Nethis stood beside her sister with an expectant gaze as she awaited the reveal of the ownership of the ship that was destroyed by Poseidon’s rage and was found along the shores of Nethisa. The raven-haired woman felt the wind blow against her pale skin as she elevated her chin to impose her elegance. It wasn’t even a full day and Nethis was already about to become elbow deep in a situation that may prove to be an opportunity. Nethis doesn’t know what is inside that ship, she was brought down to Nethisa with the belief that it maybe a Thanasi ship at large. If it is property of the Thanasi House, then Nethis will be there to make sure that their property will be salvaged and kept private from the rest of the Houses. Of course, it would prove to be quite difficult since the Baron has gladly made his appearance on the shores, alongside him were a few soldiers and other nobles. This was bound to be a political nightmare, if there was something inside that ship that could prove the Thanasis as less than trustworthy. The one thing Nethis does not want to happen is having their family’s business aired to every noble and to every family in Colchis, or any other Kingdoms.
On the beach, Nethis spotted Evras and immediately a small smile lingered on her face to see her young sister. A Kotas by marriage, but Nethis knows Evras is still Thanasi at heart and she truly misses her young sister. Although, Nethis did not keep attention on Evras very long before her eyes fell upon Zanon of Kotas, before quickly returning her gaze towards the hauling of the ship. Nethis waited patiently for the ship to reveal itself, and she did so in silence. Nethis does not want to be distracted from the situation at hand, because a lot could happen at any moment and Nethis wants to be prepared for the mere possibility of chaos. Although, it would seem chaos was already building on the beach itself as more people arrived. The Baron is not much of a fan of the Thanasi House and to find something illegal with the House’s sigil would be enough for him to bury them – Mihail staying at his estate was interesting nonetheless, information she would get sooner or later. Keep your family close, but your enemies closer.
Again, chaos ensues as Mihail arrived, looking less of himself – immediately Nethis’s facial expression broke as her eyebrows knitted in astonishment as she looked at her brother. The attempt of facial hair was merely amusing for the elder sister, though she knew speaking snidely would only set the divide further between them. Although, it was only a few hours ago when she read Mihail’s rather distasteful letter, but those matters should not be settled at the beach that may be their end. Now, Nethis will be a pleasant sister who has not seen her brother in a month, but as soon as they are home, she will tear into him like the prey he will be. Nethis could hear the sarcasm, and she too responded, “The formalities are not needed, for I have not seen my little brother in weeks,” Nethis said as she turned to look upon the hauling of the ship – she could now the mass, which provided a small dose of anxiety. Although, the Lady kept her composure as she handled her brother, “I’ve read your letters,” Nethis turned to look at her brother with a cool expression, “We will talk more at home, little brother.” Nethis smiled softly, before returning her eyes to the men pulling at the ship, and her eyes widened.
It’s a Kotas ship. Nethis have been away, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t what goes on in Colchis – two Kotas ships were known to be away, King Tython’s and Prince Vangelis’s ships. Nethis felt relief as she was pleased that the ship did not belong to her family, at least not a Thanasis’ problem. Although a problem they are still attached to. The death of a King or a Prince provides opportunities for Nethis, and it was something the Lady was praying to the gods for – call it evil, but Nethis is only moving for the good of her family. The possibility of Evras becoming Queen was exciting, then soon little Dion would eventually be King. A young Prince of Kotas and of Thanasi blood. Dreams seem to control, only if Vangelis of Kotas was dead in that ship. Nethis wanted to smile, though she kept her composure because this was not the time for celebration. The ship was not in great ship, whoever was on it should not, could not have survived the wreck – Poseidon made sure of that. There needs to be confirmation, before any moves were made to propel her family forward, but the pieces were already in place just in case Nethis gets her way.
Nethis turned her eyes over to where she seen Zanon and her sister, though it did not surprise Nethis to see the Prince running to help pull the ship ashore. The icy-blue eyes of the Thanasi Lady followed the stricken man, though she could not hold a small smirk, before turning to Thea only to see her bound off towards Evras. Immediately Nethis spoke to Mihail, “We must go to our sister, she needs her family.” Nethis said as she walked past her brother to follow Thea over to Evras. Nethis walked over to see her younger sister with quiet contemplation, she only watched as Evras embraced Thea. Lady Nethis spoke gingerly, “My dear sister, let us not hope for the worst – I am sure Poseidon was merciful in the end.” Nethis said as she came to give her sister a hug, though she truly wished the worst.
Maleos stood silently and watched as the workers slowly and steadily hauled the vessel from the water. No one approached him, he assumed that Timaeus would be tied up with discussions with the other nobles that were sure to be waiting for the ships identity to be revealed. His men were not there, they had been left back home to continue their drills and await commands from Maleos. There did not seem to be anyone else who knew or was interested in speaking with the military Captain, and he was okay with that. The noise of the chatter grew as the ship came closer and closer to breaching the surface. Everyone was getting anxious, most of the common folk were there just for something to do, and to collect some gossip. The more noble houses were there to see how invested they should be in learning the fate of the ship. Maleos was there for Timaeus mostly, and his interests in the boat. He himself didn't have much care for it, there wasn't much that could be on the ship that would affect him.
Upon seeing the sigil though, that attitude changed. The implications of who or what could have been on that ship had the potential to send shock waves through the nation and its people. The crowd had fallen silent as everyone took in the sight of the ship as it began to be hauled out of the water in its entirety. He stepped forward immediately and pushed aside one of the workers who had been hauling, he looked lean and like he hadn't been much help to start with. He knew that a well rested and more physically fit Captain would be more help pulling the ship up than an overworked and skinny worker would be.
