After weeks of traversing the Jade Sea, the Bay of Alburkhan was a welcome feast for the eyes. From the shallow, cerulean waters, rocky islands shot up like breadcrumbs that the Gods had cast down from the Heavenly Hells and had been broiling in the southern sun ever since. 

A beautiful sight, for sure, but the inescapable heat was taking its toll. Drops of sweat rolled down her back. The ship's wood scalded her fingers with every touch, and whenever she wanted to splash water into her face, she found that the water Hristo had hauled up for her was lukewarm at best. Even the wind breathing life into the red-orange flags at shore brought no relief.

She squared her shoulders, one hand glued to her Blaster—more out of habit than fearing the something would disturb them in the last miles of their voyage. She was ready for it to be over.

Pan stood next to Liene by the rudder, deep in conversation, but she felt too sticky to care what they were discussing. His pecs, however. Goddess of Lust—she had created them in divine creation. What she would do to touch them, feel his sticky skin against his... kiss him.

Muttonhead, stop ogling. She cursed herself for letting her mind wander like that. Still, she couldn't stop staring as he shouted down orders to luff down the sails.

"Iavo, no, wait until Verban's ready!" Even his voice caused her mind to slip. She could listen to it all day, merely taking in the vibrance of his voice but not hearing what he had to say. 

Damn this weather.

The sail began to flap, a deliberate choice to de-power the Kraken and facilitate the navigation through the treacherous bay. Many a ship before them had got stuck, or worse, sank. With Princess Alana on board, they could not afford such a mishap. But while the slower speed helped Lana move around the ship without needing a bucket as a permanent companion, they lost even the occasional breeze. 

Alex played with the buckle on her belt to pass the time. She wasn't alone in her restlessness. Copecks and the few bottles of Palm Tears that were left swapped owner with each turn of the ship.

Before the next, heads collectively shot towards the quarterdeck. The young one-belters would be the most eager ones, a choir of, "Will it be now? Is it coming?"

She and Liene remained quiet; they had studied the map in the captain's cabin. They knew when the tower of Ghouri would come into view,  and thus when the last of the arrows would be shot into the air and inform Alburkhan of their imminent arrival.

Pan's tactic was a more teasing one. Alex rolled her eyes each time he grabbed his spyglass to peer into the distance for much longer than necessary, but she had to admit it became harder each time to suppress a grin.

The crew called him names, even jokingly threatened with mutiny. For every pinky finger raised, there were twice as many smiles. Pan's stupid antics kept their minds occupied; the last miles were the hardest, even for those who had been raised by the sea.

When the large stone construction finally appeared on a distant island, a good five sea miles away from them, cheers erupted from the lower deck. Some stomped their feet; others danced.

Nicknamed Staggering Horse, the tower of Ghouri was shaped like a horse on its hind legs if one had the right kind of imagination or had drunk enough Palm Tears. At the top, where she guessed would be the muzzle, lived the soldiers that manned the fort.

"Desi, Verban, positions and prepare," Pan said.

The two one-belters spurted towards the mizzenmast and began to climb. Lately, one rarely went somewhere without the other trailing right behind. Desi was on her knees, lighting the matchstick, while Verban tried to stabilise the arrow into its iron cocoon.

"Hold." Pan held his arm stretched. "Hold." A pause, though why, Alex couldn't tell. "Go, Desi! Go!"

The flame touched the wick. 

Instantly, the two ducked, flat on their stomach, and cupped their hands to their ears. The fuse sparkled and cracked through the tube, sputtering inch per inch towards the gunpowder. 

Under clear skies, the white fire was more loud than bright.

As Desi and Verband climbed back on deck, copecks were already moving from one hand to the next and the bottles of Palm Tears were emptied when, suddenly, the tower responded with an even louder bang. 

The Krakens stopped what they were doing for a brief moment, then continued as in the background, a chain reaction of smaller explosions came in increasingly longer intervals.

