NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Setting the Stage
One Day After the Kraken's Escape
Following the breakout from Kuria Prison, the Seas announced the formation of the Merchant Guild with approval and backing of House Drakos. Going forward, all businesses across the Seas would need to be registered under the Merchant Guild.
Registered businesses would receive a license to operate their respective businesses and be assigned an Associate of the Guild, who would advise them on all things business-related. All those who were licensed would have to make monthly reports on their revenue, costs of operation, and profit distribution to ensure equality and fairness; all of which would be recorded by the assigned Associate.
The Merchant Guild, being an extension of House Drakos' authority, would manage all businesses involving necessities such as transport, healthcare, education, energy, utilities and security of the Seas.
Any business that chose not to register with the Guild would be hereby shut down, by order of the Royal Consort herself.
The Merchant Guild would proceed with the registration throughout the Seas of Linemall, hours after the announcement was made public to the general public.
Two Days after the Kraken's Escape
An army of giant octopuses began to attack various towns across the Seas of Linemall. Word soon spread that the Lordling Lukas Drakos single-handedly took down the army, displaying his great and undisputed strength.
There were none harmed despite such a vicious wide-spread attack across the Seas of Linemall.
After the crisis had been averted, Lukas Drakos declared that for the next week, all food places would be serving octopus-related dishes to celebrate this great victory. All of the creatures slain were to be hung in town squares around the Seas for all to witness the greatness of Lukas' victory.
Three Days After the Kraken's Escape
The news of Samuel Sterling's resignation had been made known to the people. In his place, a new Warden of Kuria Prison was appointed: Katrina Drakos, the daughter of the missing Lord Rodan.
Following the announcement, it was made known that 3 prisoners trying to escape were apprehended successfully by the new Warden in charge.
This new Warden was well-received by the general population. In fact, many said it was good to see the next generation stepping up to serve the good of the Seas. It was about time Samuel Sterling stepped down and Katrina Drakos, the daughter of their late Lord Rodan would bring about a new age for the Seas of Linemall; an age to look forward to.
Four Days after the Kraken's Escape
The Merchant Guild made an announcement that would put an end to the "coin" that had been making rounds throughout the Seas, the coin that had allowed the Kraken to gain control over the Seas and its economy.
Instead, a new currency will be implemented: Tritons. Crafted from polished steel, the coins were durable and striking in their design, a reflection of the hard-earned peace the people of Linemall now fight to reclaim.
It was to act as a symbol for what the future held for the Seas of Linemall.
On the obverse side, the coin bore the figure of an Octopus Head. Once a feared symbol of the Cthulu, the head was now rendered in a stylized, bold design. Its bulbous eyes are marked with X's, mocking the escapee. This image was framed by crashing waves, symbolizing both the fall of the Kraken and the rise of the new order in the Seas.
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The reverse side was a simpler, yet equally significant design: a rising sun over a calm sea, symbolizing the dawn of a new era. The sun was flanked by two intertwined dragons, representing the strength and unity of House Drakos and their return to power. Below, the inscription "UNITED UNDER DRAGONS" was etched in elegant, flowing script in the old draconic tongue, serving as a reminder that the Age of Dragons was far from over.
It was a concept that would take a while for the Seas to grasp but eventually, it would bring about great prosperity of the Seas.
More importantly, it took away the greatest danger the Kraken posed to the Seas. The Seas' Economy was no longer in control of the Kraken. It was completely in the hands of House Drakos and there was little to nothing the Kraken could do about it.
Five Days after the Kraken's Escape
Lukas Drakos announced that he would be going on a Royal Procession.
He, alone, would travel through all of the Seas of Linemall to greet his people after his awakening. He would make a loop around the Regions of the Seas before returning to the Palace.
And so the Royal Procession of Lukas Drakos began.
To each town he passed through, Lukas listened to the concerns of his people, reassuring them that the Kraken's terror was a thing of the past. Anything he could do to serve his people, he would do it without hesitation. He also made sure to meet directly with local Dragonborn, reminding them of the Drakos legacy and securing their loyalty.
In each and every city, he would organize a local feast where all were invited to attend.
Food, drinks, and plenty of alcohol were all on Lukas. He would show off feats: consuming more food than the people had ever seen before, drinking more barrels of alcohol the taverns could provide, and the people loved it.
At first, there were only a handful of curious onlookers, but as his procession moved forward, the crowds grew larger.
The Seas had lived in uncertainty for so long, living through the aftermaths of the Great War and Lord Rodan's disappearance.
Lukas Drakos was like a sign of change, of strength, and of protection.
He was a sign of what was to come for Linemall.
Some knelt before him, pledging their allegiance, while others cheered from the sidelines, their voices rising with excitement.
Those who had once been too fearful to defy the Kraken's remnants found courage in Lukas' presence, and slowly, one by one, more joined his cause. The Dragonborn too, who had once been uncertain of Lukas' potential, saw the fire in his eyes and the power in his command.
With each night that passed, Lukas' procession became more than just a display of power.
It had become a rallying cry for a new order, a new dawn for the Seas of Linemall.
Weeks passed and Lukas had travelled the Seas, made his name known and now the young lordling of the Drakos Household would finally return to the Palace, now followed by thousands of the draconic kind.
It had been fourteen days since the Kraken's escape and it was like it never happened.
Instead, all eyes were now on Lukas Drakos, the new rising star of Linemall. His influence had spread even outside of the Seas and its growth did not seem to be stopping anytime soon.
Lukas had spent hours crafting every single step and detail and it had paid off. Everything was leading up to this moment where he could finally reap the rewards of his meticulous planning. He only had one chance to pull this off.
17 Days After the Kraken's Escape
The stage was set. It was time for the main event.