The Captain had begun pulling on the chain only a few seconds before he heard Timaeus shout some where from the back of the crowd. He kept hauling, putting his years of working on his strength and endurance to the test. Manual labour was one of the things that he was best at, aside from combat, and especially when what was on the other end of that chain held so much weight on so many people.
Unsurprisingly for Maleos, Timaeus was there on the chain beside him, hauling away. With his title, he should not have been doing the work, but he knew his friend and knew that he would not stand idly by after seeing the ship. He kept hauling with all his strength as able bodied men from the crowd began to step forward and help the effort. He imagined they were suddenly spurred to action by the command and leadership of those of noble blood who joined in.
Maleos wanted to talk to Timaeus, to figure out what the next step they needed to do was, but there wasn't much time for talking, and besides that, words may be difficult with the strain of hauling the ship from its watery resting place. He could already feel his muscles begin to tire from the immense weight of what they were hauling.
From up on the cliffside, Babis and the other boys couldn’t see the telltale bear carved into the front of the ship as it rose from the water. What they could see though, was the sheer chaos that was unleashed from the discovery that this ship was a Kotas' vessel. As the boy’s chatter turned from relating why their parents had all let them come to excited chatter about what could be on the ship, they had almost nearly missed the ship itself breaching the waves for the first time in gods know when. In fact, if the crowd below hadn’t had such a visceral reaction to the sight of that bear, the boys would have missed it completely.
At the sound of a horse braying as well as the collective gasp of the crowd, Babis turned to the beach just in time to see dozens of men rush forward to the chain hauling the ship. One man was even tossed out of the way. His face lit up with curiosity, not understanding that this change in the crowd wasn’t one of equal excitement, but out of fear for who was on this ship. He watched it all happen with a large grin on his face, unaware of the serious ramifications of what was happening down below.
The guards with the boys, however, understood perfectly and tried to usher all three of them away from the cliff edge so they wouldn’t have to see the horror of what was happening. Aras and Dion, being significantly less stubborn than their oblivious counterpart followed them without question. It was easier to move them away too, as Babis had been the boy to wander the closest to the cliffside. Turning at the flurry of movement behind him as these armed men tried to secure the prince who was almost certainly one heartbeat closer to being King of all of Colchis, Babis realized that he was soon about to be moved further away from the ship and possibly out of sight.
His face screwed up in anger at the thought of this. He had spent too long begging his parents to let him come. There was no way that he was going to miss the ship coming out of the waves! Why that was very simply the best part.
So, when one of the guards for Dion made their way to the young Lord, Babis did what he knew best and he ran from him. Leaving his twin and friend behind, he weaved in and out between the numerous carriages on the hillside, attempting to put as much distance between himself and this guard as his well-trained feet could manage. Luckily, for him, all those hours racing through the streets of Midas came in handy. Very quickly, the young boy lost the hired protection and only skidded to a stop when he heard another voice call his pursuer back with a shout of, “Let him go! The prince is our responsibility, not him!”
Grinning wildly to himself, Babis peered over the cliffside to see where the other guard had finally given up the chase. To his sheer delight, he discovered that although he was still stuck on the hill, he was on the other side of the ship, providing a new view for all the action. For a moment, Babis was content to see the men work, practically giggling at the site of all the noblemen hauling the ship out of the water like common laborers. He could barely keep it together when he realized that one of the men below was Zanon, Dion’s Father and the last man that Babis would ever expect to haul a ship from out of the water.
Wow, the boy silently thought to himself as he regarded the scene only now starting to realize that something serious was going on, but was still too far away to see the sigil clearly, They must all really want what’s on this ship.
In an attempt to rationalize the chaos he was witnessing, his mind flashed back to one of the things that Grandpa Harith had told him during the countless times he had pestered the man before Babis had learned that he could go and see the ship being raised himself; whoever was on the ship first might be able to claim the treasure inside. Being unable to understand that not only was this not the case, but the men were working in order to discover if there was a body on board, Babis believed this to be the only reason why Zanon and Timaeus and other noblemen were trying to raise the ship quickly was so that they could climb aboard.
This presented a bit of a problem for the young boy as he wanted to be the first one aboard. After all, wasn’t what he had been daydreaming about for a week? He wanted to be the one to find the treasure. He wanted the adventure of it all. These old men wouldn’t find it as fun as he would. It would just be so unfair if they got it and not him.
From his perch, he noticed how large piles of supplies blocked parts of the beach from view. Instantly, a plan formed in this young troublemaker’s mind. He wanted to be the first one to the treasure and only the gods were going to be able to stop him from getting it.
Having no regard for the state of his fancy outfit, Babis crept to the edge of the hillside and dropped to the ground. Quickly, he curled up into a ball and barrelled down the hill, trusting that the tall grasses would cover him as he made his way down to the beach. It wasn’t a smart idea as loose stones scratched at his skin, opening up little cuts and leaving bruises that would take days to heal. However, it was much faster and far more fun than just simply walking.
After skidding to a stop, Babis quickly scurried behind a large stone so that he would remain out of sight of the adults as the dizzy boy regained his bearings. He was now filthy, covered in bits of loose grass and dirt to accompany his now torn clothes, but since he was now only a few hundred yards away from the ship, it clearly had been worth it.
Keeping low to the ground and out of sight as best as he could, the boy moved to hide behind rocks, chains, and piles of driftwood, all covering his path from the hillside to the ship. Most people weren’t paying much attention to him anyway as they were all focused on the other side of the ship. So, in almost no time at all, he found himself at the edge of the water with almost no one spotting him. He could see that as the men pulled, a rope ladder was beginning to rise out of the waves along the side of the ship.
Perfect.
