Hope Sundered

A beautiful galleon entered the sweeping crescent-shaped inlet before Dioria. By far the largest ship in the harbor, it dwarfed even the triple-masted schooners from Seagate. The vessel’s majestic craftsmanship hinted at untold wealth and opportunity.

Soffric watched as the foreign ship drifted to a halt several hundred yards from his docks. Habit shifted the harbor master’s gaze to the distant watchtower standing alone on the edge of the rocky cliff north of the harbor. He saw no signal torch burning to warn him of danger.

Soffric’s assistant, a weathered old mariner named Gavver, hobbled up to join his supervisor on the central pier. “What d’ya make’ve it?”

“Never seen the like,” Soffric replied with another glance at the dark watchtower. “Pretty sure they ain’t pirates but if that’s a merchant ship, it’s the fanciest one I ever saw.”

“Gonna let ’em dock?”

“’Course!” Soffric answered with a grin. “Gotta collect them fees fer unregistered vessels, y’know. Business is business after all.”

Gavver bobbed his head. “Haha, yup! Bi’ness is bi’ness!”

Soffric watched as a small boat descended from the side of the ship with quick precision. As soon as it touched the water, its small crew rowed with haste for the wharf where he and Gavver were standing and pulled alongside.

Only one of the seven occupants disembarked, climbing the rope ladder to stand before the him. Colorful regalia decorated the man's uniform and a long thin rapier hung from his hip.

The man stood tall and thin, with a long ponytail in a tight braid down his back. He was clean shaven, except for a thin, well-trimmed line of hair above his upper lip, and a curious triangular patch on his chin.

“Greetings!” the man offered with an enthusiastic smile and bow.

Soffric snorted and launched a stream of spittle into the water. “Ain’t you a fancy one. What’s yer name, stranger?”

“I’m Laeroset, Admiral of the Azrahteran Fleet and Ambassador to Emperor Aguliss. We’re here to discuss an acquisition of significant proportions.”

“Gotta wait ’til morning, when the Tradin’ House opens. Once ye fill out the forms an’ pay the dues, you can discuss yer business with the Minister o’ Commerce.” Even at night Soffric’s grin shone with mischief. “Gotta buy a dock pass too, but fer a reasonable service fee I might could get ye anchored tonight.”

Laeroset chuckled and shook his head. “I appreciate your shrewdness, little man, truly. But I’m afraid my schedule is rather tight, and I don’t have time for games.”

The creaking of the dock planks behind him alerted Soffric to someone’s approach. He turned to look down the long pier to see four shadowed figures. As he contemplated their identities, a sharp pain erupted like fire in his heart.

He turned his head back and looked down. Laeroset’s finely crafted rapier was protruding from his chest. He glanced up in time to see the admiral’s smug expression before his whole world went dark.

⸞ ⸎ ⸟

Laeroset kicked the harbor master from his blade. Soffric pitched sideways and plunged into the water. Gavver turned and ran, calling out to the four newcomers for help. One of them drew a dagger as he reached them and silenced him forever.

“So much for Diorian hospitality,” Laeroset said, feigning disappointment. The other six men in the boat sprang onto the pier while Laeroset produced a small cloth from a pocket and wiped his blade clean. Moments later the quartet joined them.

Laeroset gazed up at the dark monolith perched along the cliff's edge. “Any trouble taking the watchtower?”

“No, Admiral.”

“Is everything else in order?”

“It is.”

Laeroset smiled. “Outstanding. Let’s begin.” He instructed one of his men to signal the ship, which sent a signal of its own to the captured watchtower. The tower then relayed a signal to the rest of the Azrahteran fleet—five large galleons, each carrying two hundred soldiers—waiting outside the harbor.

The admiral and his small retinue headed down the pier and up the causeway with purpose in their steps. The plan was thorough, its execution flawless. The city would be theirs before sunrise.