"I'd rather love you, then serve you" (Katemau)

prologue " arrival of the stranger"

3rd POV

The sun shone brightly over Phoenix Drop. The waves crashed on the dock, and the birds sang their melodies while they flew; it was a peaceful morning for the town. Aphmau was in the town's market, talking and checking in with every resident like usual. She was smiling while the wind occasionally blew on her face, moving her black silky hair. A guard in silver armor then came running down the small steps, desperately trying to find Aphmau’s presence. 

“Lord Aphmau! I have urgent news!” The guard said, out of breath. 

“What's wrong Garroth?” Aphmau responded, seeing his desperate tone. 

“The docks! There's a massive ship here..” Garroth responded, pointing towards the docks. 

Aphmau’s eyes widened and she immediately ran, leaving the breathless guard behind. She ran until she reached the top of a hill, overlooking the docks. Her eyes narrowed at the massive ship; it was larger than any other ship she had ever seen in her region. Her heart stopped now seeing the symbol it represents. 

“Okasis..” she said, worried. 

Garroth then approaches her, carefully moving around the hill. “ Do you think Zane has come back with reinforcements?” He asked, concerned in his voice. 

Zane was Garroth's younger brother and the highest priest of Okasis. He had massive respect in his region but was also known to destroy anything that got in his way. Recently, he found Phoenix Drop and found his brother Garroth, who was head guard of Phoenix Drop, but was also the current missing prince of Okasis. He gave them a few days to hand him back, or he would take him away by force and destroy the small town for hiding him. Which by the looks of it, he kept his promise. Aphmau's face went pale as she watched the Hatch fall onto the dock and a woman with blue hair appeared. 

“Let's go to my house. We might need supplies and armor..” Aphmau recommended, slowly moving her legs. 

Garroth nodded quickly and the two ran towards a pink and purple striped house. She quickly opened the door and found an elf with two kids in the kitchen, and another guard sitting by the table. 

“Zoey.. take the kids downstairs. It's an emergency.” Aphmau commanded, her voice stern and serious.  

The elf ears perked slightly and she looked at her then at the kids. 

“Malachi, Levin, please follow me! I have a game we can play in the basement.” Zoey said, smiling at the two boys. 

“What's going on?” The guard said, standing up from his chair. 

“An Okasis ship docked at our dock.. which means Zane got impatient while waiting.” Garroth responded, helping Zoey move the kids. 

“Laurence, I will need you to go downstairs with Zoey. Just in case things get messy.” Aphmau mentioned, beginning to walk towards the kitchen. 

“But what if you need me?” Laurence asked, hesitant to follow his Lord's orders. 

“It's an order. The kids are more important than me.” Aphmau responded, looking back at him. 

Laurence stayed quiet and looked down, and without another word he walked downstairs. 

Aphmau then opened a cabinet and took out a small necklace. It had a golden chain connected to a purple jewel. She gently pressed it for a few seconds and the jewel lit up and began to pulse. She approached Garroth and handed it to him. 

“Here. Keep it hidden, it's a location locator. We don't know what this woman wants, so it's best to have our guards alerted and ready for anything.” Aphmau said, forcing him to take it.