Blood Dowry

Ambition

Luthias let out a long sigh. “It’s not the people that concern me, My Lord. It’s the Black Kite—they’ve been sighted near Sadera. Doesn’t that mean they know something?”

The King sat in his grand chair, unmoving. The name Black Kite was no stranger to his ears; rumors of those pirates spread like a cursed prayer, whispered in every tavern and harbor.

Luthias glanced at the silent King, inhaled deeply, and continued, “No one’s ever defeated them.”

“I don’t believe in legends, Luthias,” the King replied, his tone sharp with pride. “Every man can be killed.”

Luthias bowed slightly. “As you say, My Lord.”

Without another word, he turned and left the grand library, leaving the King of Caedes alone.

Outside, birds sang beneath the golden dawn. Through the high windows, the King gazed beyond the palace walls — one side showed a paradise-like garden, radiant with roses and fountains; the other revealed a muddy field where gaunt figures trudged through hunger and filth.

~o0o~

Far from the palace, another legend breathed.

A great ship cut through the ocean waves, its sails dark as storm clouds. The Black Kite. Terrence stood on deck, checking their latest haul — gold, cloth, and enough food to feed a village. His skin was bronze, his eyes coal-black, his cheekbones sharp as carved stone. The sea wind carried the scent of salt and smoke.

“So, next stop’s Biro Village, right?” Nino asked, walking over with a telescope in hand.

“Probably reach it by tomorrow.”

Terrence nodded. “Prepare my boat.”

The crew moved quickly, lowering a smaller vessel and loading it with food and supplies. Terrence pulled a dark cloth over his face, leaving only his eyes visible — the mark of Captain Muria.

Nino watched with a frown. “I don’t get it. We’re helping people — why do we have to hide like criminals?”

“Because to them, we are monsters,” Terrence said calmly.

“But if they knew the truth — that the ones they fear are the ones saving them — wouldn’t they stop being afraid?” Nino asked, still frustrated.

Terrence looked at him, his voice softening.

“I built the Black Kite to protect the people. That’s our strength, but also our weakness. The Crowns have eyes and ears everywhere. If they find out we care, they’ll use the people as bait.”

“So you’d rather let them fear the shadow?” Nino frowned deeper. “That makes no sense to me.”

Andre, who had been standing nearby, patted Terrence on the shoulder.

“Remember the Light of Pramana? They were like us — open, honest, brave. And look what happened. Wiped out.”

Then he turned to Terrence. “Still, I don’t like you attacking royal ships alone. It’s reckless.”

Terrence chuckled.

“They’re trade ships of the Crown. Our job is to bleed the empire dry.”

Andre sighed. “It’s still dangerous, Captain.”

Terrence said nothing. Moments later, a crewman came running.

“Captain, your boat’s ready. You can sail tonight.”

Terrence nodded. Before leaving, he entered a small cabin — where Lior still lay unconscious. His eyes lingered on the boy for a moment, then turned to Andre.

“Whatever happens, don’t go near the villages,” he ordered.

Andre gave a firm nod.

Terrence left the cabin, stepped onto the deck, and leapt down into the small boat.

The waves parted before him like an invitation, carrying him toward the faint lights of a poor village — where prayers were whispered not for riches, but for a single loaf of bread.

~o0o~

Morning rose over a divided world — grim to the poor, gentle to the powerful.

High in the palace, Queen Caedes stood on her balcony, basking in the sunrise. Her sharp eyes scanned the world beyond the walls. Peasants hauled sacks of harvest to the royal carts, even children with thin arms and hollow faces forced to work for the Crown.

The Queen smiled faintly. Her golden gown shimmered like a frozen waterfall. Satisfied, she turned inward — the laughter of handmaids echoed through marble halls as they tossed crumbs to the fish in a crystal pond.

“Look at them, my child,” she whispered, gently stroking her swollen belly. “Those outside the walls are filth meant to be crushed under our feet.”

Her smile grew colder. “You must be born soon, my darling — so you can destroy Oppressio and Rapina, and make our empire whole.”

The Queen turned and walked back inside. Curtains of silk swayed with her movement, the air heavy with incense. Sunlight scattered across the jeweled walls, making the palace gleam like the belly of a dragon filled with treasure.

Down the corridor, she saw Luthias approaching, a rolled parchment in hand. His steps were calm and deliberate. When they met, he bowed deeply.

“My respects, Your Grace.”

The Queen’s eyes flicked to the scroll. “What’s that?”

“A sea chart, Your Grace,” Luthias said, unrolling part of it. “I’ve found a diamond mine—but it lies within the Black Kite’s territory.”

The Queen’s eyes lit up. Diamonds were rare — and dangerous to desire.

“How dangerous are they, exactly?” she asked.

“Extremely,” Luthias replied quickly. “They’ve never lost a single battle.”

“But Caedes is the greatest of the Three Crowns,” she said proudly. “We can defeat them.”

Luthias forced a thin smile. “Perhaps… but the odds aren’t in our favor, Your Grace.”

Her expression hardened. “We’ll see about that. I’ll speak to the King myself.”

Without another word, she swept down the corridor, her fury burning beneath her beauty.

Moments later, she burst into the royal chamber without knocking — no gentle greetings, no smiles. The King looked up, startled.

“My Queen, what troubles you? Who’s angered you?” he asked, reaching for her hand, but she pulled away sharply.

The Queen steadied her breath. When she finally spoke, her voice was calm, almost tender.

“I want to go to the Black Kite.”