12.4.0

As the sun set, Zyrdicia stood on a rocky point with a clear view of the harbor, waiting. She liked Grand Kirilia. It reminded her a bit of the Red Zone in Lyr. The island resort bristled with activity, even in its off-season. Gambling houses and taverns lined a boardwalk adjacent to a perfect, white beach. Raucous music and laughter echoed through the town.

The Camarandian Governor's house overlooked the island from a perch atop a small hill. It had been virtually undefended. A small contingent of southern soldiers had been stationed on the island to keep order. Their main purpose had been to separate drunken brawls and detain criminals preying on tourists. The islands had never been threatened by the conflict with the North - Blackpool had no navy. The storm-filled northern waters were almost unnavigable, and his ports froze in the winter. The Kirilians lay just a few miles off the southwestern tip of Camarand, far removed from the conflict - until now.

Zyrdicia watched the sail of a foreign vessel as it neared the harbor. A Camarandian coast guard ship intercepted it. The Lyrian merchant ship would look exotic to these people. Its primary cargo hold was loaded with liquor and spices; it would appear to be a trading ship from a distant land. Similar ships were now arriving at all of the other Kirilian islands.

Moments later the Lyrian vessel proceeded into the harbor. The sail dropped. It approached the deep-water dock under oar. The trusting fools had given it a berth. Her crew had been prepared to sink the coast guard ship but now there was no immediate need. When the rest of the invasion force arrived, they could commandeer it instead. There were certain advantages to using pirates as mercenaries.

The second wave of ships appeared moments later. A score of heavily armed warships quickly blockaded the harbor and the island, severing it from the mainland. They took control of the coast guard vessel in mere minutes. She had no concerns about the rest sea battle. The southern naval defenses were no match for these bloodthirsty sea dogs. Outfitted with fast, magical propulsion systems and devastating weaponry, the armored Lyrian vessels were technologically superior. They had the benefit of a cultural legacy of oceanic aggression. Aparans had not seen a real sea battle since the days of the last Great War, several centuries ago.

Zyrdicia turned her attention to the dock. Warriors now spilled out of the merchant ship's hull across plank bridges. They swarmed like ants, racing toward the boardwalk and the town beyond.

The ship had been designed to smuggle goods from Lyr into other lands. When foreign governments restricted access to commodities, Lyrian merchants invariably responded by fulfilling the illicit demand - opium, absinthe, hashish, weapons, slaves, magic items of every sort - any commodity for which there was demand. The vessel contained an invisible cargo-hold constructed of nether space; the hold which could hide massive amounts of goods could also hide soldiers.

Several of the warships soon docked and unloaded more mercenaries. The foreign soldiers overran Grand Kirilia with lightning speed. There was no order or method to their invasion. They killed, captured or plundered as they pleased. She did not care in the least what they did. The well-disciplined northern troops would have the task of reigning them in later. That would be Geoffrey's problem.

The small Camarandian force stationed on the island could offer no defense. Zyrdicia had personally butchered all of its members already. She had piled their heads in front of the gate to the governor's house a short time ago, along with those of the governor and his family.

The sudden chaos pleased her. A horn blew from the direction of the harbor. She knew it signaled the third wave's arrival. These final ships brought engineers, carpenters, masons, slaves and tools to quickly fortify the harbor and transform the little resort community into a proper naval base. It had all been planned with meticulous attention to detail. The fortification design had been finalized only last night by a gifted Lyrian military architect. The crew would go to work immediately upon arrival and not pause until the construction was completed.

She was finally ready to open the magical gate. She invoked the purple portal and Geoffrey burst through it leading a mounted contingent. He knew exactly what was expected of him. She had drilled it into his thick head repeatedly. With a carefully selected group of seasoned officers, he would fan his troops across the town and take control of the mercenaries. The hired Lyrian thugs knew that they were to follow the command of anyone in a northern uniform. The vast majority of them would not risk forfeiting their pay for this job, or coming into conflict with their renowned employer, by disobeying the order. Money and fear proved to be marvelous motivators.

