Birthright: The Contested Seat

Wayin

The journey to Galenport from Magnolia wasn't as tiresome as Wayin had thought it would be. The queen mostly kept to herself, stowed away in her cabin. He knew she didn't like to sail, but she'd rather stay tucked away than show any weakness in front of others. It was a blessing, in truth, for he needed a reprieve from her relentless presence.

Gabriel was still taking the brunt of her attention, which again, Wayin was grateful for. He imagined that Gabriel didn't feel the same. He wasn't one for emotional support. He was a gruff man, prone to violence. Comforting his sister or being her gossip companion was his least favorite responsibility. However, his main duty on this journey was to guard her, and that involved much more than just protection. It meant adhering to her every whim, and Gabriel did not fancy himself a plaything.

They had only been sailing for a day before Galenport came into view on the horizon. Wayin hadn't realized how short the journey would be, and his nerves were beginning to fray. It was no small thing for the queen to march into the Riverlands and accuse their High Lord of harboring a fugitive. Lord Galia knew of Wayin's position, but it still unnerved him that he stood on the side of insult.

The ship bobbed up and down on the ocean as it neared the city. Galenport's shimmering ivory castle sat atop its hill, beckoning them forward. Lady Alice stood next to him on the bow, leaning on the edge while gently peeling an orange she had swiped from the galley.

"It's glorious, isn't it?" asked Wayin as he positioned himself next to her on the railing.

"It's a castle, like all the others. The Ethosian people are many things, but diverse in their architecture, they are not," she shrugged.

"Now the castles in Sarth," she exclaimed, letting out a small sigh of longing, "you've never beheld such wonder."

"You've been to Sarth?" asked Wayin, before immediately feeling a pang of regret. Of course she had been to Sarth; her husband was Malik Qadir. He was certain she'd travelled the length of the world and back again.

He still wasn't sure how he felt about her keeping such a grand secret from him. It made him wonder what else she could be hiding. Though he was uncertain about her aspirations, there was one thing of which he had no doubt --- she was his friend. He would have to put his trust in that fact alone, and he hoped it was enough.

"Many times," she responded, her voice laden with fondness. "The air there carries the sweet scent of ripe fruit, and the gardens... Oh, the gardens! They're like something out of a dream, a whirlwind of colors and fragrances that make your heart dance with joy."

"The people, too, are unlike any other. Warm, welcoming, and deeply connected to the land they cultivate. Their hospitality is unmatched, and their laughter echoes through the orchards, like a beautiful song.

"I wish so badly to return," she confessed, her gaze distant as she recalled the memories. "To wander through those lush gardens once more, to taste the sweetness of their fruits, and to be enveloped in the beauty of Sarth. It's a place that stays with you, forever etched in your heart."

"It sounds lovely. Though you are not the first to sing the praises of Sarth. Ethios must be quite dim in comparison," said Wayin.

She offered another casual shrug. "Each nation possesses its unique allure. In Sarth, they likely hold Ethios in similar esteem. It's all a matter of perspective, I suppose."

Wayin reflected on her words and he supposed she was right. He desperately wished he had been born to a more affluent family so that he could have seen more of the world. Though he certainly had enough coin now, he did not have the time. His responsibilities shackled him to his tower like a prisoner. From what Lord Varyth had told him, King Javos would often send him on diplomatic expeditions to Rentos.