"You know why you should be glad you're here? Because you didn't get assigned to the Fleet Militant. Hells, who wants to die from drowning? "

- Decanus Agripos Canatos, XIV Legion, "Discussion With New Recruits"

The Furious Angels and the Diviners of Ruin were the two other adventuring groups that acted as passengers on this ship. The first group of five were ranked at Bronze and thus one rank higher than her Steel, while the group of six were Tin ranked and thus one rank lower. A strange but relatively complementary spread, though none of them seemed particularly eager to challenge the Traxians.

Understandable really, it's not like we're itching for a fight either. Sophie grumbled to herself. With Mila only barely recovering from her seasickness and the other two below deck, Elaria and herself were wholly outnumbered if a fight would arise. At least that doesn't seem that likely to happen, yet.

"Secure the ropes." A marine called out to another.

Grunts and the clattering to metal echoed from their section of the ship. The Traxian soldiers dutifully attended to their tasks as they helped the last of their comrades to board the merchant ship. Their commanding officer had already taken the captain aside and now talked with him as he kept gesturing towards the rest of the ship.

An unfortunate turn of fate as Sophie's idle curiosity meant her eyes accidentally caught his gaze. The man seemed to sneer a little, likely due to her being an elf, and seemed to pull the captain in for a whisper. I don't like that.

She turned to Elaria but the bard had already noticed. She just shook her head and motioned towards the door to the lower deck. Sophie frowned. Is she telling me to warn them? Or that they're down there and should be fine? Whatever she wanted to convey, Elaria gave no further instruction. The bard returned to her duty of observing the Traxians and caring for the ailing Mila.

Distressed at not understanding the instructions, Sophie elected to remain with the duo. She reasoned that Raylani was more than capable of keeping Lucinia safe should the situation arise. Furthermore, the Traxian was a former Traxian royal. If the warship didn't sink them by now and the marines were not actively engaging in hostilities, she doubted they would want her dead, if they were even after Lucinia at all.

They were being too leisurely, too calm. There was no sense of urgency in their actions. While the marines did secure the ship, they did little more than just stand around while their leader talked to the merchant captain.

Sophie however, had a penchant for trouble, and this appeared to be no different. For no sooner had the observations entered her mind, did the captain point towards her.

Oh no.

Before panic could fully set in, the captain then directed the captain's gaze towards Elaria and the Inquisitor. The bard gently dipping her head in acknowledgment without a beat.

Ah! She talked to the captain earlier. Sophie recalled, just what the hells is your plan, Ela?

As if having sensed her query, Elaria stole a quick glance and just smiled before turning back away. Ela! Fuck sake. Would it hurt to just whisper your plan to me?

To make everything worse, the Traxian commander finally broke away from the captain. Based on what she could see, he was heading straight for her with four marines in tow. Dammit.

Sophie immediately tried to appear more proper. Her hand not resting on the hilt of her sword but close enough. Her other rested on her hip to make herself appear just a little bigger. Fortunately, unlike when she had rounded up on the Gratians, the Imperial marines were equipped for speed and ease of movement much like herself. Light leathers and the occasional armored plate for added protection meant that at least in terms of equipment, they were mostly evenly matched if not for their overwhelming numbers.

Beside her, Elaria helped straighten Mila out. The Inquisitor mustered up what little strength she had left to recover her posture and scowl. Mila let out a tired sign and nodded gingerly towards Sophie, acknowledging her presence.

With a united front established, Sophie steeled herself for the confrontation ahead. And judging by the disappointed sneer in on the Traxian's face at the prospect of interacting with someone like her. She doubted that anything would go smoothly. Around them, some of the marines had begun questioning the other passengers as well. No relying on them I suppose.

"A moment of your time, adventurers. Inquisitor." The Traxian commander spoke to them.

Elaria nudged Mila, the Inquisitor letting out a soft growl of warning but responded first anyways.

