Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK II - Scene XI

The ship Prince Reach had took to sea in was unusual, as it used oar as well as sail. These ships were common in Tunidan waters, where the sea was calm, and where swift manoeuvrability in battle could be prioritised. In fact, they were generally the Tunidan boat of choice when scouting back and forth along the channel, between Tunida and Outer Tunida. However, on the choppier waters of the wider seas they were simply outmoded, with sail being king. On top of this, with the advent of black powder there was little room aboard ship for both cannon and oarsmen. Yet, for the time being, Prince Reach stayed true to type, and opted to hit the water in the manner he always had. His immediate aim was to simply acquire the black powder, thoughts of how to best utilise it could wait 'til later.

Luckily for him things were already somewhat underway. Feelers had been put out to the Brynnyfirdians regarding a deal, with agents of the Tunidan crown hopping back and forth from the Three Deserts. The Island of Erba acting as a lily pad for negotiations. There were also reports that mainland forces had landed in the Harbour Lands, and had begun to quickly push the Brynnyfirdians back from the territory. The rarely seen, and always useless, 'Pliant King', the nominal head of the island in name if not in nature, said to have already switched his allegiance back to King Mizmeam. A largely inconsequential gesture, but nevertheless a weathervane in regard the turning of the tides. It was bad news in general, but it served Prince Reach's purpose well as he sailed northward. It would pain the Brynnyfirdians to give up their black powder, but what choice would they now have, desperate as things were becoming. Still, it was essential that he sealed a deal, so a flutter of nerves knotted his stomach as he rehearsed his words for the envisioned rendezvous.

As he mulled it all over he also thought of his brother. Not his eldest brother, the King of Tunid, but his middle brother, Prince Twayen. The brother who lived, almost ghost-like, on far-off Outer Tunida. Manning that island, beyond the edge of the word battlefield. It was he that would be supplying the ships. Building a new Tunidan navy - hopefully with cannon and shot - far away, where only Tunida Birds fly. The ships would not be a problem he thought, as the chug of oars thudded against the ocean. Men though, they would be at a premium. Even with plans coming to fruition how could they complete with the vast Kingdom of Caster, and its endless supply of slaves and soldiery? Not to mention the manpower and resources of the Northern and Eastern Kingdoms to boot.

With all these thoughts turning like pages in a picture book, the places mapped in miniature in his mind, he momentarily disassociated from the wave-riding ship he stood upon. Lost as he was in the wider world. The rushing hiss replaced by silence, the spray on his face unregistered by his senses. He felt as though he was sailing ever further away from both his brothers in spirit as he travelled further north. Returning to reality, leaving this thoughtful gaze, he watched as a Tunida Bird that had perched on the prow finally got bored with its hitchhike north and took off. Lifting into the sky with grace, then heading back south. As it left Prince Reach felt like he was finally crossing into enemy waters. Unfriendly places that had once been subject to his family's Tunidan kingdom.

His galley tacked west as much as possible, staying far from the mainland and its ships. A vessel full of oarsmen being little match for an armed armada. He did have with him the 'flaming arrow' however. The one weapon that had been used to such good effect against the Brynnyfirdians he was now coming to forge an alliance with. So he readied his soul and focused on the world up ahead. Praying he wouldn't need to use it.