With no hesitation, the boy across the open beach and towards the rope ladder, now in clear sight of anyone at the chains who was looking at the ship. A few shouts came from those hauling the ship, but there was nothing they could do as the boy was already scrambling up the ladder and onto the ship. In the span of a few seconds, he had gone from hiding behind some wood, climbing up the ladder, to landing his feet on the deck.
Not bad for a twelve-year-old.
Grinning wildly as a laugh of excitement left his lips, as soon as he was on the ship, he tried to make his way towards the entrance of the hold, the layout of the ship tugging at his memory as he had also snuck onto a similar ship nearly six years prior. However, before he could take another step, he was brought to his knees by the movement of the men hauling the ship.
As his balance was lost, Babis began to roll towards the end of the ship, where part of it was still hidden underneath the waves. Sensing for the first time how dangerous this idea had been, the young boy scrambled for a handhold of some kind. It took him a terrifying moment for his fingers to latch onto the open framework of the hatch that allowed for fresh air to invade the hold of the vessel. He clutched to it for dear life, stomach lurching all the while as he waited for the rest of the ship to rise out of the water so the movement would stop and he could move again.
In the meantime, all he could do was try to peer through the hatch and see if he could see the glimmer of the treasure he dreamed about, still unknowing of the horror that may lay inside and how it would change his best friend’s life forever.
As the men heave and the waves part, the body of the ship is pulled ashore. With each tug, the bow lifts higher and the work becomes harder as the sand and gravel pile around its lower belly. A few children move forward to explore, some climbing, others poking at the debris and seaweed clinging to the wooden exterior of the ship.
It is clear from the lack of crustacean and flora growth on the vessel that it has not been in the water that long. All fears that the Kotas ship would hold someone only recently at sea are now confirmed as the boat is brought almost entirely free of the water.
With its back end still submerged and its keel leaning in the sand at an odd angle, the vessel marked as belonging to the ruling House finally comes to land and an eerie calm falls over spectators as the labourers cease in their heaving. For a moment, no-one beyond the most explorative of children seem willing to go forwards and inspect the ship. Whilst all who have been at sea know that dead bodies float, the cabins and belly of the boat are sealed. Anyone who was in there at the time the vessel sank would still be buried inside.
Quickly, as if suddenly spurred into action, the labourers on the beach start to swarm the boat and inspect it for clues as to its origin and story. The mast of the vessel is severed almost in two and, upon closer inspection, the men find the broken off heads and shafts of arrows surrounded by sodden but charred wood. The murmurs and yells start to ripple out from the hull - like waves in the water - as its called out that the ship was attacked. That its sinking was no accident of poor sailing or harsh weather.
Several of the men step up and explore on board the vessel. It is not long before one of them recognises some of the cargo, the carvings on certain areas of its manufacture and a torn piece of flag pinned beneath fastened, waterlogged netting. One voice of a common dockworker rings out with all the volume and impact of a booming gong.
There were men who were asking for help, Maximus pushed aside the commonfolk in an attempt to get to the sailors. There were a lot of rumblings regarding the sunken ship mainly that it contained the Kotas family crest. The Kotas were a very rich family and Maximus over heard some people attempting to sneak past the guards so they can enter the wreckage. The solider shook his head, the ship was well guarded it would be better if they just volunteered to pull the ship. Good thing he didn't say it out loud, the last thing Maximus wanted was a theft due to his loose tongue.
Maximus approached the place where the nobles were residing and approached a sailor. "Excuse me sir," he said. "I am Maximus of Laconia, I am a soldier for the Fifth Phalanx I would like to volunteer to salvage the ship."
Maleos heaved with all his strength, arms shaking from the exertion, he kept pulling even as his muscles started to burn and threaten to give up on him. He was not a quitter, he never had been and he never would be. It felt like years before the ship was finally out of the water, and the silence was deafening as everyone stared but no one made a move. Maleos was among the first to step forward and inspect the vessel, knowing that it would not be pleasant if bodies were found sealed inside the ship, but it would not be the first or last time he saw a body, waterlogged or otherwise. It was part of the job and he had grown immune to it, though he remembered the first time he watched someone die, and the first time he was the cause of such a thing.
He spotted the arrows, grabbing one that was relatively in tact, he tucked it in the small leather pouch that was on his belt. He would look into its origins later, perhaps he could piece together what may have happened, in case he could not, he did not wish anyone to know he had it. He did not want the embarrassment of failing at coming up with any information on the potential attackers of the King's ship.
He climbed aboard the ship, mind set on nothing but revealing the nature of the ship and what chaos it may bring upon the lands. It was soon discovered, the ship was that of the King, and panicked whispers began to ripple through the crowd. Maleos pushed back his own thoughts, it wouldn't do him any good to get lost in them now, they would need all the hands they could get to get into the ship, to see if there were bodies below. The Captain would be there to help in what ever way he was needed, his muscles screamed at him already, but he did not let it slow him down as he gave aid to the effort of recovering what they could. He would pay for it later, he knew that the aches would set in once he stopped for a moment, but he didn't mind them so much. The aches and pains of a hard days work meant he had done something worthwhile, and it was something he was no stranger to. He almost welcomed them.
His family crest was upon the ship's bow. The bear reared up out of the water and Zanon tugged with all of his might along with the other men as they tried to haul it to shore and see what horrors awaited them. Arrows stuck out of the sides and he felt his eyes stinging, from the salt and sand of the sea he was sure. If it was his father's ship, he became crown prince, his son next in line to the throne, and his father was lost forever. If it was Vangelis' ship, not only was his brother gone but he was the crown prince with no hope of anyone coming between him and the throne. If it was his brother, then their sister, and their cousin were both lost to them as well. It was impossible to hope for either one, and yet he dreaded both equally.
