After Lordza and Zul's verbal fight, Lordza joined Valdrec in becoming his right-hand man. Valdrec, a known merchant who cooperates with the Shadows, has nefarious motives when he meets with Trianite.
“Please, let me get that for you,” Valdrec ran toward the doors that led to the stairs and opened them.
“Oh, thank you.”
When she passed, starting to go up the stairs, I tried walking past Valdrec. He stopped me before I entered, grabbing my collar and whispering in my ear, “Stay quiet. Do not screw this up for me.”
I nodded as we continued. We toured the second level, staying near the railing which allowed Valdrec to hold onto. Trianite walked in between us, talking about the things that plagued her most. “Border skirmishes with the Shadows. They have amassed a force on New Terraville, my resources are being stretched thin,” she said, “The damn Shadows. They’ve bested me at sea. I must reclaim my Navy. I just can’t get the proper funding.”
“Yes, and I was deeply concerned when you said that,” Valdrec responded. “The Shadows are just horrible. First-hand experience, of course. First hand,” he smiled, “and with them raiding our ships, we can’t conduct trade.”
“My government cannot protect the basic shipping routes. I know, I’m truly sorry. It’s been a headache ever since they began their skirmishes.”
“But I completely understand,” he added. “And that is why I’m here. I want to help you. You see, I’m sure you know the rumors on the streets. I know how to deal with the Shadows.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of it.”
Instead of indulging in a cigar, Valdrec indulged in himself. He quickly went into a wide stride, deepening his voice and casually saying, “See, many don’t put in the effort like I do. Zul being one, and that’s why they replaced her with me. I know what I’m doing. I can help you, my lady.”
“Go on.”
“Well,” Valdrec showcased me with his hands, “my partner here has been in the Subcontinent for quite some time, learning about crossing the Sashan Sea and getting familiar with the markets there.”
I nodded, but then Valdrec spun his hands. “Yes, um—” I cleared my throat. “Yes, my lady. Everything from Swayloch to Fort Nacre. Like the back of my hand, I know how to get there, who needs what. I even pushed the Shadows from patrolling near the coastline.”
“People like him,” he continued, “are all across my network. That is why… I am offering my services in becoming the Minister of the Navy.”
“Minister of the Navy…” Trianite repeated. “Oh.” The ball was in her court, but she didn’t speak. Silence enveloped the room. Valdrec’s finger was itching for a cigar, but he didn’t dare light one in front of her. My palms began to sweat because I didn’t know if Valdrec offended her or not. She gave us no emotion. Then, she went downstairs. When people talked to Trianite, she loved walking up the Palace, never down. If she went downstairs, the conversation was over—she was moving on.
Valdrec asked for too much, I thought—he should’ve just asked to advise her.
Even Valdrec knew he messed up. He was watching her open the downstairs doors, rounding the corner, and walking toward her throne room.
“My lady,” he chirped. “I’m sorry if I—”
“Silence,” she said and arrived at her throne. “What do you see?”
“The ocean, my lady.” Indeed, a giant glass slab which displayed the Ra’Sashan Sea was right in front of us. Many ships circled around the city, being driven by their high sails and roaring tides.
“You wish to control the entirety of the ocean? Every last drop? The marine life, the fauna, the anomalies of the Deep?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“I am the Goddess of Water, Valdrec. Asking to be my Navy Minister is to control the water on my behalf. You are not only asking to be a part of my government but also my right-hand man.”
“I understand my lady.”
“You would be the first non-lord in this position,” she raised her brow. “Could you handle that?”
“I most certainly can, my lady. Under my supervision, lord or not, the waters will be in my control.”
“You’ve read my letters,” she sighed. “I have a lot on my plate. I didn’t sleep last night. Battles are being fought. Wars might be waged…” Trianite looked at her throne and shook her head. “My brother, Dianite, has recently transferred power to his most loyal disciple, Firelord Valerie. In a letter he wrote to me, he explained that he couldn’t bear dealing with the Shadow raids and decided to leave the stress to someone else.” A troubled look appeared on her face as she saw her reflection in the glass. “He needed a break. I feel his pain. Sleepless nights. Thousands of problems. No solutions.” She looked into Valdrec’s eyes, “Is that what you want?”
Something told me that her words didn’t affect Valdrec. Sure, he was worried that he wouldn’t have been heard, or would’ve been dismissed. But now Trianite was entertaining his idea. He wasn’t nervous anymore, as a matter of fact, he had a smile on, nodding away whatever she told him, “Yes, my lady.”
“I remember when I had the drive like you do.” She took her attention off the glass and ambled over toward the various paintings. They all depicted the founding of the nation, various groups of people—usually lords—who shaped Trianite’s Kingdom into what it was today. “I did not know what I was signing up for,” she said as she stared at a drawing of herself. It depicted her as a god-like figure, ascending from the waters while a ray of light emerged from the dark clouds. “To keep my kingdom, I must find new solutions. Try new ways. I cannot fall to the Shadows. If you believe you can handle this pressure, if you believe you have the strength and understanding to combat this overpowering force, then…” she faced Valdrec, “consider yourself Minister of the Navy.”
“You will not regret this decision, my lady,” he stuck his hand out, but before they shook hands, a voice came from the lobby. The mercenaries tried to stop whoever from coming, but they were pushed and shoved aside by the interrupter.
Trianite looked onward and saw the person running toward them. Her eyes lit up, but before she greeted the newcomer, she finished shaking Valdrec’s hand. “I’m sure I won’t. I shall talk to you at a later date.”
“Very well, my lady,” he responded.
At the doorframe of the throne room, the interrupter stood stunned at the sight of us. She had her hand over her mouth and looked upon the Goddess with a terrified look.
Lady Trianite addressed her, “Now, who stands before me? Skylord Skylar—master of the Subcontinent! I’m surprised to see you here on the Mainland. Have you met Merchant Valdrec?”