Everything proceeded exactly according to her schedule. She walked along the harbor's breakwater to check on the organization of the construction project, quite impressed with herself. It had been rather expensive, but the execution had been flawless. No one else in the world had the connections or resources to accomplish in a few hours what she could.

A familiar voice boomed from the deck of a warship, "Hoy! Where is that cantankerous vixen? I'd sail straight to Hades for her!" Boisterous laughter followed the announcement.

"Then go to Hell, Milo, you flea-ridden pirate!" Zyrdicia called back, joining in the laughter as she pranced across a plank to board the ship.

"With you, Zyrdicia, we could sack it and make Mammon himself turn over his treasure!"

12.4.1

Dirk scowled at Vector from across the Barkin game board. He was in a foul mood. Hardly anyone had remembered that it was his birthday. His brother had insisted on riding back to Tronin early this morning. Where Zyrdicia was, he had no idea. After their quarrel yesterday about her recent behavior and his inability to locate her in the monocle, they had not spoken. Which was probably for the better.

He had gone looking for her after the harrowing discovery of horrible spiders in his clothes, certain that no one else could be responsible. She had not been in her chambers then. He decided it was just as well. Vengeance, after all, was a dish best served cold. He would wait until she had forgotten about the incident, and on a morning when she was exhausted and eager for sleep, she would find her mattress had become a nest of snakes. The prince remembered she admitted to once fearing them when she was younger. He hoped slipping into a bed filled with them would bring back some of those warm childhood feelings. As irritating as he knew Vector found her, Dirk was certain that the Wizard would be eager to lend his assistance to such a task.

Dirk assumed she was still angry about their argument, since she had slipped out of the Castle without a word when she awakened this evening. Her servants claimed to have no idea where she had gone.

Even Vector seemed to have forgotten that it was his birthday. The prince cast his pieces aside angrily. He had no interest in the game.

Vector eyed him carefully. The Wizard put a finger to his temple and closed his eyes. He pretended to receive a telepathic message from one of his spies, before announcing, "It appears your demonic paramour and your brother have decided to betray you, my lord."

Dirk's gaze become deadly. "What are you talking about?" he sneered.

"I just received a message from one of my informants. They are using some of your forces to take over Grand Kirilia in secret. My spies have learned that she plans her own conquest of Camarand without you, and she has convinced Geoffrey to join her. Some of the army has already defected. Instead of fighting Erick Greystone, you will be fighting Geoffrey and Zyrdicia."

Dirk's expression did not change. He stared icily at the Wizard and whispered, "If I had a sense of humor, Vector, I might laugh."

"See for yourself then," Vector suggested, his expression smug. He stood up and approached his viewscope. He waved his hand in front of the smoked glass surface and an image appeared. Dirk watched transfixed as his troops marching through mayhem in the distinctive, garish streets of Grand Kirilia.

The image changed silently. Zyrdicia stood upon the deck of a warship. A distinguished-looking, silver-haired man in a great black hat embraced her fondly. Quite a bit taller than this man, she leaned down to so that he could kiss her cheek. They appeared to know each other quite well - too well. The man's arm lingered around her shoulders affectionately as they laughed together at some unknown joke. The warmth of the gesture infuriated the prince.

Geoffrey entered the silent image then, boarding the warship across a plank. He looked around him in wonder. The young prince had never been on a boat that big before. No one in Aparans had, in fact. Zyrdicia laughed at whatever Geoffrey said, moving away from the unknown hatted figure to drape her arm around the younger Blackpool's shoulder and kiss his cheek affectionately. Geoff beamed as she related something to him; a moment later Geoff nodded to her and left the ship. Zyrdicia looked like she was having a marvelous time.

Dirk sent a servant to fetch him his sword. "Take me there, Vector!"

