"So the princes of Stormholt do exist," Lord Fergio said quietly. "Forgive me if I don't stand to greet you. The last time someone claimed to represent your father, he sent me a forged seal and a squad of mercenaries that burned down half our docks."
"Does that happen often?" Kion asked. "People coming here parading as royals?"
"Anything happens these days. Everyone's getting desperate. The economy's bad, people are losing their vocations, getting sick, all kinds of things."
"Although Lila did tell me you were coming, so I suppose I have reason to believe you when you say who you are, but it does not give me reason to trust you, not yet at least, even though she does."
"Dad. We talked about this." Lila chided, and Fergio thought for a moment.
"You told me they were your friends, not royals. When did you start fraternizing with the likes of them anyway? Is that what you meant when you said to follow your dreams?"
"Dad." Lila chided.
Ferguson cleared his throat, turning his attention back to Kion.
"Apologies, your highness. We haven't seen each other in years so excuse our father-daughter moment. It seems we've not quite started off well so let's go again shall we?"
Kai's jaw tightened. "We're not here under anyone else's orders. We came because the Greitor attacks have reached too far. The king needs eyes on the situation from someone he can trust."
"Trust?" Fergio gave a hollow laugh. "That's rich. I haven't trusted a royal in years."
Kion stepped closer, his tone firm but not confrontational. "Then trust me as a soldier, not a prince. Tell me what's happening here."
The old minister studied him for a long moment before leaning back in his chair. His voice dropped low, almost a whisper.
"You want the truth? The Greitors aren't just creatures of the sea anymore. They've begun appearing inland—far beyond the coastal lines. We've tried to burn them, drown them, bless the land with holy seals. Nothing works. And each night, more of them crawl from the mist. It's as if the ocean itself is birthing them."
Penelope frowned. "That shouldn't be possible. There hasn't been a recorded case of that since—"
"Since the Shattering," Fergio interrupted. "Yes, I know. But tell me, Lady Scholar, what law of nature still holds after the Shattering? The world's bleeding at its seams, and Port Tabara is just where the wound shows first."
Kion had heard of the Shattering incident.
A genocide so vile that most history books would rather blot it out than hold even a scribble of its name.
Many years ago, a tidal wave had crashed over Stormholt from the sea, killing, man, beast, or monster alike. The sea claimed the lives of over thousands, and when the bodies had decayed within its watery depths, their soul cores had eroded and welded, blending into a dangerous mix of toxic mana that birthed the first Greitors.
The mana poisoning started with the mermen, as that was their home, then it slowly spread inland, up until the biggest outbreak the world had ever seen.
It had happened during Hanso's time, and he had waged a war against his own kingdom to stop the threat. In the end, it had been averted, but the sacrifices were made, the people were slain, and the land had been stained with the stench of death.
A significant purge of man and monster alike.
"The water near the shores was purified with the strongest holy seals from the priests. The ocean should be free from it all. That was hundreds of years ago." Kai protested, not quite entertaining the possibility of what was being suggested.
"We don't know for sure if that's it. And honestly, we do think not, because my men go to the docks every morning, and they can testify to the water's cleanliness. But still…"
He rapped his fingers against the table, his voice dropping to a menacingly low tone.
"Something's causing those attacks from the sea."
He paused, staring into the flame of a nearby lantern. "We've lost two hundred people in the last month alone. And the last convoy I sent for help… never returned."
The room fell silent. The only sound was the faint crackle of the lamps and the soft rush of wind through the broken shutters.
"Those things are strong, fast, and powerful. Stronger than anything we've faced. Heck, even an epic-grade warrior would struggle to keep up with them. It's a good thing you people showed up when you did. It means that help should be arriving."
"That will take some time. The rest of my soldiers had to find a safer way in. As for the rest of the help, it depends on when word gets back to my father." Kion explained, his words cutting through Fergio's hopes.
"King Aurelia." He mused. "I'm surprised he even lifted a finger concerning this. Maybe it was till we were all dead and thousands of Greitors rallied at his footsteps that he would finally do something about it. But nonetheless—"
Kai crossed his arms. "So you're telling us the Greitors are spreading inland—and that your port is the only thing keeping them from reaching the mainland."
Fergio nodded slowly. "For now."
Kion's gaze darkened. "Then we'll reinforce your defences, bring in supplies, and report this back to the capital. But before that, we need to see one of these things ourselves."
Fergio looked at him, a shadow of warning crossing his features. "You'll get your wish soon enough. The tide's rising, and the sun's setting. They'll be out soon, basking in the moonlight."
He gestured toward the window. Beyond the glass, the last of the daylight was slipping below the horizon. The sky bled red into purple, and it seemed that the thickening tension around the town had doubled.
Carts frantically sped down the road, the riders eager to get to their homes. Traders and merchants alike closed for the day, packing their wares and goods. All around, the town seemed to close down as bells began to toll across the docks.
"What's happening?" Penelope asked.
"The same thing that happens every night," Fergio said quietly. "We instilled a strict curfew to ensure their protection, but that alone, is not enough. The more those vile creatures make their way inland, the more people die."
A deafening silence filled the air.
"We'll be needing a place to stay for our time here, to better inspect the situation until my men get here." It was the first time Sir Gaius had said anything since their arrival to town.
Maybe he had been spooked, or just biding his time. Either way, something made him feel the need to step up.
"That's fine. Lila will lead you to my dusty old manor. I hope you'll find it to your liking giving erm…" Fergio took a furtive glance around and cleared his throat.
"If you plan to investigate the situation, then be you'll have to leave at midnight. That is usually when they are out and about. But I suggest the midnight of tomorrow. You all are travelers and will need your rest. I will arrange for my servants to keep the manor in good shape for your recovery. You can have your investigation tomorrow, but please, be careful. In the event you run into one of those things—"
Kion's hand went instinctively to his sword. He exchanged a sharp look with Kai.
"Then we fight," he said.
Fergio gave a grim smile. "You'll get your chance, prince. But remember this—whatever you face out there, it used to have a name."
The words lingered like a chill as the doors creaked open to the salt-stained wind.
Kion stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the docks. The sun hung low in the sky, and the temperature was crisp and warm, but a strange mist covered the docks.
Kion looked as far he could see. Of course, he wouldn't have been able to see anything through the fog, but somehow, quite strangely…
He was sure that something lurked within.