THE Retribution docked at the port of the kingdom's capital; the city of Ashen Reach. The city itself was one of the largest islands in the world, housing more than seventy five million occupants officially, according to the details of the last census.
The Retribution thrummed to a halt, its massive frame settling with a menacing grace. Moments later, the hatch hissed open, releasing a cascade of steam as a sleek, automated staircase unfurled and locked onto the wooden platform of the port. A thin veil of smoke escaped into the air as two imposing guards emerged, their eyes sharp as they surveyed the surroundings with cold precision. Once satisfied, they took their positions at the base of the stairs, every muscle coiled and alert.
Then, the procession began. The Marshal, a figure of unwavering authority, descended the stairs with deliberate steps, her presence commanding the space. Flanked by her entourage, her gaze swept across the port, where two figures clad in black stood waiting, their identities shrouded in shadow. Irene's expression remained unreadable, but her mind churned with unsettling thoughts as she approached them.
She didn't necessarily like Ashen Reach, its entire atmosphere disgusted her. It was always too noisy and too busy. The reason she'd even remotely agreed to come back was because the order had been from the Admiral himself. There were not many people that she feared, the Admiral was one of those people that she was terrified of.
The moment she got off the stairs, her guards parted ways for her to meet the two men who were there to receive her. "Your Honor!" One of them spoke, bowing slowly to her.
Irene rolled her eyes, she wasn't interested in all these silly ceremonies. She just wanted to get this over with and return to the sea as soon as possible. "Please, let's just go!" She sighed.
The two men exchanged a quick nod and led the group toward the rail motor stationed at the port's entrance. Irene's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sight of the mechanical marvel before her. The last time she had been in the capital, the rail motor system was still under construction, its progress derailed by a brutal rebel attack that had destroyed critical components. Now, seeing it fully operational and gleaming with potential, a rare smile tugged at her lips.
The rail motor was a cutting-edge invention, the brainchild of a brilliant engineer. Miniature rails crisscrossed the city, connecting vital locations. The engineer had devised a sleek vehicle to glide along these rails, ensuring swift and efficient travel. He initially wanted to create a big massive machinery but he opted for a more discreet design, mindful of the city's need for quiet amidst its constant bustle.
So he created multiple smaller motors that can always connect to each other while on rail and going in the same direction. It was safe and incurred less cost than the actual coach cars used in Ashen Reach before, although most people still stuck to chariots.
She entered into the car and one of the black men led her to her own room along with Hevah, her personal secretary. She sat down on the cushion chair in the compartment relaxing as she soon felt the jiggle of the motor as they began to move towards the grand palace.
"How far have you gone with my speech?" Irene demanded from her secretary, an elderly man with graying hair. The man has been serving Irene ever since she was a little girl and was a father figure to her, throughout her rise to power and prominence, he was always beside her nudging her and helping her make difficult choices.
Hevah glanced at her through the pair of glasses on his face. "Your speech is done, yes but why are you suddenly interested?" He demanded.
"I have to tell them something, you know how they can get. If I start talking and it looks as if I came up with the words from out of my ass, it won't look good at all," she explained.
Hevah nodded, nudging his glasses before opening a briefcase and handing her the speech without saying a word. The Marshal began to read the speech and after a while she paused. "Are you sure we need to vilify Godblast?" She demanded.
"Someone has to take the fall, Godblast is the enemy here, I don't see us getting Helios out of this without vilifying the villains," the elderly man explained.
Irene sighed, this was the main reason she'd been summoned to the capital. After Helios lost the Silent Sorrow and half his crew to an alleged encounter with one of the four Pirate Kings, she'd immediately sent a telegram to the capital. The capital had requested the head of Helios Charlemagne but she'd defied the order, telling them she would stand for the Narvach! The next thing she recieved was a summon to the capital, to come and defend her case in person.
She'd initially declined the summons, as it was signed off by the head councillor but another letter had been sent, signed by the fleet Admiral himself. She had no choice but to go and now she needed to take this seriously. She didn't really know why she wss defending Helios Charmalagne at all, the man was as bad as they come. He held no respect for anyone below his rank and has been multiple times reported to be engaged in a series of depraved acts with his crew that shouldn't even be spoken of.
She didn't need a soothsayer to tell her that if Helios was left to fester within the Sagittarium he would cause untold harm. Yet, when she'd asked her diviner, the woman told her to keep Helios alive. She said that a known evil with an obvious weakness was better as an opponent than one hidden in the shadows.
Irene didn't understand the statement much and she didn't dwell on it, the woman always speaks in parables to let her know she was very stupid. She brushed it off as the motor finally came to a halt, and everyone disembarked. Irene's entourage consisted of four guards, her enigmatic diviner, a shackled and eerily silent Helios, Hevah, and herself.
Now, they stood before the imposing gates of the palace, which bore the kingdom's proud insignia—a centaur loosing an arrow into the stars. Common folk referred to it simply as "The Archer," often dismissing it as a crude depiction of a man on horseback. But those versed in the ancient lore knew better. This emblem was a surviving fragment of an age long past, a remnant from a time of peace and enlightenment. It was one of the twelve sacred Zodiac signs and the very inspiration behind the kingdom's name. This emblem was known as The Sagittarium