Bow, Your Highness

Chapter 10: Cabin

"What do you mean, teleport waypoints?"

Tartaglia led the three Inazumians through Fontaine's secret passageways. According to him, to use a mechanism the Fatuis were trying to restore – One that would take them to the port of Liyue. Scaramouche would not believe it until he saw it. Mona would access it from another location. She had to appear to be going to the Cryo Nation.

"Well, what you hear. They're handy! We'll immediately arrive at the established coordinates of the following. That's how we got to Fontaine. There are some combinations and tricks that we are still studying. But this will only have advantages when everything is ready. And economic benefits, of course."

"And you're telling me Inazuma has those too?" He arched an eyebrow. "You'd better not pry into them. My mother will destroy you and then destroy them."

"As she must," Shogun added. "Trespassers have no place in our land. They will only face the consequences of their actions."

"Wow, as receptive as you have been for the past fifteen years." Tartaglia joked. "There are no orders to activate them, but good to know. I hate not going with you, but I have a crucial ceremony to attend. If it all works out, or you open the borders, I'm sure you'll have me there! Come on, there it is."

All three looked at the piece of bluish stone floating in the air. Its shape reminded Scaramouche of a fork – Something they didn't have in Inazuma. They let Tartaglia go first and began to examine and fiddle with it.

"I've never seen one of these before. Have you?" They both shook their heads.

"Well, they are very hidden, excessively so. They're ancient systems that fell into disuse during the wars of the Seven Kingdoms. If you come across any of them, you should know that they are red without activation." The redhead pressed buttons until the glow became blindingly bright. "Come here! Close your eyes. No one moves until I tell you otherwise."

The three approached and obeyed his instructions. As Scaramouche closed his eyes, a stench of dead rats and dampness surrounded him. But within seconds, it changed. Instead of the sound of distant water, he heard murmuring. The smell of the sea and the beach did not wither his lungs.

Scaramouche felt nothing. The little jolts were nothing compared to those he had experienced before. But his stomach churned. For a few moments, his guts screamed for revenge. Fortunately, he was able to put them back where they belonged.

"That's it! Now you'll board the ship, and, in a week, you'll be in Inazuma. We've also been working on technology to withstand the storm at your border."

They opened their eyes, none of them bothering to hide their astonishment. It was Liyue, no doubt. It was the night harbour. They were there. Somehow, Tartaglia had just saved them 80% of the journey.

They followed the Imperial Prince to the Fatui ship, which looked like an ordinary merchant boat. Discretion first, he supposed. They followed him there.

"It has to endure the storm because we are going in. Don't give the little boat any credit." Scaramouche replied. "And how much money have you got?"