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The queen’s former grand rook stared out at the ocean’s horizon and tried not to sigh. It had been months since Avera’s kidnapping. Months of Benoit being a tyrant. It killed Gustav that he was powerless to stop the false king.

The reports of his depravity had spread, reaching even remote Seaserpent’s Bay.

As Benoit began to show his true—and quite sadistic—colors, people fled the towns and cities where they’d been born and raised for the one place thus far untainted by the evil.

From them, Gustav heard the horror stories.

Entire families were murdered for daring to question Benoit’s accusation of treason.

As time went on, fewer and fewer citizens believed his claim that Avera had killed her family, and that number increased as Benoit trampled on the peaceful world they used to enjoy.

The false king didn’t brook any dissidence when it came to his so-called right to sit on the throne.

Benoit also flew into a rage when people demanded to know where the late Queen’s daughter, and only living heir, had gone.

As if that weren’t enough, Gustav listened with a heavy heart to the tales of children taken from their families never to be seen again, even as rumors arose of wild parties taking place at the castle.

The servants might have been able to shed light on what happened at these private events if they’d not lost their tongues.

Literally. A cruelty that Gustav could barely fathom.

What had those people seen that led to such severe measures to ensure their silence?

Benoit’s tyranny led to the populace being understandably fearful. However, despite the fact they cowered and pretended to adore their new king, they simmered. And as everyone knew, a simmering pot didn’t take much to boil over.

Those who escaped and straggled into Seaserpent’s Bay had either given up hope or sought a way to return to the peace and prosperity they’d enjoyed under the late queen.

When they realized Gustav—the late queen’s most loyal soldier and Grand Rook—had taken up residence, they clamored for him to do something.

Do what, though? Gustav lacked soldiers and resources to mount a rebellion.

Then there was the fact it wasn’t just Benoit causing issues.

Tales of monsters became widespread. Vicious demons that appeared from nowhere to terrorize.

Reports of the mist, the kind that bewitched people, had been increasing as Zhos’ influence spread from Fraegus Spire.

Seaserpent’s Bay had surprisingly managed to evade issues with Zhos’ mind controlling fog. While the mist descended almost nightly from the spire, it couldn’t seem to pass a pair of extremely old monoliths inscribed with strange symbols which stood just outside the town.

How long would that protection last? Gustav feared not much longer. Already, they’d had to thwart attacks aimed at taking down the protection. Once the monoliths fell, it wouldn’t be long before their minds—and wills—were stolen from them.

A speck on the horizon caught his eye and he squinted just as his sister Josslyn joined him.

“A ship!” she exclaimed. “Who do you think it is?”

There’d been fear Benoit would send forces by sea because surely by now he knew of the discontented gathering in the bay on the far side of the continent.

“Dunno. They ain’t flying colors.” That said, the dark lines of the vessel felt familiar.

Would the pirate who’d dared to kidnap Avera be so brazen as to return?

Gustav hoped so. He’d been waiting for a chance to avenge the young woman he’d helped raise.

A true lady of character who’d have made a fine queen.

He’d spent months in the harbor hoping another ship would dock so he could hire it and search for her, only to be disappointed as each day ended without a sail in sight.

“More refugees straggled in this morning,” Josslyn stated. “They vacated their town after Benoit’s men raided it and stole a half dozen children.”

Gustav winced. “Those poor families.” Not enough was the horror of having a child taken, but they also had to live knowing those innocents would most likely be abused and killed. Having heard stories of Benoit’s violent predilections, he didn’t harbor much hope any of them survived unscathed.

“I don’t understand how those soldiers can abet such vileness,” she exclaimed. “How can they obey such heinous commands?”

“Some thrive on violence and fear while the good ones are trying to protect their families. I also imagine more than a few have been taken over by Zhos.” When that dark entity invaded the mind, the person had no control.

They became a puppet, their strings pulled into doing despicable acts, forced to watch, unable to stop anything.

“I hear the monoliths were attacked again last night.” Josslyn changed the subject.

“Yeah.” Gustav sighed. “I’ve doubled tonight’s watch. However, I fear it’s only a matter of time before they succeed. We’ve only a few weapons capable of disrupting the mist monsters.”

The mist monsters were creatures formed from the melted ice that held Zhos captive.

They were impervious to pain and regular blades.

Luckily, Gustav recalled how the pirate’s sword had managed to slice through one, meaning there were some weapons capable of causing damage.

