Freelands

IX. REVOLUTION

1. Tragedy

Cliffside

Back in the west a ship arrived at Cliffside carrying the dead bodies of Niccon Coshaq and Frederick Coshaq. Wildwind took two bad news in the same day. One; The death of his heir, and two; The disappearance of his wife Smerna.

The next morning, the entire city gathered at the harbour were the funeral took place. Frederick's body is put on a floatable wooden base on water so does Niccon's head, which the priests connected on a full armour, as he had no body send back to Cliffside.

People walk in the shallow waters and leave swords inside those boat-like structure.

Wildwind watches as the people offer their honour to their dead royalties. Royalties who both died fighting as Scipio told to Wildwind.

At this time a man wearing black armour with spikes on the shoulders approaches Wildwind.

"King Wildwind, I'm Angel Mardon, Chief of city guard. I am investigating the dissapearance of Queen Smerna Viriallis, as you ordered." The man says as he bows to his king.

"Mardon? As for the Mardons, the former rulers of Strong-Tower?"

"Exactly, my lord. My father was one of the three brothers of the last king of Strong-Tower. Lost family it is"

"Way too many families get lost sadly, more than new ones." Wildwind answers in melancholy

" So, What did you find about my wife's dissapearance?" Wildwind asks.

"After the departure of the windship. An elder fisherman saw Queen Smerna talking to a man with exotic looks, after a while he saw her going inside the ship with him and leaving."

"And you believe in some old man's words?"

"At first no, but the old man insisted he could describe in striking detail how he looked like." Angel says and takes out a piece of paper from his belt and gives it to Wildwind.

Wildwind unfolds the paper and sees the sketch of a man in amazing detail, at the side of the paper it is also drawed the tattoo on the man's firearm, that of a snake.

"I think I know who it might be..." Wildwind says as he recognizes the tattoo the man has.

"At the Trader's Sea, where the Theeran Islands are, the most notorious pirate is a man nicknamed "The Snake", It's impossible to be him, but some of his bodyguards, or admirals... Pretty plausible. Keep up.the good work." Wildwind says and taps Angel on his shoulder in a way of congratulating him.

"King Wildwind! It's time for the ceremony to begin!" An old man's voice can be heard from the waters.
Wildwind turns his head and sees the city priest calling him

"Duty calls, nice to meet you Sir Mardon."

"Me too, King. Keep calm and we will avenge this tragedy." Angel says he bows to Wildwind.

Wildwind goes inside the shallow waters where the boats with his sons' bodies lay, the priest approaches him and whispers to his ear.

"My King, you will say your speech and afterwards you and the two soilders behind me will help you push the boats deeper in the sea." He says and points with his thumb the two soilders behind him.

"Thank you, blessed one. I, sadly, know the drill." He says, implying the ceremony of his daughter Eva a few weeks ago.

The priest leaves goes to land and Wildwind is left alone infront the entire city waiting him to speak.