The violent waves hit the hull of the ship. I was tied up on the deck and they were taking me somewhere. Where? I did not know. I had asked but only received derisive laughter in response.
"Don't worry, Count Derderian," Prince Huescar said, "you will soon be able to see more of the Marlaga Islands."
"If you harm me," I warned him, "you will deal with House Derderián."
"Ha! And what are they going to do? Invade me? With which army? With which ships?"
The ship's sailors laughed.
"Let me remind you of something, Count," he continued, "you are here because you need ships to move men. Your house can't do anything. If you die here, Duke Al-Thule will do nothing, he would only care about his son, and Adil is quite well at home, enjoying Huescar meat."
The sailors laughed again.