Then the sweltering lethargy settled back into the crew.

She didn't blame them.

Not having anything to do else for herself, she allowed her eyes to linger back to Pan, now talking to Lana. The Princess' words echoed in her mind. Get married already.

Now, what if she bound the knot with him? No, they would fight for the rest of their lives; he didn't consider anyone's opinion but his own, and she couldn't hide her frustration with him. Honestly, with the white hair and reddish-blue eyes, he wasn't even handsome.

He was ghastly.

A ghost.

A gorgeous ghost.

She slapped her hand into her cheek, then made it seems as though she was wiping sweat off her face. 

Pan darted a look over his shoulder. "Everything alright, Alex?"

No, a pork's tail had more common sense than she had. "Yeah, don't mind me. Almost lost my balance—that's all."

While he continued his conversation, Lana bit her upper lip and wiggled her eyebrows. The urge to stick out her tongue was real, but she resisted it; it would only raise more questions.

She focused on the horizon and continued playing with the buckle on her belt. Open. Close. Open. Then, suddenly, something black, almost like a stain popped up in the distance. She set her hand to her forehead. It was too dark to be rain, but couldn't think of an alternative.

"Pan, Liene, what's that?" she said.

As per protocol, even though there wasn't a hint of alarm in her voice, Lana retreated, using the Captain and the helmsman as a shield.

As Pan set his spyglass to his eye, Alex realised she could do the same. 

It took a while to focus on the source, which was a black cloud of smoke. A ship emerged from underneath it. A ship! It was flatter than anything she had ever seen. Where she expected the sails to be was only a chimney, the source of the smog. A red-orange flag waved from the mainmast.

"They're heading this way," Pan said.

"Scorians," she added. "But... the ship—it's sailing against the wind—how's that possible?"

"That's because it's not sailing," Pan corrected her, sounding like he was patronising her. "It's powered by steam."

She huffed. "More like a smoke ship, if you ask me."

Alex kept peering through the spyglass at the ship that King Thomas and General George wanted to use in the war against Silvermark. While she could see the advantage of having an iron hull instead of a wooden one in case of a magical attack, as well as freeing oneself from the fickle nature of the wind, the ship had no charm. No life. No soul.

She lowered the spyglass when the ship had nearly caught up to them. None of the Krakens were working anymore. Or sleeping, for that matter. By the number of people gathering on the deck, they had woken up the night crew as well to come and admire the beast of soot and iron.

The steamship flanked the Kraken. Pan exchanged greetings with a veiled lady who wore a long, sleeveless red tunic to her ankles. Her wrists were covered with metal studded leather braces that revealed the drawings of a horse. She must be important, for the leather-uniformed men and women surrounding her each carried a curved sword. Helmets showed below the deck, near the cannons.

"Yes, the Lady Alana is here," Pan said. "The voyage has been hard on her, but she's in good spirits."

Lana moved towards the port side, then bowed. "Aqid Ameera—it's a pleasure to get acquainted with you. The Pirates have been such lovely hosts on this dire journey."

"Would you desire a meeting with the court physician upon your arrival in Alburkhan?" The woman asked.

"I'm positive that what is left of my nausea will fade completely as my feet find land. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I'll require sustenance to gain my strength back."

"Certainly. I can also recommend the sweating hut to shake the remainder of the illness from your bones, My Lady."

"It's a kind offer. I'll gladly take Alexandra, the Pirate Boyar, as my companion." Lana gesticulated at her.

Alex nodded a bow, yet expelling a breath at the same time. What was Lana getting her into now?

The Aqid and Pan talked for a little while longer about the shallow waters and the best route to Alburkhan, then the Scorians hooked the Kraken's Kiss by the forepeak and towed them towards the city.  In the meantime, a dove was released into the sky, sending more detailed word to Alburkhan.