The cry that went up had him letting go of the ropes, taking a few steps back as others filed in to fill the void. He couldn't show weakness right now, the knowledge that it was his father's ship meant that there was still hope for Vangelis and Imeeya and Athanasia. But unless by some miracle of Poseidon, his father was gone, and Vangelis would be king when he landed. He was crown prince now, and his son would follow behind him.
A cold fear mingled with the distraught sadness that had already been creeping in, and as he turned to see his wife surrounded by her Thanasi relatives, he couldn't breathe. Nethis would easily kill him as soon as breathing. Mihail and Dysius would follow suit. Thea was perhaps the closest thing he had to an ally in his wife's family, but she would no doubt stick to her siblings and family name. As soon as he got close to the crown, they would kill him. He'd always known, but had hoped there was plenty of time and a bountiful family of Vangelis' children between himself and that eventuality. Dion was the Thanasi heir, and he loved his mother's family. He would be under their thumb if ever he took the throne.
Sinking to his knees before he realized it, Zanon looked out at the ship as it slowly came ashore, people finally abandoning ropes as it came to rest on the beach. There were no visible corpses, but the way things worked, the drills and plans that he had been part of learning his whole life meant in a scenario like this, they would all be in the hold if they had managed to stay aboard. He prayed now to Poseidon and Hades more fervently than he ever had in his life. Begging them to be merciful, to have spared his family, and if one had taken them, asked that the god of the underworld might ferry and keep them safe. All he could do now was wait.
As soldiers and Colchians alike scramble over the ship in order to seek further knowledge on what had happened to both the vessel and its crew new shouts and calls were made. There was no hope of keeping any of the discoveries private, hidden in politics and courtly gossip. The revelation of the ship was too public, too obvious. Whatever the discoveries here were, the entire populace of Colchis would know soon enough...
"Have the cargo is gone!"
"There are burn marks over here!"
"This ship was attacked! - Someone attacked our king!"
"I smell death. There are bodies in here somewhere..."
The calls went up and about between men, their words informative and determined as they searched the vessel, but also clinical and inconsiderate to those who were present that might have a personal stake in the discoveries onboard.
"I'm going down into the hull!" one man called.
What followed was a creaking sound of a hatch or door behind wrenched open against where the salty water had sealed it shut. A general noise of disgust came up over the labourers as a smell of salt-soaked decay came up through the open chasm.
"Get back, boy!" came a call from one man. "This is no place for you!"
Those on the seashore fell silent to listen to the shuffles and echoing thuds of a few grown men exploring the inner belly, before there was clearly a shout from within and a sailor moved to the edge of the ship, his knowledge of the world a little more than others, so he knew how to communicate his next words...
"Your Highness..." He called down to Prince Zanon where he knelt in the sand and gravel. "You need to see this, my Lord." His words were accompanied by a beckoning hand and a severe expression on his face.
Having flatly refused to be sent back to Eubocris again, the younger Valaoritis man had instead been maintaining a low profile in Midas. His social life had been harshly curtailed, but at least he had access to those things that made life bearable. He could be drunk or high at home just as easily as he could be out and about. The unexpected summons to Nethisa was almost thrilling in comparison though, and Silanos barely suppressed a groan at how tragic his life had become. So for Timaeus to drag him all the way out here and then bid him to stay within another set of walls? Not happening.
Of course, it was a Thanasi held province which made his brother all antsy, but for Silanos, it felt a damn sight more friendly that the Kotas ones. He was now able to add to his nightmares the sight of that slave being brutally murdered in his stead, and there was nothing like it to make one feel unwelcome. He had finally succumbed to snatching a few hours sleep after their arrival yesterday. Three and a half hours by his reckoning, before he had woken, sweat soaked and crying like a baby. He hated himself for it.
But it did mean that he felt a little easing of the brain fog, the crisp salt air managing to blow away the rest of the cobwebs, so Silanos felt almost spritely as he parked his horse with the others and wandered along the sand to where everyone had gathered. His gaze passed disinterestedly over most, until he caught the eye of a dark eyed girl, looking a little lost. By habit, Sil flashed her a smile and a wink, and had subtly diverted his course so he might pass by more closely, when he caught one of the murmurs passing between the men that had gathered, hoping for bounty.
It was a Kotas ship?. Abruptly, the young man stopped, but he was being carried forward by the crowd who suddenly rallied to a call...his brother’s call,. He could recognise Timaeus’ voice anywhere, particularly when it was yelling orders which seemed to be the grounding of much of their conversation these days. Jostled and jarred as men pushed past him to aid in recovering the vessel, Sil’s heart was thudding in his chest. He shouldn’t have come.
As those around him spread out and took a hand on the vast chains being used to haul the wrecked ship aground, the younger Lord Valaoritis found himself doing the same, if just to blend in. His distaste for the slimy wet metalwork under his hands was overshadowed though by the realisation that for once, he should have listened to his brother.
He couldn't tell how long he spend on his knees in the sand, watching as the ship was pulled in, then boarded by several soldiers. He noted the boy, one of the twins luckily and not his own son, being reprimanded for being aboard, and simply stared at the bear on the side. No matter what was within the ship, his family's life was about to change drastically. A cry of his name caught his attention finally, and he turned his dark eyes up to look at the man who beckoned. They'd found something, something that required his notice. Something the only present Kotas direct family member could fulfill.
With a nod, he stood, moving stiffly towards the vessel as if drawn by the gods instead of in control of his own person, in a trance as he scaled the side of the boat with relative ease and accepted the hand of help of the man who had called him. The stench of water logged wood and salt surrounded him, but there was something else too that he recognized without needing to be told. The second prince had been to war, not as often as his father and elder brother, but he knew full well what a rotting corpse smelled like. His stomach turned only because of his own fear of who's body it might be, but the man who had called for him gripped his shoulder to help steady and guide him toward the hold.
