likes you so much. You’re just like him.”

“Is that supposed to be a bad thing? Are you afraid of a little empathy?”

“Feelings such as empathy are a hindrance to ruling. You cannot show kindness to everyone. In your childish quest to help everyone around you, you would have soon realised it impossible to please enemies, to help both victim and committer.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s much easier being an asshole to everyone.”

Admiral Zube’s head honed in on Luck. “Silence, boy! You will show His Grace respect!”

It was with a displeased expression that the king himself answered his officer. “You will speak when spoken to, and at no other time, Admiral Zube. Is that clear?”

“Y-yes, Your Grace.”

“Alright, you wanna tell us why we’re here?” asked Silvers.

“My, so eager to return to your cell, are you? You are here today to be put on trial for your crimes.”

“Somehow, I don’t think this is going to be a fair trial.”

“It will be more than you deserve, I assure you. You both stand accused of attacking a Royal Army officer, both of which stand by my side today.”

“You did what!” shouted Silvers at his son.

“Hey, I watched you doing it first, don’t yell at me!” retorted his son.

The king waved for his officers. “Vice Admiral Floke, Commander Blacke, step forward and let your truths be known.”

Vice Admiral Floke was the first one to speak, gesturing to his injured arm still resting in a cast. “As His Grace is fully aware, when I was sent to South Breeze Island to cordially recruit Silvers Reas in our search for the treasure of the stars, he viciously attacked me, breaking my arm-”

Silvers rolled his eyes. “I’m sure everybody here knows what happened. If we’re gonna play through this charade, we might as well get to the punishment already. This is a waste of time.”

“Don’t you want to know what your son did, before condemning him?”

King Bartholomew nodded at Commander Blacke, who took an extra step forward.

“The other day, as I was doing my duty, keeping the king’s peace in the streets of the high town, I came across a suspicious situation, which I’m certain we’ll all aware of, now. Alexis Kareese, the traitor, was harbouring criminals in her personal abode. This boy was one of them. As I was busy attempting to arrest a criminal ne’er-do-well, who had drawn his steel against me, I was ambushed by this boy.”

Silvers was staring at his son for the duration of Commander Blacke’s testimony, his eyes unblinking in disbelief. “Please tell me he’s also lying.”

Luck frantically tried coming up with an excuse, which proved impossible in the split second he was given to defend himself. “It was a heat of the moment decision!”

Commander Blacke raised his deep voice to a resonating roar. “You threw boiling water on my head! Look at me! I have been permanently disfigured!”

“It was stew. Stew, not water.”

“What difference does it make!”

The king raised his hand to silence the room. “As we have heard from my trusted officers, whose bodily injuries are proof enough of their word, you two have committed a grave offense to your kingdom. Officers in the army are the keepers of our peace, and any who would take up arms against them actively fight against peace. Normally, such a crime has only one consequence : death. But, seeing as I must keep you alive for Travis Reas to come out, I cannot call for your heads. Not yet, at least.”

“Alright, so what was the point of this?” asked Luck.

“Neither of you are safe from harm, boy. Should history develop in my favour, I will have no more use of the two of you.”

Silvers glared across the room, his grey eyes bereft of any kindness for a man he once called a friend. “Is this what you wanted, Eska? To stand up there, wearing your three golden stars, as my son and I are put to death for imaginary crimes? Does all the time we spent together as kids mean nothing to you?”

“Dad…” muttered Luck. “You know this guy?”

“Not anymore.”

Commander Blacke turned to the king, his fists clenched. “This boy is still not the one I want! Where is the other?”

“Patience, Commander Blacke,” answered the king. “Admiral Gunn, General Roche, go fetch the other two.”

“As you command, Your Grace,” replied General Roche as he and his contemporary bowed.

A cold wind brushed Silvers as Admiral Gunn passed him, without paying him so much as a thought. To think he had once been close friends with a man no longer willing to even look him in the eyes.

For a while, the throne room was bathed in agonizing silence. With everything weighing on his mind, his son standing prisoner next to him, Silvers could only speak with the sorrow in his eyes.