It turned out that anything with a bit of wolfframm melded into it worked.

Pity it was in such short supply. After scrounging through every dusty attic and old storage trunk, Gustav had only managed to locate two daggers and one sword made with the stuff, all Verlorian crafted.

“I don’t think that’s one of Benoit’s ships,” Josslyn murmured as it neared enough for them to see the crew milling about on deck. None wore the royal colors. Atop the bridge, a man stood and by his side…

Gustav’s heart skipped a beat. “Josslyn, am I seeing things?”

His sister stared hard before exclaiming, “Is that Avera?”

As she asked, the woman on the ship began to wave, and Gustav felt rare tears brimming. “Praise be. She’s alive.”

And returning to a shit show. For all that Gustav was happy to see her, a part of him wanted to scream at her to flee. To run before Zhos or Benoit could cause her harm.

At the same time, Avera remained their best hope. She could rally the people into ousting Benoit. Perhaps she’d even managed to succeed in her quest and found the stones that used to guard Zhos’ tomb. If they could rid themselves of one threat, then it would be easier to tackle the other.

The ship sailed into the bay where the dockhands scurried to secure her.

Gustav stood and waited. The woman on the bridge had disappeared, but she soon came into sight, clambering down the rope ladder flung over the side before the ship was fully moored.

“Avera! What are you doing?” Gustav exclaimed, the shock of her action making him use her name rather than her title.

“Gustav! Josslyn!” Avera squealed as she hit the dock and flung herself at him, hugging him hard before taking a turn with his sister.

“Where have you been?” Josslyn cried. “We’ve been ever so worried.”

“On a very wild adventure,” Avera replied with a wry chuckle. “I have so much to tell you. How have you been? How’s Luna?”

“Luna’s fine, if somewhat depressed since your abduction. Gustav’s been taking her out for daily rides to keep her fit.”

“Thank you.” Avera beamed. “I can’t wait to see her.”

Gustav stiffened as the ship’s captain disembarked and stood by Avera’s side.

“You have a lot of nerve,” growled the rook. “You kidnapped the queen.”

“Sorry?” The pirate didn’t sound apologetic at all.

“Don’t be mad at Griffon,” Avera stated. “He and his crew are on our side now.”

“You can’t be serious. They’re bloody pirates,” Gustav growled.

“They only did what they had to in order to survive. The Verlorians were ill-treated after the catastrophe, but that is going to change now that we’re officially allied with them.” Avera took Griffon’s hand and Gustav’s gaze narrowed.

“What have you done?” Gustav queried through gritted teeth.

“What I was told to do once I inherited. I married. Griffon is my consort.”

“You married a pirate?” Gustav couldn’t contain himself.

“Actually, his full name is Griffon Leif, son of Chancellor Lance Leif.”

That only made it marginally better. An annoyed Gustav snapped, “Still not seeing how that helps. Verlora has no army to aid us. Nothing to give. While you’ve been sailing the seas and frolicking with a pirate, Daerva’s been suffering.”

“I know and I’m sorry it took so long.” Her lips turned down. “I ran into unexpected issues on my journey.”

Gustav felt chagrin at his harsh tone, but he had a duty to uphold. “Did you find those stones Opal told you to fetch? The fog’s now appearing all over the continent, as are Zhos’ monsters.”

“I fear there is no stopping Zhos’ escape,” she murmured.

“You can’t be sure of that. Did you find the stones so we can at least try?”

“Yes.”

Finally, a bit of good news. “Where are they? We’ll assemble a team to get them back to that dark lake.”

Avera’s lips pursed. “Unfortunately, I don’t have them anymore. And it turns out they wouldn’t have made a difference, since the spell holding Zhos had already begun to unravel.”

That quickly, Gustav deflated. “We’re doomed.”

“Maybe not. I’ve learned much on my travels first in Verlora and then in Merisu.”

“You were in Merisu?” Gustav exclaimed.

“Did you meet the emperor?” Josslyn asked. “Is he as bad as they say?”

“Worse,” Avera grumbled. “But don’t worry, he’s dead. Griff killed him after he forced me to marry him.”

Gustav blinked. “You married the emperor?”

“I didn’t have a choice. I’ve much to tell you. Shall we go somewhere more private to talk, though?”

“I think that would be best.” It sounded as if Avera had quite the tale to relate. “We can talk in the house we commandeered on the main strip.”