by Megan Derr
A brisk knock came at the door then, and at Kyo's call it swung open to admit a sailor. "Begging pardon, highness. Captain said to inform you that dinner is ready in his quarter, should you care to join him. If his grace is up to it, he is, of course, invited as well."
"Thank you, we will be along shortly." Kyo almost rolled his eyes at the way the sailor's eyes darted between them, noting the way they sat, where Krasny's hand rested; he suspected rumors would fill the ship before they made it to dinner.
The sailor left, and Kyo stood up. "I should go get dressed for dinner. I will send Taka to help you get ready since you certainly cannot wear that robe as it currently is."
Krasny rolled his eyes, but only nodded. "Think about what I said, highness."
"You may as well call me Kyo," he replied. "As I told the good Captain, it is pointless to hold with formality at present." He smiled and sketched a playful bow in parting, then returned to his own quarters. Culebra still slept, though from the way his blankets were twisted about it had not been a restful sleep. Kyo fixed his blankets and rested a hand against Culebra's brow, frowning when it proved to be a trifle too warm.
He made a note to have the ship surgeon sent to look him over and set about tidying up for dinner. Though he tried to ignore them, Krasny's words churned over and over in his mind. Should he tell Taka? But it still seemed pointless. Taka would be angry and upset. Then he would try to fix the situation and the hard truth was that there was no fixing it. All Kyo could do was die to return the magic his family had stolen rather than die to keep the magic with his family.
No, Krasny was wrong. No good would come of making Taka miserable by giving him a problem he could not fix. Whatever Krasny thought, it was ultimately better if Kyo went to his death exactly as he had planned from the start: alone.
Chapter Eight: Dinner
Raiden poured himself more wine as he glanced over his dinner companions: Kin looked surly and restless, and as if he would sooner kiss a mermaid than admit he felt insecure; Kyo seemed weighed down by his thoughts; Taka appeared troubled by Kyo; and Lord Krasny looked as though he were seated at his own table and they were all his guests.
Hiding his amusement, Raiden picked a roll out of the basket near his plate and passed it to Taka, who was sitting beside him, before he buttered his own. "You look remarkably fit after your ordeal, your grace."
"I have endured worse," Krasny said. "Though, I admit I have not endured more dramatic. It was his highness who suffered the most in the attack. I am eternally grateful to you, Master Raiden, Captain, for the fortuitous rescue. I did not relish becoming a meal for the fish or the mermaids."
Kin grunted. "I am astonished they did not eat you."
Krasny shrugged. "I am told I look better than I taste. I guess they agreed."
Raiden laughed. "There is no good response to that, and so I shall not give it, but I am glad that you and his highness were passed over for supper. We will make all haste to get you home to Pozhar, and I am sorry we cannot take the time to take his highness home to Piedre."
"You have done more than enough, and I doubt after this his highness will be in any hurry to return home. There are many who will be grief-stricken at the loss of Master Granito, his highness' bodyguard, and it will only give the Brotherhood of the Black Rose more fodder to declare his highness a thing of evil."
Kyo's mouth twisted with disapproval. "I hope you will take care of Culebra, Krasny."
"Of course," Krasny said, looking amused. "I am nothing if not adept at serving royalty, highness."
On Raiden's other side, Kin stabbed with particular viciousness at a piece of fish. Raiden made a note to harass him later. They were not even a day into the journey and already there seemed entirely too much going on. He hoped they survived to the end. Eating some of his own fish, murmuring in pleasure at the flavor, he then said, "If I am not mistaken, your grace, you are related to the Tsar, are you not?"
"He is my cousin," Krasny replied. "His father married my mother's eldest sister. The Tsar's sister, Princess Sonya, and I are very close in age, and it is through her that I found a path to becoming Zarya's Advisor." For a moment, he looked tired, but it was gone even faster than it had appeared. "They will not know what to do with me when I arrive several months ahead of schedule. But enough about me, please. I would know more about my rescuers. You are clearly a merchant of no small talent, Master Raiden. What do you trade?"