A short while later, the two officers that had left on the king’s order came back, each with a familiar prisoner. Luck and Silvers were escorted off the middle of the room to make way for the next two having to answer for their crimes.

Ken and Alexis were placed in the hands of the guards on either side of the carpet leading up to the throne to face the king and his officers.

“Ken?” called out Luck from the sidelines.

Ken recognized that friendly voice. He turned his head, the pain in his body screaming at him for simply moving. “Luck…” he wheezed.

Ken looked terrible; his face was swollen and red, except for one black eye and stray hair stuck in his many cuts. Deep finger marks decorated his throat like a necklace, and coupled with his breathlessness, would have one believe they interfered with his breathing. His clothes were torn, ragged and bloody, and no doubt he had some internal injuries to speak of.

King Bartholomew cut the two friends’ reunion short with a loud, ruminative sigh. “Captain Alexis Kareese. It pains me to see you here, today. I had truly hoped your family would pose us no more trouble. It seems, sadly, that I was too expectant of you.”

Alexis returned a look equally contemptuous to the one the king was giving her. “That sounds like a you problem.”

“That tone. You are no longer the frail little girl I once knew, the one who did my bidding and obeyed her every order.”

“Well, the jig is up. I’ve already been arrested, and I have a feeling it doesn’t end well for me.”

“General Roche, she was your subordinate. You deal with her.”

“As it pleases Your Grace,” solemnly answered the general. He walked down the marble stairs slowly, examining the young woman before him, unable to hide the disappointment and disgust on his face. “You look filthy.”

Alexis sneered. “Do I stand accused of not having been able to take a bath these past few days? Maybe you should have given me a cell with one.”

“When you were but a fledgling soldier, I took you under my wing, trained you, shaped you into a worthy captain. You could have climbed the ranks, had you chosen to. Instead, here you stand, a traitor to your duties and your kingdom.”

“I never felt any sense of duty toward you, or the kingdom, or the king whose boots you seem so keen on licking. I only ever did what I did for my family.”

General Roche’s hand flew across Alexis’ face at such a speed, it might as well have been launched out of a canon. “Forgive me, Your Grace. I did not wish to be unprofessional, but I simply cannot allow such vile words to go unpunished.”

Alexis straightened herself, a red hand-shaped mark already starting to form on her cheek. “You’ve got a lot of slapping to do if you want to punish everyone who shares the same griefs as I do.”

“Not everyone, no. But you, my very own soldier. I taught you everything there is to know about being a good, loyal soldier.”

“Evidently, you didn’t do a very good job. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Another slap sent Alexis’ head spinning.

She raised her head again, a drop of blood escaping from the corner of her mouth. “Be careful, general, I might moan.”

“You disgust me.” General Roche climbed back the marble stairs and raised his voice to be heard clearly by all in attendance. “Alexis Kareese, you stand accused of treason against your kingdom and your king, Bartholomew Soffle. To answer for your crimes, there is only one due punishment. In the name of King Bartholomew Soffle, divine ruler of the Vasilosse Kingdom, I hereby sentence you to death.”

“Oh, well. I guess it can’t be helped. At least my little siblings are safe.”

“I would not be so sure,” said the king. “We are hunting them down as we speak. It is long overdue that we eradicate your accursed family. History has changed; you are no longer the loyal vassals you once were.”

“You wouldn’t…”

“You, your traitorous older sister, your useless little brother and sister, all of you are thorns in my sides waiting only to be pulled and discarded. Only your older brother has proven himself to be a good soldier. Still, his loyalty must be tested.”

“You’re sick…”

“Perhaps. But that is of no more concern to you. Now, let us bring this trial to its conclusion. Final prisoner, you may state your name.”

Ken was nudged forward by the guards detaining him. He steadied his broken breathing, ignoring the crushing pain in his chest. “Let’s keep this brief. I’m guilty of whatever I’m being accused of. I attacked that steaming bag of piss standing on your right,” he said, staring daggers at both the king and Commander Blacke. “I tried to kill him, and I loathe the fact I wasn’t able to. If that’s not enough for you, I also murdered two Royal Army soldiers who were just minding their own business.”