"Hold the lights."
The stairs to the belly of the boat looked daunting, but the cry for light had the soldiers beneath the deck shining their torches and lanterns so the prince could descend without tumbling into the pit. Death surrounded him, the air thick with it but he did not cover his face, did not show any weakness aside from how pale his normally tan face appeared. Torchlight moved with him and shone now on the corpses, four of them that had clearly spent substantial time beneath the waves if the conditions were to be believed. Three wore familiar uniforms, the livery of bodyguards, and though he didn't recognize their bloated faces, he offered up a prayer to Hades to guide these three men to Elysium for their service and sacrifice. As he reached the fourth, his heart caught in his throat and he was very nearly sick where he was.
In life, the man laid out before him had been handsome, not so quick to laugh and smile as the rest of the family, but a constant and commanding presence, the sort that made all of those around him feel confident and at ease so long as they had nothing to hide. Zanon had never hoped to remember him this way, tried instead to steadfastly picture him as he had been in life, and took a sharp breath as he nodded, closing his eyes and gesturing for the helm to be removed if it was possible. With another prayer to Hades, he fought back the tears that would not be acceptable in such a public place. Instead he hardened his heart with a fury and suspicion. How convenient this had occurred on Thanasi lands. What arrows might have pierced the ship and taken it down so close to shore.
As the second prince emerged back out onto the deck, he gave swift and quiet instructions for the bodies to be removed from the ship and embalmed as best as possible. They would all be given a respectable and honorable burial back in the capitol, and he wished more than anything else that his brother was here now. He did not want this, had never wanted this. When he had descended into the depths of the ship, he had been a second prince, charged with being a counselor and constant adviser to the king. When he came back into the view of those on shore, he was the crown prince. Next in line to rule the country of Colchis, his son to follow after him. A hand presented him with the crown that had been attached to the helm, a halting apology that they hadn't been able to remove the full thing without causing further damage to the body. With a nod, Zanon took the crown and slowly lowered himself from the ship, reaching the shore without any sort of plan until his feet touched the sand.
They had to get back to Midas, and quickly. A letter had to be sent out so the others could return home quickly. And he had a coronation to plan.
"Timaeus. Come with me. We must return to the capitol and quickly, I need you and all loyal to us by my side. The king is dead. My brother's coronation must happen as soon as he lands from Taengea."
Nethis is generally a patient woman, she can weeks and even months before making a major move – sometimes years. Although, the wait to discover who was inside that ship was a little close to excruciating, because the anticipation was building and building like the magma building in a volcano. It was a royal ship that crash or was brought down on Nethisa’s beach, a Thanasi province. All Nethis and her family can do is look the part of a supportive as well as a concerned Royal House, otherwise they will be burned by the rumors and the suspicious that has held them by their necks. Although, Nethis refuses to burn and she refuses to allow her family to lose everything they have gained – especially over something that was not their doing. If it was up to Nethis this wouldn’t have been the way she would have killed someone of grand importance, because it left too much room for discovery and further investigation. Whoever done it, if it was anyone at all wanted someone to find their work, otherwise it was sloppy and quite noticeable – given the Baron and the Royals found on the beach. If Colchis knows whats good for them, Poseidon should be the one to blame for such a loss – the Kotas will want blood. Sadly, the Thanasi House sits at the very top of their list as guilty.
The elder sister stood near Evras, whom she has always been protective over and will do anything for her happiness. Nethis is actually very proud of the woman the young Evras has become, including the family she has created – she has secured her life among their enemies and that is something Nethis treasures. Evras is her way in, whether she knows it or not, such a union needs to continue and Nethis will make sure that it does. Any problem that rises between her and Zanon, she would like to know about it, because the union between Kotas and Thanasi is the very thing that is keeping their lot alive. Financially and literally. This very moment, on the beach of Nethisa, stands the probability of a Royal’s death, either the father of Evras’s husband or his eldest brother. Either way, Evras will have a role to play.
Nethis stood next to her sister as she spoke softly, “Remain strong little sister, the worse is yet to come. Things are soon to change, and you must be ready to ride the tide.” The Lady said as the wind blew against her raven-colored hair as she continued, “I do not see Zanon any longer, he must have descended into the ship… May the gods keep him.” Nethis said in a comforting tone, only for Evras’s sake, because it was up to her, she would wish destruction for all Kotas – sadly, such destruction would hurt her own sister and she wouldn’t willingly do so. “Whatever happens, be the support your husband needs – though we will need to see of you soon, what happened here is an issue for us all.”
The Lady turned to Thea, “What do you make of it? I see a political as well as a personal nightmare.”
Every part of Timaeus was alight with fear and with pain as he stood at the ropes, hauling the ship out of the water as if he was nothing more than a common laborer. Never in all of his twenty-four years did he ever think he would find himself in such a position, red-faced and screaming in agony as the ropes and chains chaffed his palms and pushed his arms to the very limits of their strength. This kind of work was supposed to be beneath him, reserved for those who didn’t have the fortune of being born into a family like his or had earned their way out of doing such things through their own merit in battle. Every rule of society told him that he shouldn’t be here on the lines like this.
But the rules of society did not apply in the situation that was unfolding here on the beaches.
Although Timaeus couldn’t see it, as he was so focused on his own pain and the task before him, his rallying cry worked as men from all walks of life found a place at the ropes. Soldiers, merchants, princes, noblemen. Everyone who was physically capable of the task found their place. If the young baron glanced behind him, he might have been able to see the straining faces of his close friend Maleos and the soldier who came to Roxana’s aid a few short months ago. Further back he might have seen his own brother, spurred forward by his brother’s cry even though he was meant to be safely tucked away in their living quarters. There were boys who were barely old enough to call themselves men there working right along with men so old their knees threatened to give way with a single misstep. They were all different, but they were all Colchian united in one common goal; reveal what happened out on the open seas.
