The Blue Kingdom

As the rangers spread out a large map across the table, Riko stood back, observing the organised chaos around him. The deck of Marie’s flagship buzzed with activity, men moving barrels of weaponry and supplies into place. Between the ship’s rigging, he caught sight of a small vessel slipping away, carrying Peh, the newly assigned administrator of the Blue. She was heading for the northeast, the only region in the vast maze that wasn’t under immediate threat. Every other corner of the free country was at risk of invasion, and to keep them safe their upcoming missions needed to succeed.

Marie leaned over the map, sighing heavily. “Tell me again, why not take the Oozing first?”

“Ray isn’t a threat to us,” Riko replied. “His men and ships are few.”

“Then why does Ivy need to take him down after you face Indri’s forces?” Marie rubbed the bridge of her nose, her eyes clenching shut in frustration. “Why not just let him rot where he is?”

Riko pointed to the drawing of the Thousand Kings, moving his finger up and down over the map. “Ray’s men followed him because he used to let them do whatever they wanted. For years, they’ve plundered merchants travelling to and from Male, growing rich off the backs of those they rob and making backroom deals with Male’s black market. They steal from Male, only to sell the loot right back to them. After Indri took over the south, Ray halted operations, and his men didn’t like it. If we take control of the Oozing, we gain access to the floating city. We can infiltrate, prepare the ground for a larger incursion. But to do so, we need to clean the seas of Indri’s navy first.”

Marie studied the map, her brow furrowed in concentration. Oleg, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. “Marie’s flat-bottomed ships can definitely cross the city’s coral barrier with the crew you’ve assigned,” he said. “And we have enough detla-wings ready to assault the fortress. But Tampra has a significant presence there. Can Adan’s ships take on that navy after the clash with Indri? Or do we have to wait for reinforcements?”

Riko’s finger moved south on the map, pointing to an archipelago far below the southern cluster. “The Kraken deserters have been gathering at the World’s End for a long time. I’ll need to leave after Indri’s fight to bring them to aid us. But they’re under Vega’s watchful eye. The moment I move, he’ll know. It must be a last-minute operation. Adan will sail our ships to confront Indri, approaching from the west side of the Korenere. As soon as they spot our fleet, they’ll send birds to Tampra, expecting reinforcements from the Parnis within days. It’s crucial we take Indri’s head before that happens.”

“I’m not feeling so good,” Marie murmured, moving around to find a place to sit. Oleg dragged over a barrel, and she sank onto it. After a moment, she spoke again. “And this Indri. Her men don’t like her, or what?”

Riko leaned over the table, placing his elbows on the edge. “Each finger of the piracy’s fist is different. Ray offers his men freedom, which is why he has loyal followers. The Harpy’s men are drawn to her big exploits and the riches she promises. Uwe’s men follow him out of honour—if we were to kill him, his men would seek vengeance until death. But Indri, she rules through fear. She offers wealth, yes, but the loyalty her men show her is based on the rewards and punishments she doles out. Once the beast’s head is cut off, they’ll look for someone else who can offer the same rewards with less punishment. That’s why your friend is so important. His reputation is the key.”

Marie shook her head, a look of disbelief crossing her features. “I can’t believe all our hopes are pinned on him. I knew the title ‘king’ came from an angler’s joke, but I never realised the pirate crews held him in such high regard. Did you know about his connection to the pirates? Is this from that incident with the Harpy’s girls?”

“I will bring him back to his senses.” Ivy signed. Then she moved away, heading to the cabin where the old kraken quartermaster barricaded himself among bottles of alcohol.

Riko moved to the side of the deck, staring out at the horizon. Memories of the last time he had seen AhLong surfaced in his mind. The man was broken, drowning his sorrows in drink and tears, a shell of the fierce warrior he had once been. He recalled the man he used to be, a legend among the Kraken men even when he was just a recruit. Gazing toward a nameless southern island where preparations were made to start a war, Riko felt a knot form in his stomach. He wished Ivy was right, that she could bring back that fiercess, even if only for a moment, even if it was just a glimpse of what he once was. With a heavy heart, Riko returned to the table.

“Ivy will find in him the King of the Blue he once was,” he said. “When we defeat Indri, some of her men will flee, but I’m sure many will be fine with a new leader. They’ll follow the legend. With some luck, we’ll have enough force to take on Tampra’s reinforcements and open a path toward Male.”

The plan was ready, but Riko knew all too well that the success of their mission depended on more than just strategy: it depended on bringing AhLong back to his former self. And that, Riko feared, might be the hardest battle of all.

A bit later, Ahlong staggered over the deck, swaying from side to side as if the ship was in the middle of a storm. Behind him limped his old mate, Joy: his face always smiling, no matter how serious the situation. Ivy trailed close, her expression betraying the doubts gnawing at her.

As the trio approached the table, AhLong grunted, lifting a bottle high before smashing it down with careless force. Glass shattered, and the strong, pungent drink spilled across the map, soaking the carefully drawn battle plans.

“Why can’t ye just let old Long drink, huh?” he said, his voice thick with both liquor and anger. He pointed a shaky finger at Riko, his gaze unfocused but laced with a bitter edge. “Ye, Ricky! Listen. You good kid. I like ye, aye. But ye stubborn like rat in pantry. Just let I drink and die. What point, huh? What point?”

Ivy moved her hands swiftly, signing with determination. Ahlong answered in the silent language of the mute, his hand signs as precise as hers. To his answer, Ivy lowered her gaze.

“I tired, little Ivy,” the old dog continued in spoken words, voice cracking. “I tired of revenge and death and war and pain and…and.”

AhLong turned to leave, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of the world had finally crushed him. But before he could take another step, Joy grabbed him by the shirt. Long shook him away, to which Joy responded with a punch straight to the shoulder. Ahlong flinched, his head snapping up in shock, his bleary eyes locking onto Joy’s.

Joy’s fist turned into a palm that reached his friend’s chest, tapping kindly as he leaned in close. “What would Hafiz do?”

Ahlong’s face crumpled, the question cutting deeper than any insult could. He stood frozen, breath shallow and ragged. Joy repeated the question, louder this time, almost a yell.

The words shattered the last remnants of Ahlong’s resistance. Body wracked with sobs, he fell to his knees, tears pouring down weathered cheeks. Joy bent down beside him, wrapping his arms around his old friend. For a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of a steady creak of the ship accompanying the sounds of a broken man.

At last, Long pushed himself to his feet, unsteady but determined. His gaze swept over the room, lingering on Ivy first, then Riko and the rest. He reached to help Joy up, and as their eyes locked, they engaged in a silent conversation of sights no one else could ever hear. “Right…right, leh.” AhLong said, “naughty people need scolding.”

“Yes, yes.” Joy said.

Suddenly, Ahlong’s face changed. As if an invasive monster had taken over the body of a soul in torment, ready to break the world. A contoured face overflowed with a primordial malice Riko had not seen since the times of the war. A grin that made his hair stand on end.

“Brat Indri always wants play grown-up game.” Long said, letting out a lugubrious chuckle. “When Uncle Long saves her and her sisters from Kraits, she insists. Always want to be like fat, thumbs lady. Uncle says better be good girl or later regret. But she doesn’t listen. Oh, nay! All life very naughty she is. Well, time to learn lesson. Time to pay.”