Everyone in attendance, even King Bartholomew, were in awe of Ken’s restless confession. Luck especially, stared at his friend, his jaw practically hitting the floor.

Commander Blacke, his face darkening from anger, took heavy steps down the lustrous stairs keeping Ken away from him. “Allow me to shut him up for you, Your Grace.”

Ken slammed his foot forward as the soldiers holding him strengthened their grip on his arms. “Take one more step and I’ll bite off every fucking finger you have left!”

“Not before I make you swallow your own teeth, you little rat.”

“Enough!” shouted the king. “Step away, Commander Blacke. I will not allow any blood to be spilled in my halls. These trials have clearly gone on long enough.”

The ruthless commander begrudgingly did as he was told, cursing Ken with his malevolent glare on his way back atop the marble stairs.

The king took an exasperated sigh and loafed in his throne. He turned his attention back to Ken. “You seem more than willing to accept your fate. If there is nothing else, I will bring a close to this ridiculous trial. What is your name, so that the gods may be witnesses to the legitimacy of the verdict about to befall you?”

Ken’s breathing regained its ragged, unsteady flow from before the adrenaline allowed him to confront Commander Blacke. “My name is Ken Taro. I was born in dirt, I have lived in dirt my whole life, and when I die, my body will rot away into dirt. I was nothing until I found Sir Mew. He was the only good thing to have happened in my life.” He directed his swollen, angry eyes toward the man he so vehemently despised. “You took him away from me. Now that he’s gone, I am nothing again.”

“You were always nothing,” responded the commander on the same tone. “Less than the dirt you were born in.”

“I demand a trial by combat.”

Confused chatter soon drowned the silence that followed. Looks shot across the room as the tension rose.

“You would dare make such a demand of His Grace?” affrontedly said General Roche. “Only citizens of the Vasilosse Kingdom are granted that right. Not some nobody from the Finhro Kingdom who so savagely attacked one of our own.”

King Bartholomew raised his hand to shush his general. “There are many rules written in our code of law I find to be rather obsolete. What do rights matter to a man sentenced to death? Not much, I would presume.”

“Your Grace… You wish to humour his request?”

“Tell me, boy. Why do you insist on having a trial by combat when you can barely stand on your own? You are in no form to be asking to fight for your life.”

“I don’t care about my life. It’s not what I wanna fight for. I just want to kill the bastard who took the only thing I cared about from me.”

“I see. It is that important.”

“None of you would get it. Bathed in gold and money from the day you were born. The hardships of privileged folks like yourselves are vastly different from the hardships of those whose lives are a coin flip every day. Sir Mew was all I had. His life was worth more to me than my own, and so I will gladly give it away to avenge him.”

“Revenge, then. Must I remind you, you do not get to choose your opponent.”

“I’ll just kill everyone who stands in my way until that bald prick faces me like a man. Though I wouldn’t expect much from someone who would rather torture animals and touch little girls.”

Commander Blacke’s eyes grew bigger and redder as Ken spoke. “Your Grace. Please allow me to be the one to extinguish his flame. It would be my honour to kill him for you.”

“It appears we have two willing participants,” said the king with a surprising giddiness. “The people of Winrol have not seen a trial by combat in years. I am certain they will be thrilled. I will grant you two weeks to recover from your injuries. General Roche, please see to it that the event will be a success. I want it to be worthy of my name.”

General Roche bowed, trying his best to hide his disagreement. “As you wish, Your Grace.”

“Finally, I do believe I have seen everyone. You are all dismissed. Please escort the prisoners back to their-”

Before the king could end the day, Admiral Gunn leaned close to his ear and whispered something into it. The king nodded, murmuring back to his admiral.

“There has been a last-minute change of plans for today’s trials. You will all stay a little while longer. We have one last prisoner to pass under scrutiny. This may prove to be important for our future.”

The king’s statement sparked looks of intrigue in the occupants of the throne room. None were left to theorize for very long, as Admiral Gunn soon came back with Marco, who casually strolled into the grandiose room, whistling as he admired the décor.