What Timaeus did know was that close to him was the one person who had the most to lose this day; Prince Zanon. After having worked so closely, and lived in total fear of the man for over a month now, Timaeus recognized him by the noises the royal made as he struggled alongside the baron. His eyes flashed up in concern towards the older man, knowing full well the chaos and torment that the leader must have been facing. After all, Timaeus knew all too well what it was like to lose both a father and an elder brother. The anguish that surely was plaguing Zanon was not an unfamiliar one and the man wanted nothing more than to reach out to his counterpart, to reassure him that everyone would be okay even as the dark reality crashed upon him. In a weird sort of way, Timaeus wanted to protect Zanon from the horror that would await him once the ship was free from its watery grave.
But they had a job to do.
Timaeus said nothing more, at least coherently, as the men worked to get the ship up onto the beach. It was easy to lose himself in the task and momentarily forget everything, but the stinging pain in his palms and ache in his muscles. He didn’t want to address the grief that was already creeping upon him, having known both men that could be dead on the ship. A few minutes felt like an eternity, but soon enough, the waterlogged hull of the ship had breached the surface and it was deemed safe enough to enter the hold and discover the truth.
Once a cry to drop the ropes had rung out, Timaeus collapsed onto the sand, struggling to breathe as his spent muscles finally rested. He was only down for a few moments, recovering from the task that sapped every ounce of strength from him, but soon enough he was able to shakily climb to his feet. The scene unfolding around him was chaos as men frantically moved about, racing to secure the ship and climb aboard. Shrill cries of worry from the women left behind in the crowd pierced his ears, but Timaeus was able to ignore it all once he caught sight of the most heartbreaking sight of all. Prince Zanon on his knees, looking up at the ship that carried either his dead father or brother.
Knowing the man’s pain, Timaeus desperately wanted to approach him. Someone needed to give him the support that he would need in this trying time, but the Baron also knew that the man needed to be alone with is grief. This was a trying time and swarming him may only worsen the pain of this grim discovery. Zanon would seek help when he was ready for it.
So, Timaeus kept his distance and kept others from coming too close as well. For the few agonizing minutes that followed the first man entering the ship to when the prince was called aboard, the Baron redirected anyone that came in Zanon’s direction. It was an easy thing to do as well, using his clout as a military leader and a baron to have those surround them listen. The man may not even have noticed as the Valaoritis used whispers instead of shouts. However, there would not be solitude for the man on the crowded beach for long. Soon enough, men called for Zanon.
Timaeus added his own voice to the mix as he finally stepped forward towards the man. “Your Highness!” He called out, ready and willing to offer to go in Zanon’s place to spare him the sight of whatever was on the ship. He knew how the mere image of Nicomedes slumped over haunted him still all these years later, Tim couldn’t let himself stand idly by as the prince faced the horror that he had. The Valaoritis lord’s voice was lost in the din though and he was forced to helplessly watch as the Prince climbed the ship to meet whatever fate the Gods had decided for his family.
Once Zanon had disappeared down into the hold, Timaeus moved over to where the rope ladder was, so that he could offer his support the moment that the Prince landed once more on solid ground. As he waited nervously for any sign of the Kotas man, he could see some of the laborers haul an over-eager boy off of the ship, tossed over their shoulders easily as if he was nothing more than a sack of grain. As he was carried off the ship, a glimmer of recognition was seen in the Baron’s eyes as he caught sight of the boy’s face. He motioned for the servant to bring the lad to him who was promptly placed onto the sand as the Baron scolded the Eliades boy before him.
“Have you no respect, child?” Timaeus angrily said, furious that the boy had dared to treat this great tragedy as a playground. The boy, whose name Timaeus did not even pretend to know given how his memory struggled with such things, hung his head in shame before he opened his mouth to protest. This was swiftly cut off by the Baron though with a sharp, “Your king may be dead and you decided to play on his grave.” His words were low so that the fear of what all the nobility realized would not ripple through the crowd, but it only added to the coldness of his words. They clearly hit their mark as the child who was known to be defiant and wild, as both twins were, promptly closed his mouth and turned white as a sheet as the gravity of his actions hit him. Not eager to chastise the child further, as it was not his place to do so, Timaeus motioned to the servant from earlier and said quickly, “Find his mother. Let her know the shame her son has brought upon himself.” With a nod, the man hurried off with the child in tow, hopefully being the last that Timaeus would see of them.
Turning his attention back to the ship, it wasn’t long before Zanon reemerged from the hold and climbed down the rope ladder. Timaeus’s eyes remained locked on the man, searching desperately for any sign of what happened on board. The man did not need to guess though as Zanon quickly summoned him forward, pulling his family’s baron to the side, away from others so that he might reveal the soul-crushing news.
“The King is dead. My brother’s coronation must happen as soon as he lands from Taengea.”
Timaeus could feel the news hit him like the hard jab of a fist as Zanon revealed the reality of what was on the ship. “No. It can’t--” Timaeus stuttered back immediately, unwilling to believe that the worst case scenario had actually come to pass. For a moment, the man could believe that this had been a folly, given how his comrade lacked any sort of feeling other than the sense of looming responsibility that hung over them both. However, it was the glimmer of gold from the crown in Zanon’s crown that told the Baron that this was not some cruel dream, it was their new reality.
King Tython was dead. Prince Vangelis was not to take up his father’s rule and… the man before him was not the crown prince.
