Whispers of Desires: A Sense of Duty {Book 1}

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 59: 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕰𝖘𝖈𝖆𝖕𝖊

The humid air of the Vortex Kingdom hung heavily clinging to Kiyoshi and his guards. Unlike their homeland, which was moonlit and shrouded in darkness, the Vortex Kingdom was under the sun's full glare. The heat was almost unbearable, but they pressed on, determined to find the kidnapped children.

The guards were covered by a dome to protect them from the sunlight, but Kiyoshi walked unprotected, his royal blood allowing him to tolerate the heat. Even the salty tang of the sea could not quite mask the stench of rotting fish and sweat that hung in the air. The kingdom was smaller than Ivamis, but it was just as busy and teeming with life. Pirate ships dotted the horizon, their sails billowing in the sea breeze, while merchants plied their trade on the docks.

A group of young women in revealing clothing approached Kiyoshi, giggling among themselves. The women of the Vortex kingdom were known for their beauty, and Kiyoshi ignored them as his heart belonged to his queen. One of the women, bolder than the rest, stepped forward and ran her fingers through his unbound hair. He stopped, his gaze meeting hers. She smiled, her lips curving into a seductive arch.

"King Kiyoshi of Ivamis, I presume?" the woman purred, her voice like warm honey.

Kiyoshi pushed the woman's hand away from his hair, his expression cold. " Happily married to the love of my life," he said curtly. The woman's face flushed, and she and her companions retreated, their giggles fading into the cacophony of the market.

"This place is a breeding ground for trouble," muttered Loran. Kiyoshi nodded in agreement, his gaze scanning the crowds of people. Despite the heat, he could feel the weight of the missing children on his shoulders. They had been searching for weeks now, following every lead and tip, but so far nothing had yielded any results. "Patience, Loran," he said, his voice low. "Captain Shale awaits."

Shale, the infamous leader of the Vortex pirates, was a man as legendary for his cunning as for his ruthlessness. Kiyoshi had sent a cryptic message weeks ago, outlining Daemon's treachery and requesting an unlikely alliance. To his surprise, Shale had readily agreed.

Navigating through a sea of drunken sailors and dockworkers, they finally reached the edge of the city. There, towering over the docks, was the imposing structure of a huge pirate ship. Its sails were the color of the setting sun, and its name, etched in blood-red letters, was "The Vortex's Revenge."

Two hulking pirates, their faces etched with scars and boredom, blocked the entrance to the plank leading up to the ship. Kiyoshi motioned for his guards to stay behind as he approached the pirates. They eyed him warily, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons. "Hold, landlubbers," one of them growled. "This ain't no place for the likes of you."

Loran stepped forward, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. "We seek Captain Shale," he announced, his voice steady despite the pirates' intimidating demeanor. "This is King Kiyoshi of Ivamis, and we come on a matter of great importance."

The name seemed to register on the pirates' faces. They exchanged glances, then nodded. "Go on then," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "See if the Captain's got time for your fancy talk."

The two guards moved aside, and Kiyoshi climbed up onto the plank. He glanced back at Loran and the others, giving them a reassuring nod. "Wait here," he said, before turning his attention back to the pirates. They led him through a maze of narrow corridors and up a series of creaky ladders, the ship's movement making them sway beneath his feet. Finally, they reached a large, lavishly appointed cabin at the very top of the ship.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the air. "Ahoy there, landlubbers! The King of Ivamis himself graces us with his presence!" Kiyoshi looked across to see a man approaching, his large frame dwarfing the doorway.

Captain Shale, every bit the legend, stood at least six-foot-four with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His face, tanned from years of sailing, was covered in a thick, wild beard that flowed down to his chest. Dark brown eyes, sharp and intelligent, glittered under a mess of short, salt-and-pepper hair. Despite the atmosphere, he exuded an aura of calm authority.

"Captain Shale," Kiyoshi said, nodding respectfully. "Thank you for granting me an audience."

Shale gave a low laugh, "Audience? Make yourselves comfortable, lads. We pirates do not stand on ceremony." He gestured for them to sit on a couple of large, leather chairs. As they settled in, Shale walked over to a small desk and poured himself a glass of dark rum. He took a sip, savoring it before speaking. "So, Kiyoshi of Ivamis, you are here because of your brother's betrayal. I have heard of it. A sorry tale, indeed. And you seek my aid?"

"He hides in your kingdom, Captain Shale," Kiyoshi replied, his voice Stoic. "Daemon poses a significant threat to the stability of both our kingdoms."

Shale took another sip of his rum before responding. "And what's in it for us?" he asked bluntly. "What can you offer in return for our aid?"

"A formal alliance with Ivamis, of course," Kiyoshi replied smoothly. "We would be in a position to offer trade agreements, mutual protection, and access to our ports and resources. As a pirate kingdom, your people would benefit greatly from such an alliance." He paused, his gaze steady. "And as for Daemon, once we've dealt with him, I will see to it that he never threatens your kingdom again."

Shale considered this for a long moment, tapping his fingers on the table. "Interesting offer," he said finally. "But there's a catch, isn't there?"

"Daemon is very cunning, but we believe we have a plan that could work. It is risky, but I am willing to put my trust in your expertise and resources. We would be prepared to offer a substantial reward for your aid, and if it comes to it, we will not hesitate to grant amnesty to any pirate who has sailed with Captain Shale and aids us in this endeavor." Kiyoshi paused, his expression grave. "I understand this is a great deal to ask, but the fate of two kingdoms hangs in the balance. Prepared to seek justice, with or without your aid. However, with your help, we could bring stability to the region and create a lasting alliance that benefits us all."

Shale chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "Justice," he scoffed. "A word rarely spoken in these parts. But I like your proposition, King Kiyoshi. A partnership between land and sea, that is something new."

He rose from his chair, "Alright, landlubbers," he called out, "Seems we have ourselves a little...partnership to discuss."