Raiden leaned back in his seat and sipped at his wine. "A little bit of everything. My ancestors started the business a very long time ago. We were amongst the first world-travelling merchants. I own nearly thirty ships and have licenses to trade whatever, wherever, though the royal offices do make it storming difficult to renew said licenses when they expire."
Kyo laughed. "That is only because they are always hoping to find new ways to tax you, but unfortunately you are a rare instance of a merchant who operates fully within the law. I do not believe there has been as much as a citation on your record for the past half-century."
"Only a fool cheats," Raiden replied. "It's more difficult and expensive than just being an honest citizen."
Kin snorted and ignored the look Raiden shot him in favor of draining his wine and pouring a fresh cup.
"So it is a family business," Krasny said. "I would have a care with such a proud lineage, as well. Do you run the business, or work alongside another family member?"
"I run it. I took it over a couple of years before my father died, several years ago now. He was a good man, all the more because I am not actually his son, but adopted." Raiden refilled his own wine cup and ate a bite of bread before he continued speaking, amused by the expectant looks on their faces. He loved a rapt audience, and he was good at getting them, much to Kin's annoyance. "He found me at sea many years ago when I was quite young. I have no memories of whatever happened before the moment I woke on his ship, but we decided I must have been on a ship attacked by mermaids. He had only daughters—my sisters, though they are scattered across Kundou and one now actually lives in Verde—and so took me in as his son. In light of that, I could never do anything, but my best by his business."
Krasny nodded. "Your Captain seems as unique as you; if I am not mistaken, Captain … "
"You're not," Kin said shortly, then abruptly stood up. "I must go check on the men." He strode out of the room, leaving a resounding silence in his wake.
Raiden broke it with a chuckle, shaking his head ruefully. "Please do not mind Kin; he is not used to such illustrious guests, though as to that, I believe he and the Lord le Blanc got along quite well."
Krasny said nothing, merely sipped his wine. The silence resumed, and Raiden let it, content for the moment to have a chance to actually eat his meal.
It was Taka who finally broke it, asking, "How is Prince Culebra, Kyo?"
"I do not know," Kyo replied. "He has not woken since he fell asleep some hours ago. I think he is not in any hurry."
"I suppose not," Taka said. "I am working on sorting out sleeping—"
Kyo stopped picking at his food to glance up at Taka with amusement. "Taka, you are not my secretary, and I am perfectly capable of finding my own bed. I will probably remain with Culebra because I fear the state he will be in once he does wake. Krasny can have your bed, and I am certain Raiden or Kyo will be happy to find another bunk for you."
"Of course," Raiden murmured politely, and he added a bit of smirk just to watch Taka puff up. He could not wait to calm those waters sufficiently that he could drape Taka in jewels. Treasure enhanced by treasure, yes. All the better when Taka wore nothing but the jewels, wantonly spread on Raiden's bed, eager and ready for fucking.
He sipped at his wine and tried to cool his mind by contemplating all the tax reports he was avoiding. "How are you at tax reports?" he asked Taka.
Taka's mouth tightened at the reminder that he belonged to Raiden. "Excellent. I'm also well-versed in trade permits and licenses."
"Taka is well-versed in everyth
ing," Kyo drawled. "I promise that when my father finally gets a hold of me, he will be more upset I took Taka with me than anything else."
Raiden sincerely doubted that would be the primary source of the king's ire, but did not argue the point, merely said, "Well, as I have already oft stated, I am looking forward to seeing what order Taka can make of the chaos that is my paperwork. I keep a secretary about as well as Kin keeps—"
"If you finish that sentence, Raiden, I will feed you to the sea-bitches myself," Kin snapped from the doorway. He closed the door behind him with not quite enough force to count it as slamming, then strode back to the table and resumed his seat. "Skies are clear and the wind remains strong in our favor. I have never known the weather to be so favorable."
Krasny quirked a brow, then glanced at Kyo, but after some silent conversation, said nothing. Raiden did not know if he should have been amused or offended that they were so blatant about leaving everyone else out of the conversation. Beside him, Taka scowled at Kyo, but also remained silent.