Timaeus bowed his head in respect as he tried to hide his own tidal wave of grief that was rising within him at the news. His chest felt tight and his throat seemed to close as tears threatened to well in his eyes. Although the Baron had not been close with the dead king, the man had served as a role model in his life as well, with their families being so closely linked. That and the whole of Colchis knew Tython only as an excellent and fair ruler with hardly any scandal to his name. He was well beloved by his people, highly respected for his skills in battle, and just like that he was gone.
The whole of Colchis would mourn the loss of a man like Tython.
“You have my family’s full support in this try-trying time, Your Highness.” Timaeus eventually choked out, trying to suppress his reaction to such news. ‘We will do whatever you need of us.” It was a statement that did not need to be uttered, given the long-standing history of unwavering loyalty between the Valaoritis and Kotas households, but it was the one way that the Baron could say that they would personally be there for him in the days that would follow. Both in a political and emotional stance.
“I will summon messengers. They’ll ride through the night to deliver the news to all the noble houses and reach the capital before us, to start preparations.” Timaeus reaffirmed, mentally scrambling to think of what would be needed for such an event that he had never seen before in his lifetime. “Shall I also send for men from my unit to supplement your guard and protect your family? Tell me what you need and I’ll see to it.” His voice was solemn as he ran over what might be needed for such a task. There was so much that had to be done and so little time to do it.
There were so many things he could ask, he could say... But there was only one thing on Timaeus’s mind as he glanced up at his friend, his eyes pleading for Zanon to tell the truth, something that Timaeus had unknowingly denied him on that fateful night so long ago, “Zanon,” He started with his voice dropping to a whisper so they both knew that whatever they said was between them, “Whatever you need, I will be there for you. You are not alone.” Timaeus’s voice cracked a bit as he said the few words he wished that he had heard that night when his brother, his rock, had died. “I promise you.” Whatever Zanon needed, Timaeus would give him.
After all, he knew the man’s pain all too well.
But there was one thing he couldn’t do for Zanon. “You need to tell them,” He said quietly while glancing at the crowd behind them. “They need to know what happened here.”
The worried lines on Evras's forehead did not leave as she watched her husband scurry down the shoreline and join the rest of the Colchian men in attendance in heaving the sunken boat to shore. She did not know what to expect, or maybe she was simply in denial of what could be expected when the Kotas bear had clearly been displayed at the prow of the ship. Just how many ships bearing the Kotas insignia was out on sea anyway? Either way this ship turned up would not mean good news for her husband, or her son.
Or herself.
Too far away to hear the shouts and make note of what they were saying however, Evras turned to Thea, a look of helplessness on her face, as Zanon entered the ship to search. Could she say no? Of course not. This was his duty. This was his helm to bear when Vangelis and Tython were not in the kingdom, and by extension, this was her worry to stomach as well. That the ship had been found in Nethisa, which was a Thanasi province, was worrying enough. How would the second prince react to all of this?
As Nethis and Dysius approached her as well Evras chanced a look at her elder sister, her words making her nod, but not saying a word. To a certain extent, she knew why Nethis had agreed so easily to a marriage between herself and Zanon. She was a pawn. Not that her elder sister had no love for her, of that Evras was sure, but even if she was her sister, Nethis would not hesitate to ensure Thanasi blood was on the throne. And Evras did not wish for Dion to be another piece of the chess game they played.
"Is Mihail still around?" she asked softly as they waited, but before an answer could be given, her husband emerged from the stomach of the ship, and from a distance, Evras could see the grim look upon his face. Having barely heard Nethis's question to Thea as it faded in the hum of her ears, she squinted, but failed to see what he held - or what he had found aboard the destroyed vessel.
"Should I go to him, Nethis?" she murmured, suddenly unsure and looking like a child looking for their most familiar family members for guidance. The young lady's fingers worried themselves in front of her as she casted uncertain looks at Zanon, and then back at her siblings. What did one do under such circumstances? While she wanted to ensure her husband was fine, the very real fear of whatever he had found and whatever he had heard whispered would make him turn his back against her in front of everyone in Nethisa.
And she wasn't sure if she - or the babe in her stomach, whose existence was still unknown to everyone, but who Thea had managed to assure was there - was ready for such public humiliation.
Subconsciously, her hand found Thea's and her grip tightened on it, whether it be for strength or support, only the Gods would know.
Arms wrapped tightly around herself, Essa's brown eyes looked for her mother in the crowd, wishing she had brought the shawl Aikaterine had shoved at her instead of leaving it behind with her friend; she had been in such a hurry to rush after her mother that the thought of pausing to take the fabric and toss it around her shoulders seemed preposterous. Anxiety, who was a close friend to the Drakos girl, whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine. Her lips pursed. Her brows furrowed.
In her attempt to search the gathering crowd for Tythra's familiar golden head, Essa happened to catch the eyes of a boy. His lips pulled into a smile and he winked! Her lips formed an 'o' shape in surprise, unsure what to do, especially when it seemed as though he was approaching her. She mentally braced herself for the possible interaction, cheeks pink, when there's a cry in the air, and she turns back towards the ocean. In some ways, she wished she hadn't.
The bear carved into the ship's bow stared Essa right in the eyes. Her face paled. No, no, no. The rational part of her brain told her to be still, to calm the rapid beating of her heart, but her feet were already in motion.
Imeeya.
The world around her faded away and it was just her and the ship. Her sister had been on a Kotas ship. She paused, feet covered in sand, pale faced and wide eyed. Her skirt bellowed about her feet like a flag. Her sister had been on a Kotas ship.[/i]
Again the rational part of her brain called for action. Remember, it said, there were two ships. Two Kotas ships, Essa. Have faith. That may not be your sister's ship. She calmed, but only for a moment. When was the last time Essa had told Imeeya she loved her? What had been the last thing she said to her sister? She couldn't remember. But what she did remember was all their fights, all the times they had argued. She thought of all the times she disappointed Imeeya, all the times she complained about her to Aikaterine.