"Now?!" Vector looked at the clock nervously. It was only eleven-thirty. The Wizard hoped to goad the prince a while longer.

"Yes, now!"

"Are you sure that's a good idea, my lord? We should observe them a bit first. It could be very dangerous there," Vector advised urgently.

"Do it - or it will become very dangerous here, for you," the prince whispered. There was no mistaking the rage in his eyes.

Vector could hardly disguise his delight at spoiling the birthday present. He was, however, rather nervous about disobeying Zyrdicia's instructions regarding timing. There was nothing to be done about it. Extricating himself from the immediate danger of the prince's wrath was a greater priority.

The Wizard transported himself with the prince to the harbor. Moments after they arrived a patrol of northern soldiers marched past. Seeing the prince, the troops stopped briefly and saluted. The officer in charge bowed and said, "Best wishes on your natal day, Lord Blackpool!"

Dirk barely noticed. His eyes were fixed upon the flag flying above the harbor. It was his flag. The warships flew Karteian colors as well. He was stunned that she was so stupid as to usurp the very symbols of his authority. She will pay for this betrayal very dearly, he thought bitterly. The sound of thundering hoof beats drew his attention.

Geoffrey stopped his horse suddenly when he saw his brother. He grinned proudly and greeted, "Happy birthday, Dirk!" The younger prince glanced at a clock tower above the harbor, and his smile faded. He looked quizzically at Vector. Vector shrugged indifferently. Geoffrey turned to the only warship still docked and yelled, "Hey, Zyrdicia! Dirk is here early!"

Dirk glared at his brother menacingly. He was certain that the fool had been mocking him with the remark about his birthday. He drew his sword, intending to kill the traitor. Geoffrey's eyes widened in fear. He backed his horse away quickly.

"Vector, you idiot! How fucking difficult is it to read the time off a clock?" Zyrdicia asked angrily, appearing suddenly behind them. "I told you not to bring him here until midnight! If Geoffrey was capable of understanding the plan, why is it that you could not?"

"Prince Blackpool was quite insistent," Vector explained.

She turned to Dirk, glancing at the sword in his hand. "If you are going to use that, use it to behead the Wizard. His brain appears to have atrophied. Assuming he ever had one."

The prince's eyes narrowed. "Ah, Vector, I should have guessed that you would have a hand in this treachery, too. You'll all three die for betraying me."

"I told you he'd be mad," Geoffrey muttered glumly.

"Treachery?" Zyrdicia repeated, perplexed. "What exactly did Vector tell you?"

"Save your lies. He did not have to tell me anything. I saw it all in the viewscope. I know of your plot."

Zyrdicia looked slowly at Vector, pursing her lips. She arched an eyebrow. "I can't wait to hear this story. Did you convince him that Geoffrey and I are lovers? Or perhaps that you and I are? Or maybe all three of us together?"

"That's disgusting!" Geoffery blurted out from his position well out of harm's way.

"You told me to prevent him from discovering your true purposes. I did precisely that," Vector said flatly without the slightest trace of remorse. "He has no idea."

Zyrdicia looked at Dirk curiously and said, "I'm eager to learn what he has led you to believe we've plotted against you." She gestured to the island, adding, "By the way, happy birthday."

"What?!"

"The Kirilian Islands now belong to you. Surprise."

"You are giving me a piece of Camarand as a birthday gift?" he asked, shocked.

She nodded, "That is part of it. The islands wouldn't be very useful without a navy to defend them. So I hired one. You have 20 warships to play with for a year. If you had waited another half an hour, we would have had things cleaned up a bit better."

Dirk glared suddenly at Vector, realizing the Wizard had misled him deliberately, purely out of spite.

Vector smiled thinly, "I wish you a joyous natal day, my lord. May your life be filled with many more." He then promptly disappeared.

"Who knew about this?" Dirk asked Zyrdicia quietly. His expression was hard to read.

"Just your brother and Vector. And half of Lyr, probably."