At first, the crew couldn't get enough of the marvel of modern life, but the longer the stench originating from the chimney wafted above their heads, the more the initial awe faded. Those that didn't retreat to the below-deck, either pinched their nose or covered their mouth and nose with their kerchief; the same way she did.

Whatever colour Lana had gained was quickly lost again. She was waving a fan into her face, which Alex guessed only made matters worse.

She tossed the fan aside, and under muttering disgruntlement but almost no resistance, grabbed the Princess by the arm and escorted her to starboard. They could never really escape the smoke, but at least the stench lingered less closest to the sea.

"You know, if your father and General George wish to smoke the Silvermarkers out, the iron beasts will help them accomplish that," she said in an attempt to lighten to mood.

Lana smiled faintly, closing her eyes. Her grip on Alex was surprisingly firm.

"It'll be fine—you'll be fine," Alex said. "We're nearly there."

"Hmm."

A silhouette popped up in the corner of her eye, still miles away but slowly taking shape. 

Alex leant forward for as far as she could without startling the Princess. Beyond the sea of green laid a city of hundreds—no thousands—of clay houses in a maze of crisscross alleys that all led to a giant dome.

"Alburkhan! Land!"

"I wanna see, but I'm gonna hurl if I open my eyes," Lana croaked.

"I'll do it for you," Alex proposed. She pondered about what she would say, then said, "Imagine the Port, but instead of white houses, imagine them built out of sand and clay. The city is... it's... alive! The breathing, living organism with streets like veins leading to the pumping heart that is the Queen's Palace, with its slender towards and bowl-like roof—no various bowls. Several smaller ones surrounding the big one. I bet that's where the throne room is—you know—where Seb will get married."

Lana's nails dug into Alex's skin as she flung her torso over the rail and heaved out a sour-smelling liquid, most likely the little water she had managed to drink today.

"Come, come... the thought of Seb getting married shouldn't make you sick. He's a Prince, She's a Princess. It's good for the realm," Alex joked.

Lana spat into the sea, providing more food for the fish. "You're not funny when you're trying to be clever."

"Disagreed, I'm hilarious."

"Hilariously besotted," she murmured. There came a gagging noise, then a gasp, and then another big gag.

"I'm not!"

A few heartbeats later, her eyes were pulled to the rudder where Pan was removing his belts from his bare torso. Yes, she was infatuated, besotted even. Yes, it was unlike anything she had ever felt for a man. But it would pass. It was a trick from the Goddess of Lust, to lure her away from the path of Virtue; she had to resist.

Then Liene handed him the official, gold-buttoned coat he had received from General George, a gift to show he was an official member of the Greenlander army. She and Liene had received a similar one, though more tailored to their female curves. Though the typical sycamore leaves lacked, it was a token of honour she treasured.

"I should get dressed too," she said to Lana. "Will you be fine?"

A moan, then a groan.

Alex ended up dragging Lana with her to the cabin where she and Liene patched her up for the sake of appearances. Any sign of weakness had to be masked with powder the colour of a summer sunset and carmine dye for her lips.

The Princess' duty in Alburkhan was to represent her father and his interests, to please the Scorians in the name of King and country. And Alex's job was to make sure Lana managed to carry out these tasks.

By the time the steamship docked into the harbour, the Krakens had transformed from a bunch of raggedy privateers to official ambassadors of the Greenlander crown. If one didn't smell them too closely, or asked them to smile, or challenged them for a bet involving money or liquor. This was the best that could be done.

More leather-uniformed soldiers awaited them on the quayside. The ones closest to the ship were attaching a bridge between the mainland and the Kraken.

From the midst of these lanced men and women towered a black-haired, pale-faced, and—she chuckled—moustached and bearded Seb. She swore he had grown even taller in the seasons following her last visit to Sunstone Castle. Wearing his black uniform, he looked serious without being broody or snooty. 