"Of course," Mila acknowledged the officer, "You may address me as Inquisitor Mila. A bit informal, I know. But that's all people need to know and I'm not in a right state to care for formalities right about now." Mila pointed towards her sickly pallor.

The officer held back a small snicker and just nodded.

"Centurion Gavius Alessos, honored commander of the Fleet Militant's century stationed aboard the Gloria Traxus." He saluted then gestured to the ship.

"Centurion." Mila affirmed. Her tone indicated that they were now past pleasantries. The man seemed to nod in agreement.

"Inquisitor, I presume these are… members of your retinue?" He gestured vaguely towards the sisters.

"In a manner of speaking, yes." Mila cautiously confirmed.

"Pardon me for saying, but you aren't exactly hiding your identity, Inquisitor." He subtly tilted his head towards her hat.

"My business in Gratia is concluded. No need for extraneous measures."

"Of course, Lady Inquisitor."

"Though I suppose hunting cultists and heresy on land is far more to my taste than at sea. No disrespect to your profession." Mila tried to lighten the mood.

Sophie swore that she saw the Traxian almost grin in amusement under his helmet.

"It is understandable, Lady Inquisitor." The Traxian continued after a moment, "So I shall endeavor to hasten our departure and your voyage so that you do not have to… test Euthymia's hand any more than necessary."

"May the tides treat us well." Mila grumbled.

"May the tides treat us well." The man followed up.

Huh? A prayer of sorts? Haven't quite heard it before. Sophie mused quietly.

"So how can we help, Centurion?"

The man relaxed a bit, perhaps a bit more appreciative of the presence of another duty bound individual like Mila.

"I believe you are associated with a certain… member of the dynasty?" The officer inquired.

At once Mila stiffened up. While they didn't go out of their way to hide this information, that a marine force knew was concerning. Sophie felt a small bit of vindication at the confirmation of their knowledge, but equal if not more so worry at their intentions.

She had been serious about the possibility that Lucinia would be the target. But now that it might be a possibility more plausible than not, she felt far more concerned about the whole situation. Sorry for being right.

Catching a glimpse of Elaria's face briefly dropping into a frown, Sophie could sense that this was an unexpected line of inquiry for her too. Unlike Sophie, the bard didn't dwell on the matter, her nonchalant expression returning mere seconds afterwards. A reassuring sign that she had already come up with something and Sophie just had to play along, or so she hoped.

"That is correct." Mila grunted, "But you would be better served asking them," She nodded at Elaria and Sophie, "They interact more… with her."

"Of course." The man frowned but did not follow up, instead turned to stand directly in front of Elaria.

The bard, for her part, held her ground. Sophie too, kept her position and tried to remain unmoving. Though the Traxian was already trying to deliberately ignore her presence. A frustratingly expected yet relieving response as the pressure was now off her shoulders.

"Elaria Kastiane, bard extraordinaire and currently in charge of… morale at sea." Mila introduced the bard.

Elaria smiled and dipped her head ever so politely.

"At your service." She spoke up without a single hint of stress or malice.

"And that one is… Sophie. She's an adventurer and my blade in situations like this." Mila glanced at her, a peculiar scowl on her face.

Sophie did notice however, that she had omitted her family name and made a note to not mention it.

"At your service." She dipped her head like Elaria, even extending the motion to a half courtly bow of respect.

The Traxian officer remained unimpressed.

"Right." The man paused, debating how to proceed before turning towards the Inquisitor completely, "Do you trust… her?" He asked but did not look at Sophie.

She bristled at the blatant disrespect but kept herself in check. Elaria on the other hand, broke her facade to frown before offering Sophie a look of sympathy. It wasn't much, but it made Sophie feel a little warm inside.

"Without a doubt. She might be an adventurer but she's probably dealt with more than even me. A little inexperienced, by a fine blade nonetheless." Mila answered without skipping a beat.