Oh, gods. Please, please…
Her hands went to stomach. She gave a small whimper, and then a sob. Tears blurred her vision and ran down her pale cheeks like hot coals. I can't lose her! I can't! Please, please, please! I'll do anything! She knew she was being selfish, to cry and worry for Imeeya, knowing that if it were her ship, it wasn't just her sister lost to the sea, but Vangelis and Athanasia, too.
Where was her mother? She needed...she didn't know what she needed, but she needed someone. Imeeya, I'm so sorr-
"It's the king's ship!"
The seconds of relief she felt made her sick. She hated herself for it. She ran her fingers through her brown hair, the pins that had been holding it up falling at her feet. She blinked through her tears, once more looking for a familiar face, someone to hold on to.
She saw then one of her cousins, Zanon. How had she not seen him sooner? He emerged from the wreckage and Essa searched his face. Her mother, where was her mother? She needed to be here. She wiped her eyes, red rimmed and glossy.
It was a Kotas ship, of course. It was as though the gods were forbidding them anything nice, for first, they had stolen away all Mihail's claim to nobility, and now they took any chance of his family claiming something from the wreckage. The world seemed intent on destroying any Thanasi joy.
Drawing his gaze away from the boat in question, he turned momentarily to frown at his sister's words. Either she had not noticed the passive aggression to his tone, or she had opted to ignore it, for Thea was speaking as though all was right in the world and they were not now separated by blood. He did not appreciate the ignorance of his pettiness. "The baron is treating me well, though I have requested he considers me as nothing more than any other citizen of Nethisa." It was not precisely the truth. There had been exceptions. "I do not require special attention." Mihail did not answer his other sister's comment, unwilling to acknowledge that he and Nethis would inevitably be forced into a discussion about his notes to the woman and his birthright, although he did follow after her to find Evras. He may not have cared for House Kotas nor his sister's husband all that much, but he understood the cause for upset.
He would have reached to embrace her as his sisters had, but inherent pettiness prevented him from doing so, a small voice at the back of his mind reminding him that such behaviour would not have been becoming of someone of lower status, especially given that Evras was not just royal-blooded but a princess and, given the ownership of the found ship, quite possibly their soon-to-be queen. Hm. Mihail supposed he might be willing to return to his Thanasi name if such a thing became the case. There was quite an appeal to the idea of his sister as queen and, regardless of potential adoption or not, there were always advantages to be reaped.
Still, Mihail gave Evras a mildly reassuring smile, clasping his hands across his front and flickering his eyes towards the boat. The King's ship. For a moment, that obnoxious attitude derived from his claim of peasantry vanished, and he found himself speaking to his sister as though there was no pity-desiring invented tension between them. He did not quite know the truth, but that did not stop him. "It will be alright, Evras. I promise."
Silanos didn’t know what the hell he was doing. Pinned in between men bent to haul rope and chain there was little recourse but for him to do the same, and so that is what he had begun to do, the salt water rising up to meet his booted feet as he tried to find some purchase upon the wet sand. He had youth on his side perhaps, but physically, he could hardly claim to be in good shape. The haphazard approach he took to self care took its toll in someways, and soon the young lord was breathing heavily, feeling sweat gather at the back of his neck. He broke off from the work and took a couple of steps back, just as the vessel was pulled up out of the surf.
It is the King’s Ship
The murmur broke over the crowd like on one of the waves that lapped at their feet, and there was a renewed effort from those men that still hauled upon chain. Silanos, standing back as he was, had a clear view of the Prince Zanon as he waded through the throng and climbed aboard the ship. He turned his face down toward the sand and tried to make himself invisible, though the Prince’s attention was clearly elsewhere. His little bid for freedom had turned into something quite different, and Silanos too could feel the cold thread of remembered griefs begin to wind its way around his throat, choking him. He needed to get out of here.
Shoving past those nearest to him, he considered trying to find Tim, but his brother would be with the Prince and so Silanos could not turn to him. He wanted a drink. Moving against the press of people wanting to get nearer to the ship and its secrets, the young man pushed and shouldered his way through them, face set,head down until there was some relief and he felt he could breath again. It was not a feeling that lasted long as he glanced up only to find himself a mere matter of feet from the Thanasi family, and from the Princess Evras. For a moment he looked upon her, and thought what she had cost him.
He was supposed to be a dead man. He would be a dead man if he stayed here.
Last he had seen her, she’d been being manhandled by her brute of a husband and he’d been fleeing into the night. It seemed a similarly appropriate course of action and swinging abruptly to the left, Sil walked on, keeping his head down now, determined to get away from the beach. He would have made a clean exit had he not collided with something, a someone he realised, as he staggered forward to try and save his unsuspecting victim from being knocked off her feet, little as she was. Dimly, he recognised the girl from before, though any thoughts he’d entertained towards flirtation were far from his mind now.
“Sorry, sorry” he muttered, reaching to steady the dark haired girl. A Drakos girl..what was her name again? But as Silanos tried to sift through all of the boring events he’d been dragged to, he saw past them for a moment, saw the brightness to the girl’s eyes, the red rims, and he frowned. “Hey now. You’re alright." The hands that he wrapped around her arms to stop her falling fell back to his sides and Sil glanced around. “ Do you need someone?” he asked, wanting nothing more than to be gone from this place. He was not a complete cad though to leave the girl obviously upset and alone. He rubbed at the back of his neck. “ Who are you here with?”