A wave of nostalgia flooded over her. Such a contrast to the Laneby boy she had befriended. Accompanied by the regally looking, dark-eyed Scorian lady in the orange-red satin dress and yellow headscarf, he looked like a Prince. A proper Prince. 

On Seb's other side, flanked by a greying man in a purple gown, stood a Scorian man roughly the same age as Seb, also wearing satin. From his belt hung an ornate curved sword. Prince David.

Alex elbowed Lana. "Your escort's here too."

"Can't say I'm surprised," Lana said.

The man in the purple gown moved to the front. He placed his hand on his heart. "I, Khan Reffi, welcome you to Alburkhan, Lady Alana of The Greenlands, daughter of the wonderful King Thomas."

This was Lana's cue to start walking. Alex followed her, their arms hooked. The Princess was still unsteady on her feet, but Alex was there to support her.

In front of the Khan, Lana moved her hand to her heart as well, then slightly bent her knees to bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

The Khan offered his arm to Lana, which she accepted, forcing Alex to trail behind them.

"Her Majesty Queen Rainah has sent two of her children to offer you the warmest of welcomes. Let me introduce you to Prince David."

The Scorian Prince placed his hand on his heart as Lana did. His face was wooden, his fingers shaky. It was hard to tell whether the sweat on his brow was due to the heat, his nerves, or both.

As Alex greeted him too, his eyes were still on Lana.

The Khan skipped Seb and proceeded to introduce Princess Jhara. Alex paid little attention to the princess who was going to become Seb's bride. Instead, she broke protocol to wrap her arms around him.

He nearly fell into her embrace. "Glad to see you," he whispered. "How was the journey?"

"Long. Sorry for the stench."

"You smell of roses and autumn," he said cheekily.

"Muddy waters and a wilted flower—gotcha. Lana needs to rest—she was sick the entire voyage."

"That's why she's skin and bones."

"Pretty much, can you arrange that?"

Seb darted a look at his cousin, breathing audibly. "She seems alright right now."

"That's because the Khan's practically holding her. She's keeping strong for the sake of the kingdom."

"Aren't we all?" he said, swallowing the r's and the l's. Other than the thick Laneby accent, there was desperation in his voice. Something he was eager to tell more about, but couldn't, not in these circumstances.

Even though Pan had popped up by her side, she stayed put. "Got cold feet?"

"In this desert? I never thought I'd visit a place hotter than Sundale in summer."

"You're a Muttonhead." She gave him an extra squeeze before letting go.

Seb's eyes were on Pan already. But she made a mental note to arrange a private meeting with him. Whether he was uncertain about his bride or had troubles with the Scorians, she was here now. She would help him sort it out. Not as a Privateer, but as a friend.

Bringing her hand to her heart, she bowed to Princess Jhara. The dark shade around her eyes stood in large contrast to her colourful clothes, and while others may fear her for her intimidating look, Alex made sure to keep a neutral look, but scowl subtly. Princess of Scoria or not, if she mistreated Seb, she had to answer to her.

After hurriedly greeting the row of soldiers, she joined Lana and the Khan. They were talking about a tonic of cumin and lemon, as well the healing powers of the sweating hut. Even though the topic intrigued her, she was quick to yank Pan to her side.

"I want to speak to Prince Sebastian alone," she told him.

He crossed his arms, his forehead puckered. "Like now?"

"Soon. The sooner the better."

"But why?"

She contemplated her answer, then said. "I can't tell you."

"Come on." He tilted his head and cast her a sideways glance.

"I can't."

"I'm the Captain of the Kraken's Kiss."

"I'm the Pirate Boyar."

"That still doesn't mean anything."

"No, but pretending that it does has led us a long way, to places you've never been before, Panu."

A husky grunt escaped his throat. "You're impossible."

"I know. Are you in?"

"No," he said firmly.

She bit her lip. Definitely a momentary infatuation; a yearning of the flesh. She didn't love Pan and never would. The Goddess of Lust wouldn't get to her. Never.