Raiden let the matter go for the moment. "I say we enjoy it while it lasts because storms are like mermaids: they strike hard and fast and give no quarter. They are murder on my profits and all too often, sailors who do not die, quit, and it is getting increasingly difficult to come by good sailors."
Kin rolled his eyes, but said nothing, merely finished his dinner in several quick, neat bites. Dinner concluded shortly thereafter, and Kin rose to call for the cabin boy to clear it all away. Raiden finished the last of his wine and caught Taka's eye with a gesture. "By all means, see that their highnesses and his grace are comfortably settled for the evening, then return to me by your pleasure. There is something I would like to discuss."
He did not smirk when Taka flushed, no doubt recalling their earlier conversation that had been so rudely interrupted by Kin, if for good reason. Raiden reclined in his seat as the cabin emptied save for Kin. "Something is troubling you."
"The weather is too good," Kin said flatly. "We are going exactly where we need to with all possible speed, and storms are so numerous now we should have hit rain at the very least. But save for the wrecked ship, it has been perfect the entire day."
Raiden traced the rim of his empty cup with one finger. "I would wager it is the doing of his highness. They say Dragon Magic does not work away from Kundou, but if anyone could find a way around that …" He shrugged then said, "I would also wager that his grace is the reason that he and Prince Culebra are alive. You said fire feathers were in his chest, and given his state as you described it, I would bet a couple of mermaids met a fiery fate and the knowledge they could burn frightened the others off. But that is only supposition."
Kin looked at him, clearly disbelieving. "If that were the case, wouldn’t his grace just say?"
"Pozhar is odd about magic; the less they must speak of it, the happier they are."
"How do you know so much?"
"I am older than his grace, Kin," Raiden said with a chuckle. "I just age well. Long before you and I crossed paths, I travelled extensively, especially back when my father was still alive. I was in Pozhar to witness the capture of a Vessel and later the poor man's death. Well, the procession, anyway. No foreigner would ever be permitted into the royal temple or the inner sanctuary to witness the death of a Vessel. They are very somber about it, but also very ruthless. If his grace is charged with hunting Vessels, mermaids probably do not trouble him overmuch."
Kin grunted and let the matter drop. "I truly hope the rest of our journey is calmer, though I sincerely doubt it with the royal navy in our wake. I still am not certain how exactly I am supposed to drive them off, only that I will."
Raiden laughed and abandoned the table to go to his desk, sitting down and pulling out a sheaf of papers to rifle through. "Not every problem need be solved with violence. That is your mother coming out in you."
"If you say so," Kin groused. "Personally, I think I would be far less inclined to violence if my ship were not full of spoiled royals and noble idiots."
Looking at him in amusement, Raiden said, "I think there is something caught in your net, my friend—something pretty and royal, perhaps?"
"Hold your breath," Kin retorted sourly. "I have absolutely no interest in doing anything but throwing it back to sea. It's too late in the day for your foolishness, Shima. Do something constructive today, would you? I know you are trying to seduce him in a day, but even you are not that smooth unless someone is being paid to make you think so."
Raiden snorted in amusement. "Go be hostile somewhere else. My secretary and I have work to do."
Kin rolled his eyes, but obeyed, and Raiden went through the papers he'd had drawn before they'd departed. All they lacked were names, and he'd paid a hefty bit to convince someone to fill out the rest of the paperwork without names. He set the papers down as a knock came at the door and called for the knocker to enter. "You do not have to knock, Taka."
Taka shrugged and closed the door behind him, then hovered in front of it, clearly not interested in getting anywhere near Raiden while they were alone. Raiden held back a smirk, pleased that he was already getting under Taka's skin, however reluctant Taka might yet have been. "Come over here, Taka. I do not feel like shouting, and I only bite when asked."
Rolling his eyes, Taka obediently crossed the room, though he stayed on the other side of the desk. "You required me for something?"
Raiden smirked and after Taka rolled his eyes again, said more seriously, "Do you know what his highness has planned should the royal navy catch us? I am not asking you to divulge secrets; I merely want to know if he is braced for it."