Mila shifted her gaze back to Sophie and met hers. Sophie felt herself swell with a flicker of pride and stood a little taller. Whatever doubts might be between them regarding her past and the future, there was one thing that stood out for Sophie in Mila's voice. The certainty behind the declaration. And to her, that was honor enough.

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"Is that so?" The Centurion mumbled.

"Centurion, not on deck." A marine marched up and informed the man.

Centurion Alessos merely tilted his head towards the party, awaiting an explanation. His expectant attitude rubbed Sophie the wrong way, and she narrowed her eyes to meet his disdainful gaze, provoking a flare of anger in the man. Yet she stood her ground until he distracted himself by glancing at his marines and the others. A small victory in the grand scheme of things, but one that gave her enough satisfaction to continue to refrain from more overt displays of her own annoyance.

"She's got a mind for administrative work, I'll tell ya." Elaria interjected, giving Mila a gentle nudge and stopping the Inquisitor from responding. Mila just deepened her scowl.

"Oh?"

"If there is something of… importance to discuss. I'm sure we can talk the good captain around to lend us his cabin for a stint." The bard continued before grinning coyly at the Traxians and trying to subtly unsubtly gesture at the deck around them, "Quite a few ears for private talks, no?"

Her words struck a chord with the Centurion and the man nodded, almost pleased for once.

"Optio, see to it." He commanded one of his escorts.

"Yes, centurion." The marine saluted and hastily dashed across the deck to the ship's captain.

Unlike the centurion's red and black pauldrons, he wears green and red. Like the church and the lightwards and lightwardens using different patterns of red and blues. Sophie noted.

"Sophie, would you mind informing our comrade about events? I'll be here with Mila." Elaria asked with a sickeningly sweet voice.

Sophie winced at almost how exaggeratedly the bard was playing her role. Sophie bowed and began making her way towards the stairway to below deck. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end from how keenly aware she was of the Traxians watching her every step. Just why the hells do they want Lucinia?

As the others moved towards the captain's quarters, the question lingering in her mind would find a resolution sooner than she expected. For without prompting or being fetched, the former princess emerged ahead of her, startling Sophie and making her let out a soft gasp. Lucinia also jumped a little, and the girl glowered at Sophie for a brief second before assessing the situation.

She met Sophie's gaze and her eyes seemed to ask a question. Me?

Sophie bobbed her head before quickly regaining her composure and holding her arms out as a household servant would. Getting a quick grasp of the situation, Lucinia got her bearings and held her head high as a noble lady would. With a disdainful and haughty huff that Sophie couldn't tell if it was performative or wholly genuine, the former princess snapped her fingers and gestured for Sophie to lead the way.

They ignored the curious attention of the Traxian marines. Those briefed on their target appeared suitably alarmed at the girl's elven compatriot, and those that haven't shared the same look of disgust that often came with her presence. Whatever the case, they kept moving until they reached the captain's cabin.

Two marines reluctantly opened the door for the elf, giving her a chance to usher the former princess inside to the others standing on opposite ends of the captain's desk from each other. Whatever words had been traded in her brief absence from the proceedings had evidently stoked no small amount of tension within the gathering.

"Ahem." Lucinia cleared her throat as assertively as she could, "I believe there was a need for me?"

Almost instantly, the centurion's more dismissive demeanor flipped at once. He didn't quite bow fully, opting for a courteous half salute half bow. But Sophie felt the change more acutely than the others at how much more measured he was.

"Lady Trax." Alessos acknowledged.

"Just Lady Lucinia now. Whatever it may be, I am no longer a member of the Imperial family. Centurion." Lucinia corrected him.

"Of course, my lady. Centurion Gavius Alessos."

"Honored to have the Fleet Militant here." She grimly chuckled.

"As it should be, my lady."

"So what appears to be the issue here? I trust my companions have been more than cooperative?" Lucinia put on a strained smile

But Sophie caught a glimpse of the girl's hands behind her back. How the Traxian was constantly clenching and opening her fists. The possibility that the marines were here for her now settled into a definite reality instead of an abstract future.