He stopped short of the stairs populated by a series of men who made it a point to look down on him. After all, he was dirty, scrawny, nonchalant, and a nobody. They would have no reason to look at him with anything other than disdain.

Marco executed an unbalanced, exaggerated bow to greet his audience. “Your royal Eminence.”

“State your name,” said the king.

“My name is Marco.”

“Full name.”

“Doesn’t matter, trust me.”

General Roche took offense to Marco’s insouciance and raised his voice. “You will speak to His Majesty the king with more respect! If you tongue strays too far, I will cut it off myself.”

“I’ve got a commoner’s name, it’s inconsequential. No need to get all worked up.”

“You-”

“Indeed, no need to fret on the details,” said the king before General Roche’s next outburst.

“But, Your Grace…” defeatedly pleaded the offended general.

“Marco, was it? I have been told you might be in a position to help me in my search for Travis Reas. Make your truth known, while you have my attention. Be warned, if you deceive me, I will have you executed by sunrise tomorrow.”

“It would be a very poor deception if you could see through it that quickly.”

The king glared at him.

Marco returned a friendly smile. “I have no talent for deception, I’m afraid. No, the reason I come to you today is in fact to help you find Travis Reas. He’s an elusive man, I’ll grant you that. Ever since I parted ways with him, it’s like he disappeared from the world. But you and I both know that can’t be the case.”

“Is it true you were a part of his crew once?”

“Many years ago, yes. I sailed the seas with him and his brother.” He turned to face Silvers, whose eyes had not blinked since his old friend had entered the room. “Hey there, buddy. You haven’t changed at all. You look the same as you did all those years ago. Maybe a bit more gray hair.”

“Marco… I don’t understand…” whimpered Silvers. “What are you doing?”

“Buying my freedom,” he replied with a sorry look.

The king turned his attention to Silvers, who could barely notice he was being addressed in the midst of the waves of emotions washing over him. After Eska, now Marco. His reunions with old friends were more bitter than sweet.

“Silvers Reas!” called out the king for the fifth time.

Finally, he snapped out of his trance and looked at the king.

“Is this man who he claims to be?”

“Yes, he is…”

“I see. Very well. Now, Marco, I have a query for you.”

“I’m all ears,” answered Marco.

“You claim to have been part of Travis Reas’ crew at one point in the past. Even if that is, in the end, true, how would that alone put you in a better position to find him? Silvers Reas is his brother, his right-hand man, and even he does not know of his brother’s whereabouts. So, why would you?”

“You’ve got me there. I have absolutely no idea where he might be today. But that is where my skills come into play. You see, back in our time together, I was our crew’s navigator. I was the one to find the information we needed regarding forgotten treasures and legends, I was the one who plotted our course, I was the one who guided us. I don’t mean to butter my own toast, but without me, the Reas brothers would not be as famous as they are today.”

“And why is it that we have never heard of you? If you truly had been such an important member of their crew, surely your name would be known?”

“Nah, I always disliked the attention from the public eye, so I remained as lowkey as possible.”

“It’s true…” said Silvers. “He’s a genius at sea. We were at our peak with him at the helm.”

King Bartholomew pondered for long seconds while everyone else waited in anticipation. “And I presume in exchange for your help, you would like your freedom?”

“And nothing else. Life behind bars is rather dull, if you can believe it.”

“Very well. Admiral Gunn, it was you who brought him here. Show him to a more adequate quarter. Marco, from today onward, you work under my orders. Until you find me Travis Reas, you are bound to me by the will of the gods themselves. Your freedom will be your reward.”

Marco bowed again, this time more honestly than when he had first come into the room. “Your Grace.”

“Everyone else is dismissed. Show the prisoners back to their cells and begin preparations for the fight in two weeks. I want the whole city to know.”

It was with a torn conscience that Silvers was dragged back to his damp cell. His son was a political prisoner, his childhood friend with whom he had shared so many happy memories now looked at him like dirt on the side of the road, and a man he had sailed with for years was going to throw away their time spent together to be the king’s pawn. Nothing made sense anymore.