Taka frowned at him, clearly torn. But then his shoulders sagged slightly, and he shook his head, wisps of hair flying back and forth across his face. "To my knowledge, he just assumes they will not catch us. While I think he is more than capable of ensuring that, I think he was not counting on Lord Krasny or Prince Culebra." He grimaced slightly, likely upset with himself for divulging so much, no matter if he thought it necessary.
"That is what I suspected," Raiden murmured. "There are not many reasons that a prince would have for running away. What do you think of this one?" He picked up the sheaf of papers and handed them to Taka, who took them with a frown.
A few seconds later, Taka's eyes popped wide and his jaw dropped. He looked up at Raiden. "Do either of them know about this?" Raiden lifted one brow at him. "Of course not," Taka corrected himself and returned the papers. "I am not certain which of them will throw you overboard first."
"Whichever is standing closest, I should think," Raiden drawled. "Can you forge the signatures?"
Taka nodded. "Yes, but I'm not doing it until we must."
"Must will be too late," Raiden said, "but I don't expect you to do it without taking time to think it through. After they throw me overboard, after all, they will go for you."
Making a face, Taka moved to the dinner table and confiscated the remaining wine the cabin boy had left behind. "If those papers wind up not being needed, they must be burned. I don't like it, and I like less I must go behind Kyo's back to do it, but you are right. It will make everything a good sight easier should they catch us. No one will be happy, but …"
"But it's not a crime to be stupid, though half the time it probably should be."
Taka nodded, finished his wine, and strode back to the desk. "Give me the blue ink."
In reply, Raiden just stood up and stepped back, then bowed and swept his arms to indicate that Taka should take the desk. Taka immediately complied, settling behind the desk as though it were his, rifling through the drawers and scowling. "What manner of organization is this?"
"Raiden and Kindan organization," Raiden murmured, moving to settle on his bunk—well, Kindan's, but his for the foreseeable future—and simply watch in amusement as Taka began to empty the desk drawers of their contents and pile everything on the desk. Raiden waited for the ship to move in such a way that it all went tumbling, but everything stayed in place wh
ile Taka finished emptying the desk and, piece by piece, put it all back again.
The watch had marked two hours before Taka was finally satisfied and at last went about the task for which he had initially sat down: forging signatures. When he was done, he pulled out a chain around his neck from beneath his robes. Letting it dangle for a moment, he heated sealing wax and dripped it onto the last of the seven sheets of paper. Before the dark blue wax could dry, he pressed Kyo's royal seal into it, completing the forgery.
"There," Taka said. "Let us hope that should the papers be needed, we are elsewhere on the ship and have time to brace for the attack. I, for one, have no desire to be pitched overboard or thrown in the—what is it, brig?"
Raiden snorted in amusement. "Aye, the brig. Kin wouldn't be that nice, however."
Taka made a face as he cleaned up the desk again, tucking the wax supplies, ink, and pen away. Examining the papers, finding them dried to his satisfaction, he put them away as well then stood up. "If you have no further need—"
"Oh, I'm not finished," Raiden said, standing up and crossing to the desk to reach into one of the cabinets behind it. He pulled out a heavy jewel case and set it on the desk, then pulled a key from his sash to unlock it.
"What are you doing?" Taka asked.
Raiden ignored him for the moment, shifting smaller boxes out of the way before he finally found the one he sought. Lifting it out, he pushed the jewel case aside and opened the jewelry box he'd selected, then spun it around to show Taka.
"The Mermaid's Grasp," Taka said, voice soft, face filled with longing. It had been clear from the moment Raiden had bartered for them that the jewels meant far more to Taka than to Kyo. "It took me weeks to locate them and days to wear the owner down to a price that was not out-right thievery. Kyo only wore them once."
"A pity," Raiden said, lifting the choker of black pearls and esmeralda beads from its velvet bed. "Treasures are to be used, displayed, admired, enjoyed." He stepped closer to Taka and then slipped around to stand behind him, fastening the choker around his neck. Bending, he murmured, "Jewels are meant to show off the beauty of treasures."