"The centurion was informing us about a… problem that they might have to discuss with you." Elaria answered.

"A problem? Centurion?" Lucinia queried.

The princess's stance deteriorated, her feet now locked together, making the girl seem to be no wider than a stick. Sophie moved up a step to shore up her comrade, making her presence known beside Lucinia, much to the Centurion's annoyance. Although the former princess did not outwardly appear grateful, she did calm a little bit. Heh.

"Lady Lucinia." The man started then stopped.

"Yes?"

He slowly cast his gaze over the others and Lucinia at least had the wherewithal to stop him.

"I trust them, Centurion. If it helps, consider them a part of my… household. Odd as that word might be." Lucinia sighed, "Whatever you might say to me, they can hear it too."

Alessos scowled something fierce, his frown ever surpassing Mila's.

"Centurion?" Lucinia prodded.

"I mean, we'd be more than happy to leave if need be." Elaria quipped.

"No. You stay. I signed up to your party. Not the other way around."

"My lady?!" Alessos exclaimed in alarm.

"That's right, Centurion. I must remind you that I am no longer part of the family or the empire. So consider that."

The Centurion sucked in a breath, the man's unmistakable sneer directly mostly towards Sophie but now at the others too.

"Sir?" The Optio next to him finally spoke up.

The man sighed and nodded to himself, coming up to some kind of resolution on his own accord.

"If that's the case, then I cannot in good conscience say all that I must, my lady. Please understand."

Lucinia let a hint of disappointment flicker across her face but grunted in affirmation.

"So what will it be?" She asked.

Alessos paused before performing some hand signals to the Optio. The marine saluting before hastily darting out of the doorway. Sophie froze. I have a bad feeling about this.

"I was ordered to bring you back, my lady."

That caught their attention. The goal stated at last. Even Elaria grow a bit more wary.

"For who?"

"Lord Sinlar, my lady."

Lucinia appeared baffled.

"Sinlar? The hells he want with me?" She scoffed.

"That's all I can say, my lady. I can't say much else with others present, not even to an esteemed member of the church." He lowered his head apologetically towards Mila.

"No worries." The Inquisitor growled.

Lucinia turned to look at Sophie, as if searching for answers. All Sophie could do was shrug. She had no inkling for Traxian politics beyond what Lucinia told her. Though her own theory about the girl being targeted for being a claimant was proving more likely by the second. If that was the case, they needed a plan and fast.

"My lady?" Alessos tried to prompt Lucinia.

The girl furrowed her brows and pinched the bridge of her nose. She was now unfortunately aware of the tension in the air and hoped there was some way that everyone could just walk away. She faced Sophie with a look of doubt, a rare enough expression from her that Sophie could only feel that trouble was about to brea out. Ah… damn.

"Does Prince Sinlar truly need my presence? Or is this more of a… an invitation to his court?" Lucinia mumbled.

"I'm afraid he requires your presence, mam." Alessos wearily sighed, the man's shoulders sagging in disappointment before tensing up. Dammit, he's getting ready for a fight.

"Is that an order?"

"From the prince's mouth."

"And I can't contradict it?"

"You said so yourself mam. You're no longer part of the family. So please cooperate. He promised to have you reinstated with full privileges."

"Full privileges…" Lucinia mouthed.

Sophie grew a little despondent. As prickly as the girl was, she enjoyed her company. She'd be sad to see her go. But she understood the offer was about as grand as one in Lucinia's position could ever hope for. Heh… wait. Didn't the ambassador say that her exile was from the Emperor himself? Then this… is this… a rebellion? Another…

Neither her thoughts nor Lucinia's decision were given time to blossom. Elaria slowly clapped her hands to summon everyone's gazes. Gone was the go-lucky bard and instead, before them stood someone far more alien and calculated.

"The princess stays." Elaria declared.