"How long have you planned it?"

"About a week. Now you know why you haven't been able to locate me in the monocle," she answered. "So what did he convince you was taking place here? I really want to hear the sordid details."

"It doesn't matter." Dirk shook his head in disgust and sheathed his sword. It embarrassed him now to admit that he had thought she was planning to betray him with his imbecile younger brother. He felt foolish for having let Vector mislead him.

"Yesterday's fight was intended to keep you from suspecting what I was really doing. I presume it was effective. Were the spiders a nice touch?" she grinned.

"Spiders? I don't recall seeing any. Where did you leave them?" he asked nonchalantly.

"No way! They couldn't have all crawled away," she laughed. "I feel so thwarted! I even slept at home yesterday since I assumed you would do something mean while I was asleep."

He shrugged indifferently. "Sorry to disappoint you," he muttered as though the subject were not of any particular interest. In time, my dear, he thought coldly.

He looked around him in wonder, eager to change the subject. It amazed him that she had not only managed to conquer the Kirilian Islands in a single night, but had arranged the invasion in such secrecy. It served to remind him that she was, indeed, very dangerous. Despite that knowledge, he was genuinely delighted that she had gone to such trouble to please him - spiders excepted, of course.

Zyrdicia looked toward the warship behind her and called out, "Milo, you scoundrel, get down here!"

"Bah! And set foot on land? You'll ruin my reputation, woman!"

"You wish!" she yelled back, laughing. "Get down here! Come meet the guest of honor!"

"Who is that you are talking to?" Dirk asked, obviously irritated by the exchange.

"Your admiral."

The older man he had seen in the viewscope now tromped across the plank and walked down the dock. He wore stylized garments of billowing, ruffled black silk. His square-toed black boots contained a half dozen square buckles up the center. A great, white feather decorated his triangular, black hat. When he reached them, he bowed with a flourish.

Zyrdicia giggled at the absurd formality. Cheekily she announced, "Prince Blackpool, I present Admiral Harold Milovenik of the Canter Archipelago's Imperial Navy. Also know around Lyr as Grimheart, the dreaded pirate."

"Well, which is it? An admiral or a pirate?" Dirk asked sharply.

The man answered pleasantly, "Both, my prince. I was the greatest admiral of the Western Seas for several years. I never lost a sea battle. I've spent the past two decades gathering the largest pirate fleet in the world, greater than some navies. I suppose you could say that I retired from active military service to pursue other interests."

"I corrupted him," Zyrdicia commented proudly. "After I cut out the heart of his former king, I convinced him how much more fun it would be to be a villain than a hero."

"Hard to believe it's been twenty years," Milo shook his head, looking at her reminiscently. "Time marches on. We all grow old, but you just get lovelier."

"And deadlier," she smiled.

"The gods help us all, then!" Milo grinned. "There wasn't a ship on the water you couldn't sink back then. They still tell stories about you as the Sea Witch in Canter. The people there still think you are evil personified."

"But I am!" Zyrdicia protested.

"To them maybe. To your friends you are an angel."

Milo looked at his new boss and grinned, "Prince, I could tell you stories about this one," he gestured toward Zyrdicia, shaking his head.

"Shh! Milo, you'll sully my image here," Zyrdicia whispered mischievously.

Dirk smirked, "My dear, unless the stories depict you as well-behaved, deferential and prim, I can hardly imagine that such a thing is possible."

Milo laughed heartily, appreciating the teasing. His face then grew very serious, "Jests aside, there isn't a man alive who knows more about orchestrating sea battles or coastal raiding than I do. She hired you the best ships money can buy. Excellent magical weaponry. We can shell the hell out of a town from a mile out at sea. I handpicked the crews personally for their loyalty and experience. This fleet would give some of the greatest navies in our world a mean fight. From what I've seen of the little boats in your world, a Lyrian fisherman could blow 'em out of the water. We now rule the seas here."