The Rival of Gods

Chapter Two: Tensions

Princess Oresa felt a bit out of place here.

When they'd entered the throne room, she hadn't been sure what to expect. But when the Silent Guard was unveiled, she'd thought for sure there'd been an ambush. Isamu, Urus, and Cadas had been about to begin fighting, and so were Father's guards.

Oresa hadn't been sure if she'd have been of any value at all there. She'd been ready to create a shield or heal, but she knew she wouldn't be of any help. She'd realized that after that fight with the bandits when she froze up. In the end, Oresa was just glad she hadn't been called up.

Now she and her friends were sitting in a courtyard, drinking pure water with ice. There were fruits here from the islands of power that would have been expensive. Father was proud that he could purchase such delicacies. For a less prosperous country like Eastern Kalthak to do, this was a statement of wealth.

Sahshir must have been a pretty good king.

The Silent Guard remained silent as their duty demanded and watched. Oresa had once heard a story of the Silent Guard under Aresh conquering an entire castle of samurai. Not one of them had died in battle, and they had only had a rope and their weapons: no siege equipment or anything.

Isamu, meanwhile, was pacing. He'd wanted to fight King Sahshir, but Oresa wasn't sure that was a good idea. She'd read a lot about what he'd done, and while Isamu was incredibly strong, it could be dangerous.

"What do you think they're talking about in there?" asked Oresa.

"Trade rights," said Urus from where he was meditating. His dark hair was falling around his shoulders. "That's what this whole thing is all about in the end."

"You're kidding," said Isamu. "I thought we were here for a visit?"

"Do you really think Eastern and Western Kalthak would get together over that, Isamu?" asked Urus. "No, there are things far more important to the pride of a monarch at stake here."

"Like what? Some ancient evil rising from the oceans?" asked Oresa, excited at the prospect of adventure.

"Trade rights, as I said," said Urus. "King Nagos of Chaminus, a vassal King of Dinis, has recently expanded his empire to Macshore. With his strong friendship with Abdul Sahshir, they now control the Islands of Power."

"So what?" asked Isamu. "It's a big ocean."

"Not big enough, it seems," said Urus. "They are in a position to tax all Western Kalthakian ships a great deal. Sahshir is exempt from those taxes because he played a part in it. And he is in a position to help Western Kalthak in the same way."

"It's just a bunch of contracts and coins, who even cares?" asked Isamu.

Cadas looked up and shifted, but said nothing. Still, it was more of a reaction than he usually had.