"Pardon?" Alessos gawked, a little taken aback by her boldness.

Even Lucinia wanted to question the declaration when Elaria began rummaging around her pockets and chest. An act that prompted the Centurion to wrap his hand around his blade, ready to draw. Which in turn made Sophie rest her own hand on hers. Noticing this, the man almost snarled greedily, his dislike of elves now made clear as can be.

"She's not going with you… hmm… ah! And here's why." Elaria announced once again before reaching into her bosom and pulling out a fancy looking eagle shaped necklace.

With an effortless toss, she chucked it at the Centurion, the man reacting with surprising vigor and speed and quickly leaned forward and caught it. He examined the foreign object before his face grew pale. He took a few more glances between the bard and the necklace.

"This is…" He hissed.

"A favor and debt repaid."

"How did you get this?" He barked.

"Given to me. By your precious prince himself. Told me that it would make your people obey. That it carries his voice and word. Or is he a liar?" She hummed.

"That's…"

"You will take that and return to him with your quarry unfulfilled. You will tell him that our debts are now settled in full. So sayeth Elaria Kastiane, bard of the frontiers." She theatrically bowed.

The man seemed awestruck by the little necklace for a few moment. His expression barely registering the bard's words. Even Lucinia seemed to peer intently at the bauble.

"We are bound for Arteria for important matters and I will brook no delay. Let that be proof of my conviction. So go inform your men before anything happens, and let the honor of Traxia remain unstained."

The Centurion lowered his head and finally came to an understanding, the man dropping an apologetic bow.

"Very well." He curtly replied.

Without another word, he marched out the doorway, uncaring of the party's wariness. A few seconds later, they could hear the orders being shouted out, the confused if still organized dispersal of marines as the Traxians complied.

Fearful of provoking something, Sophie had to fight her curiosity to step outside. Even Lucinia had to be stopped with a gentle tug, the former princess shooting her a disgusted wince at their physical contract before setting her sights on the most curious member of them all.

Elaria just humorously shrugged, her face now returned to the cheeriness they were used to.

"What's the point of having an item purported to be useful by your brother and not even use it in a time like this? And don't you both look so shocked. I've told you about earning the prince's favor before when performing." She stuck her tongue out playfully, much to Lucinia's chagrin.

Somehow, I think you're underselling what happened, Ela.

"Yes… but that was…" Lucinia began to speak before Mila cut her off.

"We can all discuss this later. First we must rendezvous with our fifth and also make sure that we're not about to be sunk instead." Mila spoke.

There was a moment of silence before the rest of them nodded in agreement.

Cautiously, Sophie pushed open the door and led the way back onto the deck. The ship was now abuzz with activity as the marines were busy climbing back up the ropes to their ships. The Centurion shot them a faint nod of understanding and Sophie could feel the relief flood into her veins. So it's over, then.

She felt even better when the marines all reembarked onto their vessel. And instead of cannon fire, spells or arrows. Only the sound of clacks and slams as the boarding hooks were all pulled back, albeit a bit more violently than expected.

Lucinia didn't speak or celebrate. Just quietly brooded over what had happened. Sophie however, caught a glimpse of her and felt her own relief fade.

Something had happened in Traxia that made Lucinia a target. If she was truly to remain with them, they'd have to be ever more vigilant alongside all the responsibilities they already possessed. This encounter had thankfully ended without issue, but for an empire or even ruler, such failure was trivial. They'll be after her again, huh. Fuck.

She shook her head in dismay, only saved by the fact that Arteria was a far safer place to keep Lucinia safe than here. Then her smile died once more, saved her from an assassination attempt in the Academy…fuck. We're really putting targets on our backs, huh?

Raylani's arrival on deck managed to tear her out of her thoughts. The dark elf's calm demeanor acted like a soothing balm to steady herself. Her gaze then turned to the massive warships now departing, acting as if nothing had happened at all. Stars… things just got a whole lot messier, didn't they?

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