Enatic Clans

Earl Geoff,

Hello once again to my earnest earl of Haganopolis. How's the voyage going? I was worried when you didn't reply to my missive. It has been three days since I have heard you unreplied. As only Andrianus returned to Kehina without your feedback. If you refer to me, I'm just fine as well. I hope you're doing great also.

Yours truly,

Lady Anda

Well, it has been just a couple of days or so. Three days? Still we do expect we are a day or so away reaching my homeland. 'Condemna' really takes her time at the seas, eh? Or is it because the monsoon wind blows in the opposite direction, I suppose? Who knows. Meanwhile, I sigh to avoid my wife, whose belly is on the second stage of preconception. I am a horrible spouse.

And this time, it is my turn to send a letter to the monarch, writing:

Lady Anda,

We are a day or two away reaching the serene republic. Quexajo and I are managing tasks pre-planned…. —

I discontinue to inscribe - my body is weak, the message is convoluted, and what's inside my mind is too uninteresting. Crumple the papyrus and lose the will to note again. I then attempt to throw the rubbish to the bin and it misses.

"Shit…" I breathe quite nonchalantly, as I lean in an arching motion on my chair. As I reach for another scroll, finding the inspiration to somehow write a plausible rapport towards my spouse-monarch.

I restart my thought, clasping the stylus in my hand. Dabbling the tip on the ink, as I prepare to write another letter with my very best. Rephrasing:

Lady Anda,

Condemna seems to have a detour. It will be a day or two and we will be inbound to my homeland. The ship and her captain, Conrad Ma., are certainly doing their best to traverse the waters - sacrificing time. With that in mind, Quexajo and I are just doing great. Entertainment is great, food is great, the emerging and the setting of the sun is great, crew's hospitality is great. Everything is great, actually. And speaking of food - For a ship, light warship-turned-ferry; components of street food with Arancian artisanal taste, junk food from enemies - the Inglovians, and fast food with their specialty garum have blended quite nicely. I, together with Quexajo, will be home in the kingdom after the funeral has been concluded. Stay safe. Take care of yourself also.

Your faithfully vassal,

Earl Geoff of Haganopolis

I scribble with my signature next to my name. As I fold it in two cuts, then put inside the envelope. Stamp it with my seal. And now, it's just my turn to wait for that bird. And yes, I'm referring to Adrianus. To be honest, I'm not quite satisfied with what I wrote. Sounds corny. But at least, I still have something to say in those regards.

"Lord Geoff?" three knocks on the door as someone summons my name, the voice weighs familiarity. It's Quexajo, I certainly know he is that person.

I approach the door, with my blade in my hand. Well, just for safety reasons. And secondly,...

I open the door to cater to his presence, "You came in the wrong chamber, you dunce!" putting the blade near my manservant's throat, as I catch him off guard. Yes, just to prank his sorry back.

"Lady Wellicia! What's wrong with you?!? It's me, Quexajo." he winces, protesting my conduct.

Sheathing the dagger back to its scabbard, "I know." in a nonchalant response.

"Oh, for the seventh heavens' sake! Lord Geoff, you are a daft twat! Did you know that, brother?" he sulks, his glare pricks on me, I then laugh in response.

"So what prompts you for this visit, brother?" I ask him, after the incident has settled.

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"Love letter, done?" his spouting face still hasn't subsided.

"Aye sir…" I flutter the message in-between both of my index and middle fingers, pulling out of my trousers.

The waves are tamed. It seems Condemna doesn't rock the journey as intended. And I pray to Lady Wellicia for that. Sun shines brightly on the window. The wind blows in a quiet and soothing sensation. Yes, just like in Kehina.

"Then, what's the hold up?" Quexajo curls his eyebrows, caressing his chin.

"The bird?"

"Oh, Adrianus? Well, I suppose he should be picking up your mail by now," providing points about the bird's absence, "... or just fed up since you have not been sending back messages to Her Majesty." his words are true about my indecisiveness.

"Cease that pessimistic remark of yours. Of course, he will show up!" I protest while I frantically waving the letter around in my hand.

He crosses his arms, asking: "Brother…" he pauses, then he takes a huge respire, "How so?" in rather an imposing way, his left brow rises.

"Just because. That bird will show up." assumingly Adrianus will work to deliver my message, I poise with confidence.

"An arcane portal will appear - when?"

"No idea. Fifteen minutes from now, I guess."

"So you're just assuming?" he is trying to debunk my wishful thinking.

"No, I'm not. Believe me."

His right palm plays a clattering noise, "Five coins of gold." insinuating me to bet.

"Five gold coins, it is then!" I reply in a jovial tone, as I pull five coins out of my pouch, but I am not confident if Adrianus will show up or not.

The hourglass is set in fifteen minutes. Well, arcane-driven. Several minutes later, while the ship takes a huge bump. The equilibrium stabilizes after that. Probably, a collision or a huge wave. But I bet on the latter.

"Brother, time is running out of sand." he is implying the moment I am about to pay what I have lost.

"Right, here. Here." I hand five gold coins, "Well, such life is…" as I resign into submission.

"Nice, easiest money in my entire life!" where he boasts his winning, officially as the time dries out, which I scoff at.

"No crap about that, indeed." I denote it in a sardonic way, lauding his success.

A minute later, the magic portal spawns in, Quexajo calls it out, jabbing: "Looks like you should have won, if you set your claim to twenty minutes at least." his finger towards the small arcane gate, while mocking me.

After I send my letter to Lady Anda, with and by the help of Adrianus. The bird perches on my forearm. Pet the bird. As Adrianus soars and cruises around the room. I suppose he is making himself a momentum before re-entering back to the arcane portal.

He asks, "So what did you write about? Just curious."

"It is classified." I tease him about it, whereas pulling a direct face.

"So, something's personal? Alright. I won't press for more." as Quexajo backs off, assuming it might be a risque written conversation between Lady Anda and I.

"Well, some mundane stuff here. And gambling which I promised to her that I will reduce in participation - for better, quit it."

He teases me back with an upward furrow on his lips and it's disgusting, inciting: "Then I'll hafta squeal this vice of yours to Her Highness." shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders, "You see, milord. A hard-labored and well-earned reward is better than an immediate benefit." as he goes full ahead on his philosophical counsel upon me.

"Noted." I accept his lambasted comment. In reality I want to say: 'Shut up' instead.

After the delivery, the magic gate closes. Quexajo and I plan to go to the mini-bazaar. My body is adapting once again to the currents. However, this constant swaying makes me famished. Quexajo requests a solution by heading to the and so I follow his suggestion. Meanwhile, it takes us possibly two minutes to get here.

"I miss this waft." I say, while stretching his arms upward.

"Specialty of Kehina or Arancy. Which are you referring to?"

" Both."

"Well too bad, Lord Geoff. They have neither Kehinan restaurants in this ferry nor Kehinan-influenced, even Kehinan personnel, present to savor those tastes to us - matrilocal men of the Kingdom of Kehina." Quexajo gives an appealing counterpoint, and because I know that from the get-go.

"Touché, you have a point." I concur with his argument, "Wait, you've been married to a bad ass woman?" with a sarcastic tone. As I am implying to the Kehinan women.

"Suo jure. You're wedded to Her Majesty and I'm your batman, brother. That means you're my responsibility. Therefore, I need to look at your bum wherever you go. To Kehina. To Haganopolis. Even to the floating islands or Kigal, I trail after you."

"Oh, how sweet of you, brother."